Category: Radio New Zealand

Posted on

It’s not you – some fonts feel different

Source: Radio New Zealand

Have you ever thought a font looked “friendly” or “elegant”? Or felt that Comic Sans was somehow unserious? You’re not imagining it.

Typefaces carry personalities, and we react to them more than we realise. My work explores how the shapes of letters can subtly influence our feelings.

When we read, we are not just processing the words. We are also taking in the typeface, which can shape how we interpret a message and even what we think of the person who wrote it.

Across a range of studies, people reliably link curved shapes with positivity and angular ones with threat or negativity.

Unsplash

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

Posted on

Harraways invests $11m into NZ’s only working oat mill

Source: Radio New Zealand

Glyphosate-free oat crops in the South Island for Dunedin company Harraway and Sons. SUPPLIED/HARRAWAYS

Longstanding Otago business Harraways and Sons is investing millions of dollars into its oat mill, the only operational one in Aotearoa, to meet growing demand for the healthy and humble locally-grown oat.

The company, known as Harraways, opened at Dunedin’s Green Island suburb in 1867 and its breakfast range among other products are found in most New Zealand supermarkets.

It also supplies oats to local oat milk producers, and for biscuits and muesli bars producers.

Chief executive Henry Hawkins said it was investing $11 million of capital expenditure into the factory to grow capacity.

“People eating healthier and returning to New Zealand made for some good growth for Harraways,” he said.

“We’ve reached a good point in our business where we are at capacity in terms of volume through our mill particularly, and we just need to plan for the future.

“Therefore, we need to upgrade some of our equipment to cope with that, and that includes new boilers, new grain intakes for all of our oat that we bring in, and also our milling equipment.”

He said each month, the factory employing 60 full-time staff and casual staff (like students from the nearby University of Otago) produced around 1500 metric tonnes of products, like rolled oats.

“We just really need to automate some of our production to be able to keep up with demand and try and reduce some overhead costs that come with manual labour.”

Harraway and Sons chief executive Henry Hawkins with some of its South Island-sourced oats range. SUPPLIED/HARRAWAYS

Read more:

Ninety-five percent of the company’s oats and grains were sourced in New Zealand, with the remainder being imported for its organic range.

The business contracted around 50 growers across Central Otago, Queenstown and Southland to process around 16,000 metric tonnes of oats and grains each year.

Growers were subject to the company’s zero-tolerance stance on the use of chemical defoliants and glyphosate on the crops.

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) recently reviewed and ultimately maintained the ingredient’s maximum residue limits (MRL) on food at 0.1 milligrams per kilogram for wheat, barlet and oat crops, but increasing it to 6-milligrams per kilo for field peas.

Hawkins said he was “very pleased” to see that NZFS “have seen and made sense” not to increase the MRL for glyphosate on oat crops, following public consultation.

“That has been a particular hot topic and something that we understand and know consumers are very concerned about,” he said.

“The medical information speaks for itself. It’s not the best thing for your health.

“And so we’re very watchful and want to make sure that we are able to keep our position which is no glyphosate in our product.”

It came as the Environmental Protection Authority was facing further court action by the Environmental Law Initiative around the regulator’s decision not to reassess the active ingredient in herbicide Roundup.

Hawkins said the company was well-supported by New Zealand retailers and shoppers, despite continued competition from imports on the shelf.

Harraways exported for several decades to Singapore, and was capitalising on adding oats to the region’s popular rice porridge congee, he said.

He said it “fully intended” to obtain a GrainMark certification by the Foundation for Arable Research to showcase its use of New Zealand oats only in the majority of its range, following the renovations.

Harraways Rolled Oats received the Product Lifetime Achievement Award at the NZ Food Awards in October.

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

Posted on

New Zealand steps up security for Jewish community after Bondi terror attack

Source: Radio New Zealand

A police car outside a Wellington synagogue on Monday 15 December 2025. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Security measures have been increased for the Jewish community across New Zealand after the Bondi Beach terror attack in Sydney, Australia.

