Three new Laguna Phuket developments – spanning lakeside living, golf-front design and Angsana-branded luxury – to be showcased at Park Lane Hong Kong on 16–17 MayCaption

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Police have arrested two suspects after an alleged assault on a Papakura supermarket security guard in April.

The guard tried to intervene during a shoplifting at the Averill Street store on 24 April.

“Two offenders allegedly subjected the guard to an assault which required him to be taken to Middlemore Hospital for treatment,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Nelson from Counties Manukau South CIB.

This week, detectives executed search warrants, arresting a 17-year-old female and a 15-year-old male, who have since appeared in court.

Both have been charged with aggravated robbery in the Papakura District and Youth Courts.

Detective Senior Sergeant Nelson said two other young people were referred to Youth Aid.

“No-one should be subjected to violence or be assaulted in their place of work,” she said.

“We will continue to hold those offenders engaging in retail crime and violent offending to account.”

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

Police say alcohol is fuelling a rise in bad behaviour by rowdy teenagers in Nelson and they’ve increased patrols over the weekends to deal with the problem.

Police officers are worried the behaviour will lead to violence and the problem has co-incided with the closure of a Nelson charitable trust that helps kids stay out of trouble.

Nelson Senior Sergeant Byron Reid said police noticed the increase in youth on the streets about a month ago, between the hours of 8pm-4am, and that often, they were drunk.

“Generally, the age is around 13-18 and they are not in big packs,” he said. “They are individuals, or they might be in groups of three to four or more.

“We are talking about 20-odd children in regular contact with police or regularly in the CBD during those hours over the weekend.

He said seeing young teens on the street late at night, intoxicated, was worrying.

Reid said violence often occurred when people were overly intoxicated.

“It’s always a concern, when you’ve got youth around alcohol. You might not have intended to go out at night to make bad decisions, but once the alcohol comes on board, bad decisions can be made.

“We just don’t want any of our local community injured or affected by this.”

He said police had identified some of the young people’s famililes and they were working with them to prevent them being out on the streets late at night.

“Our rangatahi, we want to make sure they’re safe and not put in situations that can cause them harm.”

He said police weren’t sure how the youth were getting alcohol and they had conducted an investigation in Nelson, which found bottle shops and supermarkets selling alcohol to minors on four occasions. They had been referred to the Alcohol Regulatory & Licensing Authority.

Closure of youth-focused service

Whanake Youth co-founder Lee-ann O’Brien said the health and wellbeing service was started to provide holistic support for vulnerable and marginalised young people into adulthood.

The charitable trust closed last month after nine years, because of financial difficulties.

It had a drop-in space called ‘The Lounge’ for 12-24 year olds, behind the Stoke Memorial Hall, and offered employment opportunities through SYP Cafe, along with school-based services and community programmes.

O’Brien said she worried about where the young people who used the service and spent time at The Lounge would go.

“They said, ‘We come here, because it’s safe… we come here, because it’s fun to do… we come here, because I can’t go home or can’t go to my friend’s place’.

“For me, the concern is, if they’re not here, then where are they and what are they doing?”

O’Brien said lots of services supported young people, but didn’t focus on them and Whanake Youth’s aim was to take into account whatever a young person needed, working alongside family and education providers, including those who had been excluded from mainstream education.

“There is no other service that looks at that bigger picture, with that particular young person in mind and follows their journey.”

She said she had noticed an increase in 10-12-year-olds causing trouble a couple of years ago and the reasons for the behaviour were not clear, but post-pandemic, some young people struggled with resilience.

“We’d seen some young people consuming alcohol, which we hadn’t seen for a really long time, and presenting drunk during the daytime and leaving school to steal stuff.”

She said school and home were places of connection for youth, but they didn’t necessarily feel that, so it was important they felt they had somewhere they belonged.

“I worry, particularly for the young people that we would work with, who seem to have gaps in that ability to feel connected.

“I worry that some of their decision-making may not be so good – what young person makes a good decision anyway? – but then who picks that up and awhis [embraces] them along in that journey?

“How do we restore that relationship with that person? How do we do differently next time?”

O’Brien said she was having conversations with Nelson Bays Primary Health, after the closure of Whanake Youth, to ensure there wasn’t a long break between services.

“We weren’t the whole jigsaw, but we were part of it, and now it won’t be a complete picture.”

‘Nip it in the bud’

Nelson Mayor Nick Smith said he was pleased police were increasing patrols, given the problems, but said that parents needed to do their bit too.

“I’m not sure what has led to the increasing numbers of these quite young youth congregating in our central city at the early hours of the morning,” he said. “What I do know is I’ve had multiple reports of it.”

Smith said he had heard from hospitality business-owners, who were used to dealing with 16 and 17-year-olds trying to get into bars and nightclubs, but that they were now seeing 13 and 14-year-olds trying to get in.

He said teen drinking was problematic and he was worried someone would get hurt.

“That’s where we need to nip it in the bud to make sure that we’ve got age-appropriate curfews for our young people and asking our parents, particularly of those 13, 14, 15-year-olds, to work with police, so that we’re not going to end up with a young person being injured or harmed in our CBD.”

Smith said the closure of Whanake Youth was disappointing, but there was plenty of effort through sports clubs, theatre, music, cadets and other community organisations to support young people, and he was open-minded on whether more could be done.

“If there is more that we can do so that our city is providing the opportunities for our young people to be able to enjoy themselves and be able to develop without this high risk behaviour that’s occurring in our CBD, we do need to think about that.

“It’s just making sure that those social services work. I haven’t heard they’re not, I want to give the police the community support.

“If we find that there are gaps, then we need to see how we fill those.”

Police said the increased police presence in Nelson’s CBD would continue for as long as it was needed.

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The Chiefs are away to Australia’s best-placed Super Rugby side, the Reds, at Suncorp Stadium in Queensland.

Issac Hutchison gets another chance at fullback for the Chiefs, with Kyle Brown and Kyren Taumoefolau making for a young and exciting backline.

However, the Waikato side are down a bit of firepower, with All Blacks Samipeni Finau, Emoni Narawa and Leroy Carter not travelling to Brisbane.

Kickoff is at 9.35pm

Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris 2. Tyrone Thompson 3. George Dyer 4. Josh Lord 5. Tupou Vaa’i 6. Simon Parker 7. Luke Jacobson (c) 8. Wallace Sititi 9. Xavier Roe 10. Damian McKenzie 11. Liam Coombes-Fabling 12. Quinn Tupaea 13. Kyle Brown 14. Kyren Taumoefolau 15. Isaac Hutchinson.

Bench: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Fiti Sa, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Lalakai Foketi.

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Warning: This story discusses graphic details of violence towards children.

Who killed Soul Mathew Turany?

The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Superintendent Darryl Sweeney, says there are only two sensible possibilities – the 16-week-old baby’s mother, Storme Turany, or her then-boyfriend, Tony Farmer.

“Police are satisfied, on the established facts, that during the critical time period, there have been no persons other than Ms Turany and Mr Farmer that had access to Soul,” Sweeney told the inquest into the child’s death.

“A scene examination had ruled out the possibility that any third party had inflicted the injuries on Soul.”

Soul lived with Storme Turany and Tony Farmer in a rural home near Darfield.

