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Wellington’s mayor Andrew Little promises to reduce 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].

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

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Person escapes house fire in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand

Firefighters at a house fire on Balmain Road in Chatswood. RNZ/Paris Ibell

One person has escaped a house fire in North Auckland this afternoon.

Fire and Emergency (FENZ) crews are extinguishing a fire at a two-storey house on Balmain Road in Chatswood.

A FENZ spokesperson said they were called to the scene at about half past 12, and the house was well involved on arrival.

One person who was inside the house was able to get out and wasn’t injured.

RNZ/Paris Ibell

FENZ said the fire isn’t being treated as suspicious, but a fire investigator is on site.

Locals have shared photos of billowing black smoke coming from the area on Thursday afternoon.

A section of Balmain Road has been cordoned off.

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Police clamp down following scooter robbery

Source: New Zealand Police

A man will scoot to court today following an alleged robbery in east Auckland yesterday afternoon.

Just after 4pm, Police were notified of an incident in Point England Road where a person had allegedly been assaulted and their scooter taken.

Auckland City East Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Tony Ngau Chun, says the victim was able to provide a detailed description of the alleged offender.

“Staff arrived quickly and were able to obtain a statement from the victim where he advised that the scooter was fitted with an AirTag.

“Based off that information Police attended an address in the nearby area and took one person into custody without issue.”

He says the scooter was also recovered from the property and returned to its rightful owner.

“We’re pleased we were able to locate this person and bring them before the Court to be held to account for their actions.”

A 49-year-old man will appear in Auckland District Court today charged with robbery.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

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Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek dies aged 48

Source: Radio New Zealand

Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his role in popular 90s TV show Dawson’s Creek, has died.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” read a statement shared to Van Der Beek’s official Instagram page on Thursday (NZ time).

“There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”

Can hairdressers spot skin cancer?

Wellbeing

In 2024 Van Der Beek announced he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

At the time, the actor told US media outlet People magazine that he had been working in film and television as he “navigates his care”.

“And I have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family,” he said. “There’s a reason for optimism and I’m feeling good.”

Van Der Beek rose to fame for his role as Dawson Leary in the teen drama series Dawson’s Creek and is also known for his roles in the show Varsity Blues and CSI: Cyber.

The cast of hit teen drama, Dawson’s Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003.

Photo12 via AFP

Dawson’s Creek co-star Busy Phillips said her heart was hurting deeply for all.

“Every person who knew James and loved him, anyone who loved his work or had the pleasure of meeting him, all of his dear friends and community that surrounded him as he battled this illness, especially his parents and brother and sister,” she wrote on Instagram.

Phillips went on to say: “James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed and I don’t know what else to say. I am just so so sad. He was my friend and I loved him and I’m so grateful for our friendship all these years.”

Van Der Beek made a surprise virtual appearance at a Dawson’s Creek reunion charity event in September last year, having been forced to pull out of the live event due to a stomach virus.

“I can’t believe I’m not there. I can’t believe I don’t get to see my cast mates, my beautiful cast in person,” he said in the emotional video.

“I wanted to stand on that stage and thank every single person in this theatre for being here tonight.”

He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.

James Van Der Beek, star of Dawson’s Creek, has died. The news was shared in an Instagram post.

Instagram

What is colorectal cancer?

Bowel cancer – also known as colorectal or colon cancer, affects the colon and rectum.

Bowel cancer develops when there are a series of mutations to the cells that line the bowel, which results in the uncontrolled growth of those cells, according to Bowel Cancer New Zealand.

Initially, these cells develop into polyps which are growths that can be flat or grow on stalks from the bowel wall. These growths are more common as people get older. Although most polyps never develop into bowel cancer, some can if left undetected.

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world. More than 3000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year and over 1200 will die from the disease,

Ninety percent of bowel cancers are curable if caught early.

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

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I was not prepared for how how deeply disturbing this film was

Source: Radio New Zealand

Mārama, the debut feature from Taratoa Stappard, opens in cinemas across Aotearoa today. It is a bold and chilling Māori gothic horror that interrogates and commits revenge upon the Māoriland era of our history, when Māori culture and our people were collected and traded as romantic curios from a far-flung island nation.

Set in 1859, Mary Stevens (Ariana Osborne) arrives in North Yorkshire at Hawkser Manor, an oppressive grand country house owned by Sir Nathaniel Cole (Toby Stephens) and his granddaughter Anne (Evelyn Towersey).

From the moment Mary crosses its threshold, she is assaulted by visions of violence. So when Sir Nathaniel greets her in te reo Māori, the gesture lands not as connection, but as possession.

MĀRAMA (Ariāna Osborne), ANAHERA (Evelyn Towersey) and PEGGY (Umi Myers) stand infront of the granite headstone.

