NZ Engine

Judge Ema Aitken is before a Judicial Conduct Panel accused of disrupting the event at Auckland’s Northern Club. RNZ Composite

A gudge accused of disrupting an NZ First event must have known who she was yelling at, a party members says.

Judge Ema Aitken is before a Judicial Conduct Panel accused of disrupting the event at Auckland’s Northern Club, yelling at party leader Winston Peters, calling him a liar, and saying comments he made were disgusting.

The judge argues she did not shout, did not recognise Peters’ voice when she responded to remarks she overheard, and did not know it was a political event.

Appearing on Thursday morning, NZ First MP Casey Costello gave evidence about the night.

She was not appearing as a government Minister, Jonathan Orpin-Dowell, who is assisting Special Counsel for the hearing, said.

Costello recalled being at her table when she heard someone yelling. She assumed they were yelling at her.

“Whatever she was saying, it was loud enough for me to hear and take notice of her,” she said.

“If it had only been in a normal speaking tone, I would not have heard the comments at that distance or taken any notice.”

NZ First MP Casey Costello. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Costello said the judge must have known who she was yelling at.

“From my observation of the events, the judge must have known that it was Winston Peters who was speaking,” she said.

“Mr Peters has, I believe, a distinctive voice, and had been speaking for some time when the judge began yelling.”

She said the judge would have also been able to see Peters through the doorway when she first came down the stairs.

Costello described another incident from the evening where she encountered who she later learnt was Judge Aitken’s husband, Dr David Galler.

Costello said Galler had confronted her, blocking her way and calling her despicable.

NZ First MP Casey Costello’s notes in her diary about the evening’s disruptions. Supplied

“He said ‘you are despicable, I hope you’re ashamed of yourself, you disgust me’,” she said.

Costello could tell the man was drunk by smell and described the altercation as particularly hostile.

“I asked the man why he had that opinion of me, he replied ‘you are responsible for killing hundreds of people, you should be proud’,” she said.

Galler went on to make other comments about Costello paying dues to the tabacco industry, and said she had no medical knowledge.

Costello had faced scrutiny earlier that year for rolling back smokefree laws and giving health officials a document that claimed “nicotine is as harmful as caffeine” and argued Labour’s smokefree generation policy was “nanny state nonsense”.

She said she had made a note in her diary about the evening’s disruptions but particularly about what had happened with Dr Galler.

“As a politician, whenever I have a public interaction with someone who is difficult, I tend to take a note of the interaction at the time, so I have a record of reference should it be needed.”

Judge Aitken’s lawyer David Jones KC cross-examined Costello, questioning whether the judge had in fact directed comments to her.

Judges called as witnesses

Thursday morning began with lead panellist Brendan Brown KC issuing a minute requesting other judges give evidence before the panel.

It comes after Special Counsel for the Inquiry requested the panel ask other District Court judges to give evidence.

KC requested District Court judges David McNaughton and Pippa Sinclair to appear and give evidence.

Those called had been among the people sitting at Judge Aitken’s table at a function of District Court judges that had brought her to the Northern Club that night.

Special Counsel Tim Stephens KC had told the panel earlier in the week some of the Judges and their partners who sat at Judge Aitken’s table may have relevant evidence to give.

Brown KC also indicated he would also call Judge Sinclair’s partner to give evidence, as well as the partner of another judge present.

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

February 12, 2026

High Court Judge wins right to have family batch dispute in private court

Source: Radio New Zealand

The case was taken to the High Court but had been referred to independent arbitration. (File photo) RNZ / Dan Cook

A High Court Judge has won the right to have a dispute over a family bach heard in private, rather than open court.

In 2022, Justice Anne Hinton sold her share of the bach to two of her four sisters – but her other sister, Gillian Gatfield and niece, Emma Pearson (who inherited her mother’s share) argued Hinton had, years earlier, promised to transfer her share to them.

They took their case to the High Court, but Hinton successfully applied to have it referred to independent arbitration.

The plaintiffs appealed the arbitration referral in November – but the Court of Appeal dismissed that on Thursday.

Hinton wanted arbitration because it was faster and cheaper than going through the courts – and private.

Her lawyers argued any judge hearing Hinton’s case in court would be put in a difficult position: either risking the perception of favouring a colleague, or ruling against her which would effectively question her credibility.

But Gatfield and Pearson disagreed.

Lawyer Matanuku Mahuika said “significant weight” was placed on Hinton’s role as a judge in her request for arbitration, which was “not appropriate”.

He urged the judges to be mindful of open justice and warned them against being seen to give preference to a fellow judge.

