Category: Radio New Zealand

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Jeremy Coney and Haidee Tiffen inducted into NZC Hall of Fame

Source: Radio New Zealand

Haidee Tiffen and Jeremy Coney have been inducted into the NZC Hall of Fame. Photosport

The NZC Hall of Fame has honoured two of Aotearoa’s legendary cricketers Jeremy Coney and Haidee Tiffen – the first inductions since the inaugural “First Eleven” was unveiled last summer.

Last summer’s inauguration saw the induction of Bert Sutcliffe, John R Reid, Jackie Lord, Trish McKelvey, Glenn Turner, Sir Richard Hadlee, Debbie Hockley, Martin Crowe, Emily Drumm, Daniel Vettori, and Brendon McCullum.

Coney led the New Zealand men’s team through its first so-called Golden Era in the 1980s, while Tiffen was regarded as one of the best all-rounders in the world during the decade from 1999-2009.

One of New Zealand women’s cricket’s most accomplished leaders, Tiffen debuted against South Africa as a 19-year-old in 1999, and made 128 international appearances (53 as captain) across formats, including a remarkable streak of 71 consecutive ODIs.

She was a star of New Zealand’s 2000 World Cup triumph on home soil, scoring 187 runs at 46.75.

As captain, Tiffen led the team to the 2009 World Cup final in Australia, topping both aggregates and averages with 279 runs at 46.50, including a century against Pakistan, her penultimate international innings.

An elite all-rounder, she was shortlisted for the ICC Women’s Player of the Year in 2006. She also featured in New Zealand’s inaugural women’s T20I against England in 2004, and scored 124 in her two Tests.

“It’s a huge honour to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and to be alongside some of my role models already inducted, like Debbie Hockley, Sir Richard Hadlee and Emily Drumm,” she said.

“As a young girl from Timaru, representing New Zealand was always a dream. Cricket has given me so much, incredible friendships, challenges, and memories that will stay with me forever. I’m very grateful to the game and everyone who supported me along the way.”

Haidee Tiffen Photosport Ltd 2017 www.photosport.nz

Captain during Historic Test series victories

Regarded as one New Zealand’s most courageous competitors, Coney led the New Zealand men’s team to three historic and successive Test series victories in 1985 and 1986: against Australia in Australia, Australia in New Zealand, and England in England, all of which were first-time achievements.

The allrounder was renowned for thriving in crises. His maiden Test century of 174 not out against England at the Basin Reserve in 1984 came after a 244-run first-innings deficit, rescuing New Zealand from near-certain defeat in an epic eight-hour stand.

Former New Zealand cricket captain Jeremy Coney, who has also been a commentator. Andrew Cornaga / photosport.co.nz

The following season, another unbeaten hundred (with a famous last-wicket 50-run partnership alongside Ewen Chatfield) delivered a dramatic two-wicket win against Pakistan in Dunedin.

Across 52 Tests, Coney scored 2668 runs at 37.57 (including three centuries and 16 fifties) and took 64 catches, many at second slip, where his success rate was near-infallible.

His medium-pace bowling delivered 27 Test wickets and 54 in ODIs, including a crucial four-wicket haul at Leeds in 1983 that helped secure New Zealand’s first Test win in England. In 80 ODI innings, he failed to score only once.

“I think back to the skinny wraith from Ngaio in Wellington, spending his primary schoolboy afternoons alone on our tennis court immersed with a ball, my older brother’s bat (which had to be replaced in the precise position it lay prior to his return from college),” he said.

“In that wash-house I first heard the seductive clink of buckles from pads… It was on this tennis court using this borrowed equipment I created unlikely and (as yet) unregistered, test victories over England and Australia.

“One might imagine the pleasure supplied when these mythical encounters became a reality for me.”

Coney said he was honoured to be recognised.

“It’s been fun and a challenge. That this range of feelings through good times and bad, competing hard as part of a team, might result in my inclusion alongside those I have admired is a little beyond my expectations, yet considerably gratifying.”

Coney and Tiffen will be formally recognised at the New Zealand Cricket Awards on Thursday.

The Hall of Fame (HOF) is a joint initiative between NZ Cricket (NZC), the NZ Cricket Players Association, and the NZ Cricket Museum, to immortalise the country’s greatest cricketers.

