Category: Radio New Zealand

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Whitney Hansen’s humour helps drive Black Ferns reset after Rugby World Cup pain

Source: Radio New Zealand

Whitney Hansen is in her first season as Black Ferns coach. Marty Melville

Test rugby is serious business, but that doesn’t stop new Black Ferns coach Whitney Hansen cracking a joke or two in the sheds, before sending her side to battle.

Hansen has brought a more grounded, humorous approach to the Black Ferns pre-test pep talks. War analogies and red-faced tirades have been replaced with jokes and games.

Skipper Kennedy Tukuafu said the approach was refreshing.

“She is so funny, honestly. At first, I was a bit unsure, because she would come into our meeting and crack a joke, and I’m, like, ‘We’re about to go into combat’, but I’m used to it and everybody is on the same page.

“We can have a laugh, but we can turn into gameface, game mode. She’s very clear with what she wants and she just makes you feel like you belong there.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of.”

After falling short at last year’s World Cup, Tukuafu said the rebuild had begun.

“We are growing something great,” she said. “We’ve got some awesome coaches who are really aligned.

“They’re very clear about their expectations of us and where we’re going. I love that our philosophy is just feel and react.

“It allows us to build our rugby instincts – ‘don’t think, just do’ – and I’m excited for where we’re going.”

While the demons of that World Cup are still fresh in the minds, they were largely buried by last month’s avenging victory over Canada, who beat them in the tournament semifinal.

“For me, it’s always going to sting, but it was nice to get that win,” Tukuafu said. “I think the biggest thing about that win was that, when the final whistle went, we all just came together and it wasn’t a huge celebration.

“It was just, ‘Yeah, that’s what we’re capable of. This is what it feels like. This is where we should be’.

“We went back to the changingroom, all low key. Our team is very unique, but I love it.”

Whitney Hansen knows how to bring the laughs. © Photosport Ltd 2024 www.photosport.nz

The attention now shifts to Super Rugby Aupiki and Tukuafu said the new season structure had the Ferns coming in firing.

“For us who got to go away and play some rugby, we’re just ready to get back into it, and I can just tell that the girls that didn’t come away are over the training routine and want to play some rugby.

“We’re excited to go.”

She said it was important to put international duties to the side for Aupiki.

“It’s about parking it, because if we focus on Black Ferns, we’re not putting all our effort into the girls next to us. I know it can be a challenge.

“You want to play well so you can make it to the next level, but for me, it’s about playing well, so we’re all connected to win that competition. It’s more important for me to be connected as one here, instead of trying to get myself ahead.”

With the game continuing to grow, including a record attendance for last year’s rugby World Cup final at Twickenham, Tukuafu hoped to see this translate into bigger crowds and more bumper match-day atmospheres.

“There’s definitely more bums on seats for us, but I would love to see more.

“I think, too, my husband plays in France. Seeing those fans and that atmosphere, if we could mimic something like that, have chants and songs and merchandise, I think that would be cool.

“I think that would be a good way to grow some more.”

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

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Fire spreads through second floor of Orewa house

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Richard Tindiller

Fire investigators are working to find the cause of a house fire in Orewa overnight.

Fire crews were called to the two-storey home on the Hibiscus Coast Highway just after midnight Saturday morning, where flames had spread through the second floor.

Fire and Emergency NZ said there were no injuries and everyone was accounted for.

Police assisted FENZ at the scene.

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Pedestrian dies after incident near Lake Ellesmere

Source: Radio New Zealand

(File photo) RNZ

A pedestrian has died, after an incident involving a vehicle at a property near Lake Ellesmere-Te Waihora in Canterbury, police say.

The person died at private property on Pohau Road, Senior Sergeant Craig Ellison said.

Emergency services were alerted about 8.30am Saturday.

Ellison said police would have an increased presence in the area, as staff worked at the scene.

Police said earlier on Saturday a woman pedestrian had died after being hit by a vehicle on Friday on a Wellington motorway.

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Olive industry confident despite closure of Wairarapa producer

Source: Radio New Zealand

Pixabay

Olives New Zealand is confident growers and olive oil supply will not be significantly affected by the collapse of Wairarapa producer The Olive Press, despite concerns the closure marks the end of an era for the region.

The family-owned company confirmed this week it had gone into liquidation after 27 years in business.

Executive officer Emma Glover told RNZ the wider olive industry had enough capacity to absorb the work previously handled by The Olive Press.

“The Olive Press managed groves, and they harvested and pressed for different growers within the Wairarapa, but we are a national industry and there is capacity within the service providers of the industry to be able to pick up the work or the groves that have been left,” she said.

Glover said, although the liquidation was disappointing, the industry remained strong and collaborative ahead of the upcoming harvest season.

