Posts

Posted on

Morning Report: MP Tākuta Ferris denies plotting Te Pāti Māori coup

Source: Radio New Zealand

Te Pāti Māori MPs Tākuta Ferris and Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. (File photo) RNZ

MP Tākuta Ferris, who was expelled from Te Pāti Māori this week alongside Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, says the pair never tried to take over as co-leaders.

Ferris said, in the eyes of Te Tai Tonga, he was still apart of Te Pāti Māori and wanted a meeting with the National Council to put forward his case to the membership.

Party president John Tamihere has accused the ousted pair of plotting a leadership coup.

Ferris told Morning Report, they wrote to the national council last week asking for a meeting, but the letter had been ignored despite being signed by half the caucus.

Both Te Pāti Māori co-leaders were unavailable for an interview on Friday.

In an interview with RNZ on Thursday, Ferris described the expulsion process as a “joke” and underhanded.

He said, in his view, Te Pāti Māori MPs Oriini Kaipara and Hana-Rawhiti Maipi Clarke were now “trapped” in the party which was behaving “way below the line”.

“Our mates, they weren’t told we were getting expelled. They were told by the press release. This is the degree of the conduct, right? It’s way below the line.”

More to come…

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

Road tolling changes will be tough ‘for users to swallow’, freight companies say

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ

It will be difficult for the government to justify some of its changes to road tolling, lobby group Transporting New Zealand says.

The government this week introduced a bill to expand charges for road users, including allowing Corridor Tolling; tolling on parts of an existing road to fund a new project in the same corridor.

The bill will also introduce new payment options for road user charges (RUCs), moving from a system of matching odometer readings to paper labels on the windscreen to subscriptions through private companies.

Freight group Transporting New Zealand’s policy and advocacy advisor Mark Stockdale told Morning Report that moving RUCs towards a digital system had been “well signalled” and they supported it.

But he said tolling existing roads in an area where there was a new toll road would be “tougher for road users to swallow”.

Mark Stockdale. RNZ / Phil Pennington

“Existing roads have already been paid for and maintained by petrol tax and diesel road user charges. So if they were also to be tolled, you’re basically getting two slices of the pie.”

He said Transporting NZ supported alternative ways of funding roads, but they needed to be rational.

“There is a funding shortfall looming for our road transport network, so we do need to look at other options. Tolling is certainly an option for new roads and also other options like public-private partnerships.”

He said they also disagreed with stopping heavy vehicles from using alternative routes to toll roads if the government deemed it unsuitable.

“That’s prohibiting freedom of choice. There may be reasons why those heavy vehicles need to use the old road, and to force them not to and fine them if they don’t use the toll road, that just seems wrong.”

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

12 steps to fix KiwiSaver and NZ Super

Source: Radio New Zealand

author:susan_edmunds]

RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

New Zealand’s Retirement Commissioner is calling for big changes to KiwiSaver to ensure the scheme does not leave anyone behind.

The commission has released its latest three-yearly report into the country’s retirement income systems.

It makes 12 recommendations to government, eight of which it says could be introduced quickly and at little cost.

More support for low-income earners

The report recommends targeting government contributions more squarely at lower-income earners.

They are the group most affected by the government’s recent decision to halve its annual contribution to KiwiSaver accounts.

Previously, people received 50c for every $1 they contributed up to $1042 a year, but that has been cut to 25c.

Commissioner Jane Wrightson said it meant that instead of government contributions forming up to 20 percent of a lower-income person’s KiwiSaver balance at retirement, they might now only form up to 11 percent.

She said the government contribution could be increased for low-income people to give support where it was most needed. That could be funded by phasing out the contribution for higher earners.

Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson. RNZ / Jeff McEwan

People earning up to $49,000 could receive 50c per $1 up to $1000 maximum contribution a year, people earning up to $58,000 could get 50c per $1 on a maximum of $500 contributed and people earning up to $67,000 could get 25c per $1 up to a $500 contribution.

“Although this approach would mean fewer people would receive the government KiwiSaver contribution, they would continue to receive support for their retirement through NZ Super, and through matched and increasing employer contributions to KiwiSaver.

“These actions are designed to improve adequacy, close savings gaps, and ensure the retirement income system remains fair, sustainable and trusted.”

