Category: Radio New Zealand

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Steve Lancaster last-man standing after global search fails to find NZ Rugby boss

Source: Radio New Zealand

Steve Lancaster is New Zealand Rugby’s new CEO. Photosport

After searching the globe for a new CEO, New Zealand Rugby finally came to the conclusion that the best person was right under their nose.

The New Zealand Rugby Board has confirmed Steve Lancaster as the organisation’s new chief executive.

Lancaster was overlooked when he first applied for the job, but stepped in as interim boss six months ago, following the departure of previous chief executive Mark Robinson.

New Zealand Rugby chair David Kirk said last year’s governance changes might have played a part in their hesitation to appoint someone internally.

A new nine-person New Zealand Rugby (NZR) Board was officially ratified and took office in early 2025 following a significant reform process aimed at modernizing the organisation.

When the new board came in Kirk said it “didn’t have a lot of experience with or understanding of the capabilities of the management team” within NZ Rugby.

“We just weren’t ready to appoint an internal person to the chief executive role, from what we knew at the time, we didn’t feel that there was the right candidate available,” Kirk said.

“But since Steve stepped into the interim role … he’s just really grasped the role and shown us that he can manage a complex organisation …we’ve just seen him in action and we’ve see what he can do.”

Kirk said discussions with some external candidates got quite advanced but the board was never fully satisfied.

Head-hunters assisted with the search, before NZR whittled down a short-list to interview but found none were suitable. So they went out on another external search, which still didn’t yield anyone they were happy with.

NZR chair David Kirk. RNZ/Calvin Samuel

At the same time Lancaster kept moving up in the board’s estimations.

“This is probably the case sometimes when you’re looking to move into a new organisation with a new board, you tend to underestimate the capability of the internal talent.

“We thought he interviewed well but nevertheless we [decided] to go for an external appointment but we’ve been forced in a nice way to review our decision, we’ve been able to see someone in the role performing to a level that is what we need.

“We haven’t been able to find anyone external that’s as capable as him. The hurdle that an external appointment had to jump has gone up and up as we’ve seen Steve’s performance in the role so it just became a natural decision for the board.”

Kirk said Lancaster had all the qualities to excel in the role including the ability to deal with a lot of complex relationships, such as with World Rugby and SANZAR (South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby).

Lancaster, who was appointed NZR’s general manager community rugby in 2016, said he was humbled by the opportunity and well aware of the “responsibility that comes with it.”

He said he was fortunate he got to demonstrate his skills during the interim appointment and felt “incredibly privileged” that he stood out, while other candidates dropped off.

“My focus has just been on turning up every week doing the best job that I can for the business and the game and like a player you let the results take care of themselves …I’ve always felt confident I could do the job from the day I stepped into it,” Lancaster said.

Steve Lancaster represented Canterbury and the Crusaders from 1996-2000. ALAN_LEE

He believed his long tenure as GM of community rugby meant he had a very good understanding of the game from grass roots, which he felt was important.

Lancaster said the sport faced challenges, but also opportunities.

“The game is incredibly well positioned, we’ve got a healthy balance sheet, we’ve got a really strong participation base, we’ve got really competitive teams in black that are performing well on the world stage and our opportunity is to build from that and grow.”

Meanwhile, Kirk said he was comfortable with the financial health of the organisation after its latest financial results were revealed at Thursday’s annual general meeting in Wellington.

NZR reported a net loss of $7.5 million for 2025, despite record total income of $304.2m.

The organisation also reported an operating profit of $700,000, which reflected its day to day operating costs.

Kirk said the net loss was money spent on investing in things beyond normal expenditure. He said those investments will help with their growth strategy and NZR had a strong reserves position to be able to do that.

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David Seymour says changes are coming for RNZ leadership, RNZ disagrees

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Mark Papalii

David Seymour has intensified his attacks on the country’s state broadcasters, suggesting changes are coming for RNZ’s leadership as the government reshapes its board.

In response, RNZ staunchly defended its editorial independence and warned against political interference, noting such commentary risked undermining public trust and confidence in the organisation.

The ACT leader, who is a shareholding minister for both RNZ and TVNZ, used an interview on The Platform last week to lash out at both organisations and their management teams.

Seymour attacked RNZ’s recent appointment of John Campbell to its flagship Morning Report programme, saying that should have been “out of the question” given “the kinds of things” Campbell had previously written.

