NZ Herald 26th September 2025

Hundreds of pages of highly confidential Wellington City Council documents including termination agreements, a sexual harassment claim, and staff pay details ended up in the hands of a local man who bought an old mayoral office desk at a dump The council has launched an investigation and notified the Privacy Commissioner after being alerted to the situation by the Herald while a former mayor is demanding answers from officials

“It’s appalling, I m appalled,” Dame Fran Wilde said The desk was from the Wellington Town Hall, which used to house the council chambers but has been

closed because of earthquake damage since 2013

Raymond Morgan, a builder who lives in Breaker Bay, said he spotted the piece of furniture, which was labelled as being from the Office of The Mayor, at the Tip Shop last week among other items from the old Town Hall

He paid $200 for it with plans to break it down and use the wood to build a bar

When loading it on to his trailer

Morgan said his partner noticed papers printed as “confidential” poking out of locked drawers

“Oh there are some documents in there hanging out the door,” she said

He took it home and broke the locks to find hundreds of papers

about former council employees

“I thought unbelievable even though this goes back a number of years, these people are still living,” he said

He called the council to report it and follow up on a prior query about cycle lanes, but claims officials “didn t really take much notice at all

“I said, oh, you might want to get your arse into gear because I ve just got hold of all these documents, quite legitimately quite sensitive confidential, but no one’s got back to me about’

“She was too busy to answer because she had to go pick up her kids from holiday daycare or something like that ”

He then posted on a local ratepayers Facebook group asking what

to do about it “I just find it absolutely amazing that they would not check to see what was in locked cupboards and drawers, especially when the documents were actually poking outside

It s just about showing how incompetent these people are because yeah, they can t even manage this stuff ”

When first contacted by the Herald about Morgan’s post, a council spokesman said officials did not believe it to be legitimate saying it was likely social media “mischief” and encouraged the Herald to come back when it had found evidence

The Herald then tracked down Morgan, who provided our newsroom with the confidential cache

The papers mostly date between 1988 and the early 2000s and contain information concerning the highest level of council leadership

It includes anonymous letters from a whistle-blower detailing sexual harassment allegations against a former councillor printed email correspondence about claims of abusive workplace behaviours, termination agreements, code of conduct complaints, information about employees’ pay confidentiality agreements private emails and highlighted newspaper clippings from media coverage of the council at the time

One letter addressed to a then-

Confidential council files in dumped desk

mayor discusses pornography being accessed on a council computer by a person linked to a then-councillor.

The council has now said it is investigating the situation.

“We are taking the situation extremely seriously and are working with our legal and privacy staff along with staff and contractors involved with the disposal of the Town Hall furniture to understand what has happened,” the spokesman said in a statement.

“We will also endeavour to discuss the situation with the member of the public who is alleged to have found these documents.”

The council disputed suggestions from Morgan that officials didn’t appear to take his approach seriously.

Young drivers admit to texting at the wheel

Lochlan Lineham

More than half of young drivers who responded to a New Zealand Automobile Association survey have admitted to texting or messaging while driving.

Of the 1042 drivers aged 18 to 25 surveyed by the AA Research Foundation in 2025, 23% admitted to scrolling social media while behind the wheel.

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) estimates a driver is about four times more likely to be involved in a crash when using a phone.

The AA and Kaitiaki o Ara/ Students Against Dangerous Driving (Sadd) are advocating for young drivers to turn on the do-not-disturb feature on their phones before getting behind the wheel.

Sadd general manager Donna Govorko said younger drivers are significantly more prone to phone distractions. Turning on the feature, which silences notifications, would help young motorists stay focused while on the road, she said.

“This is the generation who have grown up in a time when social media and mobile phones are rooted in our daily lives, but we cannot let distracted driving become the norm when lives are at stake.”

Wilde, a former mayor from the time covered by the material and whose private correspondence is included in the documents, said she is outraged the files made their way into public hands.

“It’s an appalling breach of confidence that a council administration would let a bit of furniture go containing confidential documents,” she told the Herald She planned to contact the council demanding an explanation.

New Zealand’s young drivers have the highest rates of road deaths in the OECD. The rates are also substantially above those of older age groups in New Zealand, said the AA.

Its road safety spokesman, Dylan Thomsen, said if New Zealand had the same rate of road deaths among young people as Australia does, 20 fewer Kiwis would die each year.

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Peters left ‘rather brassed-off’

Foreign Affairs Minister misses Trump reception at UN for a second year

Anneke Smith of RNZ

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has once again been prevented from getting to a presidential reception on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly

Peters was invited to US President Donald Trump s event on Tuesday night (UST) but couldn’t get to the door after some New York streets were completely shut down “I m rather brassed-off about it I’m

having a sense of deja vu given road blockades stopped him from getting to last year’s reception too

The streets around the UN headquarters are bustling and heavily policed during leaders week, with regular shutdowns as world leaders move around in motorcades

French President Emmanuel Macron filmed giving Trump a call from behind a barricade on Wednesday after his vehicle was stopped to make way for a US presidential motorcade

Peters said the jammed streets

There was a possibility [of speaking to Trump] and in this business, being in this country way out in the southwest Pacific called New Zealand you take every chance you possibly get You don’t blow anything ”

Peters has held several bilateral meetings in New York and heard Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak at the fifth annual Crimea Platform Summit

He reiterated New Zealand s position that the UN Charter prohibits the use of force to change internationally recognised borders and any attempt to annex occupied territories is illegal

“The reason New Zealand continues to play its part, despite our distance from the battlefields of east-

mains critical to the future of international peace and security ” Peters told the summit

Speaking afterwards Peters said Zelenskyy had expressed Ukraine s gratitude for the support it had received from other countries

Peters said while the UN was never going to stop the conflict, it was a good sounding board for countries to air their positions and there was no doubt in this conflict as to who was in the wrong

Asked if there was any scope for New Zealand to offer more support to Ukraine, Peters said he could see the Government doing more at a practical level

Deploying troops on the ground, however was an entirely different s s n

Former rugby hopeful faces deportation

Ric Stevens Open Justice

A former Counties-Manukau rugby player went to Australia in 2010 with dreams of a professional career.

Now it is likely he will be deported back to New Zealand when he gets out of prison for drug dealing.

Tuaefe Palelei played 15 provincial games from 2007-09 and went to Perth in 2010 when he was offered a contract with the Western Force Super Rugby side.

However, he was injured during the trial, so the contract did not eventuate. Palelei returned to New Zealand briefly before going back to settle in Perth later that year.

Instead of playing rugby for a living, he worked as a doorman and a bouncer at a nightclub, and as a debt collector, as well as taking jobs in construction and landscaping

He also started collecting criminal convictions first, for driving offences in 2010, assault in 2011, possessing methamphetamine for supply in 2015, and possessing

enough of the same drug in 2019 to be declared a “drug trafficker”.

Some of the drugs he supplied were sold to undercover police officers.

In 2021, a vehicle parked at his home was found to have a sports bag containing A$264,000 ($298,947) cash. While on bail for other offending, Palelei delivered a bag containing A$50,000 to an associate as a down payment on 10kg of meth.

In all, Palelei has amassed 17 convictions in Australia for driving, assault, weapons and drugs offending. He has been incarcerated twice and was most recently sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in December 2022.

He is currently in Casuarina Prison south of Perth, with an earliest release date of September 7, 2027.

Palelei’s visa to be in Australia was cancelled under Section 501 of the Australian Migration Act because he had been sentenced to a prison term of more than 12 months.

Thousands of New Zealanders

have been deported from Australia under this section of the law, sometimes straining relationships between the two countries.

Collectively, the deportees have become known as “501s”.

Palelei requested in November last year that the cancellation of his visa be revoked.

When an Australian Government official declined to do that, he appealed to the Australian Administrative Review Tribunal

The tribunal considered his case and released its decision this month it agreed with the official to not revoke the visa cancellation, meaning Palelei is liable for deportation when he finishes his prison term

In coming to its decision, the authority weighed up a number of factors, including the expectations and protection of the Australian community, offset by Palelei’s ties to Australia and the interests of his children.

Palelei has a wife and six children in Australia, two of whom are adults. His wife told the tribunal the family

just one of a series of bilateral meetings he s having on the sidelines of leader’s week

The minister said the pair had similarities with Anand born in Nova Scotia and one side of Peters’ family hailing from there and he wanted to see both countries working much closer together

“We made a commitment that we’re going to step up our arrangements and our association and our collective work together ” Peters didn t have specifics in terms of increased co-operation, but said New Zealand would increase its consultation with Canada and scope out further projects both countries could work on together

Peters will deliver his speech in the general debate on Saturday morning (NZT) when he will set out New Zealand’s position on Palestinian statehood RNZ

Second Kiwi held in US detention

Samuel Sherry

A second New Zealander has been detained in a United States detention facility since August.

In a statement to the Herald, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) said consular officials are providing assistance to a New Zealander in detention in the US, but for privacy reasons would not provide any more information.

An initial post on X, formerly known as Twitter, claimed the man had been in an American prison since August, awaiting sentencing.

The post claimed the man’s drink was spiked, he woke up in a hospital and was accused of hitting a police officer.

The original poster said a judge had initially overturned this, but claimed US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) became involved and revoked the decision, meaning he could now face 20 years in prison.

would be “broken” if Palelei were deported, but she had become independent and self-sufficient by providing for them while he was in prison.

“I do not want to return to New Zealand and start again,” she said.

Senior tribunal member Chelsea Lyford said it was clear from the evidence that it would be in the best interests of the children for him to remain in Australia, but other factors needed to be considered.

These included the “very serious” nature of Palelei’s offending, the effects of his prolonged incarceration on his children’s development, and their potential exposure to further criminal conduct if he stayed in Australia and reoffended.

Although born and educated in New Zealand, Palelei’s elderly mother lives in Tonga.

Palelei said it was most likely if deported, he would travel from New Zealand to live with her.

Open Justice, an NZME initiative funded with the help of NZ on Air.

This follows a New Zealand mother who was detained at the Canadian border after a visa mishap while trying to return home to Washington state.

Sarah Shaw and her 6-year-old son were held for three weeks at a facility in Texas because she tried to leave and re-enter the United States without both parts of her visa being approved.

Shaw was eventually released but wasn’t given any of her documents and had to wear an ankle monitor without a court order or any explanation of why or how to manage it

She spoke to the Herald via a family friend, Victoria Besancon, after being released.

“She cannot go more than 70 feet [21m] away from home. They also confiscated her driver’s licence, her passport and ID, causing her to be unable to drive to or from work,” Besancon said.

She said Shaw will likely be on an ankle monitor until all her court hearings are finished.

Sniper attack at Ice facility: A14

Carl Bates under investigation after houses not declared to Parliament

Knox

Parliament is launching an inquiry into the MP who failed to declare 25 properties, after a Herald investigation

Trusts linked to Whanganui firstterm National MP Carl Bates and his family own 25 properties that are not disclosed on Parliament’s list of MPs property and financial interests

Many of the properties are rentals in Whanganui making Bates’ family one of the biggest private landlords in his electorate the Herald revealed Labour Party MP and chief whip Glen Bennett has written a letter to the Parliamentary Registrar requesting an inquiry into whether Bates has complied with his obligations to declare certain interests

The Registrar of Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests of Members of Parliament, Sir Maarten Wevers, took a preliminary review of the request and found it was warranted

“The registrar’s preliminary review took account of the degree of importance of the matter under inquiry; whether the matter may involve a breach of the obligations to make a return; and whether the matter is technical or trivial,” a letter from Weavers’ office said Bates told the Herald previously he was merely a beneficiary of the trusts and had checked he was declaring everything required of him

Several of the trust properties are at the lower end of the Whanganui market, with rateable values (RVs) ranging from $160 000 to $375 000

Inquiry launched over MP’s

One property, a modern three-

bedroom house with a rateable value (RV) of $500 000 was recently rented out for $570 a week, providing

a 6% rental return Further up the country is an $855,000 two-bedroom townhouse in Epsom Auckland a “modern terrace home, extending over three levels perfectly suited for an ambitious young family, a professional couple looking for a hassle-free lifestyle, or investors”

Under parliamentary rules, MPs must declare their business, property and other legal interests, “thereby providing transparency and confidence in parliamentary processes and decision making

These declarations are recorded and published on Parliament s Register of Pecuniary Interests The register is overseen and published by Wevers The pecuniary disclosure

rules are ultimately set by Parliament’s Standing Orders Committee

Bates told the Herald “When I moved into politics, I exited my business interests to focus solely on being an MP This included selling my businesses and moving away from involvement in a family property portfolio

“As a discretionary beneficiary of a family trust which has an interest in a property portfolio, I have no involvement in it or its interests, as is common for family trusts

No new sightings

Many people have come forward with information about a woman who went missing in Auckland over a month ago, but no new sightings have been reported, police say.

Anihana Pomana, 25, was las seen leaving SkyCity in central Auckland just after 5am on August 21. Police told RNZ they were continuing to investigate all lines of inquiry, but there had been no confirmed sightings of Pomana since that morning. “Police and whanau hold grave concerns for Te Anihana’s safety and urge anyone who sees her to call 111 immediately,” a spokesperson said.

Severe weather

Severe weather is predicted for most of New Zealand throughout the day today and could impact the All Blacks’ test against the Wallabies at Eden Park tomorrow night Strong wind watches, with gusts of 100km/ h possible, were yesterday issued for much of the central part of the South Island, as well as Wellington and Wairarapa. A line of heavy showers was expected to hit the South Island, with a risk of thunderstorms because of fast-moving fronts passing over the country. The rain is likely to reach Auckland in time for the All Blacks’ first Bledisloe Cup test against Australia on Saturday. MetService said it will be a sunny morning tomorrow, but those going to the game might need a raincoat to prepare for the line of showers that will move across Auckland in the evening, with thunderstorms and wind gusts also possible.

“Upon becoming an MP, I met with the Registrar of Pecuniary Interests in advance of filing my return to ensure I would be declaring everything required of me ” Robertson keeps the faith: A40

Calls grow for Govt energy reform

Poll shows majority back Government action to cut power prices

Jamie Ensor

There is public and corporate support for Government intervention in the energy sector, a prominent business leader says days out from ministers finally revealing a “significant but surgical” response to a review into New Zealand’s electricity market Poll results, obtained exclusively by the Herald show most New Zealanders support the Government underwriting the cost of new electricity generation if it helps to bring down prices, while many support splitting up the gentailers

The Herald’s Mood of the Boardroom this week also sent a clear message to the Beehive

Energy price increases were rated the most pressing concern by business leaders with the security of energy supply not far behind

Simon Bridges chief executive of the Auckland Business Chamber said there is an appetite for the Government to take “bold” action

“Whether it’s the rising household bills, or the ongoing stories of major employers having to shut up shop, costing thousands of jobs Kiwi businesses and households have had enough, he said

“They expect the Government to confront the sector s underlying problems and take steps that will bring down energy costs for all New Zealanders ”

He also pointed to the recent 0 9% decrease in the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) which was largely driven by a big fall in energyintensive manufacturing

“If decisive action isn’t taken, what we’re going to see more and more is the economy going backwards the current state of economic activity could be as good as it gets,” said Bridges

Energy Minister Simon Watts told the Herald the Government’s response to the Frontier Economics review into New Zealand’s electricity market would be “significant but surgical”

“I remain acutely aware of the cost of living pressures New Zealanders are experiencing right now,” he told the Herald

“I can assure you that the Government s response to the independent review of electricity market performance will focus on targeting the root cause of the challenges New Zealand s energy system is facing

It s expected the Government will

Energy Minister Simon Watts.

reveal its response to the report in the coming days

In the meantime, Octopus Energy a smaller player in the sector which has been lobbying for reform and the Auckland Business Chamber have commissioned polling by Curia on New Zealanders desire for change

One question asked whether the Government should underwrite the

cost of new electricity generation if it helped to bring down prices There was support from 62% of respondents, 21% were against, and the rest were unsure

On the question of whether competition might be improved if the Government broke up the gentailers by requiring them to separate their electricity generation and retail arms, 49% were in support and 20% were opposed

The rest 31% were unsure

That compares with the results of a similar question back in May, when 49% of people also supported splitting the gentailers, while 16% didn t agree

At the time 35% were unsure

NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones has championed a shake-up

As the Herald revealed this month, he wants his party to consider several options, like possibly renationalising the gentailers or the Government inking long-term contracts with them

“The gentailers exist for net profit after tax, and their profits depend on constantly shorting the market We’re fools to think they are going to deliver on energy security,” Jones said

Jones has also been responsible for the reversal of the ban on new offshore gas exploration though critics argue that may not lead to much actual gas

Bridges, who is a former National Party leader and Energy Minister, believes the poll results show New Zealanders back Government intervention if it means lower costs

“Energy Minister Simon Watts has indicated that his intention is for serious reform this poll shows that that s exactly what Kiwis want, he said

“We hear the argument from some quarters that measures like operational separation of the gentailers would have a chilling effect on the market I’d argue that not intervening and allowing New Zealand s slide into de-industrialisation to continue, would do far more to turn investors off ”

He also highlighted the Herald s Mood of the Boardroom survey of top business leaders

Energy price increases were their top domestic concern, with one chief executive saying: “Energy

affordability over the last five years has undermined our international competitiveness and reduced shareholder investment sentiment ”

The survey asked whether the Government should require structural separation between electricity retailers and generators to encourage further investment and competition in the generation market Of the respondents, 39% said yes, 34% no and 27% were unsure

The Electricity Retailers’ Association (ERANZ), which represents power companies in New Zealand, has consistently said it recognises the pressure households are under as costs increase It’s emphasised that its members are looking to invest in more generation

Contact Energy chairman Rob McDonald said at a recent meeting that the market “is not broken”

The polling was conducted by Curia between August 31 and September 2 It had a sample of 1000 eligible voters, with 700 interviewed by phone and 300 by an online panel It has a margin of error of +/- 3 1%, at the 95% confidence level

Why Stanford is more popular outside caucus than in it

Audrey Young comment

There were three winners from the Herald’s annual Mood of the Boardroom survey this week:

Education Minister Erica Stanford, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Labour finance spokeswoman Barbara Edmonds.

The first two were rated best ministerial performance by the 150 business leaders taking part, Stanford at the top for the second year running Despite her shortcomings that are not necessarily evident, it elevates Stanford as a viable contender for the party leadership if Christopher Luxon were to step down next year.

An important caveat: things would have to get a lot worse for National than they are now before Luxon would do that. But if they did worsen, she would need to be considered as a serious contender. In a piece in July

on the leadership, I rated her behind Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis, in terms of any vacancy, and much more suited to a deputy’s role.

But while Bishop and Willis can’t be discounted, their stocks have fallen. Bishop, who is the smartest guy in Cabinet, is probably not the flavour of the month in Auckland as he pushes the Government’s moves there for housing intensification.

And Nicola Willis could not make the top 10 in the CEO ratings on Wednesday. She was No 13. But Luxon was even worse at 15. For Luxon, that must have been a cutting rejection by his own business tribe. What’s more, the survey was taken before the revelation of last week’s GDP figures showing a 0.9% slump in the June quarter.

Stanford has done a superb job in education, with the added handicap of being a National minister in a sector

Stanford

Erica

traditionally hostile to National, and is on top of Immigration. She comes from Auckland. But in terms of appeal, she is more popular outside the caucus than inside it. She is not considered a team player. She becomes almost obsessively involved in her areas of responsibility and does not delegate well And she lacks the financial literacy that others would have over her at a time when it matters most. There’s a world of difference between being a good Education Minister and a good leader.

On the other hand, if things got desperate enough for Luxon to throw in the towel, the caucus might be desperate enough to replace him with her, despite those shortcomings. And

as Jacinda Ardern demonstrated in 2017, people can unexpectedly rise to an unknown challenge.

On Winston Peters’ extraordinary rise, Fran O’Sullivan, who has run Mood of the Boardroom for 23 years, noted on Wednesday that 15 years ago, the things business leaders said about him were unprintable, “unless you wanted to be tied up in a 10-year defamation suit”.

“At 80, he has reached this new height and people do rate him well.”