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

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Jevon McSkimming complainant allegedly sent 87 emails to wife of officer overseeing investigation into her

Source: Radio New Zealand

A woman who accused former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming of sexual offending allegedly sent 87 abusive emails to the wife of an officer who was overseeing an investigation into her.

Police claim the emails were “threatening and highly disparaging” of the woman and made reference to her children, including “suggesting they should be sexually abused”.

A damning report released in November by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) found serious misconduct at the highest levels, including former Commissioner Andrew Coster, over how police responded to the woman’s allegations.

The woman, who had name suppression but was referred to as ‘Ms Z’ in the IPCA’s report, was charged in May last year with causing harm by posting digital communication in relation to over 300 emails sent to McSkimming’s work email address between December 2023 and April 2024.

  • Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

    • The charge against the woman was withdrawn in the Wellington District Court in September because McSkimming did not wish to give evidence. But the woman remained before the court on two charges of causing harm by posting a digital communication in relation to another police officer and his wife.

    On Wednesday, the case was called in the Wellington District Court before Judge Andy Nicholls.

    At the hearing, Judge Nicholls granted RNZ access to a court document that detailed the police allegations against Ms Z. The police officer and his wife had name suppression. Ms Z pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Wellington District Court. RNZ / Richard Tindiller

    The document said Ms Z was in contact with the officer in charge of the prosecution into the initial charges she faced. However, due to the volume and nature of emails, phone calls and text messages that she sent to him a bail condition was added, preventing her from contacting him except through her counsel.

    The court document said this “frustrated” Ms Z who “went about trying to circumvent this ban on contact”.

    Police said Ms Z went online and discovered the identity of the officer’s wife and found out they had young children. She also found the wife’s contact details, including her employer, job title, work email address and home address.

    “She accessed social media to locate material about her locating a photograph of [the wife] at a social event many years earlier holding a beer bong. This required a lot of effort as it was not on [the wife’s] own Facebook page.

    “The defendant decided that this photograph was embarrassing for [the wife].”

    She was accused of creating a fake email address and sending 87 emails to the wife’s work email address between 26 June and 3 July 2025. She copied senior police officers, the Lower Hutt mayor and a journalist into some of the emails.

    “The emails were threatening and highly disparaging of [the wife]. They also contained highly offensive language. The content of the emails worsened over time. The emails also made reference to [the wife’s] young children.

    “This included highly offensive sexual references about the children and suggesting they should be sexually abused.”

    The court document said some of the emails were sent in quick succession. Ten were sent in the space of 51 minutes on 29 June, nine in the space of 32 minutes, and 56 were sent on the same day.

    The document said Ms Z referred to the couple’s home address in her emails.

    “The reference to their home address in combination with the derogatory and offensive content of the emails caused serious emotional distress, embarrassment and anxiety to both [the wife] and her husband. This impacted both their personal and professional lives.”

    On 3 July, Ms Z was arrested and charged in relation to the emails. Bail conditions were imposed to prevent her from contacting the wife.

    It was alleged she then began messaging the chief executive of the company where the wife worked, sending 10 emails to the CEO in one day in August from the same fake email account. A senior police officer was copied into some of the emails.

    “The emails were threatening, and contained offensive language and derogatory comments about [the wife]. The defendant also made sexual references in relation to [the wife’s] young children.”

    The wife was advised of the emails. The court document said the email “caused further serious emotional distress, embarrassment and anxiety to [the wife] and her husband”.

    Ms Z’s lawyer earlier filed an application to dismiss the charges she faced on the grounds that the continued prosecution was “an abuse of process”.

    On Wednesday, the application was discussed again. Ms Z’s lawyer, Steven Lack, said his client’s position was that the initial prosecution against her was “an abuse of process by the police because it was designed to silence her”.

    “And then the second prosecution is effectively fruit of the poisoned tree in that regard.”

    In response, barrister Ian Murray – acting for police – said there were “multiple ways this abuse of process could be sliced”.

    “It could be that the original prosecution was in bad faith to prevent her from airing allegations about McSkimming, that’s probably the most understandable ground.

    “In my submission there are then some breaks in the chain that would make even that argument difficult to sustain in relation to her behaviour, in relation to a completely unrelated person not connected with the investigation.”

    He said he did not understand how a suggestion that there was a deliberate not charging of McSkimming could make prosecution of her in relation to her alleged conduct an abuse of process.

