Source: Radio New Zealand
Follow all the cricket action as the White Ferns take on South Africa in Auckland for their third T20 international match.
The five-match series is currently tied 1-1.
First ball at Eden Park is 2.45pm.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: Radio New Zealand
Cook Islands PM Mark Brown and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters held an informal discussion at Peters’ private residence in Auckland on Friday, 20 March 2026 Supplied / Minister of Foreign Affairs
Winston Peters has met “informally” with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown at Peters’ home in Auckland.
Four days ago, Peters’ office said they had no plans to meet Brown while he was in New Zealand.
In a joint statement, they said they discussed “fundamental challenges facing the New Zealand-Cook Islands relationship over the past 18 months” though there appeared to be no resolutions.
“Political dialogue between the two countries will continue in the coming weeks in order to determine whether these challenges can be resolved in the present circumstances,” it stated.
“In the meantime, the Governments of the Cook Islands and New Zealand will not be providing further comment.”
Christopher Luxon said on Thursday that he would not meet with Brown in any capacity, preferring to keep it between officials.
“I’m confident we’ll get to a good place in the end, we’ve made some good progress recently, but I’m going to let our officials handle that progress,” he said.
Addressing a room of dignitaries on Wednesday, Brown said his country was “growing in influence” globally on its “voyage of statehood”.
“Our desire to pursue our own policies and interests have been reflected in our growing participation on the international stage,” Brown told a room of dignitaries.
“There are times when we must pause and consider whether the conventions and evolved understanding between our freely associated states remain aligned … we find ourselves in such a moment.”
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Source: Radio New Zealand
The catastrophic failure of the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant may have been caused by air trapped in the pipes, a report has revealed.
The Wellington plant failed last month, flooding the facility and sending millions of litres of raw sewage into the sea each day.
Wellington City Council on Friday released the first report into the ongoing saga.
Wellington Water commissioned the engineering report on 5 February – the day after the failure – to understand how the plant could be operated during the recovery.
Experts from Stantec used software to develop a hydraulic model of the plant, and replicated the likely flow of water running through the plant when it failed.
While the report was not commissioned to identify the cause, it revealed valuable information, Wellington Mayor Andrew Little’s office said.
Wellington Mayor Andrew Little said the report was just one piece of the puzzle. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
“The report found that air can become trapped in the wastewater bypass pipeline, particularly when there is a high flow of wastewater passing through the plant.
“It is possible that trapped air could disrupt the flow of wastewater, pushing it backwards and flooding the plant.”
There was a “significant risk” of the air being trapped in the system, causing a “choke point” the report said.
And if it did happen, it would be “a likely cause of the flooding”.
The bypass system allows screened wastewater to bypass further treatment – like disinfection – and be discharged out to sea when the plant is at maximum capacity.
The experts suggested Wellington Water install additional air release equipment at specific locations in the system.
Wellington Water chief operating officer Charles Baker speaking to media following the release of the report. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
“This is expected to provide some improvement to the issues identified until the design of a new bypass pipeline alignment and connection can be developed and implemented.”
The report was just one piece of the puzzle, Little said.
“There are other areas of interest that require a more detailed investigation, and Wellington Water has commissioned an external specialist to conduct a wider investigation into these other factors.
“It’s natural to want a quick answer, but it’s important that we take the time to uncover all the facts and not draw conclusions too early.
“Wellingtonians deserve assurance that our recovery addresses the root cause and any related factors, so we can be confident we’re preventing this from happening again.”
The Wellington plant failed last month, flooding the facility and sending millions of litres of raw sewage into the sea each day. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The report revealed that Veolia, the plant operator, told Wellington Water at a meeting this week that crews had observed the burping of air pockets during the storm on 3 March when there was a high level of water running through the system.
“The operator … observed burping of large air pockets and large splashes from the outlet chamber during the initial pumping sequences,” it said.
That showed the air release capacity of a vent pipe downstream had been exceeded at times, the report said.
The experts identified other potential risks at the plant and made a number of technical recommendations.
“Wellington Water should address the potential risk of a blockage or debris in the outfall section of the pipe and implement monitoring of operating pressures in the ocean outfall (during the recovery phase at a minimum).”
The company should also review the condition of existing air and isolation valves, and replace them if necessary, the report said.
