Category Archives: New Zealand

New Zealand Dollar Fundamental Forecast: Neutral

The sentiment-linked New Zealand Dollar aimed cautiously higher this past week despite another wobbly week for global stock markets. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones and Nasdaq Composite declined about 1.5% and 1.1% respectively. Things also did not look well in Europe and Asia. The FTSE 100, DAX 40 and Nikkei 225 fell 1.9%m 2.5% and 2.1% respectively.

What might explain the divergence between the Kiwi Dollar and market sentiment? Will this continue in the week ahead? One likely source is fading hawkish Federal Reserve monetary policy expectations. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, odds of a 50-basis point hike in March declined to about 21% compared to almost 50% a week ago. That helped weaken the US Dollar, boosting NZD.

Geopolitical tensions and less-hawkish Fedspeak were likely causes of this. All eyes next week will be on a meeting between the US and Russia. The former still believes that the latter is poised for an attack. Watch out if more Fed policymakers reference Ukraine. Meanwhile, New York Fed President John Williams said he did not see a compelling argument for a large first-rate increase.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealands first interest rate decision of the year is in focus on February 23rd. The central bank is expected to raise rates to 1.00% against 0.75% prior. Almost 7 rate hikes are priced in from overnight index swaps this year, making for what could be a potentially aggressive tightening cycle. This does mean that the central bank has a lot of expectations to meet.

Fourth-quarter New Zealand inflation and labor market data did surprise to the upside, making the case for an aggressive RBNZ. Still, the risk for the Kiwi Dollar could be tilted to the downside if the central bank does not manage to live up to such aggressive hawkish bets. This may result in a classic buy the rumor, sell the news situation.

On the other hand, taking a close look at the chart below, a majors-based New Zealand Dollar index can be seen struggling to follow the push higher in local 10-year government bond yields. The latter is a sign of increasing hawkish RBNZ policy bets. So perhaps the Kiwi Dollar has some catching up to do. Still, it is difficult to ignore the negative impact of fading market sentiment. With that in mind, it is a neutral call for the NZD in the week ahead.

Chart Created Using TradingView

*Majors-based NZD index averages NZD against USD, EUR, GBP and JPY

--- Written by Daniel Dubrovsky, Strategist for DailyFX.com

To contact Daniel, use the comments section below or @ddubrovskyFX on Twitter

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New Zealand Dollar Forecast: NZD/USD Sits Between RBNZ Hikes and Ukraine Tensions - DailyFX

Its that special time of year again when New Zealand towns and cities lacking what many might call classic good looks, are named the most beautiful in the country.

Last year, Foxton perhaps best known for producing a soft drink known as Foxton Fizz was named the most beautiful town in New Zealand. In previous years, Hamilton and Pukekohe have been in the running.

DAVID WHITE/STUFF

Kaitia was named the most beautiful small town in NZ.

This years Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards also threw up a few surprises: Most visitors to the Far North probably arent there primarily to hang out in Kaitia.

The winners make more sense when you bear in mind that these are sustainability awards designed to recognise places which provide a benchmark for environmental excellence. This year, finalists were judged across five categories litter prevention and waste minimisation, community beautification, recycling projects, sustainable tourism and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Here, we take a look at the winners.

READ MORE:* The most popular destinations in New Zealand this summer * New Zealand's friendliest small towns: Does Hokitika really reign supreme? * One of the 'most beautiful' bike rides in Hawke's Bay

Not a knock-out beauty at first glance, Kaitia is often used as a pit stop en route to the Far North, but judges reckon its a pretty special place.

The town was shortlisted for the public artworks and placemaking projects the community has developed under the Te Hiku Open Places Revitalisation Project.

CHRISTEL YARDLEY/STUFF

Kaitaia residents have beautiful beaches such as Ahipara on their doorstep.

A collaboration between local artists and iwi, the community board and the Kaitia Business Association, the Te Ara Toi (Katia Artwork) project is designed to tell stories, shine a light on the areas diversity, landscapes, flora and fauna, and create beautiful spaces for people to meet up.

The town boasts a beauty of a cultural centre in the form of Te Ahu: a museum, library, art space, cinema, theatre, caf and tourist information centre in one. In the museum, youll find wood carvings and greenstone-adorned weapons dating back to the 19th century along with other artefacts, movies, virtual tours and exhibitions that endeavour to explain why Kaitia is an unsung leader in New Zealands history.

