Daily Archives: June 18, 2024

Kane Williamson: "Turning up and trying to execute on this surface was about hitting an area, chasing was a bit of a grind but got across the line. At any tournament you want to start strong, adapting faster would have been important. A number of guys in our side will be around for a long time and they will be better for this experience, and these surfaces. I think after every tournament there's a bit of reflection, this being Trent's last ICC tournament, great servant of our game and the world game. Sad to see him go but that's the nature of playing for a long time. As a guy, he's got such a big appetite to keep getting better, trains hard, v fit, and v clear with how he wants to operate. Held him in great stead across formats. Sticks his chest out and performs well. A fantastic contribution, and has created the space for new players to come in."

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New Zealand beat P.N.G., New Zealand won by 7 wickets (with 46 balls remaining) - ESPNcricinfo

Infratil was among the days biggest gainers, up 3.9 per cent at $11.31. Photo / NZME

New Zealand shares joined a global rally, with Infratil one of the frontrunners after the infrastructure investment firm resumed trading fresh off a successful $1 billion to institutional investors.

The S&P/NZX 50 index rose 68.89 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 11,767.40. Within the index, 68 stocks gained, 69 fell and 44 were unchanged. Turnover was $192 million, with Infratil accounting for $59.4m.

The local market was buoyed by a global rally ahead of a series of Federal Reserve speakers in the US, soothed nerves about the upcoming French election in Europe and in the run-up to the Reserve Bank of Australias policy review, which kept the target cash rate unchanged at 4.35 per cent as expected.

Infratil was among the days biggest gainers, up 3.9 per cent at $11.31 on a volume of 5.4 million as it resumed trading from its $1b placement to institutional investors, who bought at a discounted $10.15 a share. The investment firm will sell a further $150m of stock to retail investors, using the proceeds to help fuel the growth of its CDC data business, which is latching on to burgeoning demand for artificial intelligence applications.

Its a great story at the moment they are in the right place at the right time with their data centres, and the other businesses are also going well, said Mark Lister, investment director at Craigs Investment Partners. Investors are very comfortable with the story, the strategy and what theyre doing and there are expectations of it being a bigger stock.

Fletcher Building also recovered some of its recent losses, rising 3.5 per cent to $2.99 after announcing Martin Brydon will step down from the board at the companys annual meeting in October in the latest shake-up to its governance and management team.

Meanwhile, other building materials firms extended their recent declines with Vulcan Steel down 0.8 per cent at $7.44 and Steel & Tube falling 5.5 per cent to 86c. Metro Performance Glass was unchanged at 7 cents.

Warehouse Group also rallied after saying its slimmed down its executive team to focus on its Red and Blue Sheds and Noel Leeming brands. The shares climbed 3.7 per cent to $1.12.

Other retailers were mixed after data showed consumer sentiment near historic lows, with Michael Hill International up 2.1 per cent at 48c, Briscoe Group unchanged at $4.10, Hallenstein Glasson unchanged at $5.45 and KMD Brands sinking 3.5 per cent to 41 cents.

The dual-listed Australian banks held on to gains running into the RBA meeting, with ANZ Group up 2.5 per centat $31.75 and Westpac Banking Corp advancing 1.5 per cent to $29.40. Heartland Group Holdings, which this year completed its acquisition of Australias Challenger Bank, rose 1 per cent to 97 cents.

Exporters were generally stronger as the kiwi dollar remained subdued, trading at 61.16 US cents at 5pm in Wellington. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare rose 1.8 per cent to $31.04, winemaker Delegat Group advanced 4.3 per cent to $4.85 and A2 Milk increased 0.1 per cent to $7.22.

Air NZ was unchanged at 53.5c after announcing plans to boost capacity on its Auckland-Tokyo route during the prime ministers delegation to Japan. Auckland International Airport rose 1.6 per cent to $7.545.

Argosy Property fell 0.9 per cent to $1. 5 after telling shareholders at todays annual meeting that its still facing challenging trading conditions and increased tax obligations on the governments building depreciation rules.

Among other property companies, Investore Property fell 4.8 per cent to 99 cents, Stride Property declined 1.6 per cent to $1.21, Property For Industry was down 0.2 per cent at $2.18, Kiwi Property was unchanged at 80.5 cents, Goodman Property was unchanged at $2.12, and Precinct Properties NZ rose 1.8 per cent to $1.5 on a volume of 1.1 million shares.

Power companies remained under pressure after yesterdays operating metrics showed hydro lakes storage below historical averages. Mercury NZ fell 1.9 per cent to $6.36, Genesis Energy declined 1.6 per cent to $2.16, Meridian Energy decreased 0.3 per cent to $6.25 and Contact Energy slipped 0.2 per cent to $9.15.