“We’ve got a pretty strong industry, and there’s a lot of support within the growers and the providers, and I think that much as it’s not ideal for anyone to go into liquidation, we are confident that even with a season only a week or so away from kicking off, that we can work through it and everyone’s coming together and working together well.”

She said New Zealand extra virgin olive oil continued to occupy a strong niche premium market.

South Wairarapa mayor Dame Fran Wilde said the closure was still a significant loss for the region.

“This is disappointing for Wairarapa,” Wilde told RNZ, adding she hoped local growers would still be able to have their olives processed locally through the region’s remaining operators.

The Olive Press announced its closure this week, saying difficult economic conditions and a lack of investor interest had forced the business to shut down after nearly three decades.

Director Rod Lingard said shareholders were devastated to leave the industry in such circumstances.

“The company’s shareholders are devastated to be leaving the industry in such a manner after 27 years, but can do no more,” he said. “We have to accept it’s time for our two families to move on.”

Lingard also criticised the state of the industry, claiming there had been insufficient strategic support and investment.

Lingard said The Olive Press had attempted to revitalise the industry, but failed to attract investors.

He also criticised industry governance and the withdrawal of government research funding, saying it had discouraged investment, despite New Zealand olive oil’s reputation internationally.

“Our former growers face a disheartening choice – they either sell their premium quality fruit to another commercial processor or distributor outside the region, or they simply leave the olives on the tree,” he said.

The company described itself as the country’s only registered wholesaler of certified premium olive oils and warned local food service customers could increasingly rely on imported products.

Liquidators from BDO chartered accountants are now seeking expressions of interest in the company’s assets.

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Country Life heads to Pureora Hunting Competition

Source: Radio New Zealand

Dozens of deer heads adorned with antlers – some fresher than others and safely wrapped in plastic – line one side of the old mechanical depot in the central hub of the Pureora Forest Park, between Lake Taupō and Te Kuiti.

In keeping with the rules of the Pureora Hunting Competition, which has been running for nearly 40 years, all will have been shot as wild deer in the 77,000-hectare park, over a six-week period between mid-March and Anzac weekend.

It’s not necessarily about having the best or even ugliest head. Instead, it is the event itself – run by the Department of Conservation (DOC) – which is much more valuable.

“To my mind it’s been a popular and successful event – not necessarily huge numbers. It’s never been about reaching the most people … or the best head or biggest deer,” DOC principal ranger for Waitomo, Ray Scrimgeour told Country Life.

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    • A long-serving ranger, Scrimgeour explained the Pureora Forest Park was home to “some of the best podocarp forest left certainly in the North Island” – with many rimu and tōtara trees.

    However, like many parts of New Zealand’s native vegetation, the park is also home to a wide variety of pest animals – goats, pigs and deer – which all threaten the native plant life.

    The event was well-attended. RNZ / Gianina Schwanecke

    The walls of the old mechanical workshops which one serviced trucks and logging machinery in the Pureora Forest Park are lined with trophies from roars and hunters past. RNZ / Gianina Schwanecke

    The competition has been running for close to 40 years. RNZ / Gianina Schwanecke

    Hunters entered 47 heads between them. RNZ / Gianina Schwanecke

    The annual competition was started by DOC in 1988 and has been held every year since – minus a few gaps for things like covid-19. Started the year after the department was formed, the competition was designed to improve relations with hunters through an informal setting.

    “One of the things that I’ve always valued about it is meeting hunters that spend time out in the bush, sharing information and learning from them,” Scrimgeour said.

    “Hunters get out and about and see bits of the countryside that hardly anyone else does.”

    DOC biodiversity ranger and keen hunter Melissa Jessen. RNZ / Gianina Schwanecke

    Mel and the team help man the busy regos desk. RNZ / Gianina Schwanecke

    Biodiversity ranger Melissa Jessen, who staffed the registration desk at the competion, “lives and breathes” hunting outside work.

    She said she got into deer hunting over the past decade or so, having first started as a keen pig hunter taught by her father. Her daughter was now also getting into hunting.

    Sophie Juno is another young woman hunter who learned from her father, Allen Juno.

    Over 10 days this roar period, she traversed 52km of bush and ridgelines to nab herself a strong entry for the competition.

    Like most hunters, she is conscious of the animals she takes and tries to aim for older animals.

    Current record holder Sophie Juno with her dad Allen Juno. RNZ / Gianina Schwanecke

    Sophie Juno’s entry this year – though it didn’t win it was an impressive set of antlers. RNZ / Gianina Schwanecke

    She said she thought this year’s stag was older than one she had seen before, but having had its jawbone analysed, thought it was more likely the son of the stag she had sighted earlier.

    He was likely the descendant of an escaped farm stag, which might explain the thickness and slightly more gnarled nature of the antlers.

