Category: Radio New Zealand

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Mother’s Day can reopen powerful wounds. Here’s how to start healing

Source: Radio New Zealand

The vexed bonds and painful rifts in mother-daughter relationships are rich fodder for creative work because they persist so acutely in everyday life.

This is the mother wound – the yearning ache that comes from reckoning with the imperfect human mother we get, against the idealised fantasy version we wish for.

“The mother wound is … the gap between what you wanted, what you imagined, what you fantasised about, what you longed for, and what was. That’s the wound,” psychotherapist and academic Dr Zoë Krupka told ABC’s Radio National.

“When you’re a child, it’s not your job to be curious about your mother’s life, but if you want to heal that wound, you have to be curious about it, says Dr Zoë Krupka.

SUZANNE PHOENIX

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

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Palmerston North MP calls for fix to shortage of gastroenterology specialists at its hospital

Source: Radio New Zealand

Labour MP Tangi Utikere wrote this week to health minister Simeon Brown outlining his concerns about the situation. RNZ

  • Palmerston North MP calls for immediate response to shortage of specialists at city’s hospital gastro department
  • Health minister says he’s made it clear to officials that recruiting new staff is a priority
  • Last remaining permanent specialist leaves the department next month.

The Palmerston North MP is demanding an urgent fix to the shortage of permanent doctors at the city hospital’s gastroenterology department.

Labour MP Tangi Utikere has written to health minister Simeon Brown outlining his concerns about the situation.

Brown responded by saying officials were working to staff the service again and that he had made it clear this was a priority.

The department, which focuses on patients suffering from problems with their digestive systems, has just one remaining specialist doctor. He will leave next month, citing workload pressure and frustration that health authorities have not found a way to attract specialists to the provinces.

Utikere has obtained figures showing the service is funded for 5.6 full-time-equivalent positions.

“This is a critical service,and the situation it is currently in is just not good enough,” Utikere wrote to Brown. “Solutions need to be found urgently and it needs to be sorted now.”

Utikere said last year people had surveillance colonoscopies delayed, so staffing issues were not new.

“I’m concerned that this rapid decline in gastroenterologists will result in a severely reduced service that is further unable to manage demand,” Utikere wrote.

“Hospital management have acknowledged that gastroenterology is one of the biggest risks for Palmerston North Hospital.”

Health NZ is recruiting for new specialists and last week told RNZ offers of employment had been made, while one new doctor was due to start in September.

It was plugging gaps by using temporary and locum staff, and said it was trying to minimise the impact on patients.

Utikere asked Brown what the immediate and long-term plans were, so the service could meet the needs of the community.

In reply, Brown acknowledged the concern for Palmerston North and the wider Manawatū, saying the government was focused on making sure New Zealanders could access timely, quality healthcare.

“I have made it clear to Health New Zealand that addressing these workforce challenges must be a priority, and I am receiving regular updates on the actions being taken to manage pressures on the service and plan for sustainability.”

He said short-term measures in place included using specialists from elsewhere in the central region, outsourcing colonoscopies and managing waiting lists for procedures, so patients were prioritised according to clinical need.

Work was under way to strengthen the service by recruiting specialists from overseas, working with training colleges to increase the number of doctors specialising in gastroenterology and exploring ways attract specialists to regional centres.

“Despite these ongoing workforce pressures, I am advised by Health New Zealand that access to gastroenterology services is being maintained as a result of the actions that are in place and that acute services continue to be maintained,” Brown wrote.

“I want to be clear that it is my expectation that people in Palmerston North have access to a sustainable gastroenterology service and I will continue to monitor this progress.”

Utikere said the measures Brown outlined didn’t “deal with the incredibly urgent sense of need in the community”.

“I’m hearing that locals are extremely worried about access to healthcare at Palmerston North Hospital and how this will impact on their health, and they are right to be concerned.

“Our community should not be in this situation – it is unacceptable that MidCentral is relying on locums and outsourcing, and necessary management of wait lists means many are waiting far too long for an appointment.”

The government needed to sort the issue now, he said.

