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Explainer – A Northland woman was killed by a dog this week, the latest in a series of fatalities. What exactly are the laws around animal control?

Here’s where dangerous dog regulations stand in New Zealand, and what people are saying needs changing.

Mihiata Te Rore, 62, was killed by dogs while visiting a home in the Northland town of Kaihu this week.

There had been multiple complaints about the dogs in this week’s attack, Kaipara District Council said, and staff had visited the property at least four times.

“For far too long we have been warning regulators that New Zealand’s current approach to dog control is not fit for purpose,” the SPCA’s chief scientific officer Dr Arnja Dale said. “Our thoughts are with the woman’s whānau and the wider community during this incredibly heartbreaking time.”

The 1996 Dog Control Act lays out the rules for dog owners, but many advocacy groups have said it’s long overdue for a revamp.

It includes provisions for registration, leash laws, and what owners must do to control and care for their pets.

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

The British government is now allowing dual nationals to have a lifelong digital stamp in their New Zealand passport instead of buying a new UK one.

Thousands of people have already rushed to buy a British passport after being told an alternative certificate of entitlement – costing £589 ($1329) – would last only as long as their current foreign passport.

But, in a change quietly announced on the UK passport’s website eight days ago, it said that from 26 February certificates of entitlement will be linked to new passports for free.

“At the moment certificates of entitlement are stickers (vignettes) placed in a passport. We are going to change this to a digital record.”

RNZ asked the British High Commission in Wellington if it had sent out a media release about any of the changes. It pointed to a January 2025 media release that dealt only with the issue of introducing ETAs (Electronic Travel Authorisations) and not the new requirement for British passport holders, or certificates of entitlement.

It has been asked for further comment on the issue of digital certificates of entitlement.

In questions about whether staff will be at airports to assist its citizens when the new passport requirement comes in next Wednesday, it said consular assistance was provided for all citizens abroad who needed it.

Many British migrants had asked why the passport requirement was introduced, after the UK government said it was to make their borders more secure. When asked for more information, the High Commission told RNZ it had already provided that reasoning.

Counting aliens

UK law professor Elspeth Guild, who specialises in border controls, said the rationale behind the changes could be led by a drive for better statistics.

“A number of countries insist that where their nationals are entering their ‘home’ country they must use their ‘home’ passport. This requirement seems to have a basis in the entitlement of countries to know whether their citizens are at home or not.

“The new insistence on the use of the home passport when entering a state, I think it [is] linked to the entry-exit databases where a lot of modifications were required to deal with dual nationals, and now states want to know. There is a justification in that citizens arriving home cannot be subject to immigration rules (at least in the UK), but if the authorities do not know that the person is a citizen they will be classified as an alien, and then when they fail to leave at the end of their permitted stay they mess up the statistics on how many ‘illegal’ immigrants are floating around.”

She said while revenue generation was also a possible reason for the new policy, several countries which permit dual nationality had tightened up their processes.

For travellers embarking on a trip to the UK next week who had British parents but no visible link to the UK, she had some words of comfort.

“Unless the place of birth stated on the passport indicates that the person may have birthright citizenship somewhere else, it is virtually impossible without a detailed investigation to know whether someone is a dual national. This is particularly so where citizenship was acquired through ancestry rather than place of birth.”

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

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

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Animal control officers visited the property where Mihiata Te Rore was mauled to death four times, including the day before the attack.

Te Rore, 62, was visiting a person she knew at a property in the small Northland town of Kaihu when she was attacked and killed on Tuesday.

Police say the three dogs involved lived at the property.

Te Rore is the third person to be killed by dogs in Northland in the past four years, sparking calls for more to be done by local and central government to deal with the growing problem.

Police have been at the taped-off home where Te Rore died on Tuesday.

In a statement, Kaipara District Council said there had been four complaints about the dogs in November, December and this week, and had responded to each request on the same day.

“Staff visited the property on multiple occasions to attempt to speak to the owner, including reaching out to family and iwi liaison. When the dogs were seen they were on the property.

“In December staff managed to speak with the owner about compliance and keeping the dogs secure, including consequences if this did not occur. In February they visited the property twice, including the day before, but were unable to talk to the owner or uplift the dogs.”