While working for TVNZ in 2023, Campbell published several columns critical of the coalition government, describing the leaders as “empty of ideas”.

Speaking to The Platform, Seymour blamed RNZ management for the decision to hire Campbell and appeared to single out chief executive Paul Thompson, without naming him.

“Look, that guy’s got an awful lot to answer for, and I suspect that he won’t be answering the call at RNZ for much longer.”

Seymour went on to say that the government was replacing RNZ’s board with the aim of changing the organisation’s management and direction.

“There’s a few more appointments to come,” he said. “It’s really critical that we are ensuring that we get better people on the board, and those people will change the management.”

Seymour also accused TVNZ of being “politically motivated” and suggested political editor Maiki Sherman could not remain in her role following an incident last year in which she allegedly directed a homophobic slur at another journalist.

“I’m sure that the board and management will be seeing that, you know, it’s pretty difficult to have someone credibly fronting the news every night when everyone knows how she behaves. I think that’s going to be tough for them.”

A spokesperson for TVNZ said questions about the appropriateness of the remarks were for the government: “We don’t hold a view on the comments.”

Legislation governing RNZ and TVNZ prohibits ministers from directing the broadcasters regarding “a particular programme or a particular allegation or a particular complaint” or “the gathering or presentation of news”.

RNZ responds

In a statement, RNZ’s outgoing board chair Jim Mather said RNZ’s editorial independence was “fundamental and non negotiable”.

“Editorial decisions, including appointments to senior editorial roles, are the sole responsibility of RNZ management and are made in accordance with journalistic merit, statutory obligations, and the well established public media convention of audience need.

“Political views, ministerial commentary, or external pressure play no role in those decisions.”

Mather said ministers did not direct RNZ’s board or management, nor did the board direct editorial content.

“Any suggestion that board appointments are intended to influence management outcomes or editorial direction is inconsistent with the arm’s length framework that underpins public trust in RNZ.”

He stressed the “clear and necessary separation” required between ministers, RNZ’s board, management and newsroom.

“Commentary that publicly links Board changes, management tenure or editorial appointments to political perspectives risks undermining confidence in RNZ’s independence and the integrity of its journalism.”

Mather said RNZ’s focus and purpose was to provide “fair, accurate and independent” news and current affairs, “not to accommodate political preference”.

Seymour not resiling from remarks

Approached for comment, Seymour rejected any suggestion his comments had stepped outside the bounds of the law.

“I have not given RNZ or TVNZ any direction that would breach either Act. Decisions around staffing, presenter line-ups, and editorial matters are for boards and management. Anyone who thinks RNZ is taking editorial instructions from me clearly does not listen to RNZ.”

Seymour said editorial independence did not, however, mean “freedom from accountability”.

“The government appoints boards, sets broad, non-editorial expectations, and ministers are entitled to comment when publicly owned media organisations are losing audience, relevance, or public confidence,” he said.

“RNZ should not be surprised to hear these concerns. Since 2020, RNZ National’s live radio audience has fallen by more than 25 percent. RNZ should be looking to the New Zealanders who have stopped listening for direction, not me.”

The latest AUT Trust in News survey found RNZ was the country’s most trusted news brand, followed by the Otago Daily Times and TVNZ.

The survey also found 46 percent of respondents were extremely or very concerned about politicians publicly discrediting news, while 43 percent said their trust in media would decline if owners or boards interfered in editorial decisions.

Seymour has repeatedly criticised media coverage during this term and refuses to appear on Morning Report, claiming the programme has a “toxic culture”.

He faced similar scrutiny in 2024 after accusing a TVNZ reporter of showing a “delightful lack of self-awareness and immaturity”.

At the time, then-media minister Melissa Lee said she would “have a conversation” with Seymour about the remarks.

Seymour’s actions contrasted with his criticism of former Cabinet minister Kiri Allan in 2023 after she raised concerns about RNZ’s treatment of Māori staff.

Speaking then, Seymour said ministers needed to be “absolutely critically cautious about even the perception of interfering with media”.

“Nobody loses their democracy all at once,” he said. “It’s always a thousand little chips and we don’t want to see them.”

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Grandmother’s anger after buses refuse student who forgot wallet

Source: Radio New Zealand

File image. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

A woman says her young grandchild was left stranded and in tears after she forgot her wallet on the way to school and no buses would take her.

