Latest News

A triumph – after a day of tragedy

Published

3 years ago

July 24, 2023

“I’ve seen this fan base travel all over the world. This is the farthest they’ve come yet, but the numbers are amazing,” Philadelphia Inquirer football reporter Jonathan Tannenwald told RNZ’s Morning Report last Wednesday, after one fan of the US National Women’s Team told the show she’d have gone to Antarctica to back their team’s bid to retain the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

RNZ’s Corin Dann warned Tannenwald the weather here could have a pretty Antarctic tinge to it in winter time.

“Not everybody on this team is from Los Angeles where it’s sunny all the time,” he replied.

But 24 hours later, the weather was the least of their worries on the day of the big kickoff as the sort of story more familiar to Americans unfolded in central Auckland.

Among reporters swiftly on the scene in lower Queen Street were those deployed for breakfast show broadcasts marking the World Cup opening at the nearby fan zone on the waterfront.

That was due to open officially at midday, but all that changed after a witness called police at 7:23am to report there was a man with a gun in the building.

Emma Olsen was live on the AM show on Three just minutes later with the hotel of the team from Norway in shot over her shoulder, and pointing out the fanzone was just a stone’s throw away

Shortly after, AM show viewers saw a bloodied police officer emerging and being led to an ambulance.

Meanwhile on TVNZ’s Breakfast show eyewitness Nancy in a neighbouring locked-down building said they were following events on NZHerald.co.nz and stuff.co.nz.

Both the online sites were already running live blogs at that point with eyewitness accounts and images as well as the more limited official information as well. Both were excellent sources during a confusing but clearly dangerous situation.

TVNZ’s Breakfast stayed on air until after midday to keep viewers up to date.

Essential information about transport changes and coordinates and closures also had to be communicated.

Mike Hosking kept listeners up to date with that in his top-rating Newstalk ZB breakfast show, but also criticised local councillors for issuing ‘stay safe’ messages he thought were unnecessary. He also criticised the police for not issuing enough.

“Is that all they’ve got to do. Really? What I’m trying to say here is – without crossing a line – the police need to say something fairly soon because there’s a lot to be said – and the longer they leave this the more vacuum there is,” he said.

Mike Hosking then launched into an interview about Nigel Farage’s banking problems in the UK, before returning to the drama on his doorstep.

“The mayor of Auckland has suggested that the shooter is dead. And apart from that, the information flow is starting to slow indicating that things might be concluding,” he told listeners.

The claim of the shooter’s death was made by the mayor just minutes earlier on TVNZ’s Breakfast, during a pretty hard to hear phone interview, almost in passing and during a laundry list of information about transport services and road closures.

“We’re not bothering the police just at the moment; they’re under immense pressure,” Brown said when asked if he heard that from police or if it was just unconfirmed reports he’d heard.

“That’s what I think, but no one’s absolutely sure of that,” he replied.

Before long the police confirmed the shooter’s death, as did the prime minister in a later media conference.

The mayor pointed out this dreadful situation “couldn’t have come at a worse time given the world FIFA soccer thing.”

While the Women’s World Cup organisers wouldn’t have been thrilled to hear the biggest sporting event ever held in this country described like that, plenty of others were making the point about the timing.

The PM also spoke about the world’s gaze being on the city, and said FIFA organisers had been reassured the tournament would proceed as planned that night.

“As the eyes of the world fell on Aotearoa for the launch of the World Cup. our violent streets were laid bare for the world,” said the New Zealand Herald’s online summary of international media reaction.

That picked out the Daily Mail – world leaders in online clickbait – calling it “a mass shooting” after “a gunman stormed a high rise building just hours before the World Cup opening match.”

The BBC World Service had a more measured version of the facts in its news bulletins, following the latest from the war in Ukraine.

When Newstalk ZB opened its talkback and text lines, callers made comparisons with South Africa’s urban problems. One even called to complain people on cycleways were ignoring the cordons.

