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Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro visits Antarctica’s Scott Base

Source: Radio New Zealand

Antarctica NZ chief executive Jordy Hendrikx said hosting the Governor-General was an honour. Antactica NZ/ Anthony Powell

The Governor-General has travelled to Antarctica’s Scott Base to see the work happening on the ice.

During the visit, Dame Cindy Kiro and husband Dr Richard Davies also visited Scott’s Hut and Shackleton’s Hut, and saw the Antarctic Heritage Trust’s preservation work.

Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Jordy Hendrikx said it was an honour to host the pair, who arrived on Friday.

“The main purpose of the visit is for them to come and see what we do here in Antarctica, and understand the variety of tasks that we have from science to environmental protection, to heritage, and also the operations of the base, and how we maintain the operations and run all those services from a small footprint here in Antarctica,” he said.

Dame Cindy was the first Governor-General to visit Antarctica since 2003.

One of the most notable projects was the redevelopment of Scott Base.

“A number of these facilities are getting to end of life, and we’re in the process of building a new and fit-for-purpose facility for the next generation of scientists, and to ensure our continued presence here in Antarctica on behalf of New Zealand,” Hendrikx said.

Dame Cindy was the first Governor-General to visit Antarctica since 2003. BC Photography / David Rowland

The redevelopment plan was revised last year, after the budget blew out to $498 million from $250m.

Hendrikx said the team was working on a detailed business case to be taken to Cabinet in mid-2026. It proposed a three-stage redevelopment of Scott Base over the next 20-50 years, starting with the oldest and most dilapidated facilities.

“This year, in terms of physical work, we have a number of enabling works underway,” he said. “We have some civil works underway, so that’s preparing the platform for next year, placing of the piles and then moving forward into the main construction in subsequent years.”

Several science projects were also happening on the base.

“This is our peak science period, where the majority of our scientists are coming through the base, and heading out into the field to collect samples, set out instruments or pick up instruments, and download years or months of data collection in Antarctica,” Hendrikx said.

“We have a team looking at the health of the Ross Sea ecosystem. They’re doing that by understanding the behaviour and patterns of foraging of both the emperor penguins and weddell seals.

“The idea here is, if we can better understand the behaviours of these large mesopredators, we get a proxy for the overall health and vitality of the Ross Sea ecosystem, and how that might be responding to climate change.”

Other projects included looking at how sea ice was changing in response to climate change, he said.

“It’s a very busy base, and a real buzzing atmosphere of excitement, enthusiasm and new discovery happening at the moment.”

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

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Biosecurity New Zealand intensifies hornet eradication efforts

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand is continuing to ramp up its campaign to locate and eliminate the invasive yellow-legged hornet, following confirmed detections on Auckland’s North Shore.

To date, 10 queen hornets, 2 workers, and 7 nests have been successfully located and removed from the Glenfield and Birkdale areas.

“We’re laser focused on our work to eradicate this hornet, guided by international best practice and expert advice,” says Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north, Mike Inglis.

A Technical Advisory Group (TAG), comprising independent scientific experts from countries that have successfully managed hornet incursions, is supporting the response. Their recommendations are shaping Biosecurity New Zealand’s strategy.

Key additional actions getting underway include:

  • extending trapping out to 5km, with a combination of carbohydrate and protein traps, with further extension as needed
  • introducing advanced tracking technology from the Netherlands to trace hornets back to their nests
  • hosting a specialist from the UK’s hornet response team to train staff and advise on programme delivery
  • increasing staff on the ground to accelerate detection and removal.

Mr Inglis says the success of this response is heavily reliant on the ongoing support of the public and key stakeholders.

“We are working closely and engaging regularly with the bee industry, horticulture and arable sector partners, regional councils and DOC on our response efforts. 

“We have had a fantastic response from the public and over 2,900 notifications to date. That’s the best surveillance we can ask for to supplement the efforts of all our staff involved in this response,” says Mr Inglis.

While these hornets have not been found anywhere else in New Zealand outside of the Glenfield and Birkdale areas to date, we need the public keep being our eyes and reporting suspected finds of hornets or nests.”

Members of the public are urged to report suspected hornets or nests — but only if they have a specimen, a clear photo, or have located a possible nest.

Reports can be made:

Further information and regular updates on hornet finds

We are aware that some people want to make homemade traps.

Instructions on how to make a simple trap [PDF, 1.1 MB]

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz 

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

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Grand slammed – what went wrong for the All Blacks against England

Source: Radio New Zealand

Scott Robertson. www.photosport.nz

Analysis – In hindsight, the All Blacks going all in on dubbing this an ‘official’ Grand Slam tour is looking like a lamentable decision right now. The 33-19 loss to England at Twickenham busted that manufactured dream, which makes the loss seem far worse now, but really when you look at all the parts of the result it’s bad enough anyway.

