Category Archives: New Zealand

AirlineRatings.com, a source for airline safety and product reviews, has revealed its top 20 safest carriers in the world for 2022, with five US airlines making the list.

Established in 2013, AirlineRatings.com is a trusted website that rates airline safety, inflight products, and COVID-19 compliance of 385 worldwide carriers on a unique seven-star scale. Every year, AirlineRatings.com releases a list of the top safest airlines in the world, and, this year, Air New Zealand snatched the title from Australia-based Qantas.

AirlineRatings.com editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas explained in a press release that "there is very little between the top 20, they are all standouts."

"Our top 20 safest airlines 2022 are always at the forefront of safety innovation, operational excellence, and the launching of new more advanced aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787."

Air New Zealand is the safest airline in the world for 2022, according to AirlineRatings.com, with carriers like Etihad Airways, TAP Air Portugal, Qatar, Qantas, Lufthansa, and Finnair also making the list. Five US carriers also earned top spots, including Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines.

According to Thomas, ANZ earned the title because of its superb incident record, number of technological innovations and cockpit advancements, comprehensive pilot training, and low fleet age, which averages just 6.8 years.

AirlineRatings also said ANZ's pilots operate in harsh weather conditions and remote environments, adding to the carrier's safety ranking. Moreover, the airline excelled in COVID policies and practices.

"Air New Zealand has won countless awards and has a firm focus on safety and its customers and over the past 18 months, COVID-19 has brought yet another new dimension to the challenges," Thomas said.

According to the organization, the 2022 awards were based on six factors, including crashes in the past five years, serious incidents over two years, audits from aviation governing bodies, government audits, fleet age, and COVID policies.

However, Thomas clarified that all airlines experience incidents and that it is not always the fault of the carrier when things go wrong, but sometimes rather the aircraft or engine manufacturer.

"It is the way the flight crew handles these incidents that determines a good airline from an unsafe one," he said.

There were several ranking shifts in 2022 compared to 2021, most notably were Qantas losing its crown to Air New Zealand after a three-year winning streak, Southwest Airlines falling out of the top 20 after ranking number 13 last year, and TAP Air Portugal being named Europe's safest carrier after not making the list in 2021.

Here's a closer look at AirlineRatings' top 20 safest airlines in the world.

Emirates barely made the top 20 this year after ranking number five in 2021. The fast-growing airline, which is one of the flag carriers of the UAE, is based in Dubai and operates the world's largest fleet of Airbus A380 aircraft. Emirates flies routes within the Middle East, as well as to destinations in Africa, Asia, the South Pacific, North America, Europe, and South America.

US-based United Airlines jumped one spot in 2022's safest airline list after barely making the top 20 in 2021. The airline is one of the world's largest carriers after merging with Continental Airlines in 2010 and operates a strong domestic and international network to over 120 destinations worldwide.

US-based Delta Air Lines dropped four spots in this year's ranking. The airline is a large international carrier, having merged with Northwest Airlines in 2008. Delta operates to destinations across the Middle East, Central and South America, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe out of its several US hubs.

British Airways fell seven spots from number 10 in 2021. BA is headquartered in England and is the flag carrier of the United Kingdom. The carrier flies to dozens of cities across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas, operating out of three London-area airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and London City.

Air France-KLM is a European airline holding company that was formed after the two airlines merged in 2004, though both operate under their own individual brands, according to CAPA. Air France, which did not make the list in 2021, is the national airline of France and is based at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Meanwhile, KLM, which jumped three spots from last year, operates as the Dutch national carrier and has its hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

Helsinki-based Finnair jumped two spots from number 17 in 2021. The airline is the national carrier of Finland and operates a vast domestic and international network, flying regional routes in Finland and Scandinavia as well as long-haul routes to Asia, Europe, the US, and Canada.

Lufthansa, which ranked 18 in 2021, is based in Frankfurt and operates a large international network across Europe, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, North America, Latin America, and Africa. The carrier is part of the larger Lufthansa Group that also consists of Swiss International Air Lines, Edelweiss Air, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, and Eurowings Discover, according to the company.

American Airlines jumped two spots from number 15 in 2021. The Dallas/Fort Worth-based carrierhas a robust domestic and international network carrying passengers to destinations in Europe, the Asia Pacific, Central America, and South America.

Hawaiian Airlines maintained its number 12 spot in 2022. The carrier is a US-based airline operating flights out of its hubs at Honolulu International Airport on O'ahu and Kahului Airport on Maui. The carrier flies around the Hawaiian islands, offers routes to the continental US, and operates international service to Asia, the Pacific, and Australia.

Cathay Pacific Airways dropped two spots from number nine in 2021 to rank 11 this year. The carrier is based in Hong Kong and operates regional and international flights to the Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic, which ranked number 11 in 2021, operate under the Virgin brand but do not compete on overlapping networks, according to the airlines. Virgin Australia is based in Brisbane and is Australia's second-largest carrier, operating routes across Australia, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South Africa. Virgin Atlantic is UK-based and operates flights to North America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia.

EVA Air dropped three spots from number six last year. The Taiwanese carrier is based in Taipei and is the second-largest airline in the country behind China Airlines. EVA flies regional and international routes to destinations in Asia, Australia, Europe, Canada, and the United States.

Alaska Airlines is the highest-ranking US-based carrier on the top 20 list, maintaining its number eight spot from 2021. The Seattle-based carrier is partnered with American Airlines and is a new Oneworld member. Alaska operates domestic flights across the US as well as international routes to Canada, Central America, and Mexico.

After being crowned the world's safest airline in 2021, Qantas lost the title to Air New Zealand this year. The national carrier is based in Australia and operates routes to New Zealand, the Americas, Asia, South Africa, and Europe.

Scandinavian Airlines, better known as SAS, jumped an impressive 10 spots in 2022 from number 16 last year. The Stockholm-based carrier is the national airline of three Scandinavian nations, including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. SAS operates routes around Europe and Scandinavia, as well as to Asia and North America.

TAP Air Portugal, also known as TAP, made its way into the top 20 list this year after not ranking in 2021. The national carrier of Portugal, which is Europe's safest airline for 2022, operates routes across Europe, North America, South America, and Africa.

Singapore Airlines maintained its number four spot in 2022. The national carrier is known for its strong long-haul product and serves destinations in Asia, North America, Australasia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Qatar Airways dropped one spot this year after being named the number two safest airline for 2021. The Doha-based airline is the national carrier of Qatar and is one of the world's fastest-growing airlines, according to the company. Qatar maintains an extensive network of routes across the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America.

After ranking number seven in 2021, Etihad Airways jumped to number two this year. The Abu Dhabi-based airline is one of the flag carriers of the UAE and flies to destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia.

Rounding out the top 20 list this year is Air New Zealand after taking the number three spot in 2021. ANZ is the country's national carrier and serves Australia, the Pacific, Asia, and North America.

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Safest airlines in the world according to experts - Business Insider

Malcolm Hood's decision to go on tour with the Cavaliers to South Africa in 1986 resulted in threats to burn down his family home with his wife and young children inside it. Photo / Michael Craig

Former All Black physiotherapist Malcolm Hood shares some remarkable stories from his long career with Neil Reid

Leading sports physiotherapist Malcolm Hood has revealed he received a chilling threat that his family home would be torched with his wife and children inside it if he travelled to South Africa with the rebel Cavaliers rugby team.

And in an exclusive interview with the Herald, the former long-time All Black physio has also revealed more about the financial benefits the controversial Cavaliers enjoyed.

The 1986 tour was organised privately after the issuing of a court injunction saw the cancellation of the scheduled All Blacks' tour of South Africa a year earlier.

The Cavaliers featured all but two of the 30 players originally selected for the aborted All Blacks tour; with David Kirk and John Kirwan making themselves unavailable for the unsanctioned team.

Hood who by 1986 had ended his lengthy stint as All Black physio was a late call up to provide care for the touring team.

In an exclusive interview with the Herald, he revealed that before leaving the country he received a chilling threat directed at his family.

"A young person walked up to me and asked, 'Are you going over to South Africa?'. I replied, 'Well, why do you ask that?'. I was then told: 'If you go to South Africa, I will get my brothers to burn your house down'.

"I said, 'Well what purpose will that serve?'. They then said, 'We will burn your family . . . burn your wife, your family, your children'."

The threat was reported to police, with the Hoods' then home in Waiuku being put under police surveillance.