Carbon Fund units fell 1.4 per cent to $1.44 ahead of this weeks auction, which will offer almost 4.1 million NZ units.

Among the more heavily traded companies, Spark NZ was unchanged at $4.03 with 4 million shares changing hands and Smartshares Global Aggregate Bond ETF units fell 0.6 per cent to $1.176 on a volume of 1.1 million.

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Infratil gives New Zealand shares a shot in the arm - market close - New Zealand Herald

Press Release Air New Zealand

The increase is a result of the airlines 777s flying more frequently to Japan. With 342 seats, including 44 Business Premier and 54 Premium Economy, it offers more capacity and options to book premium cabins.

While in Japan this week, Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran has shared that the airline will add 30,000 seats to its Tokyo route from November to March, giving Japanese customers more options to book travel to New Zealand.

The increase is a result of the airlines 777s flying more frequently to Japan. With 342 seats, including 44 Business Premier and 54 Premium Economy, it offers more capacity and options to book premium cabins.

Mr Foran says the increase in capacity reflects the demand the airline is seeing and will boost economic growth in tourism for New Zealand.

Japan is an incredibly important visitor market for the New Zealand tourism industry, so additional seats over our busiest season means more inbound travel from Japan.

Adding the 777 to more of our Tokyo services means that there are more seats available in premium cabins and that customers may experience our newly refreshed aircraft, which includes new seat covers and updated soft products like pillows and blankets.

Its part of an increase in capacity to key destinations in Asia, with the airline adding more than 55,000 seats across Singapore, Tokyo, and Taipei between November 2024 and March 2025.

The increase includes a higher proportion of premium seats, giving customers more opportunities to travel with extra space and comfort.

Asia capacity increases for November 2024 March 2025 include:

Tokyo: 30,000 additional seats, the majority of which are Business Premier or Premium Economy

Singapore: 20,000 additional seats, 11,000 of which are in Business Premier or Premium Economy

Taipei: 7,500 additional Business Premier and Premium Economy seats

Air New Zealands purpose is to enrich our country by connecting New Zealanders with each other and New Zealand with the world. Were excited to welcome even more customers onboard on their travels to and from Asia.

Our premium cabins are incredibly popular with customers travelling to and from destinations like Singapore, Tokyo, and Taipei, so were pleased to introduce increased capacity from November to give those customers more seats to book travel.

Its a terrific way to support our tourism economy as Aotearoa welcomes back more tourists from Asia. Tourism has been a little slower to return from Asia than we had expected, but were now seeing that pick up, so more premium seats means more options for customers, says Mr Foran.

Mr Foran was in Japan as part of the business delegation accompanying Prime Minister Christopher Luxons mission.

Prime Minister, Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, said: New Zealand and Japan have long-standing connections, particularly when it comes to our tourism sector. Pre-covid we welcomed over 100,000 visitors from Japan every year so its great to see air travel capacity increasing again, providing an important boost to New Zealands economy.

Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz Original url

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Increased Air New Zealand Capacity For Japan To Encourage Inbound Tourism - Business

Connor Garden-Bachop, right, following a game against the Rebels earlier this season. Photo /Getty Images

Highlanders and Mori All Blacks player Connor Garden-Bachop has died. He was 25.

The Highlanders confirmed his death to the Herald. Garden-Bachop, son of former All Black Stephen Bachop and Black Fern Sue Garden-Bachop, was part of the Highlanders Super Rugby Pacific squad this season.

He died following a medical event, a statement from New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Mori Rugby Board, Highlanders, Wellington Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association said.

On behalf of the entire rugby community, the Highlanders, Wellington Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Mori Rugby Board and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association would like to extend our deepest thoughts and love to the Garden-Bachop family.

Connor was a fantastic young player, an exciting New Zealand age-grade representative and a proud Mori All Black. Wherever he played, he was a committed and popular teammate with infectious energy and someone who could light up the room.

Most importantly, he was a loving father to his twin girls, a brother, a son and immeasurably loved by all those who knew him.

Police were called to the scene of a sudden death in Fendalton, Christchurch around 5.55pm yesterday. In a statement, police said: The death is not being treated as suspicious and will be referred to the Coroner.

Garden-Bachop posted on Instagram three days ago thanking the Highlanders after playing at the franchise. He made his debut for the Highlanders in 2021 and made seven appearances for the side this season, playing in the sides final regular season defeat to the Hurricanes earlier this month.

Thank you @highlandersteam for an unforgettable five years. Thank you to everyone in the south for making me feel at home, and thank you to the boys I have been honoured to share the field with, its been a pleasure, I will miss you all. Till next time, he said.

