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Renovations begin for one of Rātana’s most important buildings

Source: Radio New Zealand

As the 25 January celebrations wind down on Sunday, the community at Rātana Pā, south of Whanganui, is preparing for renovations to Manuao, one of its most important buildings.

The large building complex at the centre of the community is used as a dining hall and accommodation among many other uses.

  • Rātana: Māori willing to work with any political party, says Kiingitanga’s Rahui Papa

    • Project lead Talia Anderson-Town told RNZ as someone born and bred at Rātana Pā, it’s an exciting time.

    “The community is very excited about what’s happening. You know, we have our temepara (temple) where we get our spiritual enlightenment, and for the Manuao it’s where we get our physical enlightenment.”

    The front face of Manuao. RNZ/ Pokere Paewai

    Rātana received $10.1 million from the government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund for the renovations, which Anderson-Town said they are thankful for.

  • Rātana Pā to receive $10m boost to fix failing marae buildings

    • “It’s a big project. It’s always been a big marae. And it’s been, you know, established to cater for the morehu (followers of the church) when they come back here into Rātana Pā, but more importantly it caters for the community as well.”

    The project is expected to take 11 months. Anderson-Town said that will take a lot of hard work and involve some disruption to the small community as the renovations progress.

    “So we’re here this year at the Rātana 25th celebrations 2026 to launch and show everyone what it’s going to look like. So over the next 11 months we’re going to have a build process and come back January 2027 will be the finished product of the Manuao building.”

    What Manuao might look like after the changes are made. RNZ/ Pokere Paewai

    Over the last 12 months the team has been meeting with the community, and with the morehu who use the building, to ensure it can last for another 50, 100 years, she said.

    “Everyone had their opinions about what the new building would look like. Some wanted to maintain what was left and others wanted to modernise it. So what we’ve got is a bit of a cross section between that. We’ve got the original blueprints, so the square footage will stay the same, but the way we use the building will change.”

    Those changes will involve sliding doors which will enable spaces to be opened up or closed off, meaning that it can serve the community for both small and large events, like the celebrations on 25 January, she said.

    “It still has its initial functions but we’ve modernised it a little bit better, to be able to use it throughout the year and also to be able to use it as a conferencing facility for people to come and hire it.

    “It’s a building that has a lot of maintenance and a lot of operating costs, and so to be able to hire it out in between our big hui it’ll mean that we’ll be able to be sustainable as well.”

    A close up of the facade. RNZ/ Pokere Paewai

    Anderson-Town said the construction will be lead by local Whanganui firm W&W Construction.

    “So there’ll be the community involved in this build, and that’s probably one of the main reasons why we have used W&W is they know about our community, they hire within our community and they’re very passionate about making sure that this building serves our community as well.”

    The main thing was to ensure that everyone had an opportunity to be a part of the build and that was first and foremost, she said. So a tono (request) was put out to any local or morehu run businesses who wanted to be involved.

    “There are going to be a lot of locals that are going to be involved in the project and that’s one of the main things for us is for people to be able to say ‘I was a part of that project’, ‘I was a part of that build’… My kaumātua and my kuia were a part of the 1980 build when they actually built the Manuao and fundraised for it.”

    Rātana Church spokesperson Kamaka Manuel said Manuao was born out of a dream of the church’s founder Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana.

    “And so in 1980-81, this Manuao as we see it now was opened and it was the work of many, many hours of manpower by our grandparents and our great grandparents at the time of Rātana and has eventuated to what we see here today.”

    A view of the full Manuao building. RNZ/ Pokere Paewai

    The end of the 25 January celebrations will be the start of its next chapter, he said.

    “So it’s an exciting time but it’s also a sad time because… the closing of this chapter means the closing of those memories and also… understanding that the efforts of our grandparents and our great-grandparents, they lived in a world very different to ours. And so when I talk about manpower, I’m not just only meaning physical manpower, I’m talking about the manpower that they took to come together as a people and fundraise. They fundraised, you know, to be able to get the resourcing in order to be able to establish our Manauo to what we see today.”