    A pre-trial callover has been set for 9 June. Judge Nicholls continued suppression orders for Ms Z and the police officer and his wife.

    Police Commissioner Richard Chambers. Calvin Samuel / RNZ

    RNZ earlier approached police asking if they had any comment on charges she still faced and whether police would now drop them.

    In response, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said the matter was before the court and police had instructed a senior criminal barrister in the proceeding.

    “It would be inappropriate for me to comment about the merits, including public interest, of any case that is before the court.

    “However, what I have done and what I can say is that I have assured myself that proper process has been followed in bringing this case.”

    Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson said Ms Z was the defendant in a prosecution in the district court.

    “In these circumstances it is not appropriate to comment publicly on the merits of the prosecution, including the public interest.”

    In an earlier statement to RNZ, Lack said police “failed my client”.

    “Over a period of years, she attempted to report allegations of serious physical, psychological and sexual offending by McSkimming, then one of the most senior Police Officers in the country. Instead of being heard, she was dismissed and ultimately prosecuted for speaking out and raising her concerns.

    “At every stage, the police had the opportunity to engage with her, to properly assess what she was saying, and to investigate her allegations. They could have viewed her as a traumatised victim.

    “They chose not to. They accepted McSkimming’s denials without meaningful inquiry and placed the full weight of the criminal justice system on my client for more than a year until the charge against her was withdrawn. Understandably this has had a devastating impact on her.

    “The way her complaints were handled should alarm all New Zealanders. It suggests that the police were more focused on protecting McSkimming’s career and advancement than on properly assessing serious allegations of offending against him.”

    Lack said the police were an organisation “entrusted by the community to protect and serve”.

    “In my client’s case, they did neither.”

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

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    Connemara Cook Strait ferry sailings cancelled for sixth day

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    The cancellations were due to a technical fault found on Saturday morning. RNZ/Anthony Phelps

    Bluebridge has cancelled its Connemara Cook Strait ferry sailings for a sixth consecutive day, and the company isn’t sure the ship will be fixed ahead of the weekend.

    A technical fault was found on Saturday morning.

    A spokesperson for Bluebridge owner StraitNZ, Will Dady, said sailings were cancelled until Thursday evening.

    “Our engineers are doing everything they can to have the issue resolved ahead of this weekend’s sailings,” he said.

    Are you affected? Email lauren.crimp@rnz.co.nz

    The ship usually sails four times daily between Wellington and Picton.

    Bluebridge only has one other ship, the Livia.

    The company was putting freight and passengers on other sailings where possible or offering refunds, Dady said.

    “We’re disappointed about the disruption caused and apologise to our customers unreservedly.”

    Sailings on the same ferry were also cancelled earlier this month because of a technical fault.

    Meanwhile, Interislander said vehicle spaces on its ferries was in high demand this month.

    “Vehicle bookings are continually monitored and if any space becomes free due to cancellations or changes, it is published on our website,” it said.

    “There is still foot-passenger availability on many sailings.”

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

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    Hurricanes’ wing’s Super Rugby form won’t persuade him to stay in NZ

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Fehi Fineanganofo has scored six tries in five games. Photosport / Patrick Hoelscher

    Fehi Fineanganofo is in career best form but with his future offshore, New Zealand Rugby is posed to lose one of its most in-form wings.

    The Hurricanes wing has scored six tries in five games, helping power his side to the top of the Super Rugby standings. He sits second on this season’s top try scorers list, level with the NSW Waratahs flyer Max Jorgensen and just behind Brumbies loose forward Charlie Cale, who has dotted down eight times in 2026.

    Fineanganofo is the leading New Zealander on the list, one try ahead of Blues and All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke.

    He has made a competition leading 12 line breaks, with only the Crusaders fullback Will Jordan and Highlanders wing Caleb Tangitau having as many.

    Hurricanes Josh Moorby and Fehi Fineanganofo celebrate a try. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

    He has 48 carries, second only to Clarke among Kiwi wings and has run for 416 metres gained, the second most of any player in the competition behind Jordan. He also has 207 post contact metres and has made 27 tackles at a 72 percent completion rate.

    Not many other wingers come close.

    Clarke has five tries and 406 metres gained, Tangitau has four five pointers and 398 metes gained and Leroy Carter has four tries with four line breaks. Sevu Reece has two tries and seven line breaks.