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A nearby farm owned by Cavaliers and All Black captain Andy Dalton was also monitored by police.

It wasn't the first time the police had stepped in to provide protection for high-profile rugby figures involved in sporting fixtures against the Springboks.

In the lead-up to, and during, the Springboks' controversial 1981 tour of New Zealand the homes of Hood and some members of the All Blacks were put under police surveillance.

While the disturbing threat issued to Hood personally was never acted upon, there were several incidents of arson in the Waiuku area around the time of the Cavaliers tour.

The threat never saw him question going on the unsanctioned tour.

"I know it sounds weird, but we had our minds so much on the mission that it wasn't frightening," he said.

"We were determined to do what we were doing."

Hood also revealed that one of his young children was targeted while he was away travelling with the Cavaliers through South Africa.

"One of our boys was beaten up and had his head shoved down a toilet because I was on tour," he said.

"It was crazy; he didn't have any say over whether I went on a tour or not. That's what we had to put up with."

Meanwhile, Hood confirmed he had been paid $20,000 by South African officials who organised the Cavaliers tour to travel as the side's physio.

Hood said that sum was based on what his earnings would have been at his physiotherapy clinic for the duration of the Cavaliers tour.

He said there was also "no doubt" that players on the tour also benefited financially; something which put them offside with rugby's then amateur status.

In the 35 years since the tour, various theories over what the Cavaliers might or might not have received have been aired; including claims players might have been paid in diamonds.

Hood said the deals were more about compensation over lost earnings from jobs back in New Zealand.

"It was the first time we came out even [from a tour].

"They [the players] weren't paid directly [for playing], but they received something. And I don't begrudge them that."

The Cavaliers lost the four-match series against the Springboks 3-1. On their return home, the players were handed two-test bans.

Hood stressed that as far as he was concerned, not one member of the Cavaliers playing or management staff went on the trip for financial gain.

A veil of secrecy shrouded their departure from New Zealand.

Most players left in small groups, travelling with overnight bags and no team-issue gear. The groups who flew out from New Zealand met later in Hong Kong, before then hooking up with several players who were already in Europe playing for invitational teams.

Secrecy also surrounded a night-time visit that Hood paid to the Soweto township during the Cavaliers' late-tour stay in Johannesburg.

The township was the scene of an uprising in 1976 which saw police eventually opening fire on 10,000 students. Estimates of how many black students died that day range from 176 to over 700.

Due to security fears including rioting - the Cavaliers management and their security detail banned squad members from visiting Soweto.

Hood initially found a local who promised to take him to the township, only for the man to back out saying the trip would be "too dangerous".

But that person eventually found a replacement after Hood told him: "In my book no one breaks a promise".

"We went through the back roads. I remember the fires on the side of the road and driving through them," Hood said.

At one stage he was hidden under a blanket to keep his presence secret. When they finally stopped outside a shebeen - an unlicensed bar selling homebrew beer - Hood was initially told to stay in the car.

"He later came out and said 'come on in'. He introduced me to a woman and said, 'This is the Queen of Soweto'," Hood said.

"We got along really well and we talked politics. She said, 'You are safe in Soweto'. I felt pretty secure there even though it was late at night . . . and there were 50 murders a week."

A British journalist later almost busted him for the unapproved visit.

"One member of the British press came to see me one morning at breakfast and said, 'I heard you went into Soweto at night'," Hood said.

"I just said, 'I don't know where you go that story from'. He asked if it was true and I replied: 'Do you think anyone would be able to go into Soweto at night with all these riots taking place?'. He said no and disappeared."

Rebel tour security: 'What I have in my bag will kill you'

Heavily armed troops guarded the Cavaliers 24/7 throughout the 1986 rebel tour of South Africa.

Members of South Africa's elite special forces protected the side from the moment they flew into Johannesburg in mid-April 1986.

The squad was also allocated a floor in the city's brand new Johannesburg Sun Hotel, with an ever-present security detail.

"We were told that we would not be able to get in and out of our floor without first going through their special forces," Hood said.

"We were accompanied by their special forces the whole way through South Africa. They were on the bus . . . everywhere we went they were looking after us."

Given the amount of time the security forces spent alongside the Cavaliers, Hood and some of the players developed a strong bond with some of the elite soldiers.

One of them was the personal bodyguard of then South African president P.W. Botha.

Another special forces member who travelled on the Cavaliers' bus constantly had with him a satchel stuck together with velcro which peeked the players' interest.

"I asked him what he had in there and he said, 'What I have in my bag will kill you'," Hood said.

One day the soldier left the bag momentarily unattended, with a member of the squad opening the bag to find an Uzi submachine gun and several grenades.

The closeness between security and members of the Cavaliers saw Hood and star backs Bill Osborne and Steven Pokere spending several hours shooting a variety of weapons at a military firing range.

"At the end of the day, with a bit of humour, they said you have just used $4000 worth of ammunition sponsored by the South African government and you have just used $2500 worth of AK47 ammunition sponsored by Russia."

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Chilling Cavaliers rugby tour threat: 'We will burn your family' - New Zealand Herald

New Zealand has seen an explosion in glamping escapes as Kiwis embrace exploring their backyard like never before.

We've stayed in dozens and here are our best picks from around the country.

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Tui Hilltop is in Maungakaramea.

One of the most popular spots in Bali is Ubud, where luxury villas line the hilly hinterland.

A trip to Bali is off the cards at the moment, but the next best thing is found less than two hours drive north of Auckland where youll find our very own version of Ubud.

READ MORE:* Pacific Coast Highway: A road trip of secret spots most have never heard of* Matai Peak: a secret slice of heaven above the clouds* Pukeiti Piwakawaka Family Hut, Taranaki: New Zealand's cheapest treehouse for families* Pepin Island: Experience one of New Zealands pristine private islands for $190 a night

Tui Hilltop is an off-grid series of huts perched on the side of a mountain, where Greg Hall has spent 20 years meticulously landscaping the grounds.

The retreat comprises three huts; a kitchen and dining area, a glass-lined bedroom, and a separate shower block with composting toilet.

You'll be surrounded by the sounds of birds and may even wake up above the clouds as we did. On those mornings, you really do feel like you're in heaven.

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Moonlight Peak is reached via a steep 4WD track youll be driven to the top.

On a towering hilltop overlooking the Wairarapa is adults-only retreat Moonlight Peak, which feels a bit like spending a night in a luxurious lair overlooking your kingdom below.

This isn't glamping in the traditional sense of the word it's more like a designer off-grid solar-powered cabin but it does have a few rustic elements. One of those is the journey there: you'll be met by the hosts and transported up a steep off-road track to the retreat.

From there, you will be a prisoner of the peak and won't be able to leave until you're picked up. But not to worry; you'll have a hot tub with magnificent views to help soak up the time.

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The bath tub at Rocky Point Hut on Pepin Island.

Need a little alone time? How does a $13.5 million island sound? Pepin Island is just 30 minutes from Nelson, and you can drive right onto the island thanks to a causeway. Once you arrive, you'll find a hilly 518-hectare sheep and beef farm with three eco-chalets dotted around the island.

One of the chalets, known as the Rocky Point Hut, is on the far side of the island, so unless you want a sweaty start to your romantic break I'd suggest taking the farm transport and paying a little extra. This hut has an incredible outdoor bath overlooking the sea.

Once you're there, not even the International Space Station will have a clue what you get up to both the Rocky Point and Passage Huts overlook the ocean. And they're under $200 a night, which is exceptional value.

They're basic but you get to enjoy one of the most underrated feelings in 2022: peace.

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Nest Tree Houses is so popular, its hard to get a spot.

Who doesn't want to relive their childhood and spend the night in a tree house?

Nestled near the mountains in Kurow, which is just over half an hour drive from marama, you'll find Nest Tree Houses.

The cosy cabin, with an indoor bathroom and outdoor kitchen, is on stilts up in the trees and has a suite of little luxuries. One of them is a Netflix-enabled TV that folds down from the ceiling for those bad weather days when you want to stay in bed all day.

But there is more, after all, good things come in trees. Take a little walk through the forest, and you'll find what looks like a submarine suspended in the air.

Ascend a boardwalk, and you'll discover its a tree house sauna, with a transparent dome at one end overlooking the forest.

The tree house is proving so popular, construction of a second is under way.

Growing up in New Zealand, many of our favourite memories are school camps. You can now recreate that with family or friends at an escape an hour from Auckland.

