https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/rss NZME Get the latest news from Newstalk ZB. From breaking news to the debate and opinion, we bring NZ the news from around the world as it happens.   Tue, 19 May 2026 19:42:50 Z en https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/auckland/puketutu-island-to-close-watercare-eyes-new-landfill-or-incinerator-for-auckland-s-waste/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/auckland/puketutu-island-to-close-watercare-eyes-new-landfill-or-incinerator-for-auckland-s-waste/ Aucklanders are being asked to have an awkward but necessary conversation about a new landfill or incinerator to take care of their “business”.  About three-quarters of Auckland’s wastewater is currently treated at Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Then the biosolids – the unavoidable soil-like “leftovers” from the wastewater treatment process – are trucked to nearby Te Motu a Hiaroa (aka Puketutu Island or, less officially, “poo island”) in the Manukau Harbour.  The fertiliser rehabilitates an area that was quarried from the 1950s to the early 2000s.  By 2035, the rehabilitation project will be complete and Auckland will need a new solution to handle more than 175,000 tonnes of biosolids a year.  Watercare has released an engagement report looking at the options for the future and asking for public feedback.  It has less than a decade to consult with communities, decide on an option, consent, build and have it fully operational.  The two most likely options are to bury the biosolids in another landfill or to build an incinerator to burn them.  Watercare says it could select one of those options, both options, or combine them with a “supplementary” solution.  The estimated cost is $600 million, although Watercare’s in-house biosolids expert Rob Tinholt says it’s still very early days.  “Given the scale and importance of managing Auckland’s biosolids for future generations, it is important that decisions are based on robust evidence and careful evaluation,” Tinholt told the Herald.  “Mana whenua, stakeholder and community engagement is helping inform the process by identifying the issues Aucklanders want considered as investigations continue.  “So far, we have invested around $350,000 to support engagement with mana whenua and raising awareness of the biosolids challenge across Auckland, ensuring Aucklanders have the opportunity to understand the issue and contribute to shaping long-term solutions.”  A new landfill would need a new location that would be capable of handling the quantity of biosolids produced at Māngere.  Incineration is commonly used in Europe and the United States, but not in Aotearoa. A new facility would also need to be built.  Other options that could be “supplementary” to a landfill or incinerator include emerging technologies, using for construction materials or various composting methods.  Watercare has acknowledged early consultation with communities is key.  Before releasing the latest proposal, it hosted community events, workshops, surveys and online information.  Feedback so far has stressed it must be affordable and not burden future generations with large bills.  Others said cost must not override environmental protections or long-term safety.  “The programme is currently assessing the long-term feasibility of the two core servicing approaches – landfill or incineration – along with a range of factors including technical performance, environmental impacts, operational requirements, consenting considerations, transport logistics, resilience and long-term value for Aucklanders,” Tinholt said.  “As part of that work, Watercare is undertaking detailed technical and financial assessments to understand the potential whole-of-life costs and benefits of different options over the long term.”  As for what happens to Pukeututu Island, Tinholt said once the quarried space is full, earth would be used to build up the contours of the island so it reflects the original volcanic cones.  Over the coming months, Watercare will look at global case studies for options and continue to work closely with mana whenua to ensure cultural perspectives are taken into account in decision-making.  Engagement with other communities will also continue.  Katie Bradford is a Senior Correspondent at the Herald. She has been a broadcast journalist for over 20 years and was based in the press galler... Tue, 19 May 2026 19:22:29 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/whang%C4%81rei-boys-high-school-student-injured-in-alleged-assault-mother-raises-bullying-concerns/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/whang%C4%81rei-boys-high-school-student-injured-in-alleged-assault-mother-raises-bullying-concerns/ A Whangārei mother is raising concerns about bullying after her son was allegedly attacked by a group of students from his school.  Principals say they take bullying seriously and work to ensure student safety.  A Year 11 Whangārei Boys’ High School student was left with a black eye after the ordeal on May 11.  The 15-year-old was on the path outside the bus bay between Boys’ High and Whangārei Girls’ High School as school finished.  According to the student, he was standing up for his friend.  The student alleged he stepped in when another student pushed and threatened his friend.  He claimed he was pushed backwards after standing between he and his friend.  He said the student moved toward his friend, prompting him to step in and hold the student back.  At that moment, a group of students ran over to him.  Cellphone footage of the attack appears to show the group kicking, punching and kneeing him.  At least two adults can be seen rushing in to break up the fight.  A member of the public (right) intervenes in the fight.  The student’s mother said her son was left with neck pain, a black eye and scratches.  “We’re really lucky it wasn’t worse.”  She was speaking out because “we don’t want to wait until it’s worse”.  She said after her son came home injured, she contacted the school, met with staff, and sent video footage of the incident.  However, she was frustrated by what she called a lack of clear communication, and answers about safety and disciplinary action.  She claimed the information she had received about the attack came through rumours rather than the school.  She spoke out in a Facebook post that drew responses from parents sharing similar concerns.  Comments pointed to alleged bullying at both Whangārei Boys’ High School and Whangārei Girls’ High School.  The mother wanted to know what Boys’ High School was doing to address what she believed was a “toxic bullying culture”.  Principal Alec Solomon said the school was deeply concerned about the assault.  He said a student had been suspended and two others stood down while the school investigated.  “The school has treated the matter extremely seriously.”  Solomon said physical violence was never acceptable.  “The behaviour displayed by the boys involved was abhorrent and in no way reflects the standards, values or expectations of our kura.”  He said school staff were on duty in the bus bay on the afternoon of the attack. Two deputy principals had responded “within minutes”.  Solomon said he understood people were concerned but the school needed to follow formal processes.  He responded to the claim there was a wider culture issue by saying the school ensures its standards and values are upheld.  He said families, schools, communities and society must work together to raise and support young people.  Whangārei Girls’ High School principal Sonya Lockyer said none of her students were involved. The school supplied CCTV to police, who were investigating.  She had seen a Facebook post and comments related to bullying at Girls’ High, which she said were disappointing to read.  Lockyer said in a newsletter to parents on Monday that the school fully investigates all concerns and takes steps to ensure safety.  Hira Gage, Ministry of Education director of education for Tai Tokerau, said every child deserved to feel safe, understood and supported at school.  “We expect schools to take any concerns about bullying or violence seriously, act promptly, and communicate appropriately with parents and caregivers.”  Gage said schools were self-governing and expected to respond in line with their policies, but involve external agencies where needed.  Whangārei area prevention manager Senior Sergeant Dave Wilkinson confirmed police had responded to reports of youth fighting that day.  He said they... Tue, 19 May 2026 19:09:41 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/woman-accused-of-causing-west-auckland-crash-that-killed-motorcyclist-sam-rasmussen-takes-the-stand/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/woman-accused-of-causing-west-auckland-crash-that-killed-motorcyclist-sam-rasmussen-takes-the-stand/ A woman accused of running a stop sign and causing a crash that claimed the life of a man fleeing from police says she is a “vigilant driver” who always does her “left and right checks”. The 29-year-old woman, who has name suppression, is charged with careless driving causing Sam Rasmussen’s death in 2024. Today she took the stand in the Waitākere District Court where Rasmussen’s whānau appeared wearing T-shirts, hoodies and badges in remembrance of their loved one. Moved to a secure room Before court began, the woman was sitting as she was yesterday – tucked in a corner of the public gallery with a support person. However, she was taken to a secure room in the court before proceedings started today so she could observe the rest of the trial and give her evidence via audio-visual link. After 40 minutes of in-chambers discussions and some technical difficulties, the trial picked up where it left off yesterday – with the defence’s crash analyst Bruce Wilson. Wilson and police crash analyst Senior Sergeant Gary Abbott agreed on some facts of the crash but not others. They agreed that on the evening of March 13, 2024, Rasmussen was riding his Harley Davidson on Rimu St, New Lynn, West Auckland. He was speeding in a 50km/h zone and fleeing from police when the woman left a stop sign on Nikau St, at the intersection with Rimu St, and collided with Rasmussen in the middle of the road. Rasmussen was flung about 29m from his motorbike and later died from his injuries. The court earlier heard how the two experts disagreed on Rasmussen’s estimated speed on impact, which Abbott said was 85km/h or more and Wilson said was at least 93km/h. What was also in dispute was that the woman was able to see Rasmussen from Nikau St, with the police alleging she didn’t look before pulling out from the stop sign. ‘Obviously’ checked left and right The woman told the court she was driving home via Nikau St and stopped at the stop sign before the intersection. She let another car pass that was coming from the “same direction” as Rasmussen, before continuing through the intersection. “What sort of visual checks, if any, did you make at the stop [sign]?” her lawyer Anton Heyns asked. “I obviously did my left and right checks, which is why I stopped for the car to go through,” the woman replied. She did not remember the impact, but a new detail about the crash had come back to her. “I just remember spinning.” She remembered spinning around in her car in the intersection. The next thing she remembered was getting out of the car and seeing Rasmussen injured on the ground. In a police video interview from the day of the crash, which was played in court yesterday, the defendant told the interviewing officer she “always” stopped at stop signs. Apart from this, police prosecutor Luke Foley pointed out, she had not mentioned looking left and right in her first police interview. When Foley asked why she had “come up with” these new details, she said she was in shock directly after the crash. “Over the last two years some of the events have come back to me. ... It’s not something I’ve come up with since then.” A messy footwell and reclined seat The court heard there was a mess, including a pack of cigarettes, a water bottle and fly spray, left in the driver’s footwell of the woman’s car after the crash. Foley suggested the mess was there before the crash. The defendant denied that, saying the clutter had landed there when the car spun after the collision. Foley asked whether the woman drove with her back against the seat, to which she responded yes, she always drove with a straight back as she was a pianist. But when he pointed out her driver’s seat was photographed after the crash “far back” and reclined, she said she had leaned forward while driving. “You stopped for the car ... but you didn’t do any left and right checks before moving out after that car, did you?” Foley said. “I can’t recall,” she replied. “I am a vigilant driver and I always perform my... Tue, 19 May 2026 08:52:38 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/crime/wellington-abuse-trial-woman-tells-jury-of-house-of-horrors-violence/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/crime/wellington-abuse-trial-woman-tells-jury-of-house-of-horrors-violence/ Warning: this story contains allegations of family harm that may be upsetting to some readers. A woman who says her former partner assaulted her has described a “house of horrors”, alleging she was punched, kicked and suffocated. Today, she told a district court jury that if the man wasn’t using his fists, he would take out his frustrations on her with a crutch and throw a chair at her son. Nor was the family dog exempt, with the woman alleging she saw him beat the animal with an electrical cord and said he later dangled it by its legs. “We were isolated and abused in the house by him,” she told the jury in the Wellington District Court. The man denies 17 charges, including male assaults female, suffocation, assault with a weapon, ill-treatment of an animal, supplying a Class C controlled drug to a young person, and common assault. The man instead claims the woman, whom he met on the dating app Tinder, was infatuated with him and was jealous of the “many, many, many, women” he had at the time. He denied the two were ever in a relationship and told the jury they had sex once. He said her son had been smoking cannabis for years. In an opening statement to the jury, the man, who is representing himself, mentioned his long-running grievances with several state agencies, including claims that the police and Crown put his children and ex-partner into methamphetamine rings. He told the jury he’d been in state care as a child and locked in cells from the age of 7. He also claimed the physical injuries he’d suffered from accidents left him incapable of confrontation. ‘I think he was just using me’ The woman told the court how she’d thought of them as a couple at the start but over time the relationship deteriorated. “I think he was just using me, at the end of the day,” she said. She said she’d helped the man with his many challenges, taking him to his appointments, because he was a disqualified driver. After six to eight months, their relationship took a turn. He became more controlling, “acting as if my house was his house”, she said. “If he got angry, he looked really frustrated and angry. He used to punch me in the nose, he beat me in front of my son, and would cover my nose and mouth,” she told the court. She described feeling dizzy and light-headed and struggling to breathe as he allegedly put his hand over her mouth. “There were some good times, but most of it was a bad time; it was like a house of horrors,” she said. Under questioning by Crown prosecutor Wilber Tupua, the woman described how the man’s relationship with her son was initially good, but it also deteriorated. She said the man had him running around the property and treated him like a slave. She alleges he hit her son and belittled him, calling him names. She also told the court the man and her son would smoke cannabis joints together or spot cannabis oil on the stove. The woman said the man encouraged her son to keep taking the drug even when she said he’d had enough. The man was arrested after he allegedly tried to suffocate her again. The jury was shown pictures of her bruises from the alleged assault. “I want my life back and I don’t want to see him anymore. I want him to move on like he promised,” she told police in the interview. ‘He was a man whore’ While the man is representing himself, he has a stand-by counsel, James Mahuta-Coyle, who questioned the woman on his behalf. Under cross-examination, Mahuta-Coyle suggested it was the woman who’d got angry that day and thrown a key tree at the man before smashing a set of drawers. He suggested the man was trying to settle her down when she kicked him in the groin. The woman rejected kicking him and claims she was the aggressor, saying she had thrown the tree at him because she was terrified of what he was going to do to her. She denied smashing the drawers. Asked why she didn’t mention the earlier instances of violence during that police interview, which was played to the jury, the woman said they were o... Tue, 19 May 2026 08:45:17 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/auckland-councillor-totally-furious-at-city-rail-link-overspend-claim-by-ex-ceo-sean-sweeney/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/auckland-councillor-totally-furious-at-city-rail-link-overspend-claim-by-ex-ceo-sean-sweeney/ Auckland’s City Rail Link bosses have been pressed over comments by its former chief executive that the $5.5 billion project could have been delivered for half the price, with one councillor “totally furious” over the claim. Members from the CRL leadership team fronted Auckland councillors today to provide an update on the project set to be delivered in the second half of 2026, years later than expected and after about a $2b cost blowout from its initial $3.5b price tag. Auckland councillor Richard Hills took the opportunity to ask the CRL leadership team their thoughts on former chief executive Dr Sean Sweeney’s description of the project as “Rolls-Royce” like in quality that could have been delivered for half the price. “I feel totally furious that someone can be part of this project for six or seven years and then jump out… Do you hear that and know that’s not true? Surely, we could not have magically shaved $2b off when we were told, and shown, completely the opposite,” Hills said during the transport and infrastructure committee meeting. Hills said Sweeney did not suggest such massive cost-cutting was possible when he was in the role as chief executive, which he left in 2024 to oversee Dublin’s MetroLink rail project. Hills was also alarmed by Sweeney’s comment that he “didn’t have the experience in building metro stations” when Auckland Transport (AT) and KiwiRail said they could not scale back their “cathedral”-like stations. “I don’t want you to comment on the personality, but I mean for someone who was paid $940,000 a year when he left, to say he was not experienced and would have saved us $2b if only he knew… What he said in that interview is completely the opposite of what he said when he was standing in your shoes.” Sweeney earned $948,000 as CRL’s CEO in the year to June 2024. Hills then read a previous quote from Sweeney that stated the extra funding and additional time for the CRL’s completion “is primarily due to Covid impacts, time lost on site and knock-on effects of the supply chain, resource materials, costs of steel and concrete, labour costs”. Auckland councillor for the North Shore ward Richard Hills says he is "furious" with the former CRL chief executive's comments. Photo / Corey Fleming The current CRL chief executive, Patrick Brockie, did not engage with Sweeney’s criticism of the project. “I think our approach right now is really not to focus on that. Our focus is to finish the project and have it open for Aucklanders,” Brockie said. “I don’t have time to dwell on Sean’s comments even though I know him well, obviously, having worked with him for a number of years, but this is not the time and place.” Councillor Matt Winiata also quizzed the CRL panel on Sweeney’s comments, citing a 7.9% Auckland rates increase because of the CRL and stating the project “cannot fail”. “The last thing that I, or any of the councillors, would want to be hearing is ‘there are learnings to come from this’,” Winiata said. Brockie clarified there are three separate reviews into the project and its construction and cost blowouts. One of them, he said, was a “lessons learnt” review commissioned by CRL itself into decisions around design and stakeholder engagement across the 10-year project. It would be an “independent component” by “international, experienced” people and also have a peer review component. “There are many aspects of this project that I think are worth reviewing. We’ve agreed with the sponsors that we will do this,” Brockie said. “We’re actually underway with that work and that will review various aspects of the project in order to benefit the next large infrastructure project, whether that be the harbour tunnel or bridge.” A second “retrospective review” was launched by Transport Minister Chris Bishop on May 7 after Sweeney’s comments. “Like everyone, I’m unhappy at the cost of the CRL. I have a lot of respect for Mr Sweeney, so I take what he says seriously,” Bishop said. And a third will be a “gatew... Tue, 19 May 2026 08:40:34 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/labour-admits-it-will-not-release-cornerstone-policy-costing-and-job-modelling-until-after-the-election-blames-treaty-of-waitangi-concerns/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/labour-admits-it-will-not-release-cornerstone-policy-costing-and-job-modelling-until-after-the-election-blames-treaty-of-waitangi-concerns/ Labour has admitted key details about its Future Fund, including the cost to the Crown and which state assets will be rolled into it, will not be released until after voters have gone to the polls. On Tuesday, Labour’s finance spokeswoman Barbara Edmonds admitted the party doesn’t itself know which public assets will go in the fund, and won’t know until it gets advice from officials after the election. Explaining why this was necessary, Edmonds said some state-owned enterprises (SOEs) may have Treaty of Waitangi obligations attached to them. The Government would need advice on these obligations, which could only come after an election, meaning Labour will not decide on which assets go into the fund before Kiwis go to the polls. “We haven’t decided what assets to put in it [the fund], because different assets have different caveats that come with it,” Edmonds said. “For example, some assets have Treaty claims and overlay, like first right of refusal rights if it gets sold.” It has been expected the full cost of the fund would be included in Labour’s fiscal plan, which will be published prior to the election. The National Party has seized on the admission, claiming that this Labour Party, like the one elected in 2017, will kick policy development to publicly funded working groups. The party has also claimed the policy will see up to $700 million worth of revenue lost to the Crown. That calculation is based on the amount of dividend income that could be lost to the Crown if it were diverted to the Future Fund. Currently, dividends are spent on the core public service. National’s campaign chair Simeon Brown said Labour should front up about the amount of dividend revenue that will be diverted from the main Crown account into the Fund. “They’ve said they’re going to use the dividends from our SOEs to go and invest in other companies, the reality is that means they are going to have to make cuts in health, in education, in law and order,” Brown said. Brown said working the detail of the policy out after the election meant Labour was “clearly going back to the bad old days of policy by working group”. In October of last year, Labour released a plan for the Future Fund, which is meant to invest in growing New Zealand firms. It is also designed to act as a holding company for a number of SOEs. The dividends from these SOEs will be paid into the fund, allowing it to grow. It will also be given $200 million in seed funding from a future Labour Government. When the policy was announced, Labour refused to say which SOEs would be rolled into the fund, citing commercial sensitivities. The reasoning changed on Tuesday, with Labour now saying it wanted to take advice on things like Treaty obligations. Asked on her way into Labour’s caucus meeting, whether Labour had decided which assets would go into the fund, Edmonds said, “no”. National Party campaign chair Simeon Brown. Photo / Mark Mitchell Edmonds said Labour had received some advice on the policy, and that advice had urged her to wait until it was in government. “The advice that was given to us when we sort of did some small consultation and developing that policy, it was wait till you get into government, get the advice from the officials, what those assets are, what’s the caveat on top of it before you decide what goes into it,” she said. Edmonds said she wanted to wait to get official advice before deciding what would go in the fund. “We’re not going to be reckless and just pick a couple of assets and pop them in without actually knowing what the fiscal cost is. Is there any Treaty clauses and any other caveats that are in relation to those assets? “I’m very measured and very considered when it comes to that sort of policy development,” she said. SOEs have been a battleground for Treaty litigation for decades. The landmark Lands case in 1987 found the transfer of assets into the new SOEs – without establishing any system to consider whether the transfer of some assets would be... Tue, 19 May 2026 04:35:02 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/whang%C4%81rei-shoplifting-arrest-teen-caught-with-clothing-and-ammunition/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/whang%C4%81rei-shoplifting-arrest-teen-caught-with-clothing-and-ammunition/ An alleged wannabe thief was caught with illegal ammunition and arrested outside a Whangārei store after allegedly shoplifting several items. Police were called to an Ōkara Drive store at 10.20pm after staff alleged the teenager had taken several items without paying. Whangārei area response manager Senior Sergeant Rene Rakete said local police quickly located the alleged thief and the stolen items in a car outside the shop. “One person was arrested on the spot and a number of clothing items were located inside.” A search of the car also recovered several rounds of ammunition. Rakete praised the vigilance of the store’s staff, putting the speed of the police response down to their quick actions. “This type of offending, no matter the scale, has a big negative impact on our local businesses and I’m pleased with this outcome.” The alleged thief has been charged with shoplifting and unlawful possession of ammunition and will appear in the Whangārei Youth Court tomorrow. Tue, 19 May 2026 04:27:26 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/wairau-bar-rd-closed-in-blenheim-as-police-respond-to-incident/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/wairau-bar-rd-closed-in-blenheim-as-police-respond-to-incident/ Police are investigating a sudden death in Blenheim, with a stretch of road on the edge of the town closed overnight. Marlborough area commander Inspector Simon Feltham said an investigation is underway at Wairau Bar Rd, Blenheim, after a “sudden death”. Feltham said police were called just before 1.30pm, with Wairau Bar Rd closed between Ferry Rd and Dicks Rd. “The road remains closed, with a scene guard to remain in place overnight,” Feltham said. “A scene examination is due to be carried out tomorrow morning. We continue to advise people to avoid the area.” Police said earlier there is not believed to be any risk to public safety. Tue, 19 May 2026 04:04:21 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/green-party-says-national-s-education-law-changes-undermine-teaching-council/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/green-party-says-national-s-education-law-changes-undermine-teaching-council/ By Russell Palmer of RNZ A primary teachers’ union says a last-minute amendment from the Education Minister places the Teaching Council under total ministerial control. The Green Party says it is bad lawmaking and an ideologically driven undermining of the council’s independence. Erica Stanford unveiled the changes to the Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill, which was set for a Tuesday Committee of the Whole House debate in Parliament. Stanford said the changes were aimed at improving the “effectiveness, accountability and public confidence in the Teaching Council”. They included: Adding child safety to the Council’s statutory purpose Changes to reporting and monitoring arrangements Requiring the Council to “give effect to government policy decisions while preserving its independence in individual decisions” Updating council membership to between seven and nine members, all appointed by the minister Enabling the minister to remove members Introducing term limits for the chief executive She said the changes followed a review by lawyer Debbie Francis, who Stanford appointed to the Teaching Council board in February, as well as a Public Service Commission inquiry into conflicts of interest and procurement processes. “I am deeply concerned by the Francis Review finding that child safety is not clearly centred as the Council’s purpose, and that the Council lacks clarity in its role and does not appear to see itself as a system regulator,” Stanford said. “The Public Service Commission inquiry found that the Council had significant flaws in governance and internal oversight, which led to serious shortcomings in the Council’s processes. These findings indicate the need for serious structural reform to build the Council’s capacity and make sure it is focused on its core business: protecting child safety and assuring quality teaching.” In a statement, the primary teachers union NZEI Te Riu Roa said the moves marked a significant departure that would strip the council of its independence and place it under “total ministerial control”. The changes also contradicted the advice from the Education Ministry, president Ripeka Lessels said. “These changes dismantle the independence of the teaching profession’s regulatory body and were introduced with no prior consultation with the education sector,” Lessels said. “This mirrors the same undemocratic process used by the Minister to remove Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations from school boards under section 127 through a last-minute Amendment Paper. “Losing guaranteed representation for early childhood education, primary, and secondary sectors is a massive step backward. Rushing these major changes through without asking teachers for feedback shows a complete lack of respect for our profession.” However, Green Party Education spokesperson Lawrence Xu-nan said the moves undermined the council’s independence and the profession as a whole. “We’ve seen the minister over the past few legislations whittle down the power of the Teaching Council, which is an independent body that is supposed to be in charge of anything from initial teacher education courses ... teacher registration, also disciplinary actions, etcetera. “The minister has moved a lot of some of the functions under the secretary under the ministry, and now we’ve seen that she has just completely ripped away any remaining ounce of independence and voice from the sector from this particular body.” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford. Photo / Mark Mitchell He said before the coalition came to power, the Council had 13 members, seven of whom were elected by the sector. “The Teaching Council – like the Nurses Council, like any other professional body and professional council – must remain independent and must not be politicised by any government. That’s how we can have a long and enduring public service system. “Rather than teachers and the teaching council and initial teacher educa... Tue, 19 May 2026 04:01:27 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/police-find-85g-of-meth-after-man-flees-during-search-at-te-aroha-waikato/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/police-find-85g-of-meth-after-man-flees-during-search-at-te-aroha-waikato/ A Waikato man was allegedly caught with a large amount of meth after fleeing from police during a search. Eastern Waikato area commander Inspector Mike Henwood said a 38-year-old man was arrested following a “foot pursuit” on Terminus St, Te Aroha, last night. “At approximately 7pm an officer observed a vehicle parked on the main street of Te Aroha with a number of people gathered around it,” Henwood said. “Officers approached the vehicle and spoke with the occupant. The officers observed drug paraphernalia in plain view and carried out a search.” Henwood said the man took off during the search. “During the search, the man fled on foot along Terminus St. Officers pursued him and witnessed him allegedly discarding an item as he ran. He was apprehended a short distance away following a brief struggle, with officers taking control safely. “A subsequent search located a quantity of methamphetamine both on the man and in the discarded container. In total, approximately 8.5g of meth was recovered.” The man is due to appear in Hamilton District Court charged with possession for supply and escaping from police custody. Police said they will be opposing bail. Tue, 19 May 2026 03:17:11 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/boatie-aaron-ritchie-sets-off-on-anti-semitic-rant-before-attempting-to-burn-down-a-hotel-room/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/boatie-aaron-ritchie-sets-off-on-anti-semitic-rant-before-attempting-to-burn-down-a-hotel-room/ In the midst of a mental health crisis, a boatie made “deeply offensive remarks” about the synagogue and Jews, before days later attempting to burn down a city hotel room. Aaron Hugh Ritchie was on a boat off the Coromandel coast when he made numerous calls to the Rescue Co-ordination Centre, making anti-Semitic comments. He added he was surrounded by “hostiles”, before setting off on his life raft and being picked up by police. He was taken to Waikato Hospital’s Henry Bennett Centre, assessed but released still in a heightened state. Days later, he claims the “Gogdog” told him to start a fire to “smoke the f*****”. A more sedate Ritchie was in the dock of the Hamilton District Court last week for a sentence indication by Judge Philip Crayton on charges of misuse of a telephone and arson of the hotel, which had 64 guests on that night on February 8 last year. However, given the time he had already spent in custody, his counsel Rosalind Brown said it was in her client’s best interests to plead guilty, and after conferring with her client, Ritchie did exactly that and was sentenced on the spot. ‘I’m surrounded by hostiles’ It began out at sea. Ritchie was on his boat, which had broken down just off Great Mercury Island. At 1.51am on February 3, he used his VHF radio to make a distress call. Ritchie had also made calls during the preceding days. He stated that he had been attacked by marina owners and became, what Judge Crayton described as, “highly elevated” and made anti-Semitic comments. At 2.15am, Ritchie activated the emergency signal on his boat and at 2.47am made a mayday call and let off flares. He called again at 3.01am, saying he was surrounded by “hostiles” and at 5am deployed his life raft. But 35 minutes later, Ritchie “broadcasted obscenities” about local residents. “You were detained by authorities and it’s fair to say that it became evident that you were in a mental health crisis,” Judge Crayton said. Ritchie was eventually transported to Waikato Hospital’s Henry Bennett Centre, assessed and released. “I make it clear that it is evident that you were not well when you were released,” the judge said. “You were clearly a very long way from your home and from your vessel.” Ritchie then checked into the VR Hotel on Victoria St for two nights from February 7. On February 8, when there were 64 other guests in the hotel, he piled up scraps of material near the bathroom door in his room at 11pm. As the fire burned, he barricaded the door and put towels at the base of the door to stop the smoke escaping. However, due to the limited fuel, the height of the roof and no accelerant being used, the sprinkler system didn’t activate for up to an hour. At 11.56pm, the private fire alarm system was activated and notified Fire and Emergency New Zealand. The Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre at Waikato Hospital. Photo / Michael Craig The sprinklers came on and Ritchie went out to the balcony, climbed over the railing and jumped off the roof on to a nearby van, before walking off before emergency services arrived. When questioned by police, Ritchie said “Gogdog told me what to do that night”. “I was told to smoke the f***** out, which I did and killed it. “I started the fire by setting fire to tea bags and put some rubbish on top of it.” The fire caused about $170,000 worth of damage. ‘He’s very close to being eligible for parole’ His lawyer said while the incidents were spread out over a few days, it was all connected to the one ongoing mental health episode. Judge Crayton agreed but said there was a high degree of recklessness. “The degree of insight here is plainly obvious. “It’s a hotel, it’s full of people. The intention isn’t there but the recklessness is at a high level.” Brown said because of the unavailability of several bail addresses, Ritchie had been kept in custody and now he would likely be “very, very close of being eligible for parole”. She said Ritchie was detained by police for mental health screening but after... Tue, 19 May 2026 03:14:51 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/papakura-police-chase-stolen-bmw-allegedly-driven-at-almost-double-the-speed-limit/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/papakura-police-chase-stolen-bmw-allegedly-driven-at-almost-double-the-speed-limit/ A Papakura man has been charged after he allegedly fled police in a stolen car, going almost double the speed limit as helicopters tracked him overhead. Police tried to stop the BMW at 11.15pm after noticing the vehicle was flagged as stolen, but the driver allegedly ignored police signals and continued travelling away from East St. Counties Manukau South Area response manager, Senior Sergeant Clive Wood, said police called in the Eagle to assist instead of giving chase in road vehicles. “They have been able to provide commentary overhead as the vehicle entered the Southern Motorway, reaching almost double the posted speed limit.