MIL OSI

Auckland freeskier Mischa Thomas has qualified for the final of the halfpipe at the Winter Olympics.

The 17 year old landed a score of 77.00 in her first run and followed that up with a slightly improved 77.50 in her second.

With the best score from the two runs counting, Thomas qualified tenth.

The field had to contend with falling snow during the competition and Thomas said it provided some challenges.

“It was a run I was pretty comfortable doing, I’ve done quite a few times,” she told Sky Sport.

“The pipe was still fast and it is kind of scary to see what it is going to be like when it’s not snowing. It was a little bumpy so just had to manage that, but you get given what you’re given and you just have to deal with it.”

Zoe Atkin of Great Britain topped the qualifying with a best score of 91.50, while defending champion Eileen Gu of China qualified fifth with a score of 86.50.

The competition was paused for 15 minutes when Canadian Cassie Sharpe, who won halfpipe gold in 2018 and silver in 2022, fell and appeared to knock her head. She received medical attention but still qualified third.

The final is on Sunday morning.

Heavy snow again forced organisers to change the schedule with qualifying for the men’s freeski halfpipe pushed back a day.

It means Fin Melville Ives, Luke Harold, Gustav Legnavsky and Ben Harrington will start their qualifying on Friday night with the final scheduled for Saturday morning.

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

A new travel option that enables eligible Chinese and Pacific visitors to cross the ditch to New Zealand visa free is bringing in a considerable boost in tourism and revenue, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston say.

“In December, we announced that 13,000 Chinese and Pacific travellers had already visited, with 24,000 total requests approved. After two months, that number has now almost tripled to 36,800 visits, along with 54,000 requests approved,” Ms Stanford says.

“With average visitor spend at $5,800 for Chinese visitors, according to the International Visitor Survey, that amounts to an estimated economic injection of $210 million for Kiwi businesses from those who have visited, with Chinese visitors making up around 36,200 of visits through the new pathway.

“We are committed to supporting Kiwis businesses to thrive, and these results, which boost our wider tourism sector. Tourism is our second largest export and it is fantastic to see results which boost our wider tourism sector.” 

“Everybody wants the chance to visit and experience New Zealand, and through our change to allow more people to visit through visa-free travel from Australia, it appears to be a no-brainer.”

Ms Stanford says the change that was introduced was a deciding factor in people visiting New Zealand – 85 percent of Chinese travellers and 82 percent of Pacific travellers surveyed said they travelled here specifically because of the new NZeTA option.

Ms Upston says this is already bringing in a sizeable boost in revenue across the country, and in particular our key tourism regions.

“Visitor spending is going directly into local businesses. That includes shops, eateries, accommodation, and tour operators – and this is spending which may not have come into New Zealand prior to the change. This is all part of our Government’s plan to fix the basics and build the future. 

“The South Island remains extremely popular, with 67 percent of Chinese and Pacific visitors arriving at an international airport in the South Island to start their travels.

“The travel changes we’ve made are reflective of this Government’s stance – we back Kiwi businesses and we back our regions. We are relentlessly focused on making smart, commonsense, and sometimes simple changes, which bring big value for New Zealanders.”

Notes to editor:

Since November, eligible Chinese and Pacific Island Forum passport holders travelling to New Zealand from Australia no longer need to obtain a Visitor Visa . Instead, they can apply for a New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) as part of a 12-month trial. 

Instead of spending $441 and waiting an average of 4 days, individuals from China travelling via Australia can pay as little as $117 and have their application for an NZeTA processed in 24 hours. Individuals from the Pacific can pay as low as $17 instead of spending $216 and waiting an average 6 days for a visitor visa.

MIL OSI

Auckland Airport has posted a steady half-year result, with the company cautiously optimistic about passenger growth in the near term.

Key numbers for the six months ended December 2025 compared with a year ago:

• Net profit $177m vs $187.3m
• Revenue $519.6m vs $499.9m
• Underlying profit $157.1m vs $148.1m
• Passenger numbers 9.64m vs 9.46m
• Interim dividend 6.5 cents per share v 6.25 cps

Its bottom line profit decreased 5 percent amid a jump in depreciation expenses reflecting new assets the airport commissioned. Stripping aside one-offs, underlying profit increased 6 percent.

Chief executive Carrie Hurihanganui said the passenger demand trend was “positive”, and singled out the China Eastern Shanghai-Auckland-Buenos Aires service as a highlight, which she said was proving popular.

“While the passenger demand trajectory is certainly positive, we expect the ongoing global fleet shortages to continue to weigh on the availability of new seat capacity supply and the pace of growth in the near term,” she said.

The airport said it had been a promising start to the 2026 financial year for international travel, with seat capacity up 1.8 percent from a year ago, lifting non-transit passenger movements to 93 percent of pre-Covid levels.

“Travellers on North American routes continue to be exceptionally well served with seven airlines competing in the market, and we’re welcoming more inbound visitors to New Zealand on these routes than ever before,” Hurihanganui said.

Temporary disruption as work continues on terminal

Hurihanganui said construction of the integrated domestic jet terminal remained on track for completion in 2029.

Construction activity at the international terminal over the next 18 months would become more visible to travellers with the opening of a temporary check-in facility.

“This next stage of the build, where we are upgrading the check-in area at the international terminal, is an essential step in delivering the long-term capacity, resilience and improved customer experience travellers have been asking for at Auckland Airport,” she said.

“Travellers can expect some temporary disruption as this complex work gets underway, particularly in international departures.”

Hurihanganui said the airport was working with airlines and government agency partners to minimise

The airport forecast full-year underlying profit of between $295 million and $320m, and forecast capital expenditure guidance of between $1 billion and $1.2b.

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

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott has won silver in the women’s Snowboard Slopestyle event, in a final run that left viewers on the edges of their seats.

The win secures New Zealand’s third medal of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy.

After topping the qualifying round, Sadowski-Synnott was up last in the line-up of 12 women. Her run one score of 73.01 immediately took her to third place, despite coming off early on one of the rails.

She dropped to fourth during round two, where she remained after her 77.61-scoring run when, despite some impressive jumps, she again came off early on the second rail.

However, the 24-year-old managed to turn the competition around in her last attempt, with a clean run bringing her up to second place with a score of 87.48 – just 0.35 points behind Japan’s Mari Fukada, who took home gold.

The win marks Sadowski-Synnott’s fifth Olympic medal.

It was a longer than expected wait for competitors, after heavy snow saw the event postponed on Tuesday (local time).

Earlier, Dane Menzies missed out on a medal in the men’s Snowboard Slopestyle final.

The 20-year-old from Wanaka was also 12th in the line-up after placing first in the qualifier, and got off to a strong start.

Run one earned him a solid score of 76.10, his best in the event, but run two saw him drop to fifth place with a score of 21.03.

Menzies was unable to up his score with a clean run on his last attempt, scoring 34.61, leading to a seventh place finish.

He only needed another three points to crack the top three.

China’s Su Yiming won the event with a top score of 82.41.

New Zealand has now secured three medals in this year’s games.

Luca Harrington brought home bronze at the men’s Freestyle Skiing Slopestyle event last week, while Zoi Sadowski-Synnott claimed New Zealand’s first medal of the games, taking silver in the Big Air event.

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

Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum announces an exciting line-up of international touring exhibitions, including an exclusive new Triceratops exhibition, coming to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland over 2026 and 2027.

Auckland Museum Director of Audience Engagement Victoria Travers says the upcoming programme brings a diverse range of exhibitions from around the world.

“The next two years of our international exhibition programme reflects Auckland Museum’s commitment to presenting world-class touring exhibitions, with March of the Triceratops set to be a major highlight.”

“As the only Australasian venue on the exhibition’s international tour, Auckland Museum will give visitors the rare opportunity to come face-to-face with the world’s only known Triceratops herd, alongside other exceptional international exhibitions arriving in Tāmaki Makaurau,” says Travers.

Due to strong public interest, Sharks, created by the Australian Museum, has been extended through to Monday 1 June 2026. This exhibition explores the diversity and evolution of sharks, their significance within First Nations and Pasifika knowledge systems, and the latest global research into shark conservation, offering visitors a deeper understanding of these ancient and often misunderstood ocean predators.