More contributions for people on paid parental leave

Wrightson also called for the government to increase the amount it gives to people on paid parental leave, to $1000, and pay it regardless of whether the person themselves put money into KiwiSaver.

Since last year, the government has contributed 3 percent to KiwiSaver for paid parental leave recipients who make their own contribution of at least 3 percent.

Wrightson said of the 57,635 people who received paid parental leave in the most recent year, 12,390 contributed to KiwiSaver.

“This [$1000 payment] costs around $34 million, would be simple to administer, would help ensure high take-up, and directly addresses gaps in retirement saving. Implementation would require careful coordination with Inland Revenue and KiwiSaver providers.”

Contributions past 65

She said employer contributions should also be mandated for people over 65. At present, employers can stop contributing when their staff reach this age.

She said it should also be possible for people on temporary visas to join KiwiSaver and receive employer and government contributions.

“If we want people to stay here, migrants to stay here, it would be good to give them another incentive, wouldn’t it?”

Sidecar saving

The report resurrects an idea for a “sidecar” savings account to run alongside KiwiSaver to provide help in financial emergencies.

She said this could be an alternative to the big increase in hardship withdrawals seen recently.

People would save a set amount into a sidecar account, and money contributed beyond that would go into their KiwiSaver account as normal.

But any withdrawals would be limited to the sidecar.

“This approach has been trialled in the United Kingdom to reduce reliance on high-cost credit for unexpected expenses and hardship withdrawals from retirement savings. Financial shocks can derail retirement saving, and sidecars could help mitigate this risk by giving people access to funds without undermining their long-term goals.”

She said when someone had a sidecar fund alongside KiwiSaver, if they hit financial difficulty they could access a limited amount of money without digging into their main KiwiSaver savings.

“If we are watching a rise in hardship applications, which we are, there’s two issues.

“Number one, what kind of applications are these? And there isn’t enough data publicly available to know, so we want to encourage some work to be done around that, so we understand what the rise is about.

“If it’s sheer poverty, that’s one thing. If it’s for, I don’t know, overseas health treatments and the rest of it, that starts to get a slightly different and interesting texture. So we need to understand more about it.

“And secondly, particularly for those who are in poverty, giving a kind of mechanism to go in and out of a tiny amount of your KiwiSaver, the sidecar, is a much better way than having repeated applications for full withdrawal.”

Ban total remuneration packages

Wrightson also wants to ban total remuneration packages.

Someone who is paid via total remuneration receives a set salary package, from which both their own contribution and their employer contribution are paid – rather than a salary with the employer contribution on top.

The review said the legislation clearly stated that compulsory contributions needed to be paid on top of gross salary and wages except where parties agreed otherwise.

“The legislation also includes a provision, described as being for the avoidance of doubt, which explains that a duty of good faith applies when parties to an employment relationship bargain for terms and conditions relating to compulsory contributions and associated matters.”

The report said research showed about half of employers used a total remuneration approach for at least some employees and 25 percent used it for all employees.

“The removal of the incentive that is the employer contribution on top of salary or wages goes against the spirit of the scheme.”

Wrightson said many of the recommendations were about making KiwiSaver easier and fairer for everyone.

“Anybody in a secure, well-paid job has an employer contribution. Those who are self-employed don’t. Those who are low-income, those contributions are small. They’re the ones we’re suggesting we need to target.”

The report also called for improved reporting of balances, contributions and withdrawals to allow smarter policy setting, and a nationally consistent decumulation framework to help people manage their money in retirement.

Political agreement

But Wrightson said there ultimately needed to be long-term political accord across all the major parties to provide certainty for future retirees and encourage sound decision-making.

“The trouble with the approach to KiwiSaver in recent times is that it has been quite piecemeal. We just tinker. What we’re trying to suggest is that if we stopped tinkering and looked at all the issues collectively and combined them with issues around New Zealand Super, we will get much more robust and agreed mechanisms which will help New Zealanders better because it will be more secure. What we don’t want is a system that changes through each election.”

The report calls for a Parliamentary working group to set the strategic direction for a “10-year retirement income road map”, and group led by the Retirement Commission to implement it and ensure it addresses KiwiSaver, NZ Super and innovation.