Garden-Bachop attended Scots College in Wellington and made his provincial debut for Wellington against Canterbury in 2018, playing alongside his brother Jackson in a Ranfurly Shield challenge win over Hawkes Bay in 2022 before winning the NPC title later that season. His Super Rugby debut came in 2021 against the Crusaders.

His father played five tests for the All Blacks in 1994 having earlier represented Manu Samoa at the 1991 Rugby World Cup. As well as playing for the Black Ferns, his mother represented New Zealand in touch rugby, basketball and hockey.

The joint statement from the rugby organisations paid tribute to Garden-Bachop, saying:

Paiahaha Paiahaha

Kei te tangi te ao whutupro

Kua hinga ttahi o ng tama

O te papa takaro.

E te rangatira

E Connor

Kei te tangi te ao whutupro

Takoto e moe e Hika

Attention Attention

The house of rugby laments

The passing of one of its sons

Who graced the playing fields

O Chiefly one

Connor

The rugby world weeps for you

Rest now in peace our friend

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Connor Garden-Bachop dies after medical event: Tributes flow for Highlanders and Mori All Blacks player - New Zealand Herald

A run-out on the final ball kept Nepal from completing a historic upset against South Africa at the T20 World Cup in Kingstown, while New Zealand eased to victory over Uganda.

After electing to bowl first, Nepal's bowling attack - led by four wickets from Kushal Bhurtel - gave the minnows every chance of pulling off a miraculous victory by restricting South Africa to 115.

Openers Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh got Nepal's run-chase off to a solid start, combining for 35 before the former was claimed in the eighth over by Tabraiz Shamsi.

However, captain Rohit Paudel's dismissal on the next ball derailed Nepal's momentum, with four of Nepal's middle order leaving the crease with less than 10 runs.

Wicketkeeper Sheikh proved a much more formidable foe for South Africa's bowlers, and his score of 42 - combined with 27 from Anil Kumar Sah - kept Nepal in the match.

The result ultimately came down to the final ball, with Nepal needing two runs for victory.

It was not meant to be for Nepal, however. Gulshan Jha was run out while scrambling for a bye on a delivery from Ottneil Baartman.

Shamsi led the way for South Africa's bowlers, finishing with four wickets for 19 runs, while Reeza Hendricks top-scored for the Proteas with 43 off 49 balls.

South Africa's nail-biting victory came just days after the Proteas set the record for the lowest total defended in T20 World Cups.

They held off Bangladesh on Tuesday after scoring just 113.

New Zealand took just five overs to eclipse Uganda, with the Black Caps cruising to a nine-wicket victory at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba.

After sending Uganda into bat first, New Zealand's formidable bowling attack took little time, making its presence known against the minnow cricketing nation.

Simon Ssesazi was the day's first victim, bowled by Trent Boult for a duck.

His exit was immediately followed by Robinson Obuya, leaving Boult with an early hat-trick opportunity.

Boult was denied, but Tim Southee was able to keep the wickets falling when he claimed Alpesh Ramjani for a duck in the third over.

Wickets continued to tumble throughout the innings, with Kenneth Waiswa top-scoring with 11, as Uganda was bowled out in the 19th over for 40.

New Zealand claimed victory in the sixth over, wicketkeeper Devon Conway paving the way for the win with 22 runs from 15 balls.

Opener Finn Allen was Uganda's sole wicket after he was caught behind for nine runs off the bowling of Riazat Ali Shah.

The emphatic result was too little, too late for New Zealand, who lost their opening two T20 Cricket World Cup fixtures against Afghanistan and the West Indies.

The Black Caps' exit from the tournament was ultimately sealed with Afghanistan's seven-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea on Friday.

South Africa will next play in their Super 8s clash on Wednesday June 19 (3.30pm) at North Sound, Antigua, with their opponent still to be decided.

New Zealand play Papua New Guinea on Monday June 17 (3.30pm) in their next match at Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago.

Watch every match of the Men's ICC T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports, right up until the final on Sunday June 29.

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T20 World Cup: South Africa survive huge Nepal scare as New Zealand ease to win vs Uganda - Sky Sports

The worlds most popular YouTuber, MrBeast, is going underground in New Zealand.

The viral video creator, real name Jimmy Donaldson, is visiting the Waitomo District during his NZ excursion.

After claims were made online that Donaldson would be shooting video in a dark place in the Waikato, the Herald made a beeline for the Waitomo District and its world-famous caves.

A spokesperson for Waitomo Caves told the Herald they were thrilled by Donaldsons visit to the Waitomo region and said he would be shining a spotlight on its unique and precious taonga.

