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Former Police Commissioner not sure if he’s ‘free to comment’ on scathing report

Source: Radio New Zealand

Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster. RNZ / REECE BAKER

Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster does not know if he’s “free to comment” on a scathing report by the police watchdog, a spokesperson for him says.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority’s report found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police, including Coster, in relation to police’s response to allegations of sexual offending by former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.

Coster was placed on leave from his role as chief executive of the Social Investment Agency, following the report released on Tuesday.

RNZ called and texted Coster on Wednesday and received a text with an email to contact for comment.

RNZ asked for comment on Coster’s actions, whether he would stay in his role at the SIA, and whether he had a message for the woman who raised the allegations.

  • Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

A spokesperson then replied: “As has been publicly noted by ministers, this is now an employment conversation between the Public Service Commissioner and Andrew Coster. He will not be responding to media ahead of that process.”

RNZ approached Coster’s spokesperson again on Friday asking for comment on the IPCA’s reports and his actions as the former Police Commissioner.

“Unfortunately, Andrew is not in a position to comment on any of these issues while there is a process underway with the Public Service Commissioner,” the spokesperson replied.

Asked why, and whether Coster was intending on returning to work, the spokesperson replied: “It is not presently clear whether Andrew is free to comment, given his role as a public servant and the process in which he is engaged. He will not be commenting further while this is underway.”

Coster took on the role as Secretary for Social Investment in November 2024, after stepping down as Police Commissioner.

Public Service Minister Judith Collins earlier said it was agreed between Coster and the Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche that Coster would be on leave while Sir Brian undertook his own “investigation”.

She said the report showed a “massive” failure of leadership, and while it was now an employment matter, she said the report spoke for itself.

“If this was me being named in this report, I would be ashamed of myself. And I think that’s what I can say. I would be deeply ashamed.”

Collins said the findings that leadership attempted to influence the investigation into the woman’s complaint and persuade the IPCA that the matter could be resolved quickly were “very serious”.

“Let’s put it this way. If a minister tried to do that, I’m sure that the Prime Minister would have them out the door that way.”

Asked whether she thought it amounted to corruption, Collins said, “If it walks like a duck, and it quacks like a duck, it’s not looking good, is it?”

While acknowledging the IPCA report did not say it was corruption, Collins said it was “an extraordinary set of events, and extraordinary facts, and it must never happen again”.

She expressed thanks for the people who did stand up and send the matter to the IPCA as a complaint.

A spokesperson for the Public Service Commissioner earlier said it would be inappropriate to comment on any employment matters.

Social investment minister Nicola Willis said she was “shocked and appalled” by the IPCA report’s findings.

“I have conveyed my views to Public Service Commissioner Brian Roche. The matter now sits with him as Mr Coster’s employer,” she said.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell said Coster first briefed him on 6 November 2024 about McSkimming.

“The issues around Andrew Coster, we all now clearly see in that report that yes, without a doubt, he was the leader of the executive. He should be held to account for that, because of what we’re dealing with.”

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

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‘Reinvasion is inevitable’: Joy over zero possums in Wainuiomata short-lived

Source: Radio New Zealand

A possum caught on camera. Supplied / GWRC

A recent pest control operation in Wainuiomata momentarily knocked the possum population down to zero – the lowest result recorded in the area for 20 years.

Greater Wellington Regional Council carries out aerial 1080 drops in the area every five years. This latest occurred on 15 August.

Director of delivery Jack Mace said its wax tag monitoring system detected zero possums – a new record, after the previous low of 0.1 percent recorded after a 1080 operation in 2005.

“It’s very rare that we achieve almost complete elimination like this in a 1080 operation,” he said. “It was well planned and executed by our pest animals team.”

But the results were expected to be short-lived.

“We know results like this never last forever – reinvasion is inevitable,” Mace said. “But what we can do is keep knocking possums and rats down to give the forest and birds a break.”

He explained 1080 was a safe and effective tool for managing pests, and there were no traces of it recorded in water samples taken from waterways in the area after the drop.

The process was aided by trail cameras, installed as part of the council’s new zero ungulate programme, which showed the operation had also reduced the numbers of stoats and feral cats.

The next step would be to cut down the number of larger pests like deer, goats and pigs.

Mace said while possums, feral cats and stoats were regularly controlled using 1080 and trapping, the council was concerned about increasing deer, goat and pig populations which had “cleared out” the forest ground cover and understory.

“The canopy is relatively healthy; however a forest ecosystem needs all levels – ground cover, understory and canopy – to thrive. The zero ungulate programme will see a significant increase in pest animal control and an extension of the ungulate-proof fence to prevent reinvasion,” he said.

“The aim of the project is to remove ungulates and keep them out.

The Wainuiomata Water Collection Area is home to northern rātā and rimu trees left untouched by historic logging. Mace called them “jewels in the crown of lower North Island forest”.

“This area is precious and it’s our role to protect 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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5 types of ‘wellness woo’ that borrow from mainstream medicine

Source: Radio New Zealand

Massage was once considered a fringe therapy, but later morphed into present-day physiotherapy. Swiss medical student Maximilian Bircher-Benner first blended a breakfast of oats, nuts and fruit, aka muesli, for hospital patients.

But sometimes ideas flow in the other direction, too, and legitimate medical therapies are offered by untrained or barely trained people who can do real harm.

Here are five examples of wellness trends that borrow from mainstream medicine.

Since the 1990s, health professionals have been injecting Botox into people’s faces to temporarily paralyse the muscles that cause wrinkles.

Pablo Merchán Montes / Unsplash

Is tracking our health healthy?

Wellbeing

1. Ozone therapy

Ozone (O₃) is a form of oxygen. Ordinary oxygen (O₂), sometimes with ozone added, can be applied to wounds via a bag or sealed chamber to help them heal. It does this by helping the body fight infection and form collagen.

But “ozone therapy” – the weird, unlicensed version – puts ozone, or ozone and oxygen, directly into the person’s body. It can go in via the lungs, or via intravenous injection, or it can be pumped into the rectum or vagina.

Practitioners claim it can reduce inflammation or even treat cancer or HIV/AIDS, despite no evidence for such health benefits.

It can also cause fatal air embolisms – bubbles of gas in the bloodstream that can block blood flow to vital organs.

Related: A dead ‘doctor’, cancer and ‘woo woo’: Inside Australia’s ozone therapy industry

2. Vitamin drips

If you don’t get enough of a certain vitamin or mineral through your diet, you can take a supplement. But if that doesn’t work, in some cases, you might need to go to a hospital or a doctor’s surgery to get a medically supervised infusion that’s delivered into the vein (an IV infusion).

For instance, iron infusions help people with serious iron deficiencies.

But celebrity endorsements have helped fuel the rise of “vitamin drips” at wellness centres and therapy lounges. These drips promise all sorts of outcomes, from boosting your immune system to treating pain or depression.

IV needles in untrained hands can be dangerous. They can cause phlebitis (inflammation of the vein) and infiltration (when the IV fluid or medication leaks into the surrounding areas). They can also lead to infection.

And unlike therapeutic vitamin IV infusions administered in hospitals, these non-traditional treatments are not regulated by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration. So you might also not be getting the magic IV potion you’re paying for.

Related: Do you really need an intravenous vitamin drip?

3. Botox

The bacterium Clostridium botulinum produces a neurotoxin – a poison that affects nerves. For decades, it’s been used therapeutically to treat excess sweating and migraine, among other conditions. Today, we call this neurotoxin Botox.

Since about the 1990s, health professionals have been injecting it into people’s faces to temporarily paralyse the muscles that cause wrinkles.

It’s legal, it’s a registered product, and in trained hands, it’s safe to use.

The Medical Council of New Zealand last outlined the standards it expects of doctors who perform cosmetic procedures in 2017.

In 2023, Auckland cosmetic medicine expert Dr Sarah Hart told RNZ her clients frequently complained about “botched” procedures at the hands of under-trained injectors.

Related: More Kiwi blokes using ‘Brotox’ to look fresher and be less sweaty

4. Apheresis

Apheresis is the process of separating blood into its component parts by spinning it at high speed in a special machine.

Using a process called selective apheresis, clinicians can separate out and remove specific molecules or antibodies.

For example, a person has very high cholesterol that doesn’t respond to normal treatments can undergo lipid apheresis to “wash out” harmful lipoproteins from their blood.

It’s easy to see how the idea of “washing” your blood could be misunderstood and misapplied.

English actor Orlando Bloom announced earlier this year that he’d undergone apheresis to remove microplastics from his blood.

Microplastics in the body are a cause for concern – but there’s no evidence to suggest apheresis can cleanse human blood of them.

Related: Scientists issue warning over microplastics

5. Hyperbaric therapy

When a diver gets “the bends” from too much nitrogen forming in their body, they can be treated in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, where they receive 100 percent oxygen in a pressurised chamber.

There isn’t enough good science to back up any of these claims. There also isn’t enough science to suggest it makes your skin look younger.

Related: The longevity movement is growing, but doctors say be cautious

The key message?

The history of medicine is full of stories about when mainstream forms of medicine have harmed instead of healed.

Humans have also always wanted to manage their own health. This has been going on for centuries, with both risks and benefits.

But just because a therapy has been used in a hospital for one reason doesn’t necessarily mean it works in a wellness clinic for another.

People can be easily convinced by aggressively marketed wellness therapies, which can be magnified by social media and celebrity endorsements.

However, these therapies can come with a lack of evidence to support their wider use, and they may cause harm.

Caveat emptor – let the buyer beware.

Philippa Martyr is a Lecturer in Pharmacology and Women’s Health at the School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia.

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

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Why David Byrne doesn’t read reviews

Source: Radio New Zealand

When David Byrne performs at Auckland’s Spark Arena on 14 January, he’ll be accompanied by performers from his wildly successful American Utopia album tour in 2018.

This year’s live performances of Byrne’s new album Who is the Sky? may even be more cheerful than his last tour, which NME called possibly “the most ambitious and impressive live show of all time”, he says.

“I’m told by audience members that the shows that I’m doing now make them cheerful. They feel that it’s joyous, Byrne tells RNZ’s Music 101.

This video is hosted on Youtube.

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

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Three players share record must-win $55m Lotto prize

Source: Radio New Zealand

[rnz_online]

Three Lotto winners will take away $18.3m each. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Three Powerball players have split the record, must-win $55 million Lotto prize on Saturday night, claiming $18.3m each.

“What a fantastic result,” said Lotto NZ chief executive Jason Delamore. “It’s great to see the Powerball jackpot being shared among a number of players.

“A win like this doesn’t just change one life – it can transform families, friends and even entire communities.

“Our winners often give back in incredible ways, from helping loved ones to supporting charities. The impact of this win will reach far beyond the individual winners.”

Their prizes consist of $18,333,333 from Powerball first division and $55,556 from Lotto first division, totalling $18,388,889.

Saturday’s big winners should phone Lotto NZ’s Customer Support team on 0800 695 6886 to ensure they receive the support they’ll need throughout this life-changing experience.

Lotto NZ will reveal the locations of the winners on Sunday.

“Lotto NZ exists to make a difference for Kiwi communities – that’s what drives us every day,” said Delmore. “One-hunded percent of our profits go back into supporting communities and every ticket sold contributes towards that, so a huge thank you to everyone who played in tonight’s draw.

“You’re helping thousands of good causes make a difference across Aotearoa.”

The latest payout beats the previous biggest prize of $50m offered twice in 2020. In February 2020, two winners split that amount, while in August, 10 winners took $5m each.

In 2016, one winner took away the entire $44m jackpot.

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

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Live rugby: All Blacks v England updates, commentary, analysis

Source: Radio New Zealand

The All Blacks take on England at Allianz Stadium in London’s Twickenham.

Recent history is on the visitors’ side, with the All Blacks winning the last five games against England at the London ground. The hosts’ last victory over New Zealand at Twickenham was in 2012.

The All Blacks are coming off the back of a shaky win over Scotland, in which they almost blew a 17-0 halftime lead.

Kickoff is at 4am NZT.

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Billy Proctor Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

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

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Governor-General Dame Cindy Kio 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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Quarter of all trucks tested in blitz fail brake test

Source: Radio New Zealand

Authorities tested the brakes of 58 vehicles and 15 of them were faulty. siwakorn / 123RF

The brakes on more than a quarter of trucks tested in a recent police operation on central North Island roads were found to be faulty.

Between 3-6 November, the police inspected 910 “heavy vehicles and trailers” at checkpoints on State Highway Five between Napier and Taupō, State Highway One at Turangi and State Highway 3 at Te Kuiti.

Of those, 165 had defects that included not being up to certificate of fitness standards, road user charges compliance, speeding, logbook problems and insecure loading.

The police said some were easy-to-fix problems that could be spotted by daily “walk around” checks, like faulty lights, brakes and wheels needing attention.

Authorities tested the brakes of 58 vehicles and 15 of them – 26 percent – were faulty.

“Nobody wants a heavy motor vehicle, often weighing over 50000kg, coming towards you with defective brakes,” said Senior Sergeant Lex Soepnel, from the police commercial vehicle safety team.

The police were focused on preventing crashes and not “picking up the pieces” afterwards, he said.

“What we’re asking for is simple. We have rules in place to keep all road users safe and we’re asking heavy vehicle operators to meet those standards.”

The police issued 141 infringement notices after the operation.

“We need everyone to ensure that their vehicles are maintained to a safe and compliant standard, and that drivers are well rested and not fatigued,” said Soepnel.

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

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Multiple dead in Manawatū house fire that closed section of State Highway One

Source: Radio New Zealand

Sanson is at the juncture of SH1 and SH3, between Palmerston North and Whanganui. Google Maps/Screenshot

Police have confirmed several fatalities at the scene of a house fire in Sanson on Saturday afternoon.

RNZ understands three children were missing after the fire.

Emergency services were called to the property southwest of the town about 2.30pm.

Fire and Emergency NZ have now handed the scene to police, who will commence an investigation into the circumstances of the fire, said Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham.

Police confirmed they were not seeking anyone else in relation to the fire.

State Highway One was expected to re-open by about 8pm Saturday.

A police scene guard will remain in place overnight, with officers to return on Sunday morning.

Flames engulfed the home, closing the highway between Phillips Street and Speedy Road.

Fire and Emergency said the fire was now extinguished.

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

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State Highway 30 shut near Whakatāne following crash

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ/Reece Baker

A two-vehicle crash has closed a section of State Highway 30 in the Bay of Plenty. RNZ / REECE BAKER

State Highway 30, inland from Whakatāne, is shut following a serious crash on Saturday evening.

Police were called to the two-vehicle crash near the Kawerau Road intersection, close to the township of Te Teko, just before 5pm.

They said it appeared people have been seriously injured and the road was expected to be blocked for some time.

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