The Mystics have held off a desperate Pulse in Porirua, beating the home side 55-47, to record their first back-to-back wins of the ANZ Premiership season.

The Pulse have been a consistent ANZ Premiership contender, having only missed the play-offs once in nine years of the competition.

But the Pulse came into the game with just one win after four rounds, knowing a loss to the Mystics could just about end their play-off hopes.

The highly fancied Mystics had a slow start to the season but were coming off a 52-43 win over the table-topping Tactix, and now sit second on the ladder.

The Mystics got off to a fast start. Pulse import shooter Ine-Marí Venter managed just two goals, before she was subbed off after seven minutes in favour of Khiarna Williams.

The Pulse managed to steady the ship, to trail by three after the first quarter.

Pulse wing defence Ainsleyana Puleiata played with conviction throughout, picking intercepts off Peta Toeava, who copped a warning for not pulling out of a contest in the second quarter.

The Pulse won the second quarter, to trail by just one goal at half-time.

Mystics coach Tia Winikerei continued to tinker with her line-up throughout.

The Mystics had the better of the third quarter to lead 42-38 heading into the final period.

In the final quarter the Mystics’ defenders, led by Catherine Hall, started turning over the ball more regularly.

Hall had to come off the court with a few minutes left with what looked like a sore ankle, having collided with the post.

Pulse co-captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio had her best game of the season, sinking 26 goals from goal attack, but the former Silver Ferns captain needed more support.

Young Mystics goal shoot Sophia Lafaiali’i did a good job anchoring the shooting end in her 45 minutes on court to put up 34 shots.

Mystics stalwart Tayla Earle brought up her 100th ANZ Premiership match.

Steel continue to build momentum

Earlier, the Southern Steel won their fourth ANZ Premiership game in a row, beating the winless Magic 61-48 in Tauranga.

The Steel have not won the domestic title since 2018 and have not featured in the play-offs since 2021, but are looking strong at the half-way mark of the season.

The southerners have not dropped a game since losing their season opener and now sit at the top of the ladder.

Steel shooter Aliyah Dunn showed no signs of a calf injury that saw her leave the court in the dying minutes of their previous game.

The shooting partnership between Georgia Heffernan and Dunn has gone up another level this year. At goal attack Heffernan contributed with a handy 15 goals.

In 53 minutes on court, Dunn top-scored with 40 goals, missing just one shot.

In contrast, the Magic were without their most experienced shooter Saviour Tui for a second week, due to injury.

Magic coach Mary-Jane Araroa started with Kate Taylor and Sarah Guiney in the shooting circle. The 2025 Youth World Cup team-mates more than held their own in the first quarter and the scores were tied 14-all at the first break.

But in what felt like an inevitable shift, the Steel started playing more clinical netball and the Magic found it hard to slow them down.

The Steel led 31-23 at half-time, and won the next two quarters.

Having only played a few minutes so far in her first year of the ANZ Premiership, Guiney showed a lot of promise in nearly a full game at goal attack.

Guiney nailed back-to-back super shots near the end of the third quarter, but the Steel held a healthy 49-38 lead going into the final spell.

Taylor, playing a full game at goal shoot was solid, scoring 34 goals at 92 percent accuracy.

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

A quartet of tries to winger Josh Moorby has helped the Hurricanes to a strong 50-17 win over Moana Pasifika at a sodden North Harbour Stadium.

While fellow wing Fehi Fineanganofo has been grabbing the headlines this Super Rugby Pacific season, Moorby has also been potent on the right wing, none more so than this match.

He scored tries in the 11th, 22nd, 52nd and 69th minutes, while Fineanganofo missed out this time. He still needs two tries to set a new Super Rugby record of 17 tries.

The scoreline was tough on Moana Pasifika, who were trying for their second win of the season before their likely departure from the competition.

They gave it their all, restricting the Hurricanes to a halftime score of 19-5, but couldn’t stop the Canes in the second half.

They never stopped trying, with winger Tuna Tuitama providing their highlight with a try double.

The victory sees the Hurricanes maintain their competition lead, with nine wins in 11 matches.

The Hurricanes play the third-placed Blues next weekend, while Moana have a bye.

See how the game unfolded here.

Moana Pasifika: 1. Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Atu Moli, 4. Allan Craig, 5. Veikoso Poloniati, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Augustine Pulu, 10. William Havili, 11. Tuna Tuitama, 12. Faletoi Peni, 13. Solomon Alaimalo, 14. Israel Leota, 15. Glen Vaihu.