    Minister for Regional Development Shane Jones said the concept of whakapono (faith) is an institution within the Māori community has a positive impact in creating well-adjusted and outward-thinking members of the Māori community.

    “I’ve found within te ao Māori, infrastructure has a slightly different significance and when it bolsters institutions that are meaningful to the Māori community such as Ringatū and Waitangi, then it’s a contribution that’s durable and it’ll last many generations.”

    Jones said all institutions from time to time need to upgrade their infrastructure.

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

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    Death of disabled man who had dream to break record was ‘avoidable’ – Health and Disability Commission

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    RNZ / Mark Papalii

    Jacob Davies’ dream was to be in Guinness World Records one day as the longest-living person with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

    Sadly, he died in May 2023 aged just 20, following months of poor supervision at a NZCL facility in Levin.

    An investigation by the Health and Disability Commission found one-held-accountable-for-disabled-son-s-death his death – due to organ failure and sepsis from a perforated bowel – was “avoidable”.

    His mother Jo Davies has launched a petition to require organisations to “provide disorder-specific training for staff before working with individuals who have health needs and safety risks associated with a particular disorder/health condition”.

    Her son was in excellent physical health before he was sent to NZCL. She said there was no proper assessment or plan for Jacob, and managers and staff ignored the family’s efforts to educate them about Prader-Willi or give them information about Jacob’s particular health needs.

    “Nobody who ever worked with Jacob ever read any of that or was made aware of any of that information. So they were supporting him blind basically, with no training.”

    NZCL apologised that some aspects of its services “did not meet applicable standards”, and it had made numerous changes since Jacob Davies’ death.

    Disability sector backs calls for ‘mandatory’ training

    Rare Disorders New Zealand chief executive Chris Higgins conceded it could be “difficult” to find appropriate care for people with unusual requirements due to their specific condition or disability.

    “But without adequate preparation and training, that facility is not appropriate for their needs as a whole person.”

    Younger people with disabilities or degenerative conditions sometimes ended up in aged care facilities due to lack of alternatives, for instance.

    “What is key is making sure that when people are placed – wherever that is – that the care staff have got appropriate and specific training so that appropriate support can be provided.”

    Higgins said according to a survey of families, most of them had found health professionals and carers were not well-informed about their specific condition, and communication between services was often poor.

    “Often it’s left to families to join the dots.”

    Higgins said he hoped the Rare Disorders Strategy – developed 18 months ago – would lead to better care pathways and standards of care in both the health and disability systems.

    “We just secured agreement in December from the health minister, the Ministry of Health and Health NZ to get on board with actively implementing it.

    “It’s an issue that needs to be urgently addressed, because for many of those families caring for people, the time is coming when it’s no longer going to be sustainable.

    “Parents are getting old themselves, they can’t continue to provide care, and they want to make sure their loved family members will be in a place where they can get the care they need.

    “It’s imperative for care facilities to get better at supporting people.”

    Disability advocate Jane Carrigan RNZ / Ana Tovey

    Poor oversight creating deadly risk – advocate

    Independent disability rights advocate Jane Carrigan said Davies’ death was not the first to result from poor supervision, and she feared “he won’t be the last”.

    Like his family, she expressed disappointment that the Health and Disability Commission had decided the case did not meet the threshold for prosecution.

    “I mean, what do you have to do to have a case referred to the director of proceedings [to consider prosecution] if they don’t put through a case like this?”

    She supported specific-training for staff, but pointed out that the responsibility lay with providers and the government.

    “It’s all very well staff having training. But if you continue to have an employment model where you only employ casuals or your staff turnover is through the roof, you can train people until the cows come home and it’s not going to make any difference because they won’t stay.”