Opening on Saturday 27 June 2026, Wildlife Photographer of the Year returns to Auckland Museum in its 61st year, presenting a breathtaking selection of images from the world’s most prestigious wildlife photography competition. The exhibition celebrates the beauty, complexity and fragility of the natural world, captured by photographers from across the globe.

Coming September 2026, families and dinosaur enthusiasts can step back into the prehistoric past with March of the Triceratops. This once-in-a-lifetime exhibition showcases the world’s only Triceratops herd, with a rare group of five recently excavated fossils. Through immersive displays, life-size models, animatronics and augmented reality, this exhibition brings the story of Triceratops to life, exploring their behaviour, biology, and the ancient environments they once roamed.

Opening in June 2027, Ming: The Golden Empire showcases the brilliance of China’s Ming dynasty. This exhibition explores revolutionary social change, artistic achievement, and cultural richness through treasures from the Nanjing Museum that rarely leave China.

Auckland Museum Membership, with three options to select from, provides unlimited free entry to all paid exhibitions, as well as discounted event tickets and exclusive Member-only events. Find out more at: aucklandmuseum.com/membership

Further details, and public programmes and events to be announced; sign up to our What’s On email for updates.

Auckland Museum exhibition programme for 2026/2027:

SHARKS
EXTENDED UNTIL MON 1 JUN 2026
ADULT $22, CHILD (5-15 YRS) $11, UNDER 5 YRS FREE, FAMILY (2 ADULT, 2 CHILD) $59, CONCESSIONS (STUDENTS & SENIORS) $20
FREE FOR MUSEUM MEMBERS

Created by the Australian Museum, Sharks invites you to explore the fascinating, and often misunderstood, world of sharks. Come face-to-face with life-sized, scientifically accurate shark models, including one of the most famous and feared species of shark, the Great White Shark. Learn through artefacts and tactile displays; be immersed in a digital oceanarium; and see the world in a 360-degree view through the eyes of a Hammerhead Shark.

Sharks is produced and toured by the Australian Museum and proudly supported by Earth Sciences NZ.

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 61
SAT 27 JUN – SUN 23 AUG 2026
FREE WITH MUSEUM ENTRY

Now in its sixty-first year, and on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, Wildlife Photographer of the Year features some of the most exceptional nature photography taken today from across the globe.

The exhibition shines a light on powerful and fascinating images that capture hidden animal behaviour, spectacular species, and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world. Using photography’s unique emotive power to engage and inspire audiences, the images share stories and species from around the world, encouraging a future of advocating for the planet.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.

MARCH OF THE TRICERATOPS
SEPT 2026 – APR 2027
ADULT $29.90, CHILD (5-15 YRS) $19.90, UNDER 5 YRS FREE, FAMILY (2 ADULT, 2 CHILD) $90, CONCESSIONS (STUDENTS & SENIORS) $27.90, FREE FOR MUSEUM MEMBERS

March of the Triceratops brings to life one of the world’s most iconic dinosaurs, revealing how these extraordinary creatures lived, moved, and survived millions of years ago.

The exhibition features the only known Triceratops herd ever discovered, with a rare group of five recently excavated fossils. Alongside the fossils are life-size Triceratops models and animatronics, created using the latest scientific research, and hands-on interactives and animated experiences that offer fascinating insight into a prehistoric world.

Explore how fossils are formed, learn what palaeontologists do, and use augmented reality to step into the Triceratops’ natural environment and imagine a landscape shaped by dinosaurs.

March of the Triceratops is a collaboration between Naturalis Biodiversity Center, and MuseumsPartner, both based in Europe.

MING: THE GOLDEN EMPIRE
JUN 2027 – OCT 2027
ADULT $25, CHILD (5-15 YRS) $15, UNDER 5 YRS FREE, FAMILY (2 ADULT, 2 CHILD) $72, CONCESSIONS (STUDENTS & SENIORS) $23, FREE FOR MUSEUM MEMBERS

Discover the brilliance of the Ming dynasty in Ming: The Golden Empire. This stunning exhibition explores revolutionary social change, artistic achievement, and cultural richness through treasures from Nanjing Museum that rarely leave China. From imperial luxuries to everyday objects, journey through China’s Great Ming era, which spanned 1368-1644, all brought to life with striking visuals, films, and interactive displays.

Ming: The Golden Empire is produced by Nomad Exhibitions in association with Nanjing Museum.

MIL OSI

Workers, wine, and building new alliances – what New Zealand and India get from our free trade deal

It’s the free trade deal that was expected to take years more of relationship-building, but sprinted over the finish line.

Yet to be ratified by both parliaments, New Zealand’s agreement with India could be said to be very one-sided in our favour – access to 1.4 billion consumers with tariffs cut dramatically. India gets improved access for workers and students, in numbers that would seem like a drop in the bucket to such a populous country.

Yet it’s that aspect that has Kiwi politicians up in arms. Today on The Detail we look at a deal that the government has done a great job of nailing, but a poor job of explaining.

That lack of communication is especially puzzling when you consider that in order to enact ‘favoured nation’ status, we urgently need to get the ink dry on it. If the EU passes its free trade agreement with India first, any future drop in their tariffs won’t have to be matched in our deal.

Beyond trade, there’s also another aspect of the motivation behind the signing, and that’s the world’s changing geo-political scene, where countries are looking for fresh friends and alliances. New Zealand is the third Five Eyes nation to do a trade deal with India, and agreements with Canada and the US are in train.

Gaurav Sharma, a senior journalist with the RNZ Asia team, says when it comes to this deal, you can talk about immigrant visas and opportunities for students, but it’s mainly about geo-politics.

“Suddenly because of the rise of China, people have started looking at India differently,” he says.

That includes a new willingness to sit down at the table to discuss market access, but also talk about military alliances in the Indo-Pacific.

“In the last couple of years or so India has started looking at defence ties with New Zealand,” he says.

This includes visits from Indian military ships, and a visit by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to a military base in Mumbai. He gave a speech during that visit on international security. The motive is the increasing presence of China in the Indo-Pacific region.

Sharma says there is significance in the appointment of the new Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand, Muanpuii Saiawi, who was formerly responsible for international security in Delhi. “It’s an important marker.”

He says the Indian diaspora here is over the moon with the deal – “it’s a stamp that India and New Zealand relations are moving to the next level.”

But he says there’s no hope that at some stage the agreement will make room for our dairy products, a notable omission from the deal.

“You have to realise that earlier this year India did a deal with the European Union and the US – two of the biggest marketing blocs and powerful economies in the world – they also didn’t get dairy.

“For New Zealand to think that in the next hundred years that India will open the market for dairy for New Zealand exporters, it’s not going to happen.”

New Zealand has insisted on having a clause in the agreement that if other countries at some stage get a look in, we will too. But India’s trade minister has categorically ruled out ever giving dairy concessions to any country.

Newsroom’s national affairs editor Sam Sachdeva was one of the sceptics who doubted the National government would get a deal over the line in its first term.

“I think the government, to its credit, did walk the talk. You saw multiple visits by [Trade Minister] Todd McClay, I think he said he’s been there eight, nine, 10 times … Christopher Luxon went, that was the first visit by a New Zealand Prime Minister in, it must have been close to a decade I think. Winston Peters himself went a few times. So you’ve had those political-level visits but I think there’s been other business delegations that have gone over there. That has helped kind of smooth the path.”

Many of the details of the agreement are still a mystery – until recently, even to the Labour Party which has been asked to help it pass.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins wrote to the Prime Minister this weekend expressing concern that it still hasn’t received a formal request to support it, and was only provided with a complete text of the agreement more than a month after negotiations were concluded.

“Your decision not to involve Labour at any point in the negotiation process – without consultation, despite your public assurances to the contrary – and the expectation that Labour would unconditionally support the agreement once presented with it as a fait accompli, falls short of best practice and is not in the spirit of bipartisanship,” the letter reads.

It says Labour will support it on the provision that concerns over migrant worker protections and international students are addressed, and it wants assurances over the expectations that the private sector will invest $33 billion into India over the next 15 years.

If the government’s promotion of this aim falls short, India has the right to revoke market access for the apple, honey and kiwifruit sectors.