The council said there had also been “multiple” proactive patrols in the area, looking for any loose dogs, including a door knock of every property along Kaihu Wood Road (no loose dogs were sighted during these patrols).

“Dog owners are responsible for their dogs – they have a legal responsibility to look after and control their animals but we also acknowledge that council’s animal control plays an important role in managing risks in the community. Our staff work with dog owners across the district every single day and are devastated that any such incident, in this case on private property, has occurred in Kaipara.

“We have a very small but extremely passionate team covering the whole of the district, and in their role they deal with a wide range of owners and dogs daily, often in complex and challenging situations.”

It said its animal management team was investigating the incident.

“The three dogs were secured after the event and have been impounded, and will be destroyed as soon as police have finished their investigation.”

‘All four have pack attacked my dog’

A local – who RNZ has agreed not to name – said authorities were warned in the past year about issues with the dogs.

He has had his own experience with the four dogs he says live at the property.

“They’ve actually come onto my property and attacked my dog,” he said.

“They pack attacked him, all four have pack attacked my dog, and that was just over six months ago.”

Like many in the community, he was frightened.

“It is quite stressful because you don’t even know if you’re going to get attacked and for me, I’ve got to go out my drive to get to my letterbox, and you don’t know whether the dogs are around the corner,” the man said.

“It’s really quite frightening.”

The man said Tuesday’s attack should never have happened.

“There were so many warnings before that happened and nothing had been done,” he said.

“I can’t believe that people are ringing dog control and yet nothing had been done.”

Statistics from the Kaipara District Council showed the number of dogs impounded by the council more than doubled over the four years from 2021 to 2025.

In the period from July 2022 to July 2025, there were 174 call-outs for dog attacks, but only one person was prosecuted in the same period.

RNZ asked the council to comment on these figures, but have not received a response.

The Kaipara District Council promoted cycle trails in the Kaihu area where Te Rore was killed.

Three years ago, Mike Wespel-Rose was biking on a track from Dargaville to Russell with his wife, when the pair were chased by dogs from a nearby property north of Whangārei.

“They were chasing us, and chasing us, it went on for quite a few minutes.”

“They jumped up on my wife’s bike […] we didn’t dare stop because God knows what we might’ve faced, so we just rode like crazy, very fearful about what might happen,” he said.

Wespel-Rose said the dog issue in the north is a symptom of wider problems with crime and poverty.

“It needs more resourcing doesn’t it, so that it can be dealt with more fully,” he said.

“It’s a tough one.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described Te Rore’s death as unacceptable, and said the council needed to act.

“I would expect that within seven days that the Kiapara District Council is taking action and going after the dogs, and packs of dogs that are out there,” he said.

“Just imagine being a mum with a young baby, or young toddlers, and the anxiety that that causes.”

Push to reform laws ignored

However, Auckland Council’s Animal Management said its push for the government to reform dog control laws over the past year had fallen on deaf ears.

Elly Waitoa from the council’s animal management department said she was shocked that as recently as Tuesday morning, the government had told them they were not considering changes to the dog control act.

Meanwhile, police have said they want to hear from anyone in the Kaihu community who has had issues with dogs roaming in the area.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer said the dogs involved were now with Animal Management.

“This was a very upsetting and tragic event in which a woman has suffered unsurvivable injuries,” he said.

“I know the community will have a lot of questions; our investigation is still in the early stages and our focus is on establishing all the facts in this case.”

‘It’s almost become normalised’

Liz Woodward, a trustee of the Best Dog Trust – which provides free desexing for dogs in Kaipara, Whangarei and Wellsford – told Checkpoint the number of animals was overwhelming.

“We’ve had a dog applied for desexing just yesterday, she had 11 puppies. That’s really common, just the sheer number of dogs and lack of affordability of vet care, and also people being able to get to vets,” she said.

“For Kaihu residents it’s 90 kilometres to get a vet in Whangarei for desexing, so it’s no easy undertaking.”

She said the price was also prohibitive.

“It ranges from about $350 for a vet in Whangarei that’s low cost, the vets we deal with in Kaipara and Wellsford are more expensive,” she explained.