“ After the car was spiked just after the Princes St off-ramp in Ōtāhuhu, the 40-year-old man allegedly tried to continue towards Takanini. He later allegedly abandoned the car on Takanini Rd in an attempt to escape on foot but was quickly taken into custody. He has been charged with failing to stop, dangerous driving, and driving while disqualified, and is due to appear in the Papakura District Court today. “Thankfully this incident was brought to a safe conclusion quickly and this person will now be held to account,” Wood said. Tue, 19 May 2026 03:08:05 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/wellington/young-wairarapa-families-lose-joint-home-in-unexplained-fire-destroying-years-worth-of-renovations/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/wellington/young-wairarapa-families-lose-joint-home-in-unexplained-fire-destroying-years-worth-of-renovations/ Two South Wairarapa families living together in a converted barn say it’s a miracle nobody was hurt after the building burned down last week. The families, including five young children, have lost their shared home and years’ worth of renovation work in the unexplained blaze. They said the “worst part” was seeing their children cry as they tried to comprehend the situation. Aaron and Isabel Work bought a large property in Tauwharenīkau with their best friends Chris and Shannon Dean in 2024. The rural property included a five-bedroom house and separate stables, both of which they planned to turn into Airbnb units to “set their families up for the future”. They created an Instagram page to document their renovation progress over more than two years. “We have grown our families here, the kids have been raised here together,” Shannon said. The blaze melted walls and a washing machine, and left walls blackened and crumbling. On the morning of May 13, the stables - where the two sets of parents lived with their combined five children - mysteriously caught fire. Isabel discovered the fire when she was driving home after dropping her children off at school. “I saw smoke when I was about four minutes out from the house and that’s when I called the fire brigade,” she said. Isabel was still on the phone to Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) when she texted the group, saying “the house is on fire”. Aaron, Chris and Sharon all rushed home to find their stables ablaze, with the most damage occurring to the section where Work family stayed. “It looks like a nuclear bomb went off and things have just dripped from everywhere,” Chris said. The dining area of the stables unit, where some wooden furniture is still standing after the fire. FENZ said it was alerted to the fire at 8.30am and crews from Featherston, Greytown, Carterton and Masterton attended. The families believed it may have been an electrical fire that started on the outside of the building. A FENZ spokesperson confirmed the investigation into the cause was not yet complete, but said the property was “substantially damaged”. None of the nine people living in the stables were home when it caught fire, and none of the animals living on the property were hurt, which the families said was a “miracle”. Aaron said he felt especially fortunate after learning that a day after his home caught fire, a house fire in Christchurch killed a mother and her 3-year-old daughter. “We don’t know what would have happened if all of our kids and all of us were in that building.” Aaron Work (back left), Isabel Work, Chris Dean and Shannon Dean and their five children were not home at the time of the fire. A parent at the Works’ children’s school started a Givealittle page to help with immediate costs, which has raised $7200. Shannon’s sister started a separate page to support her sister and Chris, which is sitting at $2700. Meanwhile, the restaurant the families lived next to fed them dinners, their church sent books and toys for their children and the Featherston RSA was organising a fundraiser for them. “We just feel incredibly blessed by the support of the community,” Aaron said. Isabel Work is currently pregnant, and is pictured in her home before it burned down, alongside two of her three children. He and his wife “sobbed” while trying to explain the fire to their children. “Trying to explain to your 7-year-old and your 5-year-old that their house is gone, that their bedroom is gone, that all of their precious things are gone, was really emotional,” Aaron said. The Deans had a 3-year-old toddler and a 10-month-old baby, which Sharon said was a “blessing” because they were too young to understand what was happening. Both families were able to move into their other home, after Airbnb helped them cancel three months’ worth of bookings, while they find rental properties to move into. They were waiting for a quantity surveyor to assess the full extent of the damage their home sustained but sai... Tue, 19 May 2026 02:22:40 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/sport/black-caps-v-england-devon-conway-s-delight-at-new-zealand-s-whopping-test-match-schedule/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/sport/black-caps-v-england-devon-conway-s-delight-at-new-zealand-s-whopping-test-match-schedule/ In a world where the white ball has taken over at the highest level, a crammed 12 months of test cricket is welcome news to Black Caps opener Devon Conway. While recent years of the longest format have been sparse for the Black Caps and Kiwi cricket fans, the next year brings a welcome change. Starting in Ireland later this month, the Black Caps will play 14 tests between now and the end of next March. Pinnacle away tours to England and Australia bookend a home series against India this year, before welcoming Sri Lanka and a visiting Pakistan to start 2027. For the players, the schedule is a welcome change after their white ball diet of the past three years. While the white ball game may be where they make their money, nothing has the prestige of test cricket. In fact, the upcoming test schedule is so tempting, Conway has outlined he wants to end his time as an uncontracted T20 freelancer, and recommit to New Zealand Cricket (NZC) full time. Travelling to England also takes him back to where his test career began. Five years ago, a then 29-year-old Conway made his debut after waiting out a stand-down period to qualify for the Black Caps. Devon Conway celebrates 200 on test debut against England (2021). Photo / Photosport The wait was worth it. Conway hammered 200 on debut, and backed it up with 80 a week later as the Black Caps took a series win, before adding 54 in the inaugural World Test Championship final against India on the same tour. Now, on the verge of his third test tour of England, Conway is relishing the chance to kick off New Zealand’s red ball block in familiar climes. “We’ve been wanting something like this in the calendar for a while,” he told the Herald. “If you look at all the tours coming up, it’s a very exciting 12 months for the test squad. “Playing in England is a different challenge, particularly as an opening batter. But playing at the grounds – Lord’s again, with all the history, it’s probably one of my favourite grounds – there’s certainly great memories. “We haven’t played a test match at the Oval, so I’m looking forward to that challenge. And then to finish the tour at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, where we know it’s a nice place to bat if you get in, is very exciting. “It’s another opportunity to grow my game and try to do a job for the team.” As is usually the case with players preparing for test cricket, Conway will head north off the back of a T20 campaign, having only just returned to New Zealand after a successful season with Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League. The Black Caps not playing in the Indian Premier League have assembled at NZC’s high-performance centre at Lincoln to prepare for their tour opener against Ireland at Stormont on May 27. The team are attempting to recreate conditions they’ll likely get in Ireland and England, and have swapped the standard Kookaburra balls for Dukes – known to swing more and favour the bowlers. And with a touring party of 19 announced earlier this month, competition for places has been high. “I’m in a good space,” he continued. “We’ve had a wonderful week in Lincoln, great prep – we couldn’t have asked for better going into that trip abroad. “It’s a unique challenge, going back into red ball is one thing, but going into the Dukes ball is another. That’s been fun. Devon Conway on Day 4 of the 3rd cricket test match between New Zealand and West Indies at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui, New Zealand. Sunday 21 December 2025. © Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport x “We’ve had some really good opportunities to face some of our ‘nasty fasties’, who’re bowling really well.” What’s more, success in England and Ireland will also be crucial for not just Conway, but New Zealand’s ageing batting stocks. With a year still to play in this cycle of the World Test Championship, the Black Caps have stuck to their guns in backing this current group. After that, though, a refresh is inevitable. Of the first-choice test top six, only Rachin Ravindra is under 30. Fu... Tue, 19 May 2026 02:05:30 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/witness-describes-carnage-and-confusion-after-fatal-p%C5%8Dkeno-crash/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/witness-describes-carnage-and-confusion-after-fatal-p%C5%8Dkeno-crash/ WARNING: This article contains graphic content A man who came across the scene of a fatal, three-vehicle crash on the Waikato Expressway has described the carnage and confusion in the “horrific” aftermath. One person died in the crash near Pōkeno just before 7pm yesterday. Two other people were injured – one critically and one moderately. Te Kauwhata local Michael told Waikato Herald he was on his way home when he came across three “wrecked cars” with no emergency services on site. He said the damage to all cars looked “significant”. “When you see three cars totalled like that, you’re expecting a lot of deaths.” Michael said he stopped to help and first approached the vehicle that looked “completely totalled and was facing the wrong way”. The doors were jammed shut, and he could see a person inside “covered in blood”. Michael said he checked the other two vehicles and found one driver “showing signs of life”, while the other “seemed okay”, before returning to the first car. About five bystanders, including him, tried to force the doors open, but they wouldn’t budge easily. They eventually removed the person from the car. Emergency services arrived about 10 to 15 minutes after Michael was on the scene. Being a father, Michael was “relieved” there were no kids involved. “It was a horrific sight.” According to Waikato mother, Hayley, a vehicle was travelling the wrong way down the motorway before the crash. She told the Herald she was driving with her son on SH1 near Mercer and narrowly avoided a head-on crash with a car on the wrong side of the motorway. “There were two cars in front of me and a truck, and we all had to swerve out of the way,” she said. “Suddenly there were headlights right in front of me, it was terrifying.” Hayley said the car was weaving through lanes at speed – “definitely over 110km/h”. A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said two patients were treated at the scene, with one person with critical injuries airlifted to Auckland City Hospital. Another patient was taken to Waikato Hospital in a moderate condition. Malisha Kumar is a multimedia journalist based in Hamilton. She joined the Waikato Herald in 2023 after working for Radio 1XX in Whakatāne. Tue, 19 May 2026 01:56:11 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/disability-support-services-bill-worst-piece-of-legislation-i-ve-ever-seen-advocate/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/disability-support-services-bill-worst-piece-of-legislation-i-ve-ever-seen-advocate/ By Paris Ibell of RNZ A disability advocate says a bill to clarify the purpose of Disability Support Services is the worst piece of legislation she’s ever seen. The Government introduced the Disability Support Services Bill on Monday, aimed at “providing clarity and stability” to the system supporting disabled New Zealanders. The bill includes details clarifying the Crown is not the employer of family carers. It comes after the Supreme Court ruled last year that two parents who care fulltime for their disabled children should be considered Government employees. The legislation would reduce the Crown’s exposure to fiscal and litigation risks, following that ruling. Advocate Jane Carrigan said family carers should clearly be considered employees, they were doing what was recognised as the Government’s responsibility. “They’re providing disability support services. The Government’s responsible, notwithstanding it bending over backwards in this legislation to suggest they aren’t, for providing disability support services.” There were “40-odd” people with family care-related cases filed with the Employment Relations Authority, who should be allowed to have them heard, she said. This bill would pull the rug on their only chance at legal remedy, she said. “All this, this piece of legislation is doing is limiting remedies for those people with the highest needs.” She likened the bill’s proposed changes to “Part 4A” – a law that was in place from 2013 to 2020 that allowed some people to be paid for caring for their disabled family members, while inhibiting others. Part 4A also prevented disabled people and their families from taking their complaints to the Human Rights Commission, or taking any legal proceedings on the basis of discrimination to their human rights. “It’s cruel and perverse ... It has to be the worst piece of legislation I’ve ever seen.” Carrigan said she was glad the bill had not been entered under urgency, as she would be fighting it throughout the select committee process. “I’ll be making the most of the fact that it’s going through a standard committee, and I can tell you there will be a lot more like me.” Family carers had been failed by the system, Carrigan said. Minister Louise Upston says she wants a new support package for carers by the end of the year. Photo / Mark Mitchell “Family carers are completely isolated. This is not a system that cares about them. This is a system that suddenly worry it might have to pay for the disability support services they’re providing.” Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston told RNZ there had “never been an expectation” that the Ministry of Social Development would employ family member support workers. The bill would not affect the two already successful claims, but there were better ways to support family carers, she said. “I have commissioned further work in this space and will be consulting on a package for carers.” She said that work was “clearly overdue”, and she would like to have that package by the end of the year. “We do need to make sure that it’s fair, transparent, and sustainable,” she said. At the moment, the disabled person themselves could be considered to be employing their family member as a support worker, Upston said. “When somebody doesn’t have the means to be able to do that as a disabled person, we need to look at how do we better legally protect them.” In some cases, a third party called an “agent” was considered to be the employer. The bill clarified that Disability Support Services (DSS) funding was a “contribution” towards disabled people being able to live an everyday life, Upston said. “It makes clear that families and whānau have responsibility for the wellbeing of their members in the first instance and where appropriate.” This did not mean DSS would not help where disabled people’s families were supporting them, she added. – RNZ Tue, 19 May 2026 01:52:24 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/waimamaku-unexplained-death-police-appeal-for-information/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/waimamaku-unexplained-death-police-appeal-for-information/ Police are appealing for information after a man was found dead in unexplained circumstances at a rural Far North property on Sunday. Officers were called to a Wekaweka Rd property in Waimamaku about 8.45pm. Northland CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Christan Fouhy said the circumstances surrounding the man’s death were being treated as unexplained. A post-mortem examination will take place today. The property where the man was found dead is for sale. The Northern Advocate understands that a three-bedroom home burned down in suspicious circumstances around four years ago on the property. Anyone with information has been urged to contact police line 105, quoting reference number 260518/2990. People can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond. Tue, 19 May 2026 01:28:19 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/auckland/kiwi-college-in-albany-evacuated-after-employee-receives-email-with-bomb-threat/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/auckland/kiwi-college-in-albany-evacuated-after-employee-receives-email-with-bomb-threat/ An Auckland educational facility was evacuated this morning after an employee received a threatening email about bombs being planted inside the building. Staff and students at Kiwi College in Albany were evacuated after an employee received the email about 6.30am. It stated explosives were planted inside the building, and threatened “you are all going to be blown into bloody chunks”. Kiwi College provides English language courses, university foundation and high school programmes. Finance manager Jay Cheng told the Herald the anonymous email said the educational facility was “rigged with 22 pounds of C4 explosives”. Cheng said a former employee was mentioned by name in the email, along with other threats. Cheng said the college self-evacuated outside while police were contacted. Police confirmed to the Herald they received a report of a threatening email about 10am. “The facility and surrounding businesses self-evacuated as a precaution. “Police attended and the address was cleared.” Cheng said the email was shocking, but everything is now “back to normal”. “It’s just unbelievable. We don’t know what happened. We just feel like that person is doing the wrong things, you know. “When they said [it’s] safe, no problem, then we just [went] back to work.” Tue, 19 May 2026 01:24:50 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/sport/manchester-city-manager-pep-guardiola-tipped-to-step-down-at-end-of-season/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/sport/manchester-city-manager-pep-guardiola-tipped-to-step-down-at-end-of-season/ Pep Guardiola is set to bring his trophy-laden decade in charge of Manchester City to an end this weekend, according to multiple reports. Guardiola, 55, has won six Premier League titles and City’s first Champions League among 20 trophies since arriving in England in 2016. He could add one more to his tally if City win their final two matches of the season against Bournemouth and Aston Villa and Arsenal fail to beat Crystal Palace on Sunday’s final round of Premier League fixtures. The Daily Mail and The Athletic reported that Guardiola will step down after the visit of Villa to the Etihad. City have made no comment on the speculation. However, the club have arranged a parade through Manchester next week to celebrate their League Cup and FA Cup triumphs this season, which could act as a farewell to Guardiola. Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who previously worked on Guardiola’s staff at City, is reportedly in line to take over next season. Guardiola has one more year remaining on his contract but rumours he was set to depart at the end of the season have circulated for months. After a first trophyless season for seven years in the 2024/25 campaign, a rejuvenated City have bounced back. Victory over Chelsea in last weekend’s FA Cup final completed a domestic cup double and they could still usurp Arsenal for a seventh league title in nine years. Guardiola arrived in England as already one of Europe’s most decorated coaches. His four-year spell at boyhood club Barcelona between 2008 and 2012 captured admirers across the globe, winning two Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles. He added three more league titles in three seasons at Bayern Munich. A similarly short spell was expected when City lured him to the Premier League. But his influence has transformed the English game at all levels over the past 10 years. Backed by the deep pockets of Abu Dhabi royalty, City have stepped out of the shadow of local rivals Manchester United to become the dominant force in England. Guardiola’s brand of passing football has been copied from grassroots through to the elite level. Even City’s competitors have turned to his disciples to catch up. Arsenal, managed by Guardiola’s former assistant Mikel Arteta, are on the brink of their first league title in 22 years. Liverpool boss Arne Slot has said his coaching philosophy was shaped by watching the City boss’ Barcelona team, while new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso moved to Bayern in the final years of his playing career to gain the experience of working under Guardiola. The timing of Guardiola’s exit comes with the outcome of an investigation into more than 100 alleged breaches by City of financial regulations still to be released. First charged by the Premier League in February 2023, an independent commission hearing concluded in December 2024, with the case hanging over City’s achievements on the pitch ever since. – AFP Tue, 19 May 2026 01:21:40 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/world/a-40-000-bottle-of-wine-was-stolen-then-returned/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/world/a-40-000-bottle-of-wine-was-stolen-then-returned/ Sergeant Mike Bell walked into the kitchen of a high-end French restaurant carrying a black crate that held the latest surprise in a case full of them. “You’re not going to believe this,” he told the owners. Over the previous five months, the two had taken in a string of surreal events: two strangers talked their way into a tour of the restaurant’s wine cellar – he wore a toupee and long overcoat, she spoke in a pleasant English accent – before stealing several bottles, including a US$24,000 ($40,825) pinot noir. A foot chase ensued down a Virginia highway, ending with the woman captured by a waiter while her companion zoomed off in a getaway car. Authorities later identified the man as a Serbian national who boarded a flight for Vienna and disappeared. Now, Bell was in front of them. “Here’s the wine that was stolen,” he said. Celeste and Alain Borel were stunned. Inside the crate were two bottles encased in clear bubble wrap: the prized pinot and another they’d valued at US$7000. The Borels had assumed both were long gone – maybe lifted off for Vienna or sold to a high-end collector in New York or consumed at a dinner party in Hong Kong. “This story is just getting nuts,” Alain Borel recalled thinking. A big part of that story concluded on Monday. The woman who was arrested, Natali Ray, 57, pleaded guilty in a Clarke County courtroom to charges of grand larceny, possession of burglary tools and defrauding a restaurant or inn. Circuit Court Judge Alexander R. Iden sentenced her to 12 months in jail. Ray is expected to receive six months of credit for time already served. State prosecutors had requested three years, citing all the planning of the heist. Ray’s defence attorney had requested her release. “Ms Ray has no prior criminal history and has been an upstanding and productive member of society in England prior to this,” assistant public defender Eric Angel wrote in court filings, saying she wants to return to Britain to care for her elderly, blind mother. A major issue before the sentencing was the return of the bottles – how it happened, what their five months away did to their value and whether their return should affect Ray’s punishment. The bottles resurfaced after someone who had them contacted Ray’s oldest son, who helped get the bottles delivered to the public defender’s office. They were then turned over to the sheriff’s office. Ray’s attorney said in court documents that the effort, which Ray participated in, shows her desire to make the victims whole. Not everyone agreed. “There is nothing in the law that says you can steal something temporarily and bring it back and be absolved of all wrongdoings,” Clarke County Sheriff Travis Sumption said. Nikola Krndija is suspected of taking part in a wine heist in Virginia, according to authorities, who say they are still searching to locate him. Photo / Clarke County Sheriff's Office The Borels say they are far from whole. In the world of high-priced wine, bottle storage conditions are paramount – approximately 13C, 60-70% humidity, darkness, lying on their sides – and assurance that those conditions were maintained matters. Because the two bottles were missing for 145 days, the Borels say, there is no way to know how they were handled. “Nobody is going to pay US$24,000 not knowing how the wine was kept,” Alain Borel said. “It’s like not knowing the chain-of-custody for evidence,” Celeste Borel added. “Once you don’t have it, the value goes away.” The second suspect, Nikola Krndija, 57, remains a fugitive. There have been signs he has been following the case. Earlier in the case, according to Clarke Commonwealth’s Attorney Matthew Bass, someone claiming to be Krndija’s attorney contacted the courthouse asking whether Krndija could appear remotely, ostensibly from Serbia. “That’s not how things work here,” Bass said. “As far as we’re concerned, Mr Krndija is welcome to return to the United States and surrender himself to authorities.” Theft of high-end wine has bec... Tue, 19 May 2026 01:11:59 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/business/retail-spending-falls-by-160-million-in-april-after-march-fuel-spike/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/business/retail-spending-falls-by-160-million-in-april-after-march-fuel-spike/ Kiwis spent less across all retail categories in April according to Stats NZ, with fuel spending dipping after a spike in March.  Spending in the retail industries decreased by $89 million or 1.3%, compared with a 0.7% increase in March, with spending in the core retail industries decreasing by $84m or 1.3%.  Breaking it down by category, consumables took the biggest financial hit with spending falling by $60m or 2.1%.  Spending in the hospitality industry fell by $19m or 1.3%, with spending on durables falling by $18m or 1.1%.  Despite a 17% or $81m increase in fuel spending in March, it fell by 2% or $11m in April, but remains elevated compared to the start of the year.  Spending on motor vehicles (excluding fuel) also fell, down $8.1m or 4.1%, while apparel spending fell by $4.1m or 1.3%.  The non-retail (excluding services) category, which includes medical and other healthcare, travel and tour arrangement, postal and courier delivery, and other non-retail industries, decreased by $94m or 4% in April.  The services category, which includes repair and maintenance, and personal care, funeral, and other personal services also fell, with spending down $12m or 3%.  The total value of electronic card spending, including the two non-retail categories, decreased from March 2026 by $160m or 1.6%.  In actual terms, cardholders made 168 million transactions across all industries in April 2026, with an average value of $55 per transaction.  The total amount spent using electronic cards was $9.2 billion.  Weaker than expected  Westpac senior economist Darren Gibbs said the outcome was much weaker than Westpac had expected.  “Despite a near 13% lift in petrol prices over the month, spending on fuel declined 2.0% month-on-month after a near 16% month-on-month increase in March,” Gibbs said.  “This suggests a decline in the volume of fuel purchases following some panic buying towards the end of March.”  Gibbs said the decline in retail fuel prices through May should have provided some relief to households, but that fuel prices will continue to siphon money out of households’ pockets.  He said Stats NZ’s retail trade survey for the March quarter will likely show a lift in retail spending, consistent with a lift in gross domestic product (GDP).  However, spending in the current quarter and second half of the year will depend on how the Middle East conflict evolves and how the Reserve Bank responds to the near-term spike in inflation.  “Signs of slowing activity in the housing market may weigh further on spending on durables over coming months.  “And over time, weak global consumer confidence and increased travel costs will also likely weigh on the strong growth in tourist arrivals that has helped the hospitality sector to weather a time of subdued domestic spending.”  Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.  Tue, 19 May 2026 01:01:34 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-pm-christopher-luxon-promising-job-cuts-as-nicola-willis-to-unveil-public-service-shrink/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-pm-christopher-luxon-promising-job-cuts-as-nicola-willis-to-unveil-public-service-shrink/ The Government expects to save $2.4 billion overhauling the public service, including reducing the number of departments, increasing artificial intelligence use, and cutting public servants by nearly 9000. As the Herald reported last night, Finance Minister Nicola Willis is using a pre-Budget speech in Auckland today to outline three legs to the Government’s public service reforms, which she expects to improve services, lift productivity and deliver better value for money. Over the next three to five years, the Government will “significantly reduce” the number of public service agencies, with the new Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) being used as an example of “what is possible”, Willis said. Customer-facing and back-office systems will be digitised, with artificial intelligence (AI) embedded “as a basic expectation for all public entities”. The aim is to make services “easier and more affordable” for people to interact with. At the same time, Willis said the Government will “pull the brakes on the increase in overall public servant numbers”, with a target of public servants being about 1% of the population. She said this is what the historic norm was before an increase under Labour. The public service currently equates to about 1.2% of the population. In numerical terms, it rose from about 48,000 people when Labour took office in 2017 to about 63,000 last December. “We will be tracking progress towards a numerical target of no more than 55,000 full time equivalent public service employees by July 2029. That’s 8700 fewer than were employed in December last year,” Willis said. “Let me stress that these targets apply to the core public service and do not include teachers, nurses, doctors, police or people employed by Crown entities. “We fully expect that with good budgeting we will be hiring more nurses, police officers and others in critical frontline roles.” Willis said a reduction in workers would be achieved by “doing the things your business considers routine: allowing for natural attrition, stopping duplication, streamlining back-office functions, accelerating uptake of digital tech and requiring government agencies to report every quarter on their progress towards the targets”. She said that “to reflect and drive the efficiencies” expected from the reforms, the Budget will reduce most agencies’ operating budgets by 2% in the coming year, followed by a further 5% in each of the following two years. The agencies excluded from the Government’s savings exercise include the Defence Force, Police, Oranga Tamariki, Corrections, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education (excluding tertiary functions), the Government Communications Security Bureau, the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, the Education Review Office, Crown Law, the Ministry of Defence, the Serious Fraud Office, and Parliamentary agencies. Finance Minister Nicola Willis at a North Harbour Business lunch event. Photo / Dean Purcell  “Those savings add up, and have created significant headroom for higher-priority investments, a total of $2.4 billion over the forecast period, averaging $597 million a year. “These savings will now be deployed to better purposes – to delivering more services in our health system, to increasing educational resources for our schools, to building infrastructure and strengthening our defence force and police.” In speaking about the reduction to Government departments, Willis highlighted that there are 39 departments and ministries administering Budget lines in New Zealand, compared to 16 in Australia, 24 in the United Kingdom and about 12 in Finland. “Following today’s announcement, public service agencies will be asked to come up with proposals to logically merge their existing activities around citizen-facing functions, using common technology platforms. We expect to announce more detail in the coming months.” Public Service Minister Paul Goldsmith said the... Tue, 19 May 2026 00:31:12 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/world/married-at-first-sight-uk-channel-4-removes-episodes-after-rape-allegations-emerge/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/world/married-at-first-sight-uk-channel-4-removes-episodes-after-rape-allegations-emerge/ Warning: This article discusses allegations of sexual assault and rape.  Episodes of Married at First Sight UK have been removed after a BBC investigation uncovered shock allegations from two brides who say they were raped during filming, with a third describing an alleged non-consensual sex act.  All three women said the show failed to adequately protect them.  The show is based around the premise of strangers meeting for the first time on their wedding day – although these are not legally binding marriages.  Channel 4, which broadcasts Married at First Sight (MAFS) in the UK, was aware of some of the allegations before the BBC broadcast its investigation, and had previously told the BBC all the allegations were uncorroborated and disputed.  After the investigation aired Channel 4 removed all episodes of MAFS UK.  Shona Manderson, a contestant who appeared on the 2023 series, was among those who spoke to the BBC.  Manderson alleged her on-screen partner Bradley Skelly committed a non-consensual sex act.  “I was shocked, I was confused, we said we weren’t doing that,” she told the BBC.  About a week after leaving MAFS, Manderson discovered she was pregnant, although she didn’t know if it was Skelly’s.  Skelly and Manderson stayed together for six weeks after leaving the show before separating.  CPL, the production company behind the show, and Channel 4 decided to remove the couple from the show shortly after the incident, amid concerns the relationship was potentially unhealthy, the BBC reported.  Skelly told the BBC he categorically denied “any allegations of sexual misconduct” or that he was “controlling”.  Shona Manderson appeared on the 2023 series of Married at First Sight UK. Photo / CPL Productions  Another woman, known as Lizzie to protect her anonymity, alleged her on-screen husband raped her during the taping of the show.  She said her on-screen husband would at times “just explode” and go into an “absolute focused anger”, the BBC reported.  She said she “froze with fear” during the alleged rape, which left visible fingerprints where he had grabbed her.  “He said that if I told anybody what had happened, that he would get someone to throw acid at me,” Lizzie told the BBC.  Lawyers for Lizzie’s on-screen husband denied all claims against him.  A third woman, known as Chloe, engaged in consensual sex with her on-screen husband, but on one occasion he had started to have sex with her even after she said no.  The man continued before recognising she was not participating and stopped.  Lawyers for CPL said its welfare protocols were “gold standard”.  On the show, couples discuss their “marriages” with relationship experts. CPL told the BBC experts carry out psychological checks on contributors, and provide oversight by a welfare team and offer access to psychologists and ongoing support.  In a statement regarding an external review of MAFS, Channel 4’s chief executive, Priya Dogra, expressed her sympathy to contributors “who have clearly been distressed”.  “When concerns about contributor welfare were raised, and based on the information available at the time, Channel 4 acted quickly, appropriately, sensitively and with wellbeing front and centre,” she said.  Where to get help:If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:• Call 0800 044 334.• Text 4334.• Email support@safetotalk.nz.• For more info or to web-chat, visit safetotalk.nz.• Survivor Experiences Service: 0800 456 090 (8.30am-4.30pm Monday-Friday) or text 8328. This service is for people abused in state, faith-based or other forms of care.Alternatively contact your local police station – click here for a list.If you have been sexually assau... Mon, 18 May 2026 23:37:46 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/public-service-association-calls-government-plan-to-cut-more-public-sector-roles-reckless/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/public-service-association-calls-government-plan-to-cut-more-public-sector-roles-reckless/ The Public Service Association is labelling the finance minister’s plan to cut more roles as “an act of wilful destruction” with thousands of public sector jobs on the line. In a pre-Budget speech at midday today, Nicola Willis is expected to announce a plan to cut thousands of public service roles in a bid to reform the sector before the 2026 Budget. The Herald understands the speech will detail a three-legged plan of public sector reform, which will include continued gradual reduction in public sector headcount. The move has been met with dismay by the Public Service Association (PSA), which claims it will “further damage the services New Zealanders rely on”. National secretary Duane Leo said the Government needs to tell Kiwis which services will be lost in the “reckless plan”. “This is an act of wilful destruction. It will devastate the services New Zealanders rely on every single day. This is irresponsible and reckless and, make no mistake, the price will be high. “Vague talk of mergers and headcount targets is not good enough. “Will there be fewer biosecurity officers keeping pests and diseases out of the country? Fewer social workers protecting vulnerable children? Fewer people stopping online harm, child exploitation and scams? Which conservation projects will stop? Which communities will lose access to the services they depend on?” Willis’ speech will include a push for the public service to join what she called “the AI revolution”, which Leo claimed would turn technology into a “threat rather than a tool”. “Willis talks about using digitisation and AI as a justification for sacking thousands of workers. “The PSA has called for an approach to AI that maximises the benefits and prevents negative impacts for workers and the public. Linking AI to an arbitrary headcount target does exactly the opposite - it turns technology into a threat rather than a tool.” Leo described department mergers as a “recipe for chaos”. Willis said the public service comprised about 1% of the total population – at about 48,000 – when the last Labour Government took office in 2017, in coalition with NZ First for the first of its two terms. In December last year, the workforce comprised 63,600, just shy of 1.2% of the population. Increasing public sector headcount by a third in six years had allowed the sector’s headcount to “get out of whack”, Willis said. Willis would not give a figure for how many public servants she wanted to cut, but said the workforce needed to drop below 60,000. She told Newstalk ZB she would set a 2029 workforce reduction target. Mon, 18 May 2026 22:22:08 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/mt-aspiring-helicopter-crash-tributes-for-pilot-tim-brown-and-guide-sean-roach/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/mt-aspiring-helicopter-crash-tributes-for-pilot-tim-brown-and-guide-sean-roach/ A pilot who died in a helicopter crash at Mt Aspiring National Park has been remembered as “widely known and deeply respected” within the aviation industry.  