Radio New Zealand – Page 164

Selwyn mayor Lydia Glddon. ANNA SAREGNT / RNZ

Canterbury’s Selwyn District Council is mulling staff cuts and a recruitment freeze as councillors examine ways to keep this year’s rates rise down.

Councillors agreed on Wednesday to consult the public on an average rates increase of 5.4 per cent, with options of 4.9 per cent and 6.5 per cent also on the table in the draft annual plan.

While the proposed increases were less than half of last year’s 14.2 per cent hike, they excluded water charges and resulted in trade-offs.

The council had carved out savings in the draft plan by shifting some costs from general rates to user-pays, which could mean increased building consent costs, aquatic and fitness class fees and dog registration fees for ratepayers.

Selwyn mayor Lydia Gliddon said there were also savings to be made in-house, which could result in staff cuts.

“There’s a lot that we’re going to do internally and we need staff to quantify some of this stuff. At the moment we look at like a hiring freeze and actually do we need all of these roles, what are the core roles that we need to deliver core function of council and what are the ones that we don’t need and how do we lower our consultancy spend along side that as well,” she said.

“There are 75 open roles out at the moment, if we don’t need those roles we shouldn’t be recruiting for them.”

Total staff costs came to $47.3 million in the last financial year, compared to $32.7m in the 2022/23 financial year.

The draft plan said the lowest 4.9 per cent rates rise option could be achieved by significantly reducing recruitment at the council for the next year, removing some roles from budgets and significantly reducing consultant costs.

It was not recommended by staff, who said it could affect the council’s ability to meet its legal obligations and deliver services.

Gliddon said the 4.9 percent increase was yet to be fully modelled by the council.

“You’ve got to weigh up the risk. We can’t risk not delivering the level of service our community expects but we can’t charge the level of rates that we have been,” she said.

Gliddon believed general rates were subsidising some fees and charges more than they should.

“I think the user-pays is actually a better situation than the general rate having to offset at the rate that it is,” she said.

“I don’t think necessarily it’s fair if someone isn’t using something, they shouldn’t be paying or subsidising the full amount of it. It is a really fine line because you want to enable success of say facilities because there is a general good will in those and we want people to be using the space, and they’re paying a targeted rate for it, but it’s a bigger broader conversation and we need to figure this out with our community.”

The council would have to reduce its library programmes and exhibitions to achieve the 5.4 per cent increase.

The draft plan included investments in roading upgrades and maintenance, Lincoln’s town centre, replacement of the Whitecliffs bridge and remediation of the Leeston Medical Centre.

Gliddon said roading was one of the biggest infrastructure pressures the district was facing because it remained the fastest growing area in the country.

The council was predicting $213.6m in revenue during the next financial year, while it would spend $196.5m on operating expenses and $86m on capital infrastructure.

Gliddon said Selwyn’s rapid growth provided both an opportunity and a challenge for the council.

“We have national policy statements we’ve got to abide by providing 30 years worth of land for housing, that’s a lot when you’re a fast growing district. What we’re trying to do is try and release some of the burden from the general ratepayer having to subsidise growth because we know that’s not fair,” she said.

“We’re hoping that the development levy reform will come out and help us recover some of that.”

The council was in the process of recruiting a permanent chief executive after the resignation of Sharon Mason in December.

“We’ve appointed Sheffield as our recruitment agency. We’ve got a process to take place over the coming months. Ideally we’d like to have a permanent chief executive employed to go through the long term plan,” Gliddon said.

Public consultation on Selwyn’s draft annual plan opens on Monday.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

March 13, 2026

Firefighter hits right note to free toddler stuck in a tambourine

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Richard Tindiller

A long-serving Wellington firefighter can chalk up another first after a callout to a toddler with a tambourine stuck on his neck.

The Johnsonville crew was called to the incident at a daycare centre around 10.20am on Friday.

Watch commander John Devereux said the child – thought to be about one – got the tambourine over his head and couldn’t get it off again.

“He wasn’t distressed at all. It was loosely around his neck. He was wearing it like a loose collar.”

Devereux said the musical instrument was made of laminated wood – no match for a pair of bolt cutters.

While the toddler was distracted by the fire engine, a crew member crept around the back of his head, Devereux said and snipped the tambourine off.

“I don’t think he even noticed.”

The callout was a first for Devereux in his 47 years in the fire service.

“I haven’t been to a tambourine over the head, but I have been to a couple of buckets over the head.”

He said dishwashing liquid or snips usually sorted those out.