On 30 August 2014, he was flown to Christchurch Hospital, after emergency services were called by Turany, sister Skye Lamborn, neighbour Natasha Brougham and Farmer, all expressing concern about the baby’s breathing and health.

He died in hospital early the next day.

Sweeney said police had to keep an open mind, as officers were not present when Soul suffered the fatal assault, but “the type of injury sustained by Soul… narrows the assessment of who did this to two people”.

“I’ve probably learned over 30 years that anything can be possible, but sensibly, on the facts that we have, it did come down to the two,” Sweeney told coroner Ian Telford.

The inquest heard Soul’s skull was broken in two places. He had bleeding in one eye and over a vast tract of his brain.

The right side of the baby’s brain was covered in blood by the time he reached hospital.

What killed Soul was reasonably well established, but how he came to suffer those injuries remained a mystery more than a decade after the child’s death.

Soul would have turned 12 on Saturday, but the circumstances leading to the end of his brief life were instead being examined by coroner Telford during the two-week inquest in Christchurch.

No-one has ever been charged over the baby’s death.

“Throughout the inquiry, three criminal liabilities were considered, based on the various findings and information gathered,” Sweeney said. “The charges considered were murder, manslaughter and infanticide.

“Based on the facts and evidence to date, I do not believe the injury to Soul was accidental.”

Turany had been interviewed by police on three occasions. She gave a written statement to police while at hospital, within hours of Soul’s admission.

When asked directly by police whether she had shaken or hurt Soul, Turany denied any responsibility.

“Miss Turany admitted that she struggled to be a mother and have a relationship, and she’d been considering terminating a relationship with Mr Farmer around the time of Soul’s death,” Sweeney said.

Turany was then interviewed twice under caution in September 2014.

“Throughout the three interviews with Ms Turany, she has maintained a position of innocence,” Sweeney said.

“The consistent theme in Ms Turany’s interviews was that she was not involved in the death of her son. She also did not nominate any other person who may have been responsible for the injuries.”

Farmer was interviewed four times – on the afternoon of Soul’s admission to hospital, about a fortnight later, again in November 2014 and then almost two years later in July 2016.

He spoke to investigators for about eight hours over those four interviews.

“The consistent theme in Mr Farmer’s four interviews was that he was not involved in the death of Soul,” Sweeney said. “He also did not nominate any other person who may have been responsible for the injuries.”

Soul’s home held no clues as to what had happened to him.

“There’s no forensic information in that scene – bearing in mind it’s a single injury and there’s been no bleeding,” Sweeney said.

“It’s an unremarkable scene in that, as I’ve described, it’s a very nice, tidy, well-kept house. It told us some things about the living conditions, but not forensically about how Soul died.”

“He was, by all accounts, up to the 30th of August, a well-cared-for baby, who was meeting all his developmental milestones, and appropriately engaged with his mother, with Plunket and a general practitioner.”

Messages from Storme Turany to Lamborn and others showed she was under strain as a new mother, but Sweeney said that was to be expected.

“So tired, I think I’ve had at the most two hours’ sleep aye,” one message to her sister said.

Sweeney did not read much into those complaints.

“From an investigative point of view, this is kind of life with small children, right?” he said. “It’s very difficult, it can be, so it’s one of those little bumpy periods.”

Turany and Farmer’s relationship ended soon after Soul’s death. About a fortnight after Soul died, Farmer sent Turany a message.

“I never hurt Soul, Storme,” the message said. “You mean everything to me.

“I would never do anything to hurt you. I would’ve never done anything to f**k up the family I wanted.

“I loved you. I always will.”

On Friday, the inquest also heard the distressing and frantic phone calls made to emergency services, as Soul’s condition deteriorated on the morning of 30 August 2014.

Soul could be heard letting out cries at times during those calls. It brought his mother to tears and she had to leave the court at times.

“Come on, baby, come on, come on, come on, come on,” Skye Lamborn said, while on the phone to 111.

The calltaker assured Lamborn she was doing a great job.

“Oh my goodness, I just feel hopeless,” she responded.

By the time of the phone calls, which were about 7am, Soul was barely responsive.

“Every 10-15 seconds, he’s taking a breath and it’s very gurgly,” Lamborn said to 111.

About 6.30am, Turany had called Healthline, with serious concerns about the boy’s health.

“I’ve got a three month, almost four month-old baby and he’s been screaming since three o’clock,” Turany said. “He’s got a cold at the moment, but I’ve been unable to get him to stop.

“Well, my partner’s holding him now and he’s just slowed down, but he’s got like creamy stuff coming out of his ears.”

Emergency services arrived at the home about 7.10am.

Dr Ross Keenan, a neuroradiologist at Christchurch Hospital at the time, said Soul’s brain was beginning to meltdown by the time he was flown to the hospital.

A scan about 10.20am showed the dire conditions inside the child’s skull.

It revealed blood at the top of the brain, as well as beneath the brain, bleeding in one eye, and the outer part of the brain dead or dying.

“This is an extremely ominous scan, essentially indicating that the brain has almost certainly had a huge hypoxic-ischemic insult, so lack of oxygen, lack of blood supply,” Keenan said.

“If the brain has enough time to adapt, it will try to preserve these deep structures, which are vital to survive.”

The injuries were unlikely to be survivable, Keenan told the coroner. The damage to the brain was substantial, with only its core, central functions intact.

“All of the things that make humans human – emotion, attentiveness, executive functionality, hearing, motion, sensation – just about all those vital functions that you require for a human to be a human effectively,” Keenan said, when asked what functions Soul would lose, based on the damage present in the imaging.

“If you’re only left with this and your brain stem, you may still be alive – in that your heart beats and you breathe – but you’re really not going to be a functional human.”

He estimated the injury had occurred between 6-12 hours before the scan was taken.

“This MRI has been done quite early in the piece and we could probably predict that this is only going to get far, far worse in the next 24 hours,” Keenan said.

“The brain’s going to swell up. It’s going to squash all these spaces and the patient’s probably going to cone, where they effectively try to push their brain out through the bottom into their spinal canal, because the brain is so injured and so swollen.

“You get into a vicious downward spiral, which no treatment is going to reverse.”

Young infants were unlikely to accidentally cause such injuries to themselves, Keenan said.

“As I’m sure everyone is pretty aware, three-and-a-half month-olds don’t really walk around, and don’t put themselves in a position of damaging themselves or falling, or all the things that older children can do when they’re mobilising,” he told the coroner. “From our point of view and my own point of view, this is a non-accidental injury, until proven otherwise.”

The inquest continues next week.

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TVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman has resigned, posting on social media that Friday was her last day at TVNZ.

The broadcaster confirmed Maiki Sherman had resigned from her role.

“As the first wahine Māori to lead 1News’ political team, Maiki has made a significant contribution to our journalism,” TVNZ said in a statement.

“Her reporting – from presenting our polls, to covering general elections and bringing breaking news out of the Beehive – has helped keep audiences across Aotearoa informed and engaged with the decisions being made on their behalf.

“Maiki’s nomination in this year’s media awards for Political Journalist of the Year is a testament to the calibre of her work. Today, Friday 8 May is Maiki’s last day.”

She confirmed Friday was her last day at TVNZ in a post on social media, saying her position had become “untenable”.