    Unfortunately this saw her penalised slightly through the Douglas scoring system which emphasises symmetry.

    “It’s the sport. This roar I was trying to get this older one a couple of times and he kept just getting away from me. I didn’t get him but he’s there for next year.”

    12-year-olds Benji Allen and Beau Mulgrew had a successful roar. RNZ / Gianina Schwanecke

    Sophie Granger 10, Maisy Kearins 11, Lucy Judith 10, Mia Kearins 13. RNZ / Gianina Schwanecke

    Sophie was also the competition’s current record holder, having brought in a stag in 2019 with a score of 364 ¼. This was only bettered by the stag brought in by W. Malone in 1953 which scored 379, and that was before the competition began.

    This year’s winner was Elle Lamont who took out the top Douglas Score with a 12-pointer stag head which scored 294 ¾ – the highest score out of the 47 heads entered.

    In the Junior Deer category, Lucy Waghorn came out on top with a Douglas Score of 249 ½..

    This year’s winner Elle Lamont. RNZ / Gianina Schwanecke

    Scrimgeour said it was “great to see women doing well once again”, after females won the deer competition in 2024 and 2019.

    “We’re seeing more and more women getting into hunting and it’s great this is reflected in the competition results.”

    He said the event was a great reason for people to get out in some amazing native bush and also contribute to wild deer management in Pureora Forest.

    “A big thanks to everyone involved in the competition this year – not just the hunters who entered, but also those who helped out with measuring or at the recording centres or the prizegiving event, and to all of the sponsors.

    “This is a real community event and relies on volunteers helping out, their time and effort is hugely appreciated.”

    Learn more:

    • You can catch Country Life’s early morning hunt with Allen Juno ahead of the competitionhere.

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

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    Fire spread through second floor of Orewa house

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    RNZ / Richard Tindiller

    Fire investigators are working to find the cause of a house fire in Orewa overnight.

    Fire crews were called to the two-storey home on the Hibiscus Coast Highway just after midnight Saturday morning, where flames had spread through the second floor.

    Fire and Emergency NZ said there were no injuries and everyone was accounted for.

    Police assisted FENZ at the scene.

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

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    Chiefs see off Queensand Reds to bag sixth straight Super Rugby Pacific win

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    The Chiefs’ George Dyer, during the Queensland Reds and Chiefs match in Brisbane, on Friday. photosport

    Wallace Sititi and Samisoni Taukei’aho both bagged a brace of tries, as the Chiefs held off Queensland Reds 31-21 in Brisbane for a sixth successive wins in Super Rugby Pacific.

    The two All Blacks forwards were among the better performers for the visitors, who had to work hard to see off the tough Aussies, after they closed within three points entering the dying stages.

    The impressive Sititi burst clear off the back of a scrum for his second try to make the outcome safe and lift the Chiefs level with the Hurricanes at the top of the standings.

    However, the Hurricanes have a game in hand, to be played against last-placed Moana Pasifika on Saturday night.

    Sititi also scored the Chiefs’ first try, in response to an early score from Reds winger Lachie Anderson.

    Damian McKenzie’s boot put the New Zealand side 10-7 ahead, after a tense first half, but the game broke open after the interval.

    Both of Taukei’aho’s tries came from lineout drives, while the Reds stayed in the game with spectacular tries from Louis Werchon and Treyvon Pritchard.

    The Reds drop from fourth to fifth, while the Chiefs can go close to locking in a home match in the first round of the playoffs, if they beat the Highlanders in Hamilton next week.

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    Starry-eyed photographer wins Milky Way photo contest for third time

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Young photographer Tom Rae tramped over snow and ice, camping overnight in the Southern Alps, to get one of the winning shots of the Milky Way Photographer of the Year competition.

    The competition, run by Capture the Atlas, selected 25 photos from over 6,500 submitted from around the world.

    His “Night at the Remarkables” shot shows the Milky Way arched over The Remarkables in the Southern Alps, while the lights of Queenstown glow far below.

    “I thought, ‘Hey, why not climb to the top of The Remarkables ski field in Queenstown and spend the night up there, have a wild adventure, and be able to have a look down and see an element of civilisation in amongst all of this vastness in the night sky,” Rae says.

    His shot was among five other winning images from New Zealand photographers taken in different iconic locations.

    Originally from Christchurch, Rae says he chose Queenstown for its incredible mountains.

    He started astro-photography at 14 years old, playing around with his camera and the night sky.

    He spent several hours lugging camera gear and tripods up the snowy mountain range to get the shot, and says photography is not a hobby for the faint-hearted.

    “That night was one of the more extreme examples of overnight camping that I’ve had. But so worth it to be able to get an image like that and pull it off.”

    He used a star tracker to align his camera with the night sky.