But Sachdeva says that clause is not a hard fail line, and he doubts it will be enacted if the amount falls a bit short.

Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.

You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.

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

“Human-machine teams” using leading-edge technology to defeat the enemy are part of the NZ Defence Force’s vision for the future.

The defence force’s new briefing to Parliament on the future of fighting technology contains visions of a digital twin for each soldier, laser weapons and drones using satellites to engage with targets before a human pulls the trigger

But it also includes warnings about the costs and ethical difficulties.

“Machines will increasingly operate systems, processes and capabilities independently of humans,” said the 66-page long-term insights briefing, which imagines a world after 2035.

“Machines will play an increasing role in targeting processes.”

The briefing said it was only talking about influences on military capabilities, and was not a shopping list, but some things were inevitable.

This included laser-fast targeting which integrated with other militaries’ systems and “will be a non-negotiable for defence forces to remain combat-capable and inter-operable with partners”.

The rise of machines looms larger than in previous briefings.

“It is not expected that autonomous systems will herald a wholesale replacement of human presence on the front-line,” but it added the more fluid and dangerous a situation was, the more machines would be a factor.

The future briefings are released every three years.

Three years ago, the defence ministry’s $12 billion Defence Capability Plan (DCP) was a long way off and the government was just beginning to ramp up its warnings about the state of world geopolitics.

Aukus was already well established, but while New Zealand has not joined up to it in the past three years, the country has made various arrangements and experiments with Five Eyes partners to develop emerging military technology – which is what Aukus Pillar Two was all about.

Public inclusion

The new briefing said one background shift would be from public engagement to public inclusion.

“Ensuring Defence maintains public trust will remain essential, and possibly more challenging.”

The defence ministry declined a request to be interviewed.

“The briefing itself provides a detailed overview of how technology innovations could influence New Zealand’s defence capabilities beyond 2035. We have nothing further to add at this time,” it said.

‘Who is going to build all of this?’

Defence analyst and former lieutenant colonel Josh Wineera said his main question was: “Who is going to build all of this?”

“Is the government thinking about declaring what are sovereign capabilities and therefore become priority investment areas for firms to be supported or even funded?” he asked.

That would help skirt global supply chain strictures, which Australia was doing. “Will the LTIB then see a similar investment?”

Wineera was speaking from Europe, where the Munich Security Conference is being held.

The US has struck a more conciliatory position towards Europe than at last year’s divisive conference.

But US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also stressed in his speech how immigration was a problem and how the US and Europe shared the “deepest bonds that nations could share, forged by centuries of shared history, Christian faith, culture, heritage, language, ancestry, and the sacrifices our forefathers made together for the common civilization to which we have fallen heir”.

‘Profound’ effect

The new future briefing said the new tech’s effect on New Zealand’s strategic context was “profound”, because distance was no longer any protection.

The new technology was opening up more types of fighting aside from actual open warfare, such as cyber attacks.

One issue would be the costs – not just to the country’s pocket but potentially to its values – with questions over how the technical and warfighting benefits weighed against sovereignty, legality and public licence.

“For many defence forces, these trade-offs could be challenging to manage, particularly if partner positions begin to deviate from international norms, or where the cost of capabilities enabled by advanced technology becomes prohibitive.”

Machine speed, precision and autonomy – including “self-mending” drones – were key themes in the briefing.

“The precision, range, and lethality of strike weapons is increasing.

“These advances will also lead to decisions increasingly being made independent of human analysis and inference, where it is lawful, and ethically and operationally sensible to do so.”

Weapons of the future

The briefing’s focus was on four areas – as well as human-machine teams, there was discussion of seamless command-and-control for target weapons shared in a network across partners.

It covered likely weapons of the future as well as some which exist today: “Breakthroughs in biotechnology are gradually delivering brain-machine interfaces that detect brain activity to direct machines with thoughts,” it said.

The NZDF has set out to acquire some of these. The DCP envisaged spending hundreds of millions of dollars on things such as drones and space surveillance over the next four years.

Beyond that, technology advancements could include a large drone that could last ages at sea and launch masses of smaller drones to surveil and deter an adversary; a minituarised sensor/micro-drone so advanced it could track individual soldiers, or be used in search and rescue; a special forces soldier with night vision contact lenses and adaptive camouflage; and an ‘avatar’ that updated in real-time when the person was injured and could measure blood loss and stress – then recommend a treatment.

“Bio- technologies are set to enhance defence force personnel in entirely new ways, while simultaneously introducing novel risks from pathogens and other weapons,” the briefing said ominously.

Human-machine teams

Human-machine teaming (HMT) was the most “uncertain, encompassing, and ethically challenging technology” in the briefing.

“Algorithms detecting, classifying, and prioritising targets, shifting the human role to verification and authorisation” was one of six types of HMT mentioned in the briefing.

The NZDF has already engaged in exercises with the US over what the Pentagon called “human-machine integration”.

Seamless command-and-control, which the briefing said was non-negotiable, has also featured in exercises and experiments between the Five Eyes militaries, in particular since about 2020.

‘C5ISRT’ meant “increasingly, algorithms will detect, classify, and prioritise targets at machine speeds, shifting the human role to verification and authorisation”.

Drones and satellites would feed the system data about “the environment and battlespace”.

“This will be possible without human intervention and with the ability to occur at machine speeds.”

The briefing noted an example of C5ISRT – America’s Project Maven. The system was already several times faster at targeting than human analysts, and the US was now expanding Maven.

“C5ISRT technology innovations will continue to open new opportunities to integrate defence systems with international partners,” said the future-look briefing.

“For New Zealand, this may include new policy infrastructure such as data-sharing arrangements that are consistent with domestic policy and law.”

More autonomy was also in the future.

“Robotic Autonomous Systems (RAS) will share data quickly and securely between themselves and crewed systems.”

Organic networks that self-heal and can build ad hoc networks will also support ‘technical autonomy’ – so a damaged subsea drone could repair itself.

The briefing did not look at future defence doctrine or geostrategic considerations.

It mentioned warfighting and war just a few times.

Its main real-world reference point was Ukraine versus Russia, citing how acoustic sensors have boosted missile spotting.

However, it also said the Pacific stand-off between US and China was key.

“Of particular concern is the rapid and non-transparent growth of China’s military capability.”

‘Stretch future budgets’

None of this would come cheap.

“Growing costs, especially from investing in advanced software and hardware, along with rising military inflation (… significantly higher than regular inflation) will stretch future budgets,” said the briefing.

“Making investment choices that balance the investments needed for future technology while also managing short-term capability gaps will be increasingly difficult.”

One answer to escalating costs was 3D printing drones close by a battlefield.

But partnering would be the big enabler.

“The growing pace and scale of defence innovation will mean that maintaining technological interoperability will become increasingly expected by allies, partners, other government agencies, and industry.

“The increasingly integrated nature of future defence technologies meant the research needed to focus on connectivity and understand the macro-trends that transcend capability sets.”

The other big barrier was ethics – how to deliver an “innovative combat-capable force, with strong adherence to domestic and international law.”

The briefing meets reality most closely in the NZDF’s Surveillance (Air) Project funded in the last Budget.

Defence is looking for drones that can hover for ages over the ocean for maritime spotting.

Last month it invited local and foreign business and researchers to workshops to “increase the overall understanding of platform supply, technology applications, training” among other things.

Because the workshops made no decisions and did not cost much, the MOD refused to identify who attended them, in its OIA response.

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

Showcasing Spectacular Entertainment and Chinese Cultural Performances, Featuring Renowned Chinese Artist “Zhu Zhengting” to Bless the People of Thailand in the Heart of the City

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

A Taiwanese family in Auckland is turning a Lunar New Year staple into an everyday purchase, producing about 300,000 dumplings a week as demand grows on mainstream supermarket shelves.

While eaten year-round, many families in China eat dumplings around midnight on Lunar New Year’s Eve, which falls on 16 February this year.

The dumplings’ shape is traditionally believed to resemble ingots, signalling greater wealth in the year ahead.

Such symbolism helped fuel a seasonal rush each year, said Amy Sevao, chief executive of Old Country Food, an Auckland-based dumpling manufacturer.