“The level of scrutiny on me this past week has been unprecedented, and this has placed enormous pressure on me. My role has become untenable and so I am finishing up with TVNZ today. I wish the team well,” she said.

Sherman had used a homophobic slur against Stuff journalist Lloyd Burr during pre-Budget drinks in Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ office last May.

In her post, Sherman acknowledged the offensive comment had been made and said there was “no excuse for the language I used,” but went on to say she had apologised to Burr and Willis the next morning, and informed her manager.

“From my own perspective and for context, my comment was made in response to deeply personal and inappropriate remarks made to me that evening. This does not excuse my actions, I took responsibility for that a year ago, it is merely to help others understand why I reacted in the way that I did.”

The event had come to public attention in a column by right-leaning political commentator Ani O’Brien last Tuesday.

In a statement, Stuff said the company “stands by its previous comments on the matter”, which included saying it would respect Burr’s wishes not to comment further.

She was also suspended from Parliament last week for five days for breaching parliamentary rules by pursuing an interview with National’s chief whip Stuart Smith.

National’s campaign chair Simeon Brown had complained about TVNZ’s pursuit of Smith, saying the team had followed Smith into his corridor, “aggressively” banged on his door for several minutes, refused to accept Smith declining to comment further, and pressured Smith about how his refusal would be portrayed the following morning if he did not speak.

Brown publicised his complaint on social media, but TVNZ disputed the details of his account and said the appropriate place for such complaints was with Parliament’s Speaker.

Brown’s subsequent complaint to Speaker Gerry Brownlee resulted in the suspension.

Smith had been a central figure in speculation about a potential spill in National, with several MPs having leaked anonymously to the media – including questioning the leadership of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in the wake of poor polling and ahead of a reshuffle of Cabinet.

Reports suggested Smith had sought to speak to Luxon over Easter weekend about MPs’ concerns about his leadership, and Smith had largely refused to comment on the story for four days, finally denying it in a written statement sent by the prime minister’s office.

That denial followed Luxon calling a vote of confidence in himself at a caucus meeting, after which Luxon was heavily critical of the media, saying he would not engage “if the media want to keep focusing on speculation and rumour”.

He subsequently cancelled his weekly slot on Breakfast with host Tova O’Brien, who was one of those who broke the story about Smith.

Luxon had faced criticism over his three interviews with O’Brien who started as host in late March. He said his job was “the CEO” in their first face-off – with O’Brien interrupting to say his job was prime minister – and the following week he struggled to name a Māori MP in his Cabinet.

In a message to staff, TVNZ’s chief news and content officer Nadia Tolich said the past few weeks had been challenging for Sherman, and she respected the decision to resign.

She thanked staff for supporting each other and “keeping the mahi front of mind”, saying she wished Sherman well in what she chose to do next.

Tolich noted Sherman was a nominee in this year’s media awards for Political Journalist of the Year and said this was a “testament to the calibre of her work”.

Plans for who would fill the role would be shared to staff in due course, the message said.

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New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is supporting Davis Trading Company in its recall of Essenté brand Crushed and Sliced Lemongrass as the products could contain foreign matter.

“The concern with these Essenté brand lemongrass products is that they could contain hard plastic,” says NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“If you have any of the affected products, sold at Davis Trading stores and selected retailers throughout New Zealand, don’t eat them. You can return them to the place of purchase for a refund. If that’s not possible, throw them out.”

The recalled products are:

Essenté brand Crushed Lemongrass (200g)

• Lot NO LTHP191225 and Best before 09/12/2027
• Lot NO LTHP130126 and Best before 05/01/2028

Essenté brand Crushed Lemongrass (500g)  

• Lot NO LTHP120126 and Best before 05/01/2028

Essenté brand Crushed Lemongrass (5kg)

• Lot NO LTHP181225 and Best before 09/12/2027
• Lot NO LTHP110126 and Best before 05/01/2028

Essenté brand Sliced Lemongrass (250g)

• Lot NO LTHP140126 and Best before 05/01/2026

The affected lemongrass products were imported from Vietnam.

Three other products are also being recalled as they contain the recalled lemongrass as an ingredient. Details will be available on our website this evening.

All products have been removed from store shelves and none have been re-exported.

Visit NZFS’s recall page for up-to-date information and photographs of the affected product.

Recalled food products list

New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notifications of associated injury.

“As is our usual practice, NZFS will work with Davis Trading Company to understand how this happened and prevent its recurrence,” says Mr Arbuckle.

The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur. Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts. Information on how to subscribe is on the NZFS food recall page.

MIL OSI

The Finance Minister has confirmed claims by Winston Peters that the fees-free university scheme, which covers the final year of tertiary education study for students, will be scrapped in the upcoming Budget.

The New Zealand First Leader made the comments to Newstalk ZB Friday evening.

In a statement this evening Nicola Willis confirmed the comments.

“Ongoing coalition negotiations have led to good Budget policy decisions that further the immediate and long-term interests of New Zealanders.”

“We will have more to say about this in due course,” she said.

Willis also confirmed that students completing their tertiary studies this year remained eligible for fees-free.

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The southbound lanes of State Highway 2 along the Hutt Road between Petone and Wellington have been blocked after a pedestrian was struck by a car.

Police said they were alerted to the incident at 6.25pm.

Traffic build-up was already significant and police were advising motorists there would be “extensive delays”.

Police said they would provide information on the injury status of the pedestrian as soon as that information was available.

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The number of jobs in jeopardy from a major shake-up to public transport in Auckland has been revealed.

In six months, significant transport decision-making will be taken away from Auckland Transport’s (AT’s) board and given to Auckland Council’s governing body and local boards.

AT would become a smaller council-controlled organisation, focused on delivering public transport.

The changes to the city’s transport governance have been in the making since 2025, when the government agreed to change legislation to give the council more control.

In a statement to RNZ, Phil Wilson confirmed an overall decrease of 20 roles had been proposed.

“One hundred and eighty roles across Auckland Transport and Auckland Council are proposed to be disestablished. However, new and different roles are being created, so the proposed net reduction in roles, on paper, is about 20.”

Of the nearly 2000 staff at AT, the council said roughly a third (about 650) were expected to go to the new Public Transport CCO. The remaining roles would go to the council.

Phil Wilson said a prudent approach to filling vacancies at AT had been taken in recent months to avoid the cost of redundancy and negative impacts on people.

The council said no final decisions had been made, and a two-and-a-half-week consultation period was underway.

“The consultation process is critical, and it’s important people understand that decisions will not be made until after staff input has been fully considered.”

Auckland’s transport reform is set to be completed by the end of October 2026.

AT refused to comment on details of the transport reform proposal.

Another proposed change outlined in documents seen by RNZ is the creation of a new Transport and Infrastructure Directorate in the council.

A proposed new department under the directorate, Transport Performance and Optimisation, would monitor the city’s transport network and aim to make it more efficient and safer.

Greater Auckland director, Matt Lowrie, hoped elected members would implement what he said were long called for changes, like more bus lanes, particularly in high-congestion areas.

“Any bus stuck in traffic is going to be slower than a car. Bus lanes mean they [buses] can speed up and be more efficient, and potentially be not just faster for the people using them, but do more runs in a day and therefore cost ratepayers less.”

