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‘Just looking for a result’: Scott Robertson on All Blacks’ challenge against England

Source: Radio New Zealand

England v All Blacks

Kick-off: 4:10am Sunday 16 November

Allianz Stadium (Twickenham), London

Live blog updates on RNZ

England have been installed as favourites by some local bookmakers for this weekend’s crunch match with the All Blacks at Twickenham. However, Scott Robertson isn’t reading too much into it as his side prepares for what’s being billed as the biggest game of the end of year tour.

“We’re just looking for a result,” he said when asked if the All Blacks were aiming for a statement performance.

“You look at these games, how tight they are in the margins, and there’s two quality teams both got clear DNA, how they want to play. Discipline, keep trusting ourselves and keep playing is the key.”

Robertson has made several changes to his team, most notably shaking up the loose forwards by bringing back Simon Parker to start at blindside.

“He’s a big body, he’s physical and Wallace (Sititi) will come on obviously…we still have to make our tackles and turn the ball over, whatever the style of game is, he can add to it.”

All Blacks Cam Roigard and Wallace Sititi celebrate at full-time after George Ford of England misses a drop goal attempt at the final whistle during All Blacks v England. Bob Martin/ActionPress

When asked for an assessment of England, Robertson was surprised and amused to learn of the ‘Pom Squad’ nickname that Steve Borthwick’s bench has earned. Props Ellis Genge and Will Stuart, hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and loose forwards Tom Curry and Henry Pollock will be presumably injected in the second half, in a plan that has been likened to the Springboks’ successful switching of starting players to impact roles in recent years.

“Wow that’s catchy,” said Robertson.

“That’s innovation, isn’t it? The finishing of test matches is critical…(we’ve got to) bring all we need to make an impact.”

Of course, there was the inevitable question about the haka, but in the English media’s defence, the topic of how the home side should issue a response was far more thoughtful than last year’s eruption of controversy.

“We welcome that, respectfully. There’s always rules of engagement around it, but they know what we’re going to do,” said Robertson.

England players approach the New Zealand team as they perform the Haka. James Crombie / www.photosport.nz

England coach Steve Borthwick will be looking to reverse a run of three narrow defeats to the All Blacks, including a dramatic 24-22 result in the same fixture last year. He hinted at a kick-heavy game, having identified that Robertson’s gameplans have relied on Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie’s boots a great deal.

“Every game it has spiked how much they have kicked. Last year at Twickenham, they came and the first thing they did is go ‘right we are kicking this ball’,” Borthwick told media this week.

“It is that tactical element of it and it will be interesting to see if that’s what Scott Robertson has asked his team to do.”

Scott Barrett addresses the All Blacks. ActionPress

Team lists

England: 1. Fin Baxter, 2. Jamie George, 3. Joe Heyes, 4. Maro Itoje (c), 5. Alex Coles, 6. Guy Pepper, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Ben Earl, 9. Alex Mitchell, 10. George Ford (vice-captain), 11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 12. Fraser Dingwall, 13. Ollie Lawrence, 14. Tom Roebuck, 15. Freddie Steward

Bench: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Ellis Genge, 18. Will Stuart, 19. Chandler Cunningham-South, 20. Tom Curry, 21. Henry Pollock, 22. Ben Spencer, 23. Marcus Smith

All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Will Jordan

Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Wallace Sititi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Damian McKenzie

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

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EIT launches new landscaping pathway to meet growing demand in green industries

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

24 seconds ago

EIT is launching a new hands-on training pathway designed to prepare aspiring landscapers and horticulture workers for careers in New Zealand’s fast-growing green industries.

Beginning in February 2026, learners can start with the New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills (Level 2) – Gardening: Foundations for Landscape Work. From there, in July, they can progress to the New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Operational Skills (Level 3) – Landscaping Skills: Build the Outdoors.

EIT tutor Aaron Williams is leading the new landscaping pathway, designed to prepare students for careers in the growing green industry.

Delivered three days per week at EIT’s Taradale campus, the two programmes offer a clear route into landscaping, horticulture and other land-based sectors focused on creating, maintaining and managing outdoor environments.

Tutor Aaron Williams, an experienced landscaper, says the courses are all about developing practical skills and confidence.

“Students start with the basics at Level 2, including plant care, soils, tools and teamwork, and when they reach Level 3, they’re ready to take on more responsibility, operate machinery safely and work effectively on real projects,” he says.