Edmonds, a former tax lawyer and ministerial official, took over as shadow finance minister last year after Grant Robertson left politics.

Despite the obvious handicap of having virtually no policy, she has improved with time and matched Willis confidently from the podium on Wednesday. She also impressed with her reflections on having worked in the office of Stuart Nash,

who has switched allegiances to NZ First but is in the dog box after vulgar comments about what defines a woman.

Edmonds: “My lesson with Stuart is that even people who are given great responsibility, they can trip up. But the major thing I have learned is take accountability for it apologise and do better, and it is the same message I give to Stuart even now.”

Nicola Willis: “I think that is a very fair assessment.”

The CEOs marked Edmonds as the best Opposition performer, followed by Kieran McAnulty and Labour leader Chris Hipkins.

One of the surprises is that the CEOs did not include Act leader David Seymour in their top 10. He came in at No 11 but his deputy, Brooke van Velden, who has been reforming labour law, ranked higher, at No 8.

Brown: ‘Follow Health NZ advice’

Pregnant women urged to ignore US President’s paracetamol claims

Raphael Franks

The Minister of Health says paracetamol is safe and does not cause autism, and people should follow the advice of New Zealand’s health department rather than the United States President

US President Donald Trump and his Secretary of Health, Robert Kennedy jnr this week claimed a link between paracetamol and autism

Trump and Kennedy said pregnant women should not take Tylenol which is called paracetamol outside of the US because of a supposed risk from one of its ingredients, acetaminophen

“Taking Tylenol is not good,” the US President said

“They are strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary That s for instance in cases of extremely high fever that you feel you can’t tough it out ”

Simeon Brown said yesterday: “My advice is: follow Health New Zealand’s advice

“I think their website says paracetamol is a safe medicine to use If anyone has any questions they should always talk to a health professional ”

Health NZ s advice on its website says: “It is important to take [paracetamol] at the recommended dose so the medicine works well and does not cause unwanted effects

“Taking more than the recommended dose can be dangerous and can cause permanent damage to your liver ”

The Ministry of Health s advice on the use of paracetamol in pregnancy says the drug is the safest medicine to take for pain relief or treatment of fever

Medsafe continues to monitor the safety of all medicines, including monitoring emerging information about the safety and effectiveness of the products overseas

Medsafe encourages anyone with concerns about any medicine to speak with trusted healthcare providers

While medical experts in New Zealand have dismissed Trump s claims as “a load of nonsense” and “quite scary , Brown would not be drawn into criticising the comments

I m the Minister of Health in New Zealand We have health experts here

“I m very much focused on New Zealand In terms of questions of foreign affairs, I suggest you put those to the [Minister of Foreign Affairs ] the Rt Hon Winston Peters,” he said Helen Petousis-Harris a vaccinologist and co-director of the Global Vaccine Data Network, told Newstalk ZB the Trump administration s declaration was a “load of nonsense

While, Dr Deralie Flower, an obste-

Govt to fund 75,000 more diagnostic procedures

Health Minister Simeon Brown announced $65 million in funding for diagnostic procedures yesterday.

Photo / Mark Mitchell

Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora will deliver an extra 75,000 diagnostic procedures this year including scans, heart tests and colonoscopies using public and private providers under a $65 million programme announced by Health Minister Simeon Brown.

The funding has been sourced from “efficiencies found in the outsourcing baselines across all four regions of Health New Zealand”, with the balance coming from a pool set aside to support the delivery of the Government’s key health targets, Brown said yesterday.

“It is estimated that approximately 40,000 New Zealanders are waiting longer than they should for the tests they need.

People

should talk to their midwife or their obstetrician before taking any health advice from President Trump.

Dr Deralie Flower

“Long waits not only cause stress and anxiety for patients and their families, they also delay the start of treatment and put extra pressure on our hospitals.

“This investment will expand access and reduce wait times so people can get answers sooner, doctors can diagnose problems earlier and patients can begin the right treatment without delay.

“For many, getting the right test at the right time will be lifechanging.”

Over the next year, the programme will deliver 74,950 additional procedures through both public and private providers, including: 64,000 radiology procedures, 7100 colonoscopies,

trician and president of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists’ Auckland branch, said it was disturbing “when people who are not experts in that field put out statements like that”

“People should talk to their midwife or their obstetrician before taking any health advice from President Trump ”

The New Zealand College of Midwives said the US administration’s rhetoric had caused “unnecessary concern” among expectant mothers and wanted to reassure pregnant women paracetamol was safe

2200 cardiac tests and 1650 colposcopies.

The diagnostics investment was in addition to the recently launched $30m investment in communityreferred radiology, which allowed patients to be referred for an ultrasound, CT or X-ray directly by their GP, urgent care doctor or nurse practitioner, without needing a hospital specialist or emergency department referral.

“By boosting capacity and widening referral pathways, we are cutting out double-handling, reducing delays, and ensuring patients get the right diagnosis and treatment sooner,” Brown said.

The minister said the initiative was supported by targeted workforce

It remains the safest recommended option for pain relief and fever management during pregnancy when used as directed,” the college said

“Paracetamol has been safely used for decades by pregnant women in Aotearoa and around the world

“While members of the Trump administration have raised questions about the safety of paracetamol in pregnancy, high-quality scientific evidence does not demonstrate a causal link or association between paracetamol use and autism or other developmental concerns

Autism NZ s chief executive Dane

growth, with work under way to expand training places in radiology and echo-sonography.

“It will also free up hospital specialists to focus on first specialist assessments and elective surgeries while reducing pressure on our emergency departments, which will help deliver on the Government’s health targets,” Brown said.

It comes after nationwide strikes by senior doctors and nurses over pay and conditions.

Brown has been in conflict with the doctors’ union, blaming them for failed pay talks with the Ministry of Health and posting a message in his electorate office windows thanking doctors who were not striking. RNZ

Dougan said the Trump administration’s efforts to find a definitive cause for autism has proven quite scary , given the lack of support from current scientific research

“To try to stop people being born as autistic I think is a very negative way of looking at it and quite harmful ” he told the Herald

He refuted the administration s claim that autism had been linked to paracetamol use during pregnancy

“While there has been a small number of studies about the association between autism and paracetamol, there has not been even a casual link shown to that yet ”

How prepared is New Zealand if the unthinkable happens?

Tom Rose

Most New Zealanders want the Government to prepare for catastrophic events that could threaten New Zealand’s and the world’s future.

New University of Otago research shows two-thirds of Kiwis believe the Government should draft action plans for threats such as a nuclear war in the Northern Hemisphere, bioweapons or the collapse of global institutions and trade flows.

The survey of 1000 people found bipartisan support for the idea that the Government should be responsible for preparing for such risks.

Professor Nick Wilson, senior researcher at the Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Public Health, said despite our geographical strengths, New Zealand was poorly placed to respond to global developments.

Aotearoa is often cited as one of the countries most likely to survive a global disaster such as a nuclear or

volcanic winter, he said.

“But this survival advantage will only matter if we have invested in resilience and governance structures in advance.”

Wilson highlighted agriculture’s dependence on imported fuels as a weakness. While New Zealand produced enough food for 40 million people, farming machinery still required power.

“There are significant gaps in our national planning for high-impact

risks, making the contrast between strong public support for planning and the Government’s limited preparedness quite striking.” Of those surveyed, 60% supported creating a dedicated commission or agency to monitor and report on catastrophic risks.

Wilson believes New Zealand can achieve this by moving beyond natural hazards and extending the National Risk Framework to prepare for all major risks including

doomsday scenarios.

“Public opinion is clear: most citizens want the Government to prepare for the unimaginable before it is too late,” he said.

“We need a dedicated agency or commission, either domestic or in partnership with Australia, to monitor, assess and co-ordinate responses to risks, and we need to invest in resilience measures, such as energy security, to ensure we can continue to produce enough food.”

Boost but no ‘boom’ for market

Property values flat, but economists forecast slow recovery in 2026

Raphael Franks

There are signs the housing market may be on track for growth next year, but econo-

mists say home owners keen for an uptick shouldn’t expect a boom New statistics from property data firm Cotality, formerly CoreLogic, reveal a majority of suburbs across New Zealand saw prices for standalone houses drop in the three months to September

While 56% of suburbs saw standalone house prices decline two-thirds of those experienced a

Farmer loses ERA appeal over $215k fines

Raphael Franks

A Southland dairy farmer and former imam who was found to have exploited his migrant workers has lost an appeal against the $215,000 in penalties he and his company were ordered to pay.

For four years, Reza Abdul-Jabbar and his company, Rural Practice Limited (RPL), did not pay workers the minimum wage, inappropriately paid holiday and leave entitlements, made unlawful deductions from employees’ pay packets, made workers pay premiums and failed to keep accurate employment records.

The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) also found Abdul-Jabbar and RPL had obstructed the authority’s investigations and penalised him a further $15,000 earlier this year.

Abdul-Jabbar and the company went to the Employment Court to appeal against the penalties from the first determination

They argued the $215,000 penalty was excessive because the judge’s starting point was too high, and it should have been reduced because of their financial situation.

They also argued that the ERA did not recognise the support they gave their workers, including accommodation and immigration help; that the ERA did not take into account that some employment breaches resulted in no financial loss for employees; and that the vulnerability of the workers was overstated.

Employment Court Judge Joanna Holden disagreed.

drop of less than 1%

The remaining 44% of suburbs saw values rise or remain flat

“There’s clearly still patchiness in the market, but this fits with the overall picture that national median values have drifted slightly lower in recent months Cotality New Zealand chief property economist Kelvin

Davidson said

“Overall, property values remain sluggish for now but conditions may be turning towards some growth in 2026 albeit likely muted ”

Suburbs where prices rose were more “affordable areas” Cotality’s data showed The strongest gains, of

more than 5%, were seen in parts of the Grey District, Buller and south Taranaki

Declines of nearly 4% were seen in the Auckland suburbs of Takapuna and Clevedon

“While it’s difficult to generalise across the various trends at a suburb level, there is certainly some resilience among standalone houses and townhouses in lower-priced areas, which will tend to have affordability on their side,” Davidson said

Davidson said the trend of slowly rising sales activity with stagnant property values was shaped by ongoing economic and labour market weaknesses

He said a strong lift in prices in the near term was hard to see However, he said there were some signs conditions were shifting

“With affordability returning back

closer to normal levels, listing volumes starting to decline, mortgage-rate falls increasingly passing through to existing borrowers as they reprice on to lower rates and the unemployment rate set to fall a bit next year conditions seem to be building for modest house price growth in 2026 but don’t expect a boom,” Davidson said

Infometrics chief economist Brad Olsen agreed with Davidson He told the Herald the talk is about modest growth

“There likely is a little bit of growth to come through, Olsen said

“There hasn t been much of a reaction to interest rate cuts and with slow population growth coupled with high levels of housing stock available

“But with further interest rates scheduled between now and the end

of the year, it lays the groundwork for some slightly stronger growth coming next year but we certainly wouldn’t overblow it ”

ANZ senior economist Matthew Galt told the Herald the bank was forecasting a “gradual pick-up” in house prices next year

“We re forecasting house prices to end 2025 the same way they ended 2024, so no growth, and then a gradual pick-up as interest rates start supporting the market,” Galt said

“We don’t expect house prices to race away for much the same reasons they’ve been flat this year; the Reserve Bank has only just cut [the Official Cash Rate] back to neutral from high levels and another factor is that rates and insurance costs have been going up while rent has been going down ”

She said the starting point for penalties was open to the authority, financial incapacity was not established, support given to employees was not a mitigating factor, and the employees were vulnerable.

“There was a clear imbalance of power between the employees and Mr Abdul-Jabbar.

“The plaintiffs took advantage of

the employees as new immigrants from Indonesia, who lacked knowledge of local law and employment requirements in New Zealand.

“The authority also noted some other matters that disadvantaged the employees; they were vulnerable workers.”

Holden dismissed the appeal by Abdul-Jabbar and RPL, saying, “the

level of penalties is proportionate having regard to the multiple, systemic, and intentional breaches found by the authority, as well as the financial impact of those breaches”.

The Labour Inspectorate’s southern region compliance manager, Brendon Strieker, said the court’s decision reinforced that employers could not hide behind complexity or goodwill.

“There will be consequences for those who choose to exploit their workers for financial gain.”

Abdul-Jabbar was a community and religious leader who acted as a spiritual adviser and mentor for at least one of the three workers he exploited. He was previously an imam at a mosque in Invercargill.

Kitchen Things customers hit with extra charges after collapse

Cameron Smith

A Kitchen Things customer has been told they must pay almost $2000 extra to receive a stove they had already bought, while receivers demand top-up payments from frustrated buyers.

The kitchen and laundry appliance retailer, along with its related entities, is in voluntary administration and receivership, owing creditors more than $16.6 million.

The customer told the Herald that receivers at Grant Thornton had informed them they could only release a stove to them if they paid an additional $1899.50 on top of the original $3799 they had already paid. In a letter seen by the Herald

receivers explained to the customer that “due to the company not having allocated a specific item to your order before the commencement of the receivership, the transaction to purchase the item(s) had not been completed”.

The receivers said as a result, they were unable to trace a specific item to the sales order.

“Unfortunately, we cannot complete the original transaction as intended and amounts paid already cannot be refunded or credited,” the letter said.

The customer told the Herald they felt there was so little that unsecured creditors could do.

“I know this can be standard practice in receiverships, but it feels like extortion,” they said.

“We know there is a floor model

that is exactly what we had purchased but the receivers haven’t offered that to us.”

Another customer who was sent a similar letter was asked to pay a further $724.50 or 50% again on the original price they paid for a Bosch washing machine.

“I happened to drive past the store to see they were having a sale all this week I went in and a staff member located our machine via serial number but they phoned the [receiver] and we were told we could not take it until we received an email

“I received [an] email asking us to pay 50% again on a newly generated invoice with the same serial number.”

Receivers for Kitchen Things wouldn’t answer questions from the Herald directly; however, pointed towards a FAQ for those affected.

The receivers say customers with legal rights to specific items “may be entitled to receive those items” where the item has been “legally sold before the receivership”.

However, it says “if a specific item of stock was not allocated to your order pre-receivership (with a specific serial number assigned), this means that the sale has not completed.

“The result of this is that you do not have a claim to a specific item of stock and any payments made towards that order become an unsecured claim against the company.”

The receivers say where items are available, affected customers would receive a letter of offer to buy those items at a price calculated by either: the remaining balance owed by the

customer (for partially paid orders) or 50% of the sales price (for fully paid orders) per item.

Last week it was announced that Kitchen Things’ Napier and Nelson stores would permanently close. However, receiver Stephen Keen from Grant Thornton said there was hope for other stores across the country.

“It’s unfortunate there has been a lack of interest in the Napier and Nelson stores, but we remain optimistic the other stores in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch may be acquired by one of the interested parties we are working with.

“In the meantime, we are continuing to sell stock held at heavily discounted prices to achieve the best possible recovery.”

‘One of my great fears is getting cancer’

Gower discovers pre-cancerous growth while filming

Paddy Gower faced one of his greatest fears on television on Tuesday night publicly grappling with a potential cancer diagnosis while filming a segment for his current affairs show Paddy Gower Has Issues

As part of the show’s lead segment, calling for New Zealand s bowel cancer screening age to be lowered, Gower was filmed having a colonoscopy a procedure that examines the inside of the colon to check for polyps and cancerous growths

“Screening and catching bowel cancer early, saves lives,” Gower said when introducing the episode

What the audience didn’t know was that the award-winning journalist was talking about himself

During the endoscopic examination, two growths were found to be developing in Gower s bowels and were snared and cauterised

Gower, 48, has medical anxiety due to a family history with cancer telling the Herald: “My mum died of cancer one of my great fears is getting cancer myself To hear that I had a pre-cancerous growth it was really quite frightening ”

Colorectal surgeon Frank Frizell who performed the private procedure out of hours, told the journalist “It’s good that you’re having this procedure given what I ve seen already

Post-procedure, the surgeon explained that one of the polyps was pre-cancerous and if left untreated it presented a high chance of turning up as more mischief for you”

The revelation gave the reporter a personal perspective on calls to widen access to bowel cancer screening

“In eight to 10 years it would be a full bowel cancer I d still be beneath the current screening age of 60 ”

At 48 and with no symptoms

Gower wouldn’t meet current criteria to access a colonoscopy This brought up a range of emotions for him I feel really bad having got one I got it as a TV stunt to show people what it can do

For an episode of his show Paddy Gower Has Issues, Gower was filmed having a colonoscopy. Photo / Three

Bowel cancer symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms, please see your GP straight away:

● Bleeding from the bottom

● A change in bowel habit over several weeks

● Abdominal pain, especially if severe

● Any lumps in your abdomen

● Unexplained weight loss tiredness

32 During a 2023 election debate, Yates challenged Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins, who were Opposition leader and Prime Minister respectively at the time, to lower the national bowel cancer screening age from 60 to 45, the age Australia currently screens from Both agreed Luxon is yet to make good on his promise, and Gower used the episode as a chance to probe the Prime Minister on the perceived inaction

screening age They say the meeting was constructive with the minister outlining work taken in response to the charity s screening proposals put to him in February “but screening timelines remain unclear

In the episode, the Prime Minister acknowledged staffing was a key pacing issue impeding progress

Bowel Cancer New Zealand chief executive Peter Huskinson says 300 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in New Zealand each month and 100 people lose their lives to the disease Estimates say nearly half of those deaths are avoidable

Another heartbreaking aspect of the episode involved Aimee-Rose Yates a Bowel Cancer New Zealand ambassador, who died in July, aged

“You just think of all the other people out there that have those precancerous growths like what I had your mind boggles To think that there’s 20,000 people with symptoms [on the current waiting list], it’s just absolutely heartbreaking ”

In August, Bowel Cancer New Zealand met with Minister of Health Simeon Brown to advocate for lowering the national bowel

In a statement provided to Paddy Gower Has Issues the Prime Minister s Office signalled a forthcoming announcement around a rollout of home tests to ease demand on colonoscopies, saying they would have “more to say about it soon” Gower says he appreciates the Prime Minister s latest commitment and believes he has genuine intentions to do something about the colonoscopy demand

“There s still time for the Prime Minister to keep his promise to Aimee-Rose and hopefully he does ”

Woman spared jail in partner killing

The lawyer for a woman whose Mongrel Mob partner was shot dead after she asked her uncle to “smash” him says she was under threat and had no way of knowing how events would unfold.

Jade Arohanui Oldridge, 30, was yesterday sentenced in the High Court at Wellington for her part in Dean Kahukiwa’s death.

The 32-year-old was shot five times in his Horowhenua home in September 2023 in retribution for a beating he had allegedly meted out to her.

His body wasn’t discovered until nine days later, when firefighters were called to a fire at the Reeve St house in Foxton.

Four people have already been sentenced in relation to Kahukiwa’s death, including Quentin WahoMarsden, 27, who must serve at least 17 years for his murder.

Oldridge, whose hearing couldn’t proceed with the others because of an issue over her bail address, was sentenced on a charge of injuring with intent to injure.

According to the summary of facts, Oldridge was taken to Lower Hutt Hospital two days before the killing after she was beaten, but left before being assessed or receiving treatment.

She and Kahukiwa spent the following day in Lower Hutt, visiting family and friends before returning home to Foxton.

The next day, Monday, September 18, they were at home.

The summary said Oldridge referred to Teresa McKenzie and William Hines as aunty and uncle.

That morning, she messaged McKenzie saying, “Aunty cn u tell

uncle cme nine Please And smash this c***.”

Oldridge then called her aunty, which was followed by a text message saying, “Cn come mine aunty please.”

McKenzie responded immediately saying; “I let uncle no now baby,” to which Oldridge responded, “Please aunty now.”

McKenzie responded, saying, “he’s coming now my baby”.

The pair continued to text each other, with McKenzie telling Oldridge, “Don’t let him know your uncles on his way but don’t tell him he will f***** sort it,” followed by “love you my baby”.

“I haven’t told him aunty,” Oldridge responded.