If youre a wine lover, youre also in luck. About 3.5km south youll find Okaku Estate Winery, where you can taste award-winning wines in a cosy cellar door near the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach. To the north, youll find New Zealands northernmost vineyard Karikari Estate, with an al fresco eating and drinking area with sweeping views across the peninsula. And the Far Norths famously beautiful beaches are just a short drive away.

Judges said the Kaitia community and Far North District Council had worked together to procure $7 million.

The community partnered with an enthusiastic council to manage the projects themselves, and this has resulted in a waterfall effect across the entire region. Local contractors have received training to bid on the council projects, ensuring the funding and jobs stay in the community.

Love Taupo/Stuff

You can reach the Mine Bay Mori rock carvings by boat or kayak.

Named New Zealands most beautiful large town for the second year in a row, Taups win probably comes as less of a surprise to most.

Head into Taup along the northeastern shore of the lake on a sunny day and its good looks are undeniable: The seasonably snowy peaks of Tongariro National Park could have been positioned behind the Singapore-sized inland sea solely for our viewing pleasure.

Add to that thermal landscapes complete with silica terraces, boiling mud and hot pools, the liquid power surge that is Huka Falls, ancient forests and trout-filled rivers, and its not hard to comprehend why the town is named a finalist in the awards every year.

Taups beauty as a destination goes way beyond surface appearances though. Rivalling Rotorua as the adventure capital of the North Island, it boasts so many ways to boost your adrenaline, visitors can pretty much remain on a permanent high.

Skydiving, bungy jumping, swinging off a cliff over the Waikato on the suitably named Cliffhanger swing, jet boating and white water rafting are among the many ways to (over)excite yourself, while more sedate activities include canoeing, kayaking and taking a cruise to the 10-metre-high Mori rock carvings near Mine Bay.

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Taup was commended for its work to divert waste from landfill.

Ultra-scenic walks and bike rides abound (try the Aratiatia Rapids Walking/Cycling Track and the walk around the perimeter of the Craters of the Moon geothermal area), as do places to laze around in naturally warm water. Taup DeBretts Hot Springs are a good option if youd like to follow your soak with a spa treatment or have kids to entertain (the heated slide is a winner), while Spa Thermal Park Hot Spring under a bridge where the Waikato River meets the Otumuheke Stream is an excellent free option.

With its active geysers, colourful silica terraces and a geothermal cave, rkei Krako is well worth the 30-minute drive out if town: its undoubtedly one of the best geothermal attractions in New Zealand.

In shortlisting the town, judges commended it for upgrading the Great Lake Pathway, a mostly flat walking and biking trail with spectacular views across the lake to the triplet peaks of Tongariro National Park. It was also praised for a project that will see car-free pedestrian and cycle-friendly zones introduced to the town centre.

Judges also congratulated the local community for working with businesses to conduct waste audits, resulting in a 90 per cent diversion from landfill.

They have also created a new natural burial zone which provides people in the Taup District a greater choice in how they wish their remains to be returned to the earth, whilst also reducing environmental pollution that is created by the embalming process and/or cremation.

John Cowpland/Alphapix

Hastings won the Supreme Award in last years Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards.

The engine room of the Hawkes Bay economy isnt everyones first choice for a holiday in the region. But with art deco architecture to rival Napier and just as many orchards and vineyards in its backyard, it can make just as a good a base.

The Art Deco Hastings walk leaflet from the local i-SITE will take you past the cream of the crop of the old buildings, which include the Hawkes Bay Opera House with its fine Spanish Mission-style facade. The city embraced the California-inspired style after the same 1931 earthquake that reduced much of Napier to rubble destroyed its own buildings. Squint and you could almost believe you were in Santa Barbara.

With Hawkes Bay wine country just beyond the town limits, why wouldnt you venture out? You could spend a happy few days, if not weeks, eating and drinking your way around the regions vineyards, restaurants, breweries, farmers markets and seasonal fruit stands. If that makes you feel a bit porky, explore the vineyards by bike or take a hike up Te Mata Peak.

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Splash Planet is among the towns key attractions.

Judges commended Hastings for building on its child-friendly waste and litter prevention campaigns featuring mascots Luke the Litter Legend and Colin the Cheeky Chucker, and continued focus on beautification and sustainable tourism.