“So when you start going into the NZ Super discussions, if you want to make a systemic change, like, I don’t know, means testing, put the age up, whichever one you want to go for… Firstly, you want to get a broader agreement around that and secondly, you want to understand how to mitigate the harms from that. And thirdly, what will that do to things like government contributions to KiwiSaver, employer contributions to KiwiSaver? These things are interlinked and need to be considered together, and the current system doesn’t easily allow that to happen.”

Sign up for Money with Susan Edmunds, a weekly newsletter covering all the things that affect how we make, spend and invest money.

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

Morning Report live: Expelled Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris calls for meeting

Source: Radio New Zealand

Te Pāti Māori MPs Tākuta Ferris and Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. (File photo) RNZ

Expelled Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris says he’s had no response from the party’s National Council over his calls for an urgent meeting.

Ferris and Mariameno Kapa-Kingi were kicked out of the party earlier this week.

He told Morning Report, they wrote to the national council last week asking for a meeting, but the letter had been ignored despite being signed by half the caucus.

Both Te Pāti Māori co-leaders were unavailable for an interview this morning.

In an interview with RNZ on Thursday, Ferris described the expulsion process as a “joke” and underhanded.

He said, in his view, Te Pāti Māori MPs Oriini Kaipara and Hana-Rawhiti Maipi Clarke were now “trapped” in the party which was behaving “way below the line”.

“Our mates, they weren’t told we were getting expelled. They were told by the press release. This is the degree of the conduct, right? It’s way below the line.”

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

Schools across Aotearoa reaffirm commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi after changes to Education Act

Source: Radio New Zealand

The tino rangatiratanga haki (flag) outside Parliament on the day of the Treaty Principles Bill introduction. RNZ / Emma Andrews

A growing number of schools across Aotearoa are pushing back against the government’s plan to remove the requirement for school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, saying their commitment to the Treaty will remain unchanged.

The Treaty requirement previously in the Education Act said schools would give effect to Te Tiriti, including by ensuring plans, policies, and local curriculum reflected local tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te ao Māori; taking all reasonable steps to make instruction available in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori; and achieving equitable outcomes for Māori students.

The Education and Training Amendment Bill, which passed its third reading on Tuesday, removed this requirement.

Associate Education Minister Penny Simmonds, who moved the bill’s third reading, said it was “unreasonable to expect elected parents, who volunteer their time, to discharge the Crown’s legal responsibilities in respect of the Treaty.”

“This government is relentlessly focused on lifting student achievement and closing the equity gap,” she said.

“Boards will still be required to seek equitable outcomes for Māori students, and to take reasonable steps to reflect New Zealand’s cultural diversity and provide te reo Māori learning if requested.”

Simmonds said the bill “clarifies expectations” and “keeps schools focused on educational achievement as their highest priority.”

But education leaders say the move – made without public consultation – “undermines” boards’ legal responsibilities as Crown entities.

The National Iwi Chairs Forum (NICF), supported by a coalition of national education organisations, also launched a petition against these changes, saying “removing Te Tiriti from the one place every child in Aotearoa passes through… deprives our tamariki of the opportunity to learn about identity, belonging, and partnership in a culturally responsive environment.”

Maori classroom. RNZ / Tom Furley

Kura commit to Te Tiriti

From Whakatāne to Tāmaki Makaurau to Ōtautahi and Invercargill, school boards have issued public statements reaffirming their obligations to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Te Uru Karaka Newton Central School in Auckland said the government’s move “does not change who we are or how we operate.”

“Our commitment to Te Tiriti is deeply embedded in our co-governance model, which is clearly reflected in our school constitution,” the Board of Trustees said.

“This structure ensures shared leadership and genuine partnership between Tangata Whenua Ahi Kaa and Tangata Tiriti. It reflects our identity as a school community and anchors the values that shape our relationships, decisions, and aspirations for our mokopuna.”

In Whakatāne, Allandale Primary School said its direction would remain “unchanged.”

“We will continue to proudly work to support mana motuhake – the right of Māori to determine and shape their own futures including educational pathways,” the board wrote.

