NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is currently working with emergency services to respond to a fire alongside State Highway 1 in Whangārei.
The fire is between Murdoch Crescent and S End Avenue and contractors may need to close the road. People are advised to delay their travel where possible, or to consider alternate routes. Traffic heading south should turn east onto Maunu Road from the SH1/State Highway 14 intersection, onto Porowini Ave, Okara Drive, Port Road, Kioreroa Road and then Rewa Rewa Road to return to SH1. Northbound traffic should take the same route, in reverse.
Emergency services are in attendance and traffic management is en-route.
People are encouraged to visit the Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)) for up to date information on the traffic management before they travel.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 March 2025 – MSIG Hong Kong and MSIG Singapore have jointly announced a strategic collaboration with MSIG USA to strengthen its political risk and trade credit business in these key Asian financial hubs. This initiative reinforces MSIG’s commitment to supporting its global customers and strengthening its footprint in key international markets.
The partnership leverages the expertise of MSIG USA’s seasoned political risk and trade credit underwriting team alongside the strong local presence and market knowledge of MSIG Hong Kong and MSIG Singapore. This powerful combination positions the company to capitalise on the growing demand for political risk and trade credit solutions in the region, ensuring comprehensive and customised coverage for businesses navigating an evolving global trade landscape.
“Expanding our political risk and trade credit capabilities in Asia is a key strategic move for MSIG USA,” said Peter McKenna, CEO of MSIG USA. “By collaborating with MSIG Hong Kong and MSIG Singapore, we are strengthening our ability to serve global clients with tailored solutions that address the challenges of international trade. This partnership underscores our commitment to being a reliable risk management partner for businesses operating in complex environments.”
Clemens Philippi, CEO of MSIG Asia, added, “This initiative aligns with our regional growth strategy, reinforcing our ability to deliver enhanced risk solutions across Asia. The combination of MSIG USA’s underwriting expertise, led by Dan Riordan and Richard Abizaid, and our strong local market presence enables us to better serve businesses in the region, helping them navigate the evolving economic and political landscape with confidence.”
MSIG USA’s strong Class 15, A+ financial ratings and brand recognition have facilitated valuable connections with customers and brokers, reinforcing the company’s competitive advantage in the market. This collaboration underscores MSIG USA’s dedication to delivering innovative insurance solutions that address the evolving challenges of international trade and investment.
Dan Riordan, Head of Political Risk and Trade Credit for MSIG USA, commented, “The demand for political risk and trade credit insurance is rapidly increasing as businesses seek protection against uncertain geopolitical and economic conditions. Our collaboration with MSIG Hong Kong and MSIG Singapore will allow us to offer more localised expertise and strengthen our ability to provide comprehensive coverage that meets the needs of multinational clients.”
Philip Kent, CEO of MSIG Hong Kong, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with MSIG USA to enhance our political risk and trade credit offerings. This collaboration not only strengthens our capabilities but also reaffirms our dedication to providing comprehensive and tailored solutions to our clients in Hong Kong. By leveraging the combined expertise and market knowledge of our teams, we can better support businesses in navigating the complexities of international trade and mitigating potential risks.”
Hashtag: #MSIGHongKong
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
LIVERPOOL, UK – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 March 2025 – Liverpool FC has agreed a multi-year global partnership with Visit Maldives, making it the club’s official tourist destination partner.
The partnership, which is inclusive of both the club’s men’s and women’s teams, will drive awareness of the Maldives as a world-class tourist destination, while demonstrating the breadth of activities, heritage and stunning locations the island country has to offer.
It unites two world-renowned brands with a shared commitment to offering extraordinary experiences, whether that’s for fans at Anfield or for those enjoying the sunny side of life in the Maldives, the world’s leading destination for the past five consecutive years.
To celebrate the launch of the partnership, fans will have the chance to win an incredible five-night trip to the Maldives, including flights and accommodation, through an exciting MyLFC competition. For details on how to enter, please visit here.
And throughout the partnership, fans will have the opportunity to enjoy exclusive content, special promotions, and competitions with money-can’t-buy prizes.