Marama

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

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Samoa authorities detain NZ passport holder following marijuana seizure at airport

Source: Radio New Zealand

Samoa Customs and police found the 43-year-old man in possession of six bottles containing marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. 12 February 2026 Samoa Government

A 43-year-old Samoan national holding a New Zealand passport has been detained in Apia after allegedly being found with 90 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, local authorities said on Thursday.

The man, who resides in Australia, arrived on a Fiji Airways flight on Thursday and was allegedly found in possession of six bottles containing marijuana, along with a cannabis grinder and rolli.ng papers..

He was intercepted during routine border clearance processes at Faleolo International Airport and is in custody for further investigations and questioning, the Ministry of Customs and Samoa Police said in a joint statement.

“The items, which are deemed prohibited goods, were detected during standard screening and examination processes conducted by frontline Customs officers. The substances and associated paraphernalia were seized in accordance with the Customs Act and Narcotics Act,” the statement said.

According to the Samoa Customs CEO, the seizure reflects the agency’s ongoing commitment to protecting Samoa’s borders from the importation of illicit drugs and prohibited goods.

“We continue to utilise risk profiling, intelligence, and screening technologies to safeguard our communities from the harmful impacts of drugs,” the Customs CEO was quoted as saying.

The Customs Ministry said the importation of illicit drugs and related paraphernalia into Samoa is strictly prohibited and carry severe penalties under local laws.

It added that travelers to the country are urged to declare all goods accurately and to familiarise themselves with Samoa’s import restrictions prior to travel.

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

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How a 30-year-old from Hawke’s Bay got picked for UAE’s first Winter Olympics

Source: Radio New Zealand

Piera Hudson competing in Switzerland in 2022. Jari Pestelacci/JustPictures / NurPhoto via AFP)

Determination is at the heart of how a Hawke’s Bay-raised athlete became part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) first-ever winter Olympic team.

The small, desert country is fielding two athletes at these Games, including New Zealand-born Piera Hudson, who has had a long, hard journey to fulfilling her Olympic dream.

Hudson also had the honour of being a flagbearer for the UAE during the opening ceremony for the Milano Cortina Olympics.

Hudson will check into the Olympic Village in Cortina in a couple of days as she gets ready to compete in her first event on Sunday, the giant slalom.

The 30-year-old is set to become the first Winter Olympian Hawke’s Bay has ever produced and told Nine to Noon that it didn’t feel real yet.

“I don’t think it will until I’m sort of competing on the day and then it might hit me. The Olympic opening ceremony was just amazing, I was buzzing, you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. It was the most surreal feeling to have finally sort of had that ‘I made it’ moment,” Hudson said.

“To be flagbearer on top of that was such a huge honour for my country, so couldn’t have asked for a better way to start it off.”

The alpine skier won multiple national titles and represented New Zealand on the international stage for most of her career. But the heartbreak of missing selection for the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Olympic Games hurt.

In 2022, she tried fighting her non-selection, having made the official qualification mark, but that wasn’t enough for the Sports Tribunal to overturn the decision.

It was about that time she decided to make Dubai her base.

United Arab Emirates’ flag bearer Piera Hudson during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Franck FIFE / AFP

Hudson’s connection with the UAE goes back a couple of decades; she had a lot of family based there and growing up spent many holidays there with her cousins.

“Shortly after Covid I decided to move to Dubai myself just to make it my home instead of having to trek back to New Zealand so frequently.”

When not training in Europe, she trains at the indoor Ski Dubai facility – one of the biggest indoor ski domes in the world, based in the Emirates Mall.

“You walk into the mall and you’re carrying your skis and people are looking at you sideways and then you walk into Ski Dubai and there’s a chair lift …you can set up a course, you can get a good slalom training run in.

“I don’t train there too frequently because it doesn’t quite emulate World Cup and Olympics conditions but it is really lovely to train with the ski club there.”

The UAE Winter Federation welcomed Hudson with open arms when she decided to switch allegiances, but the challenge of getting citizenship and approval to represent the UAE seemed insurmountable at times.

It wasn’t until late last year that the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) approved the nation change, and final acceptance from the International Olympic Committee came very late in the piece.

“It takes years and I knew that going into it, but I also knew it was what I wanted to do. It was going to be worth it …I just knew I wanted to represent that country.

“There’s been a lot of lows with the Olympics in the past, representing New Zealand and not getting that opportunity when I had made qualification in the past and things, it’s a tough time.

“I’m really glad that my parents raised me to be resilient and persistent …I don’t take no for an answer very often so it kind of got me through, which I’m really glad about.”

Piera Hudson in action during an FIS Giant Slalom event in 2024. Iain McGregor / PHOTOSPORT

Hudson has also endured massive injury setbacks during her career, including a horrific leg break and a full rupture of her anterior cruciate ligament in recent years.