“It’s about learning by doing and developing the skills employers are really looking for.”

With strong demand for skilled workers in landscaping, horticulture and the wider primary industries sector, these programmes offer a supportive, job-ready pathway into a thriving and sustainable industry.

Lisa Turnbull, Assistant Head of School – Primary Industries, says: “this new landscaping pathway is an exciting addition to our Primary Industries offerings and reflects EIT’s commitment to meeting industry needs while creating opportunities for learners.

“It provides a clear, practical route into the green sector, which is experiencing strong growth and offers sustainable career opportunities. By combining foundational skills at Level 2 with advanced operational skills at Level 3, students will graduate job-ready and confident to contribute to landscaping and horticulture projects.

“These programmes deliver a strong foundation and hands-on experience, ensuring graduates are prepared for roles in landscaping, horticulture, and other green sectors. We’re proud to support students in building meaningful, sustainable careers that make a real impact on our environment.”

Applications are now open for the February 2026 intake. Graduates can move into entry-level roles in the primary industries or progress to further study, such as Environmental Studies.

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Manufacturing orders up, but employment still a struggle – survey

Source: Radio New Zealand

The survey showed a rise in new orders and production, but a further weakening of employment. 123rf

Manufacturing sector activity expanded in October thanks to higher new orders and improving demand.

The BNZ-Business NZ Performance of Manufacturing Index rose by 1.3 points to 51.4 in October, although it was still below its long-run average of 52.4.

A reading over 50 was regarded as expansion in the sector.

The survey showed a rise in new orders and production, but a further weakening of employment.

BNZ senior economist Doug Steel said the lift to 51.4 from September’s 50.1 was not large, but it had moved the right way.

He says Friday’s result was the fourth consecutive monthly expansion, something that had not happened for three years.

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

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Dozens of schools and childcare centres report using asbestos-contaminated sand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said people needed to stop using the products immediately. Supplied / Product Safety NZ

The Ministry of Education says nearly 60 schools and early childhood centres have contacted them over possible asbestos contamination from recalled coloured play sands.

Rainbow sand from Educational Colours and coloured sand from Creatistics were recalled because Tremolite – a naturally occurring asbestos – had been found in samples during lab testing.

Head of operations and integration Sean Teddy said schools were told not to attempt to clean it up, but leave the area and close off access to affected spaces.

“We’ve been contacted by around 30 schools and 30 early childhood services from around the country, and we are working with them to validate if the product they have on site is the product that is being recalled, as well as if the product they have is in active use or not.

“We will have a better understanding of the number of schools and early learning services affected by the recall, and how they are responding, by the end of the day Friday.”

Asbestos contamination had been found in similar products in Australia.

Earlier in the week the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said people needed to stop using the products immediately.

“We urge anyone who has bought these products, either for personal use or potential use in a school or other setting to act immediately,” said Ian Caplin, MBIE product safety spokesperson.

“Stop using the sand, contain it, secure it in a safe place and arrange for safe disposal through licensed professionals, a list of these is available on the WorkSafe website.”

Caplin said people should avoid trying to clean any loose particles themselves

“It’s not a question of hoovering it up and chucking it in a waste bin, call an expert.,”

The sand was sold at Paper Plus, Hobby Land, NZ School Shop, Office Products Depot, Discount Office, Acquire, and Qizzle, Modern Teaching Aids, Creative Classrooms Ltd and ACME Supplies.

MBIE said it may have also been sold online.

RNZ had been in touch with a number of asbestos removal firms who said they had been notified of the product by WorkSafe, and were awaiting further information before formulating plans to address potential contamination.

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

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Developer fined more than $48,000 for illegal earthworks on Auckland’s North Shore

Source: Radio New Zealand

COD Crown Projects Limited pleaded guilty to two charges relating to unlawful earthworks. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

A developer has been fined $48,750 after admitting to unlawful earthworks.

COD Crown Projects Limited pleaded guilty to two charges relating to two properties on Auckland’s North Shore.

Auckland Council said the works – at Browns Bay and Northcross – led to significant sediment discharges.

The fine was a clear signal for owners and businesses to make sure they were complying with consents and rules, the council said.

The developer was granted resource consent with conditions that included managing erosion and sediment.

But council inspections found ongoing non-compliance despite repeated warnings.

Sediment from the two sites flowed onto neighbouring properties and into waterways.