That’s the second hiding the All Blacks have taken this season, after the disaster in Wellington against the Springboks. It’s not unprecedented – the 2023 All Blacks managed to get thumped by the Boks and France in successive weeks – but it really makes it hard to believe this new regime is making any real forward progress.

(L-R) Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie and Sam Darry show their dejection at the final whistle of their loss to England. www.photosport.nz

Instead, it very much gives off the impression that this is a reactive playing and coaching environment, so New Zealanders probably need to get used to the fact that the All Blacks are not the innovators in world rugby anymore and probably won’t be for a while. That’s not to say they can’t be, but the evidence was clear that out of the two sides, it was England that adapted better and were just simply more ruthless.

The ‘Pom Squad’ concept obviously isn’t new, but adjusting their game plan on the fly was something that Steve Borthwick had clearly planned for. After an opening 10 minutes of dominance that yielded no points for England, only to turn around and concede two tries, they changed the script and kept in touch with two sweetly struck drop goals from George Ford.

It’s not like the All Blacks were playing badly – they’d scored two good tries and the lineout was doing great work off the English throw ins. That should have been enough to win a test on its own, but Codie Taylor’s yellow card and Cam Roigard’s injury swung things back even more for the home side.

Maro Itoje of England lifts the Hilary Shield. England v All Blacks at Twickenham Stadium, 2025. www.photosport.nz

The card seemed very harsh, especially since it was the first penalty the All Blacks had given away in the game to that point, but it also showed a bit of a flaw in planning. Taylor being off and the reluctance to lose any of the loose forwards meant the All Blacks suddenly had no lineout thrower, but when they were awarded a penalty near halfway, they tapped and went rather than taking a shot at goal to at least kill off some of the sin bin time.

Roigard’s injury did a similar bit of exposure, considering that his replacement Cortez Ratima had played a grand total of 11 minutes of rugby in the last six weeks. It showed: Ratima’s hesitancy at the base of the scrum led to a couple of key turnovers and generally poor quality ball.

Ratima wasn’t alone though. Damian McKenzie was unable to repeat his heroics from last weekend in a bench performance that added little other than late call up Sam Darry causing some more lineout problems for England. Contrast that to the English replacements, with Henry Pollock coming on with the intensity of the Ultimate Warrior to play a big role in the win.

Scott Barrett dejected after the All Blacks’ loss to England. www.photosport.nz

Throw in a couple of shocking missed kicks for touch from Beauden Barrett that robbed the All Blacks of some chances to kill the game off before halftime, and all of a sudden you had all the ingredients for a loss. Then there’s the fact that England were just good and got a lot better, and there’s your reason for the score blowing out.

And the most concerning thing is that it’s not the first time that’s happened this season. The humiliation in Wellington occurred thanks to an inability by the players and coaching staff to figure things out in time against a far more flexible opponent.

That was Rassie Erasmus, though. Borthwick is no chump, and this is not the same, stodgy English rugby team from the old days, but the reality of how hurtful it is that the All Blacks have been outthought and outgunned by them is extremely palpable.

There should be fallout from the culmination of this season’s results. With one coaching change so far on this tour, the question now is if there needs to be more, and we’ve got all summer to talk about it.

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

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Search resumes for missing fisherman, Pataua South

Source: New Zealand Police

Search crews are resuming the search for a man believed missing in the sea off Northland.

The man was one of two people on a boat that was reported overdue on Friday night. The 17-foot runabout was meant to return at 7pm on Friday, and the alarm was raised at 9pm.

Yesterday morning, the boat was found drifting with no-one aboard, and shortly after a body of one of the two fishermen was found.

This morning the search resumes for the missing man, supported by the Police National Dive Squad, Search and Rescue crews, Auckland Coastguard Air Patrol, Auckland Police Maritime Unit, Customs, Surf Rescue and Northland Land Search and Rescue.

Police would like to thank members of the community who are also assisting with the search.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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Police stop antisocial road users in their tracks across Tāmaki Makaurau

Source: New Zealand Police

Tāmaki Makaurau Police were out in force this weekend in a coordinated approach to disrupt antisocial road user gatherings across the city.

Over the course of Friday and Saturday night, Police intercepted groups before they could get established at multiple locations, meaning large groups were unable to participate in unlawful activity such as burnouts or racing.

However, when antisocial road user behaviour was seen by Police, enforcement action was taken.

On Saturday night a vehicle was seen participating in burnouts at an intersection in Maketu. A short time later, Police took the driver into custody without incident and impounded the vehicle.

Sometime later in Mangere, Police impounded two vehicles that were seen to be travelling almost three times the posted 50km/h speed limit side by side.