Glam Camping at Castaways is found on the hills above the wild Karioitahi Beach. It's most famous for its coastal tents, designed as a romantic escape for couples.

However, the resort is also home to a separate glamping village, which has 12 tents and 24 bedrooms making a capacity of up to 48.

On top of that, there's a massive central marquee, dining room and outdoor firepit and pizza oven.

Brook Sabin/Stuff

Wai Ora is between a river and lake.

If you've ever been lucky enough to explore Hawke's Bay, most people first take a look at Napier, Hastings and Havelock North.

However, a visit to Central Hawke's Bay gets you right off the beaten track, with Wai Ora glamping an ideal place to catch up with friends.

This retreat is at the luxury end, with three main cabins.

There is a large central kitchen and lounge with leather couches around a roaring fire.

There are also two rustic cabins; one overlooks a river, the other a lake. There's also a large hot tub.

It's an ideal location for two couples to catch up in a place so good, you won't want to leave.

Brook Sabin/Stuff

Indo Kiwi is 15 minutes from Charleston and an excellent place to stargaze.

On a remote stretch of the West Coast, just over an hour north of Hokitika, you'll find a little Bali-inspired oasis.

Indo Kiwi has a small hut with an outdoor kitchen and bath but the real attraction here is the view: you're overlooking the raw beauty of the Tasman Sea.

With no light pollution, it's also one of the best places to tuck up next to the outdoor heater and watch the stars.

Brook Sabin/Stuff

The Pwakawaka Family Hut is reached by an hour-long walk.

If your kids love the idea of staying in a tree house, one of the cheapest places to do that is at Taranaki's Pukeit an enormous 360-hectare rainforest that sits adjacent to Egmont National Park.

It's also home to one of the world's largest collections of rhododendrons.

To reach the tree house, you and the family need to walk about an hour after which you'll reach the 12-person basic tree hut, with bunk beds.

From the expansive deck, you'll enjoy views of Mt Taranaki, and in the opposite direction, you can even see down to the coast. It costs $150 a night for up to 12 people.

Brook Sabin/Stuff

Clifton Glamping is full of luxury touches, although it still has an outdoor shower.

Cape Kidnappers is a playground for the rich and famous, with a night at the eponymous resort setting you back many of thousands a night.

However, on a separate farm, right at the base of the peninsula, is a chance to experience a night of luxury for a fraction of the price.

Clifton Glamping is tucked away on one of the oldest working farms in New Zealand, with an uber-comfy bed in a luxury setting there's even an indoor fire making it perfect for winter.

Brook Sabin/Stuff

Kokowhai Bay Glamping is a three-hour drive from Blenheim.

In one of the most remote corners of the Marlborough Sounds, you'll find a luxury glamping tent tucked away in its own bay.

It's called Kokowhai Bay Glamping, and combines all the magic ingredients: a luxury tent, hot tub, absolute privacy, and you're just a few steps from the water.

It's quite the adventure getting to this place: you'll need to drive the breathtaking Croisilles HarbourFrench Pass Road, which is a narrow windy road where extreme caution is needed: fatal car crashes have recently occurred there.

But take it extremely slow, and you'll be rewarded with one of the most beautiful places to unwind in total solitude.

Moonlight Peak: $450 a night, Wai Ora: From $310 a night for two, Tui Hilltop: $290 a night, Indo Kiwi: $290 a night. Bookable via canopycamping.co.nz

Castaways Village: From $140 per person. See: castaways.co.nz/glamping

Pepin Island: $110 to $190 a night. See: pepinislandfarm.co.nz

Nest Tree Houses: $490 a night. See: nesttreehouses.com

Pwakawaka Family Hut: $150 a night. See: trc.govt.nz/piwakawaka-family-hut

Clifton Glamping: From $350. See: cliftonglamping.co.nz

Kokowhai Glamping: From $220 a night. See: kokowhaibayglamping.co.nz

Staying safe: New Zealand is currently under Covid-19 restrictions. Face coverings are mandatory on all flights and public transport. Proof of vaccination or vaccine exemption may be required in some public venues under the traffic light system. Follow the instructions at covid19.govt.nz.

The author does photography for Canopy Camping, but inclusions in this article are based on merit.

Excerpt from:

Guide to glamping in New Zealand: Here are the best places to stay - Stuff.co.nz

As COP 26 takes place in Glasgow, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern talks to us about New Zealand's commitment to emissions reduction in an extended joint interview with the Herald, US broadcaster NBC and news agency AFP as part of Covering Climate Now, a coalition of international media reporting climate change. Video / NZ Herald

OPINION

The year is 2040 and Aotearoa New Zealand has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the commitment to keep global heating below 1.5C above pre-industrial temperatures.

The economy, society, local government, transport, housing and urban design, energy, land use, food production and water systems have all changed significantly. Fossil fuels have been mostly phased out internationally and import taxes are imposed on high emissions goods.

New Zealand is now a world leader in natural infrastructure, clean hydrogen energy, engineered wood and high quality low emissions food. Despite ongoing challenges, with a prosperous economy, most people think the transition was worth it. Cities are more pleasant places to live, air and water are cleaner, nature is more abundant.

Following the emissions budgets stipulated by the Zero Carbon Act in late 2021, emissions are now properly priced into all economic decisions. The Emissions Trading Scheme has been reinforced and the price of emitting carbon has stabilised at $300 per tonne, after hitting $75 in 2022 and $200 by 2030.

In 2026, New Zealand signed the International Treaty to Phase out Fossil Fuels, which prohibits fossil fuel extraction, phases out use and requires international cooperation on renewable energy.

Carbon import taxes mean many high emissions commercial activities are no longer economically viable. Trade unions have played a major role in the industrial strategy underpinning the transition to a lower emissions economy.

The Mori economy is bigger than any other sector and has benefited from wider international recognition of the long term value of climate and biodiversity work.

New Zealand's economy is based on productive activity that stays within planetary boundaries including emissions and pollution of land and water while respecting social requirements, such as a decent standard of living for all.

Building on their successful response to the Covid pandemic, marae-based organisations are prominent as centres of excellence for climate and economic strategy, health and social services, managed retreat from coastal areas and natural infrastructure development.

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Public financing was radically rebalanced in the 2020s, delivering more for local government and a greater partnership between councils, government and Mori organisations. This has enabled far better delivery of local services and much more meaningful connections within communities.

Councils and council organisations laid the groundwork for the climate transition, helping address the unequal impacts of climate change on different groups. Councils and mana whenua collectively administer substantial funds for regional development.

The government's 2022 Climate Budget provided the massive injection of funds required to redesign our cities, which are now organised around mass transit, safe and segregated routes for cycling and vibrant pedestrian areas. People can access fast, frequent light rail and dedicated busways with low cost fares. Less road space is required for driving, which is more accessible now for those who need it, including disabled people and service vehicles.

People travel between cities primarily via electric rail, managed by a new national passenger rail agency InterCity, which acquired the InterCity regional bus operator in 2023. Through major reforms in 2024, KiwiRail became a dedicated rail freight operator. A new government agency, OnTrack, oversees maintenance and renewal of tracks and rail infrastructure.

Passenger rail services run across the North Island main trunk line on improved electrified tracks at up to 160km/h. South Island rail uses hydrogen trains fuelled by locally produced green hydrogen.

Most of the work to upgrade transport, housing and energy infrastructure has been done by a new Ministry of Green Works set up in 2025. This ministry partners with local hap and iwi, as well as councils through regional hubs. It is backed by the government's expanded Green Investment Finance company.

Anger at the divide between property owners and renters culminated in a general rent strike in 2024. The government responded with new financial rules ending the treatment of housing as an asset class. Kinga Ora, Mori organisations and councils have undertaken a massive public housing construction effort.

Most new housing is now public infrastructure rather than private homes built to store individual wealth. Public ownership has expanded, in particular for entities that provide core services such as transport, energy and water.

In 2024, the government worked with councils to focus plans on quality universal design housing. Since the new building code was adopted in 2025, all new homes have high standards for energy efficiency and accessibility. Higher density apartments line public transport routes in the main centres, with terraced homes in smaller towns. Structural timber has replaced concrete and steel in many construction projects.

Changes to housing, transport and urban design have supported improvements in health, wellbeing and physical activity. Health improved dramatically after universal basic services were introduced in 2024 to cover free visits to the doctor and dentist as well as free childcare and elderly care.