Monica Genet said her granddaughter was trying to get from Auckland’s Pt Chevalier to school in Ponsonby on Tuesday.

The bus stop was 20 minutes from home.

“She very politely approached the bus driver and explained her situation, I might add that she was in full school uniform,” she said.

“And the driver just would not give her any assistance or consider anything else but put her off the bus, so she’s stranded there on the footpath.”

Genet said the same thing happened when the student waited for another bus.

“We have taught our children that they can trust adults and that good adults will help them… the driver would not have a bar of it and told her to get off the bus,” she said.

The grandmother said she was “really angry and upset” and had lodged a complaint with Auckland Transport.

“You know, she’s an 11-year-old child, she’s trying to get up to school on time,” she said.

Genet said the walk to school from the bus stop would have been an hour or more, and she had no car because it was being used by the girl’s mother for work.

She questioned why adults who refuse to pay a fare are allowed on by drivers with no intervention, but compassion could not be shown for her granddaughter being honest.

“And yeah, it just leaves me really frustrated as someone who uses public transport all the time.”

RNZ has previously reported operators have been told to let people ride for free if intervening would be a safety issue.

Genet said she was speaking out in the hope that the same thing did not happen to other students.

She said her granddaughter was upset, traumatised and “just basically left on the footpath in tears”.

“It’s not like she was trying to get a free ride to the inner city or anything,” Genet said.

In a statement, Auckland Transport said it recognised how important it is for students to be able to use public transport safely.

“Although we expect school students to pay the relevant child or student fare when they use public transport, our clear expectation is that our public transport operators should not be leaving children behind, regardless of whether they are a wearing school uniform or not,” it said.

AT said it had contacted the bus company to make sure bus drivers were aware of that expectation.

Bus company Kinetic said it was looking into what happened and did not have anything further to add.

Megan West, from the advocacy and support trust Child Matters, said it’s challenging for a young person and their family when an incident like this occurs.

“Any action taken by any employee needs to be in the best interests of children,” she said.

“And sometimes that’s a judgement, you need to make that judgement in the time about what is in the best interests of this child or this young person.”

West said it was also a good time to see what policies and processes there were.

“And that’s where really clear procedures can become incredibly important because it gives a clear guideline to bus drivers or employees around what actions to take, and also if employees are unsure what to do it can really good guidelines abbot who to contact or who to consult with if they need some further advice about what to do,” she said.

“As a community we all have a responsibility to do what we can to ensure that children are protected, and children are safe, and children are feeling like they can go about their day to day activities feeling safe… making decisions that are in the best interests of children and young people at that time really trumps everything else,” West said.

“I think it’s always disappointing when children and young people are feeling unsafe.”

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Lego able to continue trademark battle against Zuru after Supreme Court approval

Source: Radio New Zealand

The dispute is around a simple phrase printed on packaging of Zuru’s own-brand MAX Build More plastic brick building kits: “LEGO® BRICK COMPATIBLE.” Pixabay

A long-running trademark battle between New Zealand-founded toy company Zuru and global giant Lego will go on after the Supreme Court approved Lego’s application to take further action.

Late last year, Zuru won a major victory, after the Court of Appeal overturned a High Court decision that had found in favour of Lego.

The heart of the dispute centred on a simple phrase printed on packaging of Zuru’s own-brand MAX Build More plastic brick building kits: “LEGO® BRICK COMPATIBLE”.

So Lego will go back to the Court of Appeal and make its case to uphold the High Court ruling.

The final ruling could potentially have implications for intellectual property law protecting trade marks.

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Rents down, but take care before you ask your landlord for a drop, Realestate.co.nz says

Source: Radio New Zealand

The drops would no doubt come as welcome news for renters, Realestate.co.nz says. RNZ / Quin Tauetau

Rents have fallen in most parts of New Zealand, according to Realestate.co.nz

Its latest data shows the national average asking rental price in April was $631 a week.

That was down from $640 at the same time last year and $660 at the peak.

The biggest fall was in the central North Island, where the average asking rent dropped from $619 to $566. That was followed by Gisborne, down 5.4 percent from $664 to $628.

Auckland’s asking rent fell from $702 to $690, Wellington’s from $647 to $620, while Canterbury’s increased from $581 to $587.

Both Nelson and Waikato had record rental prices, at $617 and $583 a week, respectively.

