NZ Engine

Source: Radio New Zealand

Vape stores within stores like dairies and petrol stations are allowing retailers to get around flavour restrictions, and a new study has found they’re far more common in low socio-economic areas.

The authors of this new research out of Massey University say it goes against efforts to limit the exposure of young people to vape products.

Regulations mean only specialised vape retailers (SVRs) are allowed to sell the full range of vape products and flavours – and a store can only qualify as an SVR if vaping products make up 70 percent of their sales.

Convenience stores, petrol stations and supermarkets, which don’t meet that bar, can only sell mint, menthol or tobacco flavoured vapes.

But by opening a vape shop as a store within a store, these retailers could stock the full range, and then market those products to their existing foot traffic – for example, someone who has popped in for a bottle of milk.

A new paper out of Massey University, titled “Scoping the vape retail environment and retailers’ responses to vape control measures in selected Auckland suburbs with different levels of socio-economic deprivation” by Robin van der Sanden, Chris Wilkins, Marta Rychert, Jude Ball, Janet Hoek, Penelope Truman, Geoff Kira, El-Shadan Tautolo, has analysed the locations of these vape shops.

Out of 160 specialist vape retailers in 14 Auckland suburbs, 44 percent were stores within stores, and they were concentrated in suburbs with higher socio-economic deprivation, and residential areas rather than commercial centres.

High-deprivation suburbs had a median of 8.5 store-within-a-store outlets, compared to just two in low-deprivation areas.

In addition, 56 percent of all speciality vape retailers were located within 300 metres of at least one educational institute – be that primary, secondary, or tertiary.

The Auckland CBD had the highest total number of specialist vape retailers at 43, while some low-deprivation suburbs like St Heliers had none.

‘Stores within stores undermined efforts to curb exposure to youth’ – researcher

Study author and public health researcher Dr Robin van der Sanden told RNZ:

“It really is about wanting to maintain access to what are essentially the most appealing vape products, and the products that sell the best and most widely, which really are your fruit flavours [and] your lolly flavours.”

Regulations needed to balance accessibility for people who wanted vapes to quit smoking, while limiting exposure to young people and non-smokers.

In June last year, the government introduced strict regulations banning disposable vapes and restricting visible marketing.

Moves to set up vape stores within liquor stores drew concern from alcohol harm prevention groups last year, while the vaping industry argued liquor store age restrictions would likely limit exposure to young people.

Van der Sanden said stores within stores undermined efforts to curb exposure to youth, particularly in areas already facing greater health inequities.

“Kids are popping in and out of the dairy to buy an ice cream after school and as a result, they are coming into contact with that vape retail environment, and they’re seeing people exiting that little vape store carrying quite a cool, brightly coloured looking vape package,” she said.

From a policy perspective, she said, changes to close this loophole could have “a really noticeable impact”.

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello, whose portfolio vaping falls into, told RNZ specialist stores were not supposed to have products displayed outside them, nor were under-18s allowed in them.

“If they’re breaking those laws, that’s an enforcement issue and there has been a significant increase in enforcement capacity and activity over the last two years to back up these changes.”

“Overall, the latest statistics show that youth vaping is continuing to reduce, as are our smoking rates. However, we need a more coherent and sensible regulatory regime around tobacco and nicotine products to better address the harm from smoking and I’ll be interested to see this research and any suggestions.”

Vaping Industry Association also wants loophole addressed

The Vaping Industry Association (VIANZ) told RNZ they, too, thought the loophole needed to be addressed.

In a statement, chairperson Jonathan Devery said the group supported the intent of regulations to reduce youth exposure, while maintaining access for adults seeking an alternative to smoking.

He said it was clear the store-within-a-store model had emerged as an unintended consequence of the current framework, “and we believe this loophole should be addressed to ensure the regulatory system operates as originally intended”.

Specialist vape retail should reflect genuine, standalone specialist premises with robust age-verification and compliance standards, not hybrid formats that blur the line with general retail, he said.

“We are committed to working constructively with regulators to strengthen the integrity of the specialist retail model while continuing to protect adult access to regulated, smoke-free alternatives.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Hundreds of thousands of files have been identified by Tauranga City Council that it thinks could be relevant to a review of what it knew and how fast it acted before the deadly landslip at Mount Maunganui that left six holiday-makers dead.

The council on Thursday named retired High Court judge Paul Davison KC to help the external review.

The review, while separate to a government inquiry also confirmed the same day, would aim to work alongside it and try to cut any duplication.

Davison has been tasked with delivering his findings by the end of June, a target both he and Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale were confident of reaching.