“We recently desexed a 56 kilo dangerous female, and she would have cost the owner over $1200.”

Woodward said aggressive behaviour from pet dogs had become normalised in Northland.

“Probably in most communities in Northland there’s an understanding within your community that there are certain dogs on certain streets or in certain areas that you just don’t get too close to,” she said.

“It’s really disheartening to hear of tourists on our cycle trails, trying to enjoy our beautiful countryside, being chased by dogs. It’s almost become normalised up here.”

“I can’t even begin to explain how big the dog issue is for Northland.”

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

The dogs that killed a woman in Northland yesterday came onto a neighbour’s property recently and pack attacked their dog.

The Kaihu local says it was “really quite frightening” living near the animals.

Mihiata Te Rore, 62, was visiting a person she knew at a property in the small Northland town of Kaihu when she was attacked and killed on Tuesday.

Police say the three dogs involved lived at the property.

Te Rore is the third person to be killed by dogs in Northland in the past four years, sparking calls for more to be done by local and central government to deal with the growing problem.

Police have been at the taped-off home where Te Rore died on Tuesday.

A local – who RNZ has agreed not to name – said authorities were warned in the past year about issues with the dogs.

He has had his own experience with the four dogs he says live at the property.

“They’ve actually come onto my property and attacked my dog,” he said.

“They pack attacked him, all four have pack attacked my dog, and that was just over six months ago.”

Like many in the community, he was frightened.

“It is quite stressful because you don’t even know if you’re going to get attacked and for me, I’ve got to go out my drive to get to my letterbox, and you don’t know whether the dogs are around the corner,” the man said.

“It’s really quite frightening.”

‘Nothing had been done’

The man said Tuesday’s attack should never have happened.

“There were so many warnings before that happened and nothing had been done,” he said.

“I can’t believe that people are ringing dog control and yet nothing had been done.”

Statistics from the Kaipara District Council showed the number of dogs impounded by the council more than doubled over the four years from 2021 to 2025.

In the period from July 2022 to July 2025, there were 174 call-outs for dog attacks, but only one person was prosecuted in the same period.

RNZ asked the council to comment on these figures, but have not received a response.

The Kaipara District Council promoted cycle trails in the Kaihu area where Te Rore was killed.

Three years ago, Mike Wespel-Rose was biking on a track from Dargaville to Russell with his wife, when the pair were chased by dogs from a nearby property north of Whangārei.

“They were chasing us, and chasing us, it went on for quite a few minutes.”

“They jumped up on my wife’s bike […] we didn’t dare stop because God knows what we might’ve faced, so we just rode like crazy, very fearful about what might happen,” he said.

Wespel-Rose said the dog issue in the north is a symptom of wider problems with crime and poverty.

“It needs more resourcing doesn’t it, so that it can be dealt with more fully,” he said.

“It’s a tough one.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described Te Rore’s death as unacceptable, and said the council needed to act.

“I would expect that within seven days that the Kiapara District Council is taking action and going after the dogs, and packs of dogs that are out there,” he said.

“Just imagine being a mum with a young baby, or young toddlers, and the anxiety that that causes.”

Push to reform laws ignored

However, Auckland Council’s Animal Management said its push for the government to reform dog control laws over the past year had fallen on deaf ears.

Elly Waitoa from the council’s animal management department said she was shocked that as recently as Tuesday morning, the government had told them they were not considering changes to the dog control act.

Meanwhile, police have said they want to hear from anyone in the Kaihu community who has had issues with dogs roaming in the area.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer said the dogs involved were now with Animal Management.

“This was a very upsetting and tragic event in which a woman has suffered unsurvivable injuries,” he said.

“I know the community will have a lot of questions; our investigation is still in the early stages and our focus is on establishing all the facts in this case.”

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

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For a sport that rarely commands the national spotlight, the New Zealand Black Sox say being recognised on one of the biggest sporting nights in Aotearoa is a huge moment, not just for the team, but for softball itself.

The New Zealand men’s side were finalists for ISPS Handa Team of the Year at the 63rd Halberg Awards in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, following their silver-medal finish at last year’s WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup in Canada.

