Category: Radio New Zealand

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Sanson fire: Investigators back at scene of fatal blaze

Source: Radio New Zealand

A close-up of the Fire and Emergency NZ logo. Marika Khabazi / RNZ

Police officers have returned to the scene of a fatal house fire in Sanson, Manawatū.

RNZ understands a man and children were among those who died on Saturday afternoon when flames engulfed the home on State Highway 1 just south of the town.

The police said several people died – but would not specify how many.

It was understood they were searching for three children after the fire.

They said they were not seeking anyone in relation to the blaze.

A scene guard was in place overnight, and officers returned on Sunday to continue the investigation.

SH1 was briefly closed between Phillips St and Speedy Rd on Saturday.

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Primary teachers at breaking point according to insights poll

Source: Radio New Zealand

Seventy-three percent of teachers said they are likely to quit within the next five years due to the workload and wellbeing impacts changes. RNZ / Alexander Robertson

Primary school teachers are at breaking point, as they face heavy workloads and burnout from the government’s curriculum changes.

A new insights poll from the New Zealand Educational Institute surveyed 228 primary school principals nationwide regarding the changes and the resulting impact on their workload, health, and wellbeing.

Seventy-three percent of teachers said they are likely to quit within the next five years due to the workload and wellbeing impacts changes.

Ninety-seven percent of primary principals said the timeline for implementing the new curriculum changes is unrealistic.

While 99 percent said the frequent policy and curriculum shifts have left insufficient time to consolidate previous changes.

The government released the full draft for years 0-10 students in October and would be rolled out over three stages, with years 0-10 English and Mathematics required to begin from the start of 2026, for all state and state-integrated schools.

Martyn Weatherill, Principal Representative for NZEI Te Riu Roa, said the poll highlighted the alarming effects constant change is having on principals’ workload, stress levels, and overall wellbeing.

“Government-mandated changes to the curriculum were turned around at breakneck speed earlier this year. Principals expressed their frustration at the pace and lack of consultation then.

“Now we’re heading into curriculum change Groundhog Day; another rush to implement a new, NEW (as we’re calling it) curriculum, directed by a government that has failed any reasonable test of consultation with us.

“Our primary challenge is that we weren’t provided with the time, training, or resources to absorb the speed and complexity of the imposed changes.

“All of this takes a massive toll on our workload, stress levels, and wellbeing. We are not being listened to when we say it’s too much. Our professional expertise is being ignored and we are feeling disrespected,”

Ninety percent described the professional learning and resources provided by the Ministry of Education to support implementation as insufficient.

Ninety-six percent confirm the cumulative effect of curriculum changes and increased workload has adversely impacted their health and wellbeing.

Weatherill said this could in turn, impact children.

“This is, we believe, harming students. Ninety-nine percent of principals are saying the frequent and policy changes leave insufficient time to do the job properly.

“This is not a company producing widgets, we are teaching children, they are the future of our country and they are being, bottom line, experimented on.” he said.

Kerry Hawkins, Principal of Waverley Park School in Invercargill, said he’s seeing a pace of change unprecedented in his 40 years as a school leader.

“This is the most absurdly paced policy change I’ve seen. My initial reaction was gnashing of teeth and frustration at the lack of consultation and respect shown to the profession.

“The mathematics programme we use is DMIC (Developing Mathematical Inquiry Communities). It is culturally appropriate, well-grounded in research, and proven to be effective. Why would we replace it?

“I’m starting to feel that curriculum changes under this government are like New York taxis: Wait a moment, and you’ll get another one.” he said.

Education Minister Erica Stanford said she understands the scale of the reform programme is significant.

“We are absolutely committed to supporting principals and teachers through it because this work is about giving every child the strong, world-class education they deserve.

“That is why we have deliberately phased the curriculum changes through to 2028, giving four full years for implementation. We are backing schools with ongoing professional learning, clear guidance, and high-quality resources, and we are currently consulting on the new draft learning areas so schools can help shape the final design.

“We are already seeing promising results from the focus on strong foundations. When the phonics check was introduced in Term 1, 36 percent of new entrants were at or above expectations after 20 weeks at school. By Term 3, that had risen to 58 percent.

“Parents can be confident these reforms are about raising achievement and delivering better outcomes for young people. And we will continue working closely with the sector, welcoming feedback to ensure these changes are implemented in a way that is supportive, manageable, and sustainable for principals and their teams,” she said.

Majority of Secondary Principals also opposed to changes

Meanwhile, a survey of Secondary Principals Association members indicated most opposed the government’s recent changes though they supported some of the underlying direction.