But Tramways and Public Transport Employees Union president, Gary Froggatt, was sceptical proposed governance changes would do anything to make buses safer.

“I don’t think it’ll make any difference to the safety. There’s really not much more I see that can be done. Certainly, having transport officers on buses more frequently would help.

“We welcome any new initiatives, but the unions haven’t been consulted, and the drivers haven’t been consulted, and we’re a major stakeholder in this industry.”

All AT roles related to cycling infrastructure were proposed to go under another new department, Roading Infrastructure, which was also under the new directorarte.

Bike Auckland co-chair Karen Hormann was optimistic increased council control would speed up the delivery of cycle infrastructure.

She hoped the Transport Emissions Reduction Pathway, a strategic framework for reducing Auckland’s transport emissions, which was adopted by the council in 2022, would motivate elected officials to prioritise sustainable transport modes.

“There’s a mixed representation of people [on council and local boards] who completely understand the benefits of riding a bike and making it accessible for a range of communities.

“Different communities have different barriers, so we’re hoping local boards will help make more progress in some areas.”

She said especially with fuel prices skyrocketing there was a growing interest from the public in cycling to make commutes more affordable.

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This story contains sensitive details that may be distressing to read

A coronial inquest heard that police were looking to design a bespoke restraint chair with a head cushion, after a young man restrained in a chair inside police cells died.

Jaye Taueli forcefully thrashed his head back and forth over 160 times, while tied down in the chair, and later lost consciousness.

He was 21, when he died in Middlemore Hospital on 31 August, 2021 from a ruptured malformed vessel in his brain – a day after he was arrested for breaching electronically monitored bail, while charged with a sexual assault.

Police officers noticed signs of methamphetamine use when they arrested him and later put him in a restraint chair, after he banged his head on a cell door and walls, and appeared to try to strangle himself.

An investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) in 2023 found the use of the chair was justified, but that police still failed in their duty of care, and less forceful and less intrusive options should have been used first.

The two-day inquest in Auckland scrutinised the treatment of Taueli at the Counties Manukau Custody unit. It also heard discussions on how police manage detainees who are under the influence of drugs, and/or are suicidal, and what improvements were made to the training of custodial officers since Tuaeli’s death.

Inspector Jana Dale Peterson, who manages custody units across the country, told the inquest police now required all custody officers to be trained in the use of restraint chairs and custody supervisors had ongoing face-to-face training.

He said there were now more guidance on the monitoring of detainees who were suicidal.

Peterson said they were developing a prototype for a new restraint chair, with more protections around the headrest.

“We’re looking at developing a cushion… that can be put on the top end of the chair, so that when the person’s strapped in, their head will be pressing against it with the straps,” he said. “There should be very minimal movement.”

However, it was unclear when the new chair would be ready to use in custody units.

The lawyer assisting the coroner, Anson Grant, asked Peterson if the risk was lower now for a detainee to be punched in the face, when resisting being put into a restraint chair and threatening to bite officers – as Taueli was. Peterson answered he couldn’t confirm that, citing a “dynamic environment in custody”.

Peterson said they provided the training, but couldn’t always determine the outcome, as many factors came into play.

Asked if there were circumstances when police shouldn’t put a detainee in a restraint chair, when they’re agitated, Peterson said police were heavily scrutinised by the Ombudsman and the IPCA in the use of the chair, and it was only used when the risk assessment deems it was needed.

Scottish neuropathologist Dr Colin Smith told the inquest that Taueli’s head trauma and the trashing of his head in the chair alone couldn’t have killed him.

“The head is not impacting against a truly solid object, so from the biomechanics of head injury, the forces are not going to cause blood vessels to rupture,” he said.

Dr Smith said Taueli’s use of meth, combined with the vigorous head movement and his agitation, may have elevated his blood pressure – causing a pre-existing malformed blood vessel to rupture.

The inquest also heard from pharmacologist Dr Macdonald Christie that meth levels found in Taueli were low and not enough to have caused any spikes in blood pressure.

By the end of the two-day inquest, coroner Tania Tetitaha acknowledged the difficulty for police, when faced with detainees who were suicidal or under the influence of drugs.

“I think, when you’re restraining someone who may not only be self-harming or giving the indication of self-harming, but may also have hidden natural problems – however they’re bought about – that’s always a combination that even medical professionals would be struggling [with]” she said.

Little was known about the life of Jaye Taueli and no family members were at the inquest.

In the week leading up to his arrest, police said Taueli’s phone had more than 100 text messages related to drug dealings.

He was also involved in three family-harm incidents that week.

Police photos showed that a sparsely furnished unit, with a mattress on the floor, a smoke detector blocked with a cloth and a plastic bottle with a pipe, was where Taueli spent his last days on bail.

Where to get help:

• Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends
• Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202
• Samaritans: 0800 726 666
• Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
• What’s Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds
• Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, and English.
• Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
• Healthline: 0800 611 116
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• OUTLine: 0800 688 5463
• Aoake te Rā bereaved by suicide service: or call 0800 000 053

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

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

The Crusaders host Super Rugby rivals the Blues at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch on Friday.

Taha Kemara is out for the Crusaders, with Rivez Reihana named to start at first-five and Cooper Grant providing cover from the bench.

Jamie Hannah has replaced Tahlor Cahill at lock and Sevu Reece returns to the right wing.

Meanwhile, the Blues have made the bold call to bench Beauden Barrett for the clash.

Freshly returned from injury, Stephen Perofeta gets the nod instead, with Dalton Papali’i, Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Bradley Slater all returning to action.

Kickoff is at 7.05pm.

Crusaders: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Antonio Shalfoon, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Rivez Reihana, 11. Macca Springer, 12. David Havili (c), 13. Dallas McLeod, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Johnny McNicholl.

Bench: George Bell, Jack Sexton, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Dom Gardiner, Kyle Preston, Cooper Grant, Kurtis Macdonald.

Blues: 1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Sam Matenga, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Sam Darry, 6. Malachi Wrampling, 7. Dalton Papali’i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Sam Nock, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Pita Ahki, 13. AJ Lam, 14. Kade Banks, 15. Zarn Sullivan.

Bench: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Flyn Yates, Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Xavi Taele.

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

Customs, police and the health sector are combining forces to crack down on illicit tobacco, with a new “action group” the government announced Friday.

Minister for Customs Casey Costello said increasing numbers of black-market cigarettes and tobacco were being seized at the border, and there was been more widespread and blatant retail sales of the illegal products.

RNZ has been investigating the issue over the last month, uncovering multiple shops operating in Auckland selling the cheap tobacco products.

An East Auckland store was charging just $13 for a pack – less than half the excise duty required by law.

Importing cigarettes without paying the excise duty is illegal, and offenders can be charged with defrauding customs revenue.

It was also illegal for retailers to sell illicit cigarettes, with offenders facing a six-month prison sentence, a $20,000 fine or both.

Retail NZ released its report on the illegal sale of cigarettes in April, calling for a dedicated taskforce of health, customs, and police to address the issue.

The report estimated that more than 27 percent of tobacco smoked in 2024 was illicit.

On Friday, Costello said an organised response was required to get on top of the issue.