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Taupō councillors see future without their council

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wahine Murch, Te Papamārearea Ward Councillor. Supplied / LDR

When Te Papamārearea (Taupō Māori ward) councillors Ngahuia Foreman and Wahine Murch swore their official oaths last year, they knew their first term would be their last.

The same election that brought them into council chambers included a referendum in which more than 9000 voters voted to get rid of the Māori ward.

It’s something Foreman says now applies to all Taupō councillors. Wellington this week issued an edict requiring councils to tell them which of them should stay and which should go.

“This ‘proposal’ actually means all of us no longer have a seat,” Foreman said.

Councillors all over the country have expressed their concerns that reducing the amount of local councils could reduce local voices.

Fellow Māori ward councillor Murch put it simply, “Nobody understands representation like the under-represented.”

While she was speaking of Māori under-representation, there are concerns her statement could apply to all of Taupō district in the future.

Taupō councillor: ‘I won’t miss it so much’

Duncan Campbell is in his second term as a Taupō ward councillor. The Auckland native was a senior traffic engineer for Waitakere City Council when it merged into the Auckland Super City in 2010.

Having taken part in the largest local government amalgamation in New Zealand history, Campbell sees great potential in a bigger Taupō council, but warns: “Bigger is not always better; the devil will be in the detail and based on the Auckland example, some wheels will inevitably fall off.”

Duncan Campbell, Taupō District Councillor. Supplied / LDR

Like Foreman, Duncan sees Wellington’s call for change as curtain call for his council.

“I foresee in a year or two’s time there will be no more Taupō District Council, and I won’t miss it so much.”

Murch and Foreman say function over form is their priority. Both of them want effective representation for their constituents in whatever council replaces their own.

Keeping local government local

Councils have three months to work together and present Wellington with their proposals on how local government will look and operate in the future.

Central government has already stated its preference; it wants local government to go large.

Local Government Minister Simon Watts explained: “Proposals should focus on creating larger, more efficient unitary authorities that streamline functions, reduce duplication and improve decision-making.”

Campbell remembers being in the thick of it during the Auckland supercity merger.

“On Auckland Super City: big promises and big expectations, but a quite a few disappointments all round,” Campbell said.

“The purported efficiency gains of reduced staff numbers were only temporary. Local community influence was lessened, and the bureaucrats in Auckland Council and Auckland Transport gained the upper hand.”

Staying connected with constituents

Murch said contributing to Taupō’s proposal to Wellington would be her top priority.

“These next three months are going to be critical,” Murch said.

Ngahuia Foreman, Te Papamārearea Ward Councillor Supplied / LDR

“I think what we really need to do, and I’m not speaking for the council, but for myself as an individual elected member, is really wrap our heads around what is being proposed here and then try to position ourselves.”

During her election campaign Foreman became well-known for her old-school style of campaigning. Her lack of online presence sparked a blog entry that asked, “Is she even running?”

Despite being called a “total ghost” in that blog, Foreman won, replacing incumbent councillor Danny Loughlin by 15 votes.

Foreman said her first priority was communicating with her constituents about Wellington’s orders.

“Physically calling and catching up with people in person is my main priority right now,” Foreman said.

“Just to canvas do they know the situation and how urgent it’s going to be. If we’re not in the room to have these conversations, we’re going to miss the boat.”

– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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

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Netball: Mystics build mid-season momentum after holding-off desperate Pulse

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Mystics celebrate. Marty Melville / Photosport

The Mystics have held off a desperate Pulse in Porirua, beating the home side 55-47, to record their first back-to-back wins of the ANZ Premiership season.

The Pulse have been a consistent ANZ Premiership contender, having only missed the play-offs once in nine years of the competition.

But the Pulse came into the game with just one win after four rounds, knowing a loss to the Mystics could just about end their play-off hopes.

The highly fancied Mystics had a slow start to the season but were coming off a 52-43 win over the table-topping Tactix, and now sit second on the ladder.

The Mystics got off to a fast start. Pulse import shooter Ine-Marí Venter managed just two goals, before she was subbed off after seven minutes in favour of Khiarna Williams.

The Pulse managed to steady the ship, to trail by three after the first quarter.