Bench: Mamoru Harada, Abraham Pole, Lolani Faleva, Jimmy Tupou, Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, Siaosi Nginingini, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Latu.

Hurricanes: 1. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Vernon Bason, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (c), 8. Brayden Iose, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Lucas Cashmore, 11. Fehi Fineanganofo, 12. Jone Rova, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Josh Moorby, 15. Callum Harkin.

Bench: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Siale Lauaki, Hugo Plummer, Devan Flanders, Jordi Viljoen, Bailyn Sullivan, Kini Naholo.

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

Auckland FC could not completely capitalise on home advantage in the first leg of the A-League semifinals against Adelaide United with a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

Back at home for the second week in a row, after surviving an elimination final last week, Auckland goalkeeper Michael Woud was once again one of the heroes early in the match.

Woud made three crucial saves in the first 13 minutes to keep Auckland in the game as both teams were not shy to shoot as the rain came down.

Lachie Brook opened the scoring for Auckland when he found the back of the net with a strike from the top of the box into the bottom corner in the 24th minute as he capitalised on a teammates miss-hit.

Both teams had several more attempts on goal but Auckland took the 1-0 lead into halftime.

Two injuries in the first 10 minutes of the second half rocked Auckland, with Guillermo May going off with a lower leg injury followed quickly after by Cam Howieson who was struck on the face.

Adelaide levelled the score just after the hour mark through Harry Crawford.

Auckland and Adelaide have now played out draws in four of their five matches across two seasons.

With a short turnaround the second semifinal is in Adelaide on Friday.

See how the match unfolded here:

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

The Highlanders can take a deep breath after keeping their Super Rugby Pacific season with alive with victory over the NSW Waratahs in Dunedin.

With their season on the line, the southerners dug deep to win 31-26.

But it was a nerve-racking thing – despite appearing comfortably ahead at 28-7 at halftime – as they struggled with only 14 men for most of the final quarter.

They still have a mountain to climb, but they have lifted from ninth on the table to seventh. They have 24 points, one point behind sixth placed Brumbies.

The Highlanders now likely have to win their remaining regular season games, against the Crusaders and Hurricanes to make the playoffs – a huge task but they have given themselves a slim chance.

On the other side of the coin, the Waratahs, who squandered two tries to sloppy handling in the last 20 minutes, have little chance of being in the finals, as they drop to ninth place.

Playing with intent and verve, the Highlanders ran in four tries in the first half, with wingers Caleb Tangitau and Jonah Lowe both dotting down as the side attacked repeatedly.

The Waratahs scored their only try of the half, just seconds after Highlanders lynchpin Timoci Tavatavanawai got a yellow card for a cynical cleanout.

But while the Waratahs upped their game in the second half, the Highlanders dropped off their intensity and made too many mistakes.

The game featured plenty of fiery moments.

Of concern to the Highlanders coaching team will be their discipline, with two yellow cards issued against them and one of them against Jona Nareki upgraded to a 20-minute red.

Tavatavanawai was the hero at the end after the Waratahs had narrowed the lead to just two points.

He pulled out a turnover, and Cam Miller slotted the goal for his side’s only points of the half.

See how the match unfolded below.

Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (co-c), 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Tomas Lavanini, 5. Mitch Dunshea, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Lucas Casey, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Adam Lennox, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), 13. Jona Nareki, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Bench: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson, Xavier Tito-Harris.

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

Follow all the A-League action, as Auckland FC take on Adelaide United at Go Media Stadium for the first leg of their semi-final.

Auckland FC recorded their first victory in six weeks last Saturday, ending Melbourne City’s title defence with a win in penalties in the elimination final.

The Black Knights, who were eliminated at the same stage last season, will play a return match in Adelaide next Friday.

Kickoff is 6pm.

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Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action at North Harbour Stadium, as the Hurricanes try to maintain their momentum atop the table against Moana Pasifika.

The competition leaders will be without first-string halfback Cam Roigard and first-five Ruben Love through injury, while several other frontliners are rested against their bottom-placed rivals.

Kickoff is at 7.05pm.

Moana Pasifika: 1. Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Atu Moli, 4. Allan Craig, 5. Veikoso Poloniati, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Augustine Pulu, 10. William Havili, 11. Tuna Tuitama, 12. Faletoi Peni, 13. Solomon Alaimalo, 14. Israel Leota, 15. Glen Vaihu.

