National’s conservation spokesperson Tama Potaka says the party will campaign on further restricting commercial fishing in the Hauraki Gulf.

Legislation brought by the coalition government last year, established 12 high protection areas (HPAs) where a range of activities, including most commercial and recreational fishing, are prohibited, and five sea floor protection areas.

At the time, the opposition criticised the government for a late-stage amendment allowing commercial ring-net fishing operators exclusive access to two of the HPAs.

In a statement on Saturday, Potaka acknowledged that had “caused widespread concern from the hundreds of thousands of users of Auckland’s key recreational waterway”.

Maungakiekie-based Labour MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan said at the law’s introduction that Labour would reverse the carve-out, if elected.

“Despite the environment select committee unanimously recommending to this house that the bill be passed with no substantive change, at the 11th hour, because of some active lobbying of the minister of oceans and fisheries, we saw this government cave to that pressure and they have chosen to water down the protections in the original bill.

“Labour, in government, will reverse the change that allows ring-net fishing in those HPAs.”

Now, Potaka said National would also look to reinstate a total ban on fishing in the HPAs if re-elected.

“A further decision, to allow bottom trawling in some designated trawl corridors in the Gulf has also been controversial, so we will review that also.”

He wanted a consistent approach to the protection of the gulf, that struck a balance between serving the needs of recreational users as well as commercial.

“At the heart must be the health of the Hauraki Gulf. It is Auckland’s playground and the centrepiece of some of New Zealand’s most iconic aquatic events.”

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

The government will use $3.5 million from the International Visitor Levy to help restore fire-damaged parts of Tongariro National Park.

Around 3000 hectares of the Park were destroyed in two separate fires at the end of 2025.

Conservation minister Tama Potaka said Tongariro was a taonga, and restoring its mauri was essential.

“Tongariro is a Dual World Heritage site, a taonga, and a cornerstone of the Ruapehu District economy. The fires have damaged biodiversity, disrupted recreation, and affected the livelihoods of families and businesses across Ruapehu District.”

The money, spent over five years, will go towards weed control, pest management, and biodiversity monitoring.

“Recovery is already visible, with native plants pushing through the charred ground. But without sustained weed control and pest management, including managing deer, that regeneration will be at risk,” Potaka said.

Shortly after the first fire, a ten-year ‘restorative’ rāhui was been placed over the fire ground itself.

In November, the Department of Conservation said people could still walk on tracks.

The rāhui was not about keeping people out, but about restoring the spiritual, emotional, and physical wellbeing of Tongariro, DOC said.

A Maunga Ora programme between DOC and Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro would help restore the ground, based on science, tikanga, and mātauranga Māori.

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

The Government is investing $3.5 million in the restoration of 3000-plus hectares of Tongariro National Park destroyed by two major fires last year, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.

“Tongariro is a Dual World Heritage site, a taonga, and a cornerstone of the Ruapehu District economy. The fires have damaged biodiversity, disrupted recreation, and affected the livelihoods of families and businesses across Ruapehu District,” Mr Potaka says.

“That is why we are investing $3.5m from the International Visitor Levy (IVL) over five years to fund weed control, pest management and biodiversity monitoring. 

“The IVL ensures visitor revenue goes back into maintaining and improving the places that support local jobs, businesses and communities.”

Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro is working alongside DOC to deliver Maunga Ora, a restoration plan based on science, tikanga and mātauranga Māori.

“Recovery is already visible, with native plants pushing through the charred ground. But without sustained weed control and pest management, including managing deer, that regeneration will be at risk,” Mr Potaka says.

“I want to acknowledge the commitment of Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro, DOC staff and the wider Ruapehu community who have been working on the ground since the fires. Their partnership is critical to restoring the mauri of this sacred landscape.

“The investment restores ecological resilience while backing the regional economy and people who depend on it.

“Tongariro is our taonga and restoring its mauri is essential. That’s why the Government is working to secure its long-term future.”
 

Note to editors: 

Photos attached can be published. 

MIL OSI

Seventy-eight people lost their lives to drowning in 2025, slightly more than the year before but below the 10-year average.

Water Safety NZ’s latest Drowning Prevention Report, released Thursday, said drowning remained “New Zealand’s leading recreational killer”. More than half of those who drowned were alone, it said – 55 percent.

“When you are by yourself and unexpectedly get into trouble in the water, the margin for survival disappears,” Water Safety chief executive Glen Scanlon said.

“Changing adult behaviour remains one of the biggest challenges in drowning prevention, particularly among adult males.”

In the past decade, about three-quarters of all drowning deaths where the person was by themselves were men.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty accounted for 51 of the 78 deaths.

The total figure of 78 was four higher than 2024’s toll, but eight fewer than the 10-year average of 1.67 deaths per 100,000. In the 1980s it was as high as five per 100,000.

Water Safety NZ said this improvement was at risk, with ACC ending funding for water-safety training for children.

“Our long-term goal is to make sure at least 60 percent of all school-aged children have access to quality water safety programmes,” Scanlon said, wth Water Safety NZ investigating alternative funding for courses.

“About 150,000 children miss out now. Protecting our next generation of New Zealanders with water safety skills and knowledge is fundamental to preventing drowning.”

The report said while youth drowning rates were dropping, there were increases for older men and Asian New Zealanders.

“Māori and Pasifika communities continue to be over-represented in the statistics,” Water Safety NZ said.

About 12 lives a year would be saved, it said, if lifejackets were made mandatory on all watercrafts as a bill that would do that makes its way through Parliament.

“New Zealand’s drowning rate is improving, but preventable deaths remain unacceptably high,” Scanlon said.

“With legislation, education and behaviour change aligned, our country has a rare opportunity to significantly reduce future loss of life.”

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

Maritime NZ featured in the lead story on Seven Sharp on Wednesday, 4 February.

The story examined the rapid emergence of new recreational water craft and the safety risks that can arise as technology and usage patterns evolve.

MIL OSI

Residents on Auckland’s west coast fear their beloved beaches will become the next hotspot for rock pool harvesting.

The government has imposed a two-year ban on taking shellfish and seaweed from rockpools along the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, and further north at Kawau Bay and Ōmaha Bay on Auckland’s east coast, from 12 March 2026.

The Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust applied for the ban under section 186A of the Fisheries Act, which all iwi could do for their rohe.

The iwi’s chief executive, Nicola MacDonald, earlier told RNZ that as the population had grown, the amount of harvesting being done had become unsustainable, and the coastline desperately needed a break.

Luella Bartlett from the community group Protect Piha Rockpools said that rockpools in Piha, as well as Muriwai, Te Henga, and Whatipu, would be stripped bare if more people started combing those beaches due to the East Coast ban.