“Our kura will remain grounded in te reo Māori, mātauranga Māori, and local tikanga, guided by the aspirations of Ngāti Awa whānau and hapū, and the whānau of our school hapori.”

Nearby Apanui School said Te Tiriti o Waitangi was the foundation of its strategic plan.

“We work in partnership with Ngāti Awa to ensure Māori aspirations guide our curriculum, culture and decision-making,” Alexandra Pickles said on behalf of the school board.

“Apanui School will continue to uphold Māori rights as tangata whenua and to enact Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a living, practical foundation of all we do.”

“This is not only our legal responsibility but also our moral and educational one. We stand firmly in this position.”

In Ōtautahi Christchurch, Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo said the removal of the clause would not change its priorities.

“Our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi remains unwavering,” presiding member Lucy Green said.

“The principles of partnership, protection, and participation are core to our responsibilities and integral to success in our kura.”

Another school in Ōtautahi, Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery, responded to the changes by learning a new waiata Māori for staff and students.

“The Board and staff at Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery would like to reinforce our commitment to valuing our bicultural heritage” the kura wrote on Facebook.

“We will continue to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”

In a letter seen by RNZ, the New Zealand Catholic Education Office (NZCEO) also reaffirmed its support for Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Chief Executive Dr Kevin Shore encouraged Catholic schools to continue giving effect to Te Tiriti, embedding tikanga Māori, te reo Māori, and local mātauranga Māori into school policies, curriculum, and daily life.

“Catholic education in New Zealand has a long history of support for tangata whenua and for the inclusion of tikanga and te reo within the culture and practice of our schools,” he said.

The letter outlined practical steps for Catholic schools, including developing community understanding of te ao Māori, recognising Māori as tangata whenua, consulting with local Māori communities, and embedding Māori spiritual and cultural practices into school life.

Lawyer and Māori rights advocate Tania Waikato has been compiling a list of kura who have publicly reaffirmed their commitment to Te Tiriti, and as of 13 November the list had reached 195 schools.

Waikato said this response shows that the government had “failed” to remove Te Tiriti, and she expected the list to grow.

“The people are speaking. Not the politicians, not the activists, the people,” she said.

“They are telling you again, that we will not dishonour Te Tiriti, because Te Tiriti protects us all.”

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

Manu Samoa edge closer to 2027 World Cup qualification

Source: Radio New Zealand

Latrell Ah Kiong of Samoa avoids a tackle from Lucas Tranquez of Brazil during the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 Final Qualification Tournament match between Samoa and Brazil at The Sevens Stadium on 8 November 2025 in Dubai. Christopher Pike / World Rugby via Getty Images

Samoa is a step closer to booking its spot at the 2027 Rugby World Cup (RWC) in Australia after recording a second bonus point victory in the Final Qualification Tournament.

The Samoans defeated Namibia 26-8 at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai early on Friday morning (Thursday, UAE time).

They led Namibia 19-0 at halftime and had Namibia on their back most of the half. The win puts them at the top of the four-team competition with 10 points.

The winner of the round-robin tournament, based on competition points, will qualify for the 2027 RWC.

Manu Samoa had beaten Brazil 48-10 in their opening match on

They will play their final game on Wednesday against Belgium, who are also undefeated with 9 points, after winning both their matches against Namibia and Brazil.

A win against the Black Devils will guarantee their place as the 24th team in the inaugural expanded edition of the men’s 2027 RWC in Australia.

The Samoans defeated Namibia 26-8 at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai early on Friday morning (Thursday, UAE time). Facebook / Manu Samoa

How it happened

The Samoans, with former Wallaby Scott Sio making his debut in the blue jersey, showed a glimpse of their better selves – something they had lacked during the Pacific Nations Cup and their two-Test qualifying series against Chile earlier in the year.

Tries to halfback Johnathan Taumeteine, winger Latrell Ah Kiong and his wing partner Vaafauese Apelu Maliko gave them the advantage on the scoreboard after the first 40 minutes.

Fullback Jacob Umaga added two conversions.

Namibian captain and hooker Louis van der Westhuizen worked tirelessly upfront and stole two turnovers inside his team’s 22 metre zone as Samoa drove hard towards the line.

Having lost to Belgium in their opening game, the Namibians were under pressure to perform, as they chased a win to keep their hopes of returning to another world cup, alive.