CCTV from the pipeline showed the polyurethane liner had eroded and cement mortar had potentially degraded in some sections, it said.
“This has occurred due to high velocity super-critical (shallow and fast) flow impacting on the liner.
“This flow regime presents risks to the long-term durability of the effluent pipeline liner and structural steel which warrants additional review and investigation.”
An independent Crown review into the failure is also underway, and its final report is expected in August.
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Source: Radio New Zealand
Danniverke Carriers owner Nigel Castles expects further price rises for fuel are inevitable. 123rf
A rural transport company carting stock to the meat works couldn’t get the fuel it needed at two North Island commercial truck stops.
Pumps ran dry in Wairoa and Eltham on Thursday when the Stephenson Transport truck and trailer units from Central Hawke’s Bay were on a freezing works run.
Owner Bruce Stephenson said it’s a situation he’s never faced during his seven decades in the business.
“We had stock trucks on the road obviously all over the place. We couldn’t get fuel in Wairoa and we couldn’t get fuel in Eltham,” he said.
“They were loaded with stock heading to the works, so we had to stretch things out a bit – it gets a bit tricky when you’re doing that sort of thing.”
He fielded phone calls from his concerned drivers wondering what to do next.
“I’m talking about truck stops where we fuel up and where we get our contract prices from. That’s where access is relatively easy for a big truck and trailers with crates on.”
“So we had to go to service stations and find one we could get under the canopy of.”
Danniverke Carriers owner Nigel Castles is also coping with the swiftly evolving situation.
His company also carts stock around the country and he’s concerned about the massive spike in prices.
And his family-owned business can’t absorb the soaring fuel prices alone.
He’s reluctantly passing these increases on to farmers and estimates his fuel bill is up 20 percent from the start of the year.
The company filled its tanks last week, and he hopes the next delivery will arrive in a week.
With no signs of tensions easing in the Middle East, he expects further price rises for fuel are inevitable.
“The next lot of fuel supply is actually going to go up again,” he said.
“Definitely out on farm there’s a lot of worry, and as transporters we certainly don’t want to come to a grinding halt either.”
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Source: Radio New Zealand
In his La Ronde performance, Adam Malone’s burlesque-inspired feats include a “chaotic” hoop act in which he manipulates fast-spinning blunt objects with his hands.
Less stressful, he says, is pulling off his take on the traditional but rare ‘Washington Trapeze’, which involves balancing on his head.
“I go into a bit of a Zen space, and I balance, and my body kind of takes over for me,” Malone tells RNZ’s Nine to Noon.
Adam Malone is also a renowned hula-hoop artist.
Benji Hardwick
Growing up, Malone’s older sister was an elite trampolinist, but gymnastics wasn’t really his thing. But when he was a teenager, a traditional circus company started up in his hometown, and the vibrant performer fell in love.
“They saw something in me, and they were like, ‘We’re going to put you on stage with us and pay you’.”
This video is hosted on Youtube.
After high school, Malone pursued makeup artistry and performed in the queer nightclub scene before studying circus at Melbourne’s National Institute of Circus Arts, where he learned the Washington Trapeze act.
“I saw an opportunity to learn this super random, weird, rare act that I kind of wanted to do and took the opportunity to learn it, took the risk as well. I ended up kind of reinventing the act. I’m really stoked about that.
“It’s super fun. It’s super weird. And that’s what’s fun about it.”
“Spreading my legs for a living” reads Adam Malone’s Instagram bio.
Benji Hardwick
Later, Malone worked with Circus Oz but, approaching 30, felt the call to focus on his own individual circus acts, which infuse burlesque and cabaret.
In La Ronde, not wearing much makeup or any wigs, the performer shows more of his masculine side.
“I start in a suit, and then I have heels and the heels come off, and then the suit comes off and then I’m in a camp girly little lingerie number. It’s really campy. It’s really fun.”
At the end of a week “stomping around the Spiegeltent in eight-inch heels”, Malone says it’s his feet that hurt the most.
Jinki Cambronero
If they “have the balls”, performers have the freedom to do whatever they want within circus traditions, Malone says.
Because they’re doing things the human body isn’t necessarily designed to do but can do, the job is very physically demanding.
“That’s what’s fun about it, but obviously you have to maintain your body. You have to be good to yourself. You have to train. You need to listen to your body.