Hastings has also established an eco-committee, initiated a New Zealand-first analysis into the trees in their parks and reserves and has a continued focus on sustainable tourism and community beautification.

Some might say Wellys worlds coolest little capital title is no longer apt, but you can be good-looking without being cool. Cases in example: Paris Hilton and Tom Cruise.

With elegant Victorian buildings running down bushy hillsides toward a hook-shaped harbour where wildlife such as dolphins and whales can often be seen, Wellington is undeniably a pretty city.

What visitor hasnt felt compelled to grab hold of their camera when standing atop Mt Victoria for the first time, riding the Cable Car to the Botanic Gardens, or winding their way past the ruggedly good-looking bays of the south coast and Miramar Peninsula?

ROSA WOODS/Stuff

Its coolest little capital title has been called into question, but its still a pretty city (on a good day and from the right angle).

If youre a culture vulture or like your coffee, craft beer or food (and who doesnt like to indulge in at least one of these things), Welly is a beaut of a city too.

Stuff senior travel reporter Siobhan Downes reckons Wellingtons a beautiful city even on a bad day if you take the time to scratch the surface.

Head down Hannahs Laneway, she said, and youll find a bean-to-bar chocolate factory, a hole-in-the-wall selling gourmet peanut butter, a gem of a caf that does the citys best brownies, and a pizza joint producing authentic Neapolitan pies. Feel like cosying up in a wine bar, brewpub or classic cocktail spot? Visit Ghuznee Street. Into vintage clothes and homewares or clothes by Kiwi designers? Make a beeline to Cuba St (where, it must be said, you will also find some exceptionally seedy bars).

The judges noted that Wellington has gained global recognition and US$1 million in prize money as one of 15 cities worldwide to win the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors challenge, designed to recognise the boldest and most ambitious urban innovations to emerge from the pandemic.

Wellingtons winning project was a virtual twin of the city designed to help residents better understand the impacts of climate change.

The Keep New Zealand Beautiful judges noted that the project was designed to be open source so that other councils, in New Zealand and globally, can utilise this technology as well.

Chosen from across all categories, the Supreme Towns and Cities Award winner is the judges pick of the bunch.

One of the sunniest spots in the country, the eastern Bay of Plenty town doesnt draw the same crowds as its western neighbours, but thats not because it isnt beautiful. Just a bit further away from the likes of Auckland and Hamilton.

Its relative remoteness is an advantage for holidaymakers who prefer their days on long, pohutukawa-lined beaches to begin without a battle for a car park, and not to have to wait for a table in the top cafs.

Bay of Plenty Tourism

Whakatne was commended for its focus on biodiversity.

One of the sunniest towns in New Zealand, its a great place to get active outdoors. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, seals, little blue penguins and rare native birds on a guided tour of Moutohor Wildlife Sanctuary on Whale Island, swim or surf at 11km of hope Beach (which has been named one of the most beautiful in New Zealand), kayak or stand-up paddleboard on hiwa Harbour, or hit up one of the many hiking and biking trails.

Whakatne is also one of the best places in New Zealand to spot a kiwi it markets itself as the kiwi capital of the world. Their calls can be heard from the town centre and theyve been known to trespass on properties next to reserves. For the best chance of spotting one, join a night walking tour.

For a dose of culture, head to Mtaatua Wharenui, aka the house that came home. The spectacularly carved meeting house spent decades overseas including 40 years in the cellars of Londons Victoria & Albert Museum and 70 years in Dunedin before finally making its way home in 2011.The hour-long express tour begins with a pwhiri and includes an award-winning digital experience that brings traditions of the Ngti Awa people to life before concluding with cups of kawakawa tea and kmara brownies in the wharekai (dining hall).

Chris Hillock/Stuff

A dolphin cavorting in Otarawairere Bay, near Whakatne.

Other highlights include picnic-perfect Wairere Falls, the 16km Ng Tapuwae o Toi (Footprints of Toi) walk with its clifftop views of the hidden gem of a beach that is Otarawairere Bay, and biodiversity hotspot Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tne Conservation Park.

The judges noted that biodiversity is a big focus for the local community.

The community underwent a tree audit and created tree policies so that people have a better understanding of the value of trees and how their lifespan impacts us. They have also closed the gaps in understanding between rural areas and the township, bringing a tighter cohesion to environmental efforts. The community have also created a Seed Library, and are getting local children and youth involved in plantings around 4,800 per year.