    Blues winger Caleb Clarke scores a try against the Crusaders. Brett Phibbs

    Fineanganofo was also the star of last round’s Fantasy rankings, producing a remarkable 113-point performance for the Hurricanes – one of the highest individual Fantasy scores of the season. He is currently second in the competition behind Cale in Fantasy points rankings.

    Fineanganofo’s performances have no doubt impressed All Blacks selectors, but it appears the 23-year-old former New Zealand Sevens player has already given up on chasing higher honours, with the winger signing a two-year deal to join English club Newcastle Red Bulls at the start of the 2026/2027 Premiership season.

    He confirmed his move in February, indicating at the time the lure of a big money contract was too hard to resist.

    “I just want to provide for my family and maybe try another opportunity,” he said.

    Fehi Fineanganofo of the Hurricanes catches cross field kick. Elias Rodriguez / www.photosport.nz

    The Hurricanes take on the Queensland Reds in Wellington on Saturday afternoon as they seek to cement themselves at the top of the standings and Fineanganofo was asked by reporters if his early Super Rugby season form had made him question his decision to leave.

    “No, not really,” Fineanganofo said. “I’m just focusing on Hurricanes and then I’ll obviously go overseas.”

    Fineanganofo will remain in New Zealand to the end of the NPC competition, so could potentially play for the All Blacks before he departs. He said it’s not on his radar.

    “No further comment on that. Probably just focus on here (Hurricanes) again.”

    So while the Hurricanes are enjoying having Fineanganofo in a purple patch of form, it’s unlikely the All Blacks will benefit.

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

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    Bids now open to host 2028 World Cup games in NZ

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Eden Park hosts the T20 international between the Black Caps and South Africa, 2026. Blake Armstrong / PHOTOSPORT

    Venues across New Zealand can now make bids to host games during the 2028 T20 World Cup.

    New Zealand and Australia will host the global tournament with up to ten venues to be selected by the end of the year.

    The 20-team tournament will be held in October and November and will feature 55 games across group competition, Super Eight, semi-finals and final.

    As co-hosts Australia and New Zealand are granted automatic qualification, while England, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe have also qualified via their progression to the Super 8 stage of the recent 2026 tournament.

    Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Ireland have also secured their place at the 2028 event, as the next three highest-ranked teams.

    The remaining eight places in the 20-team field will be determined through a regional qualification pathway.

    Earlier this month Dame Therese Walsh was appointed chairperson of the tournament.

    All of New Zealand’s main provincial venues are likely to be considered as hosts, although the timing of the tournament in October and November may rule some out of contention.

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    Wellington targeted for predator-free status within 10 years

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Predator Free Wellington gets a funding boost from DOC in a push to completely eliminate predators in the capital RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

    Wellington has been officially targeted to become New Zealand’s first predator-free city.

    Conservation Minister Tama Potaka made the announcement as part of the Predator Free 2050 strategy update today. It’s the first update of the strategy since the goal’s launch in 2016 under John Key’s National-led government.

    Predator Free Wellington will receive $5.5 million over five years from the Department of Conservation (DOC) and will work alongside Capital Kiwi and Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne.

    “This is a coordinated push across the whole city. Practical action that people will notice in their neighbourhoods, with more native species returning and thriving,” said Potaka.

    The operation will target predators over 18,500 hectares. Potaka said increasing native wildlife would create opportunities for conservation-based tourism for the city.

    Potaka hopes the goal will be achieved within a decade, and for the work done in Wellington to become a blueprint for efforts to eliminate predators from other large urban areas. If successful, it would mean the complete elimination of rats, possums, stoats, ferrets, weasels and feral cats from the greater Wellington region.

    He listed Auckland, Taranaki and Dunedin as other places where lessons learnt in Wellington could be applied.

    Country-wide, more than 9000 groups work to control predators.

    “Nearly a third of New Zealanders are now directly involved. Which means for many households, predator control is now somewhere between a hobby and a competitive sport,” said Potaka.

    However, some of those efforts were fragmented, which needed to change.

    New Zealand has one of the highest rates of threatened species in the world, Potaka said.

    “As Minister of Conservation, I am not interested in managing decline. I am interested in reversing it.”