Bench: Mamoru Harada, Abraham Pole, Lolani Faleva, Jimmy Tupou, Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, Siaosi Nginingini, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Latu.

Hurricanes: 1. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Vernon Bason, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (c), 8. Brayden Iose, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Lucas Cashmore, 11. Fehi Fineanganofo, 12. Jone Rova, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Josh Moorby, 15. Callum Harkin.

Bench: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Siale Lauaki, Hugo Plummer, Devan Flanders, Jordi Viljoen, Bailyn Sullivan, Kini Naholo.

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

Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action from Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium. as the Highlanders and NSW Waratahs battle for a spot in the playoffs.

The two rivals are level on 20 points in seventh and eighth, outside the cut for the post-season, so this encounter may hold the key for one team’s title hopes.

Flying winger Caleb Tangitau returns from injury for the southerners.

Kickoff is at 4.35pm.

Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (co-c), 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Tomas Lavanini, 5. Mitch Dunshea, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Lucas Casey, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Adam Lennox, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), 13. Jona Nareki, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Bench: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson, Xavier Tito-Harris.

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

Follow all the A-League action, as Auckland FC take on Adelaide United at Go Media Stadium for the first leg of their semi-final.

Auckland FC recorded their first victory in six weeks last Saturday, ending Melbourne City’s title defence with a win in penalties in the elimination final.

The Black Knights, who were eliminated at the same stage last season, will play a return match in Adelaide next Friday.

Kickoff is 6pm.

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

Kiwi Charlisse Leger-Walker has had a tough introduction to the WNBA, with her Connecticut Sun team being trounced in their opening match by New York Liberty.

Leger-Walker, the first New Zealander to be drafted into the WNBA, had nearly 21 minutes on court during the 106-75 loss.

She scored four points in her debut, with two of them coming from a nice reverse lay-up. She shot two baskets from nine attempts, contributed one assist and took two rebounds.

Leger-Walker’s WNBA career begins 29 years after fellow New Zealander Megan Compain played five matches for Utah Starzz in 1997. Compain joined the Starzz as a free agent, while Leger-Walker was drafted by the Sun last month.

The 24-year-old Hamilton-born player https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/594649/big-time-arrives-for-kiwi-wnba-rookie-charlisse-leger-walker joined the Sun line-up] just a week after the winning the national college championship with UCLA.

The Sun were depleted by injuries, but were outclassed by the Liberty, who are favourites for this season’s title.

Connecticut will host Seattle at Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday (5am Monday NZT).

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

Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action from Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium. as the Highlanders and NSW Waratahs battle for a spot in the playoffs.

The two rivals are level on 20 points in seventh and eighth, outside the cut for the post-season, so this encounter may hold the key for one team’s title hopes.

Flying winger Caleb Tangitau returns from injury for the southerners.

Kickoff is at 4.35pm.

Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (co-c), 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Tomas Lavanini, 5. Mitch Dunshea, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Lucas Casey, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Adam Lennox, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), 13. Jona Nareki, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Bench: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson, Xavier Tito-Harris.

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

Wellington Phoenix coach Bev Priestman has no doubt her side is good enough to perform under pressure in their do or die second-leg semi final on Sunday to reach their first ever A-league final.

Despite losing 2-1 to Brisbane Roar in their opening encounter across the Tasman last weekend, the Phoenix women are confident they can overcome the deficit and advance to the final.

They have home advantage for the return leg and the head coach’s main message to her players is to enjoy it.

“If you can’t enjoy an occasion like this weekend, you know, we shouldn’t be playing the game,” she said. “It’s a semi-final that we’ve earned, it’s at home, it’s the moment we want to create, and we got to go out and enjoy ourselves, and stay together.”

Priestman said they would tweak some things after last week’s loss to Brisbane.

“We have to also try and get the best out of our group, and we’ve set ourselves up well this season to do that, so very much I am focussed on what we need to do better, but also adapt to some of the things they did that try to shut us down.”

An extra stand has been erected at Porirua Park to accommodate as many as 6000 fans, more than the team has ever had at the ground.

“I’ve been thinking about it all week and no doubt the players have too,” Priestman said. “The excitement, it’s always a buzz.

“I can only imagine, everywhere I go at the moment, people are talking about this team.”

Priestman said scoring first would be great, but not fatal, if they didn’t.

“We know that football doesn’t always give you what you want. Finals football is for the team that responds to bumps in the road on the day and gets the job done, however that is done.

“We’ve got to be dialled in mentally, because it’s not the football at this point right… it is just now about who wants it more.

“Sometimes luck works in your favour, sometimes it doesn’t… all we can do is give it our best and, if we give it our best, sometimes the football gods reward you.”

Priestman confirmed that, after an injury layoff, striker Pia Vlok, who has had a breakout season, was ready to go.

Despite being down one goal on aggregate, she said the pressure was on Brisbane in many ways.

“Did they put us away enough? No, if I was them I’d been kicking myself a little bit that it should have probably been more.

“It wasn’t, so now we get to play our advantage and, in many ways, the pressure is on them.”

The pressure of finals football came into sharp focus last weekend, when Auckland FC advanced to the A-league men’s semifinals, after a dramatic penalty shootout.

Priestman said it was not something they focussed on this week, but they did the work earlier in the season to prepare for all kinds of end-of-game scenarios.

“We couldn’t have done anymore,” she said. “If it goes to penalties, I’d back us.

“I think our penalties have looked very, very good. The good news is we’ve not had penalties for people to scout, which is even better.

“We know what we need to do if that happens. You have to be brave enough if it comes to that, but I am convinced that this group, if we settle into the game well, the game can be ours for the taking.”

The Phoenix made a bold move in signing Priestman on a two-year deal last year.

The former head coach of Canada’s women’s team served a one-year ban for her role in a drone spying scandal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Priestman, who also guided Canada to Olympic glory in Tokyo, said she would savour the game on Sunday.

“For me personally, I think back to a year ago and I think this weekend is where I want to be. This is where these players want to be.

“Some of them have had adversity in their career, they’ve worked their whole career to get to these moments.

“I’ve got no doubt in this group, I’ve got all the belief in the world, I’ve been dreaming about the moment and then hopefully a grand final.”

The team is 90 minutes away from a first-ever grand final for the club in 19 years of trying. It has eluded the Phoenix men since their inaugural 2007/08 season.

The women’s team joined the A-league in the 2021/22 season and goalkeeper Victoria Esson said the significance of the occasion was not lost on them.

“We’re the only professional women’s team in New Zealand, so that comes with a sense of responsibility and also a sense of pride, and I can’t wait to show everyone what we can do,” she said.

Esson said players couldn’t wait to play at Porirua Park.

“There’s a bit of a buzz around the city and we appreciate everyone getting behind the team, and it’s finals time, there’s no turning back now.”

Esson said they had nothing to lose.

“They’ll come out firing at the start, but depending on how the game goes, at some point in time, they’ll need to try and defend the lead, so I think we can try and make the most of that, and get them on the back foot.

“It’s well within our reach, but they are going to be coming here to battle as well and they are not gong to roll over, so it’s going to be a fight, but I’m confident the team can do what we need to do.”

Priestman said it would be a day to remember for the club.

“Who have put in a lot of work to get to this point – a lot of people before me, a lot of players before this group and an ownership group that believes in women’s football,’ she said. “It’s going to be a great day and I hope we can make it even greater.”

Auckland FC men host Adelaide in their semifinal first leg at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium on Saturday at 6pm.

The Phoenix women host Brisbane Roar in Porirua on Sunday with a 2.30pm kickoff.

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

Test rugby is serious business, but that doesn’t stop new Black Ferns coach Whitney Hansen cracking a joke or two in the sheds, before sending her side to battle.

Hansen has brought a more grounded, humorous approach to the Black Ferns pre-test pep talks. War analogies and red-faced tirades have been replaced with jokes and games.

Skipper Kennedy Tukuafu said the approach was refreshing.

“She is so funny, honestly. At first, I was a bit unsure, because she would come into our meeting and crack a joke, and I’m, like, ‘We’re about to go into combat’, but I’m used to it and everybody is on the same page.

“We can have a laugh, but we can turn into gameface, game mode. She’s very clear with what she wants and she just makes you feel like you belong there.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of.”

After falling short at last year’s World Cup, Tukuafu said the rebuild had begun.

“We are growing something great,” she said. “We’ve got some awesome coaches who are really aligned.

“They’re very clear about their expectations of us and where we’re going. I love that our philosophy is just feel and react.

“It allows us to build our rugby instincts – ‘don’t think, just do’ – and I’m excited for where we’re going.”

While the demons of that World Cup are still fresh in the minds, they were largely buried by last month’s avenging victory over Canada, who beat them in the tournament semifinal.

“For me, it’s always going to sting, but it was nice to get that win,” Tukuafu said. “I think the biggest thing about that win was that, when the final whistle went, we all just came together and it wasn’t a huge celebration.

“It was just, ‘Yeah, that’s what we’re capable of. This is what it feels like. This is where we should be’.

“We went back to the changingroom, all low key. Our team is very unique, but I love it.”

The attention now shifts to Super Rugby Aupiki and Tukuafu said the new season structure had the Ferns coming in firing.

“For us who got to go away and play some rugby, we’re just ready to get back into it, and I can just tell that the girls that didn’t come away are over the training routine and want to play some rugby.

“We’re excited to go.”

She said it was important to put international duties to the side for Aupiki.

“It’s about parking it, because if we focus on Black Ferns, we’re not putting all our effort into the girls next to us. I know it can be a challenge.

“You want to play well so you can make it to the next level, but for me, it’s about playing well, so we’re all connected to win that competition. It’s more important for me to be connected as one here, instead of trying to get myself ahead.”

With the game continuing to grow, including a record attendance for last year’s rugby World Cup final at Twickenham, Tukuafu hoped to see this translate into bigger crowds and more bumper match-day atmospheres.

“There’s definitely more bums on seats for us, but I would love to see more.

“I think, too, my husband plays in France. Seeing those fans and that atmosphere, if we could mimic something like that, have chants and songs and merchandise, I think that would be cool.

“I think that would be a good way to grow some more.”

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

Dozens of deer heads adorned with antlers – some fresher than others and safely wrapped in plastic – line one side of the old mechanical depot in the central hub of the Pureora Forest Park, between Lake Taupō and Te Kuiti.

In keeping with the rules of the Pureora Hunting Competition, which has been running for nearly 40 years, all will have been shot as wild deer in the 77,000-hectare park, over a six-week period between mid-March and Anzac weekend.

It’s not necessarily about having the best or even ugliest head. Instead, it is the event itself – run by the Department of Conservation (DOC) – which is much more valuable.

“To my mind it’s been a popular and successful event – not necessarily huge numbers. It’s never been about reaching the most people … or the best head or biggest deer,” DOC principal ranger for Waitomo, Ray Scrimgeour told Country Life.

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Wallace Sititi and Samisoni Taukei’aho both bagged a brace of tries, as the Chiefs held off Queensland Reds 31-21 in Brisbane for a sixth successive wins in Super Rugby Pacific.

The two All Blacks forwards were among the better performers for the visitors, who had to work hard to see off the tough Aussies, after they closed within three points entering the dying stages.

The impressive Sititi burst clear off the back of a scrum for his second try to make the outcome safe and lift the Chiefs level with the Hurricanes at the top of the standings.

However, the Hurricanes have a game in hand, to be played against last-placed Moana Pasifika on Saturday night.

Sititi also scored the Chiefs’ first try, in response to an early score from Reds winger Lachie Anderson.

Damian McKenzie’s boot put the New Zealand side 10-7 ahead, after a tense first half, but the game broke open after the interval.

Both of Taukei’aho’s tries came from lineout drives, while the Reds stayed in the game with spectacular tries from Louis Werchon and Treyvon Pritchard.

The Reds drop from fourth to fifth, while the Chiefs can go close to locking in a home match in the first round of the playoffs, if they beat the Highlanders in Hamilton next week.

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MIL OSI

Florist shops are buzzing in the lead-up to Mother’s Day this weekend, during a significant sales period in the floristry calendar.

The blooming sector, stretching from cut flower growers to transporters and florists, was preparing for the peak in demand ahead of Sunday.

So far, pink or autumnal bouquets with roses and chrysanthemums were most popular for the Botanical Nest florist in South Canterbury’s Timaru.

Co-owner Renee Ackroyd said Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day were always busy days in floristry, depending on the location, and there was good demand already.

“We’re finding this year a lot of people are still into those blush, pink tones. Autumn tones are really popular,” she said.

“Generally speaking, most people are in that traditional round, especially the clientele that I’ve noticed in the South Canterbury region. So that’s your roses, your chrysanthemums, your lillies, all your sweet wee flowers, like your tweedias.”