Mahuika also pointed out arbitration had never been ordered – as opposed to agreed to – in a trust dispute.

But in Thursday’s decision, the judges said the Associate Judge who ordered the arbitration was following the correct procedure.

“We consider that the court has power to order that an arbitration take place and to appoint an arbitrator, even when there is no agreement to arbitrate.

“We also consider there is nothing inherently inappropriate in doing so.”

The Judges said it was “unnecessary” to explicitly address all the matters Gatfield and Pearson’s lawyers raised as reasons against private arbitration.

“We agree with the decision made by the High Court,” their judgement said.

Mediation and arbitration were appropriate options in a case involving “strongly felt personal allegations”, it said.

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

February 12, 2026

Wellington mayor Andrew Little promises to cut commercial rates

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington’s mayor Andrew Little. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Wellington’s mayor is promising to reduce the city’s commercial rates burden, but admits he doesn’t yet have the council’s backing to do so.

Andrew Little told a Wellington Chamber of Commerce breakfast event that the current commercial rates differential meant that businesses paid 3.7-times the residential rate – thought to be one of the highest in the country.

“That starts to make it challenging for developers when they’re developing inner-city land for commercial purposes. So, if we can address that differential and bring the differential down, then we become more competitive in that regard,” he said.

However, even a modest reduction could push residential rates up by around 4 percent.

Little said the first step was getting council spending under control, before shifting the balance.

“I’m confident that if we do the work on financial planning, budgeting, what have you, that in time we can do this.”

The mayor said reducing the commercial rates differential was a personal commitment.

He said there was no formal proposal yet and any change would need negotiation around the council table.

“There’s no collective council commitment to… I don’t know what the split on council would be. There are plenty who are keen to see it. There are some for whom it’s not the top priority, but that’s the nature of council. It would have to be negotiated through.”

Whether to decrease the commercial rates differential from $3.70 to $3.25 has previously stirred heated debate over the pressure on businesses versus residents.

At a 2023 council meeting a proposal to reduce the differential was voted down [ https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/504175/wellington-city-council-votes-in-principle-to-keep-same-rates-for-businesses].

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

February 12, 2026

NZ Warriors kick off NRL campaign with pre-season trial against Manly Sea Eagles

Source: Radio New Zealand

Te Maire Martin, Wayde Egan, Leka Halasima, Luke Metcalf and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad prepare in different ways for their 2026 NRL season. Photosport/RNZ

NRL Pre-season: NZ Warriors v Manly Sea Eagles

Kickoff: 3.40pm Saturday, 14 February

McLean Park, Napier

Live blog updates on RNZ

Analysis: Take a deep breath and soak in the last warmth of summer – this could be as good as it gets for the next nine months of the NRL season.

This is the pre-season, a time when anything still seems possible.

If you’re a player, you feel the fittest, the strongest and healthiest you will be for a long time. Soon enough, you will be back to managing injuries from one week to the next, as each tackle takes its cumulative toll and life becomes a grind.

If you’re a coach, you have made no bad decisions – or at least, none that you know of yet.

If you’re a fan, your team have suffered no defeats and sit equal top of the table with 16 others.

If you’re a Warriors fan, you can still believe THIS is the year your team finally break their championship drought.

Hope springs eternal, but reality will be tested for the first time on Saturday, when the Warriors face Manly Sea Eagles in their opening pre-season trial at Napier.

Coach Andrew Webster is impressed by the individual work his players have put in during their off-season.

“Over the Christmas break, they made a pact to each other that they would go away and enjoy the break, but come back fit and hit their targets,” he said.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen every single player do so and I’m really impressed with that. It’s now about piecing the football fitness together, which we’re doing, and it’s enabled us to do more football, rather than just conditioning.”

The hits are about to get real for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and his Warriors teammates. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Veteran Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who has endured hundreds of pre-season workouts during his 12 NRL campaigns, has already noticed a step up among his teammates.

“My biggest [impression] of the 2026 pre-season is everyone’s moving a lot faster now,” he said. “I think the game is forcing us that way, but it’s good.

“The boys are looking sharp out there, everyone’s moving at a speed that is different to last year already. It’s exciting.”

Webster thinks he more or less knows who will line up for the season-opener against Sydney Roosters at Go Media Stadium on 6 March.

“I reckon 15 players have probably picked themselves,” Webster said. “I reckon two spots are up for grabs, but of those 15 that have their nose in front, things could change quickly.

“We’ve got some decent continuity, we know who we’re thinking, but at the same time, 3-4 weeks is a long time in footy and things could change.