The Lunar New Year was the company’s busiest time, she said.

The factory produces about 300,000 dumplings a week, or roughly 1.2 million a month, and orders from mainstream supermarkets typically rise by as much as 20 percent during the festival period.

Sevao, who moved from Taiwan to New Zealand with her parents in 1995, is married to a Samoan man. The couple has two young sons.

She said dumplings had become a thread that tied together different generations in her family.

“It’s such a traditional food,” she said.

“You get together for Lunar New Year, have dumplings and the parents or older relatives will say, ‘Oh, look, this looks like an old gold ingot. It means good fortune, money.’ Those stories get passed on, and that’s always really fun.”

Drawing on memories from her childhood, Sevao said dumplings were everyday fare in Taiwan and had steadily gained popularity in New Zealand.

In her view, that rise has tracked the broader story of Asian immigration in the country.

Old Country Food had been in business for about 35 years, she said.

It was founded by immigrants from Hong Kong and has since changed hands several times among Asian immigrant families, before Sevao’s parents bought the business in 2015.

“In a way, the history of OCF (Old Country Food) reflects the history of Asian immigration in New Zealand,” she said.

Sevao said breaking into the mainstream market could be challenging for businesses owned by migrants.

“When I first started in the business, we were 100 percent in Asian supermarkets,” she said.

“After a while, we thought the mainstream market was much bigger, we should give it a go,” she said.

“We started selling to independent grocery stores like Fresh World or Fruit World,” she said.

“Now we’re in PAK’nSAVE and New World [stores] across the North Island and also in the South Island.

She said immigrants had less support because they often didn’t have extensive networks in the community.

“We often have to overcome language barriers,” she said.

“There are lots of laws and regulations, and the way business is done in New Zealand can be very different from the way it is done in Asia.

“To overcome all of that, to have a great team working toward the same goal and to have that effort recognised not only by supermarkets, but by everyday people who go and buy our food, our products every single week, that’s a really great feeling.”

Sevao’s parents agreed that breaking into the mainstream market could be difficult for migrant-owned businesses, but said it was not impossible.

Bingnan Cai, 72, and Lingxin Huang, 66, bought the dumpling manufacturer a decade ago, hoping to help make dumplings a more mainstream part of New Zealand’s food landscape.

“After we moved here, we really missed the taste of our hometown,” Huang said. “Dumplings are one of them.

“We wanted to integrate into society,” she said. “We wanted to help popularise traditional cuisine, so we started this dumpling factory.”

Cai said sushi, long a symbol of Asian cuisine abroad, had gained popularity among New Zealanders.

Seeing that sushi was now sold in most shopping malls, he was confident his dumplings could also become part of everyday eating in New Zealand.

Cai said he wanted dumplings to become one of New Zealand’s signature foods.

“If you want to enter the mainstream market, you must accept this challenge,” Cai said. “The number of people eating dumplings here would not exceed 15 percent [of the whole population].

“It’s really challenging to grow such a small market into a big one,” he said. “But everything is possible.”

Sevao was confident dumplings had become a staple for many households in New Zealand.

“I think good food is cross-cultural,” she said.

“If it tastes good, it doesn’t matter what culture you come from. … I think dumplings are a very universal food.”

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

Infant formula maker A2 Milk showed a solid lift in first half profit on the back of double digit growth in sales allowing an increase in dividend.

Key numbers for the six months ended December compared with a year ago:

• Net profit $112.1m vs $102.5m
• Revenue $993.5m vs $836.5m
• Operating earnings $155m vs $130.9m
• Net cash $896.9m vs $1.01b
• Interim dividend 11.5 cents per share vs 8.5 cps
• Forecast mid-teens revenue growth, increased full year profit

Sales of infant milk formula (IMF) to China led an overall near 19 percent rise in revenue, boosted by its acquisition of a manufacturing plant at Pokeno, and further improvement in the fledgling US market.

“We continue to execute our growth strategy with a focus on maximising opportunities in China infant milk formula, adjacent categories and new markets,” chief executive David Bortolussi said.

“Infant milk formula remains central to our growth strategy and continues to outperform the China market, delivering 13.6 percent year-on-year revenue growth.”

Bortolussi said English label IMF sales were significantly stronger through on-line retail platforms, while there had been a stabilisation of the once important daigou channels – sales by third parties of A2 IMF.

Fresh milk sales improved in Australia and the United States, while the company looked to diversify with new nutritional products.

“Recently launched kids and seniors nutrition products have accelerated our growth in other nutritionals, strengthening our position in these growing and exciting categories.”

Bortolussi said the US operation was close to break even after posting initial big losses and the company hoped to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration to sell infant formula in the US.

He said the Pokeno manufacturing plant acquired last year was securing and diversifying its supply chain last year, and the company was shifting more production to the plant from Synlait Milk’s Canterbury plant.

Bigger sales and profits

Looking forward A2 expected double digit revenue growth, with a full year profit ahead of last year’s $202.9m.

“Our upgraded outlook means we are now on track to achieve our $2 billion medium term sales ambition in FY26, a full year ahead of plan,” Bortolussi said.

The company increased its interim dividend and reaffirmed plans for a $300m special dividend from its $897m cash holdings.

Forsyth Barr senior analyst Matt Montgomerie said the result was strong and better than analysts had been expecting, and noted the company had a track record of exceeding it forecasts.

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

Riddet Institute Fellow Laureate Paul Moughan has led a research collaboration with Yili’s Innovation Centre in New Zealand which will help shape World Health Organisation policy on infant nutrition.

Distinguished Professor Moughan, who chaired the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations’ expert consultation which published guidelines on protein quality for humans in 2013, has been working closely with global experts in a joint research effort co-ordinated by the Yili Innovation Centre Oceania (YICO) at Lincoln University.

In a series of papers published in the Journal of Nutrition (2023), Frontiers in Nutrition (2024) and the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2025), the work of Professor Moughan and his team has led to breakthrough research that provides a better understanding and far more accurate way of assessing how well babies can absorb and utilise the essential building blocks of protein from breastmilk.

Professor Moughan’s original work in 2013 provided the gold standard for evaluating protein quality in infant formula: the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS).

His latest research with YICO, the Yili Global Maternal and Infant Nutrition Institute and Professor Yin Yulong, a Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Engineering at the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has produced new data which deepens this understanding further and has already led to new approaches to infant nutrition production within Yili.

“This has been a hugely productive international research alliance and will no doubt lead to further advances in FAO policy,’’ Professor Moughan said.

“Professor Yin is a digestive physiologist of significant international standing and his thoroughness, attention to detail and scientific leadership was crucial to the success of the collaboration.

“The alliance’s work will also lead to global impacts on the production of infant formula leading to improvements in the long-term health of babies and children.

“It has also been very enjoyable working with the scientific team within Yili. I have been very impressed by the technical capabilities of the team and working with them has actually been quite delightful.’’

Head of YICO, Dr Philip Wescombe, said the Yili Innovation Centre Oceania principal aim was to act as a hub for research collaboration across Oceania.

“After 10 years, we are now well-established in driving innovation by strengthening ties with startups, expanding business opportunities, and fostering greater interaction between researchers, industry, and consumers,’’ Dr Wescombe said.

Resident Director of Yili Group Oceania Region, Zhiqiang Li, said Yili was proud of the work of YICO and of Yili’s teams across Oceania and in Inner Mongolia.

“We are honoured to learn of the warm and respectful relationships the company’s internal technical staff have developed with leading global researchers in China and New Zealand, the support we can provide as Asia’s largest dairy producer, and the fifth largest dairy company in the world,’’ Mr Li said.