    Exisitng efforts to eliminate predators in Wellington have boosted native birdlife in parts of the city Supplied / JM BELTRAN

    Other changes in the updated strategy include the addition of feral cats to the species targeted, joining possums, rats, and mustelids, such as ferrets, stoats and weasels. The addition was announced after RNZ reporting that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had promised during a 2023 election debate to add feral cats but failed to do so.

    The strategy included information on how to determine whether a cat is a feral, stray or companion cat. Only feral cats will be targeted.

    Potaka did not confirm if new rules, such as requiring domestic cats to be microchipped, would be introduced, although he said there is interest amongst some MPs in Wellington. He said if this happens it would be separate to predator free work.

    Mice and hedgehogs have been added to a research list. They have a significant impact on native wildlife, particularly threatened lizard and invertebrate species, including wētā. Tools for humane removal of these species will be investigated and they may be included in the target species list in future.

    Feral cats have been confirmed as added to the list of targeted species Supplied

    The cash behind the goal

    Other than the $5.5m for Wellington, no other funding announcements were made.

    “There is huge funding which is channeled through DOC, whether or not it’s baseline, or through the IVL (International Visitor Levy) that contributes to Predator Free, but also there’s significant philanthropic, iwi, local community, local council support.”

    He said projects were not short of funding, but that good collaboration was needed.

    When Predator Free 2050 was launched in 2016, a company was created to manage projects related to the goal. It was given $28m over four years to be put toward predator control projects and technological advancements.

    Last year the government disestablished the company, bringing all current contracts under the Department of Conservation. This was intended to reduce duplication between DOC and the Predator Free 2050 company and save the government $12.6m in operating costs over four years. A Cabinet paper said the company had failed to attract philanthropic funding.

    An Official Information Act response shows 20 contracts ended, or are due to end in 2026, with a total value of $31.7m. Another 17 finish in 2027, with total funding of $63.4m.

    These include contracts for projects such as Te Korowai o Waiheke, which aims to eradicate stoats from Waiheke Island and Predator Free Whangārei’s goal to eliminate possums.

    Some of these projects attract funding from a variety of sources, and make use of volunteers.

    Potaka said future funding will be “weighed up” across priorities within DOC. Decisions would be based on performance, readiness and alignment with the updated strategy.

    One of the key actions in the strategy update is to develop long-term partnerships to fund Predator Free 2050.

    It also lays out a series of milestone achievements on the way to the goal of Predator Free 2050.

    By 2030:

    • Cost-effective and adaptable blueprints for elimination are developed for both urban and rural environments.

    By 2035:

    • The Sub-Antarctic World Heritage Area is completely free from mammalian pests through the completion of Maukahuka Pest Free Auckland Island.

    By 2040:

    • Mammalian pests are eliminated from at least 5 million of New Zealand’s 8.5 million hectares of backcountry and their pest-free status is maintained.
    • Stoats are eradicated from Waiheke Island, providing a proof of concept for urban and rural stoat elimination, where aerial bait cannot be used.
    • Mammalian pests are eliminated from at least 1 million hectares across rural and urban areas and their pest-free status is maintained.

    By 2045:

    By 2050:

    • The final urban eradication operation in New Zealand’s most populated city is close to completion.
    • New Zealand is a global leader in predator management and has a significant economic market in providing tools and advice to the world

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

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    Red warning as 320mm of rain looks set to hit Northland

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Supplied / MetService

    Up to 320mm of rain could fall in Northland in 48 hours from 4pm this afternoon, MetService is warning.

    A number of other watches and warnings are in place across the country in what MetService is calling an “impactful” weather event.

    MetService meteorologist John Law said the heaviest rainfall was expected from Northland to Bay of Plenty and its intensity and duration would bring “threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding, and slips”.

    “A red warning signifies that people need to act now as immediate action is required to protect people, animals and property from the impact of the weather. People should also be prepared to follow the advice of official authorities and emergency services,” he said in a statement.

    How’s the weather looking at your place? Email us at iwitness@rnz.co.nz

    It was the third red level warning MetService had issued this year.

    Conditions would disrupt travel, make some roads impassable, and isolate communities, it said.

    The remainder of Northland is under an orange level rain warning with 150mm to 250mm of rain forecast over the same period.

    MetService said there was a high chance this will be upgraded to a red level warning.

    Thunderstorms are possible in the area on Thursday afternoon, it said.