Following a record-breaking year for the Maldives’ Tourism Industry in 2024, Visit Maldives set an ambitious target of $5 billion in tourism receipts for 2025. It will increase its awareness and visibility via Liverpool FC’s growing social media platforms, which have over 200million global followers, and registered almost 12billion views and 1.5billion fan engagements last season alone, the most of any Premier League club.
LFC is also the most-watched team globally in the Premier League, with a cumulative audience of 471 million last season, and has continued this trend for the current season.
Alongside raising awareness as a destination of choice Visit Maldives is dedicated to protecting its unique environment, with a strong emphasis on ocean conservation and sustainable tourism – critical issues for the low-lying island nation, which is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and climate change.
Through this partnership, Liverpool FC will collaborate with Visit Maldives to support these initiatives, leveraging the club’s award-winning sustainability programme, The Red Way, to raise awareness and drive positive action.
Ben Latty Chief Commercial Officer at Liverpool FC, said: “We’re very excited to welcome Visit Maldives into the Liverpool FC family as our official tourist destination partner. Together we share a passion for creating unforgettable experiences that bring people together in meaningful ways.
“We also share a commitment for being the most sustainable we can be, whether that’s via our award-winning The Red Way programme or Visit Maldives raising concerns about preserving delicate underwater ecosystems. We look forward to supporting each other in these vitally important areas moving forward.”
Mr Ibrahim Shiuree, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Visit Maldives, added: “Partnering with a club as iconic as Liverpool FC, who share our core values to drive positive change towards a more sustainable future, is a proud moment for Visit Maldives. Together, we’ll be able to offer exclusive opportunities and experiences, bringing the magic of the Maldives to millions of passionate fans around the world. We’re particularly thrilled about the MyLFC competition and the chance to give one lucky fan the trip of a lifetime in the Sunny Side of Life.”
Hashtag: #LiverpoolFC
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Please attribute to Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves of Canterbury Police:
Police acknowledge the sentence handed down to John Hope Muchirahondo today in the Christchurch High Court.
He was sentenced to 23 years’ imprisonment, with a minimum non-parole period of 10 years, for his prolific sexual offending, after being found guilty on 11 counts of rape and six of unlawful sexual connection, as well as failing to provide access to a cellphone.
We are pleased to see justice done for his victims who had the bravery to come forward and tell their stories.
It took enormous strength, courage, and composure to tell your accounts in court where your accuracy, honesty and credibility were challenged. I hope you feel validated.
We believe you, we have always believed you, this was never your fault and you are not alone.
Our complainants have taken another step in paving the way for others to come forward, to have a voice and to not be silenced or shamed.
Your bravery, the strength of your accounts and your telling of the impact of this offending has helped inform the Judge’s sentence today and you have contributed to the future safety of many women.
We would like to acknowledge the hard work of our investigation team, who worked tirelessly to bring this case before the court, the Crown who prosecuted the case, and the specialist sexual assault agencies who supported the victims through this process.
We also hope this case shows anyone else who has been the victim of a sexual assault that there is hope, and there is support available for you.
Anyone who wants to make a complaint to Police can be assured that you will be treated with the utmost respect and will be listened to.
We will take all such reports seriously, offer victims the required support, and work to hold offenders to account.
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 March 2025 – Kind+Jugend ASEAN 2025, the region’s largest trade fair for maternity, baby, and kids’ products, is back from June 12-14, 2025, at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), Bangkok.
As Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing market, valued at $30.41 billion in 2023 with a projected 8.87% CAGR through 2029 (TechSci Research, 2023), the region offers unmatched potential for brands, distributors, and retailers looking to expand. Thailand alone is forecasted to reach $35.78 million by 2025 (Statista Research, 2025), positioning it as a strategic entry point for international businesses.
For Exhibitors:
Unlock a High-Growth Market – Gain access to one of the world’s fastest-growing maternity and baby product sectors.
Connect with Key Buyers – Meet top distributors, retailers, and e-commerce platforms from Thailand and beyond.