There were 5.1 percent more listings available, although Wellington had a drop of 26 percent.

Spokesperson Vanessa Williams said it would be welcome news for renters and came in a wider context of tougher economic times.

She said the peak of the market had been a strange time, before people started leaving the country in larger numbers and while legislation was changing.

“There was a whole bunch of investment properties that got taken out of the rental pool, thinking everyone was going to sell… values dropped from the peak of the market so they put them back into the rental pool again.

“Everybody is just considering the way they live because the cost of living has just continued to grow… outside of rent, everything else is growing.

“While it’s down $30 from $660 to $630, $30 a week doesn’t really go far when you think of the cost of insurance, power and food.’

She said it was still tough on renters in places like Central Otago Lakes, where the average was $860.

“For most people renting down there, tourism workers and hospitality workers, that’s a really kind of hard pill to swallow.”

She said it was likely that rents would remain soft through the rest of the year, while the economy was weak.

But Williams said people should do their market research before they asked their landlord to reduce their rent.

“Depending on how lovely your landlord is, if they haven’t done too many price increases, you might actually be in a house that’s well below the market anyway.

“That is something for people to consider if they are looking to move. Just do a bit of market research around what the size of your house and it’s renting for at the moment. Because if you have been in there for a while, and your landlord’s quite kind, you actually might be in a pretty good spot.”

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Ministry of Social Development not following its own policy in 3 abuse in care cases court rules

Source: Radio New Zealand

Lydia Oosterhoff who is a human rights lawyer and principal at Wellington law firm Cooper Legal sought a judicial review of the MSD’s decisions relating to three people. Jimmy Ellingham

  • Court ruling shows Ministry of Social Development was not following its own policy when it turned down abuse in care compensation claims
  • Lawyer who took court action says the decision is vindication for survivors unable to tell their stories
  • Ministry says it is considering the court judgment.

A senior human rights lawyer has welcomed a court ruling that found a government department responsible for considering claims for abuse in care is not following its own assessment policy correctly.

Justice Dale La Hood has ruled the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) was wrong to strike out at the first hurdle claims for compensation for abuse suffered by three people, after the trio had come to the attention of social workers as youths.

The three, who have name suppression, say they were subjected to physical or sexual abuse and the former Department of Social Welfare did not act when concerns were raised.

Lydia Oosterhoff, principal at Wellington law firm Cooper Legal, sought a judicial review of the ministry’s decisions and said Justice Le Hood’s ruling, which came after a hearing in the High Court at Wellington, was extremely significant for people who had previously had the door slammed shut in their faces.

“Outside of the three plaintiffs, this is an issue that we’ve come up against time and time again.”

Claim rejections ‘unlawful and invalid’

The three said Social Welfare failed to look into the abuse they suffered, in the 1990s and 2000s, when it became aware of concerns.

Two of the three were in the youth justice system. One said he suffered physical abuse and neglect at home, and the second said he was abused physically at home by his father and later abused sexually by a “sexual predator”. The two say Social Welfare was informed of what was happening, but did not investigate.

The third person said he was sexually abused by people in positions of influence or control when he was a child. He said Social Welfare was told about the abuse and, again, did not act.

The three filed claims for redress in 2023.

Justice La Hood ruled the ministry’s decisions to decline to even consider the applications were “unlawful and invalid”. He has ordered the ministry to now consider them.

He said the decisions reached by the ministry that the claims should not be investigated were at odds with its own guidelines on settling claims.

Applications were considered in two parts. For the first, claimants needed to show they had been in the care or custody of Social Welfare, or had come to its attention. For the second they needed to have believed they were harmed as a result.

The ministry was interpreting this harm as having to be attributed to Social Welfare’s actions – or lack of action – but Justice La Hood said this was not correct and was at odds with the department’s own policy.

Justice La Hood said the ministry’s decision that the claims should not be investigated were at odds with its own guidelines. File picture. RNZ / Alexander Robertson

Judgment ‘a vindication’

Oosterhoff said at least 29 of the firm’s other clients would be covered by Justice La Hood’s ruling, as they had had claims turned away at the first hurdle.

The Royal Commission into abuse in care had described survivor stories of abuse and neglect as taonga.

“What we’ve said to the court is these individuals are coming to MSD, holding their taonga, and MSD is not opening the gate to them,” Oosterhoff said.