She grew up on farm near Tikokino, so how did the mountains come calling?

“I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time in the South Island during the winter school holidays growing up. My Mum is originally from Dunedin and both my parents grew up skiing.

“They sort of chucked my brother and I in the car every winter and we went down to Wānaka and we were on skis from a very early age and both fell in love with it, my brother became a ski instructor for many many years.”

The adrenaline rush of slalom is something that never gets old for Hudson.

“It’s a hugely technical event, but at the same time, you have to have the courage to send it, even though the turns are tight, it is a high-speed event and there’s just a lot coming at you very, very quickly.”

When to watch Piera Hudson from NZ

The women’s giant slalom event will be held at 10pm on Sunday, 15 February (run 1) and 1.30am Monday, February 16 (run 2).

The women’s slalom event will be held at 10pm next Wednesday, 18 February (run 1) and 1.30am next Thursday, February 19 (run 2).

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

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Former prison officer turned slavemaster Moeaia Tuai, jailed for more than 16 years

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Former prison officer Moeaia Tuai, who enslaved two young people in Auckland over several years will spend more than 16 years in jail.

Tuai raped and sexually assaulted one of them.

Tuai, 63, was found guilty by a jury last year of two charges of slavery, two counts of rape and a string of other sexual assaults.

RNZ / Marika Khabazi

In a victim statement, one of the complainants said her youthful happiness, and her voice, have been taken from her.

Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith said Tuai felt entitled to the money the two earned, controlling their finances to fund his lifestyle and threatening them with deportation.

Investigation and prosecution numbers were hard to track down, but Tuai’s slave dealing convictions are believed to be the fifth in New Zealand history.

More to come…

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Australian label AROHA changes name following backlash

Source: Radio New Zealand

Australian activewear label AROHA has changed its name after copping heat for using a Māori word despite having no connection to te ao Māori.

“This isn’t a rebrand. It’s a reflection of who we are now,” the brand wrote on their social media account on Tuesday, alongside a tile sharing their new name, VYRA.

“As we’ve evolved, so has our purpose … What once began with love has transformed into resilience, discipline, and power. The brand we started is no longer the brand we are becoming,” they went on.

Australian activewear label once called AROHA has changed it’s name to VYRA.

Instagram

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Black Fern Kelly Brazier retires to pursue coaching

Source: Radio New Zealand

Kelly Brazier has retired from international rugby as a champion in XVs and sevens. Photosport

Black Ferns legend Kelly Brazier has played her last international game.

After 18 years of playing rugby at the highest level Brazier said she knew it was time for the next chapter of her career.

“I reached a point where both my body and mind started to feel the wear and tear and I wanted to step away while I could still contribute at my best,” Brazier said of the timing of her retirement.

Widely regarded as one of the most versatile playmakers in New Zealand, Brazier made a significant contribution to women’s rugby during an illustrious playing career across XVs and sevens.

With 44 Tests for the Black Ferns, the two-time Rugby World Cup winner became the second woman to play in four World Cups in England last year, completing a return from injury to play her first Test since 2021.

Brazier has also won two Sevens World Cup titles, seven World Series sevens titles, Olympic and Commonwealth gold medals, silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics, bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and silver at the Sevens World Cup that same year.

Photosport NZ

“Growing up in New Zealand, I was like any other kid with a dream of representing my country and playing at the Olympics. To have done that not just once, but multiple times is something I’m incredibly proud of. It’s truly been an honour and privilege to represent New Zealand and something I’ll always hold close to my heart.

“My journey wasn’t always smooth sailing, but it was during those challenging moments that I learned the most about myself and what I was capable of.”

Off the field, Brazier had been working with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) to help develop her as a coach.

Most recently she was an assistant coach at Global Youth Sevens and with the New Zealand Development Sevens team.

She had also been appointed Chiefs Manawa assistant coach in this year’s Super Rugby Aupiki. Prior to this, she was Brave Louvre Club Assistant Coach in Japan for the Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series.

“My retirement decision came with exciting opportunities to transition into coaching, something that has always been a passion of mine and it felt like the perfect time to embrace the next challenge and share the knowledge I’ve gained with the next generation of players.”

Kelly Brazier of New Zealand is tackled by Claudia Pena Hidalgo of Spain at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. Photosport

Black Ferns Sevens head coach Cory Sweeney said it had been “an absolute privilege working alongside her to reach the milestones she has”.

“Kelly is a true professional with world-class habits, a competitive mindset that never breaks and a rugby IQ up with the best in the world.

“When I think of Kelly, training ethic and a heart to match is what stands out. She has not only been world-class on the field but her willingness to support, house and nurture future athletes is also a great attribute of hers. Kelly is a wahine trailblazer, leaving a legacy and pathway for the next generation.”

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