Here, the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with India has pumped immigration up the political agenda. They're not the most populous country in the world for nothing," Peters told Politik. Debating immigration out loudWhile some say the media ignores the issue, immigration had aired extensively often in the news. "In an election year, it's so predictable that immigration becomes a really contested issue," Tahu Kukutai from the Te Ngira Institute for Population Research told the forum. Accused of racism and scapegoating, Winston Peters told Parliament the next day he wasn't sorry.

Cameron Millar of the Highlanders charges forward during tonight's Super Rugby match against the Chiefs at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Photo: Getty ImagesEight straight losses to the Chiefs does not sound great but the Highlanders were far from disgraced last night. But they were brave and they tried things and they came roaring home with two late tries. The Highlanders had trailed by seven points at halftime but Cameron Millar quickly cut that to one with a pair of penalties. Super RugbyThe scoresChiefs 26Samisoni Taukei’aho 2, Leroy Carter, Kaylum Boshier tries; Josh Jacomb 3 conHighlanders 23Jona Nareki, Caleb Tangitau, Veveni Lasaqa tries; Cameron Millar con, 2 penHalftime: Chiefs 14-7.

Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano has quit after a heavy loss to Auckland FC. Photo: Getty ImagesWellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano has resigned, after a humiliating 5-0 A-League loss to Auckland FC. The Wellington club has thanked 'Chief' for his work, with the coach confirming his departure after the match at Sky Stadium. "Giancarlo Italiano has announced his resignation as men's head coach," the message read on Wellington Phoenix's X account. With tonight's loss, the Phoenix have equalled their worst-ever loss at home.

US President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters during a press conference. Photo / AFPUnited States President Donald Trump has raised the global duty on imports into the US to 15%, doubling down on his promise to maintain his aggressive tariff policy a day after the Supreme Court ruled much of it illegal. Trump said on his Truth Social platform that after a thorough review of the “extraordinarily anti-American decision” by the court to rein in his tariff programme, the Administration was hiking the import levies “to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level”. The US leader had announced an initial 10% duty in the immediate aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling. And Trump added that over the next few months, his Administration would seek further alternative ways to impose “legally permissible” tariffs.

One person has died after a vehicle hit a parked car and flipped in an Auckland suburb. One dead after car hits parked vehicle and flips in Hillsborough crashOne person has died after a vehicle hit a parked car and flipped in an Auckland suburb. Photo / NZMEOne person has died after a vehicle hit a parked car and flipped in an Auckland suburb. Emergency services were called to the serious crash in Hillsborough near the intersection of Frederick St and Belfast St at around 6.30pm last night. Despite emergency services’ efforts, one person died at the scene.

I’m not sure there is an official definition of economic recovery. But most of the feedback I’ve received for covering the economic recovery has been negative. One is that people, or their business, or people they know, are still struggling; so how can we be talking about recovery? That raises the distinction we ought to make between a cyclical economic recovery and the big structural issues that still plague our economy. Economic growth creates stability, a platform for people to improve their lot.

Fin Melville Ives, after crashing out in qualification for the Freeski Halfpipe competition at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic games. Melville Ives, the current world champion and one of New Zealand's best medal hopes, was stretchered off after the heavy fall during his second run after being knocked unconscious. He's now recovering and remains in good spirits, jesting his injuries are "nothing but a scratch". Melville Ives, 19, also thanked the medical staff that have helped him so far, and his coach Murray Buchan. Another Kiwi halfpipe freeskier Ben Harrington, who finished ninth, dedicated his second run to Melville Ives, saying to cameras on the slopes, "Hey Finski, this one's for you, brother, love you, let's go skiing."