After those text messages, Hines and his associate Waho-Marsden

met at the house in Reeve St, Foxton. They approached the house together, and Kahukiwa answered the door wearing only a towel

While Hines remained outside, Waho-Marsden walked inside carrying a gun and shot Kahukiwa five times with a .22 calibre firearm. One round pierced his heart.

Hines was jailed for six and a half years after admitting a charge of manslaughter.

Yesterday, Oldridge’s lawyer Paul Paino told the High Court she hadn’t set out to hurt her partner, but sent the texts because she was being threatened by him.

She reached out to a member of her family, something she’d never done before, because Kahukiwa’s behaviour was also out of character.

Things had got out of control and

she could not have predicted what happened, he said.

“The family has obviously lost someone who was very popular and loved. I just want the court to understand she loved him and she lost him as well,” he said.

The extent of the family’s loss was evident in the victim impact statement prepared by Kahukiwa’s brother, Wayne Tohiariki, on behalf of the family.

The statement, which was read out at the earlier sentencing, made it clear the family were not only deeply saddened by Kahukiwa’s death, but hold Oldridge responsible for setting off the chain of events that led to it.

“I hope the justice system sees Jade for what she is and what she did,” it said.

in the High Court at Wellington in relation to the death of her partner Dean

At sentencing, Justice Karen Grau acknowledged that while she understood the family’s view, Oldridge’s involvement in sending the texts was to have Kahukiwa beaten up and she did not expect him to be seriously injured or killed.

Crown prosecutor Emma Ferrier said that while the court had to be mindful of the charge the defendant was being sentenced for, it could also take into account the injury involved being the death of Kahukiwa in his own home.

She also noted the aggravating features in the case, including the vigilante action and the degree of premeditation by sending multiple text messages.

In mitigation, Justice Grau acknowledged that Oldridge had no previous convictions and had pleaded guilty. She also allowed a discount for Oldridge’s immaturity, saying that explained, in part, her decision to contact family members in the way she had.

But she did not accept Oldridge had shown remorse, suggesting she’d attempted to distance herself from the offending and didn’t accept the summary of facts she’d pleaded guilty to.

Justice Grau did accept that Oldridge felt sorrow for the loss of her partner, noting that situations involving domestic violence were often complex.

Adopting a starting point of two years’ jail, the judge reduced that to 16 months, leaving open the option of a non-custodial sentence.

In sentencing Oldridge to six months’ community detention with a nightly curfew, coupled with 24 months’ intensive supervision, the judge warned Oldridge that any issues of non-compliance risked her being sent to jail.

Iwi flips flats weeks after purchase

Kainga Ora defends selling Dixon Street block for below market value

Nikk

Iwi flipped Wellington s Dixon Street Flats for just over $3 million less than three weeks after buying the block from Kainga Ora for a third of the price

Property records show Taranaki Whanui Limited the commercial organisation set up to manage the Treaty settlement package for Wellington iwi, sold the landmark social housing block to a company linked to prominent developer Ian Cassels

Wellington’s Dixon Street Flats has been bought by a company linked to prominent developer Ian Cassels.

Both sale prices were significantly below the property s market value of $4m and the RV of $18 9m

The flip has been criticised by Act housing spokesman Cameron Luxton who called on Kainga Ora to explain why it sold the property for the price it did

“No one would behave like that if it was their own money on the line

It looks like they ve scammed themselves,” he told OneRoof

Kainga Ora announced last month that it had sold the 11-storey Dixon Street Flats to Taranaki Whanui Limited for $1 04m The agreement between the two bodies was signed on June 25

Twenty days later, on July 15, Taranaki Whanui Limited sold the building to Dixon Reboot Limited

which is linked to Cassels’ development firm The Wellington Company for $3 04m Both transactions settled on August 14, 2025

Daniel Soughtton, Kainga Ora’s deputy chief executive for central defended the sale of the heritageprotected property to iwi for $1 04m

He told OneRoof that when Kainga Ora first offered the Dixon Street Flats to iwi under the Right of First Refusal (RFR) process in their Treaty settlement, Taranaki Whanui Limited had initially offered to pay a lot less

The opening offers they made on the

price if we put the property on the open market given its challenges and the scale of investment needed ” The Dixon Street Flats which had been used for social housing for more than 80 years, were closed in 2022

At the time, Kainga Ora said the building required significant upgrades, with remediation and strengthening work estimated to cost more than $125m

Soughtton told OneRoof Kainga Ora approached other developers with the financial means and development capacity to take on the project as part of its initial market testing They were either not interested or cautious he said

“The only strong interest was from the developer who partnered with Taranaki Whanui Limited,” he said, referring to the block’s new owners

When asked by OneRoof if Kainga Ora reached out to contact the developer directly, the state housing agency said: No, we didn t, as they were already working in partnership with Taranaki Whanui and involved in our discussions about the Dixon Street Flats ”

OneRoof also asked Kainga Ora who ultimately made this decision not to put the Dixon Street Flats on the open market The agency replied that the sale to Taranaki Whanui was approved through Kainga Ora’s “standard process for divestments”

Soughtton added: “We believed a deal with iwi that retained the land in their ownership and made use of the property for housing was a good outcome ”

Taranaki Whanui did not respond to OneRoof s request for comment before publication

However, chief executive Kara Puketapu-Dentice told NZME in August that the iwi had already onsold the building to a development partner

“While Taranaki Whanui will not own or manage the building, we have ensured it will continue to provide housing within the city for the future he said last month Sam Hooper, director of property at The Wellington Company, said the decision to buy Dixon Street Flats was based on the company’s assessment of the building’s potential He told OneRoof the company planned to deliver about 117 accessible and sustainable apartments at the site

“While others have walked away, we see it as an opportunity to preserve an important part of Wellington s architectural history and to deliver much-needed quality affordable housing into the city,” he said

private He did not respond to OneRoof’s questions as to why it paid $2m more than iwi for the site

Housing Minister Chris Bishop did not respond to specific questions from OneRoof about whether the Government had undersold the property

In a statement he said Commercial decisions by Taranaki Whanui Ltd are matters for them, but any redevelopment of the Dixon Street Flats is good news for Wellington

“It is very early days for 134 Dixon Street but we will be working closely with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga to honour the building’s status as a Category 1 Historic Place, and with mana whenua, Taranaki Whanui, to ensure employment and training opportunities are created for whanau as part of the project Our focus remains on ensuring Wellington s built heritage is not lost but instead reimagined to meet the city s future housing needs Hooper said the terms of its partnership with Taranaki Whanui were

Commenting on the sale to iwi in August Bishop told NZME it was “a good outcome for Wellington” adding “I look forward to seeing what they [Taranaki Whanui Ltd] do with it” But Luxton criticised Kainga Ora over the sale “If there s a valid reason [for selling for less than market value], the public hasn t heard it, he said

Taxpayers will only have confidence in Kainga Ora’s ability to deliver value for money when its decisions are transparent and defensible

“Giving iwi the first right of refusal did not mean settling for less than market value These assets belong to taxpayers, and Kainga Ora has a duty to get the best possible return ” A Labour spokesperson said it did not have enough details about the plans for the Dixon St site to comment

A Wellington City Council spokesman said there had been no recent resource consent or building consent applications made in relation to 134 Dixon St

MatthewHooton

OPINION Matthew Hooton works in political and corporate communications and clients have included the National and Act parties and the mayor of Auckland

nder fire when defending embattled Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the Herald s Mood of Boardroom breakfast on Wednesday, Finance Minister Nicola Willis quipped I have been writing the same column for three years

She s right, except it s more like 17 years

The repetition reflects no action having been taken over those 17 years to tackle the fiscal and thus economic catastrophe Treasury has warned about since 2006

Since 2008, each of the KeyEnglish, Ardern-Hipkins and now Luxon Governments has done little if anything to reverse the country’s disastrous trajectory, as Willis acknowledged in publicly criticising Sir John Key

Instead, our leaders have governed by slogan, not just during election campaigns but when bashing out their ever-less ambitious and increasingly meaningless policy platforms

Rather than taking Treasury’s warnings seriously they have enjoyed office while mainly accelerating New Zealand along the path to penury and third-tier living standards

Don t believe me? Within hours of the minister’s quip, Treasury again confirmed exactly what it and I have been saying for 17 years

Treasury s short-term economic forecasts often prove unreliable as events buffet the economy

Yet projections in its Long-Term Fiscal Statements have proven remarkably accurate and stable since 2006

Changes have mostly been deteriorations, as successive governments borrowed and spent vastly more than officials imagined In 2006 net debt was 6% of GDP

That followed two decades of hard work by Sir Roger Douglas and Ruth Richardson to control spending, and Sir William Birch, Winston Peters and Sir Michael Cullen then achieving and maintaining surpluses to pay the debt back

But Treasury warned the ageing population meant governments needed to finish paying back the debt and then start saving to prepare for a fiscal blowout around 2030 when the Baby Boomers retired and needed ever-more expensive medical attention in their final years

Even in 2006, Treasury warned that without major policy change, borrowing would resume Net debt it projected, would pass 25% of GDP around 2030, 50% in 2040 and balloon above 100% of GDP

17 years of ignoring Treasury warnings

PATH TO PENURY

in the early 2050s

If only things had turned out merely that bad

All along Treasury argued that the sooner politicians got on to the job, the easier the ride for people in the present and future

Yet, even in 2006, Treasury doubted politicians would be up for it

Campaigning in 2008, Key declared New Zealand didn t have a debt problem, it had a growth problem

Faced with the Global Financial Crisis and then the Christchurch earthquakes he allowed Sir Bill English to blow out the operating deficit to 8 9% of GDP in 2011 a record of fiscal vandalism in my view that not even Labour s Grant Robertson would beat in the middle of Covid, reaching “only” 7 3% of GDP in 2020

English never ran a cash surplus over eight Budgets, with gross debt blowing out from $31 billion in 2008 to $87b when Steven Joyce took over Under English, net debt had leapt from $10b to $59b, before falling in Joyce’s single Budget and Robertson’s

first two the only three fiscally responsible Budgets since Cullen’s Robertson then blew it, borrowing $52b cash in four years compared with the $56b English did in eight, taking gross debt to $136b by 2023

On net debt, Robertson was even worse, taking it from $58b in 2019 to $155b by 2023

Despite Willis’ heroic efforts to control spending, Luxon s arguably reckless election promises and other extra spending have meant she has failed to repay any of English and Robertson s debt

To the contrary, by June 2025, gross debt under Willis had exploded by a further $74b compared with June 2023

Over the same two years net debt soared $40b more

By next year’s election, Treasury forecasts gross debt will pass $239b over $100b more than three years earlier Net debt will have increased $63b through the Luxon Government s first term to a record $199b

The combined profligacy of the Key-English Ardern-Hipkins and

Luxon Governments means that by 2026 we’ll enter the last straight towards 2030 with net debt of around $200b or 44% of GDP when had there been no policy changes after 2006 Treasury thought it would be only around $84b or 19% of GDP

Compared with 2021’s long-term projections, Wednesday s numbers reveal net debt didn’t go quite as high under Robertson as Treasury then feared But Treasury also thought net debt would start declining after the 2023 election It has instead soared, and there will never again be a cash or surplus operating balance before gains and losses (Obegal) Treasury now projects net debt will be higher under Willis policies from 2026 than it feared in 2021 under Robertson’s and will stay on a higher track until the 2040s

The only good news is that Treasury projects net debt will pass 100% of GDP under Willis’ policies in 2050, two years later than the 2048 doomsday projected under Robertson s in 2021 Under Willis policies, according to Treasury predictions net debt will pass 200% of GDP in 2065 compared with 2062 as projected under the previous Finance Minister Terrific!

Partisans determined to defend one or more of the Key-English, Ardern-Hipkins or Luxon Governments point to various shocks since 2006 that prompted the extra borrowing, starting with the GFC and the Christchurch earthquakes, and including other earthquakes, floods, wars, terrorist attacks, Covid US tariffs and financial troubles

Treasury reports that Governments in that time have used

such events as excuses to borrow about 10% of GDP more each decade

In contrast, Birch Peters and Cullen resolved to keep the books in surplus even after the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis and 9/11 terrorist attacks and succeeded in doing so

In fact, probably only Covid truly justified significant borrowing, albeit nothing like what Robertson charged up All the other events used by the Key-English, Ardern-Hipkins and Luxon Governments to justify massive borrowing could have been handled the way Birch Peters and Cullen coped with the crises they faced

On Wednesday, Treasury boss Iain Rennie again urged the Government to get moving on addressing the post2030 catastrophe, but his pleas are likely to prove as futile as those of his predecessors since 2006

Despite having lost the confidence of the general public, as measured by polling, and of the business community according to Mood of the Boardroom, Luxon insists defiantly that he s not resigning Nor does he plan personnel changes declaring Willis the best Finance Minister that New Zealand will ever have Nor does he signal any significant policy change

Like all his predecessors since 2008 Luxon plans to carry on full speed towards the abyss

That means I’ll be writing this column again next year, and the year after, and beyond right until a Prime Minister finally resolves to take the necessary actions to avoid the disaster everyone in the political class has known about for at least the past 17 years

Police seek Interpol help to ID man found dead in Christchurch

Jazlyn

World

Detainee killed in sniper attack on Ice facility

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blames attack on ‘rhetoric’ directed at Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Adetainee was killed and two were wounded in a sniper attack Wednesday on a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in the Texas city of Dallas officials said

The gunman, who opened fire “indiscriminately” on the Ice field office from the roof of a nearby building, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said

The shooter s precise motive was still under investigation, but the FBI said he appears to have been directly targeting Ice, the agency chiefly responsible for carrying out US President Donald Trump s pledge to expel millions of undocumented migrants

“Early evidence that we’ve seen from rounds that were found near the suspected shooter contain messages that are anti-Ice in nature,” FBI special agent Joe Rothrock told a press conference FBI Director Kash Patel published a photo on X of five unspent bullets one of which was marked with the words “ANTI-ICE” and denounced what he called despicable, politically motivated attacks against law enforcement”

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, blamed the attack on “Radical Left Democrats constantly demonising Law Enforcement calling for Ice to be demolished, and comparing Ice Officers to ‘Nazis’ ”

“The continuing violence from Radical Left Terrorists in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk s assassination, must be stopped,” he said in a reference to the conservative influencer killed earlier this month

DHS said the shooter fired indiscriminately at the Ice building, including at a van in the sallyport where the victims were shot”

The Mexican foreign ministry said one of those wounded is a Mexican citizen

The gunman s name was not released by the authorities yesterday, but multiple media reports identified him as Joshua Jahn 29

The Ice facility where the shooting occurred processes detainees before they are transferred to a long-term detention centre

Like Trump, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also blamed the attack on rhetoric directed at Ice

“For months, we ve been warning politicians and the media to tone down their rhetoric about Ice law enforcement before someone was killed,” Noem said “These horrendous killings must serve as a wakeup call to the far-left that their rhetoric about Ice has consequences ”

Otherrecentattacks

Shooting shows how easily political violence boomerangs

Opinion

A shooter at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in the United States yesterday was apparently targeting law enforcement but shot three detainees instead.

The horrific episode serves as an allegory for how politically motivated violence almost never achieves its intended goal.

Something similar happened in Atlanta last month when an antivaccine shooter fired hundreds of bullets at six buildings at the headquarters of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

His rampage killed a responding police officer a father of two children, with a third on the way who had nothing to do with vaccines.

And on Friday, a gunman shot up an ABC affiliate in Sacramento, in what authorities believe was a politically motivated response to the network’s temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s comedy show a day earlier.

None of the journalists working at the ABC station had anything to do with that decision, nor did the drive-by shooting have any impact on whether Kimmel would return.

In fact, violence typically bolsters the causes of victims.

US political activist Charlie Kirk’s movement is already bigger, and the group he founded more popular, in death than in life. His wife, Erika, will carry his torch after his killing earlier this month. Their cause will endure.

Political violence, like school shootings, risks inspiring copycats

There have been calls to tone down the political rhetoric from both Democrats and Republicans following Kirk’s September 10 assassination Ice’s prominent role in the Trump immigration crackdown has sparked widespread criticism over its use of armed, masked agents to conduct raids in public places against undocumented migrants After Ice immigration raids in Los Angeles spurred unrest and protests earlier this year Trump dispatched the National Guard and US Marines

Trapped miners brought out alive

unless forceful steps are taken. The Ice facility where yesterday’s shooting happened faced a bomb threat last month.

Just two months ago, Patel said an individual ambushed officers at a nearby Ice facility.

President Donald Trump correctly pointed out during his eulogy for Kirk on Sunday in Phoenix that “no side in American politics has a monopoly on disturbed or misguided people”.

He also criticised the absurd view that became fashionable among some liberal academics during the late 2010s that certain forms of speech can be considered violent because they cause stress.

“If speech is violence, then some are bound to conclude that violence is justified to stop speech,” Trump said. “And we’re not going to let that be justified.”

Speech is not violent. It is a cure for violence. Free and open debate is a safety valve.

Trump knows this firsthand because he came within an inch of being assassinated last summer in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Nine weeks after that, a Secret Service agent spotted Ryan Wesley Routh in the bushes with a rifle at Trump’s golf course in Florida.

On Wednesday, a Florida jury found Routh guilty of trying to kill Trump, after which Routh tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen.

No one who perpetrates political violence deserves even the slightest sympathy, regardless of their ideological background or motives. This is essential to prevent attacks from being effective.

Washington Post

to the California city

Another Ice facility in Texas was the target of an attack in July that left a police officer wounded in the neck

At least 10 people have been charged for their roles in the attack on the Ice centre in the town of Alvarado According to a criminal complaint, the assailants dressed in black military-style clothing shot fireworks at the Ice facility and spraypainted “Traitor” and “Ice Pig” on cars and a guard structure

The Alvarado incident came just days before a man armed with an assault rifle opened fire at a US Border Patrol facility in McAllen, Texas The 27-year-old man fired dozens of rounds from an assault rifle at the entrance of the Border Patrol annex before being shot dead Two police officers and a Border Patrol employee were injured AFP

All 23 goldminers trapped for 48 hours in a collapsed shaft in Colombia emerged mud-covered but largely unscathed from their ordeal yesterday to loud applause from colleagues and loved ones above ground.

Images shared by the state mining agency showed the miners brought out one by one, supported by rescuers and clutching water bottles at La

Reliquia mine, some four hours from Colombia’s second city of Medellin in the northwestern Antioquia department.

“Come on, come on, you can do it,” wellwishers encouraged as the men were hauled out, clutching ropes, before falling into the embrace of family members, visibly relieved.

The miners, stuck underground

Annual eating contest roars

Fat Bear Week is under way again.

The annual tongue-in-cheek contest pits bears against each other in the US state of Alaska as they stuff themselves with salmon to prepare for months of hibernation.

The unwitting competitors known only by their numbers battle it out in a series of head-to-head votes, with hundreds of thousands of people around the world expected to cast a ballot. The winner at the end of the week will be the bear voters judge to have piled on the most kilos.

The online contest began in 2014 with just a few thousand people voting, but has now turned into an outsize exercise in democracy. Organisers said that about 1.2 million votes were cast from more than 100 countries in Fat Bear Week last year. “Like a bear’s body mass in late

The unwitting competitors battle it out in a series of head-to-head

summer, anticipation for the tournament

since the early hours of Monday in a shaft 80m underground, had been receiving food, water and oxygen through underground pipelines.

Officials said they received sustenance throughout the rescue operation and had been able to communicate with families and rescuers by telephone.

The mine’s ventilation system

to life in US

Voters compare before-and-after pictures of the enormous animals in Katmai National Park, Alaska to see which one looks best equipped to thrive in the lean months of hibernation. The aim is to raise awareness of brown bears and their habitat in Alaska, and the risks they face from human activity.

About 2000 bears in the park start chubbing up in late summer and early autumn. They can eat up to 45kg of salmon a day as they prepare for five months of hibernation. During the deep sleep, the animals rarely wake to eat, drink or even go to the toilet, emerging famished and a lot thinner in the Northern Hemisphere spring.

Voting in this year’s poll at explore.org/fat-bear-week closes next Wednesday. AFP

continued functioning throughout.