Mayor Brown appeared on RNZ National’s Nine to Noon and Newstalk ZB later in the day to talk about the impact of Auckland’s international image.

“Nobody wants to be the public face of a city that has had a tragedy like that – but you have to step up to it. I’ve been on Australian TV, and others, pointing out that it is safe here. Americans are a bit more used to this than us and we are but we are not,” he said.

“It’s a shock to Aucklanders; we all feel terribly upset and sad for the people whose lives have been ripped apart – and also for the workers. It’s been important for me to let the rest of the world know that this is very, very unusual,” he said.

He was far from the only one on Thursday characterising the shootings as a US-style event.

“Unfortunately, I feel like in the US. We’ve dealt with this far too many times,” the US player Lynn Williams told a media conference.

But John Riley, the father of US-born Football Ferns’ co-captain Ali Riley told the AM show: “I’ve never actually seen a policeman pointing a gun at anyone – and it’s just quite shocking here today.”

“We thought of the victims and the first responders and they made us so proud and we wanted to just help bring something amazing today,” Riley said after the surprise win over Norway on live coverage carried to a huge audience by Sky Sports, Prime TV and Stuff.

“You will never see this again. You could never dream to see this again,” Herald football writer Michael Burgess wrote after what he called “one of the most extraordinary matches in our sporting history”.

Let’s also hope the same is true of what happened in Auckland on Thursday morning.

RNZ

Latest News

Police say person who fired gun at officers still at large

Published

2 days ago

November 12, 2026

News Staff

Police say a person who fired a gun at officers in Napier is still at large.

Eastern District Commander Superintendent Joel Lamb said Police tried to stop a vehicle in the Pirimai Area at about 10pm on Tuesday.

He said someone in the back seat pointed what was presumed to be a firearm at officers pursuing the vehicle.

“Staff have then heard two distinct gunshots as the firearm was discharged.

“Fortunately, neither of our officers were injured, and the patrol vehicle did not sustain any damage.”

He said hours later, the vehicle was seen travelling north on the Waikato Expressway towards Auckland.

Police seized the vehicle at an address in Manurewa, but they had not found the alleged offender.

Lamb said people who lived at the Manurewa address were engaging with Police.

He said Eastern District and Counties Manukau Police were making enquiries.

“Presenting a firearm at a Police officer is a serious escalation that puts our staff and the wider community at risk. This behaviour is entirely unacceptable.

“We are taking this incident extremely seriously and will be pursuing all lines of enquiry to locate the offender and hold them accountable.”

Police asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Police on 105 or online using the reference number 261111/3764.

Information could also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

rnz

Latest News

New Zealand sides named for RLWC finals

Published

3 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The players tasked with ending Australia’s Rugby League World Cup dominance have been named.

The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns have announced their squads for this Sunday’s World Cup finals in Brisbane.

Both sides are chasing their first titles since 2008, and both are looking to end their opponents run of three crowns in a row.

“Our Kiwi Ferns have been so dominant in years gone by, and we want to bring dominance back to this jersey, so I think it will be a case of who wants it more,” said co-captain Georgia Hale of the impending clash.

The Kiwis get a major boost for the final as they welcome back Ronaldo Mulitalo after he served a one-match ban for a high tackle against Fiji Bati.

Mulitalo replaces Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who moves to the six-man bench, which again includes utility Te Maire Martin, middle forwards Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark and Xavier Willison plus fullback Keano Kini.

Loose forward Joseph Tapine will make his 30th Test appearance in a familiar pack again, including second-rowers Isaiah Papali’i and Briton Nikora, and props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota.

Winger Jamayne Isaako is on the cusp of claiming the New Zealand record for most Test points.

His five goals against Tonga lifted his career points tally to 225 – level with Shaun Johnson – while centre Casey McLean goes into the final with 16 tries in just eight Tests.

Fisher-Harris will again captain the team.

