Category Archives: New Zealand

I Carried This tells the stories of five of the estimated 100,000 New Zealand women who were made to give up their babies in the 1950s and 60s.

On a crisp June Wellington night, I call my 18-year-old daughter for a chat. I tell her Ive watched a powerful play based on the true stories of five unwed women who fell pregnant in the 1950s and 1960s and had their babies taken off them when they were forced to give them up for adoption. What do you mean? she asks me from her university hall. Thats not possible?

Yes, it does sound almost unbelievable when you look back on it, that women who fell pregnant without a husband or the promise of a husband in the pre-pill and pre-DPB area generally werent allowed to keep their babies. Instead, they were typically banished to farms, to homes for unwed mothers, or to stay with relatives in the country, and they often had to give birth in secret away from their own families.

An estimated 100,000 New Zealand women adopted their babies out during this forced adoption era. They usually lost their babies to a married couple because there wasnt an option B, unless the man who impregnated the woman agreed to put a ring on her finger.

Wellington playwright Nicola Paulings documentary theatre work, I Carried This, is a play that really leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat. She rightly thinks our government should follow Australia and issue these women a big apology for human rights violations and the actors call for this at the end of the one-hour work. More than a decade ago, Australias then prime minister Julia Gillard apologised to birth mothers, fathers and the babies who were handed over to married couples in Australias forced adoption era. The Australian government has also financially compensated those birth mothers whose babies were whisked off them often while their breast milk was just letting down, while the fathers the men who got these women pregnant often continued their lives as though nothing had happened.

In Paulings play, we see the stories of five birth mothers cleverly acted out by three actors Pauling, 78-year-old Hilary Norris, and Mycah Keall who show how the story of adoption changes over a womans lifetime. Just like childbirth, no single story is the same.

Based on Paulings interviews with birth mothers in their senior years, theres an overwhelming theme of loss for the five women the play is based on. Patricia can only handle it by meeting her daughter once and then wanting nothing to do with her. Mary never knew shed even had sex and realises, at age 80, that her illegitimate pregnancy came from what we today call date rape. One of the most heartbreaking stories is shown at the plays end when we meet Jane, who is not allowed to see her son after his birth and tries to contact social workers to say she wants to keep her baby, only to be told its too late and he has been adopted out. Jane spends 47 years searching for him but finds its too late because he has died from suicide.

Norris delivers a moving performance when she acts as the older Jane and says: Women made a terrible mistake we made a mistake and had to pay the penalty. Had to be quiet, had to shut up, couldnt speak out. Oh, we had to control lives for everybody around us. We had to keep lives as normal as it could be for everybody, like the husbands, who were better off not knowing, the children who were never told. But we carried this. We went for decades walking with shame or grief or guilt or loss, but we carried it quietly.

I Carried This is about misogyny and female control. Its telling when a male doctor tells one of the women she must breastfeed the baby she is about to lose while she is in hospital and he also lies that she will see her baby again. She never does.

The birth mothers often spent their lives hoping to reconnect with the child they lost. If they did, it was often complicated. As one puts it, she was searching for the baby she gave away and didnt recognise the adult child she later met.

Their babies were born in the illegal abortion era and there are stories we dont see in this play: the pregnant women who had to go across to Australia in the late 1960s to get an abortion or have a back street one here; we only get a glimpse of what adoption is like for a child, who often struggles with a lifetime of feelings of rejection and loss of identity.

While weve progressed since then, I Carried This also reminds us that womens reproductive lives continue to be ruled by the patriarchy. Women in some parts of the world are banned from getting a legal abortion and, everywhere, contraception still remains a womans responsibility.

I Carried This (written by Nicola Pauling and directed by Jacqueline Coats) is on at Hannah Playhouse until Sunday, June 16.

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A powerful reminder of New Zealand's dark era of forced adoption - The Spinoff

Lockie Ferguson returned extraordinary bowling figures of three wickets for zero runs as New Zealand ended their T20 World Cup campaign with a convincing win over Papua New Guinea.

Fast bowler Ferguson struck with his very first ball, claiming the wicket of Assad Vala (6), and returned to dismiss Charles Amini (17) and Chad Soper (1) while completing four maiden overs.

Tim Southee (2-11), Trent Boult (2-14) and Ish Sodhi (2-29) pitched in with two wickets apiece as Papua New Guinea were ultimately bowled out for 78 when batting first.

In reply, Finn Allen fell second ball, but opening partner Devon Conway (35), along with captain Kane Williamson (18no) and Daryl Mitchell (19no) saw New Zealand to a comfortable seven-wicket win with 7.4 overs to spare.

It means the Black Caps at least end their tournament on a positive note, having already been knocked out due to group-stage defeats to Afghanistan and West Indies in their opening two games.