She assumed people not represented by lawyers would have also had their claims turned away in the same circumstances, so Justice La Hood’s ruling could affect a large number.

“This judgment is a vindication not only for the three applicants, but for every person who has gone to MSD in an attempt to tell MSD about their experiences when they were known to, or in Social Welfare care, which they believe caused them harm… and have been told, ‘We’re not listening to you, go away.'”

Oosterhoff said the decisions to not even consider applications for redress were made by people who were not trained social workers or lawyers, but they were affecting people’s legal rights.

“[The court ruling] says that they now had the right to go through the gate. They have the right to tell MSD why they considered that they are eligible for redress.”

RNZ asked the ministry if it would appeal the ruling and what the effect of it would be.

“We have received the High Court’s decision and are considering it,” said Linda Hrstich-Meyer, its general manager for historic claims.

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‘It breaks my heart’: Moana Pasifika uncertainty takes toll on players

Source: Radio New Zealand

On a 10 match losing streak, Moana’s rough run doesn’t get any easier as they get set to host top of the table Hurricanes on Saturday night. DJ Mills / Photosport

Moana Pasifika are stuck in limbo.

The club’s long-term position remains unclear amid ongoing discussions over investment and ownership, after last month’s shock announcement the franchise would disband at the end of the season unless a new ownership group could be found.

The process has played out publicly over the past few weeks, with Kanaloa Rugby – a consortium of former players and administrators – pursuing a proposed takeover of the franchise. The group has claimed politics are plaguing attempts to save the club from demise, taking aim the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) – the current owners of Moana. The PMA contends it is NZ Rugby, as the licence holder, that is managing the process.

The competing claims, rumours and uncertainty are all taking a toll on the players and staff.

Halfback Augustine Pulu stressed that if no deal can be made, livelihoods will be be lost.

“That’s what really breaks my heart, seeing the young guys breaking down into tears because these are the opportunities that we’re not going to get anywhere else. We’ve got to provide for our families. God willing, that there’s another opportunity to carry on.”

Coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga said he was doing what he could to keep Moana’s morale.

“I’ve learned a long time ago not to believe everything you read, everyone’s got their slant of what should happen and how they think. That’s just noise on the outside that really we can’t control, it’s a waste of time worrying about it.”

Umaga expressed frustration at a lack of transparency coming from the top of the organisation.

“We don’t know the facts, until we get the real facts and see what happens, we’re just trying to worry about what we can control. There must be a reason why those things aren’t going through. Everyone is waiting to hear from someone, we’re at the bottom of it, there’s probably reasons for that.”

He said the hope can hurt.

“These things hang over us quite heavy. We can’t think that it’s not affecting our people. There’s a little bit of light, a glimmer of hope, but we have to be realistic. The tough thing is that uncertainty and waiting for something that, we don’t know is going to happen.”

Pulu said the cultural connections within the team allowed players to keep coming to work with a smile.

“They’re still fighting for it. If this was any other franchise, I don’t know if they could come out and carry on performing the way the boys have been going, this is something that we’re used to as our people. We’re resilient in what we do and we’re going to carry on giving back as much as we can.”

Speaking after NZ Rugby’s annual general meeting in Wellington on Thursday, NZ Rugby chairperson David Kirk said it would be “sad” to see Moana unable to continue, but acknowledged the financial reality facing the franchise.

“We need a powerful one step below All Black level competition, Moana Pasifika have made a really meaningful contribution to that but you cant fight reality, if they are financially unable to continue, we have to work with them to have a managed off ramp, and it is what it is.”

He added that NZ Rugby had already been in discussions with a range of interested groups looking to save the franchise, but no concrete proposal had yet emerged.

“We have had interactions with a range of groups and we are very encouraging of them pulling together something that will work for the competition, that is the role we find ourselves in. we are just maintaining the support for all the Super Rugby teams including Moana Pasifika, we have supported them, and that will be there for someone else if they think they can put together a team, but its not our job to do that.”

On a 10 match losing streak, Moana’s rough run doesn’t get any easier as they get set to host top of the table Hurricanes in Albany on Saturday night.

“We don’t want to go out on our backs,” Umaga said.

“We want to make sure we’re walking proud in everything we do. There’s a glimmer of hope and I think that’s what we’ve got to hang onto. It’s another chance for these players to show the best of themselves, if anyone’s watching, you know, for the future.”