It found 43 percent of the 102 respondents supported the new curriculum and 57 percent did not.

Most, 75 percent, disagreed the curriculum was world-leading, but agreed with its main objective and focus on excellent and equitable outcomes reflecting the Treaty of Waitangi.

Eighty-four percent agreed with the strengthened focus on literacy and numeracy

More than 80 percent disagreed with the process for developing the curriculum and the timeline for introducing it.

A similar percentage disagreed with the government’s changes to governance of the Teaching Council and 76 percent disagreed with the removal of school’s treaty obligations.

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Review: I Fought the Law – A gripping tale of one woman’s dogged battle for justice

Source: Radio New Zealand

An outstanding British TV drama landed on TVNZ+ with little fanfare recently.

Set in industrial North East of England, it tells the true story of a young woman’s sudden disappearance in 1989, and the subsequent discovery of her body concealed in the bathroom where she had lived.

Sheridan Smith plays her mother Ann Ming, and she puts in a class performance here.

At first Ann and her husband Charlie battle police indifference – she’s probably gone to London to reunite with her ex, they say.

Ming, an NHS nurse, knows Julie would never abandon her young son and she and Charlie push the local plod to take the case seriously.

They fear Julie has come to harm, and their worst nightmares are confirmed when Ann discovers her body 80 days after she vanished – alerted by a terrible smell in the house where Julie’s ex and young son are now living.

A slapdash police forensics search had uncovered nothing at the time of her disappearance. A more thorough sweep later unearths sufficient evidence to arrest a local man for her murder.

Billy Dunlop is tried for the murder, but the jury fails to reach a verdict – twice – and he is acquitted.

Ann and Charlie are shattered by the re-trauma of the trials. Charlie, while supportive of his wife, is seemingly resigned that they’ve reached the end of the road as far a justice for Julie goes.

When Dunlop boasts about murdering Julie while in prison for another assault on a woman, he is later tried for perjury during the original murder trial and gets six years. But Ann won’t rest.

She embarks on a dogged 15-year campaign to overturn the 800-year legal precedent of double jeopardy where someone cannot be tried twice for the same offence.

Sheridan is superb as Ann, courageously and obsessively pushing through her grief and exhaustion, undaunted by the wall of British establishment indifference to her fight to overturn a law going back to the Magna Carta.

Her battles take her to the loftiest legal jurisdictions in the land. She personally appeals to the House of Lords speaking without notes, never overawed, her determination to right a terrible wrong driving her.

There are no spoilers here, it’s a matter of historical record that she finally succeeded, and this fine dramatisation of an ordinary working-class woman who achieved something extraordinary does her due justice.

Ann eventually received an MBE for her tireless work to get justice for her daughter and other victims of violent crime, at the time though she said she’d rather have her Julie back than a badge.

Highly recommended.

Sheridan Smith as Ann Ming in I Fought the Law.

Sheridan Smith as Ann Ming in I Fought the Law.

Supplied

Don’t watch if … I can’t think of a reason not to watch this excellent drama unless you’re triggered by memories of dodgy ’80s knitwear.

If you liked I Fought the Law what should you watch next?

Mr Bates vs The Post Office: More British David vs Goliath fare as Toby Jones plays Alan Bates the unassuming man who took on the the Royal Mail when a crook IT system led to thousands of sub-postmasters being wrong accused of fraud. Currently streaming on TVNZ+.

A Very British Scandal: Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw both brilliant in this three-parter about the infamous Jeremy Thorpe affair in the 1970s. Still streaming on Prime.

A Very British Scandal (2): If you liked the first why not dive into the second in this series set in the ’60s? Clare Foy plays the Duchess of Argyll and Paul Bettany the Duke, her ghastly husband bent on vengeance when a compromising polaroid comes to light. Also on Prime.

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All Blacks crash to defeat against England

Source: Radio New Zealand

Fraser Dingwall of England scores his team’s third try during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 rugby international match between England and New Zealand at Allianz Stadium. David Rogers/Getty Images

The All Blacks’ Grand Slam hopes are over, following a comprehensive 33-19 loss to England at Twickenham. Despite scoring the first two tries and leading at halftime, the All Blacks let the game slip in the second half following a controversial yellow card to Codie Taylor soon after the restart.

However, Scott Robertson’s side can’t blame that moment for the defeat, as England closed out the last half an hour playing very composed and effective rugby. Tries to Sam Underhill, Fraser Dingwall and Tom Roebuck could only be matched with one by Will Jordan, which meant that England could control the pace of the game.