Electricity generation has doubled, with a mix of wind, solar and geothermal. Many more energy storage facilities exist, including pumped hydroelectricity. Distributed energy is commonplace. Many councils have helped their communities set up local solar schemes and dozens of towns are completely independent of the national grid.

Green hydrogen is produced at the converted aluminium smelter at Tiwai Point using hydroelectricity. This is used in heavy industry and transport and exported from Southport.

In 2027, after New Zealand blew its first carbon budget, the government replaced MBIE with a new Ministry for Economic Transition. The ministry oversaw the transition to green jobs via a universal job guarantee scheme.

It also supported a dramatic reduction in energy use in all parts of society and the economy. This effort had a greater impact on emissions reduction than the replacement of energy and fuel with renewable sources.

In 2025 the government established a Natural Infrastructure Commission. The term "natural infrastructure" emerged in the 2020s as a term to include native forests, wetlands, coastal environments and other ecosystems that store and clean water, protect against drought, flooding and storms, boost biodiversity and absorb carbon.

The commission has supported massive land restoration for carbon sequestration and biodiversity purposes, with an annual budget of $5 billion from emissions revenue. Among other uses, the fund compensates landowners for land-use changes that reduce emissions and build up resilience.

Under the new Constitution of Aotearoa adopted in 2040, ownership of the Conservation Estate transferred from Crown ownership to its own status of legal personhood.

International carbon taxes have transformed agriculture. Dairy herds have reduced in size and New Zealand is known for organic, low emissions food and fibre. High quality meat and dairy products, as well as plant-based protein foods, supply international markets.

Seaweed and aquaculture operations have flourished. Along with regenerative agriculture, this transition has reduced pollution and emissions. With native ecosystems regenerated, ttara and harakeke can now be sustainably harvested for timber and fibre.

In urban and industrial settings water use has dramatically reduced. Every business, home and building stores its own water. Water use is measured and charges are levied for excess water use beyond the needs of the household. No water is ever wasted.

The country feels steadier than 20 years ago. There is hope for the future in a world that was full of uncertainty after the pandemic-stricken early 2020s.

Many government agencies and councils are now seen as useful and relevant, having been equipped with the money to provide housing, social services, environmental restoration and support for economic and land use change.

Moving away from high emissions exports was more successful than anyone expected, but it took strict rules to make it happen. Some in the business sector opposed more government direction and regulation, but it's widely accepted that relying on market forces would not have delivered a successful transition.

That approach had driven the country to the brink of failure on climate, biodiversity and social cohesion. Having been leaders in milk powder and tourism, the country now leads on natural infrastructure and the future of food, timber and energy.

In 2040, Aotearoa is a better place to be.

Thomas Nash is a Social Entrepreneur in Residence, Massey University.

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The Conversation: Aotearoa New Zealand is looking good in 2040 here's how we did it - New Zealand Herald

Vanessa Honor can speak multiple languages but adapting to the Kiwi slang has presented a new set of challenges since moving to Aotearoa about five years ago.

I noticed a lot of people saying, sweet as and Im thinking, sweet as what? What is sweet?

And then not long after that I found myself saying, yeah-nah, just as a joke but its a normal part of conversation now.

I cant wait to absorb more Kiwi quirks and slang.

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Vanessa moved to New Zealand for about five years and now lives in Hamilton.

Honor is among 752,000 internationals who arrived in New Zealand 5-7 years prior to the 2018 Census report.

Census data showed in Waikato, 16 per cent of the regions 458,2020 population, thats about 7300 people, arrived from overseas countries during the same period.

Honor is no stranger to learning a language or dialect of a new country or region.

The 40-year-old was born in Bordeaux, France. Her mum was of mixed Polish descent and her father was from French Guiana, near Brazil in South America.

Christel Yardley/Stuff

She now works as a senior strategic planner for Waip District Council, setting a strategy for how and where the district will grow and develop over the next 30 years.

My mum is white and shes from continental France, thats what they like to call it, the mainland.

My dad is from Guiana, he is black and so I am of mixed race.

Bordeaux is a well-known destination for wine lovers, its museums and public gardens.

French Guiana is a former colony of France, most of it is covered by rain forest and its drawcard is the Guiana Amazonian Park.

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Bordeaux in France, a city said to be built on rivers of wine. It is where Vanessa was born.

I grew up in both countries. My dad didnt like the winter in France so we would spend about six months in each country.

But by the time I was 14, I lived in France all the time.

Honor said people in Guiana speak a local dialect of French but also lot of Creole too, which has Portuguese origins, with a little bit of English and some French.

Creole is such a beautiful mix of languages, all around South America you have different types of Creole, especially in the Caribbean which is very much attached to its history around slavery.

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Vineyards of Saint Emilion, near Bordeaux.

We picked up Creole because we lived in Guiana but it wasnt something my father put forward in front of us to learn, he was more interested in making sure I had accurate use of the French language.

Her father grew up in a period when there was change in the Caribbean, politically and socially. It has a history of colonial exploitation involving the slavery trade, and next to that, a growing multi-racial Creole society.

He always thought it would be challenging for black people and for a woman of mixed race, if we couldnt master the French language first.

Honor studied evolutionary genetics at university in France, its the study of how genetic variation leads to evolutionary change.

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The Amazon forest near Brazil. Vanessa says river trips through the Amazon forest in French Guiana are popular with visitors.

While at study, she met a friend from Scotland and followed him to Edinburgh where she lived, studied and worked for 13 years.

She is passionate about conservation, the environment and decided to study ecology and later, applied ecology, which focused on how to understand, protect and enhance ecosystems.

Living in Scotland gave her a chance to improve her English language skills too and learn about the regional dialects and slang from various parts of the country.

She began working as a planner and for a while Scotland ticked all the boxes.

Mark Taylor/Stuff

Beef Bourguignon is a French beef stew braised in red wine. It rekindles memories of family sitting down to eat together, Vanessa says.

But in the back of my mind, I had always been thinking about New Zealand. Its a place I wondered about ever since I was a child.

When I started looking into it, I could see that planners were on the shortage list for New Zealand, so I knew from a career perspective, it could be a good move.

Honor tried not to have too many expectations of what life in New Zealand would be like.

I knew there was a lot of change happening in New Zealand but I didnt realise how rich it was in its history, culturally and politically.

Christel Yardley/Stuff

She is a planner by trade and there is a shortage of planners in New Zealand, which prompted her to make the move from the other side of the world.

I thought people were more relaxed here than people in France, which is what I was looking for.

I wanted to get away from a stressful society and New Zealand has got this wonderful work-life balance.

Honor worked as a graduate planner for Aurecon in Auckland for three and a half years before moving to Hamilton in 2021 to work for the Waip District Council.

The Waip council was a client [with Aurecon] and I loved working with the people there.

She joined the council in August during the lockdown and she had been working remotely from home, away from her new team.

Christel Yardley/Stuff

Vanessa says its never too late to travel, to change careers, to study or to try something new.

As a senior strategy planner, shell be helping Waip prepare for its projected population growth for the next 30 years.

In the next 10 years, for example, Cambridges population will reach 24,000 requiring 2300 more homes while Te Awamutu and Kihikihi combined would reach 15,500 people, requiring 630 new homes.

I am a planner by trade but the planning system here is quite different from Scotland.

The RMA reform is changing New Zealand and there is a new generation of planners coming through much more focused on spatial strategic planning.

If she were to write home to family in France, describing what life in New Zealand was like, Honor would say it feels like the best of each country shes lived in.

You have the best of Scotland, France and Guiana. You have this urban background in Hamilton but then suddenly you can be in the country and that reminds me of France.

Then you have the forest areas with trees so high you cant see the sky, its so intense it reminds me of Guiana.

But then I go back to work and its Scotland.

Honor also has an accent which is a blend of all three countries too, with the Scottish slang coming through the strongest during the interview.

Ive been told my accent is unique and its even more unique when you see what I look like.

People say, do you know that French girl, who has a Scottish accent but looks like shes from Brazil?

Honor said her father lives in Spain now and shes been able to speak some Spanish on visits there. She can also manage some Portuguese if you put me back into Brazil for a week.

English and French are my fluent languages though.

She wont compare Edinburgh with Hamilton, that would be unfair, she said.

But Hamilton right now is evolving, it is writing a new chapter in its history.

New Zealands beach culture has allowed her to revisit her love for surfing, at Raglan while shes also enjoying Hamiltons Japanese-Korean food which is new to her.