The rescue was achieved after “48 hours of non-stop operations,” Colombia’s National Mining Agency (ANM) said on X on Wednesday.

Friends and relatives waited anxiously the entire night for news on the miners’ fate.

The site is operated by a local cooperative on behalf of Canada’s Aris

Mining Corporation.

Mining accidents are frequent in Colombia and claim dozens of lives each year, usually at unlicensed mines.

Last year, the toll was 124, according to the ANM.

On Monday, seven miners who had been trapped in an illegal gold mine were found dead in an area in the country’s southwest where guerrilla

groups engage in gold extraction and cocaine trafficking.

Another 18 were rescued alive from a collapsed gold mine in the northwest in July after a day-long emergency operation.

The mining and hydrocarbons sector accounts for half of Colombia’s legal exports. AFP

Spanish court extends gender violence law to animal cruelty case

A court in Spain has convicted a man for killing a puppy in front of his partner in a ruling that for the first time applied a gender violence law to a case of animal abuse.

A specialist gender violence court on the island of Gran Canaria found the 18-year-old guilty of throwing the four-month-old puppy the couple jointly owned off a cliff while threatening to take his own life. It handed him a suspended sentence of one year and one day in prison, according to the ruling dated September 22 obtained by AFP yesterday.

“The animal’s death was intentionally employed as a means to inflict psychological damage,” the court said.

As a result the court said the case should be viewed “through a gender perspective” and be recognised as “vicarious violence against a companion animal” which needs “stronger punitive measures”.

Acts of vicarious violence or violence by proxy usually refer to a form of gender-based abuse where a partner harms a child in order to inflict suffering on the mother.

This is the first time a Spanish court has applied legislation against vicarious violence to a case where an animal was harmed, Spain’s legal watchdog, the CGPJ, said in a statement, calling it a “groundbreaking ruling”.

The court also barred the man

from approaching or contacting the woman for two years and one day.

Spain is a pioneer in the fight against gender-based violence.

A law that entered into force in 2005 introduced a range of new support measures for women, including specialised courts, free legal assistance, emergency housing and prosecution even if the victim did not submit a complaint

As well as gathering statistics on feminicides, the Spanish Government also monitors vicarious violence.

Figures from the equality ministry show over 60 children have been murdered by their father, or by their mother’s companion or excompanion since 2013. AFP

security Carney’s personal safety, Gasse said. RBC spokesperson Cheryl Brean told AFP that the bank “took immediate action” once the suspicious conduct was identified and “the individual is no longer employed at the bank”.

Trial for PM’s wife

A judge investigating Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s wife Begona Gomez for alleged embezzlement has ordered her to stand trial, a court document showed on Wednesday. The long-running probe is one of several into Sanchez’s family and former close allies that have embarrassed the Socialist leader and heaped pressure on his minority coalition. The investigation centres on whether an official employed in the premier’s office, Cristina Alvarez, also did work for Gomez while the latter held a position at Madrid’s Complutense University. Judge Juan Carlos Peinado said in a ruling dated Tuesday that his preliminary investigation showed that a jury trial was warranted and summoned Gomez to appear in court on Saturday.

You say We say Daylight saving back, but we’re already tired

Christmas chocolate is in the shops It’s raining during the school holidays Must be time, then, for a springtime change of clocks

Another 27-week stint of observing daylight saving time begins for New Zealand on Sunday

That means we wind the clocks forward (on those increasingly rare devices not connected to the internet), lose an hour of sleep, and wake up to a darker morning

Evidence supporting ending this seasonal timeswitching however is mounting Not only has United States President Donald Trump pushed for it, but last week Californian medical school Stanford Medicine published new research suggesting people s health would be better for it

The study found changing the clocks twice a year disrupts circadian rhythms the body’s sunlightsynced internal clock leading to higher rates of stroke and obesity

We found that staying in standard time or staying in daylight saving time is definitely better than switching twice a year ” the senior author said

Too much light exposure at the wrong times weakens the circadian cycle which affects immune systems and energy levels

The study suggested permanent standard time prioritising more morning light, may be the least disruptive for most Americans The researchers’ modelling suggested it could lead to 2 6 million fewer people with obesity and 300,000 fewer stroke cases

Prior research found a link between the daylight savings switch-on and increased heart attacks, hospitalisations and fatal crashes

New Zealand has observed a period of daylight saving on and off since 1927 The current dates, from the last Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April have been set since 2007

The Government last surveyed Kiwi attitudes to daylight saving in 2008, when it found broad support

It’s an issue unlikely to make it on to the Government’s agenda, as it navigates a more pervasive darkness the economic gloom

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is “focused 100% on actually growing this economy

Consider this, then: A 30-year study from the London School of Economics and Political Science last year found that people are less productive on the Monday after the switch, even though they tend to work longer For some, the loss of sleep can have compounding effects for six days

But if health and economic risks are not enough to sway public opinion the list of household tasks Kiwis are being encouraged to complete on switchon day is growing

It’s not just changing the clocks and checking the smoke alarm batteries now

Auckland Emergency Management’s new campaign urges Aucklanders to use the springforward as a reminder to reset their emergency preparations

Important as these tasks are, we re already tired

Missing a climate change chance

Despite a teleprompter malfunction US

President Donald Trump’s highly provocative message to the United Nations was delivered with his usual pomposity “that climate change is a hoax and the greatest con job ever perpetuated on the world”.

Oh, really? What planet is the so-called leader of the free world living on? In the real world, beyond the confines of his Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, and the White House, heatwaves and tropical storms are intensifying, droughts, wildfires and flooding are growing more severe and destructive.

It’s a shame the President doesn’t subscribe to scientific journals such as ScientificAmerican, which unequivocally views global warming as a dire, man-made climate crisis.

banquet to send a message by seating Sir David Attenborough beside the President BruceEliott,StHeliers.

Health at tipping point

New Zealand’s health workforce is already stretched to breaking point.

Yet the Government’s austerity approach seems to assume that wealthier citizens will be able to rely on private healthcare when the public system falters as if we might emulate the United States’ model.

That assumption is misguided. Our private hospitals cannot manage trauma, medical admissions, intensive care, or many cancer treatments. We simply do not have the population to sustain a comprehensive private hospital system.

A second, often overlooked risk is the impact on health professionals themselves.

Doctors and nurses are not just providers of care they are also patients, parents and partners. When they fear their own families will not be able to access safe and timely care here, the attraction of moving to Australia becomes overwhelming. Unlike the canary in the coalmine, our workforce is uncaged and already showing signs of flight

Mood no surprise

The opinions expressed in the Mood of the Boardroom report come as no surprise. National’s lack of decisive leadership, combined with Labour’s reluctance to reveal any clear policies, does not inspire confidence in meaningful progress.

Next year’s edition will be especially revealing, offering a timely commentary on the political and economic landscape in the lead-up to the election.

It will no doubt influence not only businesses but also the way the wider public votes. Should the opinions remain unchanged, the minor parties may well gain outsized influence, as both major parties will be forced to rely on them to form a Government.

The time has come for the two major parties to reach bipartisan agreement on the major issues affecting the country for the nation to prosper.

IanDoube,Rotorua.

Classrooms a place to unite

King Charles missed a golden opportunity at his lavish Windsor Castle state

This compounds the exodus already driven by pay and conditions. Austerity will not save money. It risks pushing our health system past its tipping point and by then, it will be too late.

GrantHounsell,Auckland.

I was shocked to read about the decision to remove te reo Maori words from children’s early reader books. This policy sends the wrong message to young New Zealanders about the value of our official language.

Children are often underestimated for their remarkable capabilities. They can easily learn a few Maori words alongside English, and doing so helps them develop a respect for our bicultural identity.

Photo of the day

A salesman arranges diamond ornaments, at Jos Alukkas jewellery store in Bengaluru as India and the United States hold trade discussions in the capital New Delhi. The two countries are seeking to resolve a tariff row.

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Emmerson’s view

I know this from experience, I am a Year 13 student whose first language is English, and the Maori books I read growing up were some of my favourite books from that time.

They never confused me or held me back. In fact, they made me more enthusiastic about reading in general, no matter what language it was in.

They taught me that new words can be exciting and fun, not something to be afraid of.

Instead of cutting te reo out, we should be celebrating it and making sure all tamariki have equal access to it. Our classrooms are the best place to unite us, not divide us.

PaniaAwakokoAttwood, NgatiRanginui,Te Whanau-a-Apanui.

Eligibility and the Cup

There are two approaches a country can take to developing a Rugby World Cupwinning team.

You can have a domestic league and disqualify any players who ply their trade offshore. Or you can do the opposite, encourage your players to seek out the strongest competition they can find and not bother with a domestic competition.

The Canadian women’s comprehensive win over the Black Ferns last weekend answered that question. The question now is what will NZ Rugby’s response be, especially in the area of eligibility rules?

DougHannan,MountMaunganui.

Could syncing elections revive local democracy?

OPINION Julia Talbot-Jones is senior lecturer, School of Government, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington

By now you should have received those familiar orange envelopes containing your local body election papers.

Have you opened them? Will you vote?

And will you remember to post them back?

These are important questions now that voting has opened. The results of these elections, which happen every three years, will shape how New Zealanders live, work and travel around the country’s small towns and big cities.

But when voting closes on October 11, concerns about low voter turnout will inevitably resurface.

Voting rates have been falling for at least 30 years and voter participation now rests around 40% roughly half that of general elections.

The implications are significant. City and district councils manage local services, infrastructure and planning, including roads, water, waste, parks, libraries and local regulations.

Regional councils oversee water quality, land use, flood control and often public transport and regional parks.

A weak local democracy compromises that system, and affects how elected representatives respond to local needs and plan for the future.

The question is, how can we close

HWhat do you think? Email letters@nzherald.co. nz

the voter gap?

Previous suggestions have included paying people to vote, making voting compulsory, using incentives to change voter behaviour (such as giving away “I voted” stickers), and introducing online voting.

However, a potentially more effective strategy could be syncing local elections with general elections.

This would come with certain risks, but evidence suggests it is the most effective strategy for boosting voter turnout.

The challenge facing local democracy in Aotearoa New Zealand is not unique.

Internationally, voter turnout in local elections is falling and is consistently below the levels observed at general elections.

In the US, local election turnout is often less than 20%, despite presidential elections seeing an average turnout of about 60%.

In the UK, voter turnout for local elections is around half the general election rate.

Even in Australia, where voting in local elections is compulsory in most states and territories, only around 60% of enrolled voters voted in the recent Northern Territory local government elections.

In some parts of the territory, voter turnout was as low as 10%.

This all has significant implications for representative decision making.

Voters who do turn out for local elections are often demographically unrepresentative of the electorate as a whole.

They tend to be more affluent and have higher education levels than nonvoters, and are more likely to be working fulltime.

Voters are also consistently older than

non-voters, with over-65s being the most over-represented group.

Although it’s difficult to measure, these sociodemographic factors likely correlate with differences in issue preferences.

In some cases, this can lead to the election of local councillors who prioritise issues that may not be representative of the preferences and needs of the electorate overall.

In smaller elections, there is also a risk of “policy capture” – the undue influence of vested interests on public decision making – leading to outcomes not in the best interests of most constituents.

There is growing evidence that

The challenge facing local democracy in Aotearoa

New Zealand is not unique. Internationally, voter turnout in local elections is falling and is consistently below the levels observed at general elections.

syncing local elections with state or general elections through structural reform is one way to increase voter turnout and improve local democracy.

In California, for example, synced local elections have produced turnout rates dramatically higher than unsynced elections, and local elections held concurrently with national elections have more than double the rate of voter turnout.

Syncing elections could also reduce the risk of “voter fatigue”, which was an

undeniable factor affecting voter engagement in recent state elections in Tasmania.

Given this, Aotearoa New Zealand could consider structural reform as a strategy to boost local democracy and voter engagement.

Local and general election cycles could be synced by a one-off, one year extension of the local body electoral term to align it with the general election cycle.

Alternatively, the debate about whether to extend the parliamentary term to four years might be expanded to also consider the syncing of local and general elections.

Structural reform to increase democratic engagement would not be without risks.

A four-year parliamentary term is already controversial, due to fears it could consolidate power in the executive without adequate checks and balances.

Likewise, there is a risk that holding local and general elections concurrently could overwhelm and turn off some voters, or make them focus on one set of issues at the expense of others.

Information overload might mean some voters are less informed about candidates or issues.

“Ballot fatigue” could see voters skipping options on their voting papers.

But the emerging evidence is pretty persuasive: shifting to concurrent elections has the greatest impact on local government voter turnout relative to any other reform measure (outside of making voting compulsory).

When the subject of plummeting voter turnout inevitably re-emerges next month, debating the merits and limitations of deeper structural reform across electoral cycles might be timely.

Record dividend for NZ farmers despite profit dip

Fonterra earnings gap left by Mainland sale to be filled in 3 years

Jamie Gray

Fonterra says it will take just three years to fill the gap in earnings left by the planned $4 4 billion sale of its consumer business to France s Lactalis

The co-op reported a net profit of $1 079b for the July 2025 year, down 4 3% on the previous year’s profit, while maintaining its milk price forecasts

The slight profit decline was largely because of a higher tax bill as previous tax losses became unavailable

Fonterra said its ingredients business was the standout performer with an operating profit of $1 101b, up $163 million

The group s normalised earnings per share came to 71c which was unchanged and within Fonterra’s forecast range of 65c-75c

Fonterra announced a full-year fully imputed dividend of 57c per share – a record – up from 55c (unimputed)

The dividend, together with the milk price paid to farmers, equates to a total payout to farmers of $16b

Total revenue jumped by 15% to $26b

The proposed sale of the consumer and related businesses under the Mainland brand, will be put to farmers on October 30

If approved, the sale is expected to go through in the first half of next year

The dairy co-op confirmed its farmgate milk price for the season just past at $10 16/kgMS (per kilo of milk solids) a record and up one cent from its previous forecast

For the current season Fonterra s latest forecast is for the milk price to be in a range of $9 to $11/kgMS – with

a $10 mid-point – unchanged from its previous forecast

Chief executive Miles Hurrell said he was confident about the $10 00/kgMS price forecast for this year

“There is no question that there is a bit of uncertainty out there in the international market

“The geopolitics taking place are leading to an uncertain future for some of our buyers, he said

“But we still feel confident about that We know there will be additional milk coming through in places like North America and less so in Europe but we are still seeing strong demand in those countries ”

High milk prices have in the past acted as a headwind for Fonterra’s profitability because milk is its biggest input cost but the last few years have proven to be the exception

Hurrell said dairy markets generally have become deeper, which has helped add more certainty to prices with price discovery also assisted by futures market pricing

The depth in liquidity in the dairy markets now is significantly greater than what it has been previously, he said

Chief financial officer Andrew Murray said the co-op had, over the past three years become smarter in how it goes about its pricing to ensure it maintains margins

Murray said Fonterra had become better at fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) management

In terms of the impact of Mainland s possible departure from the group, Murray said the business had been operating relatively independently” for the last nine months

Forsyth Barr senior analyst Matt Montgomerie said the co-op had produced a “solid group of numbers”

It s reasonably healthy relative to history and they’ve put it down to taking costs out plus just the product mix shifting towards high-value ingredients and Foodservice ”

Montgomerie said

The co-op has forecast earnings per share for the current year of 45c to 65c

“Our balance-sheet strength gives us the confidence to return capital, invest in the future of the business and maintain our dividend policy,” Hurrell said

The co-op delivered a return on capital of 10 9%, in line with the target range of 10-12%

Foodservice sales volumes continued to grow off the back of continued demand in Greater China for high-value products, including UHT cream butter and mozzarella

Mainland benefited from sales volume growth in the Consumer business and the Australia business, having a stable milk price against higher global commodity prices

Hurrell said 2025 had been one of the co-op s strongest years yet in terms of shareholder returns

We continue to see good demand from global customers for our highquality products made from New Zealand farmers’ milk, and this is driving returns through both the farmgate milk price and dividends,” he said

Fonterra was positioning itself to deliver further value through its remaining foodservice and ingredients businesses

Hurrell said it had a pipeline of potential growth investments it was assessing, with plans to invest up to $1b over the next three to four years in projects to generate further value and drive operational cost efficiencies

Cost of rich-listers’ Ubco rescue revealed

Chris Keall

Three rich-list families, plus the multinational Jubilee Investments, paid $5 million for Ubco, the latest receivers’ report reveals.

“The transaction included the transfer of shares in Ubco subsidiaries, intellectual property, goodwill, plant and equipment stock, and certain contracts, together with surrender of leasehold properties,” receivers Stephen Keen and Ian Ruscoe said.

The Mount Maunganui-based electric motorcycle maker collapsed in January, owing $35.7m.

In 2021, at the height of the venture capital boom, the firm raised funds at a $50m valuation.

In their latest report, released late Wednesday, Keen and Ruscoe (both of Grant Thornton) said the $5m from the sale would go towards $7.1m owing on a general security agreement (GSA).

Jubilee is affiliated with Ubco’s contract manufacturer in Taiwan, TDK. The rich-listers, who hold a majority of the new company, are Sir Stephen Tindall (via his K One W One/K1W1 vehicle), Peter Goodfellow (via Avalon Asset Management) and the Holdsworth family (which via its family office, Evander

Management, holds a 55% stake in New Zealand’s largest homegrown IT services firm, the $1.5 billion revenue Datacom, along with its myriad investments in start-ups).

Goodfellow’s Avalon appointed the receivers to claw back money owed through a General Security Agreements dated October 31, 2024.

Ubco fleet manager Grant Payton earlier told the Herald that 21 Ubco staff will work for the reborn company which, after a series of restructures, was down to 31 employees by the time of its receivership, from 109 last year.

The firm will stay at its Mount Maunganui base, which will remain the hub for management, research and development and product design, while Taiwan’s TPK will return as the contract manufacturer.

Oliver Hutaff has returned as chief executive.

The acquisition also includes Ubco’s Australian subsidiary, and Ubco’s New Zealand finance subsidiary, which services fleets on subscription, neither of which was placed into receivership.

Ubco, founded in 2015, sold more than 6000 of its electric motorcycles, but was caught in an endless series of capital-raising rounds as it

scrabbled for cash.

Some insiders told the Herald the firm tried to expand too far and too fast.

What will be different this time around?

“It’s a much smaller team,” Payton said. “We won’t try to be everything to everyone in every market in the world.”

Ubco will still make single bike sales to urban hipsters, but the focus will be on fleets.

Shortly before its receivership, the firm sold 175 of its new “Duty” model to Australia Post, plus three to NZ Post in a more modest pilot. Domino’s was also a marquee customer.

“Still heavily engaged with Australia Post and other postal agencies.

It wasn’t easy, but we kept those doors open,” Payton said.

Another change: soon after the receivership, Mark Phillips, managing director of Ubco Australia between March 2020 and September 2022, blamed the collapse in part on squeamishness about pursuing defence opportunities.

Payton said that is no longer the case.

“The military is absolutely a focus. Anywhere that needs a utility bike.” Farms and conservation agencies will also be points of focus.

Two new distributors have been appointed: Toad in Europe, which Payton hopes will lead to fleet deals with French military and police, and The Utility Bike Company in the

United States, formed by a former Ubco sales manager.

Grant Thornton’s Keen says he’s “delighted” with the outcome after a “robust sales process”.

“It’s fantastic to see a Kiwi business continue its legacy with key team members remaining something that’s particularly challenging in today’s economic environment, where distressed businesses face significant loss of talent and even closure," Keen said.

While Utility Fleet Vehicles’ primary focus is on commercial fleets,

individuals including past purchasers from the former business can still buy Ubco bikes and parts through the dealer network, Payton said.

Key fleet trials are under way and further updates on partnerships and product launches are expected in the coming months.

“Not many companies come through a process like this with their core team retained, their product refined, and their direction clearer than ever,” Hutaff said.

“That tells you a lot about the strength of what we’ve built and where we’re headed.”

Ubco is now 39.04% owned by Jubilee, 38.49% by Goodfellow’s Avalon, 12.61% by the Holdsworth

family’s Evander ManagementAvalon and 9.50% by Tindall’s K1W1.