Fullback Ponga said the goal of the group was clear.

“We have high expectations around what we want to achieve, and obviously winning a world Cup is one of them.”

Meanwhile, Ricky Henry has selected a settled side to take on the Jillaroos, led by their lethal centre combination of Stacey Waaka and Mele Hufanga.

Veteran Apii Nicholls takes the number one jersey, Leianne Tufuga and Mackenzie Wiki on the wings.

Henry has stuck with his halves pairing of Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Raecene McGregor with Alexis Tauaneai, Georgia Hale and Otesa Pule up front.

Rounding out the starting pack is Shaniece Monschau, Kaiyah Atai, and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

“We have been building well throughout the tournament; we understand the Jillaroos side, and will give it our all to make New Zealand proud this weekend,” said Henry.

RLWC Finals:

Kiwi Ferns vs Jillaroos- 6.10pm

Kiwis vs Kangaroos – 9.35pm

Sunday November 15

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Live blog updates on RNZ

Kiwi Ferns:

1. Apii Nicholls 2. Leianne Tufuga 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Stacey Waaka 5. Mackenzie Wiki 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Alexis Tauaneai 9. Georgia Hale 10. Otesa Pule 11. Shaniece Monschau 12. Kaiyah Atai 13. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

Interchange: 14. Ashleigh Quinlan 15. Annessa Biddle 16. Shannon Mato 17. Ivana Lauitiiti.

Reserves: 18. Brooke Anderson 19. Zahara Temara 20. Brianna Clark 21. Abigail Roache 22. Tenika Willison.

Kiwis:

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Briton Nikora, 13. Joseph Tapine (v/c).

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison.

Reserves: 18. Keano Kini, 19. Phoenix Crossland, 20. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 21. Scott Sorensen, 22. Leo Thompson.

rnz

Latest News

Parliamentary Service working on extra chairs and offices for increased number of MPs

Published

3 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The chief executive of the Parliamentary Service is confident there will be enough room to accommodate the increased number of MPs and their staff coming into Parliament.

On current numbers, up to 131 MPs could be sitting in the Chamber following the election, brought on by a record overhang result.

Clerk of the House of Representatives Dr David Wilson told the Spinoff that currently the debating chamber had enough chairs to seat 124 MPs – including the Speaker of the House – and work was being done to accommodate more by altering the seating arrangement.

In a statement, Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero said planning for a larger Parliament had been going for “some time”.

“Now that the election results have confirmed an increase to the number of members we are looking at several options.

“We are confident we will be able to accommodate all members within the Chamber.”

Chief Executive of the Parliamentary Service Rafael Gonzalez-Montero appears before select committee. — Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero.

VNP / Phil Smith

Gonzalez-Montero said office accommodation for members and their staff would be “stretched” for a short time, but the new Members’ Building was only a few months away from “practical completion”.

That building – located behind Parliament – was due to be ready to occupy in April next year and had capacity to accommodate around 30 backbench MPs.

“All members should be in fit-for-purpose accommodation from that point,” Gonzalez-Montero said.

Following the 2023 election, 123 MPs sat in the Chamber – a record number at the time. That decreased to 122 following the resignation of National MP Judith Collins.

Collins held the seat of Papakura and stepped down in May and Parliament voted against holding a by-election because it was too close to the election.

The election result also meant high-ranking National Party MPs like Chris Bishop, Paul Goldsmith, Nicola Willis and Gerry Brownlee – Speaker of the House and an MP for 30 years – would likely not make it back into Parliament.

Only resigning or retiring MPs were permitted to give a valedictory speech meaning none of them would get the chance to give a valedictory statement.

Asked if their would be special allowances for valedictories, Wilson said in a statement that normally only MPs were allowed to speak in the House but the House could suspend its own rules or temporarily alter them.

“It could do so to allow former members to address the House.”

Wilson said no such arrangements could be made until the next Parliament opened and members sworn in.

rnz