“The individual agencies are doing their roles well and there is good cooperation around operations and local initiatives, but we need to bring all of these powers and resources together as effectively as we can to stop this black market,” she said.

The government has established the action group with improved planning and joint operations to combat the illegal trade.

“A key shift, given the involvement of criminal gangs in the illicit trade, is formalising the role of police in supporting other enforcement activity,” Costello said.

“Customs and police have also stepped up their engagement with overseas counterparts. As with other illegal trade, New Zealand benefits from stopping supply before it gets to our country.”

Officials in the health sector were also working to improve tobacco control legislation.

Costello was also calling on the public to do their part.

“Buying cheap cigarettes isn’t a harmless crime. Money from the sale of these cigarettes funds gangs and overseas cartels and leads to violent crime, intimidation, and extortion in our communities.”

Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young, said the increased pressure on the illicit market was a good first step, but wanted the government to go further.

“We would like for further investment in customs to enhance our border protections and intelligence, tougher penalties for those caught importing and selling illicit tobacco, and banning online tobacco sales,” she said.

“We also believe establishing an independent panel of experts to consider what tobacco controls, enforcement tools, and enhanced public messaging could make a meaningful difference in this space would be hugely beneficial in finding a way to stamp out the market for good.”

A Growing Concern

RNZ has spoken to a number of experts on the issue as part of its investigation into illicit tobacco.

One such expert was retired Australian homicide detective Charlie Bezzina, who said the genie was out of the bottle across the Tasman.

“Given the fact that we’ve let this ferment, and it’s fermented, it’s grown, it’s spread, it’s like a cancer, and then to try and then start implementing resources is quite difficult,” he said.

“If it’s in its infancy in New Zealand, you have to learn by our mistakes.”

Bezzina said New Zealand law enforcement should speak with Australian law enforcement, who possessed a wealth of information on the issue.

He said Victoria’s state government had been slow to respond to the organised crime element.

Chief executive of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, Letitia Harding, also raised concerns about the lack of health warnings featured on the illicit packets of smokes.

Of the 15 different packs of cigarettes at the store RNZ visited, only one carried the mandated health warnings.

“They do deter people,” she said.

“I think it’s a reminder that cigarettes do have a long lasting negative impact on your health and can cause death.”

Market Numbers Questioned

Amid the unease over the country’s budding black market for illicit tobacco, concerns were also raised that the issue was being overblown by interest groups.

The director of Action for Smokefree Aotearoa NZ, Ben Youdan, said when it came to tracking and researching the black market, transparency was key.

“The tobacco industry’s got a long history of exploiting a lot of different people and voices in their own commercial interests,” he said.

“I think there’s definitely some genuine concerns for especially small retailers around some of those issues around tobacco, the tobacco industry always has another interest in telling this story, but there’s definitely an issue in there that we shouldn’t just be dismissing.”

Youdan urged leaders to think critically about what they were being told.

“Really kind of asking those questions about whose arguments are they, who’s setting the playbook on this, and really making sure it’s as legitimate as possible.”

“I think that’s incredibly challenging given the long history that industry has had in this debate and stoking the fire around illicit tobacco.”

The 27 percent consumption figure used in the Retail NZ report was originally sourced from a separate 2025 report which was prepared for the exclusive benefit and use of Imperial Tobacco New Zealand and British American Tobacco New Zealand.

However, Retail NZ said while its paid-up members include those companies, the report it released was researched and written independently by Retail NZ staff.

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

Dozens of Taranaki teenagers have jumped behind the controls of heavy equipment at an event designed to encourage young women to consider trades careers.

Organisers of the ‘Women in Trades’ showcase in Inglewood say women are valued employees, but many are missing out on six-figure salaries by not considering a life on the tools.

It might not be as intimidating as some think, with one young potential recruit comparing working a digger to gaming.

Tiama Hill has just handled a digger – and she’s fizzing.

“The digger driving it was amazing,” she said. “It was actually really fun.

“It was really confusing [at first], because everything was back-forth-left-right, but it was usually really basic kind of once you get it.”

She compared it to working a gaming console.

“With the gaming console, obviously you’re using the same movements and that’s exactly what you’re going up there.”

The Year 13 student at Te Paepae O Aotea in Hāwera successfully transferred a scoop full of mulch from one concrete container to another.

Hill had received the memo about potential earnings in the trades.

“It is one of my plans to be in a trade [because] of the money. I’ve heard that, if you do the right , you can earn a lot of money.

“Like, at Fonterra, you get a lot of money in engineering [roles].”

Taranaki Women in Trades chair Katrina Mayo said the Inglewood event was designed to open the eyes of young women to the opportunities in trades.

“Today’s about giving girls a chance to get on the tools and have a try,” she said. “Quite often, they feel a bit shy, when you go to events and there’s a lot of guys around, and they don’t want to try things out.

“This is a chance when it’s just the girls, and they can jump on a digger, grab a nail gun and actually have a go on the tools, and see what it feels like and talk to people who are actually in the trades, and hear what it is actually like in the industry.”

She said women were an under-utilised resource in the sector.

“You are always looking for talent, you’re always looking to bring people into the industry and why only focus on 50 percent of the population.

“There’s really untapped potential in bringing women into the trades workforce, where they haven’t traditionally been, and the employers love them. They’re really good on the tools, and great with health and safety.”

Mayo said, on a recent school visit, the teachers underestimated the six-figure plus salary of a scaffolding project manager by more than half.

Fulton Hogan apprentice Saffron Quita-Caldwell came up via the Gateway programme at Inglewood High School and hasn’t looked back.

“I did that for about eight months, and I did a range of different crews and everything. I did earthworks, did a little bit of roading and drainage, and I did carpentry.

“I definitely fell in love with doing carpentry and I’ve just started in the last month my carpentry apprenticeship, to be a civil carpenter.”

The 17-year-old reckoned the career prospects were endless.

“You can end up like my boss [division manager] Kimberly [de Vries], who started young and is now our big boss.

“Once you upskill, and get different qualifications and licences, the pay rises are just coming in.”

She had no regrets about not taking a more academic route.

“Nah, apprenticeship is the way to go, earn as you learn.”

Safety manager at the Mt Messenger Bypass Project Te Ara o Te Ata, Elaine Aorangi, was keynote speaker at the event.

“My takeaway for the girls out there is to find something you are passionate about and don’t be scared – this environment is limitless. There’s no such thing as male-only jobs any more.”

Aorangi trained as a youth worker, before deciding that couldn’t offer her what she wanted in life.

“I got so far and realised I wanted more. In trades, it opened up so many different industries for me.

“I was able to travel the world and see things I’d never seen before, and make good money doing it.”

Aorangi said the trades were far more inviting to women now than they had been when she made the shift 20 years ago.

About 25 percent of the staff at the Mt Messenger project were women.

Site engineer Emily Kang came to the role via circuitous route, which included a polytech carpentry course and a concreting apprenticeship.

“They [the concreting company] kind of picked up that I had potential to go more the engineering route, so that was a real compliment. The opportunity to do engineering I didn’t fall into it as such – they saw my hard work, and because of that, they signed me up for a cadetship.”

The 25-year-old, who studied alongside working full-time for four years, reckoned taking the trades route had paid off for her.

Fonterra milk tanker driver Jessica Davis was showing youngsters through her big rig.