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

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Sod turned on Whangārei Hospital car park extension

Source: New Zealand Government

A key milestone has been reached in the redevelopment of Whangārei Hospital, with the sod turning for a major on-grade car parking extension to enable construction of the new acute services building, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“Car parks are a vital part of hospital infrastructure and are essential for patients, staff, and visitors as we continue the transformation of Whangārei Hospital,” Mr Brown says.

Construction of Car Park 14 will deliver 583 new spaces, supporting and enabling progress on the wider hospital redevelopment, including the new acute services building and child health centre.

“Importantly, the new car park will be completed and operational by the end of May 2026, before more than 480 existing spaces become temporarily unavailable due to construction. This will ensure uninterrupted access to hospital services for patients, visitors, and staff.

“Further, it is critical to commencing construction of the new acute services building while maintaining, and ultimately increasing, the number of car parks available on site.

“Once the child health centre is completed, total hospital parking capacity will increase from 1,415 to 1,977, delivering a significant long-term improvement for the Whangārei community.

“The new car park will include clear wayfinding and user-friendly infrastructure to ensure a smooth experience for patients and visitors.”

Mr Brown acknowledged the advocacy and support of Whangārei MP Hon Dr Shane Reti, who joined the sod-turning ceremony.

“We know parking is a real issue for the community. This project not only offsets the temporary loss of spaces but also increases overall capacity. It’s another practical step forward in ensuring people can get the care they need, when they need it.”

“The redevelopment of Whangārei Hospital is about delivering a modern, accessible hospital that Northlanders can rely on. I look forward to seeing continued progress across the campus in the months ahead.”

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Workshop fire sends smoke billowing across central Christchurch

Source: Radio New Zealand

The fire at a mechanical workshop in the Christchurch suburb of Sydenham earlier sent smoke billowing across the central city. RNZ / Anna Sargent

Firefighters have contained a fire at a mechanical workshop in central Christchurch.

Crews were called to reports of a car on fire at the workshop on Coleridge Street in Sydenham just before 9am.

Thick, black smoke was seen billowing across the central city.

Fire and Emergency said the fire had been contained and crews were mopping up hotspots.

Police had closed some nearby streets.

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

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New law to allow more pharmacist prescribers will free up GPs’ time, pharmacist says

Source: Radio New Zealand

A law change passed this week means that pharmacists who own or invest in a pharmacy will be able to become prescribers from February next year. 123RF

The chair of the Independent Pharmacy Group says it is unlikely pharmacists will be ready to start prescribing medicines from the moment a new law comes into effect.

Around 100 pharmacist prescribers currently work in GP clinics, hospices, and hospitals.

Under a law change passed this week pharmacists who own or invest in a pharmacy will be able to become prescribers from February next year.

But Clive Cannons, who also owns Clive’s Chemist in Wainuiomata, told Morning Report it was unlikely to be in place on 1 February.

“There will be extra training, there’ll be extra competencies to take on board, so there is going to be a little bit of a lag time,” he said.

Cannons said the law change was a good opportunity for the profession and would free up GPs’ time for more complex cases.

“There are a lot of conditions that can be treated safely in pharmacies, such as strep throat, skin infections, ear infections, things like that that don’t need oversight as much, and then we can refer to GPs when it is beyond our scope,” he said.

GP unsure about 12 month prescriptions

From 1 February New Zealanders would also be able to receive 12-month prescriptions for their medicines, which the government estimated could save patients up to $105 per year in reduced GP fees, although patients will still have to pay the $5 prescription charge every three months.

Christchurch GP and chair of the General Practice Owners Association Dr Angus Chambers said there was a lot more to safe prescribing than people realized, and it wouldn’t always be possible to prescribe 12 months.

“Some [prescriptions] require routine monitoring,” he told Afternoons.

“We’ve got a system where sometimes the patient needs to be reviewed six monthly, yearly, or sometimes even two yearly. But every time you do that prescription, every three months, you’re checking the file,” he said.

Chambers said that could entail checking relevant blood tests had been taken, recall systems and letters that had come in from other sources.

“There’s a lot of housekeeping that gets done each time.”

Chambers was concerned expectations had been built high for the 12 month prescriptions, and that doctors and reception staff would get grief from patients if a 12 month prescription was declined.