I like to discover new food but I hate Brussels sprout, dont cook that for me.

If she were to host visitors for dinner, it would boeuf bourguignon on the menu, made with some instruction from her grandmother in France.

Its just the attachment I have to that particular dish, memories of growing up in France with my grandmother and grandfather, sitting down to eat at the table surrounded with food and people.

Honor doesnt normally like being the centre of attention. Appearing in a story and photos took some convincing.

The main reason I wanted to do this story is to show people youre never too old to try something new.

I hear people say, its too late for me to travel or to change my career. But I went back to university at 33 and then I moved to New Zealand at 36.

Working in strategy planning is really what I was looking to do and its something I love doing in a country I love living in.

Read more:

Vanessa Honor: Moving to New Zealand, yeah-nah, it's sweet as - Stuff.co.nz

Under the Vines on Acorn TV is a show that fizzes and pops with romance and possibility as it sees two mismatched city dwellers thrown together when they inherit a failing New Zealand vineyard.

Heres our complete guide to the sun-dappled, six-part comedy-drama featuring an exclusive interview with Downton Abbey star Charles Edwards...

Inheriting a vineyard in New Zealand may seem like a dream come true, but for stuffy London lawyer Louis Oakley its a living nightmare that he wants to put a cork in.

Charles Edwards (Downton Abbey, The Crown) and Rebecca Gibney (The Flying Doctors, Wanted) star as the cheeky pairing of bottled-up Louis and effervescent Sydney socialite Daisy Munroe.

These two lost souls are brought together In Acorn TVs lighthearted new six-part series when they jointly inherit Oakley Winery after the death of Louis uncle Stanley, who was also Daisys stepdad.

Under the Vines lands on Acorn TV from Monday Jan. 2022. Episodes 1 and 2 are available from Monday 10 January then new episodes of the six-part series will be made available weekly on Mondays. We will update on its availability in the US and worldwide.

To sign up for Acorn TV, visitwww.acorn.tvor download the Acorn TV app on your favourite device to start your 30 day free trial. You can also getUnder The Vines through Acorn TV on Amazon Prime Video (for extra charge).

Yes there's a very entertaining trailer for Under The Vines Season 1! Enjoy this taster of the sparkling new series below.

Louis flies to Queenstown and sets about trying to sell the dilapidated vineyard cheaply and quickly. Hes keen to return home, even though his marriage and career are in tatters, and hes gone viral for stripping off while blind drunk in Piccadilly Circus! Daisy, however, has other ideas...

Louis gets a call saying his uncle Stanley has died and that hes the sole heir to his vineyard. But when Louis flies out to Queenstown and meets Stanleys stepdaughter Daisy at the airport he realises that sole heir isnt the operative phrase! explains Charles Edwards, who was newspaper editor Michael Gregson in Downton Abbey and now plays Louis in Under The Vines.

Hes attracted to Daisy, but when it becomes apparent that theyre linked in this inextricable way, he can tell that he's going to get bossed around!

After a quick look through Stanleys finances, Louis is determined to sell off Oakley. Sampling the vineyards BT wine [bloody terrible!] makes up his mind completely and he accepts an offer from neighbouring wine producers, Marissa (Sarah Peirse) and Don (John Bach).

Daisy, meanwhile, begins to experience remorse at how she soaked up Stanleys money and never so much as visited him

When they examine this apparent dump in the middle of nowhere hes keen to sell it and get out. But Daisy has more of a vision, reveals Charles.

Daisy's had this long term, very distant relationship with her stepfather Stanley and, after a while, she just started sending him a gift basket every year, as we all do with some of our relatives. I think subconsciously shes looking for something else.

Prior to meeting Daisys living a fraught and rootless life in Sydney, while Louis home life and professional career are in disarray

His marriage to Simone (Shortland Street star Sara Wiseman) is rocky. But he feels duty bound to make it work for their son Julian (TV newcomer Sam Gardner). Hes also taking the rap for his business partner, whos been embezzling funds, explains Charles Edwards, 52, who plays Louis.

Daisy's also at a crossroads. Something that Becs very keen to plant within the character is that shes of an age where she's had the fillers, she likes younger men, she's a socialite, donating at charity dos - the cheques bounce! - but she knows deep down that her life is kind-of empty.

In New Zealand Daisy awakens to that and is inspired to turn Oakley Winery around. Louis lost and needs leading, so he goes along with it. Hed never admit it, but hes intrigued by and fancies her, basically!

Under the Vines Season 1 was filmed on location in Central Otago, New Zealand in 2021.

We were based on the South Island and filmed between February and April last year. It was like stepping into another world. Its a lovely, real vineyard. They overgrew the vines and made it look shabbier than it is for filming," reveals Charles.

Throughout the series youll see it gradually improves as we discover this charming dilapidated place has potential. At weekends we did a bit of research and enjoyed some of the local produce!"

As soon as Louis and Daisy land in New Zealand they meet a host of characters including hapless lawyer Vic, two very different Oakley employees - optimistic employee Gus and enigmatic Tippy, plus married couple Don and Marissa, who have their sights on owning Oakley.

Lawyer Vic is played by Cohen Holloway (Top of the Lake) and hes untiringly hilarious, very funny and very warm, says Charles.

Vineyard employee Tippy (Killer Sofa star Trae Te Wiki) keeps popping up and scaring the hell out of Louis and Daisy. Shes a mystery but has magic bones as far as wines concerned. Other employee Gus (Golden Boy's Simon Mead) is hugely lovely and could solve all their problems if only theyd let him!

Then theres Don (Jack Irish star John Bach) and Marissa (Sweet Tooth's Sarah Peirse), the king and queen of the area. Theyre successful wine producers and have their eye on Oakley. They need toppling!

In more than one scene Louis gets legless. The most memorable? When he goes viral after being filmed drunk as a lord and running naked through Piccadilly Circus, earning the moniker, Piccadilly Willy.

Louis has got into a drinking habit, which he enjoys! But it gets him into trouble, laughs Charles. It was very funny filming the [naked Piccadilly Circus] sequence in a disused airport room in New Zealand wearing whats known as a modesty pouch - a bit of old stocking with tape on it. The glamour!

I really enjoy playing drunk. I stagger around beforehand to get off centre and then try and focus on something!

The cast and crew followed strict pandemic protocol when filming.

It was a bubble within a bubble. New Zealand itself was a bubble because it was Covid free and then we had our show bubble. It was a curious but joyful experience, says Charles.

We went to an outdoor concert to see Crowded House on a beautiful, warm night. I sent a video to a friend of mine back in England and he said That's like a message from the future. I loved the way he put that.

Yes! During the series Louis and Daisy become increasingly committed to Oakley Winery and the endearing ensemble characters so there will be a season 2 of Under The Vines.

Its a lovely, warm world to step into. Even though its a fish-out-of-water story its different, and thats in the writing, the humour and great actors. Its funny and touching, says Charles.

Youve got two lost souls connecting. Its inspiring in a way. Im very excited about going back in February to film the second series. Louis might have to loosen up a bit!

From the press release: Season two will see lovable socialite Daisy Monroe and London lawyer Louis Oakley continue to navigate running the Otago winery they inherited. They also have to navigate their feelings for each other but love, like a fine wine, is always complicated.

Along the way, Oakley Wines up-and-coming winemaker Tippy (Trae Te Wiki) faces challenges of her own when a rockstar French vintner is hired by a rival winery.

Production on the six-episode second season will commence early 2022 in picturesque Central Otago, New Zealand.

Star and Executive Producer Rebecca Gibney said: I am beyond thrilled that we were commissioned to commence Season 2 of Under the Vines even before it has gone to air. It shows such enormous faith in our series and I am very grateful to Acorn TV and TVNZ for their amazing support.

"To be given the opportunity to work with the phenomenally talented Charles Edwards and to showcase not only the incredible talent here in New Zealand but the majesty of the location in the South Island was such a gift and I have no doubt Season 2 will bring as much joy and heart this time around.

Under the Vines is created and co-written by Erin White (Other Peoples Problems, Doctor Doctor, The PMs Daughter) and produced by Libertine Pictures (Daffodils, Mystic) and EQ Media Group (Jack Irish, Doctor Doctor) in association with Hardy White Pictures. Acorn TV has all rights worldwide with the exception of TVNZ in New Zealand.