Other investors at the time of the collapse who are not part of the new ownership include venture capital firm Global From Day One (GD1), which was the single largest local shareholder with its 21% stake, rich lister Peter Mafsen, and retail investors who bought into Ubco via various crowdfunded equity raises on Snowball Effect who collectively held 4% of the company.

Staff were not owed any money. Ubco owed Inland Revenue $836,545 in GST and PAYE too.

The firm also received a $400,000 repayable grant from Callaghan Innovation.

Auckland set to see more flights to China’s panda city

John Weekes

More direct flights from Auckland to China will operate to a city known for pandas, parties and Sichuan cuisine.

Auckland Airport said Sichuan Airlines would start flying to Chengdu, inland China, in December.

From December 7, the airline will operate two flights a week, doubling the seasonal schedule it had last summer.

Auckland Airport chief customer officer Scott Tasker said the announcement cemented Chengdu as its eighth mainland Chinese destination.

“Over the coming summer, we expect up to 50 flights a week will connect Auckland with China.”

Kevin Wen, Sichuan Airlines regional director for New Zealand and Australia, said the direct Chengdu–

Auckland services would be on Airbus A350 widebody aircraft.

Sichuan Airlines has long valued the New Zealand market,” Wen said.

We’ve worked closely with Auckland Airport to restart this important route and build a convenient, efficient air bridge for travellers.”

Tasker said the new service should bring about 22,000 more visitors to New Zealand annually, delivering an estimated $130 million in spending.

That would equate to about $5900 per person.

“Direct flights are also critical for high-value trade,” Auckland Airport said.

It estimated that the service could support up to $150m of annual cargo capacity, carrying premium New Zealand exports such as fresh seafood, fruit and flowers into China.

The airport handled nearly 3000 tonnes of cherry exports last summer, and more than 1000 tonnes each of capsicums and avocados.

Sichuan Airlines operates from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, which opened in 2021.

The Los Angeles Times has said that Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is known for spicy cuisine, riverside tea houses and pandas.

The newspaper has also dubbed Chengdu one of China’s best cities for parties.

Australian news agency AAP said in 2017 that Sichuan women were “known as the most beautiful in China” and that Chengdu was the country’s capital of hot and spicy food.

The city is east of Tibet about

2000km west of Shanghai, and has a population of about 21 million.

Auckland’s other flights to China include routes with Air China to Beijing, Air New Zealand and China Eastern to Shanghai, and China Southern to Guangzhou.

The other routes are with Hainan Airlines to Shenzhen in southeast China and Haikou on Hainan island, off China’s south coast And from Christmas Day, China Eastern will operate a ShanghaiAuckland-Buenos Aires journey twice a week.

In July, overseas visitor arrivals from China were down 3700 from a year earlier.

Last month, Stats NZ announced a record 730,000 trips were made by New Zealand residents to Asia in the year to June 30. The agency said that was mainly driven by more trips to Indonesia, China, Japan and India.

‘It’s

been terrible’: Major shareholder blasts performance

There s no question retail has been difficult over the last few years

Among the worst-affected has been KMD Brands, which has the Kathmandu, Rip Curl and Oboz brands

In its result this week the recently restructured KMD reported a net loss of $93 6 million, as against a loss of $28 3m a year earlier

Despite the loss KMD is making inroads into its debt

The group is targeting net debt below $40m for the current financial year to July 31, 2026, down from $52 8m in 2025 and $59 7m in 2024

KMD said it had funding headroom” of $235m

Following the announcement of 21 future store closures across the group the company expects to close 14 of these stores in 2026

Difficult trading conditions have resulted in the company’s share price dropping from a peak of 90c in 2023 to around 25c this week, although the stock did rally a touch on the back of its result

Fund manager Allan Gray, which has the biggest holding in KMD with 17 7%, is calling for the company to sell assets to reduce debt

“We are not happy with the performance of the company It s been terrible,” Simon Mawhinney, chief investment officer at Allan Gray, told TheAustralianFinancial Review (AFR)

“Part of that is cyclical and part of that is self-inflicted We really want to see them repair their balance sheet the old-fashioned way ”

But Harbour Asset Management senior research analyst Oyvinn Rimer says now is not the time to sell, particularly since the company has already organically made meaningful progress with its debt

He said KMD s Rip Curl wetsuit plant in Thailand cited by AFR as a candidate for sale was a good one, producing a decent return on capital for KMD

“So why would you sell a tangible asset that s delivering good financial results if you don t have to? I think that would be a bad executive decision,” he said

“Ultimately, if the banks come pushing and bullying them into selling assets, then they do have some options, but clearly the business has seen some rough times from external forces as opposed to them scoring own goals

“If anything they’ve shown an ability to respond to quickly changing consumer landscapes and have sharply reduced their product development cycle from close to a year and a half to six months to respond to a different type of consumer that’s emerging,” Rimer said

He said the wholesale channels had become difficult because of the uncertainties around global tariffs and consumer demand

KMD had managed to reduce debt against the background of depressed consumer conditions in Australia and New Zealand, and a warm winter

“Against a better economic backdrop this business could print a lot more cash than it has in the last two years,” he said

“But there’s no question that from here on in they just need to put runs on the board and start delivering sales and earnings growth repair the balance sheet and eventually start paying dividends again ” KMD chief executive and managing director Brent Scrimshaw is clearly in no mood to sell

KMD Brands, which has the Kathmandu, Rip Curl and Oboz brands, has felt the brunt of a retail downturn, this week reporting a net loss of $93.6 million.

KMD slumps to $93.6m loss as investors push for asset sales

“Since joining KMD Brands what I ve seen is clear, the potential of our brands is far greater than what we are delivering today

FourquestionsforSynlait

A number of questions hover over Synlait Milk which reports its annual result on Monday

The company in a July 30 update said its overall performance had improved year-on-year and the final 2025 result would be a marked improvement

The company is expecting “underlying” earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (ebitda) of $100 million to $110m (compared with $45 2m in 2024) with breakeven underlying net profit (compared with a loss of $60 4m in 2024)

However as well as the headwinds signalled at half-year, Synlait had manufacturing challenges at its Dunsandel facility across a range of product segments resulting in one-off costs in 2025

Those challenges had been resolved

Synlait is now forecasting a reported net loss after tax of $27m to $40m (compared with a loss of $182 1m in full-year 2024); reported ebitda of $50m to $68m (loss of $4 1m in 2024)

The company is targeting a closing net debt balance of $300m

Forsyth Barr senior analyst Matt Montgomerie says there are a few questions surrounding Synlait, among them being the roughly $50m gulf between the company’s “underlying“ ebitda forecast (of $100m to $110m) and its “reported” ebitda forecast (of $50m to $68m)

In other words, what did Synlait choose to leave in, or out, in reaching that underlying number?

Movement in the balance sheet will be another key one, given gearing is going to be slightly higher than Synlait had previously

expected Montgomerie said

Thirdly, there will be interest around Synlait’s plans for its North Island plant [Pokeno] and what the plans are ultimately because it’s currently meaningfully loss-making for them and the plant itself is materially underutilised given there’s only one customer, with Abbott’s volumes going through there

“A solution there would be positive because it would remove the losses and then free up some capital

“Fourthly, the most important question is Synlait s plans for the financial year 2027 and beyond, as a2 Milk somewhat rapidly moves production of its English label and infant formula volumes away to its newly acquired plant at Pokeno

“The key focus is more on the quite critical, forward-looking drivers of what happens with the North Island assets and what happens with the spare capacity after a2 Milk moves on ”

There is also some intrigue in the market as to exactly what the “manufacturing challenges” mentioned in the July update were

Lesseningroleofa2

Then there is the issue of a2 Milk’s lessening role as a key customer for Synlait

Early this month a2 Milk completed the acquisition of an integrated nutritional manufacturing facility with two China label infant milk formula product registrations also situated at Pokeno

A2 Milk said the acquisition was a significant step forward in the execution of its supply chain transformation strategy

Synlait will continue making China-label formula production a2 Milk for some time to come, but a2’s increased manufacturing independence will be an issue

“With a2 Milk being very clear

about their plans, there will be a significant hole that Synlait will have to fill,” Montgomerie said

Synlait s share price has been showing signs of life after speculation surfaced in August that it would soon sell its loss-making facility at Pokeno

The company said then that it was in discussions with a party with respect to its North Island assets but that talks were incomplete

Newspaper TheAustralian reported that Illinois-based multinational healthcare company Abbott Laboratories was believed to be in talks with Synlait about buying one of its manufacturing facilities in New Zealand

In response, Synlait said it was in discussions with a party, but those discussions were incomplete

The factory at Pokeno already produces plant-based products for Abbott

The plant commissioned in 2019/20 has been a millstone for the company as it has never functioned at full capacity and has always turned in a loss

Synlait went through a major recapitalisation last year which resulted in China s Bright Dairy s ownership going from 39% to 65 25% after suffering a string of losses

“This year will be a better year than what we would have been expecting 12 months ago, but there are key questions around Dunsandel’s utilisation without a2 Milk,” Montgomerie said

Synlait has a new chief executive at the helm Richard Wyeth who came from Westland Milk, joined in May

Fonterra’sHurrellstarts tocashin

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell was paid a total of $6 11m for the 2025 financial year That included a base salary of $2 49m, short-term incentive of $1 95m and a long-term incentive of $1 50m His total remuneration was up on

the previous year’s $5 92m

Hurrell s long-term incentive is subject to performance hurdles being met, and his 2025 payment represented a deferred component of the now disestablished 2021 executive incentive plan

Fonterra introduced a new incentive plan in the 2023 financial year aimed at “aligning the financial interests of Fonterra’s enterprise leaders with those of the cooperative’s farmer shareholders”

The first grant of “alignment rights”, consisting of co-op units and farm units, was issued in October 2022, with a second tranche issued in October 2023 There was a transition from the previous EIP plan which resulted in shorter performance periods for the first two years

That means the first payment date under the new plan will take place next September

Hurrell was awarded a third grant in October 2024 The structure means he can continue to receive incentive payments through to September 2030

MercuryCapital’s 25%stakein

Forbar

Private equity firm Mercury Capital has completed the acquisition of a 25% shareholding in Forsyth Barr Group following approval for the deal by the company’s shareholders

The transaction announced in July, was subject to approval by shareholders and to other conditions as well as acceptance of a partial offer to existing shareholders

Mercury Capital has more than $1 billion in funds under management

Founded in 2010, it specialises in providing growth capital to wellestablished businesses across Australia and New Zealand

The Sydney-based firm has strong New Zealand connections with its founder and chief executive Clark Perkins and around half of its staff being New Zealanders

GenerateWealthWeekly: WhyKiwiSaverfundsshouldn’t justfollowtheS&P500

smallerUScompanies,nordoes itgiveyouexposuretoother regions Lately,largecapshave outperformed,buthistorically,small capshavedeliveredstrongerreturns overlongerstretches

SincethedepthsoftheGlobal FinancialCrisisin2009,the S&P500–themainindexof America’sbiggestcompanies–has returnedaround14%ayear That’s comfortablyaheadoftheroughly 10%annualreturnfromthebroader globalsharemarket,asmeasuredby theMSCIAllCountryWorldIndex Withthatsortofgap,it’sno surprisethatsomeGenerate KiwiSaverSchememembersask us:whydon’twejustbenchmark againsttheS&P500?

It’safairquestion–andthe answercomesdowntothepurpose ofKiwiSaver,theroleofasset allocationandthedangersof concentratingyourbetsinasingle country

KiwiSaver’spurpose KiwiSaver’smaingoalisto helpNewZealandersgrowtheir retirementsavingssteadilyover decades.Themostimportantdriver ofthatisassetallocation–deciding howmuchofyourportfoliogoes intodifferenttypesofinvestments

likeshares,bondsandcash Historyisclearonthispoint Over thelongrun,shares(or“equities”) havebeenthetop-performingasset class.ResearchbyJeremySiegel, coveringtheperiodfrom1802to 2023,showsthatafteradjusting forinflation,equitiesreturnedan averageof6.8%peryear That’swell aheadofbonds(3.5%),cash-like instruments(2.5%),andgold(0.6%). Sharesalsohavequalitiesthat otherassetclassesdon’t They representownershipincompanies thatcanreinvestprofitstogrow–or returnthoseprofitstoshareholders throughdividends.Overtime, companyearningstendtogrow alongsidethebroadereconomy, whichalsogivesequitiesanatural hedgeagainstinflation. Soyes,equitiesareessentialfor long-termgrowth Butknowingthat isn’tthesameasknowingwhich equitiestoown

TheS&P500isdesignedto measuretheperformanceoflarge UScompanies Itdoesn’tinclude

Ifthependulumswingsback–as itoftendoes–anarrowfocuson largeUSstockscouldmeanmissing out AndtheS&P500isjustonepart ofonecountry’smarket Eventhe strongestperformerscangothrough longperiodswheretheylagtherest oftheworld.

Nocountrystaysontopforever TheUShasbeendominantfora longrun,buthistoryisfullofmarket leadershipchanges Inthe1980s and1990s,Swedenwastheworld’s best-performingsharemarket–by anevengreatermarginthanthe UShasmanagedinthe2010sand 2020s.

Ontheflipside,Japanwasa superstarinthe1980s,onlyto enduredecadesofstagnationafter itspropertybubbleburst Investors heavilyconcentratedinJapanin thelate1980sfacedyears–even decades–ofdisappointingreturns Theseexampleshighlightwhy chasingthelatestwinnercanbe risky Marketsmoveincyclesand what’sontoptodaymaynotbe tomorrow

Realbenefitofgoingglobal:lower risk,similarreturns Spreadingyourinvestments aroundtheworlddoesn’tjust protectyoufromasinglecountry’s downturns–itcanalsosmoothout theride

Onestudyfoundthatatruly globalportfoliocanbeabouthalfas volatileasaportfoliomadeuponly ofUSstocks–evenwhenbothhave thesamenumberofholdings.That’s ahugedropinrisk

Andwhenyoulookatreturns overthelongestperiodsavailable, theadvantageisstillthere From 1900to2018,globalsharesslightly outperformedUSsharesonariskadjustedbasis(measuredbythe SharpeRatio) Inotherwords,you gotroughlythesamerewardforless bumpinessalongtheway Don’tinvestwiththerear-view mirror It’stemptingtothinkthebestperformingmarketinrecentyears willkeepleadingindefinitely But investingsuccessrarelycomes fromsimplypickingwhateverhas donebestlately Ifitwerethateasy, everyonewouldberich

Yes,theUSmarkethasdelivered fantasticreturnsrecently–and KiwiSaverfundswithUSexposure havebenefited.Butconcentrating

solelyontheS&P500would goagainstoneofthemost fundamentalinvestmentprinciples: diversification.

Agloballydiversifiedbenchmark spreadsriskacrosssectors, countriesandcompanysizes It givesyouexposuretothenextwave ofgrowthwhilecushioningagainst thepossibilitythattoday’sstar markethitsaroughpatch Thebottomline

TheS&P500isagreatindexforwhat itmeasures–largeUScompanies –butit’snotthewholeinvesting universe KiwiSaver’sroleistohelp membersgrowtheirsavingssteadily overdecades–andthatmeans lookingbeyondjustonecountry’s market,nomatterhowstrongit’s been.

Bystickingwithaglobal benchmarkandmaintaining abalancedassetmix,wegive membersabettershotatsteady, resilientreturnsoverthelonghaul –whichisexactlywhatKiwiSaveris designedtodeliver.

ToseeGenerate’sproduct DisclosureStatement,gotowww generatewealth.conz/advertisingdisclosures/.TheissuerisGenerate InvestmentManagementLimited. Pastperformanceisnotindicativeof futureperformance

Bold Steps: reshaping women’s leadership in Aotearoa

Before it became Aotearoa s largest women’s leadership summit Bold Steps began not in a boardroom, but in the back of a taxi

That unlikely starting point became a fitting metaphor for its purpose: proving that bold ideas can grow from anywhere, and so can the women who lead them

The annual conference is just one event held by OnBeingBold, an initiative that aims to reshape how women lead in Aotearoa by affirming that leadership and personal fulfilment can go hand in hand

The idea was sparked during a fateful taxi ride in 2017 as Dames Therese Walsh and Joan Withers discussed the growing number of women approaching them for career advice

“We were talking about how it gets really hard, because you don’t have time to speak to everybody We said to each other, why don t we create something where we could all have a group conversation?’” says cofounder Walsh

“We got some other senior businesswomen together, nine of us in total We asked some people if they d like to come to our group, and that first time, we had 400 [attendees] It’s just grown and grown, and now we have an annual hui called Bold Steps ”

The highly sought-after event now attracts 1200 attendees to Auckland’s Spark Arena each year including 120 leading CEOs and Chairs from across the country While it attracts many of the country’s top leaders, the event is designed to inspire women at every stage of their careers – from those just starting out to those already in the boardroom

The event, emceed by Walsh, is organised and facilitated solely by the nine founders who make up the OnBeingBold collective ensuring

it s run by business leaders, for business leaders”

Fellow co-founder Withers says the summit is a great opportunity for women to gain career advice and inspiration from a diverse lineup of high-calibre speakers Each summit features a range of local and international guests, including the current Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Former speakers include British actor and businesswoman

Jane Seymour, former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, former Australian Rugby Union CEO Raelene Castle Dr Lucy Hone, and prime ministers John Key and Jacinda Ardern

There are so many things that come up on that stage that make people reflect give them insight or give them some inspiration At the end of the day we all wander around and the buzz is amazing – hearing directly from women about what the experience has meant for them ” Withers says

While there is an emphasis on practical advice, the discussions also focus on how things feel, not just how they are Speakers share their own personal stories, sparking thought-provoking conversations about the challenges and hurdles women face in their careers and personal lives

Another component of the summit is “Meet the Leaders” a new feature that was first introduced in 2024 Attendees split into groups and meet with 100 of the top CEOs and Chairs in the country, giving them the opportunity to ask questions in an intimate setting

Quirkiest highlight? The handbags

A big red button on the stage is pushed by each speaker throughout the day spotlighting an attendee at random who receives a free bag

“That actually may be why 1200 people come!” Walsh laughs

The theme for Bold Steps 2025 is “Realising Your Ambition” – with an

emphasis on owning ambitiousness instead of hiding it The word should be synonymous with determination and perseverance, says Walsh – not ruthlessness For Withers, ambition is deeply personal and accounts for values as well as goals

“For me, ambition is about being the best I possibly can be without compromising the things that are most important to me, which is my family and friends, Withers shares “It’s about understanding where your skills and experience are best suited, and to be flexible to the opportunities that are offered to you ”

A key piece of advice to women wanting to further their careers is that you are as good as anybody else” says Walsh Her top three tips?