“If you got through each position, we’ve got great depth. Where we’ve got experience, we’ve got great youth knocking on the door behind them.

“Happy to have that headache, but it can also be an Achilles heel. You have great competition, but it’s hard to give people clarity straight away over what their year looks like and where they’re going to be.

“Some payers think it’s the Olympics and round two comes around four years later. If they don’t make round one, their world ends.

“It’s good to have that goal and ambition, and to want that round one position really badly, but round two is only seven days away.”

Here’s a few things to watch for over the next couple of weeks, as the hits become real.

Positional battles

Webster may not agree, but perhaps only Tuivasa-Sheck would seem assured of his backline spot for round one.

Coach Andrew Webster reckons he has 15 of his 17 players sorted for round one against Sydney Rooster – but that could change. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Others may be pencilled in as incumbents, but they will have to defend those positions against legitimate challengers.

These contests become somewhat blurred this week, with seven players away on Māori-Indigenous duty and niggly injuries sidelining others.

Fullback: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is as courageous as they come at the back, but towards the end of last season, some were calling for Taine Tuaupiki to inherit the No.1 jersey fulltime.

Neither are available against Manly – CNK lines up in the halves for the Māori, while Tuaupiki tends to a leg injury – so reserve-grader Geronimo Doyle fills the position.

Wing: RTS seems embedded on one flank (although some still see him as the club’s best fullback, while others consider him the answer to the problems at centre), but Dallin Watene-Zelezniak struggled with injury and form last season.

The arrival of speedster Alofiana Khan-Pereira means DWZ must maintain high standards or lose his spot.

Centre: Seven different players started in the midfield last season, with specialists Rocco Berry and Ali Leiataua plagued by injury.

Incredibly, many still don’t consider Adam Pompey an automatic selection, despite playing every minute of every game, but his reliability cannot be overlooked.

Hopefully, Kurt Capewell will not be wasted there this time round. CNK is a better option – he played there for the Kiwis – and powerhouse Leka Halasima fills the void this week against the Sea Eagles, as he did against Penrith Panthers in last year’s playoffs.

Halves: First-choice halfback Luke Metcalf will miss a couple of months, so his position is up for grabs. Tanah Boyd has the inside running, after filling in last season, but Webster has plenty of half options up his sleeve, including Te Maire Martin (who will likely lose his utility value under new interchange rules) and Jett Cleary.

Webster also warns not to sleep on newcomer Jye Linane, once he’s up to speed from knee surgery.

Forwards: At full health, the pack almost picks itself. Front-rower Mitch Barnett should be back near the start of the season, but if he’s not, Jackson Ford or Demitric Vaimauga can deputise ably.

Webster may need to scale back Wayde Egan’s use at hooker to preserve him for later in the season and understudy Sam Healey has proved himself at this level.

Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett is eyeing a return to action by round one, after rehabbing his knee injury. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Dally M Lock of the Year Erin Clark appears ‘locked’ in, but exactly where Englishman Morgan Gannon fits remains to be seen. If Halasima stays at centre, that may open up a spot, but there are plenty of others queuing up to fill it.

Second row is probably where Webster’s biggest selection headaches lie. Who starts, who comes off the bench and who is consigned to NSW Cup may prove contentious.

Injuries

When he talks about how quickly things can change, Webster is referring to the almost inevitable pre-season injury that will alter his line-up for week one.

Last year, Watene-Zelezniak lasted only a few minutes before breaking his wrist.

Back-up fullback Tuaupiki described how he expected specialist winger Ed Kosi to get the call off the bench, but instead was suddenly thrust into a position where he had limited experience – and made it his own.

As DWZ returned to fitness, Tuivasa-Sheck tweaked a hamstring that extended Tuaupiki’s stay in the starting line-up.

“Taine played maybe the first 7-8 games on the wing last year and I think we won five out of those seven,” Webster recalled. “To be part of that and to have that depth, with everyone playing different positions is awesome.”

In fact, Tuaupiki stuck around through nine games, helping his team to a club-best 7-2 start and second place on the table. Soon after he was relegated to reserves, the Warriors began their slide.

The Warriors already have a series of minor injuries, but there’s every likelihood they will lose someone else in the build-up, as bodies adjust to impact again.

Bolters

Ten players have been named as reserves against Manly. None have played first grade, but most, if not all can expect some run this weekend – perhaps not enough to really push for places in the top team immediately, but maybe enough to delay their promotion further.

Tuivasa-Sheck highlighted a couple to watch out for – powerful outside backs Sio Kali and Motu Pasikala. Here’s some more.