    Warnings and watches are in place across the country. MetService / Screenshot

    MetService said the escalation to a red warning came as a deep area of low pressure from the sub-tropics approached New Zealand.

    “In addition to the heavy rain, this is likely to be a multi-hazard event spanning several days with heavy rain, strong winds and large waves also expected.”

    Orange level heavy rain warnings are also in place for Great Barrier Island, Auckland from Whangaparaoa northwards and Coromandel Peninsula from the early hours of Thursday morning and into Friday.

    In Bay of Plenty, west of Whakatāne, an orange warning is also in place with up to 250mm of rain forecast from 9am on Thursday until 3am on Saturday.

    Tauranga City Council said there was an increased risk of landslides given the recent weather.

    Eight people – six at Mount Maunganui and two at Pāpāmoa – died in slips during heavy rain earlier this year.

    The council said if a landslide occurred or anyone who spotted signs of ground movement should evacuate immediately. If lives were at risk call 111, it said.

    The rain may cause surface flooding and rapidly rising streams and rivers so people should avoid low-lying areas and be cautious, it said.

    The council said its team would be available 24/7 and people could call 07 577 7000 to report an issue.

    Orange level strong wind warnings are in place for Northland from 9pm Wednesday until 11pm on Thursday and for Auckland and Great Barrier Island from 8am Thursday until 1am Friday with 120km/h gusts forecast.

    South Island warnings

    In the South Island, orange level heavy rain warnings are in place for Tasman west of Motueka from 10am Thursday to midday Friday and Richmond and the Bryant Ranges from 6pm Thursday to midday Friday.

    Meteorologist Silvia Martino said the impacts might not be seen right away.

    “This will be a long event, it carries on for a couple of days, so while we might not get to warning amounts [today], we are expecting over time that rain to build up to warning levels.”

    Earlier on Wednesday, she explained forecasters would be working with local authorities to determine if a red warning was needed.

    “The decision about whether to go to a red warning is one that’s made based on what the impacts are likely to be.

    “What our expert forecasters will be doing is talking to the council, talking to people on the ground about what the impacts are expected to be from the amount of rain we’re forecasting, and then together they’ll make the decision about whether a red warning is appropriate.

    “With the heavy rain, we’re looking out for the risk of surface flooding, of possibly areas being cut off, and reminding people to avoid floodwaters. If you can avoid travel then that’s for the best.”

    Clear the gutters, put anything away that could be a source of danger from wind, Martino said.

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

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    Jetstar axes some New Zealand flights amid fuel price surges

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Jetstar has made changes to its flights. (File photo) RNZ / Nate McKinnon

    Jetstar has axed a number of New Zealand flights as the war in the Middle East drives up the price of jet fuel.

    A Jetstar NZ spokesperson said 12 percent of scheduled services had been impacted, including some services between Auckland and Christchurch as well as Auckland and Wellington, and some international flights between Auckland and Sydney and Auckland and Brisbane.

    The changes were temporary, the spokesperson said, due to the rise in jet fuel prices and other rising costs.

    All impacted customers had been contacted directly, the spokesperson said, and most had been offered same-day travel.

    It comes after Air New Zealand announced it was cancelling four return flights to Samoa.

    Air New Zealand said it had nine services to Samoa each week and described the change as “minimal”.

    It said like other airlines it was dealing with unprecedented volatility with jet fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East and was adjusting schedules to manage the impact.

    Air New Zealand earlier said that it would cancel around 1100 flights from early March through until early May, but that most passengers would be moved to flights on the same day.

    Reuters reports jet fuel prices have soared from US$85-90 per barrel to US$150-200 per barrel in recent days leading to a number of airlines including Air New Zealand increasing fuel surcharges.

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    RTS to Super League? Reports link Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to Wakefield Trinity

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Warriors winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been linked to a move to the Super League in 2027. Photosport / Andrew Cornaga

    Warriors winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is reportedly leaving the club at the end of the current NRL season.

    The Daily Telegraph in Australia is reporting the superstar will join Wakefield Trinity in the UK Super League on a multi-million-dollar contract.

    Tuivasa-Sheck remains one of the biggest names at the franchise.

    He won the Dally M Medal in 2018, the Golden Boot in 2019, and the Simon Mannering Medal four times, most recently in 2025.