Pulse wing defence Ainsleyana Puleiata played with conviction throughout, picking intercepts off Peta Toeava, who copped a warning for not pulling out of a contest in the second quarter.

The Pulse won the second quarter, to trail by just one goal at half-time.

Mystics coach Tia Winikerei continued to tinker with her line-up throughout.

The Mystics had the better of the third quarter to lead 42-38 heading into the final period.

Pulse co-captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio. Marty Melville / www.photosport.nz

In the final quarter the Mystics’ defenders, led by Catherine Hall, started turning over the ball more regularly.

Hall had to come off the court with a few minutes left with what looked like a sore ankle, having collided with the post.

Pulse co-captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio had her best game of the season, sinking 26 goals from goal attack, but the former Silver Ferns captain needed more support.

Young Mystics goal shoot Sophia Lafaiali’i did a good job anchoring the shooting end in her 45 minutes on court to put up 34 shots.

Mystics stalwart Tayla Earle brought up her 100th ANZ Premiership match.

Steel continue to build momentum

Steel shooter Aliyah Dunn. Photosport

Earlier, the Southern Steel won their fourth ANZ Premiership game in a row, beating the winless Magic 61-48 in Tauranga.

The Steel have not won the domestic title since 2018 and have not featured in the play-offs since 2021, but are looking strong at the half-way mark of the season.

The southerners have not dropped a game since losing their season opener and now sit at the top of the ladder.

Steel shooter Aliyah Dunn showed no signs of a calf injury that saw her leave the court in the dying minutes of their previous game.

The shooting partnership between Georgia Heffernan and Dunn has gone up another level this year. At goal attack Heffernan contributed with a handy 15 goals.

In 53 minutes on court, Dunn top-scored with 40 goals, missing just one shot.

In contrast, the Magic were without their most experienced shooter Saviour Tui for a second week, due to injury.

Magic shooter Kate Taylor. Marty Melville / www.photosport.nz

Magic coach Mary-Jane Araroa started with Kate Taylor and Sarah Guiney in the shooting circle. The 2025 Youth World Cup team-mates more than held their own in the first quarter and the scores were tied 14-all at the first break.

But in what felt like an inevitable shift, the Steel started playing more clinical netball and the Magic found it hard to slow them down.

The Steel led 31-23 at half-time, and won the next two quarters.

Having only played a few minutes so far in her first year of the ANZ Premiership, Guiney showed a lot of promise in nearly a full game at goal attack.

Guiney nailed back-to-back super shots near the end of the third quarter, but the Steel held a healthy 49-38 lead going into the final spell.

Taylor, playing a full game at goal shoot was solid, scoring 34 goals at 92 percent accuracy.

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Hurricanes too strong and fast for Moana Pasifika

Source: Radio New Zealand

Moana Pasifika host Hurricanes at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium. Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz

A quartet of tries to winger Josh Moorby has helped the Hurricanes to a strong 50-17 win over Moana Pasifika at a sodden North Harbour Stadium.

While fellow wing Fehi Fineanganofo has been grabbing the headlines this Super Rugby Pacific season, Moorby has also been potent on the right wing, none more so than this match.

He scored tries in the 11th, 22nd, 52nd and 69th minutes, while Fineanganofo missed out this time. He still needs two tries to set a new Super Rugby record of 17 tries.

The scoreline was tough on Moana Pasifika, who were trying for their second win of the season before their likely departure from the competition.

They gave it their all, restricting the Hurricanes to a halftime score of 19-5, but couldn’t stop the Canes in the second half.

They never stopped trying, with winger Tuna Tuitama providing their highlight with a try double.

The victory sees the Hurricanes maintain their competition lead, with nine wins in 11 matches.

The Hurricanes play the third-placed Blues next weekend, while Moana have a bye.

See how the game unfolded here.

Moana Pasifika: 1. Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Atu Moli, 4. Allan Craig, 5. Veikoso Poloniati, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Augustine Pulu, 10. William Havili, 11. Tuna Tuitama, 12. Faletoi Peni, 13. Solomon Alaimalo, 14. Israel Leota, 15. Glen Vaihu.