Showcase Your Brand – Gain exposure to over 5,000 potential partners and buyers in a dynamic, high-visibility setting.
Generate Sales & Partnerships – Secure deals through business matchmaking and industry networking events.
Stay Ahead of Trends – Discover cutting-edge innovations and consumer trends shaping the industry.
For Buyers & Retailers:
Source Top Products & Brands – Discover over 300 leading brands from 20+ countries showcasing the latest in maternity, baby, and kids’ products.
Experience Live Demos & Product Testing – Explore stroller test tracks, baby food innovation hubs, and interactive product zones.
Exclusive Trade Deals & Networking – Build relationships with top international suppliers and manufacturers.
Access Industry Insights – Gain market intelligence and trends from leading experts.
Bigger & Better in 2025
With 10,000 sqm of exhibition space, 60% international exhibitors, and a 40% increase in participation, Kind+Jugend ASEAN 2025 is the go-to event for businesses looking to grow in Southeast Asia.
“This fair is not just an exhibition—it’s a business accelerator,” said Matthias Küpper, Managing Director & Vice President, Koelnmesse Asia-Pacific. “With demand surging, Kind+Jugend ASEAN 2025 is the ultimate platform for global brands to expand, connect, and thrive in this booming market.”
Join Us at Kind+Jugend ASEAN 2025
Event Date: June 12-14, 2025 Venue: Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), Bangkok, Thailand Registration Deadline: [TBA] For exhibitor inquiries: at panajsorn@koelnmesse-thailand.com and kanokwan@koelnmesse-thailand.com
More details: https://kindundjugend.asia/
Hashtag: #Kind+JugendASEAN2025
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Rodney’s most comprehensive and costly flood recovery road repair is complete after 20 months of construction.
Ahuroa Road in Pūhoi was severely damaged in early 2023 with eight large slip sites occurring during the 2023 major storm events. The road was closed to all but residents, and a major slip at the top of the road effectively split the community in half, leaving some residents and families with a long commute to work and school.
“We’re very pleased to have completed the repair of the last of the major slips and returned the road to the community,” says Alan Wallace, GM Road Asset Maintenance and Renewals at Auckland Transport.
“Downer NZ and Mason Contractors construction teams have worked through all sorts of weather conditions to carry out these repairs in difficult terrain. The largest was a highly technical $6.6 million concrete palisade wall with 166 piles (12-17 metres deep) and 480 metres of soil nail anchors installed to stabilise the site.”
“Ahuroa Road sustained severe damage and the repairs were a high priority, we understood the impact the road closure had on the closely connected rural community,” said Samantha Riley, Contract Manager at Downer NZ.
“We’re extremely pleased with the outcome, and grateful to be a part of reconnecting the pathway between Pūhoi and Ahuroa. A key achievement for us was enabling some of our youngest community members, children, to safely return to Ahuroa School.”
Rodney Local Board Chair Brent Bailey thanks the Pūhoi community for their patience while the very complex road repairs were undertaken.
“Our Pūhoi community has been severely impacted because of the substantial damage caused by the storms. It has taken a long time to fix and reopen this road because of the difficult terrain and the challenges caused by the many slips including this major slip.
“Huge thanks to Auckland Transport and the roading contractors who have worked tirelessly to engineer solutions and restore this important access for our community.”
Road maintenance sealing, which is outside the scope of the flood recovery repairs, is scheduled to be completed at a later date.
Watch a one-minute project summary video on YouTube.
Onewa Road, one of the busiest routes in Auckland, has become a model of productivity with over 30,000 vehicles moving an estimated 100,000 people each day.
But now important changes are needed to keep even more people moving efficiently along it.
Auckland Transport (AT) and the Kaipātiki Local Board want to help ease congestion on Onewa Road further and would like to share a plan with the community.
“Residents and businesses here rely on Onewa Road every day, and it’s important it is efficient for our growing community,” North Shore Councillor Richard Hills says.
“As a regular bus user, I see how efficient the T3 is at moving over 65% of morning commuters in that lane, but we need to continue to provide improvements for all users at all times of the day.”