Samoa’s starting forward pack featured Sio, Sama Malolo, Tietie Tuimauga, Taleni Seu, captain Theo McFarland, Miracle Faiilagi, Alamanda Motuga and Iakopo Mapu.

The return of their top players and former Wallaby Scott Sio’s experience proved too much for the Namibian pack, who struggled to stake their claim in the battle for possession in the set-pieces.

In the second half, Namibia opened the second half with some promise.

They attacked the Samoan line after winning some quality possession and were on the board with their first points through the boots of flyhalf Cliven Loubser, who kicked a successful penalty conversion over the crossbar.

Samoa responded straight after and drove hard into the Namibian 22 with a lineout with winger Maliko stopped short near the corner flag, as Namibia threw in some big tackles.

That denied Samoa’s possible fourth try and an early bonus point.

A 53rd lineout win after a flat throw from replacement hooker Millenium Sanerivi to captain McFarland saw the Samoan pack drove towards the line, with flanker Motuga diving over for the try.

Umaga converted as the Samoans led 26-3, with a bonus to their name.

Fresh legs called on to the field at the 50th minute mark was timely as that saw a shift in momentum again for the islanders.

Abraham Papali’i, Michael Alaalatoa and replacement halfback Connor Tupa’I added some fire to the Samoans’ go-forward momentum.

On defence, the Namibians also showed some resistance, winning two turnovers inside their 22 again before a break saw them finishing close to the Samoan line, a drop passed ruining what could have been their first try of the game.

Their resistance finally paid off with centre Jay-Cee Nel collecting a bouncing ball from Loubser’s chip ahead to score wide, as Samoa led 26-8.

That was after captain van der Westhuizen had crashed through the Samoan defense to set up an attack inside the Samoan half.

The win gives Samoa 10 points, one more than Belgium, who they will face on Wednesday morning in the winner-take-all final clash.

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

Posted on

Noisy little blue penguins nest under Coromandel home, leaving couple at wit’s end

Source: Radio New Zealand

Imagine sharing your home with noisy flatmates who party throughout the night and then move into your bedroom.

That is what one Coromandel couple say it has been like living with little blue penguins who have taken to tunnelling under their home and nesting next to their bed under the floorboards.

Tracey and Peter Kendall are at their wit’s end about how to get a good night’s sleep with these rowdy interlopers.

Tracey and Peter Kendall are struggling to sleep. RNZ/Libby Kirkby-McLeod

The Kendalls have enjoyed sharing their home on the cliff above Waitete Bay with penguins for many years.

The penguins would come and nest under their deck and it was a delight for them and their visitors.

Bird and people alike shared their slice of paradise while giving each other space.

“That’s the relationship we really had, which was a very nice, friendly, warm relationship, right up until about two years ago,” Peter Kendall said.

Footage of one of the penguins under the house. Supplied

That is when the penguins decided to make their move.

“They’ve moved from the living area into our bedroom area, we’re at the back of the house, and they have set up camp basically right outside where our bed is in our bedroom,” Tracy Kendall said.

The penguins are not quiet slumber party guests.

“It’s very, very noisy at night, their active period seems to be around six or seven, right through the night until seven or so in the morning.”

RNZ/Libby Kirkby-McLeod

And they do not take a break from their nocturnal penguin activities.

“They’ll go squawking and making lots of penguin sort of noises around every 20 minutes, right through the night,” she said.

Tracy is recovering from an operation and, unable to sleep, things are getting desperate.

Peter said if they did not care for the penguins they could have just picked them up and shifted them off site.

But the couple know the animals are precious and need professional care to move.

“We’re not allowed to move them because they are protected animals, which we totally understand, but you’d need to get a qualified person to do so and we can’t find that qualified person,” Peter said.

The couple have reached out to the Department of Conservation who told RNZ someone from the department would be happy to pop around and give the Kendalls some advice.

But DOC’s principal advisor of biodiversity in Coromandel, Ben Gordon, said nothing can really be done until the penguins themselves decide to move on.

“If you do have birds which are currently nesting, then once they have finished nesting you want to get in there and block off the access points before they come back for the moulting season, because they are creatures of habit,” he said.