In total, six people were arrested, 271 infringement notices were issued, 52 vehicles were either pink or green stickered, and 15 drivers were found to be driving with excess breath alcohol levels.

Counties Manukau District Commander, Superintendent Shanan Gray says Police’s high visibility and enforcement approach sends a clear message to those wanting to participate in antisocial and unlawful road user activity.

“Staff remained agile and persistent, ready to respond and disrupt gatherings, conduct checkpoints, and stopping drivers across the district.

“We will continue to target this behaviour until the message gets through.”

Police ask members of the public to report any unlawful or antisocial road user behaviour to us, as soon as you can with as much information as safely possible.

Any information including vehicle models or colour, vehicle registrations, or descriptions of the drivers can assist in an effective response to the issue, and in cases where we can’t immediately respond, allows us to follow up with drivers and take later enforcement action.

You can report information to us by calling 111, if it is happening now, or through our 105 service for non-emergencies.

Alternatively, you can report information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Helicopter crash near wind farm on Wellington’s west coast, one injured

Source: Radio New Zealand

The crash happened near the Mākara Wind Farm. (File photo) Unsplash / Nate Watson

A helicopter pilot is being rushed to hospital after crashing near a wind farm on Wellington’s west coast.

Emergency services were called to the Mākara Wind Farm about 8.30am on Sunday.

Fire and Emergency shift manager Murray Dunbar said there was only one person on board the helicopter, and they were being flown to Wellington Hospital for treatment.

Five FENZ crews responded to the accident in addition to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

MORE TO COME…

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

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One person dead after hit-and-run in West Auckland’s Henderson

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police are at the scene of a hit-and-run fatality in West Auckland. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

One person has died following a hit and run in West Auckland’s Henderson overnight.

Police said emergency services were called to the intersection of Tango Place and Larnoch Rd at 2.50am after a person was located injured on the road.

“Sadly, despite best efforts from emergency services, the person died at the scene,” a spokesperson said.

Police were now working to establish the circumstances of what has occurred, and cordons have been put in place while police conduct a scene examination.

Residents and members of the public may see an increased police presence in the area while inquiries into the incident were ongoing.

“Police would like to hear from anyone who may have information of this incident and has not yet spoken to us.

“We would also like to get in touch with anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage in the Larnoch Road area between 2am and 3am.”

The spokesperson asked anyone with information that could assist the police investigation to contact police online at 105.police.govt.nz, or by calling 105.

Information could also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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

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NZ Substack co-founder says ‘Any attempt to simplify Elon Musk is futile’

Source: Radio New Zealand

Central Otago-born McKenzie, a former Tesla employee, is also the author of Insane Mode – a 2018 book about Elon Musk and his automotive company.

He says that in 2022, after buying Twitter, Musk approached his fellow Substack co-founder (and now CEO) Chris Best with an offer: “What if Substack joins Twitter, we make you the CEO, and we make beautiful things happen together?”

“It was an interesting offer, but we weren’t even close to wanting to do that. That’s not why we’re doing this company or this mission. It’s not about a financial outcome… We don’t want to try to grow Substack by folding it into the model that we’re actually trying to reform, so that was going to be a non-starter,” he tells RNZ’s Saturday Morning.

While Elon Musk looks “hotheaded and impulsive from a distance”, the tech billionaire has a “different psychological profile from the average person”, says his former employee Hamish McKenzie.

AFP / Pool / Chip Somodevilla

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

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Police appeal for information after fatal hit and run, Henderson

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a hit and run incident in Henderson overnight.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Tango Place and Larnoch Road at around 2.50am after a person was located injured on the road.

Sadly, despite best efforts from emergency services, the person died at the scene.

Police are now working to establish the circumstances of what has occurred.

Cordons have been put in place while Police conduct a scene examination.

Members of the public may see an increased Police presence while enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

Police would like to hear from anyone who may have information of this incident and has not yet spoken to us.

We would also like to get in touch with anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage in the Larnoch Road area between 2am and 3am.

If you have any information that can assist in our investigation, please contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105.

Please use the reference number 251116/5042. 

Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Silver Ferns take first test against England

Source: Radio New Zealand

Silver Ferns shooter Grace Nweke. (File photo) Jason McCawley / Getty Images

The Silver Ferns have opened up the three-Test series against England with a 61-58 win in London.

Trailing by three at half-time, England upped their intensity in the third quarter and levelled things 47-all heading into the final spell.

When the Silver Ferns shot out to a 53-49 lead in the final quarter, the Roses made two changes, which saw Elle Cardwell make her return to international netball.

But New Zealand held their nerve and continued to find shooter Grace Nweke under the post.

Kate Heffernan had a big game at wing defence, with six deflections.

Test two starts at 4am on Monday.

See how the match unfolded below.

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Maddy Gordon www.photosport.nz

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