Follow this link:

Under the Vines season 1: release date, cast, interview, plot, trailer and all about the comedy drama set on a New Zealand vineyard - What To Watch

Leanne Hughes is still recovering from a broken shoulder after a crash on her e-bike. Photo / George Novak

The number of e-bike injuries in the Bay of Plenty has soared in recent years and a Tauranga woman injured in a crash says people should be more aware when buying one.

Leanne Hughes, 50, decided to sell her car and invest in an e-bike as a cheaper mode of transport.

On December 7, she was riding along Otumoetai Rd when she crashed, tipping over, with the bike on top of her. The impact of the crash broke Hughes' upper arm and she is still recovering from the ordeal weeks later.

Hughes waited for about two hours for an ambulance to take her to Tauranga Hospital and was comforted by "complete strangers" the entire time. It is an experience that still resonates with her today.

"It was just amazing, the kindness of people.

"I'm just so incredibly grateful."

Among the helpers were off-duty doctors who kneeled beside her on the path and gave her pain relief.

But the crash has knocked Hughes' confidence and she's unsure whether she'll ride her bike, her only form of transport, again.

Hughes said it had been about 30 years since she last rode a bike and when she bought the e-bike "nothing of safety was discussed". The salesperson appeared to be more focused on the sale, she said.

"I don't want to put them in a bad light or anything but I think people in shops should know . . . that safety element needs to be addressed.

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"People like myself assume it's one and the same - a bike and an e-bike are the same except one gives you power going up the hills."

Hughes said she would have gladly taken part in a demonstration ride or introductory course to e-bikes when she bought hers and recommended anyone considering an e-bike to do the same.

E-bikes were heavier, their weight distribution could be different, and they were faster and more powerful, she said.

During the past five years, there has been a steady surge of ACC payouts to people suffering injuries from e-bike related claims, and figures for this year so far look set to record another record number of claims.

In the Bay of Plenty in 2016, there were just four e-bike related claims. Last year, there were 102. Up to September 18, 2021, there were 100 - not including Hughes' crash.

The figures make the Bay region the third-highest for e-bike injuries behind Otago, which already has 137 claims this year to date, and Auckland with 180.

ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said if someone was getting into e-bike riding for the first time, the organisation recommended taking a course as e-bikes were "very different" to traditional bikes.

There were several things cyclists could do to help themselves keep safe, he said.

"This could mean taking a moment to get the basics right, like checking you've got the right safety gear and that it fits you properly, or taking time to practise in a quiet, traffic-free area."

Whitaker said the organisation wanted people to continue to ride bikes but to be safe while doing so.

"There are heaps of health and wellbeing benefits from cycling, so we don't want to put the brakes on people getting out on their bikes."

It was important for all road users to look out for each other and give each other space, so everyone felt comfortable, he said.

Make sure your brakes, tyres, chain, gears and lights are all in good condition. Make sure you've got the right safety gear and that it fits you properly. It may pay to practise in a level, quiet and traffic-free area if it's been quite a while since your last ride. Take a course if you're getting into e-bike riding for the first time they're very different to traditional bikes. Plan your journey around routes where there isn't much traffic or other potential risks.

See the article here:

Bay of Plenty has some of New Zealand's highest e-bike injuries, ACC claims - New Zealand Herald

As Omicron continues to proliferate at astonishing rates, Keith Lynch explains that Covid-19 vaccines very much do work against the new variant.

I'll get right to the point. Yes, the vaccines work against Omicron. Its just that they arent necessarily doing what wed love them to do.

Among the key reasons the variant is spreading so fast is that its excellent at evading some of the protection against infection we have gained by getting vaccinated or by having previously had Covid-19.

That does not mean the vaccines have failed, however. In fact, one of the key reasons why Omicron appears to be less severe than Delta is precisely because of all those vaccinations.

READ MORE:* Covid-19: The NSW Omicron outbreak is not what you think* Untangling what Omicron means for New Zealand's approach to the pandemic* Covid-19 NZ: The pro-choice argument against vaccines, explained

Think of these as your first line of defence.

Thats not the only protection we have after vaccination. As Dr Fran Priddy, clinical Director of Vaccine Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand, previously told Stuff; the body also makes whats called B and T cells. This layer of protection is called cellular immunity.

This response is more robust and long-lasting. The B cells can pump out new antibodies when needed, and T cells kick into action once the virus makes its way past that first line of infection.

We learned last year, however, that Covid-19 antibodies diminish over time. Youll have seen this described as waning immunity. This is perfectly normal, by the way.

What it meant, though, was that the virus was able to take root in immunised people as that first line of defence wasnt necessarily as strong as immediately after vaccination.

But remember those T and B cells are still there ready to go. They step up and prevent most vaccinated people getting severely ill after contracting Covid-19.

Omicron is a highly mutated version of Covid-19, but its still Covid-19. Most of its mutations are on a part of the virus called its spike protein.

The antibodies our first line of defence typically bind onto the spike protein in an attempt to stop the virus taking hold.

Vaccinated peoples Covid antibodies are having a tough time, though, with Omicrons change-up.

But again, its not just about antibodies. The good news, as Professor Paul Hunter of the University of East Anglia explains, is that there are very few mutations on the parts of the virus targeted, for instance, by T cells.

And while Covid-19 has mutated, it can only change so much, Priddy says. Also, those T cells are much better at targeting the parts of the virus that, broadly speaking, stay the same.

Indeed, a recent study from scientists in Hong Kong and Melbourne support this. While the number of infections may rise considerably as a consequence of Omicrons ability to evade antibodies, robust T cell immunity provides hope that, similar to other VOCs (variants of concern), the level of protection against severe disease would remain high, the authors wrote in an article published in the Viruses journal.

OK. Number one: a third dose will bring about a new wave of eager antibodies that will reduce the chances of you catching Omicron (and Delta) in the first place.

Thats not all. A booster will also induce a process called affinity maturation, Priddy explains. This essentially means after repeated exposure to the vaccine (or indeed the virus) the immune system improves itself. It becomes more refined and better able to fight back.

Dr Nikki Moreland, an Associate Professor in Infection and Immunity at the University of Auckland, equates this to studying something complicated.

When you read something the first time around, you kinda know whats going on. You read it again and your understanding improves. Then you read it for a third time and you really get it.

One question for immunologists is: how many doses will be needed in the long term?

And there may well be diminishing returns, Priddy says. A lot of childhood vaccines, for instance, involve three doses five or six arent necessary.

Well start with the bad news.

For the reasons Ive outlined above, two doses of the Pfizer vaccine offers less protection against symptomatic Omicron than with Delta, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Their January 6 technical report suggests that in those first few weeks after a second dose, the vaccine is about 60 per cent effective at halting mild illness.

Theres a temporal aspect to this, too. That number drops after three-or-so months as the antibody numbers wane.

A booster certainly appears to ramp up protection from symptomatic illness, at least in the short term, as you see the dataset below.

Thats not to say the vaccines wont stop some Omicron infections. The new variant is just more likely to get around our first line of defence.

A recent Danish study (yet to be peer-reviewed) supports these findings, suggesting that Omicron is much more adept at evading the protection the vaccines offer against infection.

The researchers wrote: Our findings confirm that the rapid spread of the Omicron VOC primarily can be ascribed to the immune evasiveness rather than an inherent increase in the basic transmissibility.

Theres another thing to consider here: If youre exposed to Omicron, theres a chance you could end up being infected with Covid-19 but have no symptoms.

Another South African study (also yet to be peer-reviewed) suggests that Omicron causes more asymptomatic cases than the other variants.

This high prevalence of asymptomatic infection is likely a major factor in the widespread, rapid dissemination of the variant globally, even among populations with high prior rates of SARS-COV-2 infection, the researchers noted.

All of this helps explain its alarming spread.

Philipp Schulze/AP

Sheep and goats stand together in Schneverdingen, Germany, as they form an approximately 100-metre long syringe to promote vaccinations against Covid-19.

And now to the good news.

It appears, so far at least, the proportion of cases ending up in the ICU or dying with Omicron is lower than with previous variants. This is likely a product of a few things: Omicron being less severe and the immunity accumulated via vaccination and prior infections.

Another UKHSA analysis has found the risk of someone being admitted to hospital with Omicron was approximately one-third of that for Delta. This analysis took into account a range of factors including age and vaccination status and points to an inherent reduction in the new variants severity.

A further examination (combing all vaccine brands) offers an indication of how well the vaccines prevent severe illness from Omicron.