Chris Martin, AT’s Road Network Optimisation Manager, says AT has been working closely with elected officials about improving this busy road.
“While the T3 lane is for buses and vehicles with three or more occupants, by making the road more productive at moving more people, it results in better journey times for all road users.
“We want to make further improvements to move everyone along faster, with bus boosters and queue detection technology as part of our plans,” Mr Martin says.
Northcote MP Dan Bidois is right behind AT’s plans to optimise Onewa Road.
“Let’s be clear, this is not a rebuild, this is simply making the most of the space already there on Onewa Road to ease the burden of congestion and to make the road safer for the tens of thousands of people who use it every day,” he says.
With just two lanes available each way, a T3 lane has been in place travelling east towards the motorway since 1982, and a T3 lane has been in place travelling west towards Birkenhead since 2015, enabling reduced journey times for all road users including buses and cars.
Improvements have been made in recent years including adding highly effective CCTV cameras to help keep the transit lane clear and moving to limit parking and make it safer turning into side streets.
There has also been a continued increase in the number of bus services using Onewa Road, most recently with the upgrade of the popular 94 bus to a frequent service connecting Beach Haven, Birkdale, Birkenhead, Northcote, and Takapuna with trips every 15 minutes, 7am till 7pm, every day of the week.
AT’s plan includes a shared path for pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter users, and improved technology at pedestrian crossings adjacent to the three schools on Onewa Road.
But Councillor Hills says it’s important that these changes aren’t just decided by AT and the locally elected representatives.
“We’re keen to hear from our community on how we can help make things better and move smarter.”
This is part of a wider programme of new technology and improvements Auckland Transport, and the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi are implementing to help our existing roads keep up with the tens of thousands of extra vehicles being added to the roads each year.
Kaipātiki Local Board and AT invite you to provide feedback at haveyoursay.at.govt.nz, and you’ll find it under the “open for feedback” section. Feedback is open until 6 April 2025.
India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines are forecast to lead in both speed and scale of trade growth from 2024 to 2029
South Asia and Southeast Asia regions set to achieve fastest trade volume growth from 2024 to 2029
Asia remains central to global production networks, as the region benefits from supply chain diversification strategies
Global trade recovered in 2024 and is forecast to grow faster over the next five years than during the preceding
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 March 2025 – DHL and the New York University Stern School of Business have released the latest DHL Trade Atlas 2025, providing a comprehensive analysis of the most important trends in global trade. The report reveals that Asia’s trade outlook remains positive, mirroring global trade, which is forecast to grow faster over the next five years compared to the preceding decade. In fact, a few countries in Asia – India, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines – are expected to see especially strong growth. The South Asia as well as Southeast Asia regions are also set to outperform other regions in terms of trade growth.
DHL Trade Atlas 2025 reveals Asia trade set for continued growth
“As we look towards the future of trade in Asia, it’s clear how trade growth has proven surprisingly resilient in the face of recent disruptions. With the ongoing diversification of supply chains that continues to reshape the commerce landscape, Asia has steadfastly emerged as a key player in the global market,” said Ken Lee, CEO – Asia Pacific, DHL Express. “However, we must approach this promising outlook with a measured perspective, recognizing the uncertainties and volatility that continue to characterize the global business environment. As businesses diversify supply chains, it is essential they stay innovative in their strategy and proactive in seeking out new routes to growth.”
New leaders in trade growth: India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines
Between 2024 and 2029, four countries in Asia are forecast to rank among the top 30 for both speed (growth rate) and scale (absolute amount) of trade growth: India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
In the next five years, India is anticipated to retain its third-place rank on the scale dimension as well as jump 15 spots to the 17th position on the speed dimension as its compound annual trade volume growth rate rises from 5.2% to 7.2%. Additionally, India may also deliver 6% of the world’s trade growth, behind China (12%) and the United States (10%).