She transferred from the manufacturing division at the Whareroa plant to the driving team, financing part of the retraining herself.

“What got me into driving was I always wanted to do something for Fonterra that was different.

“You know, you can do the packing or the manufacturing, but driving sort of scared me, so I wanted to do something that excited me everyday.

“The other thing is I wanted to be able to show my sons that girls could actually do things that boys did.”

Sitting behind the wheel, Inglewood High School student Emily Munroe could imagine a life on the road.

“Just the nature of it, being able to travel around New Zealand, and do driving and stuff.

“I feel very safe in a truck, very enclosed, and having that view and seeing the plantations around New Zealand appeals.”

She wasn’t worried about it being considered a male job.

“Nope.”

According to the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, women made up about 15 percent of construction-sector jobs, but only about 3 percent of ‘on-the-tools’ tradespeople in New Zealand were women.

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

A nurse who was stabbed, burned and held captive by a patient in respite care says the effect on their life was “catastrophic”.

Their experience is one of two detailed in a new report, published in the NZ Medical Journal, called ‘Reluctant victims: healthcare workers and workplace violence’, authored by registered nurse Wendy Strawbridge, victims advocate Ruth Money and psychiatrist Lillian Ng.

The report says, while non-physical violence is much more common, physical violence has had a steeper incline, rising significantly in the past three decades.

The most at-risk services are emergency departments, mental health units, drug and alcohol clinics, those in remote locations and ambulances.

Underlying factors include delays in care, frustration with long waits leading to emotional escalation, understaffing, emotional or mental stress of patients or visitors, and insufficient security.

Meanwhile, Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand data shows assaults on public sector staff in some regions have more than doubled from 2022-25.

The data, which reflects all HNZ staff, not just those in hospitals, shows total assaults rose from 342 in 2022 to 925 in 2025 in the central region.

In the northern region, that number increased from 668 to 2928, although a reporting difference in this region’s emergency department, allowing multiple staff to log one incident, could account for some of that increase.

In the midland region, it rose from 335 to 1019 and, in the South Island, from 1483 to 2712. These figures are total numbers, not accounting for population growth.

Nurse ‘attacked and held captive for 30 minutes’

The first case study is a registered nurse, who the report does not name, working in the community. During a visit to a patient in respite care, they were attacked and held captive for 30 minutes, before escaping.

“I survived because I was fit, and used the skills I learned in calming and restraint training,” they said.

They were left badly injured, with facial fractures and stab wounds to their face, neck and back, and burns to 30 percent of their body.

In the aftermath, they said navigating the criminal justice system added another layer of distress.

In order to access more psychological support, they accepted a diagnosis of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), but then found that limited their work options, income protection and travel insurance.

“Before the attack, I worked full-time, I loved my role and was regarded as competent and innovative. The aftermath of the attempt on my life was catastrophic.”

They returned to work part-time 10 weeks after the incident, despite ongoing recovery and pain.

“However, my rehabilitation case manager told me reduced hours ‘can’t go on forever’. She admitted she had not taken the time to read my notes and understand what had happened to me, citing workload pressures.

“Support from the acting manager of my workplace was limited, which compounded the sense of not being heard, invisibility and disempowerrment during an already traumatic time.”

While the return of their usual manager resulted in some “real support and action”, and a workplace transfer, eventually they decided a highly stressful job wasn’t worth the toll and resigned.

The incident contributed to the breakdown of their 25-year marriage, the loss of their job and home, and “most painfully”, their sense of self.

“I went from being a respected colleague and clinician to being defined as a victim.”

In a new job as a mental health promoter for a non-government organisation, they were significantly affected by the return of their attacker to their vicinity as a patient.

“I became seriously concerned for my safety and wellbeing, and that of secondary victims,” they said. “My request for a restorative justice meeting was never progressed and my concerns were often met with platitudes – ‘no system is perfect’ – exemplifying systemic complacency.”

The attacker eventually died in care.

Psychiatrist attacked, while assessing young woman in prison

The second case study is a psychiatrist, who – while assessing a young psychiatric patient in the intensive care unit at a women’s prison – was attacked over the table in an interview room.

A nurse, a student and three corrections officers were also present.

“The patient walked calmly into the room and sat across a desk opposite us. Suddenly, she lunged across the desk.

“Her fist contacted my head before she was restrained by the custodial staff. I did not lose consciousness nor was I severely injured.

“This was my first and only incident of violence.”

They continued working after the incident, and later learned the patient was transferred to a medium-secure psychiatric unit and assaulted staff there. No charges were laid.

Eventually, they made an insurance claim for concussion.

“In retrospect, my initial reluctance to take action was to minimise the incident; after all, I wasn’t severely injured and the patient received treatment. I did not wish to waste my or anyone else’s time or energy, and I did not view myself as a victim.”

The assault led to some reflection.

“In retrospect, I should have left the workplace immediately and sent my affected team members home. My questions: How do we model self-care?

“How many of my colleagues had sustained injuries and not sought care for themselves?”

The interview room, which had a blind corner, ceased to be used to see patients and construction for a new interview room was later approved.

Recommendations

Ruth Money, one of the paper’s authors and chief victims adviser to the government, said violence was likely under-reported across the health system.

“There’s almost this acceptance for healthcare workers to put up with a level of violence that might not be accepted in other places,” she said.

Victims needed to be encouraged to disclose violence, but the system needed to be equipped to support them.

“It will help stop that behaviour and, you know, help the next person,” she said. “The system around the data collection needs to be a lot more detailed to be able to educate, and make some good processes and policies moving forward.”

Money said she had been overwhelmed with people getting in touch, since the paper’s publication, to thank the authors for shining a light on an experience similar to their own.

The report finds that, often, the onus is on the healthcare worker to be proactive and follow-up when assaults happen.

“These experiences illustrate gaps in system care of staff after violence in a healthcare setting,” it says.

It makes three key recommendations:

• A nationwide unified approach to collecting, analysing and reporting data on workplace violence across the health sector to assist with sharing information on findings
• Commission research on the consequences of workplace violence, particularly psychosocial impacts, to better understand effects on productivity, retention, burnout and culture
• Strengthen health and safety legislation to assist with clarifying responsibilities of individuals and organisations in identifying and managing risks, and monitoring violence

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

A GoFundMe page has been launched for former Warriors NRL player Jason Death, following reports he’s suffered a serious fall.

According to a post on the website, Death has a long recovery ahead of him, after he fractured his skull which caused bleeding on the brain.

He is intensive care following surgery,

“Jason and his family are some of the kindest people around, and now it’s our turn to support them. Any donation, big or small, would be greatly appreciated,” the post said.

Death, 54, played 55 games for the Warriors between 1999-2001. He also played the for Canberra Raiders, North Queensland Cowboys and South Sydney Rabbitohs in his 14-year career.

Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, who’s also a former Warriors coach, is Death’s brother-in-law.

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

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 May 2026 – Techcombank successfully hosted the Overseas Insurance Talent Roadshow 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, bringing together global insurance professionals and presenting long-term career opportunities in Vietnam’s evolving insurance market.