    RNZ / Mark Papalii

    Carrigan – who had taken legal action against government agencies multiple times on behalf of family carers and people with disabilities – said New Zealand had yet to learn all the lessons of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

    “Actually, people were probably safer in institutional care because of what can go so wrong out there. People are effectively isolated in the community, both in the family home and in sub-optimal residential care.”

    The government should not be allowed to “outsource its responsibilities”, she said.

    “The Crown is like, ‘Thank god we’ve palmed that off and they’re now responsible.’ But it’s the Crown that’s responsible. They’re outsourcing their responsibility so they have to be completely accountable re: the service providers they work with.”

    The Ministry for Social Development, which contracts providers to deliver residential services through Disability Support Services (DSS), has signalled plans to increase auditing in future.

    In response to questions over Jacob’s case, it said it would be working with NZCL to ensure it carried out all the recommendations.

    “DSS is strengthening its quality and assurance functions, and this includes its quality management systems, the handling of critical incidents and complaints, and the implementation of an enhanced audit programme.”

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

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    Max Furse-Kee, teen killed in Mount Maunganui landslide, remembered as ‘wonderful son, a devoted big brother’

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Max Furse-Kee, 15, is one of the unaccounted for victims of the Mt Maunganui landslide. SUPPLIED

    The mother of a 15-year-old boy killed in the Mount Maunganui landslide says he was an “incredible, kind and beautiful human being”.

    Max Furse-Kee, 15, and his girlfriend Sharon Maccanico, also 15, are among the six people unaccounted for following the landslide.

    His mother, Hannah Furse, released a statement on Sunday.

    “My love for Max is impossible to explain, no words are big enough to describe this love or loss,” she said.

    “What I can say is from the moment I first looked at his beautiful blue eyes almost 16 years ago he had my whole heart, he was my sunshine.”

    Her son was an “incredible, kind, and beautiful human being”, she said.

    Mt Maunganui victim Max Furse-Kee with his family. SUPPLIED

    “He was a wonderful son, a devoted big brother, grandson, nephew, friend, teammate, and boyfriend. He was such a good kid, and he is so deeply loved.”

    Furse-Kee was “incredibly close” to his family, his mother said.

    “He brought so much joy, laughter, and light into our lives every single day. His incredible friends and his girlfriend meant the world to him, and the love, happiness, and sense of belonging they gave him brought him so much joy.”

    • Live: Latest updates from Mount Maunganui and weather around the North Island

      • Furse said life without her son was “impossible to imagine”.

      “In truth, all of this feels impossible to imagine. We are endlessly proud of who he is and that he is ours.”

      Furse-Kee would have turned 16 this week.

      “A ‘milestone’ birthday and something we were all looking forward to celebrating. Just days ago, my biggest fear was him getting his driver’s licence.

      “How I wish now that he could have experienced the joy of driving, and so many other moments that growing up brings. Our lives have changed so suddenly and so completely, we will never be the same.”

      Mt Maunganui victim Max Furse-Kee pictured with his player of the year trophy at Pakuranga College. SUPPLIED

      The family said they wanted to thank those who had reached out with support.

      “We also want to sincerely thank the entire team working at Mauao. We have been cared for with extraordinary kindness, compassion, and humanity. With tears in their eyes they have updated us, sat with us, fed us. They have searched for hours on end and continue to work tirelessly to bring our baby home to us.

      “Our hearts are also with the families who are waiting for their loved ones with us. We share this grief with you, and we are holding you close in our thoughts during this unimaginably painful time.

      “Max will always be loved, always be ours, and always be remembered. Love you 100 Max.”

      Four others were unaccounted for in the landslide, presumed killed – Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, from Morrinsville; Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20, from Sweden; Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, from Rotorua; and Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, from Ngongotaha.

      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

    Update – Mount Maunganui slip

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Attribute to Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson

    Recovery work at Mount Maunganui has been halted as a precaution this morning. At 11.50am, recovery efforts were paused after concerns from the grounds about a potential slip.