Tributes have flooded in for pilot Tim Brown and guide Sean Roach, who were killed while the aircraft was conducting a guided hunting operation on Sunday.  Brown and Roach were the only two people on board the Alpine Helicopters’ chartered helicopter. Three others from the hunting group were on the ground.  Sean Roach (left) and Tim Brown (right) died after a helicopter crash in Mt Aspiring National Park on Sunday. Composite Image / NZME  A Givealittle set up by friends to support Brown’s family read that his death came as “a heartbreaking shock, leaving an immense void in the lives of everyone who knew and loved him”.  “Tim was widely known and deeply respected throughout the aviation industry in both New Zealand and overseas,” the page says.  “He had a genuine passion for aviation, particularly within the agricultural and farming sector, where he built strong friendships and made a lasting impact on so many people throughout his career.”  Pilot Tim Brown. Photo / Supplied  Brown had “invested significantly into a new business venture”, which added another layer of uncertainty for his family.  “They now face both emotional and financial challenges while navigating life without him,” the page says.  “The funds raised will go directly towards supporting Tim’s family during this incredibly difficult time, helping to ease some of the pressures and challenges that lie ahead.  “While nothing can take away the heartbreak of losing Tim, we hope this support will help honour his legacy and provide some comfort, stability, and peace to his beloved family.”  Alpine Helicopters said yesterday that both Brown and Roach were “highly experienced and valued members of a close-knit team”.  “We are devastated to confirm that both pilot Tim Brown and guide Sean Roach were tragically killed,” Alpine Group Limited said in a statement to the Herald.  “Both were highly experienced and valued members of a close-knit team.  “The aircraft was conducting a guided hunting operation in clear and calm conditions at the time of the accident.  “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their families and loved ones during this difficult time.  “We would like to express our sincere thanks to the New Zealand Police, Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust, the Queenstown Alpine Cliff Rescue team, and all emergency services for their swift, professional, and clinical response to the accident.”  Guide Sean Roach. Photo / Supplied  The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) are investigating the accident.  Alpine Group says they have “confidence in those investigations and will co-operate fully to determine exactly what happened”.  Emergency services received reports of the incident about 9.50am Sunday.  A TAIC spokesperson said a team had arrived in the region yesterday.  The TAIC team is split between examining wreckage and interviewing witnesses. Photo / Supplied  It is split into two groups, with one examining wreckage from the crash.  The other will speak with witnesses and gather accounts of the incident, the spokesperson said.  Crash investigators have arrived to start inquiries into a helicopter crash in Mt Aspiring National Park. Photo / Supplied  The investigators are expected to remain at the site for the next two to three days.  The wreckage had not yet been removed from the crash site, with the TAIC saying it will be done “when practicable”.  Detective Sergeant Sarah Waugh of Cromwell CIB last night confirmed the helicopter was a chartered craft and the occupants were on a hunting trip.  “The two people who died were the sole occupants of the craft at the ti... Mon, 18 May 2026 21:27:59 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/beach-haven-boat-fire-loud-bangs-as-burning-vessel-lights-up-harbour/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/beach-haven-boat-fire-loud-bangs-as-burning-vessel-lights-up-harbour/ A boat was engulfed in flames overnight close to the Auckland suburb of Beach Haven, with residents hearing loud bangs as the vessel caught fire.  Residents in Beach Haven, Hobsonville and Greenhithe reported on social media they were woken by loud explosions from the boat, which was reportedly on a mooring near the Beach Haven wharf.  A strong smell of smoke wafted over the coastal suburbs as the fire engulfed the ship.  Firefighters aboard the police launch Deodar docked at Beach Haven wharf after battling a boat fire between Beach Haven and Hobsonville Point overnight. Photo / Hayden Woodward  Emergency services were called around 12.50am to multiple reports of a boat on fire, Fire and Emergency northern shift manager Lauren Sika said.  When firefighters arrived the boat was “fully involved” in fire.  The fire crew responded with police on the water, Sika said.  “All persons were accounted for.”  Firefighters aboard the police launch Deodar have battled a boat fire in the channel between Beach Haven and Hobsonville Point overnight. Photo / Hayden Woodward  The crew worked to extinguish the fire with a low-pressure delivery system and a portable pump.  Sika could not comment on why the fire was logged as a “hazardous substance” call on Fire and Emergency’s incident reports page.  The Herald has requested further comment from police.  Mon, 18 May 2026 19:32:52 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/coroner-issues-warning-about-sleeping-pods-following-death-of-5-month-old-baby/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/coroner-issues-warning-about-sleeping-pods-following-death-of-5-month-old-baby/ Warning: This story deals with the death of an infant and may be distressing.  A baby was 5 months old when he was found unresponsive in his “sleeping pod”, which had been placed on top of his cot mattress.  The twin boy was lying on his stomach, in a prone position, with blankets up around his face, when his father went to get him up one morning in October 2022.  Coroner’s findings released today say both his parents realised something was “seriously amiss” and immediately rang emergency services.  Resuscitation was attempted, but ambulance staff confirmed that Bohdi Rangi-Taylor had died.  Now Coroner Meenal Duggal is calling for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to work with the Ministry of Health to develop standards for infant sleep devices.  Coroner Duggal said that under the Fair Trading Act, there were mechanisms for Unsafe Goods Notices to be issued at the decision of the minister.  “I bring this matter to the attention of the MBIE, noting [expert] advice that sleeping pods are a danger to infants regardless of whether they are marketed for sleep or as a ‘lounger’.”  Tummy-sleeping, blankets and sleeping pods  Bohdi was born in April 2022 in Hawke’s Bay Hospital at 36 weeks and four days’ gestation, with his twin brother.  Bohdi’s parents were given two wahakura, a bassinet made from woven harakeke (flax) leaves with a flat bottom and reasonably firm sides, by the Safe Sleep Coordinator at Hawke’s Bay Hospital.  Wahakura are baby bassinets made from New Zealand flax. Photo / Whānau Ora Services  Bodhi’s mum purchased devices referred to as sleeping pods from a website called Taylorson.  From about 2½ to 4 months old, the twins had outgrown the wahakura and slept in the sleeping pods on their stomachs, usually on a bed.  From when the twins were about 4 months old, the sleeping pods were placed in their cots in their bedroom.  On the night of September 30, 2022, the twins’ usual evening routine was followed − they were given a bottle at around 6.30pm, and Bohdi was put to bed about 8pm.  He was placed on his stomach in his sleeping pod, which was in his cot on top of two innerspring mattresses.  The type of "sleeping pod" purchased by Bohdi's parents.  A fleece blanket lined the sleeping pod. A woollen blanket and two fleece blankets were placed up to Bohdi’s shoulders and his arms were by his head.  A heater was on, but it was turned off when Bohdi’s twin was put to bed, about 30 minutes later.  The coroner noted the twins were placed on their stomachs to sleep as they settled more easily in that position.  At some point in the night, the twins were heard crying but Bohdi’s father said that was not unusual, and they stopped crying by themselves.  It was about 7am when Bohdi’s father went to get him and saw him “covered by blankets in the sleeping pod”.  On October 2, 2022 a post-mortem examination determined his cause of death was sudden unexpected death in infancy.  Pathologist Dr Judy Melinek advised this was likely due to suffocation or rebreathing of air due to Bohdi sleeping prone under a blanket inside a sleeping pod.  Babies of his age were unable to protect their airway or raise their head sufficiently to breathe.  Loose blankets could be a suffocation hazard, as could soft pillow structures, like the edges of the sleeping pod.  She said she “strongly recommended” reports were made to consumer product safety agencies to “cease the sale of these types of sleeping pods”.  She said there had been recalls of these types of devices in the United States as a result of reports of entrapment and sudden infant deaths.  SUDI risk factors  Dr Edwin Mitchell, Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Auckland, has researched and published on sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) for 40 years.  He told Coroner Duggal the... Mon, 18 May 2026 19:07:59 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/govt-wrote-strongly-worded-letter-to-nz-post-over-closures-minister-said-they-expect-better/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/govt-wrote-strongly-worded-letter-to-nz-post-over-closures-minister-said-they-expect-better/ The boss of New Zealand Post is promising to prioritise communication and engagement after the Government sent the state-owned enterprise a telling-off. Minister for State Owned Enterprises Simeon Brown sent a strongly-worded letter to NZ Post chair Dame Paula Rebstock over how the business announced plans to pull services from certain stores. Brown wrote to the NZ Post chair in March, saying the Government was “disappointed that the communications were not as proactive as they should have been”. NZ Post announced plans to remove services from 142 stores in late January, although this was revised down by 10 to 132 stores in late March. In the letter, released to Newstalk ZB under the Official Information Act, Brown wrote that “ministers expect better engagement from NZ Post”. The minister also called for improvements: “ln the future, please ensure engagement with stakeholders and the public on all changes NZ Post implements are appropriate, proactive and, at a minimum, align with the engagement requirements outlined in the revised Deed [of Understanding]”. NZ Post chief executive Dave Walsh said open communication and engagement is, and remains, a “priority” for the business. “We acknowledge Ministers’ feedback and will continue to prioritise clear, proactive engagement with communities should we consider any future network changes.” Walsh said NZ Post’s focus was sustaining a “strong commercial performance.” The Government letter also talked about “optimising investments” and “ensuring a strong customer focus”. Brown wrote it was an expectation for NZ Post to keep “optimising its operations to enhance overall profitability and performance.” He said there were expectations for the business not to undertake any significant new spending until those benefits could be realised. Walsh said NZ Post has taken the time to look at all of the feedback it had received on the changes to its retail offerings and said it confirmed final decisions that “are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of postal services”. “We are now working closely with impacted stores as we work through next steps, including ensuring local communities have plenty of information available about nearby locations and other options available.” Brown’s letter followed prior correspondence in March 2025 which outlined expectations for NZ Post. The letter of expectations, which was proactively released by Treasury, outlined the importance of improving performance in a “tight fiscal environment”. At the time, Brown wrote ministers were “disappointed and concerned” by NZ Post’s “failure to make progress on improving its performance”. Azaria Howell is a multimedia reporter working from Parliament’s press gallery. She joined NZME in 2022 and became a Newstalk ZB political reporter in late 2024, with a keen interest in public service agency reform and government spending. Mon, 18 May 2026 17:00:50 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/auckland-night-markets-changing-hands-as-long-time-owners-exit-business/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/auckland-night-markets-changing-hands-as-long-time-owners-exit-business/ The managers of the popular Auckland Night Markets, who have previously been in hot water over serious allegations, have announced their departure after 16 years. Victoria Yao and Paul De Jonge, who run the Auckland Night Markets, revealed on social media this afternoon that they would be stepping down. The late-night touring market, which is now changing hands, will continue to run in many locations across the city of sails after it first began in Pakūranga in 2010. The network of markets runs seven nights a week in both Auckland and Hamilton. ‘16 amazing years’ The post announcing the change said that for over 16 years, the owners “poured their passion, time, and energy into building the Auckland Night Markets into what they are today”. The announcement garnered mixed reactions from stallholders and market goers. Some commenters wished the pair well and thanked them for their service, while others said it was a well-needed change. “Good, needed a change in how it’s run,” one person wrote. Yao and De Jonge said they would be “handing over the reins to an experienced event management team” before they left on their “next chapter”. Victoria Yao, co-founder of Auckland Night Markets. Photo / Dean Purcell The post said the new management has the skills, knowledge and resources to continue delivering “high-quality market experiences”. The pair said they would still be around throughout the transition period and would work closely with the new team to help ensure everything continues smoothly. The post thanked the pair for bringing communities together through food, culture, and lively atmosphere and highlighted the “lasting impact” they had on many. It is not clear what the business partners Yao and De Jonge will be doing in the future. Serious allegations Despite being a popular part of the Auckland market scene, known for its late-night eats and a buzzy atmosphere, the market has not been free of controversy. The Herald has previously reported on serious allegations made against the owners last year. A viral TikTok video at the time, made by a stallholder who claimed her business was treated in an aggressive manner, sparked a flurry of unrelated and separate accusations against the market founders. There were claims of aggression, unsafe working conditions, and unjustified increases in stall fees. At the time, Yao and De Jonge said they strongly refuted all the allegations. The managers of the Auckland Night Markets, who have previously faced serious allegations, have announced their departure after 16 years. Photo / Dean Purcell “Many of which are either exaggerated or entirely false,” they told the Herald in a statement. Last year’s allegations were not new, and in 2024, a food vendor left the Hamilton market after a manager allegedly “screamed at” her staff member, the Waikato Times reported. De Jonge is also named as the director of the Hamilton market and was quoted as saying, “sometimes you have to yell”. Mon, 18 May 2026 08:53:42 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/one-person-dead-after-waikato-expressway-crash-near-p%C5%8Dkeno-sh1-southbound-lanes-blocked/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/one-person-dead-after-waikato-expressway-crash-near-p%C5%8Dkeno-sh1-southbound-lanes-blocked/ One person has died after a three-vehicle crash on the Waikato Expressway this evening. Counties Manukau Police confirmed they went to the crash near Pōkeno just before 7pm. “One person died at the scene, two other people were injured, one critically and one moderately,” a spokesperson said. Hato Hone St John said three ambulances, two operations managers, a rapid response unit and a helicopter were sent to the crash site, though they did not immediately confirm how many patients were being treated. NZTA said SH1 southbound lanes remain blocked between Great South Rd and Pioneer Rd. Motorists were advised to avoid the area. More to come... Mon, 18 May 2026 08:48:51 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/trial-begins-for-woman-charged-with-careless-driving-causing-death-of-sam-rasmussen-who-was-fleeing-police/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/trial-begins-for-woman-charged-with-careless-driving-causing-death-of-sam-rasmussen-who-was-fleeing-police/ A woman who collided with a man fleeing from police says the man was “going so fast” on his motorbike he “came out of nowhere”. That woman is now on trial charged with careless driving causing the death of Sam Rasmussen, after police said she entered the intersection without looking. “I honestly didn’t even see him coming or hear him or anything,” she said in a video police interview played in the Waitākere District Court. “He was going so fast it was insane. [He came] just out of nowhere, he must have been going so fast.” The defence argued that obscured visibility at the intersection, a dip in the road and Rasmussen’s speed were factors contributing to the woman, who has name suppression, not seeing him coming. The agreed facts What’s not in dispute is that on March 13, 2024, Rasmussen was speeding along Rimu St in New Lynn, West Auckland, on his Harley Davidson V-Rod, fleeing from a police car with red and blue flashing lights. At the intersection of Nikau and Rimu Streets, the woman left a stop sign on Nikau St. Rasmussen, coming from her right, collided with her Toyota Wish. He was flung from his motorcycle, landing about 29m from first impact. He was taken to hospital where he died from injuries from the crash. In court today, the public gallery was filled with about 15 of Rasmussen’s supporters wearing T-shirts, hoodies and badges in his memory. They were also holding a framed photograph of Rasmussen. The female driver was sitting in a corner of the other side of the gallery