Coromandel operations manager for DOC, Nick Kelly, said moving the penguins would do more harm than good.

But he said he empathises with the Kendalls as penguins are “loud”.

“But it really does highlight that we are a part of nature. Probably the best thing that the department can do is really advocate for ways that we can live together in harmony [with nature].”

The Kendalls said, given no other current solution, they have stocked up on ear plugs.

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

How expensive is life in NZ really?

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

Wellington might have been knocked off the top spot for quality of life and beer might be expensive, but New Zealanders are getting relatively cheaper iPhones, data shows.

Deutsche Bank’s Mapping the World’s Prices report looks at the price of a range of items around the world, in US dollar terms.

It launched in 2012 and said there had been changes in that time.

Japan has slid in purchasing power parity terms, while New Zealand had moved up the rankings – up 20 points in just over 20 years, according to its calculations.

Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan said he thought that was essentially due to the country’s terms of trade.

“Prices for our exports have risen faster than the prices for our imports, meaning that the relative purchasing power of our production has been rising – even if our productivity growth has been poor. For reference, the terms of trade was a record high in June 2025, up 64 percent from June 2000.”

In the 2025 data, Luxembourg took the top spot for quality of life, replacing Zurich and Wellington. Wellington fell to 11th. Auckland was 17th out of 50.

Kiernan said it seemed to be because of mortgage costs. He said there were a number of one-off factors, such as temporarily cheaper public transport, that could have made Wellington look better in earlier years.

But he said much of the data seemed counter to the rhetoric about New Zealand being an expensive place to live. In most cases, New Zealand was in the bottom two-thirds of the rankings.

Switzerland had the highest salaries net of taxes, in US dollar terms.

Wellington was 29th out of 69 and Auckland 34th.

Auckland was top for an assessment of the climate, followed by São Paulo and Lisbon.

Wellington’s housing affordability notably improved this year. Auckland was 32nd most expensive of 69 in terms of price-per-square metre to buy a city centre apartment, and Wellington 44th. To rent a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre, Auckland was 39th and Wellington 44th.

Kiernan said the apartment comparison was useful from a standardisation point of view, to compare cities, but was not representative of the way most New Zealanders lived.

Wellington had the 14th highest disposable income after rents for a scenario with two people working and renting a three-bedroom apartment. Auckland was middle of the pack.

Auckland’s salary net of taxes was up 13.6 percent in five years in US dollar terms, the data showed, and Wellington’s up 21.2 percent.

Both cities were in the 50 percent least expensive for monthly utilities but were 20th and 21st of the most expensive cities to buy groceries.

Switzerland topped the table on that measure, and a number of United States cities, as well as Sydney and Melbourne, ranked ahead of New Zealand.

New Zealand was expensive to buy cigarettes, just behind Australia. China was the cheapest place. Wellington was the fourth most expensive city in the world in which to buy a bottle of domestic beer, and Auckland 15th.

Economist Shamubeel Eaqub said that because excise taxes are high compared to many other parts of the world.

He said there should generally not be much difference between New Zealand cities beyond housing and petrol.

New Zealand was the eighth cheapest place to buy an iPhone. Seoul was the cheapest city, the report said, because competition with Samsung pushed prices down. Auckland was 24th cheapest out of 69 for a cappuccino and Wellington was seven points behind.

Auckland was 18th most expensive out of 69 cities to buy a summer dress in a chain store and 36th equal for a McDonalds meal.

Auckland ranked fourth most expensive for public transport.

Kiernan said movements in the exchange rate could significantly skew how New Zealand performed in international comparisons.

Sign up for Money with Susan Edmunds, a weekly newsletter covering all the things that affect how we make, spend and invest money.

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

Understrength All Whites not intimidated by Colombia

Source: Radio New Zealand

All Whites training. Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

All Whites v Colombia

Sunday, 16 November

Kick-off 1pm

Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Live blog updates on RNZ Sport

The All Whites will not have their strongest side for their biggest test of the year but players say belief has been building for years that they can compete with the world’s best.

Sunday’s game against world number 13 Colombia will be the highest ranked opponent the All Whites have played this year and they will be forced to face the challenge of the South Americans without their captain and leading goal-scorer, Chris Wood, as well as five other front-line players who are out injured.