Sixteen people died and dozens were injured after two gunmen opened fire on the beach where a large group was gathered for a Hanukkah celebration called Chanukah by the Sea on Sunday evening.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Morning Report police are meeting Jewish community leaders now over security in New Zealand on Monday morning.

A police car could be seen stationed outside a Wellington synagogue on Monday morning.

Major cities around the world like London, Berlin and New York are stepping up security for Hannukah events after the attack.

Luxon said the government has been funding security upgrades at Jewish and Muslim places of worship in New Zealand from the Prime Minister’s Emerging Priorities fund since late 2024.

He said the government had also been part of inter-faith dialogues with different faith groups to offer support.

Luxon said police were meeting with Jewish community leaders to give extra reassurances around security and patrols.

He said he had contacted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to offer support and condolences.

“Terrorism, antisemitism and hate have no place in society,” he said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it is not aware of any New Zealanders involved in the fatal shooting.

The New Zealand High Commission and Consulate staff are safe and are urgently working to seek more information from authorities.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand is shocked and distressed by what he says was a vile terrorist attack.

“Our deepest condolences are with all those who have lost loved ones,” Peters said on social media.

“We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Australia, New Zealand and around the world.

“Terrorism, antisemitism and hate have no place in our societies.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Posted on

Live: 16 people killed, shooter named in Bondi Beach terror attack

Source: Radio New Zealand

Sixteen people have been killed after gunmen opened fire at a Jewish holiday celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

Australian officials described it as a targeted, anti-semitic terror attack.

One of the suspected gunmen was also killed.

Authorities said far more people would have been killed were it not for a bystander, identified by local media as fruit shop owner Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, who was filmed charging a gunman from behind, grappling with him and wresting a rifle from his hands.

Follow the latest updates in the liveblog at the top of this page.

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

Posted on

World Rowing recognises Kiwi athletes

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand’s Emma Twigg wins gold in the Women’s Solo event at the World Beach Sprint Championships in Turkey 2025. Rowing NZ / Photosport

Three New Zealanders are up for World Rowing awards.

Single sculler Emma Twigg has been recognised for her efforts in 2025, while Kerri Williams and Grace Prendergast have been noted for performances during their careers.

Twigg is up for the Women’s Crew of the Year after winning the solo title at the World Beach Sprint Finals in Turkey in November.

Two other legends of New Zealand rowing, Williams and Prendergast, have been named as finalists for the Thomas Keller Medal which recognises a contribution to rowing.

Twigg, a 38-year-old Olympic and world single sculls champion, switched to beach racing following the Paris Olympics and has now set her sights on competing at the LA 2028 Olympics, where the event will debut.

Williams (nee Gowler) and Prendergast won one Olympic and three coxless pairs titles together.

PHOTOSPORT

Williams won three Olympic medals and five World Championship titles in total, while Prendergast won two Olympic medals and five world titles.

In 2019, Kerri and Grace Prendergast became the first New Zealand female athletes to win a World Rowing Championship title in two events in the same year, the Women’s Pair and Eight.

Twigg is up against the world championship winning Dutch eight and the world championship winning Romanian pair for the Women’s Crew of the Year award.

Five New Zealanders have previously won the Thomas Keller Medal. Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell in 2016, Eric Murray and Hamish Bond in 2018 and Mahe Drysdale in 2022.

The winners will be announced in January.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Posted on

Labour market shows signs of improvement

Source: Radio New Zealand

SEEK said the gains were indicators of a better labour market next year. 123RF

  • SEEK November report shows 1 pct rise job ads on October, 9 pct on year ago
  • Applications per job fall 1 pct, first fall since January 2022 – slight easing of tough conditions
  • Wages rise 0.8 pct in Nov. quarter, best gain in 18 months
  • Reports point to slow improvement in labour market.