“I’m so happy for them [Ngāti Manuhiri and the Whangaparāoa community] because they’ve worked hard for it, they desperately needed it, but unfortunately, it hasn’t gone far enough, and the biggest issue is seeing movement into other areas.”

Bartlett, who had lived in Piha for 20 years, said locals had been concerned about the amount of marine life being taken there for decades.

“This has been a long-term problem. The difference now is back then it was green-limped mussels, now it’s anemones, starfish, crabs, seaweed, absolutely everything being yanked off the rocks,” Bartlett said.

“It’s 100 percent legal right now. You can take up to 50 things per person.”

Currently, recreational harvesters can collect up to 50 cockles, 150 sea urchins, 25 green-lipped mussels, 50 pipi, and 50 of any other shellfish a day.

Bartlett wanted the government to make all intertidal zones, the area between high and low tide, a “no-take zone”.

She recently met with two NZ First MPs, Under Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries Jenny Marcroft and David Wilson, and Fisheries Officials at Maukatia Bay to discuss her concerns.

“They are actively wanting to make sure that displacement from one beach to another does not happen.”

Bartlet said people harvesting at West Coast beaches was also a safety risk for those unfamiliar with the notoriously dangerous surf.

“On the West Coast, it’s a lot rougher. We’re going to see a lot more rescues and potentially, a lot more deaths as well as major damage to our ecosystem, which we’re already seeing damage to.”

While speaking about rockpool harvesting during question time this week, Fisheries Minister Shane Jones’ comments about Asian Communities resulted in boos from other MPs in the House.

Bartlett did not think the minister’s approach was helpful.

“We’re [Protect Piha Rockpools] focused on the legislation, not race or culture, because this is happening across cultures and it has been happening for a long time, 40-odd years. It’s not helpful when we’re trying to get legislation changed when it keeps being diverted back to race.”

University of Auckland marine scientist Professor Andrew Jeffs said it was great that the government had recognised there was a problem with the amount of harvesting around Whangaparāoa.

But he agreed the activity would be displaced to other vulnerable areas.

“I was out on the West Coast in Auckland last weekend, and on a reef which I previously haven’t seen many people collecting shellfish off, I counted about 30 people there with buckets and tools taking stuff off the rocks.”

He said he had observed an increase in people beach-combing at one popular West Coast spot in recent years. He did not want to name the beach for fear it would encourage more gathering there.

“I suspect it’s because people have discovered that there’s good stuff to be had there, and word is getting around, and so people are taking it.

“I’ve seen that happen in other areas. There was an area of sea cucumbers, what we call a hotspot of sea cucumbers, in the harbour that we were studying and over the period of about two and a half years. Initially, one person started harvesting, and then we gradually saw more people coming, and there’s now no sea cucumbers in that place anymore, they’re all gone.”

In 1993, a rāhui was placed on Karekare beach by the local iwi Te Kawerau ā Maki, with support from the community as a method of protecting dwindling shellfish stock and the marine ecology of the area.

Te Kawerau ā Maki, has been contacted by RNZ for comment and is yet to confirm whether they plan to apply for a temporary ban.

Shane Jones and Jenny Marcroft have been contacted for comment.

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

A local said there had been multiple complaints about dogs roaming in the area and chasing people before the death of a woman in Kaihu, Northland.

Emergency services were called to the property on State Highway 12 at 11.25am on Tuesday.

Upon arrival, police found a woman dead.

Kaipara District Council’s animal management team confirmed it had responded to an incident involving dogs and a person at a property earlier on Tuesday, and was now investigating.

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

The dogs had been secured.

“At this stage we’re unable to provide any further details or comment while a response and investigation is underway.”

Police were carrying out a scene examination and said there was no risk to the public in relation to the incident.

A local told RNZ there were complaints about dogs in the area made by multiple people but nothing had been done about it.

They said the dogs had been at the property for about a year.

In that time, they said they’d complained to Kaipara District Council at least four times about the dogs.

“There’s been so many complaints about them in the last year – the council know and haven’t done anything.

“They run out onto the road all the time. I was really scared about that and somebody getting hurt.”

They believed what had happened could have been avoided.

The local also said the dogs from that property ran after cars, motorbikes and push bikes when they came down the road.

The area was part of the Kaihu Valley cycle trail, and the local said tourists were often the ones on bikes on the road.

They said just a few months ago they’d heard of a couple who’d had to turn around on the road because of the dogs.

“I just don’t know how they can promote it [cycle trail] knowing there’s a dog problem down here.”

Checkpoint asked Kaipara District Council for a response to the local’s comments.

A spokesperson said the council “can’t provide any further information or comment on this incident while an investigation is underway.”

“Our staff are actively working with police now to understand the sequence of events and what occurred on the property today,” the spokesperson said.

St John confirmed an ambulance and helicopter were called to the scene at 11.22am, but referred further queries to police.

The incident comes amid growing calls for an overhaul of dog control laws.

Meanwhile, a Northlander whose relative was killed by dogs said today’s incident showed people needed to take dog ownership more seriously.

Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board member Roddy Hapati Pihema’s aunt was killed by dogs in 2023.

“This is just unbelievable. There’s been a lot of lives taken by dogs, it’s concerning that this issue hasn’t been prioritised as much as it should be. We still have dogs running around on the streets, we still have dogs running through recreation reserves,” he said.

“This continues to be a really concerning space considering we’re not actually learning from the people being mauled, the people who have been unfortunate to lose their lives. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done,” Pihema said.

“The majority of people do [understand the risk of dogs] but there’s quite a large number out there that like to have the puppy but don’t want the responsibility of the dog.”

He said the council was doing what it could to tackle the issue, but there was little they could do if owners didn’t take responsibility.

A Whangārei woman who is trying to change animal ownership laws said she was heartbroken to learn of another fatal dog attack in her region.

Tracy Clarke said she was devastated to learn of the attack.

“My heart absolutely sunk and tears welled up because this has been going on now for far too long, too many people are losing their lives as a result of dog attacks.”

She had a petition before Select Committee to strengthen dog ownership laws.

“The current legislation is out of date and needs to be brought up to today’s dog population and the difference in ownership,” she said.

The petition seeks substantial changes to the dog ownership legislation and council bylaws, in order to end the problem of roaming dogs in New Zealand.

“We’re at crisis point as a nation and it needs to be sorted urgently.”

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

The winds that struck Wellington on Monday were the strongest in more than a decade, MetService says.

Gusts of 193 kilometres an hour were recorded at Mount Kaukau, and 128km/h at Wellington Airport – the highest for both since 2013.

An orange heavy rain warning for the eastern hills of Wellington, Wairarapa and the Tararua Range, expired at 11pm Monday.