The games against Colombia and Ecuador (19 November) are the last international friendlies the All Whites will play in 2025. There are two more international windows next year, in March and June, before the Football World Cup which kicks off on 11 June. So there is limited time for players to impress enough to secure their spot in New Zealand’s third ever world cup squad.

With injuries, managing work loads and unavailability, All Whites coach Darren Bazeley said during this world cup cycle he has yet to have all of the country’s best players on the park at the same time.

Since qualifying for the world cup in March the All Whites have played six matches for one win, one draw and four losses.

The win against Ivory Coast, a 1-0 victory in June at the Canadian Shield tournament in Toronto, was in some ways a turning point according to winger Eli Just.

“It absolutely gave us confidence but I think at the same time the journey we’ve been on as a team, we are not short of belief,” Just said.

“We’ve been feeling good for a long time and feeling confident.”

Scoring goals was something the All Whites were still working on and not having Wood available was a blow.

“We’ve got plenty of players who can do the job a little bit differently, obviously different profiles,” Just said of replacing Wood.

“In terms of my role, maybe not crossing it into the box as much, especially if it’s someone like Kosta [Barbarouses] in there, but now in general it is mostly the same style of play.

“There is a lot more opportunities with the ball that we need to be turning that good build up into chances, can we get balls into the box, how can we utilise the players we have. So always talking.”

Midfielder Joe Bell did not feel the pressure to be scoring goals in Wood’s absence, but recognised the goals needed to come from somewhere.

“We want to be converting our chances into goals. I think two tours ago, the last time I was on the pitch, we played Australia, we had a couple of really strong performances but we were unable to show that in the score line and we know when we get to the world cup that’s the point where it’s really going to matter.

“In an ideal world I think it’d be great to have some midfielders contributing to the goals… internally we feel like we’re kind of on the edge of clicking over there, we’re hitting a lot of metrics that we want to in terms of creating slightly more chances and especially when we have Woodsy up top and he’s fit and available, it’s a huge threat for us and it’s something that we should be making the most of.

“So it is a point of focus for us going into these games as well, even though we don’t have Woodsy.”

All White Joe Bell against the Socceroos. Photosport

This Football World Cup will be different

The South Americans were the last on the list for the All Whites to tick off this year ahead of next year’s expanded global tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

As one of the first teams to qualify, New Zealand Football were on a mission to get the All Whites playing teams from different confederations in the build-up.

Like all the players on Bazeley’s radar, Bell wants to be in the world cup squad.

He did not play in the last window against European opposition, Poland or Norway, but did get the full 90 minutes against Ivory Coast, Ukraine and twice against Australia.

Bell has played at age-group world cups – under-17 World Cup and twice at the under-20 World Cup – and the pursuit of place in the team for the senior tournament feels a little bit different to the 26-year-old.

“In some regards, yes, because obviously the tournament is the pinnacle of football, but at the same time, no, I think representing your national team at any age group is a huge honour.”

The 2026 world cup would be a “fantastic experience”.

“All the hard work we’re trying to put in now to get us set up for that.”

Bell plays his club football in Norway for Viking FK with the potential to be playing in the Champions League.

If Viking do get into the Champions League Bell said “for personal career that that’s a huge milestone”.

“It’s obviously a big step to take, but I’m really happy to be playing in a team that has those kinds of opportunities to be playing in those kinds of games as well.

“[Fellow All White] Marko Stamenic he’s played a lot of Champions League games now and I think it’s fantastic having more New Zealand players playing in those kind of tournaments and level of games.”

Playing at the top level will work in Bell’s favour with Bazeley.

“There’s been a clear recognition from New Zealand that we want to get more players playing at high levels.”

In the squad for this November window there are All Whites playing club football in 10 different countries.

“I do think having a slightly diverse cultural component to it helps us with understanding and going into these kind of games [against opposition from different regions].”

Bell has worn the captain’s armband for club and country, a role that he has adjusted to.

“I think the leadership stuff definitely comes with time. It takes a long time to find the way that you want to do it and I definitely found myself observing for a long time, but feeling slightly more confident now to take a little bit more voice in both locker rooms here with the national team and also at club too.”