    Geotechnical experts are assessing the area and teams will resume work as soon as they are cleared to do so.

    Delays like this are frustrating but the safety of everyone supporting the recovery effort is paramount.

    We will resume our search as soon as possible.

    Further information will be released when it becomes available.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    Posted on

    Tony Stamp: ‘Once I started just making beats my music fell into place’

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    With an origin story that includes being “bullied” onto the microphone by his 95bFM colleague Wallace Chapman and invited to tell weird tales by his Facebook friend David Farrier, Tony Stamp has been part of the RNZ Music team for close to two decades.

    Starting out as a sound engineer, the award-winning music journalist now works as the producer of Music 101 and host ofThe Sampler.

    On his mixtape of five favourite songs, a radio-friendly ’80s hit rubs against some saucy R&B first heard at Khuja Lounge and the “warm and inviting” electronica of Four Tet.

    This video is hosted on Youtube.

    The best music of 2025

    After growing up in South Auckland and studying at Auckland University, Stamp scored his first job in broadcasting as production assistant at Auckland student radio station 95bFM.

    He got a taste for being on the microphone after his former creative director there (and now host of RNZ’s The Panel) Wallace Chapman “basically bullied him into the voice booth”.

    For 14 years, Stamp co-hosted bFM’s Saturday Drive show and also learnt how to edit and tell a story with audio while working on the station’s New Zealand music show Inside Track.

    A few years later, writing became another string in his bow when the editor of movie website flicks.co.nz Steve Newall- who Stamp was in a Game of Thrones Facebook group with – invited him to write some reviews.

    Tony Stamp with Music 101 host Kara Rickard.

    So’omālō Iteni Schwalger

    Later, in a different Facebook group, journalist David Farrier read some of Stamp’s posts about the “weird stuff” he’d discovered online, and invited him to write the column Totally Normal.

    In 2010, Stamp’s first solo-produced audio story to air on RNZ was a report on the Christian musical festival Parachute. Twelve years later, for his work on long-form documentaries about local music, including a story about hip-hop musicians who’ve become mentors, he was “stoked” to win the inaugural Outstanding Music Journalism Award at the 2022 Taite Music Prize.

    Tony Stamp was “stoked” to receive the Outstanding Music Journalism Award in 2022 for his work on Music 101 and The Sampler.

    Supplied

    While it was “intense” looking down at a line-up of famous musicians’ faces in the front row as he gave his acceptance speech, Stamp has met and interviewed quite a few of his music heroes over the years, including local acts Pitch Black and Shihad and the American iconoclast David Byrne in 2020 and again in 2025.

    One memorable day, the Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ghostface Killah strolled into the BfM studio with two minders while his Drive co-host Dominic Corry (aka Carlton Crisp) was doing a snack review.

    “On mic, he said, ‘Hi, Ghostface Killah. Would you like some raspberry liquorice? And Ghostface Killah said, ‘No, thank you.’ From then on, he was super cool. He talked to all of us. He shook hands. He was great.”

    Tony Stamp worked on and off at a demanding French creperie while he was based in Dublin.

    Supplied

    Stamp, who releases music on Bandcamp as TL Stamp, started writing “really bad singer-songwritery stuff” – which he later scrubbed from the internet – as a teenager.

    Living just outside of Dublin for a year in his early 20s, in the form of his cousin’s musician husband, he had his first encounter with someone making music on their computer at home – “a relatively new thing at that time”.

    On his own laptop years later, Stamp says he managed to face the fact that he was never going to be a “good singer”.

    “Once I started just making beats, it kind of fell into place… All of that [ TL Stamp] stuff that I’ve made over the last five to 10 years, I really stand by. I think it’s really good.”

    Tony Stamp’s mixtape:

    ‘Wouldn’t It Be Good?’ by Nik Kershaw

    Stamp still frequently hits play on this 1984 hit that he remembers hearing as a child in Papatoetoe.