The labour market is showing signs of improvement going into 2026, with the first fall in job applications and improved wage increases.

The latest SEEK NZ employment and salaries reports show job ads rose 1 percent in November on the month before, the fifth consecutive monthly gain in advertisements and 9 percent more than a year ago.

SEEK country manager Rob Clark said the gains were not spectacular, but they were indicators of a better labour market next year.

“While the market remains challenging for many job seekers, the consistency of this growth suggests we’re now in a genuine recovery phase rather than simply stabilising.”

Conversely the number of applicants per job fell 1 percent, the first fall since January 2022, in nearly four years, suggesting an easing in demand and less competition for positions.

Wage growth quickens

Wages rose just under 1 percent in the three months ended November, the fastest quarterly growth in 18 months.

“A relatively broad pick up in advertised salaries across the country points to a more positive outlook for the labour market as we head into 2026,” Clark said.

“Annual average advertised salary growth has begun to accelerate, with a notable increase in the most recent quarter.”

The annual wage growth was 2.5 percent, with the strongest rate in the South Island.

The biggest annual rise of 9.7 percent was for Real Estate and Property positions, which Clark said might reflect firms hiring in anticipation of a pick up in the housing market.

Other sectors in demand were healthcare, legal staff, mining and resources, and media — all showing 4 percent or more rises in salaries.

Stats NZ data showed wages grew 2.1 percent in the year ended September.

Most jobs and best wages — go south

The SEEK surveys mirrored other economic indicators that showed the South Island leading activity and recovery.

The strongest annual job advert growth rates were in the south – Southland up 27 percent, Otago up 17 percent, and Canterbury up 16 percent, with strong growth in construction, trades, manufacturing, and transport.

Wellington and Waikato had double figure growth but Auckland continued to languish with no monthly growth and 1 percent annual growth.

Canterbury outpaced the country in annual salary growth at 3.2 percent, with the North Island outside of Auckland and Wellington at 3 percent.

“For candidates, the message is one of cautious optimism – the market is clearly improving, but that improvement is uneven across regions and sectors,” Clark said.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Posted on

Group calls for second Zealandia

Source: Radio New Zealand

Members of the Wesley Community Action group Ngahere Korowai are measuring the water clarity at the pond. RNZ / Mark Papalii

The birds are calling in Cannon’s Creek reserve, and strands of Raupō flax wave tall fingertips in the breeze.

Members of the Wesley Community Action group Ngahere Korowai are measuring the water clarity at the pond, peering at a blue magnet down a large tube.

The group meets fortnightly, testing water, or helping to plant in the reserve, or up in the western side of Belmont Regional Park.

They want to see another Zealandia nature reserve created in Porirua.

Founding member John Mu. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Founding member John Mu said when Wesley Community Action’s Aotearoa Pasifika Men’s group visited Zealandia in 2019, they were stunned by what they saw.

“We looked around there and when we came back, we were fascinated by how we saw all the trees up there, beautiful trees, and insects – and we said, why can’t we have that out here, and that’s how Ngahere Korowai started.”

Agencies including Greater Wellington Regional Council and Porirua City Council backed the vision.

Members of the Wesley Community Action group Ngahere Korowai are measuring the water clarity at the pond. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Since 2022, Greater Wellington has planted 120 hectares of land with native plants and trees on the western side of Belmont Regional Park, a spokesperson said.

This past winter, 88,000 plants covering about 35 hectares in the Takapu block were planted, along with 1800 in Waitangirua as infill, and volunteers planted about 5000 plants.

Porirua resident Roger Shore said he was initially sceptical about joining Ngahere Korowai.

“I was actually part of a walking group walking round Aotea Lagoon, and one of the guys there, who’d been part of that walking group for a while, said, well do you want to come and join our mens group?

“Well my picture of a men’s group is your usual bunch of old fellas, young fellas, grumpy fellas, grissly fellas, having a hard time fellas.”

