NZ Engine

A close-up of the Fire and Emergency NZ logo. Marika Khabazi / RNZ

Four people, including three children, have died in a house fire in Sanson, Manawatū’s mayor has confirmed.

Police earlier said several people died in the blaze on Saturday afternoon at a home on State Highway 1, just south of the town, but would not specify how many.

Do you know more? Email iwitness@rnz.co.nz

It was understood police were searching for three children after the fire, and were not seeking anyone in relation to the blaze.

Mayor Michael Ford said it was a devastating tragedy, and the community was reeling.

“It’s a small village, but it’s an important part of the Manawatū community and [it’s] a caring community and no doubt will provide good support and this very sad time.”

A scene guard was in place overnight, and officers were back at the scene on Sunday, continuing their investigation.

SH1 was briefly closed between Phillips St and Speedy Rd on Saturday.

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

November 16, 2025

Review: Lenny Kravitz puts on a night of love in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand

It’s been 36 years since his debut album, Let Love Rule, but Lenny Kravitz finally made it to New Zealand.

It was love at first sight.

The crowd in Spark Arena in Auckland on Saturday were there to celebrate the man who has spent longer as a rock icon than some in his band have been alive.

Lenny Kravitz.

Mia Ross

The crowd rejoiced, they danced, they sang. “We love you Lenny,” shouted the man in his 50s, maybe 60s, a row down.

This was like a date night for couples, mostly over 50, at Spark. They carried the memory of Kravitz when he was young and a hitmaker. They carried the memory of when they had his records and played them at parties.

And by just his second song, ‘Dig in’, off the self-referentially titled Lenny, couples were up dancing. Or at least the one in the couple who dances, was up and gyrating. The one in the couple who doesn’t dance was moving their shoulders and clapping. By the third song, ‘TK421’ (a chant along number best known for its music video of a naked Kravitz, his parts covered only by household items) the house was clapping along.

“Why did I wait so long to come,” shouted Kravitz.

At his best, in that nine years or so starting in 1989, he pulled off a couple of big hits.They had hot riffs, the propulsive tchk-tchk-tchk of the rhythm guitar to keep things moving, a funky bass, and lyrics simple enough to single along to even if not particularly memorable.

So many years we’ve tried

To keep our love alive

But baby, it ain’t over ’til it’s over

After that the hits pretty much stopped. It’s been 25 years, a generation, since his last American top 10 song, ‘Again’ (which reached #4). But Lenny Kravitz the rock god lived on. He perfected the image. He dated the most beautiful women, produced the most beautiful children, took up acting, played on every rock programme he was invited to, wrote a rather sweet autobiography about growing up in a bi-racial family between New York and LA and found the gym. Every day.

Lenny Kravitz at Auckland’s Spark Arena.

Mia Ross

It takes discipline to look this good as a rock god at 61. As his autobiography, Let Love Rule, shows Kravitz knows the music business is a business and to succeed you have to work harder even while trying to make it look natural. So there’s a touch of Dorian Gray about Kravitz; as we his fans have got older, paunchier, saggier, eschewing the gym, he has worked harder, hit the weights, eaten only the healthiest foods and looks, well, fit.

Kravitz’s stomach is a thing of wonder. He has what the Guardian called an eight pack, you could play like a xylophone.

At Spark the eight pack wonder of the world was there only in glimpses. He wore a camisole though we were shown a pre-recorded video of it on the screen at one point.

By this stage of his career, fewer people are probably coming to see Lenny perform his music, as just to see Lenny perform.

He doesn’t so much dance as saunter to the ends of the stage, to acknowledge the crowds. The camera broadcasts his every step to giant screens.

There’s a lot of Lenny in a Lenny Kravitz show.

And why not. When as a young man he tried to persuade his father to back his band, his Dad told him there were 11 people on stage but only one had the drive and charisma to make it. It’s still true.