    “It has lived with me my entire life, and I still think it’s absolutely fantastic. I really enjoy it.”

    This video is hosted on Youtube.

    ‘Here Comes Your Man’ by The Pixies

    After agonising over which song to choose by pioneering indie band The Pixies for his Mixtape, Stamp went for the one that was his “gateway” to becoming a lifelong fan.

    “This is where it all started”, an impressive older cousin told the young Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins fan as he handed over a cassette of the 1989 Pixies album Doolittle.

    “[Their music] did seem like this vaguely scary thing that was for people older than me, definitely people cooler than me. I’m still in love with that record, it’s such a strange album… every time I go back to it, I still love it.”

    This video is hosted on Youtube.

    ‘Oops’ (Oh My) by Tweet, featuring Missy Elliott

    For Stamp, this “wild card” song selection represents a time in the early 2000s when he spent every weekend dancing to R&B and hip-hop at the Auckland venues Khuja Lounge, Rakinos and Galatos.

    “This is just a song that I’ve always come back to, and it gives me a chance to shout out Timbaland and Missy Elliott… that production was insane and still is so forward-thinking. I remember going to Khuja and hearing this track.”

    This video is hosted on Youtube.

    ‘Up With People’ by Lambchop

    Stamp was working at The CD Store on Vulcan Lane when a colleague “twisted his arm” into listening to the 1997 album Thriller by Nashville band Lambchop. To his delight, he discovered a country band had made a soul record.

    “There’s horns and a gospel choir and all these accoutrements… Man, I would put this at the drop of a hat any day, anytime. It is so good, so uplifting.”

    This video is hosted on Youtube.

    ‘In My View’ by Young Fathers

    A 2016 performance by this Scottish vocal trio at Auckland venue Cassette Nine rates as one of the best shows Stamp says he’s ever seen.

    “The power of that performance, just singing over a backing track, was just incredible, phenomenal… Amazing, amazing performers, like such infectious energy. And yeah, it stayed with me.”

    This video is hosted on Youtube.

    Listen to Tony Stamp’s interview with Young Fathers member Graham Hastings here

    ‘My Angel Rocks Back and Forth’ by Four Tet

    This 2004 track by British producer Four Tet (aka Kieran Hebden) is the most similar in sound to the music he releases as TL Stamp, he says. (The ‘L’ stands for Lester).

    For him, Four Tet, especially the earlier stuff, is “hugely inspiring.”

    “It’s super warm and beautiful and inviting at this stage of his career… He’s a musician I just find super inspiring.”

    This video is hosted on Youtube.

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

    Posted on

    Chalamet getting fresh for an Oscar, or is his campaign a bit (ping) pongy?

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Usually when we talk about someone being “due”, it’s off the back of an incredible career, spanning decades, that’s littered with movies that absolutely could and perhaps should have nabbed one.

    Glenn Close is the undisputed queen of the Academy Awards’ always-the-bridesmaid gang. She scored her first nomination in 1983, a Best Supporting Actress nod for her imperious turn as an amoral author in The World According to Garp, losing out to Jessica Lange in Tootsie.

    Close has come, err, close, seven more times, most recently for Hillbilly Elegy, though her turn as the conniving Marquise de Merteuil in Dangerous Liaisons was arguably her most deserving shot. But that went to Jodie Foster in The Accused.

    Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme.

    A24

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

    Posted on

    Mount Maunganui slip – statement from Max’s family

    Source: New Zealand Police

    My love for Max is impossible to explain, no words are big enough to describe this love or loss. What I can say is from the moment I first looked at his beautiful blue eyes almost 16 years ago he had my whole heart, he was my sunshine. Max was an incredible, kind, and beautiful human being. He was a wonderful son, a devoted big brother, grandson, nephew, friend, teammate, and boyfriend. He was such a good kid, and he is so deeply loved.