with a couple of support people. Police crash analyst Senior Constable Gary Abbott, who carried out an assessment of the crash site, was the first witness. “It is my belief ... that [the defendant] has not seen the Harley because she entered the intersection before making sure the coast was clear,” he said. As the crash was just before 6pm in March, it was in daylight and the road was dry, he said. He conceded the defendant’s view would have been restricted at the Nikau St stop sign from the overhanging from a large tree, power poles and rubbish bins on the side of the road. Despite this, as he tested the Nikau St side of the intersection, when his car edged closer to the intersection’s “limit line” his view to the right “opened out” considerably. From a speed camera reading taken before the crash, Abbott estimated Rasmussen was travelling at 85km/h at the time of the collision. This was different from the defence’s forensic crash analyst who assessed Rasmussen was doing about 93km/h at the time of the crash. Defence lawyer Anton Heyns pointed out that the Harley’s speedometer was found frozen at the equivalent of just over 120km/h. Sam Rasmussen died at the age of 43. Photo / Supplied Abbott dismissed that reading, saying he had another specialist examine the speedometer, and that specialist was unable to determine whether that reading was correct. He repeated that he estimated Rasmussen was going at a speed of 85km/h or “quite possibly higher”, but no more than 93km/h, when he crashed. Heyns asked Abbott why the senior constable ruled that Rasmussen also would not have seen the defendant’s Toyota. “It would be, most likely, the fact that she pulled out at the last moment,” he replied. “He had no time to correct with the threat that was in front of him.” At some point during Heyns’ cross-examination, dissent from Rasmussen’s side of the gallery started. Judge Terry Singh told the group he could have no comment from the gallery, as it was “not fair” and hindered him from doing his job “without bias and impartiality”. Police investigating the scene of the crash that claimed the life of Sam Rasmussen in 2024. Photo / Hayden Woodward Defendant claims she paused at stop sign The court was played a video police interview with the woman on the same day as the crash. In the video, she said she had moved onto the intersection when “something” collided with her car. “I don’t even know what it was or anything,” she told the interviewing officer. “I d... Mon, 18 May 2026 08:46:00 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/tiktok-trend-warning-new-zealand-boy-8-suffers-burns-after-microwaving-squishy-toy/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/tiktok-trend-warning-new-zealand-boy-8-suffers-burns-after-microwaving-squishy-toy/ A father is warning other parents after an online trend led his son to microwave a squishy toy, which exploded, giving him burns on his face and neck. Richard Harri heard a “blood-curdling” screech yesterday when he was about to leave home. Arriving in the next room, he found his 8-year-old boy looking down and ”screaming as loud as I’ve ever heard him scream". The scalding gel inside the item had burst on to his son’s face and neck. “You can’t get the stuff off and it’s burning your skin while you’re trying to pull it off, it’s horrendous.” Harri’s son had copied an online trend that claims if you heat the popular fidget products in the microwave, it gets softer and more squishy. An 8-year-old Auckland boy suffered burns after microwaving a squish toy. Photo / Richard Harri Videos promoting the dangerous activity have been posted across YouTube, Facebook and TikTok, the father told the Herald. The toy felt a normal temperature on the outside despite the interior gel being very hot, Harri said. “It feels normal, and then you squeeze it, and then the thing explodes.” Harri said he wanted to warn other parents about the potential dangers of heating the toys and the trend. A burn Richard Harri's son suffered after his squish toy exploded. Photo / Richard Harri “Your kids go through all this pain, there’s nothing you can do. “You just want to protect other kids and parents from going through what you’ve been through, like it was just horrendous.” Incidents of the same thing happening have occurred around the world, with a 10-year-old girl in the United Kingdom suffering serious facial burns after participating in the trend this month, the BBC reported. Cases have also been reported across the United States. US toy company Schylling, which owns NeeDoh, a popular brand of squish toy, said it was “disappointed” by the misuse of its products becoming a viral trend. Microwaving, heating, or freezing the toys “is dangerous and could cause injury to the consumer,” Schylling said in a statement to USA Today. The toy Harri’s son used was unbranded and he did not know where it was purchased. Aftermath and emergency department Following the incident, Harri said he called the poison hotline and, on its advice, put his son in the shower for 10 minutes. Harri then wrapped him in wet tea towels before taking him to Auckland City Hospital’s emergency department. Richard Harri's son's squish toy, which exploded after being microwaved. Photo / Richard Harri A 45-minute shower at the hospital followed, with staff then giving Harri’s son different drugs so he could deal with the pain. “They had to peel some more of the skin off and pop a giant blister on his chin, and then they put Gladwrap on it and dressed the wounds.” Harri’s son has a follow-up appointment this week, when they will learn how severe the burns are. Official Advice Netsafe chief online safety officer Sean Lyons told the Herald parents of children with the toys and who may be consuming content suggesting they heat them should talk to them about the potential dangers. Any potentially harmful content should also be reported to the social media platform it was posted on, Lyons said. Consumer NZ said the viral trend was concerning. Manufacturers should assess whether additional safety measures, such as clear warning labels, are required, it said. “We also encourage parents and caregivers to supervise use of these toys and to talk with their children about their intended use.” Mon, 18 May 2026 03:41:06 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/auckland/iconic-auckland-restaurant-to-close-harbourside-ocean-bar-grill-no-longer-commercially-viable/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/auckland/iconic-auckland-restaurant-to-close-harbourside-ocean-bar-grill-no-longer-commercially-viable/ An iconic Auckland restaurant has been forced to close, with owners blaming “lower sales and ever-increasing costs”. Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill, which opened in Auckland CBD in 1988, will permanently close on June 13. The announcement was made today, with owners Good Group Hospitality, saying increased cost was the cause. “Harbourside traded well prior to Covid. However, since Covid, lower sales and ever-increasing costs, has meant operating the restaurant is no longer commercially viable so the decision was made not to renew the lease and close the business,“ the statement read. “The lease on our sister restaurant Botswana Butchery Auckland on the ground floor below in the Ferry Building has however been renewed. The restaurant served premium seafood. Photograph by Fiona Goodall / Getty Images. “This was a very difficult decision,” Good Group Hospitality said. “Harbourside is an iconic restaurant with enormous history, and we are incredibly proud of what it has represented to Auckland over nearly four decades.” This decision does not affect any other Good Group Hospitality outlets in Auckland and Queenstown. The move is another blow to the city as it has lost a number of hospitality venues crippled by Covid. Iconic Karangahape Road cafe and bar Verona was placed in liquidation last month after 34 years in business. Auckland’s Mission Bay also lost its iconic Belgian bar and eatery with De Fontein last month. Hospitality closures have been on the rise across the country, with 2564 businesses shutting in the 12 months to August 2025, according to data released by Cetrix last year. Closures were up 19% on a year earlier. Mon, 18 May 2026 03:32:38 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/waimamaku-unexplained-death-police-probe-far-north-rural-property/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/waimamaku-unexplained-death-police-probe-far-north-rural-property/ A Far North property where police are investigating a man’s unexplained death is for sale and is reportedly where a three-bedroom home burned down under suspicious circumstances about three or four years ago. Emergency services were called to the rural Wekaweka Rd property in Waimamaku, south of Hokianga Harbour, about 8.45pm on Sunday. Police said the man was found dead. Northland CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Christan Fouhy said the man’s death was being treated as unexplained. A scene and post-mortem examination were underway, Fouhy said. Wekaweka Rd is off State Highway 12, near Tane Mahuta in the Waipoua Forest. The Northern Advocate understands the property was listed for sale after a man and woman living there separated. The property is reportedly under contract. The Wekaweka Rd address once had a three-bedroom house on site. However, a source said it burned down in a suspicious fire about three or four years ago. Several old sheds and other out buildings are on the property. Police have asked anyone with information to phone 105, quoting reference number 260518/2990 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Mon, 18 May 2026 03:16:12 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/auckland-immigration-lawyer-ken-oh-censured-and-banned-from-practising-on-his-own-account/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/auckland-immigration-lawyer-ken-oh-censured-and-banned-from-practising-on-his-own-account/ A lawyer who overcharged immigrants tens of thousands of dollars to get them a visa and a job has been censured and banned from working without supervision. The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal says that Auckland lawyer Yong Keun (Ken) Oh’s attitude towards his clients was “gravely at odds” with the norms of the legal profession. Oh earlier admitted unsatisfactory conduct when he charged clients “grossly excessive” fees of between $26,000 and $77,000 for a package deal for a visa and a job offer to move to New Zealand. In the case of the client charged $77,000, the tribunal found a visa would typically cost $32,000. Oh also threatened his clients with financial penalties if they complained about him or left their jobs within two years - something he said would cost them $1000 for every month not worked. The tribunal said these conditions were not enforceable. Clients ‘got exactly what they contracted for’ The tribunal said Oh’s clients were fully informed of the cost at the outset and “got exactly what they contracted for”. But it said that he placed his own interests and those of the employers above those of his “vulnerable” clients, who were from the Philippines or Sri Lanka, seeking jobs as chefs or waitresses, or in one case as a nurse. The nine complainants in the case have name suppression. All obtained a visa and a job. “We do not criticise [Oh’s] entrepreneurial zeal,” the tribunal said. “What concerns us is his passion to promote his scheme exposed a large blind spot in his professionalism. “The conduct shows little comprehension of a lawyer’s duty to advance the interests of the client,” the tribunal said. “It introduces conflicts between interests of his clients with third parties [the employers].” Tribunal says ‘we were not impressed’ The tribunal decision said Oh attempted to explain to it how the unenforceable terms threatening penalties were supposedly for the benefit of his clients. “We were not impressed,” it said. “He suggested that immigration law is special and that a lawyer’s relationship with a client is different where it comes to commercial aspects. We were not impressed. “At the conclusion of his oral evidence, we were shocked to have had it demonstrated how this experienced sole practitioner could have got these fundamentals so wrong.” The tribunal ordered Oh to reduce the fees he had charged to eight of the complainants by 20 per cent. He has also been banned from practising law on his own account until authorised by the tribunal to do so. It said he was experienced and “technically competent” as a lawyer but lacked a fundamental understanding of the professional stance he should adopt. The tribunal allowed him to keep practising under the “structured oversight” of another lawyer, with which he could experience “sound examples” of professional lawyer-client relationships. Oh was also ordered to pay a total of $68,000 to cover the disciplinary process’s costs. The tribunal said its censure of Oh would remain permanently on his professional record. Attempts to reach Oh for comment were not immediately successful. Previous findings detailed The tribunal decision disclosed that a standards committee of the Law Society has made findings of unsatisfactory conduct against him twice in the past, before his current case. These findings related to the terms or clarity of his fees agreements. In 2018, he was fined $2000. In 2020, he was fined $3500. The website of Oh’s company, Kenton Chambers, was today still inviting applications from people wanting to relocate to New Zealand, with contact details for agents in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Ric Stevens spent many years working for the former New Zealand Press Association news agency, including as a political reporter at Parliament, before holding senior positions at various daily newspapers. He joined NZME’s Open Justice team in 2022 and is based in Hawke’s Bay. Mon, 18 May 2026 03:12:44 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/auckland/carrington-rd-mt-albert-upgrade-113m-improvements-to-start-in-june/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/auckland/carrington-rd-mt-albert-upgrade-113m-improvements-to-start-in-june/ The Government is injecting more than $110 million to improve a vital Mt Albert route, making way for 12,000 people expected to move into the area over the next decade. The major overhaul of Carrington Rd is set to get underway in June and will take two years to complete. Project leaders have promised to “fully engage” with local residents on potential disruptions. The key east-west route, linking Pt Chevalier and Mt Albert, currently carries about 15,000 vehicles a day and connects residents to State Highway 16 and the Northwestern Cycleway. Auckland Transport (AT) said the number of people using the corridor, whether by car, bike, foot or public transport, is expected to rise significantly due to the mega housing development on former Unitec land, set to house at least 12,000 people. An artist rendering of what the new Carrington Rd will look like. Photo / Auckland Transport The $113m project will include a 1.6km widening and upgrade of Carrington Rd, major underground stormwater, gas, watermain and utility works, and a new pedestrian bridge over the rail line, near the existing traffic overbridge at the southern end of the road. The plans include new peak-hour T2 transit lanes, physically separated cycleways on both sides of the road, upgraded footpaths and safer pedestrian crossings, with new and improved traffic lights at key intersections. A side street view of what the new Carrington Rd will look like. Photo / Auckland Transport Power lines on parts of Carrington Rd will also be laid underground as part of the widening works, including sections near Gladstone Primary School. Raised traffic tables will also be installed at side roads to slow vehicles and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Significant landscaping is also planned, with AT promising at least two new trees will be planted for every one removed during construction. AT is leading the project in partnership with the Tāmaki Makaurau rōpū of Marutūāhu, Ngāti Whātua and Waiohua-Tāmaki, the group overseeing the Te Kukūnga Waka (Carrington Residential Development). Funding for the project is being provided through the Government’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, managed by the National Infrastructure Funding and Financing agency. Enabling works costing about $700,000 have already been completed. The bulk of the funding will go toward the Carrington Rd widening and a second-stage Mt Albert rail overbridge project. From left: Councillor Richard Hills, Albert-Eden Local Board chairperson Margi Watson, Auckland Minister Simon Watts and Auckland Transport chief executive Stacey van der Putten overturn the first sod for the project on Friday. Photo / Auckland Transport AT has previously signalled concerns about the lack of parking in the area once the housing project is completed. The agency is supporting appellants who are currently in mediation over a plan change submitted by developers for the Te Kukūnga Waka. In the appeal documents, Auckland Transport warned that a lack of car parks would result in an 8km to 12km stretch of parked vehicles spilling on to surrounding streets. AT estimated there would be a shortfall of about 1500 parking spaces if the project went ahead as proposed. At the announcement on Friday, Auckland Minister Simon Watts acknowledged the project would cause a lot of disruption and noise for locals, and promised “clear communication” with them throughout the process. “That’s been mitigated as much as it can, and the community have been brought along on the journey.” Councillor Richard Hills said the project was about “getting the foundations right”. “It upgrades roads, underground services and utilities now, so the corridor can safely support new homes, new families and a busier neighbourhood well into the future.” Rachel Maher is an investigative reporter covering Auckland issues and education. She started at the Herald as a breaking news journalist in 2022, before joining the Auckland team this year. Mon, 18 May 2026 02:59:22 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-prime-minister-christopher-luxon-education-minister-erica-stanford-to-announce-new-spending-in-primary-schools/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/budget-2026-prime-minister-christopher-luxon-education-minister-erica-stanford-to-announce-new-spending-in-primary-schools/ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford are making a pre-Budget announcement at a Lower Hutt school this afternoon. The stand-up shortly after 2.30pm will take the place of the usual post-Cabinet press conference. It will be livestreamed above. The Herald this morning revealed Stanford would unveil a significant investment in primary-school resources and support for teachers. It’s expected to include a hefty financial injection. There will also be a new assessment of Year 5 students’ knowledge of times tables and division. That’s intended to help teachers spot learning gaps earlier and inform parents about how their children are progressing. Alongside the funding announcement, Stanford will highlight new results from the Curriculum Insights and Progress Study (CIPS). It monitors Year 3, 6 and 8 students’ progress in reading, writing and maths, and is run by the University of Otago and the New Zealand Council for Educational Research. The maths results show what is deemed a “statistically significant” increase in Year 6 students meeting or exceeding curriculum expectations. In 2025, this