Be uniquely you, find your voice (“make sure you speak during that meeting ), and do what you say you’re going to do

Withers advice is simple: Never compromise your integrity”

In every career, there will be times where you may be asked to do something you re not comfortable with Don’t do it ”

Bold Steps 2025 will be held on December 4 at Spark Arena Tickets which sell fast for this one-day-only event, are available via onbeingbold co.nz

Meet the OnBeingBold collective:

• Dame Therese Walsh: Chair – Air NZ, ASB Bank

• Dame Joan Withers: Chair – The Warehouse Group; Director – Sky ANZ, Origin Energy Australia

• Dame Paula Rebstock: Chair –NZ Post Asia Pacific Healthcare Group; Deputy Chair – AIA Insurance, NZX; Director – Vector, Auckland One Rail SealLink

• Alison Gerry: Chair - Infratil; Director - ANZ Group, Air NZ

• Jolie Hodson: CEO – Spark

• Cathy Quinn: Chair – Tourism Holdings Ltd, Fertility Associates; Director – Fonterra Fletcher Building; Pro-Chancellor –University of Auckland

• Royal Reed: Partner – Meredith McConnell

• Silvana Schenone: Managing Director Co-Head of Investment Banking – Jarden

• Frances Valintine: Founder, Board Director – academyEX

Markets falls despite Fonterra result

Tom Raynel

The New Zealand sharemarket was down yesterday, driven largely by Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and a2 Milk but the full-year result released by Fonterra was also a focus for investors

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed down 0 21% or 27 51 points, falling to 13,153 79 after 33 18 million shares worth $142 3 million traded

The S&P/NZX 20 index closed at 7579 04 points, down 0 09%, while the S&P/NZX 10 index ended the day at 12 640 38 falling 0 52% There were 75 gainers on the main board and 56 decliners Hamilton Hindin Greene investment adviser Jeremy Sullivan said Fonterra was the story of the day, noting its annual result was stronger than the headline profit suggested Fonterra reported a net profit of $1 079 billion for the July 2025 year, down 4 3% while maintaining its milk price forecasts

“Operating profit rose, cash returns stepped up, and milk payments to farmers reached $15 3 billion The net profit decline reflects a change in tax treatment rather than a fall in demand or execution ” Sullivan said

“Guidance for FY26 at 45 65c is softer as earnings normalise and the portfolio is prepared for the planned consumer divestment ”

Sullivan said FY26 looked like a transition year for the business while the portfolio is simplified and new capacity is built

If product mix upgrades and capacity projects land on time, earnings can rebuild toward FY25 levels in about three years ”

“We ve given up some ground today,” said FHN Financial’s Chris Low “It really does look mostly like people are just taking some cash off the table or repositioning ” The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished down 0 4% at 46,121 28 The broad-based S&P

While

market

Low also pointed to worries that Fed policymakers may back away from additional interest rate cuts Key data points in the coming days include Thursday s jobless claims data and Friday’s personal consumption price data, a closely watched inflation metric Additional reporting AFP

>> Metals & Oils

The Chase 3 0 Quiz show where contestants must stay one step ahead of The Chaser

6pm 1News at Six 0 The latest news, sport and weather

7pm Seven Sharp 0 Stories of the day from around New Zealand

7 30 The Repair Shop 0 Expert craftspeople bring pieces of family history, and the memories they hold back to life

8.25 Chateau DIY A French dream becomes reality with the transformation of an old outbuilding into a cookery school; there is a fascinating discovery underground

9.20 Location Location Location 3 In Devon Kirstie helps a pricedout pair who are struggling to find a home; Phil is with a single mum, who seeks a seaside idyll

10 20 Deal or No Deal Australia 3

10.50 Hard Quiz PG 3

11 25 Dream Home PGL 3

Homeowners have their ordinary, run down houses transformed by other couples

12 40 Piglets ML 3

1.05 Te Karere 3

1 30 Quiz

2am Infomercials

5 30 Te Karere 3

6am Les Mills Born to Move 0

6 30 Children’s Programmes Kiri and Lou; Toi Time; Miraculous –Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir; Lego Ninjago – Dragons Rising; Brain Busters; The Adventures of Paddington; Takaro Tribe

9 05 Infomercials

9 35 Les Mills Adult Classes

10.05 The Drew Barrymore Show PG

11am Home and Away PG 3 0

11.30 Home Economics 0

Noon Tipping Point Australia 3 0

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1.30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine PG 3 0

2pm Sullivan’s Crossing PG 3 0

3pm Seinfeld 3 0

3.30 Neighbours 0

4pm Tipping Point Australia 3 0

5pm The Big Bang Theory PG 3 0

6pm The Simpsons 3 0

6.25 The Paper PG 0 A day in the life of a newspaper and its harried staff who are trying to juggle deadlines and their tumultuous private lives

7pm Home and Away PGC 0 Remi is on a new adventure; David makes a shocking discovery; Dana tempers Harper s expectations

7 30 Travel Guides PG 3 0 The Guides head to the Cook Islands, where there is action and adventure around every corner

8.30 Michael McIntyre’s Big Show 0 With music from Snow Patrol, stand-up from Kerry Godliman, and Alan Carr takes part in send-to-all

9.45 Taskmaster NZ 16L 3 0

The camera is in the contestants’ hands, there is learning through puppets one contestant is pushed to the brink and the season winner is crowned

10.45 2 Broke Girls PG 3 0

11.35 Hell’s Kitchen 16L 3 0

12.20 Dracula 16VS 0

1.10 Emmerdale PG 3 0

1.35 Infomercials

2 35 Alone UK 16L 0

3 25 Come Dine with Me: The Professionals 3 0 5am Closedown

6am Beachfront Bargain Hunt 3 0

6 30 Home Town Takeover 3 0

7 55 The Block Australia PG 3 0

9am Infomercials

10 35 House Hunters International

11 05 Animal Cribs PG 3 A family asks Antonio to design the ultimate pig paradise

Noon You Live in What? 3 0

1pm Flipping 101 with Tarek El Moussa 0 A team of friends are tackling an ambitious first project – a huge home in View Park

2pm Million Dollar Listing New York PG 0 Fredrik confronts a competitive broker who is circling his penthouse like a vulture; Luis tries anything sell his listing for a buyer and her dog

3pm Dog Detectives PGC 3 0 In Liverpool a new recruit finds a huge stash of cannabis in an alleyway

4pm Beachfront Bargain Hunt 3 0

4 30 Island Life 0 A couple of thrillseekers buy their first home together on Alameda Island

5pm Outback Opal Hunters PG 0 On the eve of the famous Lightning Ridge Opal Festival, the Misfits battle to treat 150kg of matrix opal, forcing Cody to cook up a miracle

6pm Three News 0

7pm The 1% Club Australia PGC 0

8pm Love it or List it Australia 3 0 Two Queenslanders live in a home with a stunning view, but a rotten interior and a disastrous floor plan

9.05 Hoff Roading PG 3 0 David shows off his skills behind the wheel of a replica Kitt car before Rhys takes him to Wellington to see how movies are made downunder

10.05 NCIS MVL 3 0

11pm Unknown Serial Killers MVC Years after five corpses are found on the Florida hog trails eight more bodies are found in nearby woods 12am Infomercials

8am

Favourite

9am Crowd Goes Wild PG 3

9 30 UFC on Sky PGC 3 10am Infomercials

Noon The 100K Drop 3 0

1pm Space Invaders 3 0

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2.30 Sky Speed 3

3pm NRL Try Time 3

3.30 Rugby: Women’s World Cup (HLS) Semi-final: New Zealand v Canada

3.45 Rugby: Women’s World Cup (HLS) Semi-final: England v France

4pm Crowd Goes Wild PG 3

4.30 UFC on Sky PGC 3 5pm Sky Speed 0

5.30 Suddenly Susan PG 0 Susan agonises over whether or not to ruin the career of a philandering politician; Vicki’s wedding plans go awry

6pm The New Adventures of Old Christine PG 0 Christine is the designated driver to a friend’s wedding, but the stress of the evening leaves her craving a drink; Richard tells New Christine that he does not want to get married again

6 30 The 100K Drop 0

7.30 M Vertical Limit MVL 0 2000 Action A climber must rescue his sister from on top of K2, one of the worlds highest mountains Chris O’Donnell, Robin Tunney, Temuera Morrison

9.45 Mud Mountain Haulers PGL 3 0 Craig’s newest driver must prove himself; facing ice muck and massive pressure Theron tries to stay ahead of the fleet 10.45 Rutherford Falls ML 0 Negotiations ramp up between Rutherford Inc and the Minishonka Nation; Reagan makes a startling discovery 11 45 Chucky 16VLC 0 The survivors band together with Father Bryce to perform an exorcism 12 30 Infomercials

Accidentally too sexy for his shirt

Classic Col scene was intended viewers

Colin Firth’s wet shirt scene from the BBC adaptation of PrideandPrejudice was never intended to be sexy, the show’s screenwriter has revealed The actor sealed his place in the hearts of millions in the 1995 TV series when his character, Mr Darcy, went swimming fully clothed and emerged soaking wet

But despite it being regarded as one of TV s best-remembered moments, Andrew Davies, the scene’s creator insisted it was not about trying to create a sexy iconic shot”

“It wasn’t supposed to be sexy in any particular way, really,” he said at an event at Jane Austen’s House in Hampshire, southern England, marking the series 30th anniversary

“I just had this idea because I was continually trying to think, ‘What’s Darcy feeling?’

“Let’s keep the audience parallel with him in a way

“At this time, he’s been in London hosting a rather boring house party with stuffy bores and snobs, and he’s coming back to Pemberley to host another house party in his country house with the same bloody people

making any demands on him

“He must have been so glad to get a day of his own where nobody s

It is a hot summer s day, and he arrives at his house, and he sees his lake, and he thinks, There s my lake I know what I would like to do I would like to just take everything off and plunge into the cool water and forget about everything except the fact that I’m alive’ ”

Script editor Susie Conklin said the

writers were aware Mr Darcy was handsome and those shirts look fabulous”

Queen Camilla recently referenced the “infamous” lake scene during a visit to the third annual Queen s Reading Room Festival at Chatsworth House

She joked to the chairman of the Chatsworth House trust that he might

be persuaded to recreate the scene at the festival to add to the excitement of the day”

In the scene, Darcy emerges from the lake and walking back to the house, runs into Elizabeth Bennet

In Davies original script, Darcy was supposed to be fully naked when he plunged into the lake

After a back and forth between

wasn’t ever crafted as a sexy scene. It was just that it would be wonderful for you to get sense of him being him and that release.

Davies and producer Sue Birtwistle, it was decided that it would be more “amusing and interesting” to have him fully clothed

Conklin believed it would be better if the viewer was thinking about the interaction between Darcy and Elizabeth, rather than about Darcy being naked

“It wasn t about trying to create a sexy iconic shot from her point of view either If the shirt is on, then you aren t thinking about There s a naked Darcy

You are just thinking that he s undressed in terms of how he’s ever been seen Then it is amusing and interesting that they are both caught off guard

“We definitely thought he’s our hero he s handsome and those shirts are so fabulous He’s going to look gorgeous

“It wasn t ever crafted as a sexy scene It was just that it would be wonderful for you to get a sense of him being him and that release ” When talking about the conversation between Darcy and Elizabeth, Davies said: I was thinking mostly about how funny it was that they are both too well-bred to mention the fact that he s dripping wet ” TelegraphGroupLtd

Who was the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt?

Who was the first President of the independent Republic of Ireland?

Puzzlesandhoroscopes

Your Stars

Yellow topping for car dust it off (7) 5. Half-inch helping of snuff (5) 8. Cash for the ex will oil many a difficulty (7)

King’s time might have taken 22 from the region (5)

Willingness to put up with the range of variation allowed (9)

‘To is human’ (Pope) (3)

Indicate a full stop in print (5)

Sort of shot that will sink ball in pocket (3)

It may be an advisable contrivance (9)

Talkative Tom

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): It's true that your road hasn't exactly been easy. But you got here, stronger and more unique. Let the story of your challenges fortify and fuel you instead of sour you against those who had an easier time of it.

TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): Mental rehearsal will make the day feel more familiar, doable and within your control. You'll pause before starting your adventure. Be sure to imagine not just the actions, but also how success feels.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21): Love is risky, awkward and worthwhile. The odd compliment or ask, laughter shared in nervous voices – these are treasures You're brave enough to risk embarrassment for connection.

CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22): The longing for rest is real, but you're not running on empty Small refuels will sustain you more than you expect. And you can be refuelled by a smile, a stretch, a song or pause. Your soul finds the replenishment it needs.

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): Joy doesn't have to be huge or constant. It arrives in flashes. It's a private laugh, a stranger's compliment, a beautiful sky. Collect those sparks Together, they are enough to set your spirit alight and carry you forward

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): In certain kinds of encounters, timing and confidence matter more than preparation. Such a moment is coming your way, and you can win without trying too hard because the winning instinct is already in you.

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): Feeling confident can take work, but not today. It's much easier to keep yourself in high regard when the people around you do the same. The belief people have in you will play like a tailwind assisting your progress

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): Your body aches from effort, but it's also alive with fire. Listen to your muscles, give them kindness. No state is permanent. Recuperation will happen when you rest. Healing will come as surely as fatigue.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): You're easy on the senses, speaking in tones that comfort and assure, looking the part, offering what's useful. Because of this, you're offered as much work as you need and the kind of fun you most enjoy.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): You've done the work. There's no need to defend or explain it in any way. Respect and admiration are coming to you, and all you have to do is remember not to deflect them when they do. Receive your due.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): When you were younger, you blurted the answer You're no longer tempted to flood the space with information. Now others lean in and pay closer attention. PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): We stand in circles of feeling. Pride and shame, joy and grief, regret and gratitude are all bound until they almost overlap. That's the human condition. You're emotionally alive and holding the paradox of life.

WORDSEARCH SNAP

AERIAL ANGLE APERTURE BACKDROP BULB CAMERA CANDID CONTRAST CROP DEVELOP EDIT ENLARGE EXPOSURE FILM FILTER FLASH FOCUS FRAME HISTOGRAM IMAGE ISO

LANDSCAPE LENS LIGHT MACRO MANUAL MODEL NEGATIVE PANORAMA PAPARAZZI PIXEL PORTRAIT

PRINT RATIO RAW RESOLUTION SHUTTER SLIDE SPEED STUDIO TRIPOD WATERMARK ZOOM

TRIO

Find the threeletter sequence which will complete all these words

3

4 LETTERS ASIA CADS CHEW CUED DAIS DEFT DEWY DULL ECHO EDIT EWES FEET HARD HOOK ITEM KICK KNEE LEEK MEEK MEMO MOOR NAVE NEAR NORM OGLE OPAL OURS OVER OWES PATH REDO REED REEK ROOT SALE SEND SLEW SWAN THEY TOAD TREK WERE YELL YELP

NUMBERCRUNCHER

5 LETTERS ACHES AGREE ALONE AMISS ARMED ASSET ATOMS CAMEL CHAFF CORAL ELITE FLUNK GATES HYENA LOSER MATEY MOCHA OCHRE OSCAR OTHER PEACE POSSE RENEW SCOTS SERIF SHEER SLOSH TENET UNITE UNTIE 6 LETTERS MANIAC SIESTA SMOOTH TETHER 7 LETTERS ACCLAIM CONSIGN KNITTED STUDENT

Fine, apart from isolated showers before dawn Northwesterlies

Fine, then a few showers developing in the afternoon Northwesterlies developing in the morning

Fine but becoming mostly cloudy with isolated showers in the evening NW, easing for a time in the morn ng

Isolated showers, widespread/heavier north of Stratford in the afternoon N, strong for a time n the afternoon

A few showers Northwesterlies becoming strong for a time in the afternoon and evening

Morning cloud clears to mainly fine A few showers late afternoon/evening, possibly heavy NW, picking up this afternoon

Mainly fine, isolated showers developing in the afternoon Northwesterlies, easing for a time in the morning

Mainly fine, but a few showers in the evening NW becoming strong in exposed places for a time in the afternoon

Fine A few showers developing in the evening Northwesterlies easing for a time in the morning

Mostly cloudy The odd shower, becoming frequent for a time in the afternoon, some heavy NW, picking up in the afternoon

Cloudy, with ra n developing in the afternoon Northwesterlies developing in the morning

Partly cloudy Northwesterlies

Partly cloudy, chance afternoon shower, clearing to fine in the evening NW, becoming strong for a time n the afternoon

Fine at first, showers afternoon/ evening, some heavy NW, rising to gale

with scattered showers developing morning NW, rising to gale in exposed places in the morning

Fine, then a few showers developing in the afternoon Northwesterlies, becoming strong in the afternoon

Death notices index

BARKER, Elizabeth Constance Mull

BETTERTON, Chris Edward

CHURCHILL, Marion Emma (nee Gibbons)

DICKSON, Richard James

ECCLESTONE, Bruce

HUMPHRIES, Jacqueline Raymonde

KAVANAGH, Grahame Robert

LUKE, Glenice Noelene

PATON, Albert Hugh

PETERSON, Luisa

STEWART, Ian Kenneth Alexander

TOPIA, Danny Alan

Deaths

BARKER, Elizabeth Constance Mull.

Passed away on 21st September 2025 surrounded by family, aged 82 years.

Dearly loved wife of Deane, adored and much- oved mother of Tanis and Rhys, and mother-in-law Vailea.

Treasured Grandmother of Letitia, Latham and Breyton. A loving wife, mother, motherin-law, grandmother, sister, aunty and friend to all that knew her. May she rest in peace At Elizabeth’s request, a private service will be held for close family and friends. All correspondence to Hibiscus Funeral Services

BETTERTON,

Chris Edward.

Passed away peacefully at home on 18th September 2025 Dearly loved husband of Angela. Treasured son of Robyn. Much loved brother of Amber and Jess and step brother of Creaghan Proud father of Callan, Brodie, Dylan, and Trace. Chris w ll be deeply missed by his family and all who knew him.

CHURCHILL, Marion Emma (nee Gibbons).

26September1933to 24September2025

Marion passed away peacefully at CHT Waiuku, aged 91.

Beloved wife of the late William John Wainwright Churchill (Bill) Loved mum of the late Barbara, David, Peter, Janice, Raewyn, Suzanne and John. Adored nana to 15 and great nana to 22.

A service will be held at the St Andrews Centre, 85 Queen Street, Waiuku on Wednesday 1st October at 1 30pm to honour Marion. In lieu of flowers a donation box will be at the service and distributed to Marion's chosen charities.

CHURCHILL, Marion Emma (nee Gibbons).

Much loved mum and mother in law of Raewyn and Jeff. Loved nana to Suzie, Michael and partners Ally and Georgie. Great nana to Harrison, Patrick and Britten. Rest in peace Mum and say hi to Dad.

CHURCHILL, Marion Emma (nee Gibbons). Always loved mother to the late Barbara and mother inlaw to the late Shane'o Forever missed Nana to Lynette, Rebecca, Zac and Courtney, Josh and the late Slade, never forgotten Old Nan to Tayla-leigh, Tahlia, Peyton, Koby, Lukha and Piper. Gone from our presence, but not from all of our Wilkinson hearts.

Deaths

CHURCHILL, Marion Emma (nee Gibbons). Passed away at the Estuary View Village, Waiuku, on 24 September 2025.

With seemingly boundless energy Mum took on life's chal enges and never did anything by halves. You were an inspiration to your children, particularly me. With all our love from your son David, daughter in law Anthea, grandchildren Adam and Joy, Erin and Nick, Julia and Logan and great-grandchi dren Jamie, Emily and Charlotte and Audrey. Rest in peace Mum, your family loves you and we will miss you.

DICKSON, Richard James. Passed away peacefully at Evelyn Page Retirement Village in Orewa after a short illness on 24 September 2025. Throughout his 90 years, Richard was a devoted and loving father to his daughters Heather, Linda and Paula, and Sons Murray and Greg, fatherin-law to Moss, Grant, Hanni, Jono and Clare.

He cherished his connection with his large extended family, including his 20 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren

Richard was a caring older brother and close friend to Dorothy, Alec, May, Roy and Keith.

A memorial service will be held at The Settlers Cottage, Auckland Memorial Park, 2163 East Coast Road Silverdale at 11am on 29 September 2025.

Appreciation for the dedicated caring team at EP rest home. In lieu of flowers, donations to Forest and Bird Society would be greatly appreciated.

ECCLESTONE,

Bruce. Passed peacefully at home, 24 September 2025, aged 85 years. Dearly loved husband of Shirley, loved father and father-in-law of Mark and Teresa, Andrea, Megan and Chay. Treasured poppa of Joyce, Roman and Mackenzie.

A service for Bruce will be held at the Chapel of Manukau Memorial Gardens, 361 Puhinui Road, Papatoetoe on Monday 29 September at 12 noon.

HUMPHRIES, Jacqueline Raymonde Passed away on 22nd September 2025, aged 97

Beloved by all her family

A Requiem Mass will be held Monday 29 September, 11 00am at St Anthony's Catholic Church, Waiuku Tu nous manques.