Earlier, the All Blacks would’ve been pretty pleased with the way things were going after the repulsed a long run of English possession and territory. With their first real chance they scored through Leicester Fainga’anuku, then followed it up with another well-constructed try to Taylor.

However, England’s game plan adjusted impressively and they gained territory again, culminating in two well struck drop goals to George Ford.

Taylor’s yellow card was an exceptionally tough call given that it was the first penalty the All Blacks had conceded in the whole game through 42 minutes, but arguably the bigger setback was when Cam Roigard was forced from the field with injury at the same time. Roigard’s absence was notable for the rest of the match, as Cortez Ratima and the rest of the All Black bench struggled to make an impact.

In contrast the English replacements, nicknamed the ‘Pom Squad’, injected a great deal of energy. None more so than young flanker Henry Pollock, whose footwork set up Roebuck’s match-sealing try.

It was England’s ninth ever win against the All Blacks and first since the famous 2019 World Cup semifinal result, and their first at Twickenham since 2012. It reverses a run of incredibly tight All Black wins, with three matches last year decided by three points or less.

The All Blacks now move on to Cardiff to play a struggling Wales, in the last test match of the season.

Read how the game unfolded here:

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Billy Proctor Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

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5 types of ‘wellness woo’ that borrow from mainstream medicine

Source: Radio New Zealand

Massage was once considered a fringe therapy, but later morphed into present-day physiotherapy. Swiss medical student Maximilian Bircher-Benner first blended a breakfast of oats, nuts and fruit, aka muesli, for hospital patients.

But sometimes ideas flow in the other direction, too, and legitimate medical therapies are offered by untrained or barely trained people who can do real harm.

Here are five examples of wellness trends that borrow from mainstream medicine.

Since the 1990s, health professionals have been injecting Botox into people’s faces to temporarily paralyse the muscles that cause wrinkles.

Pablo Merchán Montes / Unsplash

Is tracking our health healthy?

Wellbeing

1. Ozone therapy

Ozone (O₃) is a form of oxygen. Ordinary oxygen (O₂), sometimes with ozone added, can be applied to wounds via a bag or sealed chamber to help them heal. It does this by helping the body fight infection and form collagen.

But “ozone therapy” – the weird, unlicensed version – puts ozone, or ozone and oxygen, directly into the person’s body. It can go in via the lungs, or via intravenous injection, or it can be pumped into the rectum or vagina.

Practitioners claim it can reduce inflammation or even treat cancer or HIV/AIDS, despite no evidence for such health benefits.

It can also cause fatal air embolisms – bubbles of gas in the bloodstream that can block blood flow to vital organs.

Related: A dead ‘doctor’, cancer and ‘woo woo’: Inside Australia’s ozone therapy industry

2. Vitamin drips

If you don’t get enough of a certain vitamin or mineral through your diet, you can take a supplement. But if that doesn’t work, in some cases, you might need to go to a hospital or a doctor’s surgery to get a medically supervised infusion that’s delivered into the vein (an IV infusion).

For instance, iron infusions help people with serious iron deficiencies.

But celebrity endorsements have helped fuel the rise of “vitamin drips” at wellness centres and therapy lounges. These drips promise all sorts of outcomes, from boosting your immune system to treating pain or depression.

IV needles in untrained hands can be dangerous. They can cause phlebitis (inflammation of the vein) and infiltration (when the IV fluid or medication leaks into the surrounding areas). They can also lead to infection.

And unlike therapeutic vitamin IV infusions administered in hospitals, these non-traditional treatments are not regulated by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration. So you might also not be getting the magic IV potion you’re paying for.

Related: Do you really need an intravenous vitamin drip?

3. Botox

The bacterium Clostridium botulinum produces a neurotoxin – a poison that affects nerves. For decades, it’s been used therapeutically to treat excess sweating and migraine, among other conditions. Today, we call this neurotoxin Botox.

Since about the 1990s, health professionals have been injecting it into people’s faces to temporarily paralyse the muscles that cause wrinkles.

It’s legal, it’s a registered product, and in trained hands, it’s safe to use.

The Medical Council of New Zealand last outlined the standards it expects of doctors who perform cosmetic procedures in 2017.

In 2023, Auckland cosmetic medicine expert Dr Sarah Hart told RNZ her clients frequently complained about “botched” procedures at the hands of under-trained injectors.

Related: More Kiwi blokes using ‘Brotox’ to look fresher and be less sweaty

4. Apheresis

Apheresis is the process of separating blood into its component parts by spinning it at high speed in a special machine.

Using a process called selective apheresis, clinicians can separate out and remove specific molecules or antibodies.

For example, a person has very high cholesterol that doesn’t respond to normal treatments can undergo lipid apheresis to “wash out” harmful lipoproteins from their blood.

It’s easy to see how the idea of “washing” your blood could be misunderstood and misapplied.

English actor Orlando Bloom announced earlier this year that he’d undergone apheresis to remove microplastics from his blood.

Microplastics in the body are a cause for concern – but there’s no evidence to suggest apheresis can cleanse human blood of them.

Related: Scientists issue warning over microplastics

5. Hyperbaric therapy

When a diver gets “the bends” from too much nitrogen forming in their body, they can be treated in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, where they receive 100 percent oxygen in a pressurised chamber.

There isn’t enough good science to back up any of these claims. There also isn’t enough science to suggest it makes your skin look younger.

Related: The longevity movement is growing, but doctors say be cautious

The key message?

The history of medicine is full of stories about when mainstream forms of medicine have harmed instead of healed.

Humans have also always wanted to manage their own health. This has been going on for centuries, with both risks and benefits.

But just because a therapy has been used in a hospital for one reason doesn’t necessarily mean it works in a wellness clinic for another.

People can be easily convinced by aggressively marketed wellness therapies, which can be magnified by social media and celebrity endorsements.

However, these therapies can come with a lack of evidence to support their wider use, and they may cause harm.

Caveat emptor – let the buyer beware.

Philippa Martyr is a Lecturer in Pharmacology and Women’s Health at the School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia.

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‘Reinvasion is inevitable’: Joy over zero possums in Wainuiomata short-lived

Source: Radio New Zealand

A possum caught on camera. Supplied / GWRC

A recent pest control operation in Wainuiomata momentarily knocked the possum population down to zero – the lowest result recorded in the area for 20 years.

Greater Wellington Regional Council carries out aerial 1080 drops in the area every five years. This latest occurred on 15 August.

Director of delivery Jack Mace said its wax tag monitoring system detected zero possums – a new record, after the previous low of 0.1 percent recorded after a 1080 operation in 2005.

“It’s very rare that we achieve almost complete elimination like this in a 1080 operation,” he said. “It was well planned and executed by our pest animals team.”

But the results were expected to be short-lived.

“We know results like this never last forever – reinvasion is inevitable,” Mace said. “But what we can do is keep knocking possums and rats down to give the forest and birds a break.”

He explained 1080 was a safe and effective tool for managing pests, and there were no traces of it recorded in water samples taken from waterways in the area after the drop.

The process was aided by trail cameras, installed as part of the council’s new zero ungulate programme, which showed the operation had also reduced the numbers of stoats and feral cats.

The next step would be to cut down the number of larger pests like deer, goats and pigs.

Mace said while possums, feral cats and stoats were regularly controlled using 1080 and trapping, the council was concerned about increasing deer, goat and pig populations which had “cleared out” the forest ground cover and understory.

“The canopy is relatively healthy; however a forest ecosystem needs all levels – ground cover, understory and canopy – to thrive. The zero ungulate programme will see a significant increase in pest animal control and an extension of the ungulate-proof fence to prevent reinvasion,” he said.

“The aim of the project is to remove ungulates and keep them out.

The Wainuiomata Water Collection Area is home to northern rātā and rimu trees left untouched by historic logging. Mace called them “jewels in the crown of lower North Island forest”.

“This area is precious and it’s our role to protect it.”

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Former Police Commissioner not sure if he’s ‘free to comment’ on scathing report

Source: Radio New Zealand

Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster. RNZ / REECE BAKER

Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster does not know if he’s “free to comment” on a scathing report by the police watchdog, a spokesperson for him says.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority’s report found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police, including Coster, in relation to police’s response to allegations of sexual offending by former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.

Coster was placed on leave from his role as chief executive of the Social Investment Agency, following the report released on Tuesday.

RNZ called and texted Coster on Wednesday and received a text with an email to contact for comment.

RNZ asked for comment on Coster’s actions, whether he would stay in his role at the SIA, and whether he had a message for the woman who raised the allegations.

A spokesperson then replied: “As has been publicly noted by ministers, this is now an employment conversation between the Public Service Commissioner and Andrew Coster. He will not be responding to media ahead of that process.”

RNZ approached Coster’s spokesperson again on Friday asking for comment on the IPCA’s reports and his actions as the former Police Commissioner.