Porirua resident Roger Shore. RNZ / Mark Papalii

He said he’s discovered a diverse movement involving biodiversity, conservation and pest eradication.

“It’s like I walked through a different doorway into a different realm of the society we live in. And all I can say is, before that – my knowledge of what’s been going on is probably about, a quarter of an inch.”

Riparian operations advisor for Porirua City Council, Dougal Morrison, said there’s a wide network of planting going on through the Porirua catchment too, with a goal to restore Porirua harbour.

Morrison said about 167,000 native plants have gone in the ground this winter – work done by contractors and community groups.

He points to some of the planting done by the lake in the reserve.

“So, we’ll just come to this area that’s just been planted – just about two weeks ago – quite late for our planting, but as you can see it’s very very wet here. These are sedge kind of type species, carex, cyperus, there’s some flax… just anything that can tolerate the wet ground.”

He said the plants provide a filter for pollutants, and are bringing back fish and bird life to the city.

“In Titahi Bay, I was down there a few weeks ago and this older guy pulled up and sort of knocked on the window, and put the window down and said ‘it’s great what you guys are doing the tuna (eels) are back’ – it’s really good in terms of the change that’s been bought about.”

Shore said it’s about restoring Porirua’s environment for future generations.

“You and I can come with our grandkids for instance and go, we got rid of all that flax for instance, it’s a beautiful lake there now, you can paddle boat on it, you can watch the fish and things underneath, and enjoy it.”

“And that would be a real plus… if you’ve got a legacy – money doesn’t leave anything, environment does.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Posted on

Historic win as Alice Robinson she beats American legend

Source: Radio New Zealand

First-placed New Zealand’s Alice Robinson celebrates on the podium after the Women’s Super G event of the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup 2025-2026, in St. Moritz. FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

Queenstown skier Alice Robinson has won her maiden Super G World Cup title, beating American legend Lindsey Vonn in the process.

The 24 year old, who won the last two Giant Slalom rounds on the World Cup circuit, stepped up to the faster discipline at St Moritz in Switzerland.

She claimed the first ever Super G World Cup podium for New Zealand.

“It was such an epic day. I have always struggled in Super G to feel the same nerves, energy, intensity and focus that I feel at giant slalom races,” Robinson said afterwards.

“Today I was just telling myself this is like a GS race. You’re a real competitor; you can do really well. I think I was more focused than I usually am. I really wanted to nail the inspection, nail the warm-up, and I had such a clear plan of what I wanted to do.”

The opening race of the women’s 2026 FIS Super G World Cup season was held on the Corviglia piste, which was in near-perfect condition following cold overnight temperatures in St. Moritz.

New Zealand’s Alice Robinson competes in the Women’s Super G event of the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup 2025-2026, in St. Moritz. FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

Robinson, who was the sixth athlete on the course, reached speeds of more than 100km/h and led by almost a second after her first run.

She faced a long wait in the leader’s chair in a tightly fought race that saw the next 11 fastest racers finish within one second of her time.

However, as each athlete crossed the line, Robinson’s time remained unchallenged, confirming a historic victory.

After her race, Robinson explained: “It’s my first Super G podium and my first win, but I’ve been racing Super G for a few years now and I’ve always wanted to crack it. I think today I had a really good mixture of the things I learned from the downhill trainings, and also the technical stuff that I’ve been so solid with in my GS. I was able to put it all together and have a really good run.”

Romane Miradoli of France finished in second place, +0.08 seconds behind Robinson, with Italy’s Sofia Goggia rounding out the podium in third, +0.19 seconds off Robinson’s winning time.

This result marks Robinson’s seventh career World Cup victory, adding to her six Giant Slalom World Cup wins and the 21st World Cup podium of her career.

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

Posted on

Henry Nicholls’ hot summer continues

Source: Radio New Zealand

Henry Nicholls scores a century for Canterbury. www.photosport.nz

Henry Nicholls’ red hot form with the bat continues as the Canterbury skipper recorded his highest ever first class score.