Bench: Mamoru Harada, Abraham Pole, Lolani Faleva, Jimmy Tupou, Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, Siaosi Nginingini, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Latu.

Hurricanes: 1. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Vernon Bason, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (c), 8. Brayden Iose, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Lucas Cashmore, 11. Fehi Fineanganofo, 12. Jone Rova, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Josh Moorby, 15. Callum Harkin.

Bench: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Siale Lauaki, Hugo Plummer, Devan Flanders, Jordi Viljoen, Bailyn Sullivan, Kini Naholo.

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Woman hit by car on Wellington highway has died

Source: Radio New Zealand

(File photo) RNZ/Marika Khabazi

A woman hit by a car on a Wellington highway after an initial minor crash has died, police say.

The crash at Horokiwi, reported to police just before 6:30pm Friday, caused major traffic disruptions as State Highway 2 between Wellington and Lower Hutt was closed while emergency services worked at the scene, with drivers last night advised to detour to Porirua and then on to State Highway 58.

“Indications are that the woman had exited her vehicle after a minor crash, and was then struck by another vehicle,” police said in a statement on Saturday morning.

“Immediate medical assistance was provided, however sadly, she was unable to be revived.”

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Little engagment with security efforts despite threats against MPs rising – Parliamentary Service

Source: Radio New Zealand

Parliament’s Petitions Committee has considered an inquiry into the scale and nature of abuse and intimidation targeting women MPs and local body representatives. RNZ / Angus Dreaver

The Parliamentary Service says threats against MPs are increasing, but staff feel hampered by MPs’ ”underwhelming” engagement with security efforts.

Parliament’s Petitions Committee has considered a call for an inquiry into the scale and nature of abuse and intimidation targeting women MPs and local body representatives.

Petitioner and former political staffer Sam Fisher said aggressive behaviour and violent threats were discouraging women from entering politics and damaging democracy.

His petition asked Parliament to investigate the scale and nature of threats.

In a submission, the Parliamentary Service told the committee it had noticed an increase in threats and abuse directed towards MPs, both online and in the community, despite what it believed to be a

high threshold before MPs reported abuse.

”It believes it is already well established that threats and abuse towards elected representatives, particularly those who are women, is a serious issue requiring attention,” the Select Committee report said.

”The Service told us that its main limitations are resourcing and “underwhelming” engagement by MPs with its security offerings. It plans to continue expanding its offerings and hopes that members will be proactive in learning about and engaging in the services available to them.”

Researchers from the Fixated Threat Assessment Centre also provided a submission to the committee.

Its clinical lead Justin Barry Walsh said the prevalence of threats and abuse against MPs was a ”concerning” and ”wicked” problem.

”I would not underestimate the harm that this causes, both to the public figures and their staff, but also I would suggest to our communities and our society,”‘ he said.

Local Government New Zealand told the committee that there had been an increase in harassment of politicians.

”A mid-2025 survey of LGNZ members found that bullying and harassment was very common, reported by 91 percent of women and 83 percent of men surveyed. Women reported more harassment on social media and in

everyday interactions outside formal settings,” the report said.

”Survey results showed that most respondents take no formal action, which echoes the concerns of underreporting expressed by the Parliamentary Service.”

Anecdotally, LGNZ’s female members had reported gendered abuse, sexualised comments, and threats, with wāhine Māori particularly targeted.

”It notes that much abuse is online and that this abuse is unavoidable when politicians need to use social media to campaign. In-person abuse has taken place at public events, in the supermarket, and at

politicians’ homes. Children have been present during instances of in-person abuse and some women reported that their children had been followed home from school,” the report said.

The committee said that consideration of a report from the Ministry for Women would provide a chance for parliamentarians to consider many of the issues raised by the petitioner.

”We consider that opening a separate inquiry is not necessary at this stage.”

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Football: Auckland FC draw 1-1 in semifinal first leg in the City of Sails

Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland FC celebrate their first goal against Adelaide United www.photosport.nz

Auckland FC could not completely capitalise on home advantage in the first leg of the A-League semifinals against Adelaide United with a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

Back at home for the second week in a row, after surviving an elimination final last week, Auckland goalkeeper Michael Woud was once again one of the heroes early in the match.