More than 30,000 properties lost power on Monday as wild winds brought trees and power lines down across much of the lower North Island.

Powerco said about 23,000 properties across its network have lost connections and in the Wellington region, about 10,000 have their connections cut.

Manawatū-Whanganui has been hit badly, and the region is under a state of emergency.

Meanwhile, homes on Lincoln Road in Masterton were evacuated due to the threat of falling trees.

Air NZ cancelled flights in and out of several major centres, including the capital, citing strong winds.

“Safety is paramount and we are continuing to closely monitor conditions, with winds expected to reduce later this morning when we expect to resume services,” chief operating officer Alex Marren said.

Christchurch and Banks Peninsula are now being lashed by heavy rain as the wild weather moves south, causing flooding in Akaroa.

Downpours have turned the harbour township’s recreation ground into a lake, with some streets awash near the sea.

An orange heavy rain warning is in place for the peninsula – where up to 100 millimetres of further rain could fall – until 6pm Tuesday.

Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains and foothills, between the Rangitata River and Amberley, are under a heavy rain watch until 10am.

Christchurch City Council said it is closely watching the weather and is aware of reports of surface flooding.

It said roading crews are on standby overnight, and more will be known in the morning.

Transport officials and councils are closely monitoring water levels in Lake Forsyth that could affect State Highway 75 between Christchurch and Akaroa.

See how the day unfolded in our blog:

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

Christchurch and Banks Peninsula are being lashed by heavy rain as the wild weather moves south, causing flooding in Akaroa.

Downpours have turned the harbour township’s recreation ground into a lake, with some streets awash near the sea.

An orange heavy rain warning is in place for the peninsula – where up to 100 millimetres of further rain could fall – until 6pm Tuesday.

Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains and foothills, between the Rangitata River and Amberley, are under a heavy rain watch until 10am.

Christchurch City Council said it is closely watching the weather and is aware of reports of surface flooding.

It said roading crews are on standby overnight, and more will be known in the morning.

Transport officials and councils are closely monitoring water levels in Lake Forsyth that could affect State Highway 75 between Christchurch and Akaroa.

Further north, the winds that struck Wellington on Monday were the strongest in more than a decade, MetService said.

Gusts of 193 kilometres an hour were recorded at Mount Kaukau, and 128km/h at Wellington Airport – the highest for both since 2013.

An orange heavy rain warning for the eastern hills of Wellington, Wairarapa and the Tararua Range, expired at 11pm Monday.

More than 30,000 properties lost power on Monday as wild winds brought trees and power lines down across much of the lower North Island.

Powerco said about 23,000 properties across its network have lost connections and in the Wellington region, about 10,000 have their connections cut.

Manawatū-Whanganui has been hit badly, and the region is under a state of emergency.

Meanwhile, homes on Lincoln Road in Masterton were evacuated due to the threat of falling trees.

Air NZ cancelled flights in and out of several major centres, including the capital, citing strong winds.

“Safety is paramount and we are continuing to closely monitor conditions, with winds expected to reduce later this morning when we expect to resume services,” chief operating officer Alex Marren said.

See how the day unfolded in our blog:

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

Christchurch and Banks Peninsula are being lashed by heavy rain as the wild weather moves south, causing flooding in Akaroa.

Downpours have turned the harbour township’s recreation ground into a lake, with some streets awash near the sea.

An orange heavy rain warning is in place for the peninsula – where up to 100 millimetres of further rain could fall – until 6pm Tuesday.

Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains and foothills, between the Rangitata River and Amberley, are under a heavy rain watch until 10am.

Christchurch City Council said it is closely watching the weather and is aware of reports of surface flooding.

It said roading crews are on standby overnight, and more will be known in the morning.

Transport officials and councils are closely monitoring water levels in Lake Forsyth that could affect State Highway 75 between Christchurch and Akaroa.

Further north, the winds that struck Wellington on Monday were the strongest in more than a decade, MetService said.

Gusts of 193 kilometres an hour were recorded at Mount Kaukau, and 128km/h at Wellington Airport – the highest for both since 2013.

An orange heavy rain warning for the eastern hills of Wellington, Wairarapa and the Tararua Range, expires at 11pm Monday.

About 15 to 25 mm of rain is expected, on top of what has already fallen.

More than 30,000 properties lost power on Monday as wild winds brought trees and power lines down across much of the lower North Island.

Powerco said about 23,000 properties across its network have lost connections and in the Wellington region, about 10,000 have their connections cut.

Manawatū-Whanganui has been hit badly, and the region is under a state of emergency.

Meanwhile, homes on Lincoln Road in Masterton were evacuated due to the threat of falling trees.

Air NZ cancelled flights in and out of several major centres, including the capital, citing strong winds.

“Safety is paramount and we are continuing to closely monitor conditions, with winds expected to reduce later this morning when we expect to resume services,” chief operating officer Alex Marren said.

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

Hamish Kerr has claimed New Zealand’s highest sporting honour at the 63rd Halberg Awards in Auckland, after achieving heights in his career that no other Kiwi high jumper has reached.

Kerr has won the Supreme Halberg Award, capping off an extraordinary 2025 in which he dominated on the world stage.

Kerr – who also secured the Sportsman of the Year title earlier in the evening – won gold at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.

His maiden triumph in Tokyo completed the final piece of Kerr’s collection of global titles. He is now the reigning world champion, Olympic champion (Paris 2024), and Diamond League champion (2025) – an unprecedented achievement by a New Zealand high jumper.

Kerr, who also won last year’s Halberg Sportsman of the Year, took the title ahead of athletics team-mate Geordie Beamish; Freeski Big Air World Champion Luca Harrington; footballer Chris Wood and golfer Ryan Fox.

Kerr’s athletics coach James Sandilands, who guided the 29-year-old through one of the best seasons of his career, was named Coach of the Year – his first win in the category.

Snowboard star Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, who is currently competing at her third Winter Olympics, was named Sportswoman of the Year.

Sadowski-Synnott won a third snowboard slopestyle world title in 2025, and got the accolade ahead of a field including global champions across cycling – Sammie Maxwell and Niamh Fisher-Black; tennis – Erin Routliffe, and rugby – Jorja Miller.

The Black Ferns Sevens were crowned the Team of the Year after another dominant 2024-25 HSBC SVNS World Series and the SVNS World Championship.

Their unmatched global success stood-out in an impressive line-up of team finalists including Auckland FC; world champion men’s rowing pair Ben Taylor and Oliver Welch; the men’s team pursuit track cycling squad; the New Zealand Kiwis and the New Zealand Black Sox.

Sam Ruthe unsurprisingly beat out the other finalists in the Emerging Talent category after making history in 2025 by becoming the youngest person ever to run a sub-four-minute mile.