The 34 year old’s knock lasted almost eight hours and included 25 boundaries.

His previous best score for Canterbruy was an unbeaten 171 last season.

He now has 22 first class centuries.

This season Nicholls also scored a century in each innings against Otago in Dunedin, while he also has two Ford Trophy one day centuries.

He now needs just one more ton in 2025/26 to equal Michael Papps’s Canterbury record for most first-class centuries in a Plunket Shield season.

Nicholls and Rhys Mariu (147) shared a 271-run stand, a Canterbury second-wicket partnership record.

Auckland are 37/3 heading into day three, still 359 runs behind overall.

Meanwhile in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, White Fern Jess Kerr broke the longstanding Wellington Blaze bowling record with her haul of 7/18 against the Canterbury Magicians in Rangiora.

Kerr’s figures also equal the overall Hallyburton Johnstone Shield record, Auckland Heart Bella Armstrong took 7/18 against the Otago Sparks at Melville Park (Auckland) in December 2019.

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

Posted on

Ajaz Patel called up for third test against West Indies

Source: Radio New Zealand

Ajaz Patel of New Zealand celebrating a wicket, India, 2024. PHOTOSPORT

The Black Caps have called in spinner Ajaz Patel for this week’s third Test against West Indies, while Tom Blundell is also in the 14-player squad.

Patel replaces his Central Districts team-mate Blair Tickner, who suffered a dislocated shoulder during the second Test.

Wicketkeeper Blundell also returns to the side after missing the second Test to recover from a hamstring tear sustained in the first Test at the start of December.

If 37 year old Patel is selected to play at Bay Oval on Thursday, it will be his first Test in just over a year.

Patel, who famously took all ten wickets in a Test innings against India at Wankhede Stadium in 2021, could be in line to play his first Test match on home soil since February of 2021.

His last Test appearance came during the third Test in the 2024 tour of India, where he produced a man of the match performance with figures of 11-160 as part of New Zealand’s 3-0 whitewash series victory.

“Ajaz is someone we can trust to come in and do a job if required,” coach Rob Walter said.

“Bay Oval, as we know, has typically taken more turn than other surfaces around New Zealand, and the fact he turns the ball away from the right-hander is very appealing.”

“Taking another spinner into the third Test also gives a bit more variance in our bowling attack, along with our seamers who have been doing a great job thus far this series.”

Black Caps wicketkeeper Tom Blundell defied the England attack with a fighting century on the third day the second cricket test at the Basin Reserve, Wellington. Dec 8, 2024. PHOTOSPORT

The Black Caps selector avoided the temptation to bring back the likes of Kyle Jamieson, with the squad lean on pace bowlers following first Test injuries to Nathan Smith and Matt Henry.

Jamieson is working through a conditioning block after a full start to the summer, as part of his preparation for what is shaping up to be a busy first half of 2026.

Fast bowling quartet Michael Rae, Zak Foulkes, Jacob Duffy and Kristian Clarke all remain in the squad for the final Test, with Rae impressing on debut in Wellington.

“We couldn’t have asked for more from Michael on his debut,” Rob Walter said.

“The energy he brings to the group and the added benefit of his height means he’s able to extract plenty out of the surface, which he did so in Wellington.”

Black Caps Test Squad: Third Test v West Indies

Bay Oval, Tauranga – 18-22 December.

Tom Latham (C) – Canterbury

Tom Blundell – Wellington Firebirds

Michael Bracewell – Wellington Firebirds

Kristian Clarke – Northern Districts

Devon Conway – Wellington Firebirds

Jacob Duffy – Otago Volts

Zak Foulkes – Canterbury

Daryl Mitchell – Canterbury

Ajaz Patel – Central Stags

Glenn Phillips – Otago Volts

Michael Rae – Canterbury

Rachin Ravindra – Wellington Firebirds

Kane Williamson – Northern Districts

Will Young – Central Stags

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