It suggests that vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation for three doses is about 88 per cent. (Key takeaway: boosters work.)

It also notes:

Lets take a breath here. This looks far from ideal at first glance; with Delta, two doses of Pfizer offered higher protection against hospitalisations. Three doses was even better.

But remember, Omicron appears intrinsically less severe. Even if you were not vaccinated, youd have less chance of ending up in hospital compared to Delta. Were working from a different baseline.

Vaccination, particularly a third dose, then further reduces the chances of you ending up in hospital or ICU.

These findings are supplemented by data from South Africa which shows two doses of the Pfizer vaccine is 70 per cent effective against hospitalisation with Omicron.

Encouraging new data from over the weekend also suggested that after three doses, protection against hospitalisation stays close to 90 per cent for people aged 65+ for at least three months or so.

Yes, it looks like it.

Dr Stephen Kissler, an infectious disease expert from Harvard University, said researchers were still waiting more on Pfizer-only epidemiological data, but early signs were encouraging.

South Africa saw far fewer deaths relative to cases probably because so much of the population had immunity from prior Delta infections, he said.

If Delta infection protected against severe Omicron disease, there's good reason to hope that the Pfizer vaccine would do the same.

He also points to Israel, which like New Zealand, is heavily vaccinated with Pfizer (although with far more boosters in arms). Cases are on the rise in the country, deaths are not.

It may still be too early to see much variation in deaths there, since theres such a lag between cases and deaths, but still the fact that were not really seeing anything so far is encouraging, Kissler said.

Pulling from a range of international sources, Professor Paul Glasziou of Bond University in Australia, outlines a scenario that suggests for those who have had at least two doses the chances of dying from Omicron are likely similar to the flu.

In the unvaccinated, the outcomes are significantly worse.

The problem with Omicron, as he notes, is that it creates so many cases so quickly. In well-vaccinated countries ...Omicron seems to be like having months of flu season compressed into a couple of weeks, swamping health care.

This is why the virus is causing such problems in Britain and Australias New South Wales.

And, of course, there are still plenty of unvaccinated people still out there.

I know. It is summer and case numbers are low in Aotearoa. You probably remember, though, all that discussion about Delta being able to find those vulnerable unvaccinated pockets.

By and large, so far, that hasnt happened. The incredibly high vaccination rates across New Zealand have seemingly helped keep Delta in check.

But as I have explained, Omicron is less likely to bounce off the vaccinated. Its incredibly good at hitching a ride on vaccinated people and going on to infect others who have absolutely no protection.

Indeed, a recent UK report notes: The percentage of patients admitted to critical care with confirmed Covid-19 that were unvaccinated decreased from 75 per cent in May 2021 to 47 per cent in October 2021, consistent with the decreasing proportion of the general population who were unvaccinated, before increasing again to 61 per cent in December 2021.

Theres other data below that shows the dramatic reduction in risk in the vaccinated.

The optimistic take here is that after the Omicron variant washes through a population, theres a huge boost to the collective immunity.

New Zealand epidemiologist Tony Blakely has talked about allowing a manageable number of Omicron cases, suggesting: If everyone is going to be exposed to Covid-19 at some point (which seems likely), then it would make sense for those who refuse to get vaccinated to take their chances with Omicron; the next variant may be more virulent again.

This piece isnt about debating the merits of this argument. There would clearly be huge costs associated with a huge Omicron surge in New Zealand. And there are obvious concerns about long-term implications of infection.

But Ill try to answer this question as best I can: would an Omicron infection (assuming the person survives, obviously) provide an extra layer of protection?

Theoretically yes, Priddy told me. But there are, of course, a lot of unknowns.

Hold on, you might say! Ive read that mid-December report from the Imperial College in London that found that the risk of people who had already had Covid-19 getting reinfected with Omicron was 5.4 times greater than that of the Delta variant.

I also spent Christmas reading that South African study that suggested that Omicron can indeed escape the immunity that people who survived Delta had.

Remember though, there are two things at play here: protection against infection and protection against severe disease.

MONIQUE FORD/Stuff

People in Wellington queue for vaccine boosters.

Throughout the pandemic, previous infections have appeared to offer protection against severe disease. In a recent letter to the New England Journal of Medicine, citing data that pre-dates Omicron, Qatar experts wrote: Reinfections had 90 per cent lower odds of resulting in hospitalisation or death than primary infections. (This study only included unvaccinated people).

The authors added: It needs to be determined whether such protection against severe disease at reinfection lasts for a longer period, analogous to the immunity that develops against other seasonal common-cold coronaviruses, which elicit short-term immunity against mild reinfection but longer-term immunity against more severe illness with reinfection.

A Swedish study also suggested that the T Cells induced by both prior infection or vaccination hold up well against Omicron.

Moreland also explained that yes, theoretically, hybrid immunity that is someone who has been vaccinated and had the virus should have a more robust immune response in the future.

But what happens if a brand-new variant arrives? Will it just ignore everything that has gone before? It could happen, but its unlikely.

In a Twitter thread this week, Professor Francois Balloux, the director of University College Londons genetics institute, wrote: No variant can become totally impervious to vaccines and boosters and protection from prior infection. A variant can largely escape 'neutralising antibodies' as Omicron does, and thus be more prone to (re-)infect immunised hosts.

Kissler agrees with this take. We're very unlikely to get a new SARS-CoV-2 variant that totally evades all of our immunity. Our T-cells, in particular, are basically engineered to keep up with pathogen variants.

Moreland says the same. While she acknowledges there are no certainties, a variant thats so novel it completely evades vaccines does not seem plausible.

The virus needs to get into our cells to cause infection. The changes needed to totally escape our immune response would be huge, I doubt it would then be able to enter our cells.

See the original post:

Covid-19: Will the vaccine protect me from Omicron? - Stuff.co.nz

Prefer not to have a close encounter with an untested Covid sufferer this summer? Trade traditional summer hot spots for one of the many classic Kiwi beach towns that dont get the attention they deserve and youll certainly decrease the chances.

Whether youre after a Fiji substitute or ruggedly good-looking Westie, theres an underrated spot in Aotearoa to suit. Here are five of our favourites. Share yours in the comments or email travel@stuff.co.nz.

nelsontasman.nz/SUPPLIED

Paradise found: Tata Beach is often overlooked by visitors to Abel Tasman National Park.

Tucked away between better-known stretches of Golden Bay and the quiet northern end of Abel Tasman National Park, this tiny beach town boasts one of the best-looking beaches in the country.

Small but photogenically formed, its genuinely golden sands are wedged between bush-covered mountains and a calm, teal-coloured sea without a disfiguring McMansion or skyrise in sight. The beach is sheltered by the twin islands of Motu and Ngawhiti, also known as the Tata Islands, home to seals, penguins and New Zealands largest colony of spotted shags, who put on quite the show on Tata Beach just before sunrise each morning.

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Family-run Golden Bay Kayaks offer the only kayaking tours in the northern reaches of Abel Tasman, where pockets of old-growth forest and footprint-free beaches really do exist. Paddle to secluded bays on a guided or self-guided tour, or hire a standup paddleboard to make like Moses.

The surrounding area is also a walkers paradise, with nearby options including the northernmost section of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, and the lesser-known but equally lovely Grove Scenic Reserve, with its giant rata perched atop weird-looking limestone outcrops and panoramic views of Golden Bay. Rawhiti Cave, which the Department Conservation says has possibly the most diverse and extensive entrance and twilight zone flora of any cave in New Zealand, is also just down the road. Expect to find yourself in a Gollums lair replete with sculpture-like stalactites and stalagmites.

Set amid a native beech forest with spectacular ocean views, the off-grid Anahata Yoga Retreat is the place to come if relaxing in a tiny beach town isnt enough to calm your frazzled nerves. And after the year many of us have had, who would blame you?

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Whiritoa looks less gentrified than some of its Coromandel neighbours.

Chilling on the uncrowded white sands of this old-school Coromandel beach town, its hard to believe the holidaymaker magnets that are Whangamat and Waih Beach are just up and down the road.

Little more than a scattering of retro baches, a library, general store and that glorious surf beach, Whiritoa is a top choice for a laid-back beach break. Lifeguards patrol the main beach in season, and theres a stream at the northern end which is popular with kids and adults who prefer wallowing to battling the waves. Note that Whiritoa Beachs steep shore with heavy breaks can be dangerous, so make sure you swim between the flags during patrol hours.