Bell has a good feeling about the world cup and the road the team is taking to get there.

“I think we’re tracking really positively. Although the results have been a little bit up and down, I think we’ve been taking some really strong steps internally and I think that’s the most important thing, recognising that going into the world cup, we want to be the most well prepared.

“You want to be scoring goals, you want to be winning games, but I think there’s a strong feeling within the group that we’re taking steps forward each tour and hopefully that’s something we can replicate this time is around too.”

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

First Māori Language Commissioner impressed by younger generation’s reo

Source: Radio New Zealand

Aotearoa’s national Māori language festival, Toitū te Reo. RNZ / Pokere Paewai

Te reo speakers of all levels and stripes gathered in Hastings on Thursday for Toitū te Reo.

The two-day Māori language symposium attracted several thousand people to celebrate, with zones catering for beginners through to experts with the hope of welcoming more speakers on to the waka.

One of the many guests of honour was Sir Timoti Kāretu, who perhaps more than anyone else has seen more of the ups and downs of te reo Māori as the first Māori Language Commissioner, a famed kapa haka composer and one of the founders of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo the Institute of Excellence in Māori Language.

Sir Timoti Kāretu. RNZ / Pokere Paewai

Now in his late 80s, Kāretu had inspired fear in countless students with his philosophy of “ma te hē ka tika” – learning comes through errors.

“Engari kaua e mataku ki te kōrero, ki te mataku koe e kore au e mōhio pēhea rā tō reo. Nā te mea ka taea e au te āwhina, mena kei te kōrero ka hapa, waiho kia mutu tō kōrero ka noho tāua ki te kōrero ki te whiriwhiri he aha ngā mea i hē, me pēnei te whakatika me pērā te whakatika, engari tukuna te tangata kia kōrero.”

While he was famous for his high standards, Kāretu said it is good to show some aroha to te reo beginners, but they would need to turn to speak only in te reo at some point.

Thousands of te reo learners have gathered in Hastings. RNZ / Pokere Paewai

But, he said he was impressed by the amount of reo coming from younger generations of Māori.

“I au e mātakitaki ana i ngā mahi haka i tērā atu wiki i āhua tumeke ahau i te pai o te reo o ētahi o ngā tamariki pakupaku e kōrero ana… i te pātaihia atu ana e whakautu Māori mai ana me taku whakamiharo i te pai o te reo, nō reira he tohu pai tēnei.”

Festival founder and director Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod said Toitū te Reo was a dream of Kāretu’s, even though he may not agree with how everything was run.

Going into a te reo only space is a very daunting thing, Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod says. RNZ / Pokere Paewai

Going into a te reo only space was a very daunting thing, MacLeod said.

Learners needed to find their own way to overcome the whakamā, the shame of speaking te reo, but Toitū te Reo could offer some inspiration, he said.

“As I sit here and look across at the City Fitness gym which gives me intense anxieties the thought of going in there and the pain it’s going to take, but it’s about trying to create that welcoming space where we can all come together and those who are in the beginning stages of their journey can take something away.”

Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod says even non-speakers play a huge part in championing the language. RNZ / Pokere Paewai

The festival was divided into two zones – Rangimamao entirely in te reo and Pūmotomoto entirely in English. MacLeod told RNZ that allowed people to participate regardless of their level of language.

Even non-speakers play a huge part in championing the language, he said.

“The future of the language rests with everyone regardless of your level of proficiency and language champions come in all shapes and sizes and some of those people that championed the language back in the initial stages of the renaissance in the 70s weren’t speakers of the language but they were prepared to die for the language.

Te reo advocate Leon Blake was leading a session on the evergreen topic of the A and O categories of te reo, two small letters that can be a big hōhā for learners.

Te reo advocate Leon Blake. RNZ / Pokere Paewai

The zones were a great addition to the festival because it allowed those still getting used to te reo to understand all the kōrero, he said.

“Kia kaha tātau i roto i ngā piki me ngā heke o te wā, ahakoa ngā raruraru o tēnei wā, koira te ātaahua o tēnei kaupapa, ko tēnei kaupapa kei te whakakotahi i a tātau ko to tātau reo te taura here i a tātau kia kotahi ai tātau i tēnei wā.”

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