Eddie ‘Goggins’ Ieremia-Toeava may be poised for promotion up the Warriors rotation. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Haizyn Mellars: With DWZ and AKP both away on all-star duty, the new kid from Souths gets an immediate chance to impress on the wing.

He has big shoes to fill, following father Vince into the Warriors programme, and is desperate to crack the top team to create a piece of family history.

Eddie Ieremia-Toeava: Often named as 18th man, Ieremia-Toeava finally made his premiers debut against the Dolphins in round 22, logged five games and scored a try against Gold Coast Titans.

He’s renowned for his work ethic at training, earning the nickname ‘Goggins’ after inexhaustible ultra-athlete and former US Navy SEAL David Goggins. He may be ready to jump a few spots in the second-row pecking order.

Kayliss Fatialofa: Maybe the last thing the Warriors need is another second-rower, but the club thinks enough of Fatialofa to secure him for the next two seasons.

He hasn’t played first grade yet, but appeared in every game for the champion reserves last season, logging 80 minutes in 19 of his 22 outings and finishing as equal top tryscoring forward in the NSW Cup. He’ll come off the interchange against the Sea Eagles.

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

February 12, 2026

Pharmac seeking feedback on plans to modernise the Pharmaceutical Schedule

Source: PHARMAC

12 February 2026

Media release Medicines Hospital devices

Pharmac has begun work to update the Pharmaceutical Schedule to make it easier to use, faster to update, and fit for a modern health system.

“The Pharmaceutical Schedule is a national tool that helps people understand which medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and related products are publicly funded,” says Pharmac’s Director of Strategy, Policy and Performance Michael Johnson.

“It has served New Zealanders for many years, but it now needs to be modernised so it can better support today’s rapidly changing health system.”

Published in 1994, it has not kept up with advances in technology, changes in the health system, or the growth in Pharmac’s responsibilities. Over time, it has expanded from listing medicines funded in the community to include vaccines and the medicines and medical devices used in hospitals.

“The Schedule was not designed to be this big, or this complex, and the digital systems used to manage it are outdated and need replacing.”

“It also needs to align with modern health sector standards and be updated more rapidly when required.”

The redevelopment project aims to make the Schedule clearer, easier to navigate, and simpler to keep up to date.

“This work will help future‑proof the Schedule. By modernising how information is organised and presented, it will be easier for people to find what they’re looking for and understand how funded products can be used,” says Johnson.

Pharmac is proposing several improvements, including:

Reorganising the Schedule into a single online resource, with separate sections for general rules, medicines and related products, and hospital medical devices.
Moving to an online‑only format with the capability to update as needed, allowing information to be published more quickly and accessed in different ways.
Making funding rules easier to understand by grouping them into funding pathways, which will show people how a product can be funded, such as on a prescription or for use in a hospital.
Making identifying medicines and devices easier by ensuring the way they are described is consistent with the rest of the health system.
Keeping key processes the same, with no proposed changes to how Pharmac makes decisions, existing clinical criteria beyond routine updates, or claiming processes.

“We want to hear from people about how these changes might work for them. Your feedback helps us understand what we need to consider and what support may be needed during the transition,” says Johnson.

If you would like to provide feedback or share general comments, please email schedule@pharmac.govt.nz or use the online form. Consultation closes 5 pm, Friday 13 March 2026.

What is Pharmac doing?

Pharmac is redeveloping the Pharmaceutical Schedule so it is easier to use, better organised, and supported by modern digital systems. The new Schedule will be online‑only, with the capability to update as needed, rather than relying on the current monthly publication cycle.

It will have one integrated structure, including general and prescribing rules, medicines and related products, and hospital medical devices.

The redeveloped Schedule will also use clearer funding pathways to show how products can be funded in different settings, and it will adopt national health information standards, such as the New Zealand Medicines Terminology, so medicines and devices are described consistently across the health system.

Why is Pharmac doing it?

The Schedule was first published in 1994, and it has not kept pace with advances in technology, changes in the health system, or the growth in Pharmac’s responsibilities.

Over time, it has expanded from listing medicines funded in the community to also include vaccines, hospital medicines, and hospital medical devices. This expansion has created different funding arrangements depending on where and how products are used, and over time these arrangements have become needlessly complex.

The digital systems that support the Schedule are also outdated and need replacing. Redeveloping the Schedule will ensure it is supported by modern digital infrastructure, can accommodate current and future complexity, and can be updated more quickly and reliably when needed.

February 12, 2026

Wellington’s mayor Andrew Little promises to reduce commercial rates