Even when announcing his band of fine musicians, the camera stays on his face, cutting away only at the end to acknowledge the band member. There’s Jas Kayser on drums, a jazz and Afro-beats drummer, whose beats sound huge, looking like she has stepped out from Prince’s finest bands. On lead guitar is Craig Ross, who has played with Kravitz since 1991, providing the rock licks and looking like a cross between Joey Ramone and Slash (who coincidentally knew Kravitz as a teen at Beverly Hills High).

For all Kravitz’s hard work the night does sag a bit through the middle as we work through the latest songs off the most recent album, Blue Electric Light, like ‘Honey’ and ‘Paralyzed’, but not disastrously. Kravitz has funky instincts; he might be a rocker but his first musical loves were funk, soul and jazz. The bass keeps Spark going.

Recently, some of Kravitz’s lesser songs can sound like they have been put together from the constituent parts of rock, but here at full decibel, orchestrated by Kravitz, they roll along.

And there’s always Kravitz-watching.

He has the look; tight jeans, dreads, bug-eyed sunnies, leather jacket and bling. Like Iggy Pop, he has never come across a shirt he couldn’t ignore. It’s the perfect Lenny Kravitz rock god outfit; it looks thrown together but is carefully chosen to be so instantly recognisable you could wear it to a Halloween party and be known straight away.

Finally, it is into those handful of hits, ‘Fly Away’, ‘American Woman’, the Guess Who cover with the unforgettable hook and best forgotten lyrics, and a crunching ‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’.

At the end, Kravitz and the band launch into an extended ‘Let Love Rule’, his first single, from 1989. He leaves the stage, through the mosh pit, touching the outstretched hands of fans, then carries on around the entire perimeter of the Arena floor. The crowd is drawn to where he is. They want to touch the man. It takes an age to make it back to the stage.

We’ll be back, he tells the crowd.

At the current rate he would be 97. Who knows if he would still be the rock god. But, maybe, with a bit of hard work, discipline and a tight band he still could be. You wouldn’t count Lenny Kravitz out.

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

November 16, 2025

Live rugby: Ireland takes on Australia

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the rugby action, as Ireland take on Australia’s Wallabies at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

It is the third of four autumn internationals to be played by Ireland in 2025.

Ireland have played Australia 38 times since first meeting in 1927, with the Wallabies securing 22 wins. There’s been one draw between the two sides.

Kickoff is at 9.10am NZT.

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Australia have won 22 of the 38 matches against Ireland. STEFANO RELLANDINI

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

November 16, 2025

Manawatū fire: Investigators at scene of blaze where three children died

Source: Radio New Zealand

A close-up of the Fire and Emergency NZ logo. Marika Khabazi / RNZ

Police officers have returned to the scene of a fatal house fire in Sanson, Manawatū.

RNZ understands a man and children were among those who died on Saturday afternoon when flames engulfed the home on State Highway 1 just south of the town.

The police said several people died – but would not specify how many.

It was understood they were searching for three children after the fire.

They said they were not seeking anyone in relation to the blaze.

A scene guard was in place overnight, and officers returned on Sunday to continue the investigation.

SH1 was briefly closed between Phillips St and Speedy Rd on Saturday.

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

November 16, 2025

How do I know if my kid is worrying about food and their body too much?

Source: Radio New Zealand

A child doing more exercise or choosing healthier foods can be normal and even positive.

Yet these are also actions taken by young people who develop an eating disorder – the serious mental health condition characterised by a persistent, unhealthy relationship with food, eating and body image.

So how can you tell if your kid is at risk? Here’s what to look out for, and what to do if you’re worried.

Noticing and intervening early is key to stopping a disorder from developing.

Andrej Lišakov / Unsplash

How a nutritionist overcame binge eating

Along with disordered eating – problematic behaviours around food without a diagnosed disorder – eating disorders are on the rise among young Kiwis, with LGBTQIA+ youth at particularly high risk.

All eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, are linked to a higher risk of dying early.

And we know that noticing and intervening early is key to stopping a disorder from developing.

7 early warning signs to watch out for

Research has identified some of the most common early warning signs of eating disorders in children. Any one of these is cause for concern.

1. They exercise too much, or can’t seem to stop

This means exercise beyond physical activity guidelines for young people. Your child may want to exercise even when injured, or may retreat to their bedroom to exercise secretly. They may be unable to sit still, jiggling body parts to use up calories.

2. They keep losing weight

Young people should be increasing in weight as they grow in height, unless medically supervised otherwise. This supports optimal development of major body organs, including the brain. But parents often miss these physical changes, as young people can become very skilled at hiding weight loss by wearing multiple layers or baggy clothes.

3. They become obsessed with food and food preparation

You might notice your child spending more time talking about food and eating, wanting to know what is in every meal so they can count calories, and seeking reassurance about how much they’ve eaten.

4. They cut out major food groups

“Clean” eating and veganism can be popular among young people. But dieting is a strong risk factor for developing an eating disorder. You may notice your child increasingly restricts their diet or is often distressed about what is an “acceptable” food to eat.

5. They become secretive around food

Does your child always find a reason to avoid eating with other people? Does a lot of food go missing from the pantry? Having dinner as a family is a protective factor – it normalises eating and helps you see what and how your child eats. This can also be why your child wants to avoid it. This is why eating regularly together is often an important component of recovery.

6. They become worried about body image, weight, shape and size

Occasionally making negative comments about your appearance is relatively normal in adolescence, but needs to be handled with care. Problems can emerge where your child makes frequent and sustained negative remarks about their body weight and/or shape.

7. They develop rituals and rules around eating

This could look like cutting food into tiny pieces, or having to eat food in a certain order or using the same crockery or cutlery every time. When rituals are disrupted, the child becomes distressed.

What you can do if you’re worried

Trust your gut

Know what to look for and act quickly if you’re concerned. The Feed Your Instinct website helps you document what you’ve observed before discussing your concerns with your child or GP. You can also call Eating Disorders Association of New Zealand (EDANZ) on 0800 2 EDANZ / 0800 2 33269 or (09) 5222 679.

Start a compassionate conversation

Gently express concern, without judgment. You might try:

You haven’t seemed yourself lately. Is everything OK?

You’ve lost a lot of weight. I’m worried about you.

Acknowledge the challenges and offer unconditional love and support. Anxiety is a major driving force of many eating disorders. Let your child know you care deeply about them and that you’re there to help and act in their best interest.

Be prepared for denial or resistance

Stay calm and be patient. It might take time for your child to acknowledge the issue. You may need to get them treatment, regardless of how willing they are.

Don’t hope it will just go away

Starvation in a young brain can cause rapid and catastrophic physical deterioration. It can lead to a vicious cycle of depression and black-and-white thinking that locks in disordered eating.

Being proactive and intervening early is key and can help avoid physical and mental health issues down the track.

Tracey Wade is a Professor of Psychology at Flinders University.

Feed Your Instinct has a behaviour checklist for people concerned that someone they love might be developing concerning relationships with food, weight and body image.

You can contact the Eating Disorders Association of New Zealand (EDANZ) helpline on 0800 2 EDANZ / 0800 2 33269 or (09) 5222 679.

Where to get help

Help

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

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

November 16, 2025

Many primary prinicpals likely to leave job in next five years, according to insights poll

Source: Radio New Zealand

Seventy-three percent of principals said they are likely to quit within the next five years due to the workload and wellbeing impacts changes. RNZ / Alexander Robertson

A new insights poll from the New Zealand Educational Institute surveyed 228 primary school principals nationwide regarding the changes and the resulting impact on their workload, health, and wellbeing.

Seventy-three percent of principals said they were likely to quit within the next five years due to the workload and wellbeing impacts changes.