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Are these really New Zealand's most beautiful towns and cities? - Stuff.co.nz

Tuesday, 22 February 2022, 9:39 amPress Release: BusinessNZ

BusinessNZ says efforts should be made to end the protestdisruption at Parliament and around the country.

"Theprotests are having a detrimental impact on already hard-hitbusinesses across the country, and particularly inWellington.

"Survey results shared with us by ourregional partners at the Wellington Chamber of Commerce showthat on top of an already tough trading environment undertraffic light settings, the protest has caused an additionaldownturn in business to nearly half of the enterprises thatresponded.

Chief Executive Kirk Hope says protestershave made their views known regarding the mandate and acollection of other matters, and should now disperse in theinterests of safety and law and order in the Capital andaround New Zealand.

"Ongoing disruption is impactingjobs, livelihoods and access toeducation."

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BusinessnBusinessNZ Calls On Protestors To End Business Disruption Around New Zealand - Scoop

New Zealand have ruled out pace spearhead Trent Boult and retained the same 15-man squad for the second Test against South Africa after thrashing the Proteas by an innings and 276 runs in the series-opener over the weekend.

The Tom Latham-captained Black Caps are in prime position to claim a first Test series win against South Africa, leaving selectors in no mood to shake things up.

Also Read: New Zealand Eye Clean Sweep And Top Spot in Test Rankings

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said Boult, who missed the first Test for the birth of his third child, was not ready to rejoin the team for the second match starting on Friday due to a lack of training.

We just felt the risk of him playing was far too great at the moment to do that to him, Stead told reporters on Monday.

Selectors also declined to add a specialist spinner to the squad, expecting the pitch at Christchurchs Hagley Oval to play similarly to last weeks clash.

Boults absence means paceman Matt Henry will almost certainly have another chance after his nine-wicket haul in the first Test, which included career-best innings figures of 7-23.

Hes always been a good bowler and sometimes you need that opportunity to strike and make the most it, Stead said of Henry.

He bowled beautifully throughout the Test but I thought the whole bowling unit bowled really well together and that was one of the reasons we were so convincing.

I also want to reiterate South Africa arent a bad side either, added Stead.

Yes, we got on the right side of it this time (but) we expect them to come back and come back strongly.

New Zealand full squad: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Cam Fletcher, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Will Young

Special: Get the Live-Updating IPL 2022 Auction Tally | IPL Mega Auction Live Updates and Cricket Score here

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NZ vs SA 2022: Trent Boult Ruled Out as New Zealand Name Unchanged Squad For 2nd Test - News18

India head coach Rahul Dravid on Monday hailed the progress of promising 27-year-old Venkatesh Iyer on the T20I format, following his impressive all-round return in the three-match series against West Indies in Kolkata.

Having made his international debut in the New Zealand home series last November, Venkatesh had a quiet series before he lost his spot on the ODI format after just two appearances. But the youngster bounced back strong in the T20I series against West Indies at home to score 92 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 184 and also picked two crucial wickets in two innings in the series.

Hailing the progress of the all-rounder, Dravid admitted that he had seen his potential in the New Zealand series itself before throwing him a challenge of batting the middle order given that the top three is packed. The former India captain was mighty impressed with the manner in which he dealt with the challenge, showing some improved performances in the series.

ALSO READ: 'To adapt well at No.6, finish games is outstanding': Jaffer places promising 27-year-old ahead of Hardik in T20 WC team

"This has a really good series for us. After he played the three T20s against New Zealand, you could sort of see his potential," Dravid said in the post-match press conference. "We kind of gave him the clarity on the kind of role we have for him. I know he plays a slightly different role for his IPL franchise, but we were very clear with him as to what kind of role we see him filling in seeing our situation because in our top three there isn't a spot. Guys are established and we have guys who have performed in the top three. So we challenged him and gave him the role to be able to bat in that position. Every time he has come back from a break, he has improved, gotten better and his performances are better and that's pleasing, that's what you want to see.

While Hardik Pandya continues to recover from his back issues, for which he has been out of selection since November, Venkatesh has the opportunity to make the most of the former's absence. Although, his bowling may not be of the level of Hardik, but Venkatesh is proving his worth with his power-hitting skills that has added to the strength of India's middle-order which also has the presence of Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant.