reached 36%, which is up from 30% in 2024 and 28% in 2023. The Government notes this follows the reform of maths in primary schools. A new structured maths curriculum, resources and professional development for teachers were introduced last year. The CIPS assessment occurred in Term 4, so about three-and-a-half terms after the reforms began. The Prime Minister and Education Minister will speak this afternoon. Photo / Mark Mitchell “These are still early results and there is a long way to go, but after years of decline, this is encouraging,” Stanford told the Herald earlier. “We know from the Education Review Office report in October 2025 that 98% of schools had started teaching the refreshed maths curriculum in 2025, and 85% of teachers reported that they had changed how they teach maths,“ she said. “These results are a testament to the incredible work of teachers and leaders in our school embedding these reforms every day in their classrooms.” Stanford said the results suggested “we may be starting to head in the right direction”. “No one is pretending the job is done. Achievement levels are still far below where we want them to be. But seeing statistically significant improvement matters.” Year 3 and Year 8 results have also improved, however, not to a degree which is deemed “statistically significant”. For Year 3, it has increased from 20% in 2023 to 25% in 2025, and for Year 8, from 22% to 24%. One of the Government’s core targets is having 80% of Year 8 students at or above their expected curriculum level for their age in reading, writing and maths by December 2030. This is measured through the CIPS results. A noteworthy result from the CIPS is that the percentage of Year 3 students more than one year behind curriculum expectations has had a statistically significant change. It’s fallen from 45% in 2023 to 38% in 2025. Jamie Ensor is the NZ Herald’s chief political reporter, based in the press gallery at Parliament. He was previously a TV reporter and digital producer in the Newshub press gallery office. He was a finalist in 2025 for Political Journalist of the Year at the Voyager Media Awards. Mon, 18 May 2026 02:51:39 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/devastated-experienced-pilot-and-guide-named-as-mt-aspiring-helicopter-crash-victims/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/devastated-experienced-pilot-and-guide-named-as-mt-aspiring-helicopter-crash-victims/ A pilot and his guide have been named as the victims in a helicopter crash in Mt Aspiring National Park. Alpine Helicopters today confirmed pilot Tim Brown and guide Sean Roach were tragically killed while the aircraft was conducting a guided hunting operation. They were the only two people on board. “We are devastated to confirm that both pilot Tim Brown and guide Sean Roach were tragically killed,” Alpine Group Limited said in a statement to the Herald. “Both were highly experienced and valued members of a close-knit team. “The aircraft was conducting a guided hunting operation in clear and calm conditions at the time of the accident. “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their families and loved ones during this difficult time. “We would like to express our sincere thanks to the New Zealand Police, Rescue Coordination Centre, Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust, the Queenstown Alpine Cliff Rescue team, and all emergency services for their swift, professional, and clinical response to the accident.” The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) are investigating the accident. Alpine Group says they have “confidence in those investigations and will cooperate fully to determine exactly what happened”. Crash investigators today arrived to start inquiries into the crash. Emergency services received reports of the incident at about 9.50am yesterday. A spokesperson for TAIC said a team has arrived in the region. The TAIC team is split between examining wreckage and interviewing witnesses. Photo / Supplied It is split into two groups, with one examining the wreckage from the crash. The other will speak with witnesses and gather accounts of the incident, the spokesperson said. Crash investigators have arrived to start inquiries into a helicopter crash in Mt Aspiring National Park. Photo / Supplied The investigators are expected to remain at the site for the next two to three days. The wreckage has not yet been removed from the crash site, with the TAIC saying it will be done “when practicable”. Detective Sergeant Sarah Waugh of Cromwell CIB last night confirmed that the helicopter was a chartered craft and the occupants were on a hunting trip. “The two people who died were the sole occupants of the craft at the time,” she said. “Three others from the hunting group were located on the ground and taken to safety. Our condolences go out to their loved ones, who we are providing support.” Crash investigators will stay at the remote site for up to three days. Photo / Supplied The helicopter was from Alpine Helicopters, owned by members of the Wallis family, with Toby Wallis the chief executive and his older brother, Jonathan, the general manager. In October 2018, another brother, Nick Wallis, 38, died when a machine he was piloting crashed. Department of Conservation employees Paul Hondelink, 63, and Scott Theobold, 59, both of Twizel, also died in the crash near Wānaka. That crash came just three months after Nick Wallis’ fourth brother and fellow pilot, Matthew, 39, died in another helicopter crash. The brothers are the two youngest sons of aviation legend Sir Tim Wallis, who died in 2023. Maritime NZ’s Rescue Co-ordination Centre confirmed it was the lead agency in response to yesterday’s crash. “We want to thank the agencies that provided support during this response,” Maritime NZ said in a statement. “This was a tragic incident and our thoughts go out to everyone impacted by what happened this morning.” The centre has since handed responsibility for the response to the police. The two deaths have been referred to the Coroner. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has also been notified. The CAA confirmed it was making initial inquiries to understand the circumstances of the crash and liaising with other agencies involved. “Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected at this difficult time,” a CAA spokesperson said, adding that it would not be... Mon, 18 May 2026 02:19:46 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/tongariro-northern-circuit-new-oturere-hut-on-track-for-great-walk-season/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/tongariro-northern-circuit-new-oturere-hut-on-track-for-great-walk-season/ Construction of Oturere Hut on the Tongariro Northern Circuit is on schedule for the start of the Great Walk Season in October, but Mangatepopo Track remains closed after last year’s fires. With the damaged section unavailable this coming summer, the Tongariro Northern Circuit will operate as an end-to-end tramp between the Mangatepopo Rd end and Whakapapa Village, the Department of Conservation (DoC) said in a media release today. Principal ranger Jenny Hayward said it would still be a Great Walk experience and contractors had been working hard during every good weather window to deliver the new hut on time. “Of course, any kind of work in Tongariro National Park is weather dependent, but we’re making great progress so far.” Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro and DoC have worked together to design the new 28-bed hut, which they say will improve the experience and safety of walkers on the Tongariro Northern Circuit. “There’s a really solid frame in place now and we’re starting to see the shape of what’s to come,” Hayward said. “We’ve also made sure there is a separate shelter for campers, so it’s not everyone crowding in to use the same facilities. Construction of Oturere Hut on the Tongariro Northern Circuit. “It’s going to make for a far better overnight experience for everyone who is out there naturing.” With the opening of the new hut, the Tongariro Northern Circuit will resume its Great Walk status after a hiatus last season. Hayward said there would be a slight alteration to how the Great Walk operated this season. “The fires late last year really hit the Mangatepopo Track, and the affected structures won’t be repaired in time for safe use this summer. “So, the Great Walk will be less of a circuit, more of an arc between Mangatepopo Road end and Whakapapa Village. “It’ll be worth considering your transport options in advance, and we’ll have some guidance about this on the DoC website. “The good news is we’ve been doing a lot of work to improve the tracks in the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Tama Lakes sections, and you can look forward to a better walking experience,” Hayward said. Bookings for Tongariro Northern Circuit open at 9.30am on May 21, via the DoC website. Mon, 18 May 2026 02:11:07 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/petrol-and-jet-fuel-dip-diesel-up-in-latest-fuel-update/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/petrol-and-jet-fuel-dip-diesel-up-in-latest-fuel-update/ New Zealand’s stocks of petrol and jet fuel have dipped but diesel levels have lifted in the Government’s latest update. As of May 13, there were 56.2 days’ worth of petrol either in the country or on its way within three weeks. That was down from 59 days in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s previous update last week. Levels of jet fuel had also decreased from 50.2 days’ worth to 47.7 days. However, diesel stocks had risen to 46.3 days’ worth, an increase of about one day since the last update. There were four ships carrying fuel expected to reach New Zealand within two days. They held 7.1 days’ worth of petrol, 9.6 days of diesel and 7.6 days of jet fuel. Onboard the eight ships expected to arrive within three weeks, there was 18.5 days’ worth of petrol, 16.8 days of diesel and 13 days of jet fuel. The ministry said the fuel levels reflected “normal shipping patterns” and were consistent with expectations even without the impact of the United States/Israel war with Iran. “In normal supply cycles, large shipments arrive and stocks are steadily used before the next vessels are loaded. This results in a pattern of large increases followed by a period of decline. “Overall fuel stocks remain well above minimum requirements and within normal ranges, with regular shipments continuing to arrive as expected.” It said fuel importers had expressed confidence fuel orders would be fulfilled to late June with planned orders extending into early August. Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland. Mon, 18 May 2026 01:49:37 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/widespread-mobile-outages-hit-one-nz-network/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/widespread-mobile-outages-hit-one-nz-network/ By RNZ One NZ is investigating a partial outage of its mobile networks across the country. On its website, One NZ said the incident began shortly after 12.30pm on Monday. Customers reported having issues with making or receiving calls. A third party website, Downdetector, was reporting a sharp increase in the number of people with problems. It was showing more than 200 outage reports in just over an hour. - RNZ Mon, 18 May 2026 01:40:02 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/entertainment/its-actually-our-fault-sir-peter-jackson-on-firing-ryan-gosling-after-he-gained-27kg/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/entertainment/its-actually-our-fault-sir-peter-jackson-on-firing-ryan-gosling-after-he-gained-27kg/ Sir Peter Jackson has addressed the years-long controversy surrounding Ryan Gosling’s abrupt departure from the 2009 production of The Lovely Bones movie, based on the Alice Sebold novel of the same name. Gosling revealed in a 2010 interview that he was fired from the cast after he gained 30 pounds (27kg) for the role, without consulting Jackson. During a conversation with film journalist Didier Allouch in Cannes, after receiving an Honorary Palme d’Or last week, Jackson addressed the infamous situation for the first time. “I won’t talk about any particular examples of actors because it’s a personal, private thing and it’s not their fault,” the director said. “Anytime we recast an actor, it’s actually our fault because we didn’t get the casting right and we cast the wrong person for a role. It’s not because they did anything wrong. “So, I’m not going to talk about individuals, but you just got to realise that what you were imagining isn’t really quite happening, which means that we got it wrong and so we take full responsibility,” Jackson added. He did speak about Gosling specifically, saying he is “a fantastic actor, as we know”. “Films are a chemistry both on camera and behind the camera. They’re chemistry in terms of what the actor conveys to the audience of the film. It’s just a complicated sort of amalgam of communication of how somebody gels into a group of people, into a story, into a character,” Jackson added. “It’s complicated and usually you try very hard when you’re planning the film, casting it, trying to get that gel kind of right, but occasionally we make our own mistakes.” In his 2010 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Gosling said he and Jackson “had a different idea of how the character should look“. “I really believed he should be 210 pounds [95kg]. We didn’t talk very much during the pre-production process, which was the problem,” Gosling recalled. “It was a huge movie, and there’s so many things to deal with, and he couldn’t deal with the actors individually. I just showed up on set, and I had gotten it wrong. Then I was fat and unemployed,” he added. Mark Wahlberg ended up being cast in the role of Jack Salmon, the father of the main character and narrator, Susie Salmon, played by Saoirse Ronan. Mon, 18 May 2026 01:20:26 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/nazi-fanatic-was-planning-mass-casualty-event-days-after-mosque-attacks-coroner-hears/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/nazi-fanatic-was-planning-mass-casualty-event-days-after-mosque-attacks-coroner-hears/ An inquest into the suspected self-inflicted death of a Russian-born gun and Nazi “fanatic” who “supported the actions” of mosque terrorist Brenton Tarrant is underway in Christchurch. Artemiy Vldimirovich Dubovskiy, known as Troy, died after a stand-off with armed police at a suburban Christchurch park in March 2019, just 12 days after the terror attack that left 51 worshippers dead at two city mosques. The day before, police had raided the 54-year-old’s St Martin’s home after a tip-off from a member of the public. Officers found a cache of firearms, including a modified semi-automatic weapon, ammunition, “violent extremist content”, along with Nazi uniforms, helmets and clothing. Dubovskiy, who had spent time in jail for a violent home invasion where he put a replica German WW2 Luger pistol to a man’s head, did not return to his home after work the day it was raided by police. Artemiy "Troy" Dubovskiy was "fanatical" about firearms and military history, particularly World War II memorabilia, says his father. Photo / Supplied He was found inside his parked silver Mitsubishi Pajero in a cul-de-sac in the Richmond area of the city at around 12.30pm that night. Dubovskiy was soon surrounded by Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) members, police dogs, a police Negotiation Team and a circling police Eagle helicopter above. At about 3.40am, after a prolonged stand-off, officers approached the vehicle and found Dubovskiy critically injured. Immediate first aid was given, but Dubovskiy died at the scene. For legal reasons, the way Dubovskiy died cannot be reported. Soon after the fatal incident, police confirmed that Dubovskiy first landed their radar after “some concerning emails” that he sent and included reference to the Christchurch terror attacks. “Based on the nature of the items located during the search warrant, the nature of what he said to police during the negotiation and subsequent inquiries, police are of the view that Mr Dubovskiy did pose a significant threat to the community,” then-Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price said at the time. “Based on inquiries to date it is clear that Mr Dubovskiy supported the actions of the man charged with murder in relation to the Christchurch terror attacks, however no connection has been established between the two.” Price confirmed search warrants were executed on three properties that Dubovskiy, who arrived in New Zealand in 1997, lived at or had access to. “A number of items of concern were located at these properties, including firearms, ammunition and violent extremist content,” he said. Coroner Heather McKenzie. Photo / Pool This week, Coroner Heather McKenzie is holding an inquest into Dubovskiy’s death. She opened the inquest by acknowledging his family’s loss and the “very difficult and unusual circumstances” for them since his death. “I also want to acknowledge that the evidence and the questions that we might hear or ask over the next fortnight may be confronting and difficult,” she said. “But I want to assure you that I don’t lose sight of that for… Mr Dubovskiy’s family and friends, there is a family member and a friend at the centre of these proceedings.” Coroner McKenzie said the main purpose of the inquest was to determine the circumstances of Dubovskiy’s death and to consider whether there are any recommendations she can make “to help prevent future deaths occurring in similar circumstances”. “As we traverse these various matters…I don’t lose sight that at the heart of this is Mr Dubovskiy… your family member and other people’s friend.” The death of Troy Dubovskiy Joshua Shaw, counsel assisting Coroner McKenzie, outlined the lead-up to Dubovskiy’s death and his final moments in court. “Any untimely death, no matter the circumstances, is tragic, and it is something that we should strive to learn from,” he said. “We will hear evidence over the course of the inquiry regarding extremist views that Mr Dubovskiy appears to have held; we’ll hear about w... Mon, 18 May 2026 01:06:46 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/world/midair-collision-above-idaho-airshow-destroys-two-fighter-jets-but-crews-eject-safely/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/world/midair-collision-above-idaho-airshow-destroys-two-fighter-jets-but-crews-eject-safely/ Two fighter jets collided midair during a demonstration event in the northwestern state of Idaho, with the pilots parachuting to safety from the aircraft, United States media reported. A statement posted to the Gunfighter Skies Air Show’s website confirmed: “An aircraft incident has occurred at Mountain Home Air Force Base” about “two miles northwest of the base”. “Emergency responders are on the scene, an investigation is underway and more details will be released as they become available,” the statement said. CBS News local affiliate KOMO reported all four crew members ejected safely from the Navy’s two EA-18 Growler fighter jets. Video shared on social media showed the jets colliding and tumbling through the air before crashing to the ground, causing an explosion and a huge plume of black smoke, as four parachutes drift downwards. Commander Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for the Naval Air Forces US Pacific Fleet, told KOMO that the EA 18-G Growler jets are based in Whidbey Island, Washington. NBC News reported that the crash resulted in the airshow’s