“I’m exhausted today, but I know that I get my rest when I get home, and I know the steps that I need to do to make sure that I’m going to be fine to do my act every night.
“It’s actually my feet that hurt the most at the end of the week, stomping around the Spiegeltent in eight-inch heels. But it is my choice, my responsibility. We suffer for the art.”
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Source: Radio New Zealand
RNZ / Robin Martin
One person has died following a crash on State Highway 2/Matawai Road, Waipaoa, in the Gisborne region on Friday morning.
Police were notified of the two-vehicle crash near McMillan Road just before 7am.
One person was found dead at the scene.
Another person received serious injuries and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
The road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.
Police had warned earlier there would be extensive delays for motorists.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are continuing.
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Source: Radio New Zealand
The gloves are coming off for the next instalment of Dan Hooker’s “1 Minute Scraps”. youtube
Police are monitoring a bare-knuckle fighting event in Christchurch organised by MMA professional fighter Dan Hooker.
The seventh-ranked UFC lightweight contender announced another “1 Minute Scraps” event on social media recently, telling hopefuls the event “is gonna scrap the gloves, we’re going bare-knuckle”.
A $50,000 prize was on offer for the winner with each combatant getting $1000 and $5000 available for each knockout.
Hooker told The Rock FM‘s Morning Rumble he had chosen the city for Sunday’s event because “I believe Christchurch has the craziest people”.
“We had thousands of people try to enter this. This excites me as a fighter,” he said.
The seventh-ranked UFC lightweight contender announced another “1 Minute Scraps” event on social media recently. STEVEN MARKHAM
Backyard-style fights have previously attracted backlash from some people involved in combat sports with the Boxing Coaches Association labelling it “straight-out thuggery“.
Following the criticism, Hooker told online combat sport programme the Ariel Helwani Show that, “there’s a few lefties having a sulk”.
“Since when did putting gloves on in the backyard and having a punch up become illegal?” Since when is that a crime?” he said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Damon Wells said police were aware of the event.
“We have spoken with the organisers of the event, who have been cooperative, and confirmed they are running a lawful event which they have done previously,” he said.
“Police monitored previous events run by these organisers and had no issues. However, we will continue to monitor such events, and anyone found to be participating in unlawful or antisocial behaviour should expect to be held to account for their actions.
“If anyone witnesses any concerning or antisocial behaviour is urged to call 111 in an emergency, or 105 to report non-urgent information.”
Hooker had promised to run more events in the future and said his plans for the next one “gets even more wild”.
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Source: Radio New Zealand
A scene guard would remain in place while investigators probed the scene, police said. RNZ / REECE BAKER
Police enquiries are underway after a man was found dead at a construction in Hastings earlier this week.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Karli Whiu said police were called to the site at 7pm on Thursday 18 March.
“The man was not an employee at the site and his death is currently being treated as unexplained,” Whiu said.
A scene guard would remain in place while investigators probed the scene.
“Work is under way to formally identify the man and at this stage we are unable to provide any further details regarding his identity,” Whiu said.
Police were asking anyone with relevant information to reach out using the 105 and quote file number 260319/6453.
Information could also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Source: Radio New Zealand
If you’ve ever dealt with a sick household, the appeal of hand soap to kill germs is understandable and there are plenty of “antibacterial” and “antiseptic” products promising to do that.
Hand washing is one of the most important ways to prevent the transmission of pathogens between people, says Professor Paul Griffin, an infectious diseases physician and clinical microbiologist from Brisbane/Meanjin.
“Anyone who’s worked in health care, child care or had young kids knows how quickly germs spread amongst the household and in those environments,” he says.
Professor Paul Griffin says it is less about the product you use and more about the correct hand washing technique.
Supplied/ABC
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Source: Radio New Zealand
Finland has once again been named the happiest country in the world, a title it has now held a record nine times.
New Zealand often ranks in the top 10, but it has just dipped outside to 11th in the most recent World Happiness Report. It’s the third year in a row New Zealand has ranked outside the top 10.
It’s mostly Nordic countries ahead of New Zealand, but Israel is in 8th. Our friends across the ditch, Australia, were ranked 15th.
New Zealand has ranked 11th in the World Happiness Report.
123rf.com
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