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'Could see his potential in NZ series. So we challenged him...': Dravid hails progress of promising 27-year-old in T20Is - Hindustan Times

The Cook Islands is reporting a fourth person who has tested positive for Covid-19.

The case is a New Zealand-based Cook Islander who arrived in Rarotonga for a family funeral on February 15 on-board an Air NZ flight.

Health Ministry Te Marae Ora (TMO) confirmed the case tested positive on Thursday from a sibling who had tested positive in New Zealand.

The case went to the airport to be tested with a rapid antigen test (RAT), returning a positive result.

READ MORE:* Covid-19: Two more cases in Cook Islands as travel companions test positive* Covid-19: Cook Islands records first community case* Covid-19: Traveller tests positive for Omicron after visiting Cook Islands

RYAN ANDERSON/Stuff

A New Zealand-based Cook Islander is the fourth case in the island nation to have tested positive for Covid-19. (File photo)

Health officials have advised the case to return to where they were staying at their family home for a 10-day isolation order with their four household contacts.

Four close contacts at the household have been tested with PCR tests, with only the case testing positive.

The positive case and three of the adults are fully vaccinated, with the young contact with their first vaccine dose.

An additional 16 close contacts have been identified, connected through the family funeral the case attended on Wednesday.

Ryan Anderson/Stuff

The government has announced an extension of suspension travel on outer islands. (File photo)

Health officials said contact tracing has also identified 18 potential close contacts on the Air NZ flight NZ946, with all of them now quarantining.

Two of the 18 close contacts are quarantining in an island outside of Rarotonga, Aitutaki. They have received negative RAT and PCR tests.

Due to the new positive case, the Cook Islands government has announced an extension to their suspension of passenger travel to the rest of the Pa Enua (other islands) to midnight of February 23.

The government has yet to make a decision on passenger travel to Aitutaki.

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Covid-19: Cook Islands records another positive case from New Zealand - Stuff.co.nz

OPINION: If one things clear after the opening round of Super Rugby Pacific, its that the Kiwi teams are almost certainly going to lead the way.

A trans-Tasman clash wasnt even required to paint the picture, rather just a look at the contrasting derby matches on offer to kickoff the competition.

Its no huge surprise, either. Not after Australian sides won just two of 25 matches in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman a year ago, and were on the wrong end of a bunch of lopsided defeats.

Indeed, border issues forcing a diet of derby matches until late April are likely just delaying the inevitable roasting of the Aussie franchises.

READ MORE:* Hurricanes coach Jason Holland rues missed chances against clinical Crusaders* Crusaders pivot Fergus Burke passes the biggest test of his career * Leicester Fainga'anuku bags three tries as Crusaders beat luckless Hurricanes* Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea questions four-hour bus trips for Super Rugby Pacific* Crusaders' pre-season stutters offer rivals hope for Super Rugby Pacific

They couldnt handle the tempo the New Zealand sides play with last year, and early signs are they wont when they go head-to-head in the second half of the regular season.

The Brumbies last-ditch 29-23 win over the Force in Canberra on Sunday at least featured an entertaining conclusion, but the two other matches across the ditch were forgettable.

Those who watched the Crusaders beat the Hurricanes 42-32 in Dunedin on Saturday, and stayed tuned to their televisions for the dour Reds-Rebels fixture, both deserve a medal and would have noted the gulf in quality.

Martin Hunter/Photosport

Crusaders wing Leicester Fainga'anuku celebrates his third try against the Hurricanes in Dunedin on Saturday night.

Admittedly, heavy rain pelted Brisbane for the second half of the match, won 23-5 by the Reds, making for a miserable spectacle, but there was no such excuse earlier in the match.

Plus, a boggy ground in Queenstown, the result of a downpour ahead of kickoff on Saturday, didnt stop the Chiefs and Highlanders playing an up-tempo game of considerably higher quality.

Its only one week, but for the competitions sake, lets hope the Australians get up to speed come April.

Joe Allison/Getty Images

Hurricanes No 8 Ardie Savea on the charge against the Crusaders in Dunedin on Saturday night.

Some Hurricanes fans were fuming after their side had three tries disallowed against the Crusaders, but coach Jason Holland was not.