Paralympic sprint star Danielle Aitchison was awarded the Para Athlete/Para Team of the Year Award, for her impressive results on the track at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships. Other finalists included fellow Para athletics team mate Lisa Adams, Para track cyclists Nicole Murray and Devon Briggs and Para swimmer Cameron Leslie.

International sport administrator and leader Katie Sadleir received the Sport New Zealand Leadership Award, recognising her influential contributions to global sport and her long-standing dedication to athlete well-being and equity.

Kat Mueller was honoured with the Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award, for her significant work championing inclusive sport and recreation opportunities for people with disabilities across Aotearoa.

Two new inductees to the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame were also celebrated. Dame Valerie Adams and Richie McCaw were formally welcomed into the prestigious group, recognising their contributions, achievements, and lasting impact on New Zealand sport.

Full List of Winners – 63rd Halberg Awards:

• Supreme Halberg Award: Hamish Kerr (athletics – field)
• Sportswoman of the Year: Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (snow sports – snowboarding)
• Sportsman of the Year: Hamish Kerr (athletics – field)
• Para Athlete of the Year: Danielle Aitchison (Para athletics – track)
• Team of the Year: Black Ferns Sevens (rugby sevens)
• Coach of the Year: James Sandilands (athletics -field)
• Emerging Talent: Sam Ruthe (athletics – track)
• Sport New Zealand Leadership Award: Katie Sadlier
• Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award: Kat Mueller

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

The mother of a man who still has nerve damage more than a year after huffing nitrous oxide – and is no longer unable to work in construction – wants tougher regulation around nangs.

Health and community leaders are concerned about a surge in huffing – including in Hawke’s Bay, where hundreds of kilos of large discarded canisters have been collected. Two cases of nerve damage in the region have also been linked to huffing nitrous oxide recently.

The gas has legitimate medical and catering uses, but is also used recreationally for a high that can cause serious side effects.

While it is illegal to sell nitrous oxide for huffing, a Checkpoint investigation found stores are selling large canisters of the gas that are the equivalent of hundreds of hits – with virtually no questions asked.

The New Zealand Drug Foundation has said recreational drug users often inhale it for a short-lived high.

However, the availability of thermos-sized canisters of the gas have community leaders and doctors seriously concerned about the safety and health risks linked to consuming large quantities of the gas.

One mother – who does not want to be named – says her son was buying large quantities of the gas and thought he could manage his doses.

But she told Checkpoint that things got serious when he started losing his balance.

“It was almost like he was drunk and couldn’t hold his balance, and his legs were like jelly.”

She said it was not constant, but there were times when he could not use a knife and fork.

“He just couldn’t grip it correctly, and was really struggling.

“He said he couldn’t feel his feet or his fingers, so they were completely numb and he had no sensation in his feet.”

She eventually took him to hospital after hearing him “crash” in their home at Christmas 2024.

“I was devastated. We just didn’t know what was wrong…and we just took him to hospital,” she said.

The woman says her son continues to suffer nerve damage, and that he had been purchasing the large canister products “regularly” from dairies when he became ill.

“I don’t know how much he was using, but I think to get into the state that he was, it was extreme,” she said.

“I was shocked that he just bought it from the local dairy.”

When she took him to hospital in late 2024, he ended up being admitted for an eight-day stay.

“He said he couldn’t feel his feet and his fingers, so they were completely numb and he had no sensation in his feet.

“It was almost like he was drunk and couldn’t hold his balance and…his legs kind of were jelly. But that wasn’t constant.

“And the real challenging time was when he couldn’t use a knife and fork, like he just couldn’t hold it, grip it correctly and… was just really struggling.”

The woman shared her story with Checkpoint because she wanted people to understand how dangerous nitrous oxide was, and that it was easily accessible – despite requirements under the Psychoactive Substances Act.

She said the ongoing impacts on her son, who previously worked in the construction industry, had been particularly heartbreaking.

“The thing is…my son was trying to be a responsible user and had looked into the adverse effects of using this drug and saw that it depleted vitamin B12, so he was taking B12.

“But it obviously was not enough.”

She said it took about 10 hours for doctors at the hospital to establish her son’s symptoms were a result of nerve damage from low levels of vitamin B12 and nitrous oxide use.

More than a year later, he continued to have problems and had not been able to return to his work in the construction industry.

“He obviously can use a knife and fork and things more easily now…but I feel like he hasn’t got 100 percent sensation back in his feet,” she said.

“I know nerves do take a long time to heal and grow back, but we’re talking about 15 months since he was hospitalised.”

She said she was so angry by what happened to her son, and that there was no information out there about how to deal with it.

“It’s just horrifying, I just can’t believe it’s happening still. The minister needs to stop it being sold through dairies for a start. It’s just crazy and there needs to be some regulation around it.”

Health Minister Simeon Brown previously said the government took nitrous oxide misuse “very seriously”.

He highlighted tougher enforcement measures around sale of the gas, which were introduced last year.

“These changes were designed to provide greater clarity for retailers and enforcement agencies, and to ensure there are appropriate consequences when the law is not followed,” he said in a statement.

“I have requested advice on how effective these changes have been, including whether the penalties are adequate, to ensure we can keep New Zealanders safe.”

For anyone affected by issues discussed in this story, free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor. Or call 0800 Lifeline or text HELP to 4357.

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

Local iwi Ngāti Manuhiri has welcomed the government’s two-year ban on harvesting rockpools in the north of Auckland.

The ban is for all of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, and further north at Kawau Bay and Ōmaha Bay and will take affect from 12 March.

All seaweed, invertebrate and shellfish were covered as well as sponges, starfish, anemone and sea cucumbers.

Spiny rock lobster and scallops were already covered by existing closures, sea urchin (kina) were also excluded and can still be taken within current recreational fishing limits.

Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement trust chief executive Nicola Rata-MacDonald said the announcement couldn’t have come fast enough.

“Every year we see a lot of people enjoying our beaches, fantastic, but what we also see is unprecedented harvesting and foraging of really vulnerable ecosystems and we just can’t take it anymore.”

The trust applied for a two-year prohibition on harvesting all shellfish and seaweeds from rockpools across the eastern coastline of the Rodney Local Board and Hibiscus Local Board areas, made under section 186A of the Fisheries Act.

As part of its formal application the Trust will also place a rāhui over the same area and species.

Rata-MacDonald said two years will be a start for shellfish to recover and the iwi will be working with Fisheries New Zealand, DOC and community groups to monitor the rockpools.

Whether they ask to extend the ban after two years will depend on whether there is a recovery of shellfish populations, she said.