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

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Detection device selected for drug-impaired driver screening

Source: New Zealand Police

Roadside screening for drug-impaired drivers has moved a step closer to becoming reality as Police confirm they have tested, and selected, a detection device.

Police will be rolling out roadside drug driving testing in the Wellington District from mid-December 2025.

Pathtech Pty Ltd, an Australian-based Drug Detection and Life Science provider, was the successful supplier of roadside oral fluid testing equipment, following an extensive global procurement process.

The Securetec DrugWipe 3 S device will be used by Police for the roadside drug screening. Pathtech will also supply Police with Oral Fluid Collection Kits, to collect saliva samples to be sent for laboratory analysis.

Pathtech has extensive knowledge of introducing drug detection equipment across Police jurisdictions in Australia.

Superintendent Steve Greally, Director of Road Policing says the new equipment was tested by our officers, and independent forensic laboratory tested the accuracy of the roadside equipment, which were the critical components in procurement evaluation.

Officers are looking forward to starting roadside drug driving testing in an effort to detect and deter drivers who get behind the wheel impaired by drugs and ultimately risk their own lives and others on our roads.

“Many countries, including New Zealand, have seen a rise in the number of drivers testing positive for drugs in recent years, and the direct correlation to the number of people being seriously injured or killed on our roads.

Superintendent Greally confirmed after next month’s launch in Wellington, roadside drug testing would scale up from April 2026 to operate nationwide by mid-2026.

“The focus now shifts to the implementation and our processes as our staff prepare for this crucial change. Information about the launch and what drivers can expect will be provided over the course of the next month.

“Police are working vigorously with various agencies and groups to identify and clarify any concerns regarding this impending change that will aim to save lives on our roads,” Superintendent Greally says.

ENDS

About the successful supplier

  • New Zealand Police’s supplier for the drug testing equipment is Pathtech Pty Ltd, who has been supplying Drug Detection and Life Science products to New Zealand and Australia for over 40 years.
  • Pathtech partners with Securetec AG who develop and manufacture drug detection technology and devices to drug enforcement authorities globally.
  • Pathtech has been the exclusive Australian and New Zealand distributor for Securetec for over 20 years.
  • Pathtech supply the DrugWipe 3 S device to almost every Police jurisdiction in Australia and the DrugWipe device is used in over 40 countries worldwide.
  • More than two million DrugWipe devices were sold in 2024 worldwide.
  • Pathtech’s head office is in Preston, Victoria, Australia, and they have over 30 staff Australia-wide.

Brief description of the devices

Pathtech will supply two pieces of equipment for NZ Police to implement roadside drug testing.

1. DrugWipe 3 S that detects the presence of specified drugs in saliva at or above a threshold that indicates current and recent use.

2. Pathtech Oral Fluid Collection Kit utilising Quantisal collection device and buffer transport tube for laboratory analysis.

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Ed-tech company Kami named EY entrepreneur of the year

Source: Radio New Zealand

Kami co-founders Hengjie Wang and Alliv Samson with their award. SUPPLIED

The co-founders of education technology platform Kami have been named EY entrepreneur of the year, with a fast growing global business expanding in more than 180 countries, except New Zealand.

Kami’s educational products is used by 70 million teachers and students around the world, including 90 percent of US classrooms.

Kami was co-founded in 2013 by chief executive Hengjie Wang and chief operating officer Alliv Samson, after developing their first interactive educational tool while still in university.

Samson said the company was still just getting started, with long-term plans to continue.

“We’re still scratching the surface,” Samson said. “There’s still a lot of classrooms out there that need help, including New Zealand.

“One of the biggest challenges that we see in Education NZ is we don’t have really good structure in ways on how we use technology in the classroom, and we can see how progressive the other countries are, but unfortunately, we’re really lacking here in New Zealand, and that’s something that we would love to see change.”

Wang said he would use the win to discuss the issue with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon who spoke about the importance of technology and entrpreneurship at the annual awards gala.

Kami will be competing with the other country winners at EY’s Global event to be held in Monaco, June 2026.

Category winners

  • Alliv Samson and Hengjie Wang (Kami) Alliv Samson and Hengjie Wang, Kami
  • Kate Gatfield-Jeffries (Moodi), Young Entrepreneur
  • Chris Benham (The Village Goldsmith), Product Entrepreneur
  • Taurus Taurima (Topline Contracting), Services Entrepreneur
  • James Annabell (Egmont Honey), Master Entrepreneur

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