cancellation and a lockdown on the base as emergency responders handled the scene and began an investigation. An attempt to contact the base for comment was not immediately successful. - AFP Mon, 18 May 2026 00:39:00 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/indian-kiwi-man-says-racism-on-the-rise-after-being-tormented-for-years/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/indian-kiwi-man-says-racism-on-the-rise-after-being-tormented-for-years/ An Indian-New Zealander believes anti-Indian racism is on the rise after being “tormented” by a person who egged his cars and urinated on his property. Real estate agent Raj Singh said he and his family have consistently been on the receiving end of abusive behaviour since 2018. He claimed a person in his suburb threw eggs on to his cars, threw rubbish in front of his home and banged on his fence so hard it almost broke. Singh said the person “tormented” his family and left his children, who were living at home at the time, “very scared and stressed”. “Without any motive, [the person] tried to bully us,” he told the Herald. Singh alleged the person was previously trespassed from his home but did not honour the order and went on to urinate on his fences. He said there had been multiple incidents with the person over the years, some of which he complained to police about. Police confirmed to the Herald the person was convicted of disorderly behaviour in 2020. After a quiet few years, the abuse ramped up again in March – this time with verbal insults aimed at Singh’s ethnicity. The person’s alleged remarks included: “f*** India”, “f*** Indians”, “I hate Indians” and “I hate you all”. Earlier this month, Singh again reported an instance of verbal abuse to police, who were unable to find the other person on arrival. Real estate agent Raj Singh says he has been experienced verbal racist abuse from a person living in the same suburb as him, who has been tresspassed from his property. “Police inquiries are still ongoing, and we intend on speaking with the [person] further,” Manukau central area commander Inspector Adam Pyne said. “No one in the community should have to experience this verbal abuse.” Police confirmed they would take action if the person breached Singh’s trespass order. “My family and I have lived in New Zealand for almost four decades - this is our home,” Singh said. Singh, who is also a Justice of the Peace, said he “took racial discrimination and racist abuse extremely seriously” and sent an account of his experience to the Human Rights Commission. Social sciences and humanities professor Camille Nakhid researches race and ethnicity at Auckland University of Technology. Anti-Indian sentiments have increasingly been in the headlines in recent times. In December, protesters from a group called True Patriots of New Zealand disrupted religious Sikh parades in South Auckland. Earlier this year, RNZ reported that police hate crime data showed people of South Asian descent were the group most targeted by racial abuse. Auckland University of Technology social sciences professor Camille Nakhid said racial tensions rose during election years, which was “pitiful” but “not surprising”. She said racism in New Zealand never went away but the targets continued to shift, with Indian communities currently experiencing the brunt of it. Pacific communities were targeted during the Dawn Raids in the 1970s, east Asian communities were targeted during peak migration periods and in the Covid-19 pandemic, and Māori were targeted during debates surrounding co-governance, she said. “You want to get rid of racism, you have to get rid of our colonised mentality.” Janhavi Gosavi is a Wellington-based journalist for the New Zealand Herald who covers news in the capital. Mon, 18 May 2026 00:10:04 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/world/tourist-who-threw-rock-at-hawaiian-seal-attempts-to-justify-the-attack/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/world/tourist-who-threw-rock-at-hawaiian-seal-attempts-to-justify-the-attack/ A tourist who was filmed throwing a rock at a seal in Hawaii has attempted to justify his actions. The man, who was confronted by locals after he was caught throwing the rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, has also been charged by US federal authorities over the attack. Now, Igor Lytvynchuk, 38, has attempted to justify his actions, saying he was only trying to protect a pair of turtles. “There were two large turtles in the water. When he threw the rock, the intention was to scare the seal away. He had no idea, again, the significance of monk seals. He frankly didn’t know we had seals in Hawaii,” the man’s defence lawyer, Myles Breiner, told Hawaii News Now. “He assumed that when he saw the seal, the monk seal, pushing the turtles off of the rocks, that he was doing something good by scaring it away,” Breiner added. Breiner added that his client was a fisherman and had previously dealt with sea lions being aggressive and reportedly assumed he was helping the turtles by scaring the seal away. The Seattle-based tourist went viral earlier this month when he was filmed throwing a big rock at the monk seal on Lahaina beach on May 5. A witness described the rock as being the size of a coconut. It narrowly missed the seal’s nose and footage shows the seal, affectionately known by locals as Lani, being startled as the rock hits the water right in front of its head. Locals took matters into their own hands and accosted Lytvynchuk, but authorities have also charged him with disturbing or harassing an endangered animal. If found guilty, he could face up to one year in prison and a US$50,000 ($85,600) fine. When confronted by a witness about what he had done, the man reportedly told them he “did not care” as he was “rich enough to pay the fines”. His defence lawyer said Lytvynchuk is not actually wealthy and said the comments were made in the heat of the moment. “It comes off sounding like he’s bragging or being arrogant. OK, and that was possibly in response to people yelling at him and he was embarrassed, so he doubled down,” Breiner said. The man has now attempted to justify the act by saying he was trying to protect nearby turtles. Photo / US Attorney's Office, District of Hawaii Lytvynchuk was arrested in his home state of Washington, about a week after the incident and charged under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act. Hawaiian monk seals are critically endangered, with only 1600 remaining in the wild, their numbers vastly reduced following the devastating 2023 wildfires in Hawaii. When Lani survived the fires and reappeared on the shores, she became a symbol of healing and resilience for the local community. “The unique and precious wildlife of the Hawaiian Islands are renowned symbols of Hawaii’s special place in the world and its incredible biodiversity. We are committed to protecting our vulnerable wild species, in particular endangered Hawaiian monk seals, like Lani,” said US Attorney Ken Sorenson. “We pledge that those who harass and attempt to harm our protected wildlife will face rapid accountability in federal court.” Lytvynchuk’s next court appearance is set for May 27. Sun, 17 May 2026 23:53:37 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/two-tourists-die-in-three-vehicle-crash-south-of-christchurch/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/two-tourists-die-in-three-vehicle-crash-south-of-christchurch/ Two Hong Kong tourists died after a three-vehicle crash near south of Christchurch on Friday. Emergency services responded to the crash on SH1/Main South Rd, near North Rakaia Rd, in Bankside at around 1.12pm. Police said that despite the efforts of emergency personnel, two people had been pronounced dead at the scene. Three others sustained injuries that ranged from moderate to critical. The South China Morning Post has since reported that two Hong Kong tourists were killed in the crash. It reported the Chinese consulate general in Christchurch had “expressed deep sorrow over the deaths” and would provide assistance to the injured and their families. The crash caused significant traffic delays south of Christchurch while the road was closed, and a detour involving an extra 100km of travel was put in place. Motorists were advised to avoid the area as congestion was building up on SH77, with traffic cameras capturing queues heading southwards on to the Rakaia River Bridge. Main South Rd reopened at 6.55pm after being closed for about five hours as police investigated the cause of the crash. Traffic backed up at Rakaia after a serious crash. Photo / NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi “With police investigations at the site complete, and vehicles involved in the crash having been towed, the section of SH1/Main South Rd between North Rakaia Rd and Railway Terrace East is now open and clear,” NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said at the time. Earlier, Hato Hone St John said three people had been injured, with one in critical condition. “Our ambulance staff treated three patients and transported two of them to Christchurch Public Hospital by helicopter, one in a critical condition and one in a serious condition,” St John said. “The third patient was transported by road ambulance to Christchurch Public Hospital in a moderate condition.” Sun, 17 May 2026 23:43:06 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/prime-minister-david-seymour-laugh-off-nz-first-policy-to-nationalise-bnz/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/prime-minister-david-seymour-laugh-off-nz-first-policy-to-nationalise-bnz/ The leaders of National and Act parties have thrown cold water over NZ First’s proposed policy of buying back Bank of New Zealand. NZ First leader Winston Peters announced on Sunday the party would campaign on buying back BNZ and making KiwiSaver enrolment compulsory from birth. Christopher Luxon laughed off the idea this morning, saying it would require borrowing $30 billion to fund the purchase. The idea sounded like a Labour Party policy, Luxon told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking Breakfast “It’s completely fanciful ... To go borrow $30b to buy a private company doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. “It’s just not feasible, I don’t know why you’d want to do it.” Outlining the Act Party’s stance on the policy, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour said he understood Peters’ emotive appeal after six years of economic disruption and uncertainty, but believed its long-term proposition hadn’t been thought through. He said a merger would go against current efforts to stimulate the market, noting that BNZ also wasn’t for sale, and pointed to Venezuela as an example of nationalising assets. “I’m sure that they will sell it to the government for the right price, but I’m not sure the taxpayer would be very happy about that price,” Seymour told Ryan Bridge TODAY. “Or maybe the government could just force them to sell it, but I don’t know if having a country where the government comes along and says, ‘Hey, nice business you got there, shame if anything were to happen to it’, is actually going to be good for success.” Seymour also said there’d be underlying risks in the inevitable switch from a right-leaning government to a left-leaning one, whose members he believed would hijack such an asset for their own agenda. Sun, 17 May 2026 22:32:48 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/kiwi-volunteer-medic-missing-in-ukraine-feared-killed-on-first-day-in-combat/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/kiwi-volunteer-medic-missing-in-ukraine-feared-killed-on-first-day-in-combat/ A Kiwi soldier missing in action in Ukraine is presumed to have been killed on his first day on the frontline. A year has passed since Jeremy Braggins, aged in his early 50s, was listed as missing in action, presumed killed, in intense fighting in the Donetsk Oblast region of eastern Ukraine. Braggins was a volunteer member of the Ukraine International Legion, going to the frontlines as a soldier and medic in mid-May 2025. His likely death was revealed five months later after several Ukrainian memorial websites that honour those killed in fighting posted about Braggins, with one saying, “Our beloved New Zealand brother who had been serving in Ukraine as a volunteer succumbed on the battlefield” and wishing him “honour, glory and gratitude”. A photo of him in uniform, along with his military call sign “Badger”, has circulated on a Telegram channel where “Russian patriots” celebrate the reported deaths of foreign fighters. A year on, one of his former squad mates – a former soldier in the US Army – has talked to the Herald about the bond he built with Braggins during two months of training in Ukraine and given more background about the fateful mission the Kiwi was sent on. American soldier Addison Jureidini (inset bottom) has recalled his friendship with Kiwi soldier and medic Jeremy Braggins (inset top) a year since the New Zealander was listed as missing in action in Ukraine. New Zealand Herald composite photo “In camp, his bed was right next to mine,” Addison Jureidini said from his current base in Puerto Rico. “We talked every day.” Conversations covered family, including Braggins talking about his parents, who had retired and now lived in Europe, and his previous service in the New Zealand Army Reserve. Jureidini said Braggins was one of two New Zealanders he met during his time with the Ukraine International Legion. Braggins, a trained emergency medic who had previously worked in ambulances for a private hospital in South Africa and Jureidini were among a minority group of English-speakers in their unit who hung out together. A tribute to Kiwi Jeremy Braggins was posted by a Ukraine war memorial site last September. That included trips to Ukraine capital Kyiv when they were given weekend leave. As well as completing basic military training together at a Ukrainian base, the pair were among unit members sent to an advanced medical training course. Braggins aced the course. “He was good,” Jureidini said. “He passed it really easily.” Jureidini failed the course. He completed a further advanced infantry course before rejoining Braggins at the unit, which was then sent off to fight for Ukraine. Combat orders: ‘Expect landmines, expect drones, don’t expect air cover’ Ukraine International Legion reinforcements featuring Braggins and Jureidini travelled to Kramatorsk in the Donetsk Oblast area via train and bus. “The train was really cramped,” Jureidini said. Their unit initially set up in an abandoned house for several hours before being ordered to relocate because of an air attack alert. Later, the group was told by their sergeant, who had previously served in the Croatian Army, that they were going to attack a nearby village. The first briefing talked about the location having about 10 buildings in it. Kiwi soldier and military medic Jeremy Braggins (back row, third right) with his Ukraine International Legion comrades including American Addison Jureidini (back row, second right) before being deployed to the frontline. The next day, another briefing had upgraded the village to featuring about 30 buildings, with Jureidini recalling the soldiers were told an “unknown number of Russian troops” were also based there. “They showed us the map. They said, ‘You’re going to cross this open field, expect landmines, expect drones, don’t expect air cover’. They said expect elevations on two sides [troops had to move through].” The legion members were then told: “Whoever wants to go on this assault tomorrow, say plus. If you don... Sun, 17 May 2026 21:43:18 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/sport/tottenham-relegation-battle-what-spurs-need-to-stay-in-premier-league/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/sport/tottenham-relegation-battle-what-spurs-need-to-stay-in-premier-league/ West Ham’s 3-1 defeat at Newcastle left Tottenham realistically only needing one more point to win the battle for Premier League survival, while Bruno Fernandes made history in Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest overnight. Spurs can avoid dropping out of the English top flight for the first time in nearly 50 years with victory at Chelsea on Tuesday, but a draw would also likely suffice thanks to their much superior goal difference over West Ham. “Overall bad performance. Too many things [went wrong], I think we gifted them the goals,” West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo said. “We realise the situation is extremely difficult for us.” A third consecutive defeat left the Hammers needing favours and they were well beaten at St James’ Park against a Newcastle side who had little to play for. Nick Woltemade turned in Harvey Barnes’ cross for his first league goal since December. William Osula then finished off a flowing Newcastle move to double the lead inside 20 minutes. Osula struck again with his fifth goal in six games and even a stunning strike from Taty Castellanos was little consolation for the visitors. West Ham’s only hope of survival is if they beat Leeds on the final day and Tottenham lose to both Chelsea and Everton. Assist king Fernandes equalled the Premier League record of 20 assists in a season as United secured third place at Old Trafford. The Portuguese international moved alongside Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne in the single-season assist list when his cross was turned in by Bryan Mbeumo for United’s third goal at Old Trafford. Luke Shaw volleyed United in front after just five minutes, but Forest levelled a wide open encounter early in the second half when Elliot Anderson’s cross was headed in by Morato. United raced down the other end and Matheus Cunha’s goal was allowed to stand despite a VAR check for handball by Mbeumo in the build-up. Fernandes’ record-equalling moment arrived 14 minutes from fulltime when Mbeumo prodded in his drilled cross for his first goal since February. Morgan Gibbs-White reduced the deficit in the 78th minute. But United held on to add another victory to their impressive run since interim boss Michael Carrick arrived in January. Carrick is expected to sign a two-year contract to remain in charge on a permanent basis. “Over the coming days there’ll be clarity in the situation,” the former United midfielder said of his future. European dreams Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the only goal in stoppage-time at Elland Road as Leeds beat Brighton 1-0 to damage the Seagulls’ hopes of European qualification. Brentford, in eighth place, also suffered a blow to their European ambitions in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace. Ismaila Sarr’s sixth-minute penalty put Palace ahead before Dango Ouattara hauled Brentford level in the 40th minute. Adam Wharton restored Palace’s advantage with his first goal for the club in the 52nd minute, but Ouattara struck again in the 88th minute. Sunderland are also in contention for European qualification after a 3-1 win at Everton lifted the Black Cats up to ninth. Fulham slipped to 13th after a 1-1 draw at relegated Wolves hampered their chances of Europe next season. Earlier, troubled Chelsea hired Xabi Alonso as their new manager, less than 24 hours after losing 1-0 against Manchester City in the FA Cup final. Alonso, who agreed to a four-year contract with 10th-placed Chelsea, led Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title in 2024 but was sacked by Real Madrid in January after just seven months in charge. – AFP Sun, 17 May 2026 21:30:09 Z