KAVANAGH, Grahame Robert. Service Number 367383. Grahame passed away peacefully at Bupa Northhaven surrounded by family on Friday 19th of September 2025 at the age of 82. Dearly loved husband of Beth for nearly 60 years. Loved father of Maryanne, Michelle, Michael and Kim. Respected father-in-law of Rob and Kevin. Adored Pop of 11 grandchildren and a proud great grandfather of 3. In accordance with Grahame’s wishes a private cremation has been held, with a Celebration of Life to be held at the Hibiscus Coast RSA, 43A Viponds Road, Stanmore Bay on Saturday the 27th of September at 1pm. Enquiries to 027-213-1788.

PETERSON, Luisa.

Born June 13th , 1937 - Died 22nd September 2025 at home. Momoe I Manu ae sau mala e atia'e. Matou fa’atulou I o Paia Samoa mai Saua se'i Paia Puletu'u na tauilo ai Malo aua o oe ole fue lavelave e le mafai ona autalaina e seisi. Matou faasilasila faaaloalo atu Ile maliu filemu o si o matou Tina ia Luisa Malaeolevavau

Edward Peterson I Lona Aiga Magele. It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother, Mother in law, Auntie, Nana, Great grandma who died peacefully on Monday 22nd September 2025 surrounded by her family as she took her last breath.

A devoted member of the Catholic faith, she lived a life of service, kindness, and unwavering faith in God. She will be remembered for her beauty, great humour, colourful character, love for all including animals.

LUKE, Glenice Noelene. On 24 September 2025, Glenice passed away suddenly at Tauranga Hospital. Treasured wife of Terry, for 59 years and dearly loved mother and mother-in-law of Glenda and John; Tony and Lynette; Rodney and Lisa; Diana and David; Derek and F eur. Adored nana to Shannon, Danielle and Callum; Chelsea and Cameron; Anna, Tom and William; and Hinemoa. Loved great nana to Ayla and Jepson. Glenice was a much loved "Nana Luke" to many. A funeral service to celebrate and remember Glenice, will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday 30 September 2025, at Legacy Tauranga, 383 Pyes Pa Road, Tauranga. Livestream may be viewed and tributes left at www legacyfunerals.co.nz/s/luke Communications to the G enice Luke Family, c/Legacy Funerals, PO Box 3136, Tauranga 3142

PATON, Albert Hugh (Albie)

Passed away on Tuesday 23 September 2025, aged 84, surrounded by his family Much loved and devoted husband of 60 years of Marge Adored father of Barry and Brigette and Joanne and Gerry. Much loved grandfather of Alice, Finn, Meg and Marshall. Mate of Lee Duval. A hardworking man who spent his whole life involved in farming, sports and many projects and initiatives in the community he loved The family greatly appreciates all who were involved with him and supported his achievements and will continue the legacy he leaves A celebration of Albie will be held at the Maungaturoto Country Club on Sunday 28th September 2025 at 1pm.

A family Service will be held on Saturday 27th September 5pm at Tipene Funerals 24 Hill Street Onehunga.

Rosary will be recited at Home 5 Hardie Street Mangere on Sunday 28 h September at 11am.

Requiem Mass wi l be celebrated at St Anthony Parish 20 Kirkbride Road Mangere, on Monday 29th September at 1030am, followed by burial at Mangere Cemetery.

Loved, remembered always by her 17 children their partners, 60 Grandchildren, 69 Great-grandchildren all who knew and loved her.

Special thank you to staff at Hillcrest Home, Ward 2 MMH and Totara Hospice for her Care. In lieu of flowers a donation to Totara Hospice Manurewa will be appreciated.

Mum’s parting words “I love my kids I love my family” https://iknowit nz/watch/ 1180_lusia-peterson/

STEWART, Ian Kenneth Alexander

Passed away on 23rd September 2025 aged 75 years Much loved husband of Debbie. Dearly loved Father and Father-in-law of Mike and Miranda Steve and Kendall, Chris and Sophie and Nick and Brooke. Cherished Poppa of Elvie, Pax and Liam. Loved Brother and Brother-in-law of David and Jaki Loved so much by all his family and will be sadly missed A celebration of Ian’s life will be held at The North Harbour Chapel of Dils Funeral Services, 185 Schnapper Rock Road North Shore, Auckland on Tuesday 30 September 2025 at 2:30pm.

TOPIA, Danny Alan (Danny).

1 December 1948 – 24

September 2025 Beloved son of Molly and Henry Topia Muchloved brother of Eileen Taua, brother-in-law of George Taua, and cherished uncle to Stephen Taua, Sharon Lane, and Robin TauaGordon. Treasured also by their children and grandchildren Danny will be missed dearly by all who knew him Fly high my baby brother.

Danny will be laying in state at 700 Mount Pleasant Road, Thames. A service to celebrate his life will be held at 12 noon on Saturday 27 September at Twentymans Funeral Services, Thames.

Public notices

ADVERTISEMENT OF APPLICATION FOR PUTTING COMPANY INTO LIQUIDATION

This document notifies you that –

1. On 8 August 2025 an application for putting PEACOCKS NZ LIMITED (IN RECEIVERSHIP) into liquidation was filed in the High Court at Auckland. Its reference number is CIV-2025-404-2240. The application is to be heard by the High Court at Auckland on Thursday, 23 October 2025 at 10:00am.

2. A person, other than the defendant company, who wants to appear on the hearing of the application must file an appearance not later than the second working day before that day.

3. The statement of claim and the verifying affidavit may be inspected at the registry of the Court or at the Plaintiff’s address for service.

4 The Pla ntiff s the Commissioner of Inland Revenue, whose address for service is

NOTICE OFPEST PLANTCONTROL

and Tarawera catchments

The control will take place between 6 October 2025 to 1 April 2026, weather depending Up to three control efforts per waterway will be completed within these dates

Enquiries to Biosecurity Team 0800 884 880

Classified

Appointment of Liquidators Decent Developments Limited (In Liquidation) trading as Pocketful.

Paul Thomas Manning and Thomas Lee Rodewald were appointed Joint and Several Liquidators of Decent Developments Limited (In Liquidation) by special resolution of the shareholders on 24th September 2025 at 9:00 am.

Notice is given that the liquidators fix 12th November 2025 as the day on or before which creditors are to make their claims and to establish any priority they may have under Section 312 of the Companies Act 1993. Please direct enquiries to Eve.Bachellier@bdo.co.nz

Address of liquidators C/- BDO Tauranga Limited, Level 1, The Hub, 525 Cameron Road, PO Box 15660, Tauranga 3144 Phone (07) 571 6280 Website: www.bdo.nz

Dated 24th September 2025

Colleen Dorothy DURHAM of Te Awamutu, Retired, died 2 May 2025. Patricia Anne WHALE of Cambridge, Retired, died 6 July 2025.

Paul Thomas Manning JointLiquidator

Headlight Limited (In Liquidation)

Notice of Intention to Remove Company from the Register Pursuant to section 320 of the Companies Act 1993 (“Act”) We, Rachel Mason-Thomas and Jeffrey Philip Meltzer (Licensed nsolvency Practitioners), Liquidators of the above-named company whose registered office is situated at Level 2, 5-7 Kingdon Street, Newmarket, Auckland, hereby give notice that, pursuant to section 318(1)(e) of the Act and having filed with the Registrar our Final Report on the liquidation, it is intended to remove the Company from the New Zealand Register.

Any objection to the removal, pursuant to section 321 of the Act, must be delivered to the Registrar of Companies no later than 31 October 2025. 24 September 2025.

R Mason-Thomas Liquidator Licenced nsolvency Practitioner (Registration Number: IP109)

Contact details: Meltzer Mason, Level 2, 5-7 Kingdon Street, Newmarket, Auckland 1052. Postal address: P O Box 6302, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1141.

Notice of intention to exchange reserve for other land

Auckland Council is intending pursuant to section 15(2) of the Reserves Act 1977 to request the Minister of Conservation to authorise, subject to survey, an exchange of the recreation reserve described in the First Schedule, for the land described in the Second Schedule and that the land in the Second Schedule shall be held for recreation reserve subject to the Reserves Act 1977

ADVERTISEMENT OF APPLICATION FOR PUTTING COMPANY INTO LIQUIDATION

This document notifies you that –

1. On 17 July 2025 an application for putting TMIK INVESTMENTS LIMITED into liquidation was filed in the High Court at Auckland. Its reference number is CIV2025-404-002036 The application is to be heard by the High Court at Auckland on Friday, 10 October 2025 at 10:45 am.

2. A person, other than the defendant company, who wants to appear on the hearing of the application must file an appearance not later than the second working day before that day.

3. The statement of claim and the verifying affidavit may be inspected at the registry of the Court or at the Plaintiff’s address for service.

4 The P aintiff is the Commissioner of Inland Revenue, whose address for service is In and Revenue, Legal Services, 5 Osterley Way (P O Box 76-198), Manukau. The Plaintiff’s solicitor is Cloete van der Merwe, whose address is as noted above.

Dated: 25 September 2025

ADVERTISEMENT OF APPLICATION FOR PUTTING COMPANY INTO LIQUIDATION

This document notifies you that –

1 On 23 July 2025 an application for putting 258 LAKE DEVELOPMENT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP into liquidation was filed in the High Court at Auckland. Its reference number is CIV2025-404-2065 The application is to be heard by the High Court at Auckland on Thursday, 9th October 2025 at 10:00am.

Plan 40536 (Certificate of Title NA779/162) (Part-Cancelled)

(Record of Title 1121118)

Council Private Bag 93200, Auckland 1142 Attention:

(Property Department) email Land

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS

All persons having claims aga nst the under mentioned estate are required to send particulars of such claims certified as owing as at date of death of the deceased to Sean Mason Law at its office at 45 Moorhouse Street, Morrinsville (PO Box 227 Morrinsville 3340, sean@ seanmasonlaw.co.nz) by 24 October 2025

Cred tors and other claimants are warned that any claim not lodged by that date is liable for exclusion. This notice is issued pursuant to Section 79 of the Trusts Act 2019.

FAY ELLA CARSWELL of Auckland, Retired who died on 21 May 2025.

The Proprietors of Pokapu Incorporation Special General Meeting

Saturday 11 October 2025, 10:00 AM Moh nui Marae, 234 Waiomio Road, Waiomio 0281

Shareholders are invited to attend this Special General Meeting

This meeting is for shareho ders only So please ensure you bring required supporting documents.

Shareho ders your participation is vital –have your say on the future of Pokapu Incorporation.

Please email: tepokapuincorporation @gmail.com for further enquiries.

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2 A person, other than the defendant company, who wants to appear on the hearing of the application must file an appearance not later than the second working day before that day.

3 The statement of claim and the verifying affidavit may be inspected at the registry of the Court or at the Plaintiff’s address for service.

4 The Plaintiff is the Commissioner of Inland Revenue, whose address for service is In and Revenue, Legal Services, 5 Osterley Way (P O Box 76-198), Manukau. The Plaintiff’s solicitor is Hosanna Tanielu, whose address is as noted above.

Dated this 26th day of September 2025

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Businesses for sale & wanted

Business For Sale

Urgent

The business and assets of College of Natural Health and Homeopathy Limited (In Liquidation) is offered for sale on a going concern basis. College of Natural Health and Homeopathy Ltd is a NZ-owned private training establishment specialising in wellness and relaxation massage as well as specialising in homeopathy and homeopathy for animals. The business has 1 site in Auckland, New Zealand and operates as

Manager Phone: 07 571 6280 Email: Eve.Bachellier@bdo.co.nz

At OneRoof, we know Kiwis love their homes for all kinds of reasons. It could be the view. Or the space. Or because it’s been the scene of so many magic moments. Or because the kids are over the moon about it.

Whatever you’re looking for in your new home, you’ll find it at OneRoof. With thousands of property listings right across the country, there’s sure to be one to give your heart to.

Michael Guerin’s

What

Second Group 1 thoroughbred race of the season and middle leg of spring Triple Crown

Who

Most of New Zealand’s highest rated weight-for-age horses including seven Group 1 winners.

Last time

Quintessa came from last to beat most of these in the Proisir Plate at Ellerslie

What is different?

The track Ellerslie was a good version of soft whereas Te Rapa could be heavy, changing the complexion of the race.

Draw drama

The track conditions could greatly alter the importance

and perceived advantage of inside barriers.

Improver

While most who contested the Proisir Plate will be better for the run, Legarto in particular should strip leaner

Bridesmaid

La Crique keeps running second in Group 1s but might find this an ideal race If it doesn’t get too heavy.

Horse of the Year

That title-holder El Vencedor has won at this level over 1600m but still looks better placed in the 2000m Livamol next month.

The bolter

Sterling Express surprised plenty in the Proisir Plate and is a proven heavy track performer who likes Te Rapa

Money matters

HOWDEN INSURANCE MILE

$400,000 • 1600m • 4pm, Saturday • Te Rapa

Bookies couldn’t decide between Legarto and La Crique both at $5 b punters beware, if Qu is scratched there will deductions

Black type bonus

The $175,000 Timberspan Hawkes Bay Guineas two races earlier is the biggest three-year-ol race of the season so far.

The verdict

So much depends on the track. If it is ok then Legarto is the tip; if really heavy Sterling Express becomes the value. but uintessa ill be

Double Group 1 target for Kelso

Alabama Lass travels to The Valley while Legarto could start favourite at Te Rapa

Michael Guerin

Ken Kelso’s two glamour girls find themselves facing very different challenges in the space of 18 hours this weekend

The goal is the same for Alabama Lass and Legarto: Group 1 success

But how they go about achieving those victories, and their potential impediments, sum up the two stablemates

Alabama Lass steps up to the Group 1 plate first in the A$2 million Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes at The Valley in Melbourne

Fast but fine, she was only narrowly denied victory in the Moir Stakes last start by Baraqiel, who returns tonight but Alabama Lass also faces a new, more imposing, challenger in Lady Shenandoah

Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald Lady Shenandoah swept through the threeyear-old fillies ranks oozing x-factor last season and was a good thing

beaten in the Concorde in Sydney fresh-up for this term last start

From a good barrier in tonight’s 1200m she would be long odds-on but she has barrier 10 and maybe that means the others have a hope

“It will be tougher up against her,” admits Kelso, who trains Alabama Lass with wife Bev

“But we are confident our mare will be better for her first up run

“She was fresh that day and played up in the gates and Craig [Williams jockey] is sure she has come on since then The two speed horses who went with her early in the Moir aren’t in this race so it could set up nicely for her from barrier 5 But she will have to be very good to win there are no easy Group 1s in Australia ”

Alabama Lass, who jumps at 11 15pm today, is rated a $7 50 chance with Lady Shenandoah a drifting $2 35 favourite

Even if Alabama Lass wins, Kelso says he won t be out celebrating all night as he has to be at the airport at 5am on Saturday to catch a plane

back to Auckland, then jump in the car to Te Rapa for leg two of his Group 1 dream double

Legarto might start favourite in the $400,000 Howden Insurance Mile, the 1600m distance likely to suit her better than the 1400m of the Proisir Plate she and so many of her rivals

contested at Ellerslie last start

What might not be quite as much to her taste is a potential heavy track at Te Rapa, even though she actually won her debut on a Heavy 10

That was a long time ago when she was two and she was just better than those horses, explains Kelso

“But she has won on soft tracks since and I think a lot of the favourites in this race find themselves in the same boat, they would mostly prefer a better track But I will say this, she is not a duffer on a wet track and she really likes Te Rapa, which could help her handle it

“So it might not be perfect for her but it still wouldn t surprise me if she won She has done things before I thought she couldn’t do so she can do it again ” Legarto is aided by the fact most of the big names in tomorrow s Howden also wouldn t ideally want a heavy track but most of their trainers are resigned to going around on it

Mares like Legarto and La Crique have shown enough in the wet and are in the right condition to get away with it whereas the pair on the next line of betting El Vencedor and Quintessa, would seem less likely to pull off a heavy track miracle

With several of the proven wet trackers out of form the emerging Sterling Express is starting to look like the horse best suited to the way tomorrow s race sets up But the best advice for punters might be to wait and watch how Te Rapa plays during the meeting to reveal not only the track conditions but racing patterns

Top pacers return at Addington but punters warned of upset

Michael Guerin

The two most complete pacers in New Zealand return at Addington tonight with the same problem. Because both Marketplace and Republican Party are so good they are supposed to win but both could easily get beaten without losing their crowns. It is a common story in modern harness

wonderful horse gets bad draw or tough

in comeback race and connections want him driven conservatively so he starts his campaign with a

If you think you might have read this

before you have. Last Friday, when Merlin returned off a 20m handicap in the Spring Cup at Alexandra Park.

He was a warm favourite, he was driven perfectly. He got beaten. Republican Party faces that exact same problem tonight, when he kicks off his New Zealand Cup campaign

from a 20m handicap in a $22,500 race. Genuinely good pacers in We Walk By Faith (front line) and Alta Meteor and Mo’unga (10m) get a head start and perhaps more importantly field position over Republican Party in tonight’s 2600m. Republican Party’s co-trainer Cran Dalgety wants him to win but doesn’t think he will, yet he is the Auckland

Cup and Messenger winner and everybody loves him so he opened $5, got out to $5.50, but name recognition alone could drive that price lower tonight.

“We are really happy with him and he has had two trials so he is ready as he can be,” says Dalgety.

“But I want him to be driven to fully exert himself over, say, 500m, not exert himself for 500m in the middle

of the race to get around them then have to exert himself again.” Translated from trainer-speak to punterspeak that means: he can win, but probably won’t and you shouldn’t back him

We Walk By Faith and Alta Meteor are better bets while Don’t Stop Dreaming could win or finish last without surprising anybody because at his best he is very good and at his worst he seems very uninterested.

Like Republican Party, Marketplace is a son of the great Bettors Delight and he might be a little bit special He could be our best pacer in a year.

A fully fit, on the speed and angry Marketplace would win tonight but he won’t be any of those things because tonight is a step down a path toward races such as the $500,000 Velocity, NZ Derby and Flying Stakes, races Marketplace is long odds-on to win.

Adding to his issues tonight are the

three really good rivals in Rubira, Got The Chocolates and Bettors Anvil, who are fitter than him and drawn inside him.

“In all likelihood he will go back at the start and hope for the right cart into the race but we are also aware that might not come,” says trainer Regan Todd.

Marketplace can still win as he only has six rivals and could easily be in the one-one with 800m to go and if he is his $1.80 opening price will feel like theft.

But if he is four back on the outer with one of his rivals ready to unleash a 55-second last 800m then could be both exceptional yet expensive.

Between now and when the harness racing season ends on December 31 both Republican Party and Marketplace are almost certain to win more stake money than any of the horses they race tonight. But that doesn’t mean they should be carrying yours this time.

Taurua ‘wants to get back out there’

Akle says stooddown Silver Ferns coach will ‘hopefully’ return

Bridget Tunnicliffe of RNZ

Australian coach Briony Akle insists Dame Noeline Taurua wants to coach the Silver Ferns again, despite being dramatically stood down

Netball New Zealand dropped a bombshell two weeks ago when it announced that Taurua and her coaching cohort would not be involved in the series against South Africa

It said discussions with Taurua and the Silver Ferns management team concerning proposed changes to the high-performance programme and environment had not been resolved

That meant Akle, who was brought in as a specialist coach at the start of 2024 and long-time Silver Ferns assistant coach Deb Fuller, were also stood down

Yvette McCausland-Durie answered the SOS to step in as interim coach for the series

Akle told the No Dribble podcast the situation had not dented Taurua’s desire to coach the Silver Ferns and she wanted to come back

“Yeah absolutely, I think the core of Noels is about player-first she s been behind the scenes, since Constellation Cup last year, she s been planning the next two years of what that looks like leading into a World Cup, Commonwealth Games and Con Cup [Constellation Cup] so she wants to get back out there

“She wants to look forward and move on, she’s all about that gut feel around a player and what that looks like with the Silver Ferns, she’ll always put that Silver Fern first

“So no matter what s gone on, I feel like once she is hopefully back in there that good things will come out of it Out of challenging situations good things always do, you always learn something about everybody and I think that s the mantra that she takes in terms of ‘bring on the feedback lets work together’

“And I think the netball world

White Ferns eye strong Cup opener

The White Ferns’ Cricket World Cup preparation is aimed towards a big performance in their opening game against Australia on Wednesday.

The New Zealanders have got ready for the tournament in India and Sri Lanka with a training camp in Dubai and are now in India, with two warm-up games against Indian sides before taking on the Aussies in Indore.

Pace bowler Jess Kerr says the warm-up games including against the main Indian side tomorrow are important for honing their skills and getting used to the conditions in India.

The Dubai camp included some warm-up games and helped them acclimatise to the heat.

“Obviously it’s going to be hot here in India, so adapting to that was really good and just those game scenarios we had lots of different situations that we had to adapt to,” Kerr said.

The warm-up games in Bengaluru will build on the preparation, which comes after a long layoff for the national team, with their last match in March.

“We’ve not had a whole heap of that this year, so getting those sort of formulas in place, finding ways to

needs New Zealand to be amazing and great, so I think that s where she wants it to be moving forward

Akle coaches in the Australian Super Netball competition for the New South Wales Swifts, where Silver Ferns shooter Grace Nweke plied her trade this year

The Silver Ferns had a training camp in Sydney earlier this year which included playing matches against the Swifts RNZ understands the issues in the Silver Ferns stem back to that camp in January

Following the tour, two players approached the NZ Netball Players Association on behalf of a larger group of up to seven players, who raised concerns about Taurua’s leadership and communication style Players alleged the environment had become “psychologically unsafe”, describing a culture in which

some felt fearful of raising issues directly with the head coach

The next big on-court challenge for the Silver Ferns is just three weeks away, with the Constellation Cup series against Australia starting on October 17

The Netball New Zealand board said it was continuing to work to resolve the situation and Akle seemed optimistic the two parties could reconcile

“Behind the scenes it s been going for a little while with Noeline Taurua and the Silver Ferns I can t say a lot, but I think the good thing is Noels is super excited to be able to get back into that space of coaching

Akle said navigating the rift in the Silver Ferns had been very challenging

“Obviously the focus has been about Noels in the media and it is a

win, which will be important.

Everything’s leading up to that first game and we want to be really clinical with what we can put out against Australia in game one.”

While the White Ferns have a solid base of experience from the likes of skipper Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, Lea Tahuhu and Melie Kerr, they have four players Bree Illing, Flora Devonshire, Polly Inglis and Bella James who are playing in their first World Cup.

Jess Kerr, one of the senior pace bowlers, says it’s exciting to have Illing at the Cup.

Illing, who turns 22 on Monday, burst on to the international scene in March, taking four wickets in her debut ODI series against Sri Lanka.

“She’s offered such a point of dif-

ference being that left-armer and that extra bit of pace as well,” said Kerr.

“She’s had so much success in the domestic set up and already internationally too, so I know this World Cup will be awesome for her.

“Hopefully she can rely on us more experienced pace bowlers if she needs, but bringing her own strengths, that’s what she needs to do and, and not comparing herself to what the others do.”

Kerr, a leading all-rounder in the side, took part in a batting camp in Chennai last month.

“Having been able to go to that batting camp in Chennai was of huge value. Just a lot of drilling and then a number of coaches who have experience of what works well in India.”

big deal that the Dame has been stood down, but hopefully she ll be back in that space soon and she ll be back on deck ”

Akle said she was not surprised the Silver Ferns came out firing in the first test on Sunday beating South Africa by 26 goals

The Ferns won the Taini Jamison Trophy after beating South Africa 70-58 in the second test in Napier on Wednesday night

“They’ve been training hard behind the scenes, which is what it s about right being that professional athlete and knowing that you ve got a job to do for your country, I think it was always going to bring them together ”

Akle coaches in the toughest league in the world, and told No Dribble getting the balance between exacting high standards while also

looking after the players, was difficult

“It s a fine line to say what that psychological safety is, what does that even mean, I don’t know

In every environment there is a level of fear going into a high performance team because you don’t want to stuff up, you want to do your best every single time and there will be confrontation in terms of ‘did you do your job’

“I can only speak from my perspective as a coach, there is that fine line between setting the record straight around how you should have played a game to the reality that they are human, they’ve got feelings I feel like any high-performing team or coach will say there is tension all the time in a high performance team ”

The final test against South Africa is in Invercargill on Sunday RNZ

Speedway legend Alan ‘Moon Goon’ Luoni dies

Ben Francis

The New Zealand speedway community is mourning the loss of Alan “Moon Goon” Luoni, who died at the weekend.

Known for his energy and willingness to roll up his sleeves, Luoni dedicated more than 45 years to the sport, particularly in his hometown of Whanganui.

He served in numerous roles at Oceanview Speedway, including committee member, president, and later life member.

Speedway New Zealand president Lani Thompson told the Herald that Luoni was a big man with a kind heart

“Alan was the champion of grassroots speedway racing.

“He was someone who absolutely championed all of the entry-level classes. He was a well-respected guy with a huge heart and the embodiment of everything grassroots about sport.”

Luoni leaves behind a wife, four daughters, and grandchildren. Speedway NZ has set up a Givealittle page to support the family.

Thompson first met Luoni in 2018 after joining the Speedway NZ board, where he had already been serving. She recalled him as both welcoming and generous.

Alan

“He was tall, he was big, but equally the kindest and most gentle person I had probably met at that point in the sport,” Thompson said.

“He was kind, inclusive, very giving, and always willing to pick up the phone to help anyone who had a question. He was very kind to me when I first came into my role, and I’ll never forget that.”

Luoni’s funeral will be held on Monday at Oceanview Speedway in Whanganui. Guests are being asked to wear speedway supporter gear and place stickers on his casket

It marks a double tragedy for the Oceanview community, after the loss of fellow life member John Hughes last week.

Thompson said what made Luoni special was that he was relatable to the wider speedway community.

“He had personality in spades. He was very funny, with a great sense of humour, but when something needed to be done, he could be very firm as well.

“People like Alan don’t come around that often. He will be really, really missed.”

FOR THE BLEDISLOE

ALL BLACKS BATTLE

v AUSTRALIA

LISTENLIVETOMORROW

12PM-3PM

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WEEKEND SPORT WITH JASON PINE LIVE FROM THE KINGSLANDER

BUILD UP TO THE BLEDISLOE CUP LIVE FROM THE ALL BLACKS FAN ZONE

LIVE COMMENTARY WITH ELLIOTT SMITH, ANT STRACHAN AND JASON PINE

POST MATCH TALKBACK WITH JASON PINE

Robertson’s Luxon-esque

Like the PM, the All Blacks coach seems to have unshakeable faith

his plan is right

GregorP

The economy is grinding to a halt, the exits are flooding with graduates trying to escape, butter trades at about the same price as gold and by any reasonable assessment the pillars on which normal life is built in New Zealand are wobbling

Having been thumped by the banks supermarkets US President Donald Trump s tariffs and Air New Zealand s seemingly anti-competitive supply and demand algorithmic pricing, Kiwis don’t know from where the next blow is coming

It s conceivable that the cast of potential villains has been exhausted, that there isn t a big business or overseas despot left to throw a punch

It s possible that those who buzz around in the Beehive are right

That if they hold their nerve, back their strategy whatever it may be then better times are just around the corner

But equally, New Zealand could be teetering on the brink of an existential crisis and all this talk of being on the right track will be proven to be the sort of detached and delusional nonsense espoused by World War I generals who were still thinking of warfare as being about horses and bayonets rather than machine guns and air assaults

In an almost perfect replica the All Blacks are a microcosmic metaphor for what is happening more broadly in New Zealand

Head coach Scott Robertson came into the role at about the same time Christopher Luxon was elected Prime Minister, and the former, like the latter, came into office as a markedly different character to his predecessor, promising change and better results

Two years on, and the All Blacks’ brighter future has failed to materialise and Robertson like Luxon has discovered that holding office is significantly harder than being in opposition and in his world the roles of stubborn inflation and an

,, Certainly, the record defeat to the Boks has brought the same avalanche of questions the Government has faced about the faltering economy

out-of-control cost of living crisis are being played respectively by Argentina and South Africa

The latter, it could be said, in hammering the All Blacks 43-10 two weeks ago, was the equivalent of GDP retracting -0 9% in the June quarter

Certainly, the record defeat to the Boks has brought the same avalanche of questions the Government has faced about the faltering economy

It has left the fan base unsure about whether they witnessed a minor setback on a longer road to recovery or a nightmarish glimpse of what is

Aussie’s Bledisloe

about to become the All Blacks’ future

The parallels are simply endless because in picking the team he has to face Australia at Eden Park, Robertson has emulated Luxon s response to his critics that he holds unshakeable faith that his plan is right, and not in need of a radical overhaul

To some extent, Robertson’s measured and moderate response to the Springboks defeat is understandable

The return of Codie Taylor and

blues: ‘To think we haven’t won it in over 20 years is staggering’

Ben Francis

When George Gregan hoisted the Bledisloe Cup after the Wallabies’ 16-14 victory over the All Blacks in Sydney in 2002, few could have imagined that, now 23 years later, no other Australian captain would have (as yet) lifted the famous transtasman trophy again.

It’s a statistic former Wallabies lock Justin Harrison, who played in that match, calls “staggering” especially since Australia had just secured the Bledisloe Cup for a record fifth consecutive year after Matt Burke’s penalty following the final whistle.

“It’s a tired cliche, but you have to take it all in and appreciate it, as you never know if you’ll experience that again,” Harrison told the Herald

“There are players who have not beaten the All Blacks, let alone won a series. To think we haven’t won it in over 20 years is staggering.”

That 2002 decider was a true battle, highlighted by physical play, while Burke and All Blacks playmaker Andrew Mehrtens both struggled off

the tee. With the Wallabies trailing by six points heading into the final 10 minutes, Rogers dove over near the posts, but Burke’s conversion hit the posts meaning they trailed by a single point.

But in stoppage time, All Blacks captain Reuben Thorne gave away a penalty and Burke slotted the matchwinning kick from nearly the exact same spot from his previous miss.

Harrison remembers both teams being evenly matched, but said the Wallabies’ composure in the decisive moments proved the difference.

Now head of Australia’s Rugby Union Players Association, Harrison said facing the All Blacks was always the pinnacle outside of a World Cup.

“We’ve both been measured for a long time against performance in the Bledisloe,” he said.

“It’s always been the precursor to World Cup cycles.

“To contemplate not winning a series now and it’s very difficult with just two tests you’ve either got to win both or draw one and then win the other to get it back.

Cam Roigard two first choice regulars when they are fit simultaneously gives the All Blacks lineout greater accuracy and the attack better variation

And bringing in Caleb Clarke gives the backline greater aerial prowess and power running and so with three changes – and arguably all three are restoring injured first teamers Robertson is effectively backing his people and blueprint

He was clear that he didn’t feel the need to make wholesale changes as his analysis suggested that the final score in Wellington didn t reflect a systemic meltdown but was instead a consequence of the All Blacks chasing the game in the final 12 minutes

Modern rugby can produce these sorts of anomalistic blowouts just as economic recoveries can be beset by a rogue quarter and Robertson, in advocating for people’s trust and patience, has made a show of faith the equal of Luxon’s

This is going to turn out to be either inspirational, strategic leadership under pressure or disastrously misplaced self-confidence that failed to see the warning signs prescient in bad results

In Robertson’s case, the concern is that he hasn’t addressed his stuttering midfield combination of Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor

It’s a combination that should work as it has functioned well for the Hurricanes, but as an All Blacks pairing, they have looked out of sync in their six tests together, unsure how to stay connected on defence

There’s enough evidence to say that this is a combination that should have had a red line put through it this week and an alternative tried but Robertson is nothing if not consistent in his belief that he has the right attack plan and a conviction these two are best-placed to facilitate it

Maybe one more game is all they need to click, just as maybe one more quarter is all the economy needs to come right

It all feels so tenuous though hopeful rather than expectant and to the question of where the next blow is coming, the answer may well be the Wallabies and their magical centre Joseph-Aukuso Sua ali’i

“When you think about the national psyche, the most competitive of all is Wallabies versus All Blacks. People talk about EnglandAustralia because of the history, but from a purely sporting perspective, not much beats it.”

The Bledisloe goes on the line again tomorrow at Eden Park in the first of two tests. The Wallabies must avoid defeat to carry a chance of breaking the drought when the series shifts to Perth.

But history is stacked against them Australia haven’t beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand in 29 tests since 2001 Harrison’s second cap, after debuting against the British and Irish Lions. To put it in perspective, two of their biggest stars, JosephAukuso Sua’ali’i and Max Jorgensen, weren’t even born the last time the Wallabies beat the All Blacks on Kiwi

soil

On top of that, they have lost their last 23 tests against the All Blacks at Eden Park dating back to 1986, 20 of them during the All Blacks’ 51-match unbeaten streak at the ground.

Former Wallabies captain Phil Kearns insists there is “nothing special” about Eden Park. Harrison, however, believes players can be beaten before they even arrive.

“History can sometimes speak for itself before it even happens,” Harrison said. “The more you talk about something, the more it takes on a life of its own.

“There’s so much talk, hysteria, mystery, intrigue almost a sense of

fortune-telling around the All Blacks’ record there that it becomes this immovable mountain.

“The atmosphere and intensity there is different more foreboding, more powerful psychologically because it’s been talked about so much that it gets into your DNA.” As for tomorrow, Harrison said the scoreline is irrelevant as long as the Wallabies are one point ahead at fulltime. And with the All Blacks

statement with selections

Justin Harrison (rear)

celebrates Matt Burke's winning penalty goal with his teammates in the Wallabies 16-14 win over the All Blacks in 2002.

In picking his team for tomorrow’s test, Scott Robertson did not feel the need to make wholesale changes to the team routed by the

Black Ferns still have plenty left to play for

Christopher Reive

It’s been a bittersweet week for the Black Ferns.

Tomorrow night, the side will run out at Twickenham for a test against France to end their campaign at the Rugby World Cup.

The test is the fixture that few groups want to find themselves in, as the teams ranked third and fourth in the world play for the bronze medal

The Black Ferns were comfortably beaten 34-19 by world No 2 Canada in their semifinal.

They had lost only once previously in a World Cup knockout game: a semifinal against the United States in the inaugural tournament in 1991.

reeling from a record loss to the Springboks, he believes there is no better moment to strike.

“That’s the positive for this current squad. They carry the shadow of history, but they also have a real opportunity,” he said.

“The challenge is that ‘opportunity’ is one of the worst words in the English language, because it can remain just potential. Turning it into results is what really matters.”

“It’s really important that we reflect on the result and that it hurts. There’s a feeling that you let people down, but we can’t focus on that now,” Black Ferns assistant coach Steve Jackson said of the semifinal loss.

“We let it play up for a day or two, but now we’ve got a job to do. We want to leave this tournament only losing one game, although a very, very important game.

“I suppose the beauty about making a semifinal is that you get another opportunity to play, and I know this group will put in everything they can.”

France are really unpredictable and they have players in their team that can spark something out of nothing.

While the team will be disappointed not to be in a position to defend their World Cup title, the campaign hasn’t been without positives.

Among those, outside back Braxton Sorensen-McGee has been among the stars of the tournament,

Maia Joseph, Black Ferns halfback

leading the counts for individual tryscoring (9), points (59) and linebreaks, while the team top the tournament count for linebreaks with 10 more than the next best team.

They were, however, made to pay for slow starts and poor discipline. Of the 221 points they have scored in the

tournament, 57% were scored in the second half.

They conceded the first points of the game against Japan, South Africa and Canada, while they were on the wrong side of the penalty count in all five of their World Cup games.

They have conceded 50 penalties, at an average of 10 a game, which is 21 more than they have been awarded.

Although their World Cup hopes have been extinguished, there is still plenty for the Black Ferns to play for against France. Should Allan Bunting’s side lose, they will fall out of the top three in the world rankings for the first time.

Black Ferns halfback Maia Joseph said the French would test them across the park, but the battle for bronze gave her side another opportunity to finish their tournament on a high.

“France are really unpredictable and they have players in their team that can spark something out of nothing. So this week there’s been a mix of preparing for the things that they might throw at us, but also focusing on our own game.

“We didn’t execute like we usually do against Canada, so that’s a huge focus this weekend.”

The game kicks off at 11.30pm tomorrow.

ROBERTSON KEEPS THE FAITH

Coach confident All Blacks can get swift pay back for Wellington defeat

Liam Napier

Brace for the backlash The All Blacks cauldron is brewing with a burning desire to restore wounded pride

Two weeks on from the ignominy of their heaviest defeat in history against the Springboks, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has reacted to widespread frustration with the team’s flip-flop form and mounting pressure by largely continuing his mantra of maintaining faith Influential incumbents return, as well as a forced change of captain with Ardie Savea assuming the reins due to Scott Barrett’s shoulder injury, but Robertson is essentially banking on his favoured starters delivering a decisive response against Joe Schmidt’s vastly improved Wallabies Robertson remains steadfast in his view that the All Blacks’ darkest-day defeat in Wellington can be swiftly amended He has, therefore, resisted the urge to use selection as a cutthroat tool

Starting halfback Cam Roigard and hooker Codie Taylor were always

going to be reinstated once fit

And after a selection oversight in recent weeks, Robertson has belatedly turned to Caleb Clarke on the left edge, in the only true starting shift to help solve the All Blacks ongoing aerial issues

Robertson has for now at least resisted the temptation to inject Leicester Fainga’anuku at centre and there’s again no room for Rieko Ioane after his demotion, with Leroy Carter switching to the right wing

But there are two telling changes to the bench, where Patrick Tuipulotu returns and Peter Lakai’s ballcarrying power is preferred over Du’Plessis Kirifi for his first test of the year

“We believe a number of the combinations and cohesion that won for us a few weeks ago here is really important ” Robertson said of the success against the Boks that maintained Eden Park’s 31-year fortress status

“They won a title fight together and it s their opportunity to go and do it again for the Bledisloe

Team list

All Blacks: Will Jordan Leroy Carter Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke Beauden Barrett Cam Roigard, Wallace Sititi Ardie Savea (capt), Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i, Fabian Holland, Tyrel Lomax Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot

Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Cortez Ratima, Quinn Tupaea, Damian McKenzie

“He s mentally and physically tough, so it s hard not to see his name there but he’s not quite right for this weekend he’s pushing to get back for next weekend

“It’s great to have Ardie as captain He slots straight in 100 games and he s captained before

“You learn on stage They’ve been under the spotlight, and it s another chance for them ” Barrett injured his shoulder landing on it after running down the sideline against the Springboks in Wellington He finished the match, and attempted to train on Tuesday but couldn’t recover in time

“He s a quiet leader I wouldn’t say reluctant, but he feels when to say something and people listen He’s got a great manner and orator More importantly, he plays like the captain and people follow him ” After missing a staggering 46 tackles in their horror Wellington loss watching the set piece disintegrate and the attack flounder in the second half, the All Blacks could try to pull apart their entire game

Behind closed doors, home truths were delivered during a brutal review but they remain confident that tweaks rather than a full-scale overhaul will rectify recurring issues

“We’re clear in our areas We know how Aussie are going to play Once you’ve been hurt and stung like we were the best thing to do is play It can t come round quick enough ”

Taylor’s return and Fabian Holland s towering presence should help fix the lineout capitulation that slumped to 69% in the capital

“We’ve had a good look in the mirror,” Taylor said “The coaches have taken it on board but as players we re the ones out there we re the

ones who need to fix it ”

Stinging criticism from the likes of former All Blacks captain Kieran Read and test centurion Mils Muliaina, both of whom questioned the heart after the Wellington defeat will also fuel the fire

“It hurt ” Taylor said “We had the week off, so I m pretty sure most of us had a pretty sore heart around letting down the jersey our country

“There s been a lot of words out there, a lot of noise We’re the ones in this circle in this environment and we re the ones who have to respond It doesn’t matter what people say, we re the ones who are wearing the jersey, so we’ve got to make sure we do it with pride and we get a result Tuipulotu acknowledged that personal pride and respect are on the line “You can often fall into the trap of wanting to do everything ” the Blues captain said “Less is more and keeping it simple with us We ve steadily built this week The Bledisloe is at the forefront, but past that, restoring our pride and how we want to play and being respected from our peers in this circle