References

Hodgkinson, S. M., Xiong, X., Yan, Y., Wu, Y., Szeto, I. M.-Y., Li, R., Wescombe, P., Duan, S., Liu, H., Yin, Y., Lim, W. X. J., & Moughan, P. J. (2023). An accurate estimate of the amino acid content of human milk collected from Chinese women adjusted for differences in amino acid digestibility. The Journal of Nutrition, 153, 3439–3447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.10.009

Moughan, P. J., Deglaire, A., Yan, Y., Wescombe, P., Lim, W. X. J., Stroebinger, N., Duan, S., Szeto, I. M.-Y., & Hodgkinson, S. (2024). Amino acid requirements of the infant: The amino acid composition of human breast milk. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, 1446565. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1446565

Wu, Y., Yan, Y., Xiong, X., Li, R., Duan, S., Tang, M., Szeto, I. M.-Y., Liu, H., Hodgkinson, S. M., Moughan, P. J., Wescombe, P., Wang, J., & Yin, Y. (2025). Effect of different ratios of αlactalbumin to βcasein in infant formula on true ileal digestibility and intestinal morphology of suckling piglets. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 73, 6144–6150. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.4c10520

MIL OSI

for Monday AM

The ice sheets are unstable, the glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising, and one of the world’s largest carbon polluters has just abandoned its global and domestic efforts to curb emissions.

Every new climate change headline seems to bring another reason to be despondent about the existential challenge the world faces.

“Sometimes I just want to bury my face in the remaining snow and ice,” British Antarctic Survey director of science Petra Heil told a Wellington audience last week.

Enter Ben Marzeion.

The University of Bremen glacier scientist, in New Zealand for the international Climate in the Cryosphere conference last week, has every reason to be gloomy.

The warming that the world has already locked in – roughly 1.2° Celsius above the pre-industrial average and still rising – means the world is projected to lose 40 percent of all glacier ice over the coming centuries, half of that within the lifetimes of children born today.

But Marzeion’s presentation at the conference was not about that.

Instead, together with colleagues, he has been quantifying the impact that saving one tonne – or even one kilogram – of carbon emissions can have.

“People often really feel powerless when they’re thinking about climate change,” he told RNZ.

“They think, ok, if I change something, I do a little bit, it’s going to be meaningless if no one else is changing anything.”

He and fellow researchers always believed that way of thinking was “really wrong” – so they set about finding the numbers to prove otherwise.

“The main message is that small changes in emissions lead to changes in the climate system, in the Earth’s system, that are surprisingly big, actually.”

The average person on the planet contributes between five and 10 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year, he says.

Reducing that by even 10 percent makes a difference.

“One tonne of CO2 reduction keeps, for example, nine tonnes of glacier ice in the mountains that would melt otherwise.”

The same reduction prevents 12 cubic metres of sea level rise.

It keeps 250 grams more fish in that sea, through averted increases in ocean temperatures.

By similar mechanisms, it protects growing conditions enough to create six more kilograms of rice, or a kilogram of meat.

“All those things, and many more, are happening at the same time – it’s not that you have to pick one,” Marzeion says.

The research looked at the effect of even tinier emissions decreases.

“If I take my bike for around three kilometres instead of driving a car, I save one kilogram of glacier ice.”

The numbers sound small, but they are real, and they compound, he says.

“The idea behind this, really, is to show there is no lower limit to meaningful climate mitigation. Anything you can do is helpful, there is nothing that is too small to be relevant.”

He does not want to see the numbers misused to place the burden of responsibility entirely on individuals, though, emphasising that global and national political action is still vital.

“It’s often used as an excuse not just for individual people but for companies or countries not to do anything – saying we are a small country, if we lower our emissions but the US or China is not doing anything, it doesn’t make a difference.

“And that’s simply wrong – it does make a big difference.”

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

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 February 2026 – The People’s Daily has launched two seasons of the documentary My China Story, featuring 10 foreigners who have pursued their careers in China. Season one features tech entrepreneur Nikk Mitchell, US zoologist Kevin Messenger, US ceramist Matt Watterson and Argentinian motorcycle designer Rodrigo Álvarez. The newly released season two of the series puts the spotlight on Neil Schmid, a US expert on Buddhist studies and Dunhuang; US martial arts lover and Taoist Jake Pinnick; French spelunker Jean Bottazzi and Russian vlogger Anton Butov, all of whom have shared their distinctive life paths in China.

My China Story gives the world a window into foreign residents who have lived across different regions with a wide range of career choices. This documentary series has gained a significant number of overseas viewers on a variety of social media platforms, including Youtube, Tiktok and X. Among all the episodes, the viewers have shown the most interest in Pinnick, who was born in the 1990s in the US, and came to China following an obsession with Chinese martial arts and Taoism studies. This contrasting background has made viewers more eager to learn why and how he lived in China ‘s Wudang Mountains for over a decade.

2025 marked a remarkable year for Pinnick. In April, he received China’s Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card — the “Five-Star Card” — and in May, he was named an Honorary Citizen of Shiyan City at an inaugural ceremony. These honors stand as powerful testaments to his decade-and-a-half journey of cultural immersion.

Pinnick’s story began in 2010 when, inspired by kung fu movies, the then-20-year-old arrived at the foot of the Wudang Mountains with zero martial arts experience and no knowledge of the Chinese language. He carried only a dictionary and a handwritten note that read, “I want to go to the Wudang Mountains.” Emerging from the morning mist, he found his purpose the moment he saw a master leading disciples in practice.

The path from novice to master has been paved with rigorous discipline. Pinnick mastered Tai Chi and various weapon techniques. Beyond the physical movements, he delved into the spiritual heart of China, studying the Tao Te Ching and learned to play Taoist music. During his toughest moments of exhaustion and homesickness, it was his “kung fu family” that gave him the strength to persevere.

Over the past 16 years, Pinnick has not only transformed personally but also witnessed China’s rapid development. He vividly remembers that reaching Wudang once required a slow train to Yibin; today, the journey is defined by high-speed rail and an expanding airport now welcoming international travelers.

Today, Pinnick serves as a vital cultural bridge. Through social media and live performances, he shares the wisdom of Wudang with a global audience. “I originally came for martial arts,” Pinnick reflects, “but I stayed for the culture and history.” Guided by his master’s philosophy that “Kung fu knows no borders,” Pinnick continues to demonstrate that martial arts is not about conflict, but about inclusivity and connecting a diverse world.

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

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

New Zealand SailGP

11.30am Sunday, 15 February*

Wynyard Point, Auckland

Live updates on RNZ

*Start time has been changed due to the weather

Kiwi SailGP driver Phil Robertson hopes the high-speed crash between New Zealand and France on Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour will force a rethink of racing format for the rest of the 2026 championship.

Competition was suspended during race three of New Zealand SailGP, after the two rivals collided during the sprint to the first mark. Replays showed the Black Foils apparently lose control of their rudder and spin into the path of the French, whose boat flew over the bow of Amokura.

All crew were quickly accounted for, but two sailors – one from each team – were injured and rushed ashore to hospital.

The rest of the fleet continued around the mark, but the contest was called off, as they headed back towards the scene of the crash, where the two boats were still entangled midcourse.

Soon after, organisers suspended racing for the day. The French boat was towed back to Wynyard Basin, but Amokura lay in pieces on the harbour and likely be out of action for quite a while.

The incident shook up the entire fleet, with Italian team driver Robertson recounting his own close call in the build-up.

“It’s obviously pretty hectic,” he said. “You never really want to see anything like that.

“It’s a bit shocking, but it’s racing and it was a racing incident that went on out there.”

Auckland-born Robertson described how the New Zealand boat initially veered towards his boat, but seemed to regain control to avoid that contact.

“I saw them in my peripheral, as they started sliding towards us, then took a glance over my shoulder and saw them spin out. I didn’t really see the rest, until we stopped and looked back, and saw two boats on top of each other – it’s not very nice to see that.

“These boats are pretty hard to control at those high speeds and everyone’s pushing like mad on those reaches. They got a bit slidey, which is very natural to happen, and slid towards us, but you trust they’re going to get grip again and they did.”

New Zealand SailGP is the first time the fleet has raced with 13 boats, with Artemis Sweden joining the championship this year.

At last month’s season-opener in Perth, the Spanish boat suffered damage in practice and was unable to compete.

Organisers hope to add another team next year and have experimented with splitting the fleet into two heats of seven.

[embedded content]

“I think it’s the shortest racecourse in SailGP and 13 boats… yeah, I don’t know,” Robertson offered. “I think questions will be asked.

“I think when it’s conditions like this, I think that [two fleets] will be the expectation. We know it’s going to be tricky and there will be crashes, but it just minimises the risk, when there’s a bit more space on the course.