“But one thing we will know is that you can bet your bottom dollar we’ll be going out to those beaches and checking up on them.”

Rata-MacDonald said she has spoken with Fisheries Officials who were keen to look at ways the local community can get involved.

“Our oceans are under serious pressure. The long term focus is can we actually recover species that are on the brink of decline, we’ve seen that in the Hauraki Gulf with koura with crayfish with scallops so we need to really look at how do we ensure the intertidal species don’t disappear, they are the very engineers of the ocean and without them everything collapses.”

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

MIL OSI

After a public outcry, the government is imposing a two-year ban on taking shellfish from rockpools north of Auckland.

The ban is for all of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, and further north at Kawau Bay and Ōmaha Bay.

Locals have said more people are taking sea life and beaches were being stripped bare.

Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones said on Sunday most people did the right thing “and gather only what is appropriate and legal”, but others were exploiting and collapsing ecosystems.

The ban will take effect from 12 March and will be enforced by fishery officers.

Oceans and Fisheries Under-Secretary Jenny Marcroft said officials “have been directed to explore how community volunteers can be supported to encourage visitors to do the right thing”.

“Fisheries New Zealand will also develop multilingual educational material to support this closure and the ongoing management of intertidal fisheries.”

Last year, the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust applied for a two-year legal ban on harvesting all shellfish and seaweed from rock pools along Auckland’s eastern coastline, from the Rodney local board area through to the Hibiscus and Bays local board area, under section 186A of the Fisheries Act.

The government in January said it was seeking urgent advice on the matter.

Fisheries worked with the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, Jones said, to enact a traditional rāhui.

“My decision excludes some of the species and areas requested by Ngāti Manuhiri where existing closures and restrictions apply.”

All seaweed, invertebrate and shellfish were covered, he said, as well as sponges, starfish, anemone and sea cucumbers.

Spiny rock lobster and scallops were already covered by existing closures.

Sea urchin (kina) were excluded “and can still be taken within the current recreational fishing limits”.

“I decided to allow kina to continue to be taken as managing kina barrens is a priority for me. Officials will continue to actively monitor and manage kina population.”

The closure did not apply to any aquaculture activities such as marine farming or the collection of spat (small juvenile shellfish), Jones and Marcroft said.

“It’s important that these coastal management restrictions do not impact on marine farming and the aquaculture development so it can continue to support our economy and provide jobs in our communities,” Jones said.

The Hauraki Gulf Forum welcomed the closures.

More details were posted on the Ministry for Primary Industries website.

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

The Government has taken action to stop the wholesale stripping of marine creatures from rockpools on the east coast north of Auckland.

“I have approved a two-year ban on the taking of a range of invertebrate and seaweed species to put an end to over-collection of marine life from rockpools and surrounding coastline and help protect these important ecosystems,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.

“While most people who visit the coast do the right thing and gather only what is appropriate and legal, there are others who are exploiting it and taking so much that they are collapsing the fragile ecosystems.

The temporary closure will take effect from 12 March 2026. The closure is enforceable by Fishery Officers.

Mr Jones says infringements for breaching temporary closure rules will also be considered as an additional measure.

Oceans and Fisheries Under-Secretary Jenny Marcroft has been working closely with locals, visitors and Fisheries officials to understand the issues and find solutions to the problems.

“As a result, officials have been directed to explore how community volunteers can be supported to encourage visitors to do the right thing. Fisheries New Zealand will also develop multilingual educational material to support this closure and the ongoing management of intertidal fisheries.”

The Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust requested a two-year temporary fisheries closure over the Rodney, Hibiscus Coast, and East Coast Bays coastline and some Hauraki Gulf islands.

Mr Jones says Fisheries worked with the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, which will place a traditional rāhui over the same area and species.

The two-year temporary closure provides statutory support for the rāhui.

“My decision excludes some of the species and areas requested by Ngāti Manuhiri where existing closures and restrictions apply,” Mr Jones says.

The closure includes all seaweed species and invertebrate species (all shellfish and sea life such as sponges, starfish, sea anemone, and sea cucumbers).

This closure does not apply to spiny rock lobster and scallops as there are already existing closures already in place for these species. Kina (sea urchin) is also excluded from the closure and can still be taken within the current recreational fishing limits.

“I decided to allow kina to continue to be taken as managing kina barrens is a priority for me. Officials will continue to actively monitor and manage kina populations.”

The closure does not apply to any aquaculture activities such as marine farming or the collection of spat (small juvenile shellfish) for those activities.

“It’s important that these coastal management restrictions do not impact on marine farming and the aquaculture development so it can continue to support our economy and provide jobs in our communities,” Mr Jones says. 

“I’d like to acknowledge Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust’s valuable contribution to fisheries management and their commitment to this kaupapa.

“I will also be considering further restrictions for harvesting shellfish around parts of the country to ensure sustainability.

“My officials have a broader programme of work under way for managing intertidal shellfish and are developing proposals for Auckland and Coromandel, which are expected to be publicly consulted in the coming months,” Mr Jones says.

More information can be found at: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/proposed-temporary-fisheries-closure-in-the-hauraki-gulf 

MIL OSI

MIL OSI

Date:  13 February 2026

MetService has already issued orange warnings for the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, and Gisborne/Tairawhiti. Heavy rain is expected across many parts of the North Island.

Kahori Nakagawa, Acting Operations Manager Hawke’s Bay, says it’s important for visitors to check DOC’s website for any current warnings and updates, and stay away from campsites, tracks, or huts near areas with a high slip risk.

“MetService is forecasting intense rainfall over the weekend, which could affect tracks, campsites, and access roads,” says Kahori.

“We’re asking people to think carefully before heading out, and to be prepared to change their plans if needed.

“The last thing we want is people getting hurt or stuck.”

Once the extreme weather has passed, DOC staff will carry out assessments on sites and determine when huts, campsites, and tracks can be reopened to the public.

“If you’re in an affected area and planning a trip this weekend, please take care and put safety first.

“Naturing is about connecting with the outdoors, but that connection also means respecting nature’s power and knowing when to pause or change plans.”

All potential visitors should check the DOC website for the latest alerts before setting out. Checking websites for NZTA and local councils can also help visitors glean information about important travel and recreation aspects like road closures access or water restrictions.

Contact

MIL OSI

MIL OSI

A Checkpoint investigation has revealed how easy it is to get potentially dangerous nitrous oxide or nangs in large quantities from dairies, vape stores and convenience stores.

The gas has legitimate medical uses and is also used in catering to whip cream, however it is illegal to supply, possess or use the gas recreationally.

Checkpoint visited 16 stores across three areas in Auckland and found at least half were willing to sell canisters of the gas in a range of sizes with virtually no checks.

One vape store sold 1.1L and 3.3L canisters of the gas, for $50 and $150 respectively. It also offered a “combo” price of $170 for the pair.

At another dairy visited by Checkpoint, the shop keeper had a range of products available to buy – from packs of the small, silver tubes of nitrous oxide to the larger, thermos-sized 1.1L canister. The shop-keeper also said the 1.1L was the most popular size.

Several dairies offered packs of the silver tubes, with prices ranging from $10 for the 10-pack to about $60 for a 50-pack.

The gas was also available to purchase on its own, without cream dispensers. Only one dairy clarified verbally that the canisters were only to be “used for baking”.

Doctors and community leaders have been particularly concerned about the availability of the thermos-sized 1.1L and 3.3L canisters.

Dr Nicholas Jones is the medical officer of health in Hawke’s Bay, where two cases of nerve damage have recently been linked to huffing of nitrous oxide.

At a recent community meeting on the issue, he said people were alarmed to hear that recycling services in the region were collecting around 300kg of empty canisters a fortnight.

That does suggest “there’s quite a significant amount of this being used”, he said.

While nitrous oxide has traditionally been viewed at the lower end of the harm-spectrum for psychoactive substances, Jones highlighted the potential risks around large amounts of the gas being accessible and available.

“What seems to have changed recently is the availability of these large canisters, you know, up to 3.3L of gas, whereas in the past people may have used the small silver canisters about, I think it’s about 8 grams or something, a relatively low amount.”

“You’re able to then actually access 3.3L, you could be using it for a prolonged period of time over a long period of time.”

That increased risks significantly, he said.

“Although it’s not known for being a drug that causes, you know, psychological dependence, obviously the longer you use it and the more you use it, the higher the risk of, you know, becoming dependent on it.

“With chronic use you can start developing nerve damage associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.”

He suspected this could become more common, especially as people may not understand the risks of nitrous oxide-use.

“One of the problems is that people may be ringing up with concerns, health concerns, but not necessarily identifying the fact that they’re associated with, you know, the use of nitrous oxide.”

Checkpoint also spoke to a woman whose adult child became a heavy user of nitrous oxide last year.

The woman asked to remain anonymous but wanted to share her family’s experience in the hope more could be done to prevent abuse of the substance.

She said her daughter became hooked the gas and was using the large, thermos-sized canisters.

It caused physical problems for her daughter like anaemia, numbness in the her fingers and toes, and issues with bumping into things, she said.

Her daughter also ended up in hospital because of nerve damage, and the addiction had severe mental health impacts and led to self-harm.

The woman said the family found the gas was being purchased from a vape store.

When they went in to see what checks were in place, they found customers were asked to write down their name and the intended use for their purchase on a piece of paper.

She said people had written down names like “John Smith” and that they wanted the gas for a “21st birthday cake”

The woman said police investigated the store, which was eventually closed down. However, she remained concerned about the availability of the gas, and pointed out the closed-vape shop was simply one outlet selling nitrous-oxide products.

She also said her daughter had recovered after quitting “cold turkey” and getting help. The family now want the government to be more proactive and shut down illegal sales.

For anyone affected by issues discussed in this story, free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor. Or call 0800 Lifeline or text HELP to 4357.

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

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has welcomed the passing of the first reading of the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill, which will reform New Zealand’s work health and safety law and regulations.  

“The changes in this Bill will make it easier to run a business in New Zealand by increasing certainty and removing fear, helping to ease costs of compliance and improve safety outcomes,” says Ms van Velden. 

The Bill addresses concerns businesses had in two key ways. First, by increasing available guidance and support through a strengthening of Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) giving businesses access to guidance that is tailored to their own industries and easier to keep up to date than regulations.  

“ACOPs will now act as ‘safe harbours’ for compliance, meaning that if a business complies with their sector’s ACOP, they have done enough to meet their health and safety requirements.  

“Secondly, the Bill will clarify WorkSafe’s functions.  

“A major theme in the feedback we received from businesses was that they don’t know what they need to do to manage their risks and meet their obligations. I also heard concerns about a lack of guidance, regulations not keeping pace with best practice, and uncertainty about WorkSafe’s approach as the regulator arising due to inconsistency and heavy-handedness in punishment. 

“This all results in a feeling of fear and uncertainty that leads businesses to take unnecessary actions to protect themselves, creating more costs to the business without actually making workers any safer.  

“The Bill will require WorkSafe to move from an approach of expecting everyone to address every possible risk, towards one in which WorkSafe provides guidance on the critical risks a workplace must address to meet their obligations under the Act.  

“I expect this will significantly help businesses to understand their responsibilities and give clarity about the actions they should take to protect their workers,” says Ms van Velden. 

“This new focus will make WorkSafe a more consistent and helpful agency, so that businesses can get the support they need to keep workers safe, without wasting resources on external consultants or excessive paperwork compliance. 

“I’m looking forward to hearing feedback, particularly around whether these changes are clear and workable, once the Bill opens for submissions at select committee. 

“Today is a win for practical, common-sense changes that will set businesses up for success in keeping people safe,” says Ms van Velden.  

Note to Editors: 

Other changes include: 

• Creating a carve-out for small, low-risk businesses from general Health and Safety at Work Act requirements. These businesses will only have to manage critical risks and provide basic facilities to ensure worker welfare.
• Clarifying what a director’s health and safety due diligence duty involves and where it stops. 
• Many directors think they need to do more than they should, and directors and management are also duplicating work. This change clarifies that the day-to-day management of health and safety risks is to be left to managers so directors can focus on governance.
• Clarifying that businesses do not owe health and safety duties to individuals engaging in recreational activities on their land, unless the business has work happening on the same part of the land at the same time. 
• This will ensure that landowners will not be responsible if someone is injured on their land while doing recreational activities and that health and safety responsibilities will lie squarely on the organisation running the activities. 

MIL OSI

Usually, there are only calm currents at Auckland’s Western Springs Lake.

But this week, electrocurrents are being used to stun pest fish and turtles so they can be scooped up, brought to land and killed.

Associate Professor in Biodiversity and Ecology at the University of Waikato’s School of Science, Nicolas Ling, is one of the specialists scooping up hundreds of koi carp, including goldfish and brown bullhead catfish, on New Zealand’s only electrofishing boat.

He said no native species would be harmed by the electrofishing process.

“It puts a pulsed electric current into the water, and it temporarily stuns the fish, which means we can recover them. The native species, we can recover those, and we can put them back in the lake unharmed, and the pest species, we can humanely euthanise them.”

Ling said catfish were most likely released into the lake more than a hundred years ago. Koi were believed to have been introduced into New Zealand in the 1960s.

But he said most of the goldfish and turtles in the lake were people’s unwanted pets.

“People think they’re doing the right thing, you know, when they don’t want their pet anymore, they go and release it into the local lake. And it’s actually the worst thing you can do. If you want to take on a pet, then take it on for the course of its natural life.”

He said they were also removing red-eared slider turtles from the lake.

“Again, these are pets that people have released when they no longer want them. The problem with the turtle is, if you take that on as a pet, it’s a 50-year commitment. It’s a multi-generational pet. They get huge and it becomes very expensive to provide the habitat for an adult turtle. And so people just go and release them, which is a sad thing.”

All of the pests collected were brought back to shore to be killed and then taken off-site to be turned into compost or rendered down to produce natural gas.

While killing the pests was not a pretty sight, Ling said it was necessary.

“These particular species are known to cause negative impacts on water quality. The lake should be nice and clean, but it’s not, and the fish are definitely contributing to that. They stir up the bottom sediments, and that resuspends nutrients back into the water column, which can cause increases in algal growth and bacterial growth.

“The koi and the goldfish eat the plants in the lake, which also take out nutrients.

“Those challenges with water quality mean that it makes it potentially unsafe for recreation around the lake. You don’t want to be touching the water.

“There’s fantastic bird life around here. When the water quality is really poor, they can suffer from a disease called avian botulism.

“And of course, they’re competing with the native species as well. There are lots of eels in the lake, and that’s good to see. There are also īnanga, which are key whitebait species. There’s common smelt in the lake as well.”

The lake was home to three native eel species: the short-finned eel, the long-finned eel, and the Australian long-finned eel, and there are plans to declare the lake an eel sanctuary.

The Waikato University specialists would be at the lake for one week ending on Friday, 13 November, with the council saying there were plans for them to return in the near future to continue the pest removal operation.

Auckland Council Senior Freshwater Advisor, Matthew Bloxham, said the council had previously tried other techniques to remove pests from the lake, but this was the first time they had brought in an electrofishing boat.

He said so far it had been a success.

The team at Western Springs had caught Koi weighing up to 14kg. The largest Koi ever caught in New Zealand weighed 15kg.

“Not many people realise that they get so large,” Bloxham said.

We’ve found quite a few diseased goldfish in here recently. So, putting them in here doesn’t necessarily give them a better life. It’s actually passing on the problem to somebody else, in this case the environment.

“It’s far better to repurpose that goldfish or re-home it, reach out and see whether anybody’s prepared to take it on and there will be people out there, you know, people love goldfish, they are attractive things after all, but they’re a nuisance when they’re released into the wild.”

It was costing the council $20,000 to rent the electric fishing boat from Waikato University.

“The cost of this operation is not cheap. We’d prefer not to be spending the targeted rate on controlling pests. We’d rather spend it on direct biodiversity outcomes, such as planting trees, but it’s a necessary evil. We have to maintain these fish at really low numbers.”

“It only takes two fish, a male and a female, to breed up and to produce the sorts of volumes that we’re seeing here now. We’ve been fishing all week, and so far we’re just under 300 kilograms of fish. That’s hundreds of fish.”

Bloxham said eradication was the goal, but that wouldn’t happen if people kept putting their goldfish in the lake.

“If ever we do achieve eradication, and we’d really like to, that is our end goal, it’s so easily undone by somebody otherwise well-mannered person who thinks they’re doing their gold fish a favour and then just quietly, surreptitiously emptying them into the lake, and suddenly we’re back to square one.

“The big message that we’re trying to get out is that if you’re contemplating, you’ve reached the end of the year, and you’ve got a pet, you don’t know what to do with it, don’t release it into your waterway.”

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

Next week’s anticipated Challenge Wānaka marks 20 years of New Zealand’s largest triathlon festival, which has attracted more than 25,000 athletes and injected more than $54 million into the local economy over the past two decades.

Part of the global Challenge Family – which runs middle and long-distance triathlon races in more than 30 countries – the Challenge Wānaka Half has been a cornerstone of NZ’s triathlon scene since 2007. It is regarded as a stepping stone for talented young age-group triathletes hoping to qualify for pinnacle world championship events and turn pro. It’s also a key event for the Wānaka community, providing an annual economic boost for the tourism town.

Challenge Wānaka event director Jane Sharman says that while road bikes, wetsuits and race tech have vastly improved over the past two decades, the pulling power of the event for triathletes and spectators remains the same.

“As we reflect on 20 years, it’s very exciting to see how far the festival has come and everything our athletes have achieved,” she says. “Challenge Wānaka has played a part in launching some incredible pro athletes and international racing careers. But it’s also a fantastic grassroots event where anyone can take part, in the most beautiful corner of the world.

“Of course, the youth events have long been a highlight and some of our pro athletes who started out racing in Challenge Wānaka are now watching their own children participate, so it’s very special for them.”

One of those athletes is two-time Challenge Wānaka winner and former Team NZ cyclor Dougal Allan, who will be cheering on his own children, Flynn and Matilda, at the Challenge Wānaka triathlon festival next week. Some 2100 kids will be taking part in the festival this year, from age two and up.

“Competing in and eventually winning Challenge Wānaka in 2016 and 2017 launched my profile into the world of international triathlon,” he says. “Challenge Wānaka was always known as one of the toughest and most honest long-distance triathlon events in the world and winning it was a huge badge of honour. It also led to being invited to race the famous Challenge Roth event in 2017 in Germany, which remains one of the biggest racing experiences of my life.

“Whether it is an athlete’s ambition to race pro or not, Challenge Wānaka offers the opportunity to be part of a very professionally organised event that offers so much across the weekend, from the event village to the crowd support. It is a truly internationally recognised event that’s made very accessible to domestic athletes. While these days I’m no longer competing, it’s great to be coaching some of those athletes lining up for next weekend’s race.”

The event welcomes athletes from all over NZ and the world every year, and some from closer to home, too. Wānaka GP Dr Andrew McLeod has participated in every Challenge Wānaka race since its inception.

“I don’t remember much of that first race in 2007 but I clearly remember crossing the line, already analysing what I’d done wrong, what I’d somehow done right, and how I’d do it better next time,” he recalls. “Twenty years on – and after races across NZ, Australia, North America and Europe – I’m still learning.

“Along the way my wife Karen and I have been to amazing places, met wonderful people, and so often heard the words: ‘You’re from Wānaka? I’ve always wanted to do that event.’ Being part of something that inspires that reaction is pretty special, and it’s probably why I keep coming back.”