The event marked the first international debut of two insurance companies within Techcombank’s ecosystem — Techcom Life (life insurance) and Techcom Insurance (non-life insurance). Both entities are positioned to build a new generation of insurance, anchored in data, technology, and customer-centricity.

The roadshow featured senior leadership from across the ecosystem, including Mr. Pranav Seth, Chairman of Techcom Insurance; Mr. Mukesh Pilania, Chief Executive Officer of Techcom Life; and Ms. Veo Nguyen, Chief People Officer of Techcombank, alongside other executives leading key functions in technology, distribution, and product development.

Discussions at the event focused on Vietnam’s economic outlook and the evolving role of insurance in its next phase of development. Speakers highlighted the industry’s transition from traditional, product-led models toward data-driven, technology-enabled, and personalized approaches, with increasing emphasis on customer experience and long-term engagement.

Participants engaged in in-depth exchanges with the leadership team, gaining insights into Vietnam’s insurance landscape as well as a clearer understanding of the vision and long-term aspirations behind Techcombank’s newly established insurance businesses. The sessions reflected growing international interest in Vietnam as a high-potential market undergoing structural transformation.

Techcom Life, the group’s life insurance arm, has demonstrated strong early momentum, achieving a trajectory within six months and ranking No.1 in the bancassurance market in Q1 2026. Meanwhile, Techcom Insurance served over 650,000 customers in 2025 through a nationwide network of 280 branches and more than 3,500 sales professionals, reflecting its growing scale in the non-life insurance segment.

Hong Kong, one of Asia’s leading insurance hubs, is part of Techcombank’s broader international roadmap, following previous engagements in Singapore, the United States, Europe, and Australia.

Techcombank plans to continue the Overseas Insurance Talent Roadshow across additional global markets in 2026, as part of its strategy to attract international talent and support the development of a next-generation insurance ecosystem in Vietnam.

Hashtag: #Techcombank

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

China dairy giant Yili’s West Coast-based New Zealand operations have delivered record revenue and profits, driven by a strategic shift into higher-value dairy products.

The group – which includes Westland Milk Products, Oceania Dairy and EasiYo – reported revenue of $1.58 billion in 2025, up 14 percent, while pre-tax profit jumped more than three-fold to $58.4 million.

Yili entered the New Zealand dairy sector in 2013 with its Oceania Dairy investment in South Canterbury, later expanding its footprint with the purchase of Westland Milk Products in 2019.

The companies, operating collectively as the Yili Oceania Group, undertook a major business transformation in 2025, increasing collaboration between Westland Milk Products and Oceania Dairy, which it said has accelerated earnings growth.

It says this helped accelerate earnings growth despite the farmgate milk price rising 30 percent to $10.16 per kilogram of milk solids.

Executive director of Yili Oceania, Zhiqiang Li, said the structural upgrade and capability enhancement programme has delivered solid, higher-quality growth, shifting the business from a volume-driven model to one focused on value.

“By accelerating the shift towards value-added products, we achieved record-high revenue and profit, while also making tangible progress in capacity expansion, operational efficiency and global channel development,” he said.

The company has also strengthened its leadership team over the past year, including the appointment of Alex Turnbull as chief executive in February.

Li thanked staff and said the company had worked to build strong partnerships with New Zealand dairy farmers and other partners.

“Over the past decade of investment in New Zealand, we have worked hard to build fair, transparent and sustainable relationships, ensuring that value is shared across the supply chain,” he said.

Chief executive Alex Turnbull said the group remains focused on its role as an economic cornerstone of the West Coast, adding the results would allow continued investment in the business and workforce.

He said strong pricing, a greater focus on higher-value products, and foreign exchange management supported the result.

“The business is now well-placed to build further on the value-over-volume strategy,” Turnbull said.

The group has expanded production capacity with a third butter line at Hokitika to boost output of Westgold butter, and commissioned a second lactoferrin plant at the site, making it one of the largest lactoferrin production facilities in the world.

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

Xero founder Sir Rod Drury has returned his 2026 New Zealander of the Year award following claims of misconduct against former staff.

The initial complaint alleged misconduct when former Xero staffer Ally Naylor was a junior Xero employee in 2017.

Since then, two more women have come forward to Stuff, with allegations of unwanted contact.

The New Zealander of the Year Awards Office confirmed on Friday, Drury had returned his award.

“The New Zealander of the Year Awards exist to celebrate those whose contributions strengthen Aotearoa New Zealand and reflect the values of leadership, service, integrity and respect for others,” it said.

“Any matter that undermines or calls into question those values is not consistent with the standards and expectations we hold for the awards programme.”

It said the award had been returned after discussions with Drury.

The 2026 award would not be re-awarded, the office said.

Drury previously released a response to Naylor’s complaints, labelling his relationship with Naylor as a “limited, consensual relationship”.

The accounting software company had launched a review into its handling of the allegations at the time.

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

Police are askng for help from the public in finding an Auckland teenager who has been missing for almost a month.

Awheo, 15, was last seen shortly before 10am on Monday, 13 April in the Northcote area heading towards Glenfield.

He was described by police as being 188cm tall with curly light brown hair and blue eyes and was wearing a black hoodie and black Nike shoes with red detailing.

A police spokesperson said police and Awheo’s family were concerned for his welfare and wanted to find him as soon as possible.

Anyone who had seen Awheo or had any information that could help find him, should call police on 105, quoting file number 260416/3163.

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

The Commerce Commission has greenlit the merger of fuel companies Gull and NPD.

The competition regulator said it was satisfied the proposed merger was not likely to substantially lessen competition in the market.

Under the merger proposal, Gull and NPD’s combined 240 sites would maintain their brands.

The South Island-based Sheridan family would own half, with Barry Sheridan, current NPD chief executive, to lead the new company.

Australian-based private equity firm Allegro Funds, owner of Gull, would hold the other half.

The new parent company would be called Astra Energy Group.

“Our investigation included looking at the markets within which NPD and Gull currently operate and assessing whether there would still be adequate competitive alternatives post-merger to constrain the new company’s ability to raise prices and reduce the quality of its service,” commission chair John Small said.

“Following this work, we are satisfied that the proposed merger is not likely to substantially lessen competition in any market in New Zealand in which the parties compete, or are likely to compete in future,” Small said.

The commission said it also considered whether the merger could lead to the merged entity or its competitors working together to exercise their collective power.

However, it concluded it would not change conditions in a way that made coordination more likely.

Small said the merged entity would likely be constrained in the retail and wholesale supply of fuel by the presence of other competitors, such as major players Z, BP and Mobil.

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

Police have recovered a body from where a tractor went into the Otututu/Rough River near Ikamatua on the West Coast.

The tractor was found upside down in the river at 10.45am on Friday morning.

The person was found a short time later and is believed to be the only person involved.

Police were asking people to avoid the area while emergency services worked at the scene.

The Buller and Grey districts are under orange heavy rain warnings.

The death will be referred to the Coroner.

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

New Zealand-founded company Rocket Lab is well placed to benefit from the Trump administration’s planned “Golden Dome” space missile shield, according to its chief executive Sir Peter Beck.

It comes after it posted record revenue of US$200 million (NZ$336 million) in the first quarter, as demand for its launch vehicles surged.

The company, listed on the US-based Nasdaq, said it had signed 31 new launch contracts for its Electron and HASTE launch vehicles.