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Infrastructure minister Chris Bishop commits to review of multibillion-dollar City Rail Link

Source: Radio New Zealand

The 203m long platform at Auckland’s City Rail Link Karangahape Station. Supplied: CRL

Infrastructure minister Chris Bishop has committed to a review of Auckland’s multibillion-dollar City Rail Link project, saying he’s unhappy with the price tag.

It comes after the New Zealand Herald reported the project’s former boss, Dr Sean Sweeney, said it could have been done at half the cost – about $2 billion cheaper if design changes were made earlier.

Sweeney left the chief executive role in 2024 after six years.

Work began on the $5.5b CRL in 2017. It was initially expected to cost between $2.8b and $3.4b.

It’s the country’s largest infrastructure project, expected to nearly double Auckland’s rail capacity when it opens later this year.

Bishop said he, “like everyone”, was unhappy with the project’s cost.

Infrastructure minister Chris Bishop. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

“I have a lot of respect for Mr Sweeney so I take what he says seriously,” he said.

“The focus at the moment is on completing the project and getting it open. However, I am determined to do a post-completion full review of the project, which is something not often done in New Zealand.”

The review would be carried out by the Infrastructure Commission and consider the project’s history, business cases and costs, Bishop said.

“It also needs to look at missed opportunities. I’ve been open about how CRL was only really ever envisaged as a transport project when it is so much more than that.”

CRL chief executive Patrick Brockie said he welcomed a review, and was already planning an independent “lessons learned review” given the project’s size and complexity.

“Independent reviews of any major infrastructure project are an important part of a process to identify opportunities to improve future projects in New Zealand,” he said.

CRL was focused on finishing the project in the coming months, which Aucklanders could rely on “for decades to come”, Brockie said.

“It’s also important to note that the overall cost of the CRL reflects a wide range of factors beyond architecture alone, including the complexity of building a major underground rail project in the city centre, market and supply-chain conditions, and the impacts of Covid-19 and associated disruptions over the life of the programme.”

In 2019 a design change increased the CRL’s capacity to allow nine-car trains rather than six, which added additional cost due to extended platforms, an extra station increase and providing for future platform screen doors, Brockie said.

“But future-proofing for nine-car trains will mean that the CRL will be able to continue to deliver capacity as the population continues grows over the decades.”

The infrastructure pipeline was a common challenge facing the industry and had been well canvassed across the political spectrum, he said.

Last year, Auckland mayor Wayne Brown said the city’s proposed 7.9 percent rates increase was largely due to the CRL.

City Rail Link has been approached for comment.

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National tops party donations list, ACT overtakes Labour

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ

The ACT Party has overtaken Labour as the party that recorded the second largest amount in donations, with the Electoral Commission releasing the 2025 donation and loans returns.

National was once again far out in front when it came to total donations.

Since 2023, parties have had to report the names of donors and contributors who gave more than $5000, down from $15,000 in previous years.

This has changed to $6000 since 1 January 2026, but that will not be seen until next year’s publication of returns.

The figures, which make up the 2025 calendar year and must be filed by 30 April 2026, show the parties received these amounts:

  • National: $6,275,234.46
  • ACT: $2,445,225.79
  • Labour: $2,403,241.93
  • Green Party: $1,848,678.65
  • NZ First: $1,360,272.56
  • Opportunity Party: $179,401.24
  • Te Pāti Māori: $141,986.50
  • Animal Justice Party: $12,707.95
  • Women’s Rights Party: $9650.50
  • Conservative Party NZ: $9519.73
  • NewZeal (no longer registered): $8,796.00
  • Vision New Zealand: $6718.43
  • Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party: $336.00
  • NZ Outdoors and Freedom: $270.00

The largest recorded donation was to National, with $210,000 coming from the late Nelson philanthropist Robert Wares.

ACT’s largest donation in 2025 was $200,000 from tech entrepreneur Brian Cartmell, who also donated $201,993,91 to National, and $204,999 to New Zealand First.

RNZ has earlier reported Cartmell donated $100,000 to the Opportunity Party, though this was received this year and so is not disclosed on the 2025 donations return.

Labour’s largest donations came from the Mills Family Trust, which donated $125,000.

Trustee Phillip Mills, founder of gym chain Les Mills, made personal donations to Labour and the Greens as well.

The largest donation to the Greens in 2025 was $132,000, from entrepreneur Robert Morgan.

Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere was his party’s largest donor, donating $60,000.

Broadcasting allocations released

The Commission has also released its decision on broadcasting funding allocations for election year.

Those allocations go towards election advertising on radio, television, and online.

The allocation is decided based on votes at the previous election, the number of MPs a party has, the relationships that exist between parties, indications of public support such as opinion poll results and party membership, and the need to provide a fair opportunity for each party to convey its policies to the public.

It means National has the largest allocation this year, with $1,079,519.

Labour follows on $913,435, the Greens have $394,438, ACT has $332,158, New Zealand First has $290,639, and Te Pāti Māori has $228,359.

For parties outside Parliament, the Opportunity Party leads with $114,179, with New Zealand Loyal behind it on $83,040 despite currently being an unregistered party.

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Double duty paying off for Auckland FC’s Liam Gillion

Source: Radio New Zealand

Liam Gillion playing for Auckland FC in the OFC Pro League against PNG Hekari FC in January. Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.nz

Auckland FC v Adelaide United

Semi-final first leg

Mt Smart Stadium, 6pm Saturday 9 May

Live updates on RNZ.co.nz

Footballer Liam Gillion is in a unique position two years into his professional playing career with his hometown club.

Gillion has played 18 times in Auckland FC colours this season. He has appeared twice as often for the club’s OFC Pro League team (12 games) as he has the A-League team.

But as both teams approach finals football in their respective competitions, Gillion and teenager Luka Vicelich, could become the first players to be part of silverware-winning campaigns in both competitions in the same season.

Last season, before OFC Pro League existed, Gillion started 11 times for the A-League team, mostly in the first half of the season, before nearly getting half an hour off the bench in both semi-final games.

This season Gillion has made sporadic appearances in the A-League for a total of 97 minutes across five regular season games. On Saturday, as Auckland held off Melbourne City with a win on penalties in the Elimination Final, he came off the bench for 29 minutes of game time and scored in the penalty shootout.

He was subbed on in the first minute of extra time in the must-win match, to get him the most minutes he had played in the A-League since November.

Liam Gillion after Auckland FC’s Elimination Final win over Melbourne City. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

By contrast, the 23-year-old played 893 minutes and scored five goals in the Pro League as Auckland dominated the first part of the new competition.

Gillion said it was a joint decision between him and the two teams’ coaches that he would spend time with the Pro League team.

“I was pretty keen to get some [minutes] back in my legs and I hadn’t played full 90 for a long time. [The coaches] sort of approached me and I was happy to do it – I was excited.

“I think getting some minutes and games under my belt gives me a bit of confidence. When you have a bit of confidence you play better, so I think it’s definitely good to get some minutes under my belt, and goals.”

Being on the outer with the A-League side earlier this season was “tough”.

“Every footballer wants to be playing, but especially when the team’s doing well you’re just out here training, trying to get better and trying to earn your spot.”

Gillion is too old to play in Auckland’s reserve team and A-League coach Steve Corica said the Pro League had helped the midfielder “a lot”.

“It’s built his confidence back up,” Corica said.

“You can tell when he’s come on now, he’s back to himself. He’s positive, creating opportunities.”

Gillion was a fan favourite with the club’s supporter group The Port, and Corica also liked what he saw but wanted more from Gillion.

“It’s good to be exciting, but you also need to have an end product.

“I think he has that end product, I’ve seen it before, he’s just got to be more confident in front of goals and a bit more consistent.”

Liam Gillion during an A-League football match last season. Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz

Moving between different teams, with different head coaches and game plans, is a challenge for Gillion but a welcome one for a player who spent five seasons as an amateur in the senior domestic competition in New Zealand.

“At first I didn’t really know the Pro League boys as much, but I think as the games went on I got to know them a bit better and got more chemistry with them,” Gillion said.

“They play quite a similar style to how Steve plays and I think it’s not too hard to switch between.”

The Pro League continues in Auckland this week but Gillion was not playing on Wednesday when his side lost to South Melbourne and will also miss Saturday afternoon’s clash against Bula which kicks off three and a half hours before Auckland’s first leg of the A-League semi-finals against Adelaide United.

“Obviously I wish I could be playing and helping out the boys. But I will be supporting the boys and hoping to get good results from there.”

For a player who comes off contract next month he said he “had plenty to prove” for the remainder of the season and in a finals campaign is a good place to do it.

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