The prospects of Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines are bright as they have displayed substantial potential to benefit from supply chain shifts and diversification strategies. Vietnam is expected to maintain a 6.5% compound annual trade volume growth rate over the 2024-2029 period and promote one position to rank fifth on the scale dimension. Indonesia is predicted to retain its 12th place on the scale rankings, while rising from 33rd to 25th in the speed rankings. More notably, the Philippines is set to leap 114 positions to rank 15th on the speed dimension, and rise from 68th to 30th on the scale dimension.
South Asia and ASEAN to produce faster growth rates than other regions
South Asia and the ASEAN regions are forecasted to deliver the fastest trade volume growth among major world regions from 2024 to 2029 with CAGR of 5.6% and 5.0%, respectively. In fact, trade growth is also expected to accelerate substantially compared to the previous five-year period in these regions. Other regions such as North America and Europe are forecast to grow at rates of 2.7%.
The DHL Trade Atlas also finds that the center of gravity of world trade has shifted. The shares of trade conducted by the world’s major geographic regions has changed since 2000, with the most dramatic change observed in Asian economies. Between 2000 and 2024, the share of world trade borne by South & Central Asia rose from 2% to 5%. However, a major region like Europe saw its share of world trade decrease from 41% to 36% for the same period.
New record in long-distance trade as Asia becomes central to global production networks
Despite widespread interest in nearshoring and producing goods closer to customers, the DHL Trade Atlas 2025 demonstrates that trade has not become more regionalized overall. Actual trade flows indicate the opposite trend. In the first nine months of 2024, the average distance traversed for all traded goods reached a record 5,000 kilometers, compared to just over 4,500 kilometers in 2000. This development can be attributed to the fact that Europe and North America have increasingly traded with Asia, as “Factory Asia” becomes central to global production networks. Faster global trade growth compared to the previous decade
Recent forecasts predict goods trade will grow at a compound annual rate of 3.1% from 2024 to 2029. This roughly aligns with GDP growth and represents modestly faster trade growth compared to the previous decade. Even if the new U.S. administration implements all of its proposed tariff increases and other countries retaliate, global trade is still expected to grow over the next five years – but at a much slower pace.
“While threats to the global trading system must be taken seriously, global trade has shown great resilience because of the large benefits that it delivers for economies and societies,” said Steven A. Altman, Senior Research Scholar and Director of the DHL Initiative on Globalization at NYU Stern’s Center for the Future of Management. “While the U.S. could pull back from trade – at a significant cost – other countries are not likely to follow the U.S. down that path because smaller countries would suffer even more in a global retreat from trade.”
The DHL Trade Atlas 2025
The DHL Trade Atlas 2025 features a wealth of data-driven insights and analysis on global trade and its prospects. It is an up-to-date resource for business leaders, policymakers, educators, students, media, and the interested public. It includes concise one-page profiles summarizing the trade patterns of nearly 200 countries and territories that comprise over 99% of world trade, GDP, and population.
The free interactive content available at dhl.com/tradeatlas is a new feature of the report. The website enables users to customize analyses and explore trade trends by specific countries, regions, and categories of goods. Additionally, it offers convenient options for downloading data and images.
The report was commissioned by DHL and authored by Steven A. Altman and Caroline R. Bastian of New York University Stern School of Business. It was finalized in February 2025 using data and forecast updates through January 2025.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is welcoming a Memorandum of Understanding by Genesis Energy and Carbona to produce torrefied wood pellets with the potential to replace coal with biomass at Huntly Power Station. “This Memorandum of Understanding is an encouraging step towards affordable, secure and sustainable energy that supports economic growth,” Mr Watts says. “Renewable, storable fuels like torrefied wood pellets are a promising alternative to coal that could keep the lights on in dry years while contributing towards our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. “The Government created the woody bioenergy taskforce as part of our Emissions Reduction Plan to encourage private investment into this market, including the potential for export. “This MOU follows a similar agreement between Foresta and Genesis Energy in February, which shows growing momentum in the sector. “This is a win-win for energy and the environment. “Affordable, secure energy is a crucial part of the Government’s plan to grow the economy. “I look forward to seeing Genesis and Carbona turn this agreement into action and developing this important new energy supply chain.