“It really depends on once he gets into his work and understands the scale,” Drysdale said.

“It is quite a narrow scope, but with the ability for him to go wider if he feels it’s relevant, so we’ll trust his judgement on that.”

But the mayor told RNZ it was a big job ahead.

“The total documents that we’re looking at the moment is in the hundreds of thousands,” he said.

It was based on search terms staff had used to scour through documents.

“So, just literally searching every file we have, every e-mail, every conversation that’s recorded,” Drysdale said.

The mayor said all of these now had to be waded through to see if they were relevant to Davison’s review.

Drysdale said Davison was “the right man for the job” given his extensive experience, and what he said was a reputation for rigorous analysis.

Read RNZ National Crime Correspondent Sam Sherwood’s earlier report of who knew what, and when.

The mayor was asked if he had considered any future actions if Davison’s report found any fault with the council.

“Look, at the end of the day we lost six lives and it’s important that we understand what happened, whether that’s good, bad or indifferent,” Drysdale said.

“I’m sure that there’s going to be some things that are found that we could have done better and it’s important that we know that so we can put those processes in place going forward to enable that we don’t go through a similar situation.”

Fire and Emergency (FENZ) previously confirmed it got a 111 call at 5.48am before the tragedy, from a person reporting a slip near the holiday park.

It said at the time it contacted Tauranga City Council at 5.51am, given it owned the camping ground.

The council confirmed it received a call from FENZ.

Davison told RNZ he would need unrestricted access to “any” information the council held.

“If I didn’t have unrestricted information or access to it, then clearly I wouldn’t be able to undertake an effective review,” he said.

The deadline for the review was able to be extended with agreement from the mayor.

“But … we need this in a timely manner, because we don’t want to wait,” he said.

“We’re hopeful we can get the report as quickly as possible.”

Davison said he would work to complete the report as soon as he possibly could.

Who is Paul Davison?

• Admitted as a barrister and solicitor in 1975
• Made a High Court judge in 2015 and retired in 2023 before continuing work in law as a mediator, arbitrator and consulting
• Has sat as a member of a Divisional Court of Appeal
• Has acted as counsel in several major commissions of inquiry, notably the Royal Commission into the Air New Zealand Erebus disaster
• In 2025, undertook a government-appointed role of independent arbiter to determine financial redress for Lake Alice survivors
• Appointed Kim Dotcom’s lawyer soon after his arrest
• Lead defence lawyer in 2009 for Mangere MP Taito Phillip Field
• Appeared as Crown counsel in the case against David Tamihere.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

More Pākehā are enrolling in Treaty education workshops and seeking out information about Te Tiriti o Waitangi, according to long-standing Treaty educators.

Waitangi Network Whangārei, a community-based rōpū said membership enrolments have tripled in the last year, alongside increasing attendance at its public workshops introducing people to Te Tiriti.

“We’ve had big numbers in the last few years, so there’s a lot more interest in people trying to understand about Te Tiriti,” Network Waitangi Whangārei member and educator Ngaire Ray told RNZ.

“There’s a real movement for people to understand what does Te Tiriti mean for all of us.”

Network Waitangi Whangārei has been operating since 1985. Originally known as Project Waitangi, the group was established to educate non-Māori about the Treaty in the lead-up to the 150th anniversary of its signing in 1990.

Ray said the group had been travelling to Waitangi for decades, focusing on encouraging Tangata Tiriti to see Te Tiriti as relevant to them.

“It’s our partnership, it’s a relationship,” she said.

“Te Tiriti is for all people and if we embrace Te Tiriti, it sets out the path and the future for Aotearoa.”

She said Te Tiriti was an agreement between two nations – Māori and the Crown – and that non-Māori had a responsibility to understand the historical context and the commitments made in 1840.

“It’s really important that my people, that Pākehā people and non-Māori are present in the relationship and understand Te Tiriti, we understand the historical context of where that was signed, what was agreed in Te Tiriti and what does it mean for us and the future of Aotearoa.”

Kathryn McKenzie, a Pākehā Treaty educator who has been running workshops for 32 years, said many people were only now beginning to learn a history they were not taught at school.

“If it was happening in our schools, we wouldn’t need to be here. If our people knew our history, we wouldn’t need to be here,” she said.

“We’ve got a history of colonisation, and we have for many, many years tried to hide it. And that doesn’t create stable partnership if we don’t acknowledge our past.”

McKenzie said Treaty education gained momentum following the 1981 Springbok Tour protests, when Pākehā protesters were challenged by Māori activists to “go and educate your people” about racism and Te Tiriti.

Project Waitangi emerged from that period of activism, alongside other anti-racism movements. It later became Network Waitangi, with autonomous regional groups continuing the education kaupapa to this day.

The group describes itself as an independent, voluntary community organisation providing information, education and support to help people understand and implement Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

McKenzie said people attending workshops included Pākehā, Māori and newer migrants – often referred to as tangata Tiriti – who had come to Aotearoa after 1840.

“Everybody needs to learn because they’ve all come through the standard education system where the Treaty has not been taught,” she said.

She said terms such as “Pākehā” and “Tangata Tiriti” were often misunderstood.

“Tangata Tiriti, we’re the partners that signed the Treaty. Because we have signed the Treaty, that was what gave us permission to settle here.”

Recent national data suggests the growing interest in Treaty education reflects wider public attitudes.

For the third year running, Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission surveyed New Zealanders’ awareness, understanding and attitudes toward Te Tiriti, human rights and the constitution.

The December 2025 survey, conducted by Horizon Research, found strong support for protecting Te Tiriti and fostering respectful discussion.

Seventy percent said it was important that Te Tiriti is protected in New Zealand’s laws and constitution, while 78 percent said respectful discussion of Te Tiriti was important for the country’s future.

Eighty-seven percent said it was important that everyone knows the country’s history, 83 percent said positive relationships between Māori and the Crown is important, and 79 percent supported protecting and celebrating Māori culture, language and identity.

The survey also found 93 percent believed it was important that everyone feels a sense of belonging in Aotearoa.

Commission Indigenous Rights Governance partner Dayle Takitimu said the findings challenged narratives of division.

“Many of the results tell a different story to the narrative of division we have been fed over the past two years,” Takitimu said.

“The majority of New Zealanders value Māori culture and traditions, care about the real histories of Aotearoa, and want respectful discussions about Te Tiriti.”

Ray said education is central to what happens next.

“We aren’t going to get to a better future unless we talk to people, educate people, inform people, help them to understand our history,” she said.

“It’s a beautiful document, it’s a simple one-page document, it’s a peaceful agreement, and it has held so much potential for how we can be together as a country and as a people.”

McKenzie said facing the past was necessary to build stronger relationships in the future.

“We can build a better future if we face our past,”

“Don’t be scared, because Te Tiriti o Waitangi is actually good for us all.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

An investigation is underway into the sinking of a Fiordland Jet commercial jetboat on the Waiau River, Maritime New Zealand says.

It happened on Tuesday afternoon, and Maritime New Zealand staff are talking to people, examining the vessel and the scene of the incident, reviewing documents and gathering information.

There were 13 people on board, including 11 passengers, a guide and the driver. No one was injured.

Once assessments are completed, it will decide if action will be taken.

Fiordland Jet did not want to comment.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Students from a Taupō secondary school that lost a classroom block in a suspected arson will continue learning from home next week.

Roads around Taupō-nui-a-Tia College, on Spa Road, were closed for about four hours on Sunday while firefighters battled the blaze.

Since Monday the school’s 1200 students have been doing lessons online at home.

Principal Ben Claxton said demolition of the destroyed block began on Tuesday and was continuing – meaning students couldn’t yet return.

“The demolition was expected to take a while and for all sorts of health and safety reasons we’ve asked our students to remain home for the remainder of this week and next week, at this point.

“We’re going to review it on Wednesday.”

The destroyed classroom block had 11 teaching spaces, as well as housing the school’s health and counselling services.

Police have charged two youths with arson and they were due to appear in the Taupō Youth Court this week.

Claxton said he expected online learning to ramp up next week, and the school would communicate its expectations about that.

“Learning from home is a good option to have, but nothing beats face to face, so we are literally today starting to look at what we can do for the rest of the year.”

Some students and staff members were affected by what had happened and on Wednesday staff came together to share stories and plan for the future.

Although, Claxton said this week had been negotiated step by step, especially when the school was still in crisis mode.

In the short term some classes could be held in a nearby tertiary institution, which had volunteered its space. Claxton said that was getting finalised.

“The medium to long term is we’re hopeful of getting some form of relocatable-classroom situation onsite, to the number that we need.

“That’s all happening in the background with the ministry at the moment.”

Claxton said rebuilding projects could take time to plan and then begin.

A Ministry of Education spokesperson said it was exploring a range of temporary classroom options.

“The school continues to deliver online learning while the site is cleared and the best approach is determined.

“We understand the significant impact the fire has had on staff, students, and the wider community, and we are working with urgency to make sure any disruption to teaching and learning is minimised.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A Checkpoint investigation has revealed how easy it is to get potentially dangerous nitrous oxide or nangs in large quantities from dairies, vape stores and convenience stores.