Here in the heart of New Zealand, Waitomo is a place where moments of real magic, nature and adventure exist both above and below ground, they added.

We look forward to welcoming MrBeast and his fans from around the world to the region and to our world-class attractions like Black Water Rafting.

The viral sensation was spotted enjoying a meal at the popular Auckland Viaduct restaurant Oyster and Chop last Thursday night.

Senior waiter and long-time viewer Elliot Willemetz told the Herald he served the influencer, who was with a group of three others he didnt recognise from videos.

Willemetz said he had to take a second look after he took the order from the table, where Donaldson ordered a steak, to make sure it was the YouTube star.

He was very chill, an absolute gentleman from beginning to end.

The table was laughing all the time, having a really good time.

Willemetz said he remained professional throughout the exchange and didnt ask for a photo with the star.

I tried my best to make it casual and discreet, no matter who it is.

He said he could tell the star wanted a quiet intimate dinner with his guests without disruption from onlookers.

I think he felt a sense of fear being recognised in these quiet moments.

The online personality was then spotted by keen-eyed shoppers admiring his Feastables confectionary range at a Woolworths supermarket in Hamilton on Friday.

Hamilton woman Elle said she saw Donaldson in the store. I went over and asked for a photo, [but] a guy from his team jumped in front of me and said, Sorry hes working, Elle told the Herald.

MrBeast himself said Sorry, no photos, Im working, she added.

The 26-year-old internet star has more than 280 million subscribers, reportedly bringing in revenue of close to $1 billion a year.

He is known for his fast-paced stunts, one of which was being willingly buried alive, and giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars on camera.

- Additional reporting, Natasha Gordon

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article referred to MrBeast visiting Te Kiti. This has not been confirmed to the Herald.

Chris Marriner is an Auckland-based journalist covering trending news and social media. He joined the Herald in 2003 and previously worked in the Heralds visual team. He is accepting donations from MrBeast.

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Revealed: MrBeast visiting Waitomo Caves during mystery New Zealand trip - New Zealand Herald

Air New Zealand is boosting capacity into Japan in summer with 30,000 more seats on its Auckland-Tokyo route, as more leased planes boost its long-haul fleet.

The announcement coincides with a trade and tourism push into Japan, led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran and company chairwoman Dame Therese Walsh are part of the delegation.

Foran says the increase in capacity reflects the demand the airline is seeing and will boost economic growth in tourism for New Zealand.

Japan is an incredibly important visitor market for the New Zealand tourism industry, so additional seats over our busiest season means more inbound travel from Japan.

Adding the 777 to more of our Tokyo services means that there are more seats available in premium cabins and that customers may experience our newly refreshed aircraft, which includes new seat covers and updated soft products like pillows and blankets.

With 342 seats, including 44 Business Premier and 54 Premium Economy, it offers more capacity and options to book premium cabins.

The airline and tourism businesses here will hope the extra capacity will stimulate what has been a sluggish recovery in the number of Japanese visitors coming here since borders opened.

Already subdued before the pandemic, the Japanese outbound market has suffered from nervousness about travelling, but also the low value of the yen compared with other currencies. Last year there were 51,000 visitor arrivals, half the pre-Covid figure.

But the number of Kiwis visiting Japan has surged post pandemic, largely due to lower on-ground costs, and the increased capacity will further boost that market.

Air New Zealand says the announcement is part of an increase in capacity to key destinations in Asia, with the airline adding a total of 55,000 seats across Singapore, Tokyo, and Taipei between November 2024 and March 2025.

The increase includes a higher proportion of premium seats, giving customers more opportunities to travel with extra space and comfort.

While the airlines 14-strong Boeing 787 fleet has been depleted by ongoing Rolls-Royce engine maintenance issues, it is understood it will have three leased Cathay Pacific Boeing 777s in its fleet by the end of the year.

Asia capacity increases for November-March include:

Foran said premium cabins were incredibly popular with customers travelling to and from destinations like Singapore, Tokyo, and Taipei.

Its a terrific way to support our tourism economy as Aotearoa welcomes back more tourists from Asia. Tourism has been a little slower to return from Asia than we had expected, but were now seeing that pick up, so more premium seats means more options for customers, he said.

Luxon, a former Air New Zealand boss, said: New Zealand and Japan have long-standing connections, particularly when it comes to our tourism sector. Pre-Covid we welcomed over 100,000 visitors from Japan every year, so its great to see air travel capacity increasing again, providing an important boost to New Zealands economy.

Grant Bradley has been working at the Herald since 1993. He is the Business Heralds deputy editor and covers aviation and tourism.

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Air New Zealand increasing flights to Japan in big push into Asia - New Zealand Herald