Crossing the stream takes you to a short clifftop walkway, which winds between sun-bleached hills and the ocean en route to gnarly pohutukawa-fringed Waimana Bay.

A classic Kiwi dairy with extras, Whiritoa General Store & Cafe dishes up ultra fresh fish and chips along with giant burgers, toasted sammies, deep-fried hot dogs and onion rings, and ice creams. No need to feel guilty about overindulging: Youre perfectly positioned to walk, run, swim or surf it off afterwards.

If you dont think youll make it to the tropics anytime soon, this Far North settlement is a pretty sweet substitute. Share a photo of yourself on the white-hot sand lapped by cellophane-clear water and your mates will probably think youre on vacay in the Cook Islands or Fiji.

The snorkelling and diving are pretty good in these parts too, as is the fishing and seafood gathering. And the calm waters could have been made for standup paddleboarding and kayaking. If youre into kitesurfing youre in luck too Rangiputa has developed a reputation far beyond our fine shores for its often-perfect conditions.

Another classic Kiwi beach town, the place isnt big on non-natural attractions, but everything is a short drive away on the peninsula. Karikari Estate, where you can wine and dine in a beautifully tended garden overlooking the ocean, is just a short drive away, as is the 18-hole championship golf course at the 3000-hectare Carrington Estate, also home to a restaurant showcasing the regions outstanding produce. Cape Ringa/Te Reinga Wairua, Ninety Mile Beach and Doubtless Bay make for easy day trips too.

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Port Waikato is a good choice for those looking for a traditional West Coast beach break.

Raglan gets all the glory when it comes to Waikato beach towns, but its little sister up north is quieter but just as much of a beauty. She may lack the bougie cafes and galleries that attract Aucklanders and Hamiltonians to Raglan in droves, but you can count that as a blessing if youre looking for a properly relaxed break.

Swim, surf or dig for pipis at Sunset Beach, home to an award-winning surf lifesaving patrol; scout for fossils around the Ports cliffs; dangle a line off the wharf in the hope of hooking a kahawai; and head to the sand dunes with a cold beverage in the evening for a sundowner with a difference. On the road to the dunes, youll find a couple of tennis courts, a playground with a flying fox and a library, which may come in handy if youve forgotten to bring a book. As always, if youre venturing into the water, swim between the flags during patrol hours and dont be afraid to chat to the lifeguards about any concerns.

If thats not enough to keep you amused, head about half an hour out of town toward Raglan to Limestone Downs (aka Weathertop Hollow in the Lord of the Rings films) and Nikau Cave, a kilometre-long glowworm grotto hidden amid fields filled with stacked pancake-like rocks.

If you dont have any luck with the fishing (you can also try set-netting for mullet and flounder at the river mouth), hit up Sunset Takeaways for burgers with homemade patties and quality fish and chips.

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Sunset Point, Hokitika is a classic West Coast spot for a feed of fish and chips.

Many come for the technicolour gorge and move on. But their loss is longer-staying visitors gain in the form of a blissfully uncrowded, wave-battered, black sand and pebble beach.

Home to little blue penguins, the beach is great for swimming and surfing if youre experienced, or simply a soul-soothing stroll. If youre on an evening walk, finish up at Sunset Point, where you can chomp on fish and chips as the sun does its daily disappearing act above the Tasman Sea. If youre not an experienced swimmer, stay out of the water as the beach is not patrolled and the waves can be deceptively powerful and there can be rips and holes.

No visit to the West Coast town is complete without a photo stop at the glacier-carved gorge, where rock flour ground over millennia lends the water its surreal blue hue. The Hokitika Gorge Walk is one of the West Coasts most popular and, in 2020, was extended to form a one-hour loop with a new 90-metre swing bridge.

You can also stretch your legs on the West Coast Treetops Walk, where the view from the 40-metre-high tower is worth the entry fee alone. On a clear day you should be able to see both the Southern Alps and Tasman Sea.

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South of Hokitika is a world-class tree walk, with views of the Southern Alps (video published September 2020).

Anyone with even a passing interest in mountain biking should tackle at least a small section of the West Coast Wilderness Trail, one of the 22 NZ Cycle Trails. Stretching 136km from Greymouth to Ross, the trail traces old packhorse tracks, tramlines, railways and water races on its way past thick rainforest, glacial rivers and remote lakes and beaches with views of the alps.

Out-of-towners may be surprised to learn that Hokitikas something of an arts, crafts and shopping hub, with many local artists seeking inspiration in the pounamu (greenstone) found in the Arahura River. Dip into galleries showcasing their works as you make your way along the towns historic walkway, which winds its way past grand old buildings from the gold rush era.

Hokitika mightnt be renowned for its nightlife, but you can have plenty of after-hours fun at the Glow-worm Dell - a free, down-home version of the famous Waitomo Caves.

If your trip coincides with the Hokitika Wild Food Festival, the event is another must-do even if youre not into extreme adventure eats. Options usually range from the truly wild - think crocodile bites and fish heads to tame options such as hot dogs, pastries and international fare. Dave Dobbyn, Greg Johnson and Zed are set to play this years festival on March 12, while the Feral Fashion contest puts a westie spin on racing circuit fashion in the field events.

Where are your favourite underrated NZ beach towns? Share in the comments or email travel@stuff.co.nz

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Jacinta Gulasekharam is the founder of Dignity NZ, which advocates to end period poverty in New Zealand

Jacinta Gulasekharam is the co-founder and director of Dignity NZ, which advocates for period equity in Aotearoa. Businesses across New Zealand have partnered with the social enterprise, providing free period products to employees, which Dignity matches and gifts to youth and community groups. Gulasekharam successively lobbied the Government to provide free period products in schools and is a finalist for the University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year 2022. Originally from Fielding, she shares what she loves about living in Wellington.

What does it mean to be a Wellingtonian?

Someone who is curious and quite politically engaged as well, whos keen to talk about big ideas and changes that need to happen in society ... and brave enough to face the weather!

I live here because ...

I live in Wellington because its central to all of my interests and activities, its a great place to work, get coffee, shop or get exercise. Its full of talented people whatever event you go to you definitely recognise a face, and it feels like a place where change can be created.

Dignity was born in a student flat in Kelburn, and weve been in lots of places around the city, most of our first and early corporates that joined Dignity were from here, like Flick Electric and Xero. Wellington is a great place to start a social business. There are a lot of like-minded people that are very willing to give you a go.

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The City Gallery regularly has interesting art, Jacinta Gulasekharam says, who also keeps an eye out for public art pieces on the city streets.

What's your favourite place to take in some art?

The City Gallery is really interesting to walk around, my favourite one thats ever been is the Lego exhibition. The Te Papa exhibits are amazing, especially the Alice and Wonderland one.

But I really like paying attention to the art around the city that pops up, the murals, including under the bridge by the waterfront. Theres a lot of art pieces no matter where you look around, you just have to pay attention.

What is your ideal night out in Wellington?

Some really nice drinks and nibbles somewhere, Im a huge fan of ABV and their margaritas. Its a little rooftop bar above The Grand on Courtenay Place. Its in a really cute spot that overlooks the city great drinks, great food, and lovely staff, its got a funky, old-school elevator you go up too.

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Khandallah's village feel reminds Jacinta Gulasekharam of growing up in Fielding (file photo.)

What part of the city are you most at home in?

I think Id say Khandallah because I lived there for 3 years. The little village really reminded me of Fielding, where Im from. Theres a cute little Hells Pizza House, a little caf, and you can tell the New World employs a lot of the high school students that are around. I felt very at home there, its just out of the city, with a beautiful train ride.

Where is the best place to swim?

Everyone will say this, but going to Oriental with a book, taking some snacks, and swimming. I also go to Freyberg pool to do laps, in the fast or slow lane, depending on how Im feeling. Its nice to be near the water, my walk to work is going past the water every day, and I think theres something very grounding about that.

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Jacinta Gulasekharem finds walking past Parliament every day inspiring (File photo.)

What is Wellington's best feature?

Its really nerdy but I think Parliament. I think theres something very cool about seeing the Parliament building, when you see it all the time on the news, and you just know whats happening in there. With my campaign we got to go and meet the Prime Minister on the 9th floor, and it was cool to be inside a building we passed so many times at uni.

What does it add to the city, having parliament right there?

I think theres a bit of hope with that, that you can help make change happen for the rest of New Zealand, that the decisions that get made there are really important.

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