The gas has legitimate medical uses and is also used in catering to whip cream, however it is illegal to supply, possess or use the gas recreationally.

Checkpoint visited 16 stores across three areas in Auckland and found at least half were willing to sell canisters of the gas in a range of sizes with virtually no checks.

One vape store sold 1.1L and 3.3L canisters of the gas, for $50 and $150 respectively. It also offered a “combo” price of $170 for the pair.

At another dairy visited by Checkpoint, the shop keeper had a range of products available to buy – from packs of the small, silver tubes of nitrous oxide to the larger, thermos-sized 1.1L canister. The shop-keeper also said the 1.1L was the most popular size.

Several dairies offered packs of the silver tubes, with prices ranging from $10 for the 10-pack to about $60 for a 50-pack.

The gas was also available to purchase on its own, without cream dispensers. Only one dairy clarified verbally that the canisters were only to be “used for baking”.

Doctors and community leaders have been particularly concerned about the availability of the thermos-sized 1.1L and 3.3L canisters.

Dr Nicholas Jones is the medical officer of health in Hawke’s Bay, where two cases of nerve damage have recently been linked to huffing of nitrous oxide.

At a recent community meeting on the issue, he said people were alarmed to hear that recycling services in the region were collecting around 300kg of empty canisters a fortnight.

That does suggest “there’s quite a significant amount of this being used”, he said.

While nitrous oxide has traditionally been viewed at the lower end of the harm-spectrum for psychoactive substances, Jones highlighted the potential risks around large amounts of the gas being accessible and available.

“What seems to have changed recently is the availability of these large canisters, you know, up to 3.3L of gas, whereas in the past people may have used the small silver canisters about, I think it’s about 8 grams or something, a relatively low amount.”

“You’re able to then actually access 3.3L, you could be using it for a prolonged period of time over a long period of time.”

That increased risks significantly, he said.

“Although it’s not known for being a drug that causes, you know, psychological dependence, obviously the longer you use it and the more you use it, the higher the risk of, you know, becoming dependent on it.

“With chronic use you can start developing nerve damage associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.”

He suspected this could become more common, especially as people may not understand the risks of nitrous oxide-use.

“One of the problems is that people may be ringing up with concerns, health concerns, but not necessarily identifying the fact that they’re associated with, you know, the use of nitrous oxide.”

Checkpoint also spoke to a woman whose adult child became a heavy user of nitrous oxide last year.

The woman asked to remain anonymous but wanted to share her family’s experience in the hope more could be done to prevent abuse of the substance.

She said her daughter became hooked the gas and was using the large, thermos-sized canisters.

It caused physical problems for her daughter like anaemia, numbness in the her fingers and toes, and issues with bumping into things, she said.

Her daughter also ended up in hospital because of nerve damage, and the addiction had severe mental health impacts and led to self-harm.

The woman said the family found the gas was being purchased from a vape store.

When they went in to see what checks were in place, they found customers were asked to write down their name and the intended use for their purchase on a piece of paper.

She said people had written down names like “John Smith” and that they wanted the gas for a “21st birthday cake”

The woman said police investigated the store, which was eventually closed down. However, she remained concerned about the availability of the gas, and pointed out the closed-vape shop was simply one outlet selling nitrous-oxide products.

She also said her daughter had recovered after quitting “cold turkey” and getting help. The family now want the government to be more proactive and shut down illegal sales.

For anyone affected by issues discussed in this story, free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor. Or call 0800 Lifeline or text HELP to 4357.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A baby was the person killed in a devastating crash involving a car and school bus in the Hawke’s Bay township of Wairoa.

The collision happened at about 3pm on State Highway 2 on Tuesday, at the intersection of Black Street and Archilles Street.

A person in the car, which RNZ sources have confirmed was a baby, died and two others in it were left fighting for their lives.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said he had heard that a baby had died in the “horrendous crash” and that the close-knit community was completely devastated.

“It has just causes absolute devastation, and Wairoa is a small town, everyone knows everybody.

“The whole town is in shock to be quite honest, we are just here in whatever way or form to look after these families who are really going through a hard time, and that’s even the bus driver as well.

“These families will probably never get over this.”

Little said he had spoken to family, locals and emergency services.

“Everybody is struggling with this one, they are all well known families, good families.”

Little said no one really knows how the crash happened and that it was a very odd accident.

Only minor injuries were reported from the driver and two passengers on the school bus.

The Ministry of Education said it had engaged a traumatic incident team to work with the school that had its students on the bus.

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