    Max was incredibly close to his family, and the bond we shared with him meant everything to us. He brought so much joy, laughter, and light into our lives every single day. His incredible friends and his girlfriend meant the world to him, and the love, happiness, and sense of belonging they gave him brought him so much joy.

    Life without Max is impossible to imagine. In truth, all of this feels impossible to imagine. We are endlessly proud of who he is and that he is ours.

    This week Max would have turned 16. A “milestone” birthday and something we were all looking forward to celebrating. Just days ago, my biggest fear was him getting his driver’s licence. How I wish now that he could have experienced the joy of driving, and so many other moments that growing up brings. Our lives have changed so suddenly and so completely, we will never be the same.

    We would like to thank everyone who has reached out with messages of support. They mean more to us than we can ever express.

    We also want to sincerely thank the entire team working at Mauao. We have been cared for with extraordinary kindness, compassion, and humanity. With tears in their eyes they have updated us, sat with us, fed us. They have searched for hours on end and continue to work tirelessly to bring our baby home to us.

    Our hearts are also with the families who are waiting for their loved ones with us. We share this grief with you, and we are holding you close in our thoughts during this unimaginably painful time.

    Max will always be loved, always be ours, and always be remembered. Love you 100 Max.

    – Max’s mum and family

    – ENDS

    Note to media: Max’s family will not be providing further comment and ask that their privacy be respected as they grieve.

    Posted on

    Doctor recruited for Whakatāne Hospital quits before he starts role

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Whakatāne Hospital has been recruiting for more obstetrician-gynaecologists. (File photo) Screenshot / Google

    A senior obstetrician who was recruited from overseas as part of the effort to restart services at Whakatāne Hospital has quit during his orientation period.

    Hundreds of women from Eastern Bay of Plenty have had to travel to Tauranga Hospital to give birth in the last year, since four of Whakatāne’s five obstetricians resigned.

    Health NZ declined to confirm the recent resignation, saying it was “not able to comment on specific recruitment processes” – but stated it was “on track for the recommencement of 24/7 services in the coming months”.

    Meanwhile, three other new obstetrician-gynaecologists were welcomed at a pōhiri at Whakatāne on Monday 19 January, and RNZ understands recruitment continues for two more positions.

    In a written response to questions, group director of operations for Bay of Plenty, Andrew Boyd, said there had been “good progress with international recruitment”.

    “We are prioritising the recruitment of senior medical officers to Whakatāne Hospital to support the recommencement of Secondary Obstetrics and Gynaecology services into the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

    “Our focus remains on achieving the best possible outcomes for patients, including mothers and their whānau.”

    Health NZ held a community hui late last year in Whakatāne, Kawerau and Ōpōtiki, with “constructive” discussions on the future of obstetrics and gynaecology services at Whakatāne Hospital, Boyd said.

    “We thank the community for its patience, feedback, and continued support as we strengthen these vital hospital services.”

    Uncertainty ‘frustrating’ – midwives

    Community midwives said the sudden resignation of the specialist in December – after less than six months’ orientation at Tauranga Hospital – was worrying.

    One local midwife, who asked to remain anonymous, said the doctor had been introduced as the person recruited to lead the service at his welcome party at Whakatāne maternity unit in November.

    “As usual communication has been poor, and we do not know why he felt he could no longer continue in his role after previously appearing highly motivated and keen to get started,” she said.

    “You can appreciate the frustration this has caused to many hopeful for our obstetric services to be reinstated by March and the uncertainty surrounding a replacement for him.”

    Another midwife said three new obstetrician-gynaecologists had been welcomed.

    “There are two more being recruited and they are on track for an April commencement of full services.

    “[But it] depends on the recruitment and if they can hold these new ones.”

    RNZ understands Health NZ’s regional director for Midland Te Manawa Taki, Cath Cronin, stipulated the Eastern Bay Plenty service must be reestablished in April.

    However, some Tauranga Hospital staff fear specialists may be required to help cover Whakatāne, if it was not be fully-staffed by then, putting more pressure on their own services.