    A dual-international having played for the Kiwis and All Blacks, Tuivasa-Sheck returned to the Warriors in 2024 after a stint in union.

    In 2024 he switched his international allegiance to Toa Samoa.

    Rumours have been rife that the Warriors have secured Melbourne wing Will Warbrick for the 2027 season, increasing competition in their already stacked back three stocks.

    RTS has been named to start on the wing for the Warriors round four clash in Auckland on Friday night.

    The side sit atop the NRL ladder with a perfect three wins from three to kick off their campaign.

    Wakefield’s Super League season is also underway, the side in sixth spot with three wins after five rounds.

    Warriors coach Andrew Webster will speak to media later on Wednesday.

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

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    Northland braces for wind gusts, heavy rain for next two days

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    A big swell pounds the Paihia shoreline during a previous storm. Peter de Graaf

    Business owners around Northland’s east coast are hunkering down for what promises to be a wet and wild few days.

    Anthony “Vinnie” Pivac, the owner of Zane Grey’s Restaurant on the Paihia waterfront, said the predicted 50 knot easterly gusts could be damaging – but it was the sea he was keeping a close eye on.

    When Cyclone Gabrielle caused $100,000 worth of damage and lost contracts in 2023, that came down to a combination of strong winds and a 7-metre swell.

    So far the swell was forecast to reach just 2.5m, he said.

    “If it had swell behind this easterly then I would be panicking, but it’s not going to be too bad. On the flip side of things, we’re just going to have today and tomorrow of horrendous rain and no customers,” he said.

    “But for now we’re sitting cosy. I’m going to sit here, have a few beers and see what happens on either side of the tide.”

    However, Pivac said he would keep monitoring the forecast and was not taking anything for granted.

    “Mate, we’re in New Zealand, so the weather changes every five minutes.”

    MetService has issued a red rain warning for Northland east of Kaikohe from Doubtless Bay to Whangārei on Wednesday morning with up to 320mm of rain now expected by Friday morning.

    File pic RNZ / Sam Olley

    Any time the swell reached 4m he removed parts of the decking around the restaurant to reduce the impact of the waves, but that was not necessary at this point.

    Pivac said the most damaging winds for Paihia were northeasterlies. Easterly winds were bad if they coincided with big swells.

    “Anything from the north, it’s hold onto your britches,” he said.

    The next high tides were due in the Bay of Islands around 1.20pm on Wednesday and 2am and 2.20pm on Thursday.

    Heavy seas pound Paihia wharf during Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. RNZ / Peter de Graaf

    Power cuts a concern

    Meanwhile, Richard Holt, the owner of Cellini’s Ice Cream and Espresso Bar on nearby Williams Road, said power cuts caused by wild weather were the biggest threat to his business.

    He had invested in a bunker freezer to keep ice cream cold in the event of a serious power outage – but if it lasted more than eight or nine hours, he would still lose his stock.

    Holt said he did not expect to sell many ice creams in Paihia today but there had been plenty of demand for coffee this morning.

    Further down the east coast in Ōakura, in the Whangārei District, residents still recovering from the devastating January storm are preparing for more rain.

    That deluge swept through multiple homes and baches, triggered landslides, and severely damaged the newly renovated Ōakura Community Hall.

    The Whangārei District Council had planned to hold a public meeting on Thursday afternoon to update locals on storm recovery efforts.

    That meeting had now been postponed until 6pm on Tuesday at the Ōakura Sports Complex.

    The main road from Ōakura south to Whangārei remained closed due to a massive slip at Helena Bay Hill, and eight homes and buildings were still red-stickered, meaning they were too dangerous to enter.

    Warning lifted to red

    MetService has raised its orange warning to the highest level of red on Wednesday morning.

    Up to 320mm of rain could fall in Northland east of Kaikohe from Doubtless Bay to Whangārei from 3pm on Wednesday to 4am on Friday, MetService is warning.

    The remainder of Northland is under an orange level rain warning with 150mm to 250mm of rain forecast over the same period.

    The agency warned Northlanders to expect 270mm to 320mm of rain over the next two days.

    The rain was likely to cause dangerous river conditions, flooding and slips. Driving conditions would be dangerous and road closures were expected.

    Northland was also subject to a strong wind watch for 33 hours from ppm on Wednesday to 11pm on Thursday.

    Severe east to northeast gales were possible in exposed places.

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