Woud made three crucial saves in the first 13 minutes to keep Auckland in the game as both teams were not shy to shoot as the rain came down.

Lachie Brook opened the scoring for Auckland when he found the back of the net with a strike from the top of the box into the bottom corner in the 24th minute as he capitalised on a teammates miss-hit.

Both teams had several more attempts on goal but Auckland took the 1-0 lead into halftime.

Two injuries in the first 10 minutes of the second half rocked Auckland, with Guillermo May going off with a lower leg injury followed quickly after by Cam Howieson who was struck on the face.

Adelaide levelled the score just after the hour mark through Harry Crawford.

Auckland and Adelaide have now played out draws in four of their five matches across two seasons.

With a short turnaround the second semifinal is in Adelaide on Friday.

See how the match unfolded here:

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Super Rugby: With a man in the bin, Highlanders survive late Waratahs surge to win in Dunedin

Source: Radio New Zealand

Highlanders host NSW Waratahs at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium. RNZ/Photosport

The Highlanders can take a deep breath after keeping their Super Rugby Pacific season with alive with victory over the NSW Waratahs in Dunedin.

With their season on the line, the southerners dug deep to win 31-26.

But it was a nerve-racking thing – despite appearing comfortably ahead at 28-7 at halftime – as they struggled with only 14 men for most of the final quarter.

They still have a mountain to climb, but they have lifted from ninth on the table to seventh. They have 24 points, one point behind sixth placed Brumbies.

The Highlanders now likely have to win their remaining regular season games, against the Crusaders and Hurricanes to make the playoffs – a huge task but they have given themselves a slim chance.

On the other side of the coin, the Waratahs, who squandered two tries to sloppy handling in the last 20 minutes, have little chance of being in the finals, as they drop to ninth place.

Playing with intent and verve, the Highlanders ran in four tries in the first half, with wingers Caleb Tangitau and Jonah Lowe both dotting down as the side attacked repeatedly.

The Waratahs scored their only try of the half, just seconds after Highlanders lynchpin Timoci Tavatavanawai got a yellow card for a cynical cleanout.

But while the Waratahs upped their game in the second half, the Highlanders dropped off their intensity and made too many mistakes.

The game featured plenty of fiery moments.

Of concern to the Highlanders coaching team will be their discipline, with two yellow cards issued against them and one of them against Jona Nareki upgraded to a 20-minute red.

Tavatavanawai was the hero at the end after the Waratahs had narrowed the lead to just two points.

He pulled out a turnover, and Cam Miller slotted the goal for his side’s only points of the half.

See how the match unfolded below.

Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (co-c), 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Tomas Lavanini, 5. Mitch Dunshea, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Lucas Casey, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Adam Lennox, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), 13. Jona Nareki, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Bench: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson, Xavier Tito-Harris.

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Live: Super Rugby Pacific – Moana Pasifka v Hurricanes

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action at North Harbour Stadium, as the Hurricanes try to maintain their momentum atop the table against Moana Pasifika.

The competition leaders will be without first-string halfback Cam Roigard and first-five Ruben Love through injury, while several other frontliners are rested against their bottom-placed rivals.

Kickoff is at 7.05pm.

Moana Pasifika: 1. Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Atu Moli, 4. Allan Craig, 5. Veikoso Poloniati, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Augustine Pulu, 10. William Havili, 11. Tuna Tuitama, 12. Faletoi Peni, 13. Solomon Alaimalo, 14. Israel Leota, 15. Glen Vaihu.

Bench: Mamoru Harada, Abraham Pole, Lolani Faleva, Jimmy Tupou, Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, Siaosi Nginingini, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Latu.

Hurricanes: 1. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Vernon Bason, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (c), 8. Brayden Iose, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Lucas Cashmore, 11. Fehi Fineanganofo, 12. Jone Rova, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Josh Moorby, 15. Callum Harkin.

Bench: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Siale Lauaki, Hugo Plummer, Devan Flanders, Jordi Viljoen, Bailyn Sullivan, Kini Naholo.

Moana Pasifika host Hurricanes at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium. RNZ/Photosport

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