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

    Posted on

    Wellington’s popular Chocolate Fish Café, forced to shut by filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson’s property company, opens for the last time

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Popular Wellington café, Chocolate Fish, is set to close on Sunday.

    Café owners John and Penny Pennington like to think of the Chocolate Fish Café, as somewhat of a Mirimar institution. Operating since 1997, it had been at its current site since 2009.

    Located at Shelly Bay, John said part of the cafe’s attraction was that it had space for kids to run around, free parking and “pretty good” food.

    Chocolate Fish Cafe owners John and Penny Pennington. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

    This month the cafe looked a little different however, with price tags littering the room with everything from the chairs and tables to the cutlery on sale.

    “Because we’ve been terminated and don’t have anything to sell, and of course we’ve got a bit of debt and that sort of thing, and nowhere to go, we decided, right, we’d turn January, our last month of trading, into a garage sale,” John said.

    Penny said it was devastating to have to close.

    John said the café had a big client-base that ranged from regular locals to tour groups and people who specifically come out to Shelly Bay to go to their cafe.

    Penny said the café had been described as being a hub of the community.

    “We love coming to work every day because it’s like coming and seeing your friends, your whanau, and it’s just wonderful.”

    Why is the café closing?

    The Chocolate Fish cafe. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

    The cafe site was brought by Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh in 2023.

    It had followed a rocky few years at Shelly Bay, with a planned controversial housing development spearheaded by the Wellington company which was later scrapped, and a fire which gutted the iconic Sawtooth building and forced the Chocolate Fish to relocate for months due to asbestos risk.

    John said they thought they had won the Lotto when Sire Peter and Dame Fran purchased it.

    “Everything was tracking so positively for us being able to continue on,” Penny said.

    “To have that suddenly wiped out, that’s been a very bitter pill. We’re more than a café, we’re a bit of an institution,” John added.

    The outside of the café. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

    WingNut PM, the property arm of Jackson and Walsh’s WingNut Group, told the Penningtons at the end of September it was terminating the lease. The pair initially publicly criticised the pair for the decision, but later walked the comments back.

    At the time, WingNut PM told RNZ the owners had been aware the original Submarine Barracks required “substantial remedial work”, including replacing the roof, restoring its historic frontage, interior renovations, applying a new coat of paint to the exterior, and temporarily closing the parking area for tar-sealing.

    The spokesperson said they had been in discussions with the Penningtons for the past year about its pending closure.

    WingNut PM declined RNZ’s request for comment on this story.

    Not likely to be another Chocolate Fish

    The Penningtons explored other options, but a site as big as theirs was hard to come by. So far they had not found another space like it, although Penny said they would keep looking.

    “I don’t see a Chocolate Fish to this degree ever happening again, sadly – it’s a huge space.”

    Chocolate Fish Café closed its kitchen in late December, and John said it some ways it was now a relief to fully close.

    “The menu has been quite small, and people trying to come out for that last fish sandwich have been disappointed.”

    Coupled with poor summer weather, he said it had been “a little bit depressing”.

    Their final message to their customers: “We’ve loved having you.”

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

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    Mt Maunganui landslide victims: Long-time friends spent every summer at campsite

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    A floral tribute left for Susan Knowles at the Mt Maunganui landslide cordon. CHARLOTTE COOK / RNZ

    A friend of a woman killed in the Mt Maunganui landslide said her friend was on her annual summer camping trip with her long-time camping buddy.

    Susan Knowles, 71, was one of the six named as buried under the rubble, along with her friend Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, also 71.

    The pair went camping there together every summer, said Alison Holtom, a friend of Knowles for almost a decade, who came to lay flowers in her honour on Saturday evening.

    Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, from Ngongotaha, is one of the Mt Maunganui landslide victims. SUPPLIED

    “They stay here at the Mount, her and Jackie, for about a month every year,” Holtom said. “They rent a caravan every year as long as I’ve known her.”

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