“Bigger courses sure, 13 boats no problem, but I think small courses and big breeze, when everyone’s on the limit of control already, it’s probably a smart idea to start having that conversation seriously.

“I assume a few sailors will be asking a few questions.”

Despite the Auckland incident, British driver Dylan Fletcher still favours the bigger fleet.

“I’d rather it stay as one fleet,” the defending SailGP champion said. “It doesn’t honestly feel that different, whether you’ve got 11 or 13.

“It’s relatively similar. Even at the start, you’ve got that separation.

“From my point of view, I love the racing with 13 boats. It’s unfortunate we won’t have that for a little bit of while now, but that’s the way it is.”

Robertson has been a SailGP fixture since the professional sailing began in 2019, steering teams from China, Spain and Canada, before joining the Italian outfit last year.

With a weather bomb forecast for the North Island this weekend, the local lad was quizzed about the prospect of racing in big winds on the Waitematā at Friday’s official media conference.

His reaction: “You wet your pants a little and move on.”

Italy narrowly avoided their own disaster, when they were caught in a gust of win that almost tipped them over during the build-up to race one. They barely managed to regain equilibrium and bring their boat back down on both hulls.

Sunday racing has already been moved forward a few hours to avoid the worst of the weather, but most drivers anticipate even more testing conditions on day two.

“Look, the accident was obviously extremely unfortunate, but I don’t think anyone’s really going to change,” Robertson said. “It’s a little bit out of the ordinary and you trust everyone’s being careful out there.

“That’s probably a situation I don’t think anyone envisioned, a boat spinning out and getting run over. It’s always in our mind that someone may crash in front of you, but coming from that position the Kiwis were in and into the French like that, no-one’s really thought about that situation before.”

“I think all the sailors are pretty shaken up, seeing that sight. It’s not something you want to see and I’m sure it affects everyone a bit.”

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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 – 14 February 2026 – CrazyLive, a platform dedicated to investor education and behavioral finance research, today announced that it will host a free public investment seminar on March 8, 2026 (Sunday) at Hotel ICON in Hong Kong.

Titled “Investor Behavior and Decision-Making Frameworks in High-Volatility Environments,” the seminar is designed for retail investors seeking to improve decision-making discipline amid rising market volatility. The event will explore common cognitive biases and behavioral traps that often lead to emotional investing, and introduce a systematic and repeatable decision-making framework to help participants strengthen consistency, structure, and execution in real-world market conditions.

Warren Wang, Founder of CrazyLive, stated:

“Over the years, I have observed that many retail investors do not underperform because they lack intelligence or information, but because they lack discipline and structure. Volatility is not an exception—it is the market’s normal state. The key is whether investors have a clear and executable framework to reduce emotional interference. This seminar is designed to share practical tools and structured thinking approaches grounded in behavioral finance.”

The seminar will feature three seasoned financial market professionals as keynote speakers:

• Cecilia Kwok — Market Sentiment Specialist at CrazyLive and senior financial news anchor, with over 10 years of hands-on investment and trading experience.
• Angel Xu — Wharton School graduate (University of Pennsylvania); former Morgan Stanley (New York) analyst; currently a fund manager; CFA and FRM charterholder.
• Jolin Zhu — With over 17 years of experience in financial market research and trading, she has participated in large-scale asset management projects and institutional investment operations. She is a specially appointed lecturer for the National Association of Financial Market Institutional Investors (NAFMII) and an editorial board member of the China Asset Management Industry Development Report. She is also a CFA and FRM charterholder.

Key seminar topics will include behavioral bias analysis, case studies of common decision-making errors, and practical decision-support tools such as a streamlined decision checklist and a cash flow stress-testing framework. The discussion will also incorporate insights from recent market developments and volatility cycles.

CrazyLive emphasized that the seminar will focus strictly on academic framework sharing, market phenomenon analysis, and practical experience exchange. The event will not involve the promotion of any financial products, nor will it provide any return guarantees or investment advice.

Event Details

Date: March 8, 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Venue: Function Room 1–3, Hotel ICON, 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Admission: Free of charge
Registration Link: https://crazylivehk.netlify.app/

Hashtag: #CrazyLive

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

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

In the weeks before Chinese New Year, Clyde Orchard’s packhouse is a hive of activity as rich, red cherries freshly picked from surrounding Central Otago orchards are brought in to be washed, packed and prepped – ready for export.

The auspicious colouring of the sweet stone fruits – shades of deep plum and ruby jewels – makes it a sought after treat to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

“We’re now packing fruit today that was picked this morning,” explained Kris Robb, the manager of Clyde Orchards headquartered in Earnscleugh.

“We want to keep the cherries fresh, we want to keep the stalks fresh, and we want to really maintain that crispness of the fruit before it gets into the cool store.”

Follow Country Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart or wherever you get your podcasts.

Clyde Orchards is a family business, started by the Paulin family in 1921.

Today it’s run by third-generation brothers Kevin and Raymond “Musso”, with the next generation also starting to come on board.

The orchards total over 105-hectares on three different sites throughout Central Otago – the Earnscleugh blocks, some in Bannockburn near Cromwell and another in Bendigo.

Robb explained the orchard is “reasonably unique” in that it grows, packs, exports and markets all its own fruit.

“That vertical integration for us is probably a real driver of the success of the business, and the viability of it going forward. It really means that we’re in charge of our own destiny.

“We’re focusing on high-end niche products [so] that we are able to control how it’s grown and when it’s packed, how it’s packed, and how it’s sold.”

With hot, dry summers and cold winters, Central Otago is a region of extremes. It also makes it ideal for growing summer fruit varities.

“The trees need those cooler temperatures in the winter – it’s called winter chilling – and they need a certain amount of hours, the lowest degrees for them to know that it’s time to wake up again when the spring comes,” Robb told Country Life.

“Then that hot, dry summer helps us with pest and disease control, but it also assists with those flavours of the fruit that everyone loves, you know, those juicy, sweet flavours come out with the heat.”

The “core business” is cherries and flat peaches, he says.

Clyde Orchards grows about 10 different types of cherries across half its orchards, which means the harvest period runs for about 8 weeks starting in mid-December. These are largely destined for export, markets such as Taiwan, China, Malaysia and Singapore.

Clyde Orchards is also the only commercial grower, packer and distributor of flat peaches, or flattos, in New Zealand.

Central Otago’s wet summer has made for a challenging growing season this year and delayed the cherry harvest by a week or so.

Robb says it’s more important to allow the fruit to mature properly and pick when it’s at it’s best rather than rush the process.

It’s not quite been the harvest they hoped for, with volumes down, but it’s far from a disaster and they are now turning their attention to bringing in the peaches.

Key to the harvest is the more than 150 staff who help pick and pack the produce.

The team comprises locals ranging in age from high schoolers to retirees, backpackers from around the globe, and 20 ni-Vanuatu, who are part of the Recognised Seasonal Employer, or RSE, programme.

Clyde Orchards has been involved with the programme since its inception in 2007.

It is a grower-initiated scheme to fill the shortfall of available labour in the horticulture and viticulture sectors and is also aimed at supporting economic development in the Pacific region.

Many of the workers at Clyde Orchards have been coming for almost 20 years.

Robb says they’re “very, very efficient”, averaging about 50-odd buckets a day. The team of five picking cherries in the orchard today, harvest as much as 15 or even 20 new pickers, he told Country Life.

“It’s great to have them here.”

This season Clyde Orchards opened a new 10-room accommodation unit for the RSE team, inspired by a traditional Vanuatuan meeting house.

For RSE workers like Mike Mangau it is an opportunity to support those on his home island of Tanna.

“When we earn money here, it’s good to take something back home.”

Mike has invested the money earned in a coffee plantation and beekeeping business, as well as building a local kindergarten.

It can be hard being away from home for so long though – he arrived in October and will stay through the harvest period until May.

“It’s good to come over here and help somebody to help our communities and some other things.”