Fair enough, too. Referee Brendon Pickerill and TMO Mike Fraser were bang on each time, including when Fraser spied a Ben May knock-on, which rubbed out a long-range Ardie Savea try.

Savea had earlier been well held up by some desperate goal-line defence, while hooker Asafo Aumua had a try scratched for a double movement.

So obvious was Aumuas infringement, the only complaint anyone should have is Pickerill, who was in perfect position to see the rake's left knee hit the deck metres short of the line, didnt pick up on it in real time.

Holland, having watched his side trail 42-18 with nine minutes to play, before scoring two late tries to add some respectability to the final score, was, rightfully, more peeved with his teams lack of execution.

Phil Walter/Getty Images

Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick tackles Highlanders midfielder Scott Gregory in Queenstown on Saturday.

The sight of Brodie Guzzler Retallick making big plays in his first game for the Chiefs since 2019 ought to fill their fan base with confidence.

Retallicks sublime offload to set up Emoni Narawas second half try highlighted the Chiefs 26-16 win against the sloppy Highlanders.

A year after making the Super Rugby Aotaroa final, the Chiefs, armed with Retallick, a healthy Sam Cane, and Josh Ioane at first five-eighth, sure look set to again seriously challenge for the title this year.

As bad as the Highlanders were, they need not panic, nor should any team beaten in round one, not in a competition in which eight of the 12 teams make the playoffs.

Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

The Waratahs celebrate their drought-snapping win against the Fijian Drua in Sydney on Friday.

The Waratahs have done it, theyve finally won a game.

It took a first-up date with newcomers Fijian Drua, but 538 days after their last win, they ended their miserable run with a 40-10 win in the Super Rugby Pacific opener.

Theyll take it, but shouldnt get carried away after winning a match which made it clear just how difficult 2022 will be for the Drua and Moana Pasifika.

Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Fijian Drua Vilive Miramira carts the ball into contact against the Waratahs in Sydney in the opening Super Rugby Pacific match on Friday.

The inaccurate Drua were comprehensively outplayed by far the worst franchise in 2021, highlighted by their poor handling and a shaky set piece.

Well likely get our first proper look at the latter next weekend, when they play the Chiefs in Dunedin.

Waratahs 40 (Will Harris try 13min, Dave Porecki try 35min, Lalakai Foketi try 41min, Angus Bell try 52min, Jake Gordon try 57min; Ben Donaldson 3 pen, 3 con) Fijian Drua 10 (Nemani Nagusa try 65min; Baden Kerr pen, con). HT: 21-3

Chiefs 26 (Sam Cane try 17min, Pita Gus Sowakula try 39min, Emoni Narawa try 48min; Josh Ioane 2 pen, con, Bryn Gatland pen) Highlanders 16 (Daniel Lienert-Brown try 69min; Mitch Hunt 3 pen, con). HT: 18-6

Crusaders 42 (Leicester Faingaanuku tries 8min, 11min, 51min, penalty try 65min, Shilo Klein try 69min Fergus Burke 2 con, 3 pen, Simon Hickey con) Hurricanes 32 (Ruben Love try 28min, Bailyn Sullivan try 68min, Jordie Barrett try 75min, Jackson Garden-Bachop try 79min Jordie Barrett 2 con, 2 pen, Garden-Bachop con). HT: 15-13

Reds 23 (Taniela Tupou try 14min, Harry Wilson try 49min, Jock Campbell try 80min; James OConnor 2 pen, con) Rebels 5 (Brad Wilkin try 34min). HT: 13-5

Brumbies 29 (Andy Muirhead try 18min, Folau Faingaa try 47min, Rory Scott try 58min, Lachlan Lonergan try 79min; Noah Lolesio 3 con, pen) Western Force 23 (Toni Pulu try 43min, Jake McIntyre try 76min; Ian Prior 3 pen, con, McIntyre con). HT: 10-9.

Blues v Moana Pasifika postponed

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Super Rugby talking points: New Zealand sides poised to lead the charge - Stuff.co.nz

ANALYSIS: As the anti-mandate crowd continued to mill around Parliament, leaving the national flag strewn on the forecourt, some scumbags threw human waste at the police who had earlier erected barricades limiting the spread of the protest-turned-occupation.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was inside the Beehive, chairing cabinet, before giving a timeline for the expected peak of Omicron and the relaxing of restrictions something the occupiers all claimed to want.