The Black Sox are the most decorated sporting team in New Zealand, winning seven world titles and totalling 14 medals. They won a medal in 13 of the first 15 World Cups, and appeared consecutively in the World Championship Final 10 times from 1984 to 2017.

The other finalists were Black Ferns Sevens (rugby sevens), Auckland FC (football), New Zealand Kiwis (rugby league), Men’s Team Pursuit: Nick Kergozou, Tom Sexton, Keegan Hornblow and Marshall Erwood (cycling – track), Ben Taylor and Oliver Welch (rowing).

The Black Ferns Sevens took out the award on the night following an impressive 2025 performance.

Infielder and Black Sox Slugger Jerome Raemaki (Cook Island) said the recognition shines a light on a sport that continues to grow from the grassroots up.

“For us it’s a positive light on softball in general in New Zealand and our programmes are still strong with the youth coming through as well,” he said.

“I think we’ve put our best foot forward.”

New Zealand climbed back onto the world stage at the World Cup, finishing with silver in a campaign that signalled a resurgence for the Black Sox.

They were lead by a wealth of experience, with Hall of Famer and four-time World Champion Thomas Makea (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Marama, Ngāti Makea Ki Rarotonga), taking the reins of Head Coach.

Pitcher Pita Rona (Te Ātiawa) said belief had been central to that success.

“We actually believed in ourselves a hell of a lot more as individuals and then also we believed in each other like a hell of a lot more,” he said.

“There was a lot of things that was installed in us right from the get-go, like three, four years ago, building up to when it really mattered.”

He said support from whānau and management had played a key role in building that foundation.

“There’s also a lot of things that have helped us get to where we are today.”

The campaign also marked personal milestones. Brothers Ben and Thomas Enoka (Ngāpuhi) both brought up 100 caps for the Black Sox during the campaign in Canada – a moment that reflected the longevity within the squad.

Ben Enoka said the Halberg nomination was recognition of the collective effort.

“Just excited, you know, to be nominated amongst some of the high-performance athletes in New Zealand. Just happy to be here representing the Black Sox.”

Thomas Enoka said the exposure mattered for those coming through the pathways.

“To be on a platform where they can strive to and something they can look up to, I’d hope,” he said.

“To put us back on the Halberg map… for the next generation.”

Softball in Aotearoa has long had strong Māori and Pasifika representation, something reflected across the current squad. Several players spoke about the importance of whānau and whakapapa within the team environment.

Rona, the son of Black Sox Hall of Famer and four-time World Champion, Brad Rona, described the sport as grounded in family.

“Our sport is such a small community and family becomes a big part in our sport,” he said.

“You play for more than yourself. You play for your family. You play for the next generation. You play for the ones before us.”

Raemaki said that sense of whānau shaped the team culture during their World Cup run.

“We created a culture that was relaxing, where everyone felt comfortable. They had a voice,” he said.

“So we didn’t have to iron out any of that and we could just focus on the task at hand.”

Thomas Enoka said representing their whānau on the world stage carried weight.

“Our whānau is pretty proud of us to be on a stage like this or even on a world stage just in our own sport,” he said.

“If you look at things like that, I think that’s something that brings a lot of mana to yourself.”

For 22-year-old Canterbury pitcher Liam Potts – who was named WBSC Men’s Softballer of the Year following the tournament – the moment was unexpected.

“I never think of my softball career I’d get to come to an event like this,” Potts said.

“To see so many faces that you think, wow, I’ve watched you on TV … and be like, holy, you’re actually a real person.”

Potts said his individual accolade came from focusing on doing his job for the team.

“I didn’t think much of what I could do. I was just kind of competing the best I could for my team,” he said.

“Getting named WBSC Player of the Year, it’s just unreal.”

Potts is set to represent the fern on the World Stage in April, competing in the WBSC U-23 Men’s World Cup.

“You’ve just got to believe you can do it,” Potts said.

“It will never be a straight line up. You always have your ups and downs … you’ve got to enjoy the journey. And honestly, you do the work, it will pay off in the end.”

The Black Sox said whether they left with silverware or not, the recognition and accolades would offer a platform that could help inspire the next generation of softballers across Aotearoa.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Vape stores within stores like dairies and petrol stations are allowing retailers to get around flavour restrictions, and a new study has found they’re far more common in low socio-economic areas.

The authors of this new research out of Massey University say it goes against efforts to limit the exposure of young people to vape products.

Regulations mean only specialised vape retailers (SVRs) are allowed to sell the full range of vape products and flavours – and a store can only qualify as an SVR if vaping products make up 70 percent of their sales.

Convenience stores, petrol stations and supermarkets, which don’t meet that bar, can only sell mint, menthol or tobacco flavoured vapes.

But by opening a vape shop as a store within a store, these retailers could stock the full range, and then market those products to their existing foot traffic – for example, someone who has popped in for a bottle of milk.

A new paper out of Massey University, titled “Scoping the vape retail environment and retailers’ responses to vape control measures in selected Auckland suburbs with different levels of socio-economic deprivation” by Robin van der Sanden, Chris Wilkins, Marta Rychert, Jude Ball, Janet Hoek, Penelope Truman, Geoff Kira, El-Shadan Tautolo, has analysed the locations of these vape shops.

Out of 160 specialist vape retailers in 14 Auckland suburbs, 44 percent were stores within stores, and they were concentrated in suburbs with higher socio-economic deprivation, and residential areas rather than commercial centres.

High-deprivation suburbs had a median of 8.5 store-within-a-store outlets, compared to just two in low-deprivation areas.

In addition, 56 percent of all speciality vape retailers were located within 300 metres of at least one educational institute – be that primary, secondary, or tertiary.

The Auckland CBD had the highest total number of specialist vape retailers at 43, while some low-deprivation suburbs like St Heliers had none.

‘Stores within stores undermined efforts to curb exposure to youth’ – researcher

Study author and public health researcher Dr Robin van der Sanden told RNZ:

“It really is about wanting to maintain access to what are essentially the most appealing vape products, and the products that sell the best and most widely, which really are your fruit flavours [and] your lolly flavours.”

Regulations needed to balance accessibility for people who wanted vapes to quit smoking, while limiting exposure to young people and non-smokers.

In June last year, the government introduced strict regulations banning disposable vapes and restricting visible marketing.

Moves to set up vape stores within liquor stores drew concern from alcohol harm prevention groups last year, while the vaping industry argued liquor store age restrictions would likely limit exposure to young people.

Van der Sanden said stores within stores undermined efforts to curb exposure to youth, particularly in areas already facing greater health inequities.

“Kids are popping in and out of the dairy to buy an ice cream after school and as a result, they are coming into contact with that vape retail environment, and they’re seeing people exiting that little vape store carrying quite a cool, brightly coloured looking vape package,” she said.

From a policy perspective, she said, changes to close this loophole could have “a really noticeable impact”.

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello, whose portfolio vaping falls into, told RNZ specialist stores were not supposed to have products displayed outside them, nor were under-18s allowed in them.

“If they’re breaking those laws, that’s an enforcement issue and there has been a significant increase in enforcement capacity and activity over the last two years to back up these changes.”

“Overall, the latest statistics show that youth vaping is continuing to reduce, as are our smoking rates. However, we need a more coherent and sensible regulatory regime around tobacco and nicotine products to better address the harm from smoking and I’ll be interested to see this research and any suggestions.”

Vaping Industry Association also wants loophole addressed

The Vaping Industry Association (VIANZ) told RNZ they, too, thought the loophole needed to be addressed.

In a statement, chairperson Jonathan Devery said the group supported the intent of regulations to reduce youth exposure, while maintaining access for adults seeking an alternative to smoking.

He said it was clear the store-within-a-store model had emerged as an unintended consequence of the current framework, “and we believe this loophole should be addressed to ensure the regulatory system operates as originally intended”.

Specialist vape retail should reflect genuine, standalone specialist premises with robust age-verification and compliance standards, not hybrid formats that blur the line with general retail, he said.

“We are committed to working constructively with regulators to strengthen the integrity of the specialist retail model while continuing to protect adult access to regulated, smoke-free alternatives.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hashtag: #Wenchang

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

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

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The Salvation Army is warning that families are starving and it wants the government to urgently increase food aid.