Ninety-seven percent said the timeline for implementing the new curriculum changes is unrealistic.

While 99 percent said the frequent policy and curriculum shifts have left insufficient time to consolidate previous changes.

The government released the full draft for years 0-10 students in October and would be rolled out over three stages, with years 0-10 English and Mathematics required to begin from the start of 2026, for all state and state-integrated schools.

Martyn Weatherill, Principal Representative for NZEI Te Riu Roa, said the poll highlighted the alarming effects constant change is having on principals’ workload, stress levels, and overall wellbeing.

“Government-mandated changes to the curriculum were turned around at breakneck speed earlier this year. Principals expressed their frustration at the pace and lack of consultation then.

“Now we’re heading into curriculum change Groundhog Day; another rush to implement a new, NEW (as we’re calling it) curriculum, directed by a government that has failed any reasonable test of consultation with us.

“Our primary challenge is that we weren’t provided with the time, training, or resources to absorb the speed and complexity of the imposed changes.

“All of this takes a massive toll on our workload, stress levels, and wellbeing. We are not being listened to when we say it’s too much. Our professional expertise is being ignored and we are feeling disrespected,”

Ninety percent described the professional learning and resources provided by the Ministry of Education to support implementation as insufficient.

Ninety-six percent confirm the cumulative effect of curriculum changes and increased workload has adversely impacted their health and wellbeing.

Weatherill said this could in turn, impact children.

“This is, we believe, harming students. Ninety-nine percent of principals are saying the frequent and policy changes leave insufficient time to do the job properly.

“This is not a company producing widgets, we are teaching children, they are the future of our country and they are being, bottom line, experimented on.” he said.

Kerry Hawkins, Principal of Waverley Park School in Invercargill, said he’s seeing a pace of change unprecedented in his 40 years as a school leader.

“This is the most absurdly paced policy change I’ve seen. My initial reaction was gnashing of teeth and frustration at the lack of consultation and respect shown to the profession.

“The mathematics programme we use is DMIC (Developing Mathematical Inquiry Communities). It is culturally appropriate, well-grounded in research, and proven to be effective. Why would we replace it?

“I’m starting to feel that curriculum changes under this government are like New York taxis: Wait a moment, and you’ll get another one.” he said.

Education Minister Erica Stanford said she understands the scale of the reform programme is significant.

“We are absolutely committed to supporting principals and teachers through it because this work is about giving every child the strong, world-class education they deserve.

“That is why we have deliberately phased the curriculum changes through to 2028, giving four full years for implementation. We are backing schools with ongoing professional learning, clear guidance, and high-quality resources, and we are currently consulting on the new draft learning areas so schools can help shape the final design.

“We are already seeing promising results from the focus on strong foundations. When the phonics check was introduced in Term 1, 36 percent of new entrants were at or above expectations after 20 weeks at school. By Term 3, that had risen to 58 percent.

“Parents can be confident these reforms are about raising achievement and delivering better outcomes for young people. And we will continue working closely with the sector, welcoming feedback to ensure these changes are implemented in a way that is supportive, manageable, and sustainable for principals and their teams,” she said.

Majority of Secondary Principals also opposed to changes

Meanwhile, a survey of Secondary Principals Association members indicated most opposed the government’s recent changes though they supported some of the underlying direction.

It found 43 percent of the 102 respondents supported the new curriculum and 57 percent did not.

Most, 75 percent, disagreed the curriculum was world-leading, but agreed with its main objective and focus on excellent and equitable outcomes reflecting the Treaty of Waitangi.

Eighty-four percent agreed with the strengthened focus on literacy and numeracy

More than 80 percent disagreed with the process for developing the curriculum and the timeline for introducing it.

A similar percentage disagreed with the government’s changes to governance of the Teaching Council and 76 percent disagreed with the removal of school’s treaty obligations.

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

November 16, 2025

Sanson fire: Investigators back at scene of fatal blaze