As with any protest, there are a mixture of passionate, basically ordinary people, there for a good time, and the extreme, deluded or unhinged. And the latter elements have given a PR gift to the Government. After spending two weeks trying to prove that they werent extremists or collection of ferals (to use the words of Speaker Trevor Mallard), some of them literally threw human waste at the cops.

Back in the Beehive Theatrette, there was a reprieve from the ever-present slightly manic and expectant energy outside. The Government expects that the peak of Omicron based on the other countries will be in the next three to six weeks, and after coming off the peak, restrictions including vaccine certificates, mandates and gathering limits will be eased.

Robert Kitchin/Stuff

A police officer looks on at the Parliament occupation where many protesters have discarded their New Zealand flags at the picket line.

READ MORE:* National calls for a phasing out of vaccine requirements, as protests continue* Covid-19 NZ: Jacinda Ardern says mandates will wind down after Omicron peak* When will the Parliament protest, and mandates, end?

The real question that protesters want to know is when. The prime minister wouldn't answer that on the basis that it is still unclear how long it will be until case numbers really come down.

Ardern waited until well into her press conference on Monday to really hit upon the key point that this whole exercise the vaccine mandates, vaccine certificates, contact tracing has really all been to prepare New Zealand for this point.

In answering a question about whether Omicron was more serious than the flu, the prime minister pointed out that the problem is not the population-wide severity, it is people getting it all at once.

I think the issue is that Covid is in a pandemic state ... so that's where the real issue lies, making sure that you're able to properly manage that, because if you're overwhelmed, people who otherwise might be able to be cared for properly through treatment miss out on that because of the pressure in the system, she said.

ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson hold a post-cabinet press conference in the Beehive at Parliament.

Going back to the start of 2020 when Covid-19 first arrived in New Zealand, this was always the crux of the policy problem. How do you slow the spread so that hospitals aren't overwhelmed? Elimination stopped New Zealand from having to confront that problem for nearly two years.

About half an hour before the press conference, National Party leader Christopher Luxon gave his own speech in which he called for almost exactly the same thing the prime minister announced.

As with the Prime Minister, he declined to put an exact timeframe on when this should happen, but that it should be done progressively.

Abigail Dougherty/Stuff

National leader Chris Luxon tried to emphasis a division within New Zealand during his speech on Monday.

It was part of a speech trying to point to New Zealand as divided and sheeting that division home to Labour but over various issues.

Renters versus landlords. Business owners versus workers. Farmers versus cities. Kiwis at home versus those stuck abroad. The vaccinated versus the unvaccinated, Luxon said.

In essence, Luxon was trying to use the occupation as a way of mounting a broader critique. The problem is that on the issue du jour the protests he holds virtually the same public view that the Prime Minister does.

That is, National is a pro-vaccination Party, it also doesn't believe in engaging with lawbreaking protesters and thinks vaccine mandates should be scrapped after the Omicron peak.

The fact remains that a very healthy majority of the country opposes the protests, and in a political sense, polling is pretty much business-as-usual, with Labour ahead right now. There isnt much that points to a deeper and broader division beyond the usual left-right divide.

Up to, now it's all gone the protesters way: growth in numbers, some sympathy for the cause and building a little community. Now that the barricades have started to be erected, and the reality of maintaining the occupations momentum and numbers will set in.

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Occupiers give Government a filthy PR boost as Labour and National agree on vaccine mandate strategy - Stuff.co.nz

Refugee advocates have hailed news of an "in principle" agreement to resettle 150 refugees a year in New Zealand from Australia's offshore detention regime.

Refugee Mostafa "Moz" Azimitabar, who spent six years in detention at Melbourne's The Park Hotel, called the update, which emerged from Senate estimates on Monday night, a "historical moment".

The New Zealand offer, which has been on the table for several years, has been subject to multiple rounds of ministerial negotiations as Australia seeks to ensure refugees won't have access to a so-called "backdoor" to eventually live in Australia.

Department of Home Affairs deputy secretary of strategy and resilience Marc Ablong told Monday night's Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Senate estimates hearing that the final round of talks was just weeks away "on the New Zealand side".

"They have to take the matter to their cabinet, so it'll have to go through the New Zealand cabinet process before they come to us with their final position," he said, before adding that both governments would be considering the matter at "roughly the same time".