Learn more:

• Find out more about Clyde Orchards and what they’re growing here

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

MIL OSI

Over 11,000 Experts from 111 Countries Converge Reaffirming Hong Kong’s Position as a Global Ophthalmic Hub

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

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Feb. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NOVONIX Limited (NASDAQ: NVX, ASX: NVX) (“NOVONIX” or the “Company”), today acknowledged the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (“Commerce”) final determinations in the antidumping and countervailing duty investigations covering anode active materials (“AAM”) imported into the U.S. from China. The total amount of the tariffs applicable to AAM imported from China will be at least 160%, subject to a final affirmative determination by the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) that the U.S. AAM industry has been materially impeded because of Chinese AAM imports. The ITC’s final determination is expected in March 2026.

Highlights
Subject to the ITC’s final determination on material impediment:

• An antidumping duty of 93.5% will be imposed on AAM imports from China from specified companies and a duty of 102.72% will be imposed China-wide on all other exporters
• A countervailing duty of 66.82% to 66.86% will be imposed on all AAM imports from China producers
• These duties will remain in effect unless revoked and will be reviewed every five years

“These determinations represent a meaningful step toward restoring fair competition in the U.S. anode materials market,” said Mike O’Kronley, CEO of NOVONIX. “By addressing longstanding trade distortions, these measures strengthen the foundation for domestic production of critical battery materials, accelerate investment in U.S. manufacturing, and support the creation of high-quality advanced manufacturing jobs. We believe this materially enhances NOVONIX’s competitive position as we continue scaling synthetic graphite production in North America.”

The duties apply broadly to anode-graphite materials, as defined by Commerce, including synthetic and natural graphite products, whether coated or uncoated, and blended materials used in lithium-ion battery applications.

The previously imposed 25% tariff under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and 20% tariff under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) on AAM imports from China remain in effect. The legal validity of the IEEPA tariffs is currently under review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

NOVONIX supports the transparent and rules-based enforcement of U.S. trade laws and believes these determinations represent an important step in promoting fair competition, strengthening domestic battery supply chains, and encouraging long-term capital investment in advanced manufacturing in the United States.

With the most advanced synthetic graphite production capability in North America, NOVONIX is strategically positioned to support customers seeking secure, domestically produced anode materials. The Company continues to execute on its strategy to expand high-performance synthetic graphite production in the United States, reinforcing supply chain resilience, U.S. energy security, and long-term manufacturing competitiveness.

Additional information regarding the determinations is available through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Enforcement and Compliance records.

This announcement has been authorized for release by NOVONIX Chairman,
Mr. Ron Edmonds.

About NOVONIX
NOVONIX strives to reduce supply chain risk, support U.S. energy independence, and establish a resilient battery materials supply chain. The company is building a North American platform for critical battery materials—anchored by its Chattanooga, Tennessee headquarters and anode materials operations, expanding through its patented all-dry, precursor-free cathode synthesis technology, and supported by industry-leading battery cell testing and R&D services.
Together, these capabilities position NOVONIX as an integrated supplier of advanced battery materials and technologies powering the energy storage and electrification economy.

To learn more, visit us at www.novonixgroup.com or on LinkedIn and X.

For NOVONIX Limited
Investors: ir@novonixgroup.com
Media: media@novonixgroup.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements about the Company and the industry in which it operates. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” or “would,” or other similar expressions. Examples of forward-looking statements in this communication include, among others, statements made regarding the creation and development of new technology, anticipated production capacity at its facilities, anticipated customer demand, the impacts of economic uncertainty, tariffs, and other legislation on our timely achievement of targets and customer milestones, our ability to obtain or maintain and benefit from additional government funding and other support, our expectations of the benefit of the antidumping and countervailing duty determinations, tariffs imposed on China and other countries, improving and growing battery testing equipment and research and development services business, continued investment in and efforts to commercialize the cathode synthesis technology, and efforts to help localize the battery supply chain for critical materials and play a leading role in the transition to cleaner energy solutions.

The Company has based such statements on current expectations and projections about future events and trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Such forward-looking statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the timely deployment and scaling of its furnace technology, ability to meet the technical specifications and demand of existing and future customers, the accuracy of estimates regarding market size, expenses, future revenue, capital requirements, needs and access for additional financing, the availability and impact and compliance with the applicable terms of government funding and other support, ability to obtain patent rights effective to protect its technologies and processes and successfully defend any challenges to such rights and prevent others from commercializing such technologies and processes, and regulatory and economic developments in the United States, Australia, and other jurisdictions. These and other factors that could affect its business and results are included in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 20-F. Copies of these filings may be obtained by visiting the Company’s Investor Relations website at www.novonixgroup.com or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes, and actual performance and outcomes may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this communication. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement in this communication is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

– Published by The MIL Network

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 February 2026 – AECOM, the trusted global infrastructure leader, and the School of Energy and Environment (SEE) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), a leading hub in sustainability, today announced a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration is dedicated to accelerating Hong Kong’s progress towards its sustainability and climate resilience ambitions by integrating cutting-edge academic research with proven industry expertise.

Officiated by Ir Dr Otto Poon, founding chairman of the Hong Kong Climate Change Forum, the signing ceremony formalized a partnership that will drive joint research projects in sustainability, climate adaptation and environmental innovations. A key initiative will be the exploration of a dedicated AECOM–SEE joint laboratory to advance climate-related research. The collaboration will also encompass knowledge exchange, innovation and solution development, capacity building programs, student internships, and joint academic supervision, strengthening the bridge between industry and academia-related research.

“This strategic partnership with CityUHK SEE is a catalyst for transformative solutions addressing critical environmental challenges,” said Dr Johnny Cheuk, senior vice president and Hong Kong Executive Leader at AECOM. “By uniting CityUHK’s renowned research capabilities with our industry-leading technical excellence in sustainable infrastructure and on-the-ground experience, including integrated shoreline management, flood management and nature-based solutions, we can fast-track the development of resilient, future-ready solutions for Hong Kong.”

“Collaborating with AECOM is not just a partnership, it’s a commitment to shaping a sustainable future together with industry leaders on various initiatives, all aimed at translating research into real-world impact,” said Prof. Benjamin Horton, Dean of the School of Energy and Environment at CityUHK. “Partnerships between academia and industry are essential for accelerating innovation, scaling solutions and building resilience. Universities bring together diverse fields under one roof, making them ideal hubs for innovation and collaboration. We are excited to work closely with the industry partners, including AECOM, to foster scalable solutions for global sustainability.”

Following the MoU signing, AECOM and CityUHK SEE co‑hosted a Climate Change Symposium, facilitating in-depth dialogue between academia, industry and the government. The symposium featured expert discussions on coastal resilience, sustainable water management and climate risk disclosure, highlighting pathways to address Hong Kong’s specific environmental challenges.

Key insights were provided by distinguished speakers representing government, academia, and industry, including:

• Government and real estate sector: Chan Wai Tak, Principal Assistant Secretary (Works), Development Bureau, HKSAR Government; Prof. Wong Kam Sing, GBS, JP, Chairman of Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China) Charitable Foundation; and Hazel Cheng, Project Manager for Sustainability, Henderson Land Development Co., Ltd.
• CityUHK SEE: Prof. Benjamin Horton, Dean; Prof. Jung Eun Chu, Assistant Professor; Prof. Ping Han, Associate Professor
• AECOM: Robert Chan, Vice President, Water, Asia; Stanley Liu, Executive Director, Ports & Marine, Transportation; Delton Ng, Executive Director, Environment

The symposium underscored a shared commitment to advancing Hong Kong’s climate goals through academic-industry collaboration, driving climate resilient innovation from the laboratory to the community.

Hashtag: #AECOM #CityUHK #ClimateResilience #IndustryAcademiaPartnership #SustainableLegacies

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

The Government welcomes new data showing New Zealand’s international visitor arrivals continued to rise in December, with strong growth from China and Australia in particular.  

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says Stats NZ’s arrival statistics for December 2025 show New Zealand’s tourism recovery continues to build.   

The December 2025 year was the first annual period to exceed 3.5 million overseas visitor arrivals since the March 2020 year. 

“International tourism is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s economic growth, supporting businesses and jobs in communities right across the country. It’s great to see our Government’s work to boost tourism is paying off,” Louise Upston says. 

“We’re seeing strong growth in visitors from China, with arrivals up by 29 percent (6,400) in December 2025 compared with December 2024, as more Chinese visitors experience New Zealand’s unique scenery and hospitality.” 

Annual figures show overseas visitor arrivals reached 3.51 million in the year to December 2025, an increase of 196,000 on the previous year. This continues to track towards the Government’s goal of returning tourism to pre-COVID levels, now sitting at 90 percent of December 2019 figures.   

“It’s also great to see continued growth from our largest visitor market, Australia, with 1.52 million arrivals in the year to December, up 9.9 percent (137,000 since the previous year). 

Monthly data shows 32,800 more international visitors arrived in December 2025 compared with December 2024. 

The Government is supporting tourism growth through a range of initiatives, including strengthening partnerships with key markets, providing funding for the promotion of New Zealand as a year-round destination and streamlining travel processes. 

Changes that allow eligible visitors from China and the Pacific to travel to New Zealand from Australia with a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), rather than a visa, are also making a difference. 

A new survey following these changes shows being able to travel with an NZeTA was a deciding factor in people’s decisions to visit New Zealand. An overwhelming 85% of respondents, —including 85% of Chinese travellers and 82% of visitors from Pacific Island Forum countries — said they travelled to New Zealand specifically because the NZeTA option became available. The simplicity and speed of the process meant they could plan trips more spontaneously and confidently. 

“We’re committed to fixing the basics and building the future through backing our tourism and hospitality sector. This data shows our plan is working as we position New Zealand as a top choice for people planning their next holiday.” 

MIL OSI

PARIS, FRANCE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2026 – On February 10, the day of China’s Little New Year, An Encounter with China: Chinese New Year was held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The millennia‑old ancient capital Nanjing presented a “condensed version” of Chinese New Year through folk customs, art dialogues, and other forms. Representatives from permanent delegations of over 100 countries and international friends gathered to celebrate the Spring Festival, building a bridge for mutual learning among civilizations.

In December 2024, the Spring Festival was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Khaled El-Enany, Director‑General of UNESCO, stated that the Spring Festival has become a globally shared cultural event, and its inscription highlights the global influence of Chinese culture. Yang Xinyu, Ambassador of China’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, praised Nanjing, calling this “City of Literature” a city that brings the charm and warmth of the Spring Festival to Paris, showcasing the profound heritage and contemporary value of Chinese culture.

Nanjing is home to the Nanjing City Wall, the largest existing ancient city wall in the world, and its Yunjin brocade weaving technique has been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. At the event, the 2026 Spring Festival Temple Fair, hosted by China’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, kicked off with great excitement. Inside the headquarters hall, the Nanjing Cultural Symbols Exhibition drew large crowds: Fuma lanterns and Yulong lanterns glittered with brilliance, while Yunjin brocade and velvet flower crafts dazzled with their exquisite artistry. At the interactive area titled “Rubbing to Transmit Cultural Heritage,” guests personally took rubbings of inscriptions from Nanjing City Wall bricks.

In Nanjing itself, the Qinhuai Lantern Fair, with a history of over 1,700 years, illuminates the Confucius Temple; around the Ming City Wall, people “climb the city wall to walk off ailments,” visit temple fairs, and attend exhibitions, making the stories of the city wall a bond connecting the world.

During the event, Nanjing intangible cultural heritage inheritors, design scholars, and world‑leading designers gathered at the Manufacture Nationale de France for a dialogue titled “Reshaping and Interweaving Heritage.” Nanjing upholds the principles of “living heritage and two‑way empowerment,” through authentic restoration, international exchanges, and artistic co‑creation, allowing millennia‑old craftsmanship wisdom to serve the present, and enabling the world to appreciate the charm of Chinese New Year and the enduring power of Chinese civilization.

Hashtag: #Nanjing

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

WENCHANG, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2026 – China recently launched a Long March-12 carrier rocket from Wenchang, successfully sending the 19th group of low-orbit internet satellites into preset orbit. This mission marked the 12th launch since the country’s first commercial spacecraft launch site entered service, signaling that the facility has entered a phase of high-density, routine operations.

Wenchang benefits from distinct natural and geological advantages. As China’s southernmost launch site, its proximity to the equator improves payload efficiency. The expansive surrounding sea areas ensure safety for launch drop zones, while accessible maritime transport solves the logistical challenge of shipping large rocket.

The steady launch capacity, together with Hainan Free Trade Port policies such as zero tariffs, low tax rates, and a simplified tax system, is attracting aerospace companies from around the world. To date, more than 700 space-related enterprises have settled in the Wenchang International Aerospace City (WIAC), covering the entire industrial chain from rocket manufacturing and satellite design to data applications.

In 2025, the WIAC recorded annual revenue exceeding 20 billion yuan (approximately 2.9 billion U. S. dollars). With core infrastructure facilities gradually put to operations, a complete industrial chain—from manufacturing and assembling to launch operations—is rapidly taking shape.

“What attracted us here is not only the launch capability, but the entire industrial ecosystem,” said a senior executive of a satellite-related company based in the WIAC. “Finding partners and testing solutions here is extremely efficient.”

Space launches are also reshaping the local tourism landscape. According to official statistics, Wenchang recorded more than one million tourist trips in 2025. Many of the tourists were “rocket-chasers.” Launch viewing areas and the local aerospace science and education center have become popular destinations, boosting business for nearby homestays, restaurants, and related services.

“We used to live by the weather, now we live by the rockets,” a local homestay operator remarked, which highlighted the area’s transition from a traditional fishing community to a modern aerospace hub.

It was revealed that multiple launch pads are under construction at the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site. As infrastructure continues to improve, a “Space Town” featuring the aerospace industry and themed tourism is taking shape along China’s southern coast.

Hashtag: #Wenchang

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

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2026 – When you think of the Chinese New Year, lively lion dances and vibrant red lanterns surely come to mind. But this time, in Beijing’s Chaoyang District, you might brush past an adorable panda mascot, run into trendy IP characters on street corners, and discover themed artistic lanterns and festive markets. All these are available at the “Trendy Chaoyang, Trendy Temple Fair” event unfolding at the Chaoyangmen Outer Street area.

From February 10 (Little New Year in northern China on the Chinese lunar calendar) to March 8, the UIC block in the Chaoyangmen Outer Street area transforms into an open-air New Year playground. The most eye-catching are the nearly 100 “pandas” scattered throughout the block—not real giant pandas, but art installations, lanterns, pop-up IPs, and interactive photo spots inspired by various trendy characters. Top panda celebrities like Beijing Zoo’s Meng Lan, Chengdu’s He Hua, Hu Hu from the movie Panda Plan, Bing Dwen Dwen (a mascot of Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games), Pang Anda (a mascot of Air China), and 52TOYS’ Panda Roll, among others, have all gathered here. Additionally, over ten renowned domestic and international IPs, such as MOLLY from Pop Mart and WAKUKU from HERE, have also “traveled” here, creating a warm, healing, fun-filled, adorable universe.

Apart from trendy toy IPs, the event offers diverse Spring Festival experiences: Yingge Dance from the Chaoshan area of Guangdong Province makes its debut in Beijing, beating majestic New Year drums; folk song and dance performances from Guangxi and other ethnic areas showcase the diverse flavors of Chinese New Year. Visitors can enjoy specially crafted drinks from AI-powered unmanned beverage stations while appreciating intangible cultural heritage crafts and designer brands at the market. At THE BOX shopping mall, you can try VR tennis, visit a pet market, and interact with roaming non-player characters (NPCs) to receive red envelopes. After nightfall, lights, woven tree covers, and themed lighting effects turn the entire street into a dreamy open-air “art gallery.”

At historic sites such as Dongyue Temple and Ritan Park, Chaoyang District leverages local cultural heritage to create all-ages-friendly fairs combining exhibitions, fun activities, markets, and performances. This is not just a revival and celebration of Chinese New Year but also a cultural exchange that bridges tradition and modernity, folk customs and fashion, the local and the global.

Chaoyang’s “Trendy Temple Fair” welcomes everyone, no matter where you are from, with open arms, creative and heart-warming celebrations, inviting all to experience a Chinese New Year that is tangible, interactive, and full of surprises and happy memories.

Hashtag: #TrendyTempleFair

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