“Unfortunately, Andrew is not in a position to comment on any of these issues while there is a process underway with the Public Service Commissioner,” the spokesperson replied.

Asked why, and whether Coster was intending on returning to work, the spokesperson replied: “It is not presently clear whether Andrew is free to comment, given his role as a public servant and the process in which he is engaged. He will not be commenting further while this is underway.”

Coster took on the role as Secretary for Social Investment in November 2024, after stepping down as Police Commissioner.

Public Service Minister Judith Collins earlier said it was agreed between Coster and the Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche that Coster would be on leave while Sir Brian undertook his own “investigation”.

She said the report showed a “massive” failure of leadership, and while it was now an employment matter, she said the report spoke for itself.

“If this was me being named in this report, I would be ashamed of myself. And I think that’s what I can say. I would be deeply ashamed.”

Collins said the findings that leadership attempted to influence the investigation into the woman’s complaint and persuade the IPCA that the matter could be resolved quickly were “very serious”.

“Let’s put it this way. If a minister tried to do that, I’m sure that the Prime Minister would have them out the door that way.”

Asked whether she thought it amounted to corruption, Collins said, “If it walks like a duck, and it quacks like a duck, it’s not looking good, is it?”

While acknowledging the IPCA report did not say it was corruption, Collins said it was “an extraordinary set of events, and extraordinary facts, and it must never happen again”.

She expressed thanks for the people who did stand up and send the matter to the IPCA as a complaint.

A spokesperson for the Public Service Commissioner earlier said it would be inappropriate to comment on any employment matters.

Social investment minister Nicola Willis said she was “shocked and appalled” by the IPCA report’s findings.

“I have conveyed my views to Public Service Commissioner Brian Roche. The matter now sits with him as Mr Coster’s employer,” she said.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell said Coster first briefed him on 6 November 2024 about McSkimming.

“The issues around Andrew Coster, we all now clearly see in that report that yes, without a doubt, he was the leader of the executive. He should be held to account for that, because of what we’re dealing with.”

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Why David Byrne doesn’t read reviews

Source: Radio New Zealand

When David Byrne performs at Auckland’s Spark Arena on 14 January, he’ll be accompanied by performers from his wildly successful American Utopia album tour in 2018.

This year’s live performances of Byrne’s new album Who is the Sky? may even be more cheerful than his last tour, which NME called possibly “the most ambitious and impressive live show of all time”, he says.

“I’m told by audience members that the shows that I’m doing now make them cheerful. They feel that it’s joyous, Byrne tells RNZ’s Music 101.

This video is hosted on Youtube.

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Three players share record must-win $55m Lotto prize

Source: Radio New Zealand

[rnz_online]

Three Lotto winners will take away $18.3m each. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Three Powerball players have split the record, must-win $55 million Lotto prize on Saturday night, claiming $18.3m each.

“What a fantastic result,” said Lotto NZ chief executive Jason Delamore. “It’s great to see the Powerball jackpot being shared among a number of players.

“A win like this doesn’t just change one life – it can transform families, friends and even entire communities.

“Our winners often give back in incredible ways, from helping loved ones to supporting charities. The impact of this win will reach far beyond the individual winners.”

Their prizes consist of $18,333,333 from Powerball first division and $55,556 from Lotto first division, totalling $18,388,889.

Saturday’s big winners should phone Lotto NZ’s Customer Support team on 0800 695 6886 to ensure they receive the support they’ll need throughout this life-changing experience.

Lotto NZ will reveal the locations of the winners on Sunday.

“Lotto NZ exists to make a difference for Kiwi communities – that’s what drives us every day,” said Delmore. “One-hunded percent of our profits go back into supporting communities and every ticket sold contributes towards that, so a huge thank you to everyone who played in tonight’s draw.

“You’re helping thousands of good causes make a difference across Aotearoa.”

The latest payout beats the previous biggest prize of $50m offered twice in 2020. In February 2020, two winners split that amount, while in August, 10 winners took $5m each.

In 2016, one winner took away the entire $44m jackpot.

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Live rugby: All Blacks v England updates, commentary, analysis

Source: Radio New Zealand

The All Blacks take on England at Allianz Stadium in London’s Twickenham.

Recent history is on the visitors’ side, with the All Blacks winning the last five games against England at the London ground. The hosts’ last victory over New Zealand at Twickenham was in 2012.

The All Blacks are coming off the back of a shaky win over Scotland, in which they almost blew a 17-0 halftime lead.

Kickoff is at 4am NZT.

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Billy Proctor Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

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