It said that it now had more than 70 contracted missions, with its backlog valued at US$2.2 billion (NZ$3.7 billion).

While revenue was up more than 63 percent on the same period a year earlier, the company still posted a net loss of about US$45m (NZ$75.6m).

During the quarter, the company said it had signed five new dedicated Neutron launch contracts with an undisclosed customer.

That comes after it signed a record US$190 million (NZ$319.2m) contract from the United States Department of War, formally the Department of Defence, for a series of hypersonic test flights using its HASTE launch vehicle.

Sir Peter told an investor briefing that HASTE’s growth had left it well positioned for future US defence spending.

“HASTE’s strength has helped us to position us in the centre of America’s defence architecture for the next big wave of spending,” he said.

The Trump administration was planning to spend around US$175 million on a new space missile defence shield known as “Golden Dome”.

“We are already ingrained with spacecraft components and full satellite builds and when you add HASTE hypersonic rockets to test missile tracking and defence, that’s almost the entire spectrum of capabilities covered by Golden Dome,” Sir Peter said.

The first launch of the Neutron launch vehicle was expected later this year from a site in the United States.

Rocket Lab’s New Zealand launch site based on the Mahia Peninsula was used for the smaller Electron launch vehicle.

The company also completed the acquisition of space robotics company Motiv Space Systems during the quarter. It said this would add Mars-proven robotics capability to Rocket Lab, for advanced planetary and national security missions.

Looking ahead the company said it expected revenue to be even higher in the second quarter, at between US$225m (NZ$378m) and US$240m (NZ$403.2m).

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

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 May 2026 – Apple Storage is once again redefining the public’s imagination of self-storage. Located at the Lap Tai Industrial Centre in Tsuen Wan, the group has launched Hong Kong’s first IP-themed concept store, spanning over 10,000 square feet. This new branch seamlessly blends the brand’s exclusive IP characters with lifestyle aesthetics, introducing a premium “Airport VIP Lounge” experience to the storage industry for the first time.

In addition to specialized storage solutions—including dedicated units for clothing, collectibles, books, and bicycle parking—the facility features a groundbreaking VIP Lounge. Customers can enjoy complimentary access to massage chairs and co-working spaces, extending the storage experience into a lifestyle enjoyment. Apple Storage is committed to transforming storage from a utility into an exclusive clubhouse, allowing customers to free up home space while fully immersing themselves in hobbies such as outdoor activities or art collection.

Business-Grade Work Facilities

The branch features a dedicated co-working space equipped with computers, printing facilities, workstations, and charging points. Customers can conveniently handle business or personal administrative tasks, such as printing documents or conducting online research, directly on-site.

Party Room-Style Entertainment

To make the storage process relaxing and enjoyable, Apple Storage has equipped the VIP Lounge with professional massage chairs for immediate post-task stress relief. The Group has upgraded the facilities to rival a “Party Room” environment, featuring billiards, television, and Nintendo Switch consoles. This allows family members to stay entertained while customers manage their storage units at their own pace.

The lounge also includes a spacious communal table, perfect for assembling intricate models or playing board games. Guests can enjoy complimentary coffee and various beverages from the self-service refreshment counter, turning a cold warehouse into a private sanctuary for family time.

Comprehensive Storage Amenities

The facility is equipped with 24-hour support, climate and humidity control, CCTV, smart access control, and regular staff patrols to ensure maximum safety and comfort. Additional amenities such as packing zones, trolleys, and bicycle repair tools are provided for customer convenience. Customers can retreat to the leisure area or VIP lounge whenever they need a break.

Over 120 Branches: Hong Kong’s Leader in Regulatory Compliance

With deep roots in Hong Kong since 2005, Apple Storage has expanded to over 120 branches, serving more than 100,000 customers. Recognizing that safety is always the clients’ top priority, Apple Storage adheres to the highest standards of compliant operations. As an industry leader, Apple Storage maintains close communication with the Buildings Department and the Fire Services Department. Apple Storage takes pride in having the largest network of branches in Hong Kong that have successfully passed inspections by both departments. The Group pledges to continue upgrading fire safety facilities in line with government guidelines to ensure total peace of mind for every customer.

A New Era of Smart Storage: Integrating AI Technology

Apple Storage Group continues to invest heavily in integrating smart technology into its services. Hardware upgrades, including facial recognition systems and smart sensor lighting, have been rolled out across all branches to enhance security and energy efficiency.

On the innovation front, Apple Storage has developed a proprietary Customer Matching System. Utilizing AI data analysis, the system creates tailor-made storage solutions for clients, driving the business toward full digitalization. Currently, the Group is developing an “AI Smart Warehouse” project, which will apply cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence to unit management and customer interaction, signaling a new future for the industry.

Professional & Transparent: One-Stop Moving Team

Apple Storage offers a comprehensive “one-stop” moving and storage service, managed by the Group’s professional brand, APPLE MOVING. The team handles everything from general moving to third-party delivery and pickup. To ensure maximum protection, the team provides packing materials—such as boxes and bubble wrap—in advance of the moving date.

Unlike many local independent movers, Apple Moving operates under a transparent corporate management model. With strict service guidelines and a standardized quoting system, the Group guarantees transparent pricing and strictly prohibits “on-site price hikes” or the solicitation of tips, providing customers with a reliable brand guarantee.

Two Decades of Excellence: Recipient of the “10th Year Award for Hong Kong Service Brand”

Since opening its first branch in 2005, Apple Storage has accompanied Hong Kong families and businesses for over 20 years. Today, with branches in every corner of the city, Apple Storage’s commitment to a “premium environment” and “reliable service” remains unchanged.

The company’s professionalism has earned widespread market recognition, including five consecutive years of Quality Service Certification from the Hong Kong Retail Management Association (HKRMA). In 2026, the Group was honored with the “10th Year Award for Hong Kong Service Brand” by the Hong Kong Brand Development Council. These accolades reflect the trust of over 100,000 customers.

Multi-Brand Synergy: A Comprehensive Storage Ecosystem

The Group’s portfolio includes Apple Storage Premium, U SPACE, Apple Moving, and Apple Wine Cellar, providing a diverse range of integrated storage solutions. From flexible self-storage and professionally managed central storage to door-to-door storage and point-to-point logistics, current services cover every user need.

Apple Storage offers various sizes and specialized units, such as climate-controlled storage for clothing and sneakers, display units for toys, specialized bicycle racks, and flexible shelving units, creating bespoke space solutions for every client.

Driving ESG Strategy for a Green Future

Apple Storage Group has actively implemented ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies in recent years. Regarding Environmental Protection, Apple Storage is transitioning to sensor-based energy-saving systems and prioritizing appliances with “Grade 1 Energy Labels.” Apple Storage’s own headquarters has also gone paperless through comprehensive digitalization.

In terms of Social Responsibility, the “Apple Volunteer Team” has collaborated with charities for years to support the underprivileged. Looking ahead, Apple Storage has set clear sustainability goals: a commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 10% within three years and increased investment in philanthropy, including pro-bono moving services and storage space donations. Recently, Apple Storage collaborated with a charity to provide free storage and moving services for residents of Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po, assisting them during their relocation and home clearing process.

Hashtag: #AppleStorage

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.