Asked how the crew was feeling about the success, he said it was: “Just another day at the office”.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

March 13, 2026

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith dismisses officials’ advice on ‘move on orders’

Source: Radio New Zealand

Rough sleepers in New Plymouth. RNZ / Robin Martin

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has batted away warnings from his officials that the government’s proposed ‘move-on orders’ could put vulnerable people at risk and pile hundreds more cases on the courts each year.

The powers announced in February would allow police to direct rough sleepers or beggars out of an area at threat of a $2000 fine or up to three months in prison.

Newly released advice from government agencies strongly urged against the move, warning the proposal would cause significant hardship for already vulnerable people.

Justice officials noted a “lack of empirical evidence” that the orders would reduce crime rates and said they were “highly likely” to merely shift begging or rough sleeping to different locations.

“Vulnerable individuals such as young people, disabled people, and people experiencing mental health issues, could experience a greater risk of safety from being moved out of city centres.”

Those people might also find it harder to access support networks or services, officials said, and that steep fines would either deepen cycles of poverty or just go unpaid, resulting in further involvement with the justice system.

They said the penalties were “disproportionately high” and in line with those for “much more severe behaviour” such as careless driving resulting in death, indecent exposure, or resisting police.

“Applying such significant fines to people who were issued an order for begging, rough sleeping, or creating makeshift dwellings (suggesting little to no income) is neither appropriate nor proportionate.”

Officials also said the evidence for a growing public disorder problem was limited, noting police data showing prosecutions for such offences had declined in recent years.

Modelling, referenced in the regulatory impact statement, suggested the policy could result in somewhere between 200 to 800 additional court cases.

Paul Goldsmith. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Officials said the increase would increase costs to the Ministry of Justice and could slow the progress of cases through the District Court.

They estimated it could result in an extra six people being imprisoned each year, at a cost to the state of $120,000 a year each.

Corrections warned the prison network already had limited capacity, and even small increases in the prison muster could trigger the need for new infrastructure.

RNZ earlier reported that key ministries, including justice and housing, had opposed the policy.

In a fresh statement to RNZ on Friday, Goldsmith noted the advice from officials but said it was for the elected government to determine how it moved forward.

In a statement to RNZ, Goldsmith noted the advice from officials but said it was for the elected government to determine how it moved forward.

“Just like the gangs legislation, which prompted similar warnings, we have every confidence police can operationalise this in a way that’s highly effective.

“This is about reclaiming our streets and our city centres for the enjoyment of everybody who visits, works and lives there.”

Goldsmith stressed that only people who refused the orders from police would face prosecution: “A move-on order is not a criminal charge.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

March 13, 2026

Fishing for votes: Fishing regulations, and the balance between recreational and commercial interests are shaping up as an election issue

Source: Radio New Zealand

Ross McNaughton

ACT MP Cameron Luxton is a self confessed good, keen fisherman. Asked about his biggest snapper, he recounts catching a 23-pounder (10.4kg) from a kayak.

“I tell you what, when I flipped that into the boat, I was bloody stoked.”

He seems to be angling for a few fishing votes as well. Ahead of the recent Auckland on Water boat show he put the call out on social media, asking to talk “to fishers about what they see happening on the water and what needs to change. If you’re there, come and have a chat.”

First Up took up the invitation, asking Luxton if fishing was a hot topic as he stepped off an exhibitor’s boat.

“It certainly seems to be, but it’s always been a topic that’s dear to me.”

Luxton’s not the only politician engaging with anglers. Sam Woolford, spokesperson for recreational lobby group Legasea, said he was definitely getting more attention from politicians.

“I think the easiest way to describe it is it must be an election year,” he said, “because, yes, it definitely feels like suddenly all of the political parties are a lot more attentive to what the public interests are.”

Ben Chissell organised last year’s One Ocean demonstration, protesting at some aspects of the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill, which allowed some commercial fishing in areas that prohibited recreational fishing. He also had a number of politicians getting in touch.

“Yeah, we’ve had a lot reach out. We’ve heard from Labour, National, ACT and New Zealand First.”

He said the parties were taking the issue very seriously.

“One of the two major political parties has put this between top three and top five on their manifesto for the election.”

SeaFood New Zealand recently told members seafood, commercial fishing and marine sustainability was becoming an election issue. CEO Lisa Futschek said it was in ongoing talks.

“So we have had discussions with the National Party, with the Labour Party, with ACT, with New Zealand First, with the Greens as well. We haven’t at this stage had success in meeting anyone from Te Pāti Māori.

“Our conversations and our engagement across the political spectrum is ongoing. And obviously, given that it’s election year, will be wanting to maintain those connections on a regular basis.”

Two weeks ago while out fishing, Luxton filmed a commercial vessel targeting a school of jack mackerel and skipjack tuna, describing the fish being encircled by the net.