    Rae says the image combines elements of human nature – the wildness of the mountain ranges is disrupted by the lights of the Queenstown village so close by.

    Rae’s work was selected in 2023 and 2024 as well, the first being a panorama taken at Lake Tikapo, and the other taken at Huka Lake at Aoraki.

    He’s extremely proud of his most recent winning shot.

    “That is an image that I always look at and go, ‘Wow, like I absolutely love that.’ And I’m sure I will be looking at it the same way in many, many years to come.”

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

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    Country Life: Skinny-dipping inspires back-to-nature rural venture

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Blair Coates kneeling on the riverbank with his arm around his black lab Storm RNZ/Sally Round

    When Blair Coates’ parents took a skinny dip in the river running through the family farm one hot summer’s day, little did they think it would inspire a skincare production line in the former cowshed.

    “I can’t actually remember a time it wasn’t called Nudi Point, and it’s just always been a very, very special place,” Coates told Country Life.

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      • Coates called his range of serums, balms and other skincare products after the swimming hole because “my number one criteria for the range was that it was 100 percent natural.”

      The former city banker and music teacher was also inspired to strike out in skincare after dealing with bad skin as a teen.

    • ” just couldn’t seem to work out why or how to get rid of it, and it was so bad that I was not confident to go to school on quite a few days, and I would wag school, or I would make up some excuse as to why I’m not feeling well enough to go because I was just getting teased and bullied.”

      • Blair in the production area for his skincare range, a converted cowshed on the family farm RNZ/Sally Round

      Coates said he became “quite obsessed” about learning about skin care and all of the elements that help clear the skin.

      He returned to the family land in the Takahue Valley south of Kaitaia 12 years ago and decided to launch Nudi Point using his earlier training as an aromatherapist.

      His husband and mother are also involved in the business.

      In a pristine lab, without a whiff of the cows who used to come through here, Coates showed Country Life how he mixes up a serum of several essential oils and decants it carefully into small blue bottles.

      “We like to think that a little bit of Nudi Point magic goes in every little product that we send out.”

      Blair blends essential oils and bottles them for his customers RNZ/Sally Round

      That sense of place is an important selling point for Coates, especially as his is a small rurally-based business, now more reliant on online sales as retailers shutter in the cost-of-living crisis.

      “I think it matters, you know, it’s more than just a bunch of products that someone made and put on a shelf.

      “It just shows a little bit more attention and care to everything that’s created.”

      Still part of a river reflecting the native bush on its banks, the swimming hole which inspired Nudi Point RNZ/Sally Round

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

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    Florists seek to arrange value for cash-strapped shoppers this Mother’s Day

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Renee Ackroyd of the Botanical Nest florist in Timaru has expanded the business with the purchase of longstanding local firm, Bloomers, just in time for Mother’s Day. SUPPLIED/RENEE ACKROYD

    Florist shops are buzzing in the lead-up to Mother’s Day this weekend, during a significant sales period in the floristry calendar.

    The blooming sector, stretching from cut flower growers to transporters and florists, was preparing for the peak in demand ahead of Sunday.

    So far, pink or autumnal bouquets with roses and chrysanthemums were most popular for the Botanical Nest florist in South Canterbury’s Timaru.

    Co-owner Renee Ackroyd said Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day were always busy days in floristry, depending on the location, and there was good demand already.

    “We’re finding this year a lot of people are still into those blush, pink tones. Autumn tones are really popular,” she said.

    “Generally speaking, most people are in that traditional round, especially the clientele that I’ve noticed in the South Canterbury region. So that’s your roses, your chrysanthemums, your lillies, all your sweet wee flowers, like your tweedias.”

    Just last month, Renee and her husband Nate Ackroyd took over the district’s longstanding florist business Bloomers, as industry stalwarts Cherilyn and Murray Kuperus headed into retirement.

    Ackroyd said thanks to the previous owners’ great contacts and relationships, the business was able to continue buying directly from growers, who set their own prices.

    But she said having to bid for flowers on the more expensive market floor could make the “value conversation” with customers a little difficult.

    “It’s really hard because at the moment, prices increase over Mother’s Day. So what you would normally buy on the market floor, for us, will double or triple.

    “So that’s why we sort of look at blooms that might be a bit fuller or longer lasting.”

    Autumnal or pink bouquets are popular at the Botanical Nest in Timaru this Mother’s Day. SUPPLIED/Botanical Nest

    She said sourcing high-quality flowers from all over New Zealand was key to ensuring customers got the best value for money.

    “What we are trying to do is give the best quality to our clients, so that we can manage how value looks within that longer lasting longevity of blooms,” she said, “rather than coming and getting a cheap bunch of flowers, but taking them home and them dying in a couple of days.”

    Ackroyd said so much work went into just one bouquet, including labour, time, product costs and maintaining freshness.

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