Its latest State of the Nation paints a dire picture of worsening child poverty and unemployment, rising family violence and stubbornly high cost of living pressures.

An annual deep dive into Aotearoa’s social wellbeing, the report shows that child poverty is rising, with 156,000 children living in hardship last year.

Salvation Army social policy and parliamentary unit director Dr Bonnie Robinson said the statistics were getting worse, rather than better – and it showed on the front line at food banks.

“Families are coming in, and some of those families have got jobs, sometimes several jobs … it’s just not enough,” she said.

“They’re one crisis, or one extra need, one doctor’s visit, one bit of school uniform, away from not being able to afford to feed themselves.”

Report co-author Paul Barber said an increase in food insecurity came as access to government support was being tightened.

Food grant limits had not been changed since 2008, he said.

“And you wonder why people aren’t managing to get by.”

Ministry of Social Development (MSD) acting client service delivery general manager Steph Voight said the “overwhelming majority” of food grant applications were approved.

“The amount someone can receive for a food grant varies depending on their circumstances,” she said.

MSD cannot grant someone more than $200 in food grants over a 26-week period, unless they determine there are exceptional circumstances.

“Any decisions on food grant limits would require legislative change and would be for Ministers to make,” said Voight.

Social Development minister Louise Upston said the government was focused on lowering inflation, easing interest rates and cutting taxes.

“$15 million of government funding was announced in Budget 2025 to support community food providers while the economy continues to recover,” she said.

“In addition to the Food Security Communities Programme, MSD also supports other initiatives such as the Kickstart Breakfast and provides Special Needs Grants for food.”

Upston could not comment on further funding ahead of this year’s Budget.

Poverty stats ‘scandalous’ – Greens

Greens co-leader Marama Davidson said it was “scandalous, completely unacceptable” that children live in poverty in New Zealand.

The party’s social development spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March said tens of thousands of people accessed food hardship grants on a regular basis and they were often the last option for families living week-to-week.

“People wouldn’t be calling, or walking into a Work and Income office effectively begging for food if they didn’t need to,” he said.

“The limit that we currently have means that many people are turned away, and when you are homeless, when you may be transient in emergency housing, being asked to show receipts and to prove exceptional circumstances when it’s clear that you’re struggling to make ends meet, is simply just not a reality that people can comply with.”

Māori, Pacific children dealing with effects of colonisation – report

The report showed that tamariki Māori and Pacific children continue to experience disproportionately high rates of hardship.

Salvation Army Te Ao Māori policy analyst Charm Kataraina Skinner said many whānau were dealing with the ongoing effects of colonisation.

“We have children that are starving, and we have whānau that can’t meet their basic necessities.

“Everybody deserves kai on the table.”

Family violence at highest level in eight years

The report also revealed that family violence was at its highest level since 2018, despite an overall drop in violent crime.

Barber said that was a sign of families under pressure.

“A lot of the violence is concentrated on a few people who experience multiple victimisations,” he said.

Authorities needed to work with those families to understand what help they needed to address the “multiple pressures” they faced, he said.

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

A new study analysing COVID-19 vaccine uptake has found markedly lower vaccination rates among Māori, which researchers link to existing inequities in healthcare access.

The study looked at vaccination rates from December 2020 to May 2023, finding 28.4 percent of Māori were unvaccinated during this period, compared with 14.7 percent of non-Māori.

“Based on these numbers, we estimate 78,880 fewer Māori were fully vaccinated than would have been the case if vaccination rates were the same for both groups,” said Dr James Mbinta, lead author of the study and a research fellow at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

The study also found marked differences in rates of partial vaccination, with Māori more likely to receive only the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and not go on to get the second dose.

Enrolment in a primary health organisation (PHO) was flagged as a key factor influencing whether Māori received at least one dose of the vaccine. The study also found those living in lower-income households and in lower-quality and crowded housing were less likely to be vaccinated.

“For Māori, the likelihood of being partially or fully vaccinated was higher among those enrolled in a PHO. This highlights the need for vaccination strategies that include improving PHO enrolment, especially for populations that have a known higher risk of severe health outcomes from COVID-19,” said co-author Andrew Sporle (Ngāti Apa, Rangitāne, Te Rarawa), an honorary academic in the Department of Statistics at Auckland University and managing director of research firm iNZight Analytics.