As for Papua New Guinea, they sign off from the World Cup with a disappointing four defeats in four.

The Super 8s stage of the Men's T20 World Cup gets under way on Wednesday when the USA face South Africa in Antigua, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 3pm (first ball 3.30pm).

England's Super 8s opener takes place against co-hosts the West Indies later the same day in St Lucia, live on Sky Sports Cricket at 1am (first ball 1.30am) in the early hours of Thursday morning.

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England are in Group 2 for the eight-team second stage of the tournament, alongside the West Indies, USA and South Africa.

Making up Group 1 are Afghanistan and India, as well as Australia and Bangladesh, who face each other on Thursday.

The top two teams from each group progress through to the semi-finals.

Watch every match from the T20 World Cup, including the final in Barbados on Saturday June 29, live on Sky Sports.

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T20 World Cup: Lockie Ferguson takes three for zero as New Zealand bow out with victory over Papua New Guinea - Sky Sports

A Rose of Tralee contestant has been found dead in New Zealand after her family reported her missing last week.

Monica Reid was last seen in Matipo Road, Te Atat in West Auckland on Friday afternoon.

Police had issued an appeal and a major search and rescue operation was also launched.

Officers have since confirmed Monicas body has been found in an update

North Shore, Rodney & West Auckland Police confirmed the 26-year-old woman reported missing has been located deceased.

They added that her death is not being treated as suspicious and will be referred to the coroner.

Ms Reid was this years Auckland Rose and took part in the New Zealand competition last month to choose a representative to travel to Ireland for the International Rose of Tralee pageant in August, but was not selected as the overall winner.

Several people paid tribute on social media and sent their condolences to her heartbroken family and friends.

One person shared: Losing such a joy from the world today. Monica Reid you were such a bright person. There was a time when I didnt appreciate it.

Another said: Monica was one of the kindest, most caring, loveliest person I know. She made this world a brighter place, and it is duller without her in it.

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Rose of Tralee contestant found dead in New Zealand - The Irish News

PORT OF SPAIN, (Reuters) Pace bowler Lockie Ferguson grabbed three wickets as he bowled four maiden overs in New Zealands thumping victory over Papua New Guinea in the final match for both teams at the T20 World Cup yesterday.

Papua New Guinea were dismissed for a paltry total of 78, which was never enough to challenge New Zealand who won by seven wickets with 46 balls to spare at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Trent Boult captured two for 14 in his final World Cup and admitted he had felt a few emotions over the last few days. Boult, 34 announced last Friday that he would not take part in another global tournament.

Sporadic rain delayed the start of play by 65 minutes and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, whose team will be going home early after losing to Afghanistan and West Indies in Group C, had no hesitation in electing to field.

Papua New Guinea struggled from the start and only leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, playing his first match of the tournament, was relatively expensive. Sodhi took two for 29 from his 3.4 overs

New Zealand lost Finn Allen caught behind for a duck off the second ball of the innings and conditions remained difficult for the batters who all struggled with their timing. But Papua New Guineas total was never going to be enough and opener Devon Conway played a series of fluent drives to reach 35 from 32 deliveries and set up the New Zealand victory.

Chasing was a bit of a grind but we got across the line, said Williamson. At any tournament you want to start strong, Adapting faster would have been important.

Ferguson added it had been a tough wicket to bat on. Theres not many games you bowl seam up all the way through. Its sad to be leaving, we had high hopes coming in.

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Ferguson takes three wickets in four maiden overs in New Zealand win - Stabroek News

WELLINGTON - New Zealand will increase its contribution to North Korea sanctions monitoring, out of Japan, New Zealands Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Tuesday.

Luxon said in a statement the government had committed to send New Zealand Defence Force ships for the first time and increase the frequency of deployments of aircraft, to support sanctions monitoring until September 2026.

This increase reflects the importance New Zealand places on collective security efforts that support peace and stability and the international rules-based system in the Indo-Pacific region, Luxon said.

The New Zealand government has been trying to step up international engagement both diplomatically and in its military contributions and earlier this month announced it would deploy more soldiers to the United Nations mission in South Korea.

However, recent government reports have noted the defence force faces significant challenges due to high levels of attrition following the pandemic and aging equipment. The New Zealand government has allocated less capital spending in the coming year but says it would like to increase spending following the release of the Defence Capability Report.

The report will lay out plans for new military spending over the coming years.

Minister of Defence Judith Collins told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday that she had received a draft copy of the report but hoped that the report could go to government ministers for approval in September or October. REUTERS

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New Zealand will increase its military contribution to North Korea sanctions monitoring - The Straits Times

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

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

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

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

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