Just last month, Renee and her husband Nate Ackroyd took over the district’s longstanding florist business Bloomers, as industry stalwarts Cherilyn and Murray Kuperus headed into retirement.

Ackroyd said thanks to the previous owners’ great contacts and relationships, the business was able to continue buying directly from growers, who set their own prices.

But she said having to bid for flowers on the more expensive market floor could make the “value conversation” with customers a little difficult.

“It’s really hard because at the moment, prices increase over Mother’s Day. So what you would normally buy on the market floor, for us, will double or triple.

“So that’s why we sort of look at blooms that might be a bit fuller or longer lasting.”

She said sourcing high-quality flowers from all over New Zealand was key to ensuring customers got the best value for money.

“What we are trying to do is give the best quality to our clients, so that we can manage how value looks within that longer lasting longevity of blooms,” she said, “rather than coming and getting a cheap bunch of flowers, but taking them home and them dying in a couple of days.”

Ackroyd said so much work went into just one bouquet, including labour, time, product costs and maintaining freshness.

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

Wallace Sititi and Samisoni Taukei’aho both bagged a brace of tries as the Chiefs held off the Reds 31-21 in Brisbane to make it six successive wins in Super Rugby Pacific.

The two All Blacks forwards were among the better performers for the visitors, who had to work hard to see off the tough Queenslanders, who closed within three points entering the dying stages.

The impressive Sititi burst clear off the back of a scrum for his second try to make the outcome safe and lift the Chiefs level with the Hurricanes at the top of the standings.

However, the Hurricanes have a game in hand, to be played against last-placed Moana Pasifika on Saturday night.

Sititi also scored the Chiefs’ first try, in response to an early score from Reds winger Lachie Anderson.

Damian McKenzie’s boot put the New Zealand side 10-7 ahead after a tense first half before the game broke open after the interval.

Both of Taukei’aho’s tries came from lineout drives, while the Reds stayed in the game with spectacular tries from Louis Werchon and Treyvon Pritchard.

The Reds drop from fourth to fifth, while the Chiefs can go close to locking in a home match in the first round of the play-offs if they beat the Highlanders in Hamilton next week.

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

Auckland FC v Adelaide United

Semi-final first leg

Kickoff 6pm, Saturday 9 May

Go Media Stadium

Live updates on RNZ.co.nz

Adelaide United are ready for a fight.

The South Australians have never beaten Auckland FC in four previous A-League regular season games across two seasons.

The last time the two sides met in Adelaide a month ago, the score was 1-1, the third time a match between the two had ended in a stalemate.

Last November marks the only win in their head-to-head, when Auckland were 2-1 victors.

On Saturday, Auckland host game one of the two-legged semi-final and the visitors are expecting Auckland to “bring fight, intensity and physicality“, according to midfielder Ethan Alagich.

“They’re a strong team and they’ll use that,” he said. “We’re going to be ready for the fight and we’ll give it back, whatever they give us.”

Fellow midfielder Ryan White said Auckland was “physical all across the pitch”.

“We’ll be ready,” he said “I guarantee it.”

Auckland FC coach Steve Corica was not concerned with Adelaide’s fighting words.

“I’ve seen a couple of media reports from them that they’re not scared of anyone,” Corica said. “Nor are we.

“Finals football is different. They’ve got a good squad, good young players as well, but it’s how they handle the pressure, how we handle the pressure as well, of a semi-final.

“We don’t have to win it in the first game. We did last season, but we didn’t finish on it in the second game.

“It’s more about more consistency, taking our moments when they come, not allowing them a lot of opportunities to score goals.

“If we do that better than them, I think we’ll be in the final.”

After the disappointment of elimination at the semifinal stage last season, Corica believed Auckland could get to the grand final this season.

“We definitely can do it. We’ve got the quality, we’ve got the fight, they’re hungry.

“You need a little bit of luck along the way, for sure.

“Everything in the middle of the field, other than the two 18-yard boxes, sometimes means nothing. It’s what you do at both ends.”

Corica said they had learnt from last season’s semifinals, where he believed the team “switched off a little bit over a five-minute period”, which he thought was the cause of them losing on aggregate goals.

He said “staying focused” would be crucial across the two legs of the semi-final against United.

The only loss Auckland has had to Adelaide this season was on the competition ladder. Auckland’s winless last five rounds of the regular season compared to Adelaide’s 10-game unbeaten run and meant Adelaide took second place on the table off Auckland, who dropped to third.

Adelaide’s regular season finish gave the team a week off, while Auckland played in the elimination final and also gave them the right to choose the order of the home-and- away semifinals.

“It’s probably done us a favour,” Corica said. “I don’t mind playing at home first.

“I think it works in our favour, I think we’re quite gritty away from home as well.

“We’ve had really good results away from home this season as well, probably better than our home form, but we want to get the job done at home first and then we have to dig out a result in Adelaide.

“It’s always a good atmosphere down there. It’s a great stadium.

“It’s going to be exciting, I think, especially playing the second game away.”

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 May 2026 – The Global Mediation Summit, the first international conference hosted by the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) since its inauguration in Hong Kong last October, was held today (May 8) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The event, with the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy as the key sponsors, gathered more than 400 leaders, policymakers and distinguished professionals from 48 countries and regions. They explored frontier topics such as cross-cultural international mediation, financial and investment dispute mediation, and the development of a global mediation ecosystem.

Speaking at the Summit, John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), noted that Hong Kong has long supported mediation.

“Hong Kong is committed to becoming a global mediation capital. And we are well-positioned to do so,” Mr Lee said.

“Under ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong is a thriving hub for international finance, shipping and trade. We benefit from our country’s strong support and the opportunities it gives us, while maintaining extensive international connectivity as a world city.

“Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction in China, our country. And our legal professionals are internationally acknowledged for their professionalism and integrity. And now, as IOMed’s headquarters, Hong Kong is at the very heart of global dispute resolution and its promising future.”

Paul Lam, Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR, highlighted the HKSAR Government’s ongoing support for the IOMed in different ways.

“First, it will be responsible for the maintenance of the Headquarters. Second, the DoJ will continue to second Hong Kong legal professionals to the IOMed Secretariat. Since 2023, the DoJ has already seconded a total of four counsel to assist in the establishment of the IOMed. Third, the Government will actively promote the use of IOMed mediation by, among other things, taking the lead in procuring the inclusion of an IOMed mediation clause in suitable international agreements to which the HKSAR Government is a party,” Mr Lam said.

“Hong Kong is well recognised as a leading international legal and dispute resolution services centre. Indeed, one of the mandates stated in the National 15th Five-Year Plan is that Hong Kong shall strengthen its status in this respect.”

Since the IOMed’s inauguration, the number of signatory states has climbed from 37 to 41, while the number of contracting states has gone from eight to 13.

“IOMed is the first inter-governmental international organisation set up by a Convention to promote exclusively the use of mediation,” said Professor Teresa Cheng, Secretary-General of IOMed, in her welcome remarks at the summit. “It fills an institutional gap and brings forth mediation as a true viable alternative to resolving international disputes alongside litigation and arbitration.”

Professor Cheng shared two important developments of the IOMed.

First, a maritime dispute was successfully resolved through mediation administered by IOMed at its Hong Kong Headquarters in early May, just a few days ago. “The case marks an important milestone: it is the first international maritime dispute involving a charterparty chain referred to IOMed for mediation,” Professor Cheng said.

Second, aligning with Hong Kong’s goal to further develop the commodities market, and the intention to stipulate use of IOMed mediation in the related contracts and policy, the Secretariat of IOMed is working with the HKSAR Government and other stakeholders to explore the establishment of a dedicated special panel of mediators for commodities market disputes under the IOMed framework.

The Global Mediation Summit is the finale event of the Mediation Week 2026 held in Hong Kong under the theme of “Mediate First: An Attempt of Mediation, Harvests Abundant Harmony”, with a view to promoting mediation as a friendly way to amicably resolve disputes and conflicts, and to build a more harmonious community.

“Our commitment to mediation, locally and globally, is clear in the five-day Mediation Week programme that ends today with this Summit,” Mr Lee said. “Mediation Week events spotlighted disputes related to schools, sports, neighbourhoods and the elderly. The goal in each case was to apply mediation structure and skills to achieve peaceful and rational solutions to our problems.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reid said violence often occurred when people were overly intoxicated.

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

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

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

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

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

Closure of youth-focused service

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘Nip it in the bud’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kickoff is at 9.35pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kickoff is at 7.05pm.

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

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

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

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

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

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

He is intensive care following surgery,

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

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

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

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