Previous research has shown Māori have higher rates of both hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 compared with the general population.

“Our findings highlight the crucial need to ensure vulnerable populations can access healthcare. Targeted approaches, using evidence from data generated by rigorous studies such as this, are needed to address health disparities and ensure equitable access to healthcare resources,” said co-author Professor Colin Simpson, a senior adviser in the School of Health at Te Herenga Waka and professor in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at Auckland University.

Results of the study are published in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. The research was funded by the Ministry of Health.

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6 days ago

Receiving a scholarship after five years of study at EIT is “extra-rewarding” for Bachelor of Nursing student Jessie Tomoana (Ngāti Kahungunu), who left school at 15 before later returning to education as a mother.

The 36-year-old from Waipatu received the Te Maari Joe (Nursing) Scholarship and will graduate in April.

“To end my nursing degree by receiving a scholarship felt really rewarding. It was a good ending – a high note to finish on,” she says.

The scholarship was one of two introduced by Te Kupenga Hauora Ahuriri last year to honour the legacy of Whaea Te Maari Joe and Audrey Robin, who were instrumental in founding the organisation more than 30 years ago.

Prior to enrolling at EIT in 2020, Jessie had not returned to study since leaving high school at the age of 15. During that time, she worked in a range of roles while raising her then three children as a solo mother.

Despite always wanting to pursue nursing, Jessie says the timing was not right earlier in life.

“I’ve always wanted to do nursing, but the timing wasn’t right earlier on. When the time finally came, I knew I had to give it a go.”

Her pathway back into education began with a level 4 certificate at EIT, which helped her gain entry into the Bachelor of Nursing. During her studies, Jessie also took time away following the birth of her fourth child, and to recover from two major surgeries.

“There was a lot happening in between. Trying to manage study at home with four kids was a struggle for me personally, but I still managed to get through.”

Despite the challenges, Jessie says the support she received from EIT staff made a difference.

“I do not think I would have made it through without that encouragement.”

Through her clinical placements, Jessie discovered a strong interest in community-based Māori health, including two placements with Kahungunu Health Services (Choices), which helped shape her future career direction.

“I definitely want to do Māori health. I find working in the community and helping bridge gaps for our people to be really rewarding.”

Now preparing to graduate, Jessie says she is taking her time to find a role that aligns with both her values and her children aged 15, 12, six and three.

“When the right role comes along, it will be a good fit.”

Jessie hopes her story encourages others, particularly Māori women and adult learners, to consider returning to study.

“If I can do it, then anybody can.”

Asked what the highlight of her degree has been, Jessie does not hesitate.

“Finishing,” she says. “It is still kind of surreal. But getting this scholarship makes it much more real, and my kids seeing me achieve this means everything.”

Nathan Harrington, Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri Chief Executive, said Jessie is a very deserving and fitting recipient of the Te Maari Joe scholarship.

“Jessie is the epitome of the vison of Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri which is to have the courage to sail beyond the horizon, in pursuit of our taonga (education). Many of the whānau that we work with would be able to relate to Jessie’s story and we feel that she is a true inspiration not only to her whānau but also her whole community.”

“We believe that by supporting more people like Jessie to pursue a nursing career, we can help address the negative statistics that unfortunately impact Māori health and wellbeing and carry on the work of two key people who shaped Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri, Te Maari and Audrey.”

Nathan said he was grateful for EIT’s ongoing support and believed the scholarship would further strengthen the relationship between the two organisations.

“Our relationship is long and rich with Te Maari and Audrey being previous EIT Council Members. We have had many students come to Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri for their nursing and social work placements, we train our staff through EIT, and we have recently re-established the student health centre that we are running as a nurse-led clinic. The scholarships are another way of forging a great relationship.”

Katie Rongonui, Acting Head of School – Nursing, said: Jessie has demonstrated dedication and commitment in completing the Bachelor of Nursing at EIT.

“We are immensely proud of the hard work and perseverance she has shown throughout her studies. Jessie is an inspiration to her whānau and the wider community, and we wish her every success as she begins her journey as a registered nurse.”

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