This year’s Challenge Wānaka brings together more than 850 athletes competing in the Gallagher Insurance Challenge Wānaka Half, including 376 athletes in the individual half event. The anticipated professional field features Mike Phillips, Frederic Funk, Jack Moody, Tamara Jewett, Rebecca Clarke, Gabrielle Lumkes, and Lucy Byram. More than 155 teams are also entered, with 18 teams vying for the Gallagher Insurance Corporate Trophy, while friends and family team up for a fun day of swim, bike, and run. Media personality Brodie Kane will take on the 1.9km swim as part of a relay team.  

The 2026 Gallagher Insurance Challenge Wānaka Half is also an opportunity for age-group athletes to claim a National Title and qualify to wear the silver fern at the 2026 World Championships, as part of the Tri NZ Suzuki Series.

“This year’s event is set to be extra special to celebrate 20 years of Challenge Wānaka,” Sharman says. “This festival has always been about more than racing; it’s about community, resilience and the shared excitement of pushing boundaries in one of the world’s most scenic locations. We’re incredibly proud of the athletes, volunteers and supporters who return year after year to help make Challenge Wānaka a standout on the world triathlon stage.”
 
About Gallagher Insurance Challenge Wānaka
The Gallagher Insurance Challenge Wānaka is one of the world’s most scenic triathlon festivals, held annually in New Zealand’s stunning Southern Lakes region. Featuring a range of events, including the flagship middle-distance triathlon, multisport races, and AquaBike, the festival welcomes athletes of all levels. Operated by the Challenge Wānaka Sports Trust, a charitable organisation committed to community wellbeing, the event supports youth, adaptive athletes, and local charities through inclusive sport and recreation initiatives. In 2026, the Challenge Wānaka Festival event will mark its 20th year, taking place from February 19 – February 21. Registrations at  www.challenge-wanaka.com

MIL OSI

A Fiordland amateur fishing charter company has been fined for illegally catching and serving an estimated close to $250,000 worth of crayfish to customers.

Fiordland Cruises Limited has been sentenced and fined $60,000 on one charge under the Fisheries Act in the Invercargill District Court after being prosecuted by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

The company will not have to forfeit its vessel, Southern Secret, if it pays a redemption fee of $47,000.

The ministry received several complaints about charter vessels working in the Fiordland Marine Area including allegations that seafood meals were used to encourage paying passengers to take part.

An investigation found Fiordland Cruises Limited took and served 1630 crayfish onboard the 162 amateur fishing charters it ran between January and October 2023.

They would have cost an estimated $239,610 to $244,500 on the domestic market.

Fisheries New Zealand compliance regional manager south Garreth Jay said all charter operators were given clear information on the rules.

That included only passengers who caught fish recreationally could have it served to them on the vessel as a commercial business could not catch fish recreationally to serve to customers, he said.

When fishery officers boarded the Southern Secret, they found that passengers were served crayfish for lunch despite not taking part in fishing, and guests saw crew members clearing cray pots.

“The skipper told us that along with the chef, they would lift the craypots while passengers watched. This is illegal behaviour from a company that does not hold a commercial fishing licence and is not a Licensed Fish Receiver,” Jay said.

“We expect those rules to be followed.”

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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 – 9 February 2026

2025 Annual Results – Financial Highlights

(Figures for the corresponding period in 2024 are shown in brackets)

• Consolidated revenue: HK$1,046million (HK$695million)

• Consolidated net loss attributable to equity holders of the Company:
  HK$69 million (HK$230million)

• Basic loss per share: 3.38 HK cents (11.29 HK cents)

• No final dividend (No final dividend)

Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited (“PCPD”, SEHK: 00432) has announced its annual results for the year ended December 31, 2025.

The consolidated revenue of PCPD and its subsidiaries (together, the “Group”) amounted to HK$ 1,046 million, representing an increase of 51% compared to the revenue of HK$ 695 million in 2024.

The consolidated net loss attributable to equity holders of the Company for the year of 2025 was HK$ 69 million, compared to the net loss of HK$ 230 million in 2024.

Basic loss per share for 2025 was 3.38 Hong Kong cents compared to the loss per share of 11.29 Hong Kong cents for the previous year.

The Board of Directors has not recommended the payment of a final dividend for the year ended December 31, 2025.

In 2025, PCPD achieved robust full-year results, driven by the sustained surge in international travel across our key Asian markets, our operational strengths, and the continued recognition of our high-quality portfolio. This performance was underpinned predominantly by contributions from two segments: Park Hyatt Niseko, Hanazono, our hospitality business in Hokkaido, which delivered a notable rise in occupancy and revenue, and our ski and recreation operations in Niseko, Hokkaido, which also saw a surge in demand and revenue.

Park Hyatt Niseko, Hanazono, our hotel operations in Hokkaido, delivered a robust performance in 2025, as the boom in Japan‘s tourism sector continued throughout the year, again with record-breaking tourist arrivals. The average occupancy rate of Park Hyatt Niseko increased by 4 percentage points.

During the winter season of 2024/2025, total ski-lift and gondola rides increased 9% year-on-year. The travel surge continued to drive robust demand for our recreational business in Niseko well beyond the cold months.

In Phang Nga, Thailand, the Group has sold or reserved 40% of Phase 1A villas. The Group’s revenue from its property development in Thailand totalled HK$14 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to no revenue in 2024.

We formed a strategic alliance with Hotel Properties Limited in Singapore to bring a Four Seasons Resort and Branded Residences to the prestigious integrated resort community of Aquella in Phang Nga. The move represents a significant milestone in PCPD‘s long-term vision of transforming Aquella into a visionary integrated resort destination that effortlessly blends luxury living, recreation and exceptional service.

In Jakarta, Indonesia, the occupancy of our premium commercial building, Pacific Century Place, Jakarta (“PCP Jakarta”), was stable throughout the year, and the project remained a consistent revenue contributor to the Group. As of December 31, 2025, the office space committed occupancy was 87%, compared to 85% in the previous year.

Development of the superstructure of the Group‘s project at 3–6 Glenealy, Central, Hong Kong, has been progressing well. We have reached a key structural milestone, with the superstructural work now completed and installation of the curtain walls progressing at pace. The name of the development has also been unveiled as “Central Residence by the Park”, and its completion is scheduled for the first half of 2026.

In the long run, we remain cautiously optimistic about the long-term outlook for property sectors in Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia. With PCPD‘s disciplined execution and proactive risk management, we have confidence in our ability to drive continued growth and deliver sustained value.

Mr. Benjamin Lam, PCPD’s Deputy Chairman and Group Managing Director, said: “We will maintain our prudent yet proactive approach, allocating resources carefully and pursuing value-enhancing initiatives. Our priority remains to drive sustainable growth, improve profitability, and deliver solid returns to shareholders and stakeholders.”

Hashtag: #PacificCenturyPremiumDevelopments

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

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