“They’ll all be gone by Friday afternoon, all that bait,” he said in the video posted on his Facebook page.

“We’ve seen manta rays and stuff here on Friday afternoon, but who knows what’s in there at the moment”

But Luxton was not biting when asked if he had any concerns about commercial catchers.

“I think that New Zealand’s got to have adult conversations about the way we manage the marine resource. And, you know, I think a lot of people have seen things on the ocean that worry them.”

Seafood New Zealand has also been keeping an eye on Luxton’s posts.

“Yes, we have seen those posts” Futschek said, “and we have tried to understand if there was a particular issue or particular conversations that needed to happen between the recreational sector and the commercial fishing industry in Cameron’s electorate.”

Last month, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka indicated National would remove commercial fishing from Hauraki Gulf high protection areas if re-elected.

Labour would do the same. In a statement, Labour’s acting oceans and fisheries spokesperson Priyanca Radhakrishnan said: “Oceans and fisheries are hugely valued sectors to New Zealand and certainly an area we are actively engaging in. A key focus for Labour is around sustainability of the sector, and ensuring it can grow to create skilled, well-paid jobs, while also protecting the health of our oceans.”

The debate around fishing policy was set to intensify, with a proposed amendment to the Fishing Act expected before Parliament this month.

Shane Jones is the architect of the bill, but was not available for comment – fuel, rather than fishing, his priority this week.

Futschek said the commercial fishing industry was supportive of the reforms.

“They are essentially common sense changes and updates to an act which has been around now for 30 years.”

Legasea though believed the changes were weighted far too heavily in favour of the commercial sector.

“We’re talking about legalising dumping and discarding the fish at sea, or allowing the fishermen to actually turn off cameras at transition periods, or even the most ridiculous one, which will actually make it illegal for future ministers to take into consideration the impacts of fishing techniques when setting allowances.”

Politicians from across the divide are keen to ensure this election issue will not be the one that got away.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

March 13, 2026

Man charged with abducting for sex after woman found severely injured in West Auckland’s Cornwallis

Source: Radio New Zealand

The alleged attack happened near Cornwallis Beach. (File photo)

A woman who was found with several injuries in a remote area of West Auckland was put through an ordeal, police say.

A man was facing charges of abducting for sex, impeding breathing and injuring with intent after the woman was found in Cornwallis on Sunday just after 7am.

She was taken to a nearby police station and then transferred to hospital.

“I want to acknowledge the woman who came to the victim’s aid, and others who have assisted us in progressing the investigation,” Acting Detective Inspector Megan Goldie said.

“This has been a sensitive and complex investigation, and our team has worked quickly to progress our enquiry and identify a person of interest.

“This has included analysis of CCTV footage between central Auckland and west Auckland.”

A 49-year-old man was arrested in Auckland’s Mt Eden on Wednesday.

“Police have successfully opposed this man’s bail, and we can reassure the wider public that he is not in the community,” Goldie said.

“The charges themselves speak to a distressing ordeal that the victim has been through, and we will continue to support her through the next part of the process.”

They weren’t ruling out further charges.

The man would next appear in court on April 29.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

March 13, 2026

‘My light is starting to fade’: Married at First Sight star has brain cancer

Source: Radio New Zealand

Married at First Sight (MAFS) personality Mel Schilling says there’s nothing more doctors can do as cancer has spread to her brain.

The 54-year-old Australian TV host wrote on social media on Friday morning that signs cancer had returned appeared over Christmas.

Alongside a picture of herself with her husband, Gareth, and daughter, Maddie, she wrote: “I began experiencing blinding headaches and numbness down my right side. After many tests I was told the cancer had spread to the left side of my brain and, despite subsequent radiotherapy sessions, my oncology team have now told me there is nothing further they can do.”

Schilling is best known for her role as a relationship coach on the Australian and UK version of the reality TV programme, MAFS.

At the end of 2023 she was diagnosed with colon cancer “the size of a lemon”, which was removed, and she was “given the all clear”.

However, in February 2024 a routine scan found “small nodules” in her lungs. Over 16 moths, while filming MAFS, Schilling underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy.

However, the cancer has now metastasised to her brain.

“But I am still here, still fighting, and surrounded by the most incredible love. Simple tasks have become incredibly difficult and I am relying on my beautiful family to look after me,” she wrote in Friday’s update.

“I honestly don’t know how long I have left, but I do know I will fight to my last breath and will be surrounded by the love and support of my people.”

Schilling stepped back from her role on MAFS this year to focus on her health. Season 13 of the Australian version of the controversial programme is currently airing in NZ.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

March 13, 2026

Man charged with abdutcing for sex after woman found severely injured in West Auckland’s Cornwallis