Department of Home Affairs Secretary Michael Pezzullo said it was "fair to say" an in principle agreement had been reached.

"The Australian government has made it clear, subject to the satisfaction of both parties and the resolution of a number of issues," he said, in response to a question from Victorian Labor Senator Raff Ciccone.

Mr Pezzullo echoed concerns previously raised by Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews and other Morrison government ministers that settling in New Zealand could provide a "backdoor" into Australia through a special-purpose visa allowing "long-duration residency".

"There has to be, to satisfy the Australian government's policy, some kind of ironclad or, if not quite ironclad, firm blocking," he said.

The department secretary said the Australian government was looking for an "early resolution" to the matter but refused to define a timeframe.

"We would be reluctant to say 'this year', because I think we've said that before, and that was last year," he said.

"The power of people is stronger than politicians. The government couldn't resist this powerful pressure," he said, according to Amnesty International.

"Our consistency made this happen."

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'In principle' agreement to resettle 150 refugees a year in NZ hailed as 'historical moment' - 9News

Staff in a processing plant at New Zealand King Salmon are using rapid antigen tests after positive cases of Omicron in the factory, director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says.

On Wednesday, 15 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Te Tauihu (the top of the south).

In its daily update, the Ministry of Health announced a further 1160 cases nationally.

Bloomfield said New Zealand King Salmon in Nelson was continuing to operate despite cases in a processing plant, in keeping with the countrys shift to phase two of the response.

READ MORE:* Covid-19: Third Nelson school reports Covid case* Covid-19: Nelson-Marlborough records nine new Omicron cases* Covid-19 NZ: Jacinda Ardern moves New Zealand into phase 2 of Omicron response, shrinking isolation period

Scott Hammond/Stuff

The Nelson plant will continue to operate, with workers using rapid antigen tests.

All had Rapid Antigen Tests and theyre going to be using the RATs to allow them to keep operating.

Under phase two, critical workers exposed to the virus can continue working while using RATs to test for the virus.

It comes after nine cases were announced in Nelson-Marlborough on Tuesday, and as three schools in Nelson Victory Primary School, St Josephs Primary School and Nayland College have all had cases, forcing close-contact students and staff to isolate.

There had also been positive presentations at the Nelson Hospital emergency department.

Anyone with symptoms is being urged to get a test.

The Nelson Marlborough community did a fantastic job in Phase One of stamping out Omicron, said Nelson Marlborough Healths medical officer of health Dr Stephen Bridgman.

This delayed the spread of infection in the community meaning more people were able to get boosted and prepared.

We know that we cannot stop Omicron. The escalation of cases in Nelson over the past two days shows how quickly it can spread and how disruptive it can be to workplaces and schools. It also shows how prepared education and workplaces are in supporting employees, students and communities through Omicron.

On Wednesday the country moved to phase two in the Omicron response plan.

That means that isolation periods have reduced to 10 days for positive cases and household contacts, and seven days for close contacts.

Under phase two, isolation periods for people with Covid will reduce to 10 days, while isolation for close contracts will drop to seven days.

Contact tracing will also change, with positive cases required to fill out an online form to identify high-risk exposure events.

New Zealand King Salmon sustainability and stakeholder manager Paul McIntyre said staff who had tested positive had been on the night shift on Monday.

Of those who tested positive, there were 66 close contacts, all who were self-isolating at home.

Previously, Bloomfield had said there were 250 close contacts at New Zealand King Salmon.

McIntyre said all relevant staff had been tested, and all staff in the processing plant had access to RAT kits.

Nelson Zealand King Salmon had been designated a critical business by the Government, which allowed double-vaccinated asymptomatic close contacts to return to work following a negative RAT test.

Staff would be paid sick-leave if they tested positive for Covid-19 if they had sick-leave available.

Our policy is that anyone who is awaiting a PCR test are to self-isolate until the results of the test is known.

Exports to China had been stopped as soon as they knew about the cases. Otherwise they were supplying to all other markets.

McIntyre said their primary concern was to keep team members safe in this emerging situation.

We are working closely with the NMDHB and Ministry of Health to ensure the correct protocols and processes are being followed to avoid any spread in the community.

Braden Fastier/Stuff

The Saxton Fields testing station in Nelson.

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Positive cases in New Zealand King Salmon processing plant - Stuff.co.nz