Oamaru AirportIf Oamaru Airport was in private hands ‘‘heads would roll’’ over its mismanagement, Waitaki district councillors have heard. Mr Laming said Oamaru Airport and its runways were deteriorating and it had not taken steps to improve the financial performance of the council asset. A fair-to-conservative charge for landing at Oamaru Airport would be about $14 including GST, which was the present listed landing fee, Mr Laming said. Mr Laming asked councillors how it could be that this had not been addressed in the last three years. He said he had discussed these issues and ideas with Waitaki District’s first Oamaru Airport manager, Matt Sisson.

Mrs Waite holds a Chinese wedding basket from a collection that is also part of their ‘‘Ancestors and Traditions’’ exhibition. PHOTO: JULES CHINMythical dragons and Qing dynasty ancestor paintings are part of an exhibition entitled ‘‘Ancestors and Traditions’’ at Oasis Gallery as part of Chinese New Year celebrations. A Chinese dragon floor rug, rice paper paintings and chairs from the Qing dynasty also feature in the exhibition. The exhibition paintings are all from the Qing Dynasty (1636/1644-1912) from around 1700 to 1800, Mr Waite said. You’re not supposed to knight a foreigner, but she did,’’ Mr Waite said.

According to the recently released ruling from the tribunal, Fitz-Gerald had a lengthy career spanning 45 years, including teaching students with special needs. Fitz-Gerald arranged respite care with the student’s parents, had the teen stay overnight at his house, and took him away on trips to beaches, cafes and to other cities. This respite care was done with the parents’ consent but without the school’s knowledge or approval. The tribunal said Macaran held a position of trust and his offending was “the most serious kind of misconduct”. Macaran had retired by the time the tribunal could convene, so it couldn’t cancel his registration as it had already lapsed.

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Michael Walker’s son, Jack, 7, drags him over the finish line at New Brighton Beach last Saturday. PICTURE: MARATHON PHOTOS LIVEPre-dawn winter training runs paid off for Queenstown lawyer Michael Walker when he competed in the Coast to Coast’s The Longest Day for the first time in nearly two decades. Walker tells Mountain Scene he raced in the tandem category the previous three Coast to Coasts, doing the whole course with a partner over two days. He also twice raced in the individual two-day category as a uni student before tackling The Longest Day for the first time as a 23-year-old in 2009. Also helping to fuel his motivation were the ‘‘pretty aggressive cut-off times’’ for The Longest Day competitors, in which they’re pulled from the course if they’re too slow.

Emerson Borland is ready to race to the finish line at the Kids TRYathlon. Emerson Borland is gearing up to take part in the Kids TRYathlon next week alongside about 1000 children. Having competed twice before, the 10-year-old is ready to swim, cycle and run his way to the finish line during the event held at Taieri College. He was encouraged by volunteers as he neared the finish line. "I was doing bike rides with Grampy ... and I was doing swimming lessons.

Waikouaiti Rodeo Club president Richard Robinson is ready to welcome all to the National Finals Rodeo on Saturday, March 14. For the first time since 1999 the Waikouaiti Rodeo Club will host the national finals next month. President Richard Robinson said the return of the top-tier event was a chance for the organisation to show what it could do. The committee had been "chipping away" at plans for the national finals over the last few years to upgrade the facilities. National Finals RodeoHosted by Waikouaiti RodeoSaturday, March 14, from 10am.

Sri Lanka’s weather has had the final say in New Zealand’s first match of the Twenty20 World Cup Super Eight stage, after Sunday’s clash with Pakistan was washed out without a ball bowled. Rain started to fall as the two captains walked to the middle for the toss at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, and didn’t relent before the umpires called the game off just over two hours after the scheduled start. Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha had won the toss and elected to bat, a questionable decision given the advantage of chasing a target with rain in the air. However, despite Black Caps skipper Mitchell Santner losing his fourth toss in succession at this year’s World Cup, and New Zealand’s fifth in a row after Daryl Mitchell filled in against Canada, there was no chance for either side to show their wares as the Super Eights began. The Black Caps had made changes in the bowling ranks, with Lockie Ferguson returning from paternity leave, and Ish Sodhi included, in place of Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy.