Category Archives: New Zealand

The disaster engulfing prime minister Liz Truss is a very British kind of political crisis. But MPs here should be watching closely, writes Henry Cooke.

Prime minister Liz Truss is in office but not in power.

Just five weeks after triumphantly entering Number 10 she has been forced into another humiliating backdown on one of her signature policies, and had to fire her best friend in politics the chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng. Her party, the oldest in the world, faces polling so bad that an election tomorrow could see it tossed into the dustbin of history. The members of her caucus that arent openly denouncing her fill journalists phones with news of plots to replace her or well-worded putdowns.

Truss was never going to have much of a political honeymoon. She came to power as the country stared down a very scary winter of spiraling energy prices and possible rationing, her party very bruised by the events that sent Boris Johnson packing.

But to win the vote to replace him, Truss had promised a radical plan of major tax cuts, with no spending cuts to pay for them. This plan, combined with a huge chunk of new spending to subsidise energy bills, was put together into a mini-budget that also contained a surprise abolition of the 45% top tax rate.

Voters hated it, but the free market Truss wanted to woo seemed to hate it even more, selling off the pound and more importantly, UK government bonds, or gilts. This started a somewhat complex process that ended up playing havoc not just with mortgages but also with pensions, necessitating the Bank of England stepping to attempt to calm the chaos something it has still not quite managed.

Over a few hours yesterday Truss looked to calm things down by announcing a second tax u-turn this one on a plan to keep corporation tax low and fired Kwarteng. If you need it in New Zealand terms, this would be a bit like Jacinda Ardern firing Grant Robertson and cancelling fair pay agreements, all in one day.

To a certain extent, this is a typically British kind of crisis, one where the country is forced to confront yet again that it no longer has the power to create its own weather. But there are lessons for New Zealand politicians too.

Boris Johnson won the Tories a smashing majority in the 2019 election promising voters two big things: Getting Brexit done and an end to austerity, with government spending used to advance areas that had been left behind as the country deindustrialised. This combination of right wing culture politics with economic policy more at home with Labour was immensely popular, and seemed set to provide Johnson with many years in power.

But like in New Zealand, voters dont actually get to vote for one single prime ministerial vision or mandate, they vote for a party. And that party threw out Johnson and carried out a leadership contest to replace him. Truss won this contest not by appealing to her fellow MPs a large majority of them preferred the more cautious Rishi Sunak but by winning over the party membership, an utterly unrepresentative group of 80 or so thousand people who very much like the ideas of lower taxes.

Now the country appears stuck with an economic programme they dont feel they voted for, with no election in sight until 2024, as the UK has five year electoral terms.

There are guard rails that stop this kind of thing happening in New Zealand.

On leadership itself, National elects its leader from the caucus and only the caucus, while Labour now only hands things over to the wider party if a leader cant win a two thirds majority in caucus. This means most of the time the people who are deciding who should lead a major party (including when that person is also going to be prime minister) will be experienced politicians who know the person and their flaws well, and can see the problem with promising things vastly different to what voters want. (There is a strong argument that this is anti-democratic in itself, but that argument works a lot better when parties have actual mass membership, which is not really the case in New Zealand.)

We also have three year electoral terms, meaning the chances of the public being stuck with a huge change in mandate it didnt vote for over several years is very low. Unfortunately, there is quite a push from some politicians to change this.

Truss has been forced into these backdowns not just from voter rage, but from the way that rage has fed into her own MPs, all of which have seats full of angry voters that they could toss them out at the next election. These MPs have threatened to not vote for major parts of her plan, and always hold the potential to force a no confidence vote, which would see an election held far sooner than 2024.

This is a fairly alien situation in New Zealand, where extremely strong party whipping and MMP means MPs almost never rebel from their parties. Weve seen some slight moves away from this with the Louisa Wall and Gaurav Sharma dramas, but nothing like the kind of open rebellion which would really endanger any actual policies, let alone the confidence of the house in the Labour government.

And yet. There is an election nearing, one where a whole host of Labour MPs are likely to lose their seats, even if the party scrapes out a win, just because the tide went so high in 2020. These MPs may be on the lookout for ways to differentiate themselves from the pack or might just be sick of defending the Three Waters policy to every single person they meet on the streets of their electorate. One backbencher by themselves has basically no power just look at Sharma but if a few of them band together around a single issue things could get much dicier.

Do I think this is likely? Not quite. But it is something for Ardern and other party leaders to keep a close eye on.

The most controversial part of Truss mini-budget, the thing that roiled voters up and dominated headlines for days, also happened to be one of the smallest and least important policies: the scrapping of the top tax rate of 45%.

This top tax rate is only paid by people who earn more than 150,000 (NZ$302,000) literally less than 1% of the UK. As it is paid by so few people, the actual amount of money that it cost to get rid of was pretty small just 2b, compared to the tens of billions of pounds involved in the other cuts.

But it was the principle of the thing. Everyone was getting ready to tighten their belts for a very tough winter, interest rates were heading up (partially as a result of Truss budget), and the thing the government appeared to be focused on was tax cuts for the rich and a removal of the cap on bankers bonuses. It was the kind of stuff Labour strategists could have only dreamed of under Johnson, who would have seen the political nightmare of such a strategy a mile away.

New Zealand also has a top tax rate 39% that only about 1% of the country pays, introduced by Robertson in a clear attempt to bait National into promising to abolish it. National have taken the bait and promised to get rid of it, despite the easy Labour taunt that this would give thousands and thousands of dollars to some of the richest New Zealanders, including Christopher Luxon himself if prime minister.

It might not go off in Luxons face quite so spectacularly, but if National do retain this policy it will remain a potent weapon in Labours hands. Arent we supposed to all have tall poppy syndrome?

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Three lessons for New Zealand politicians from the UK's Trusstastrophe - The Spinoff

"I contend that republican reform can be designed for New Zealand without engaging with these fatter legislative models especially when the republican model is grounded in the reality of current arrangements and practice," Dr Knight wrote.

"Minimal change and much continuity obviates the need for extensive revision of constitutional rules and seeks to avoid the dangers of inadvertently upsetting the operation and practice of existing offices and institutions. "

This minimalist approach is also supported by the New Zealand Republic campaign.

NZ Republic chair Lewis Holden told AM we would follow similar parliamentary systems around the world where the Governor-General takes office and becomes the head of state - with the aim of keeping politicians away from the role.

The campaign's position is that while the transition to an independent head of state won't change the status of the Treaty, an additional clause clarifying this and stating that the Crown is the "Government and People of New Zealand" should be in any legislation establishing a republic; further protecting the Mori-Government relationship.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi is often cited as a constitutional issue for Aotearoa New Zealand because our treaty is entangled with the Crown.

Many experts have reassured the government obligations to compensate Mori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi wouldn't change, but there is currently no legal or constitutional certainty the Treaty will be safeguarded if New Zealand does become a republic.

Auckland University law Professor Janet McLean said some people believe replacing the Queen with a Kiwi won't actually decolonise New Zealand.

"There's a big question about whether you reimagine the Crown-Maori relationship in a more radical way or whether you just do something not as radical and carry on," Prof McLean said.

Mori opinion on a republic is divided.

Mori Crown Relations Te Arawhiti Minister Kelvin Davis said in a statement to Newshub his priority is that the Te Tiriti o Waitangi is upheld.

"It is not a priority for me to look into becoming a republic. If we continue to be governed as we are or become a republic, my priority is for Aotearoa to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi," Davis said.

"If changes to our country mean sacrificing Te Tiriti, then this is something I would not support."

See the article here:

Soft republicanism or constitution overhaul?: What could happen to New Zealand if we became a republic - Newshub

PALMERSTON NORTH More than a dozen calves wait at a research farm in New Zealand to be fed Kowbucha, a punnily named probiotic that studies show reduces burps or methane emissions.

The Kowbucha powder is blended into a milk-like drink fed to the calves at the Massey University farm in Palmerston North.

The regular feeds are part of a series of trials being carried out by New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra since 2021 to gauge how effective the probiotic is in reducing methane emissions. New Zealand has pledged to cut biogenic methane emissions by 10 per cent on 2017 levels by 2030 and by up to 47 per cent by 2050.

The "true eureka moment" came when early trials suggested that calves emit up to 20 per cent less methane when they receive the probiotic supplement, said Dr Shalome Bassett, principal scientist at Fonterra Research and Development Centre.

"Probiotics are great because they're a really natural solution," Dr Bassett told Reuters. "Whatever we do, it has to be something that's easy for the farmer to use, has to be cost effective, and we have to ensure that it's good for the cow and doesn't have any effect on the milk."

Ongoing trials have shown similar, promising results, she said. If that continues, Fonterra hopes to have Kowbucha sachets in stores by the end of 2024, Dr Bassett said, before farmers have to start paying for animal burps.

Fonterra said it did not yet have any pricing information for the sachets.

Some feed additives available abroad have proved to be more efficient. Royal DSM's Bovaer feed additive can reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent in dairy cows and by more in beef cattle.

Fonterra said Kowbucha likely provides an easier solution generally as farmers only have to feed it to calves when they are being reared, given it is expected to have a lasting impact.

New Zealand will in 2025 become the first country to price agricultural emissions, including methane emissions from burping cows and sheep, whose digestive systems produce methane when breaking down vegetation. Agricultural emissions account for around half of the country's greenhouse gas emissions.

Ahead of that, farmers, businesses and scientists are working on ways to cut emissions without reducing herd number, given agricultural products make up more than 75 per cent of the country's goods exports.

As well as the early optimism around Kowbucha, AgResearch scientists said in December they had successfully bred low-methane producing sheep, while a product called EcoPond that almost eradicates methane in farm sewage has been on sale since late 2021.

New Zealand is also considering whether supplements that have had success abroad can be adapted locally. Much of the science overseas focuses on altering barn animals' food and is harder to implement in a country where animals largely live outdoors and eat grass.

"The easiest way to reduce emissions is to reduce production or have less animals basically, so that's a real challenge when we're trying to also produce food and keep our export returns at the level that we want them," said ANZ agricultural economist Susan Kilsby.

Ahead of 2025, the government has released a proposal where biogenic methane and long-lived gases will be priced separately but those prices will be set by the government.

While pricing farm emissions is not universally popular, many believe it is the push farmers need to reduce them.

Mr Mike Manning, general manager of innovation and strategy at agricultural cooperative Ravensdown, said farmers have been slow to adopt its EcoPond technology without financial incentives.

The system cuts up to 99 per cent of the methane emitted from the manure-sludge left behind in a dairy shed after milking.

"People go 'well, I might wait until I have a price of methane then I have a financial driver'," Mr Manning added.

New Zealand's government said in May it would spend NZ$380 million ($303 million) on research over four years to counter agricultural emissions.

The cash injection may accelerate research and get some emerging technologies into the hands of farmers and growers "much earlier" said Dr Sinead Leahy, principal science advisor at government-funded Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre.

A lot of research is already under way.

After discovering that some sheep naturally produce less methane than others, AgResearch headquartered in Hamilton bred sheep with this inheritable trait with one another and found that the lowest emitting sheep produced close to 13 per cent less methane than the highest emitters.

If such breeding were to be carried out on a national level, it could reduce New Zealand's methane emissions by up to 1 per cent, said AgResearch.

The dairy industry is now looking at how to apply that research to cows, Dr Leahy said.

For Fonterra, research also remains key as it aims to cap farm emissions at 2015 levels. In addition to Kowbucha, it is also trialling other feed additives and seaweed.

"It's definitely important for us to be leading in this space. Our farmers need a solution and New Zealand needs a solution," said Dr Bassett. REUTERS

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On New Zealand farm, scientists reduce cow burps to save the world - TODAY

A stately mansion in New Zealand that featured in two Lord of the Rings films hit the market earlier this month with a US$5.2 million price guide.

The 27-acre estate, called Fernside, comprises a grand main residence, a guest cottage and storybook grounds, including a picturesque lake. It played a pivotal role in two of the franchises films: The Fellowship of the Ring and The Return of the King.

More:Londons Most Expensive Home, a 20-Bedroom Megamansion, Is Back on the Market for 200 Million

Director Peter Jackson used Fernside in South Wairarapa on the North Island for several key scenes due to the whimsical grounds and his personal connection with the region. In fact, the Oscar-winning filmmaker lives just down the road.

The lake was transformed into Silverlode River where Cate Blanchetts character Galadriel farewells the hobbits and is also the fateful place where Smeagol, played by Andy Serkis, discovers the precious ring. During filming more than two decades ago, some of the cast members, including Orlando Bloom and Elijah Wood, reportedly even stayed at the homestead.

The sellers, a private family who didnt own the property at the time of filming, have revived the significant estate since purchasing it in 2007 for NZ$5.06 million (at the time US$3.84 million), according to CoreLogic NZ.

The work done to the home included restoring the original gardens, adding bridges and jetties around the lake and painting the house, as well as fixing up the derelict cottage. Built for a wool baron in the mid-19th century, the main house was later destroyed by fire. The property was entirely rebuilt in the 1920s for Charles Elgar, chairman of the New Zealand Red Cross during World War I. By 1945, the property was sold to the U.S. embassy and used as the ambassadors residence for 10 years, according to the listing agent and public information about the property.

More:A Historic English Country Estate Still Has Most of Its 900-Year-Old Moat

The neo-Georgianstyle homestead features a drawing room with sunroom and terrace, formal lounge and dining rooms, as well as a grand kitchen with scullery. Upstairs there are five bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms plus three more bedrooms in the original staff quarters.

The next owners could use the property, listed with PQ Property Intelligence, an affiliate of Forbes Global Properties, for many different purposes, said PQ managing director Anthony Morsinkhof.

This is one of the most significant properties in New Zealand. Its gardens are mind-bogglingly beautiful, the photos just dont do it justice. I havent seen anything like it, and I sell a lot of real estate, he said.

Mr. Morsinkhof said the unique property is perfectly suited for an events or hospitality business.

The bedrooms are grand and beautifully fitted out, its already got a commercial kitchen so it could easily be turned into luxury accommodation or a healthcare retreat, he added. And its ideally located in one of the most up-and-coming areas in New Zealand for tourism.

Several themed gardens include an entrance courtyard with fountain, rose beds, box hedging, a tennis court garden, scented walk, daffodil paddock, bluebell glade, green houses and sunken garden. There is also a woodland, large main lawn, goldfish pond and the silver screen-worthy lake.

The meticulous restoration put Fernside on the map as a garden of national significance. The private orchard produces varieties of apples, pears, peaches, plums, figs, avocados and an array of citrus trees. The gourmet garden also produces walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, mulberries, strawberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, gooseberries, raspberries, boysenberriesand, of coursekiwifruit.

While the owners have entertained weddings, society events and even Lord of the Rings tours at their property, they said its future potential depends on the motivations of the next owners.

More:Six Cities, Six Continents: Inside Iconic Home Styles Around the World

The Wairarapa region is predominantly rural, but dotted with several towns including Masterton just 30 minutes from Fernside with an airport catering to private aircraft. Wellington International Airport is approximately one and a half hours away by car.

Youve got everything at your fingertips; the mountains, beautiful rivers and amazing beaches, as well as upmarket restaurants and boutique shopping, Mr. Morsinkhof said.

I often refer to it as the Hamptons of New Zealand. There are a lot of high end properties in the area, and it attracts Wellingtonians looking for second lifestyle homes. A lot of film industry people call the area home too; [Mr.] Jackson has a place nearby, so does James Cameron, Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger from Weta Workshop (design studio). So theres already significant international money in the region.

Read the rest here:

Its Not a Hobbits Home, but This New Zealand Property Starred in Lord of The Rings - Mansion Global

By Geoffrey Miller for The Democracy Project*

India's external affairs minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar met with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern last week. Photo: Supplied / Twitter / DrSJaishankar

Opinion - New Zealand's relationship with India is not in good health.

That's the underlying message from a rare visit to New Zealand by India's external affairs minister, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

Jaishankar met with his New Zealand counterpart, Nanaia Mahuta, last Thursday - but only for an hour.

At a press conference with Mahuta in Auckland, Jaishankar was publicly critical of New Zealand's unwillingness to renew visas for Indian students who had left New Zealand during the Covid-19 pandemic and called for 'fairer and more sympathetic treatment'.

Mahuta's response to the criticism was to pass the buck to Michael Wood, New Zealand's immigration minister, who was conveniently not present, and to point to hardships suffered by New Zealand students themselves.

Jaishankar reiterated his criticism at other engagements during his trip and on Twitter, and the comments dominated Indian media coverage of his five-day visit to Auckland and Wellington.

Despite the usual pleasantries, there was a sense that India had lost patience with New Zealand - a sentiment that was underlined by Jaishankar's later observation in Wellington of 'there is a larger world out there'.

Even more troubling from New Zealand's perspective was the extraordinary admission by Mahuta that a free trade agreement was 'not a priority for New Zealand or India'.

Instead, Mahuta could only point to potential economic cooperation in 'niche areas' such as digital services and 'green business' - a seemingly underwhelming approach that was endorsed by Jaishankar.

It is a far cry from the bold and ambitious India strategy that was launched by New Zealand to much fanfare in February 2020, when the then foreign affairs minister Winston Peters travelled to India.

The strategy, called 'Investing in the relationship', listed a free trade agreement as one of the major goals.

But the underlying theme of the blueprint was the need for a more long-term, sustained commitment by New Zealand to forging ties with the much larger India.

To this end, the plan called for 'more frequent high-level government engagements to build the trade, economic, political and security aspects of the relationship'.

Of course, the timing of the launch of the strategy turned out to be unfortunate. Within weeks of Peters' visit to New Delhi, most of the world had entered some form of lockdown to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

But the overarching principle - that New Zealand needs to put far more time and effort into the India relationship, without necessarily expecting an immediate pay-off - still holds true.

Trade figures demonstrate the difficulties New Zealand's relationship with India is facing.

While New Zealand's exports to India were approaching NZ$2 billion annually in 2017, they have since collapsed to under NZ$800 million.

The impact of Covid-19 - which stopped Indian tourists and students coming to New Zealand - explains much of this slide, but by no means all of it. The initial decline actually began in 2018.

In fact, the deterioration has been so dramatic that India now ranks only 15th place in the list of New Zealand's biggest trading partners.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stands next to India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the RCEP summit in Bangkok in 2019. Photo: RNZ

As recently as 2016, India was New Zealand's 10th biggest trading partner.

For comparison, New Zealand now sells less to India than it does to the United Arab Emirates.

Moreover, Jaishankar's forthright criticisms of New Zealand's handling of visas suggest that India is in no rush to encourage its citizens to head back to New Zealand now that the Covid-19 pandemic has eased.

Despite the warning signs, New Zealand's Labour Government has shown only limited interest in nurturing the relationship with India, even allowing for Covid-19 travel disruption.

To his credit, New Zealand's trade minister, Damien O'Connor, did at least fly to India last month, albeit only for a brief two-day visit.

But last week's visit by Jaishankar would have been an opportune moment for Jacinda Ardern to signal an intention to visit India herself - as she did with China in August.

But neither Ardern, nor Mahuta gave any hint that a visit to New Delhi is on the horizon.

Even when India's external affairs minister was in New Zealand, Ardern fitted in only a sideline meeting with him at an Indian community event in Auckland.

To find a contrast with New Zealand's experience, one only needs to look to Australia, which hosted Jaishankar this week.

A press conference between Jaishankar and Penny Wong, Australia's foreign minister, seemed particularly warm.

Wong was keen to point out that she had already met her Indian counterpart some seven times since she became foreign minister in May.

And from the Indian side, there was no parallel in Canberra to the criticisms Jaishankar had expressed about New Zealand's government while in Wellington and Auckland.

The Australia-India relationship has undoubtedly blossomed since the revival of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (or Quad for short, an arrangement that also includes Japan and the United States) in 2017, but there is more to it than just that.

Australia and India entered into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020.

And this year, they signed a free trade deal with India that will eliminate tariffs on over 85 per cent of Australian exports.

The deal is not perfect - it includes wine and sheepmeat, but it completely excludes dairy.

Nevertheless, India is already Australia's seventh-biggest trading partner - and growing.

The current strength of India's relationship with Australia - and the relative weakness of ties with New Zealand - seems all the more remarkable when the current geopolitical faultline of Ukraine is brought into the equation.

Australia is one of Ukraine's biggest supporters - and one of the top 10 donors of military aid.

By contrast, India has a very different position on the war.

New Delhi has steadfastly avoided joining the Western-led coalition which is backing Kyiv.

Indeed, in Canberra, Jaishankar was quizzed by media on India's ongoing ties with Russia and its abstention in key UN votes criticising Moscow.

But the differences have not seemed to harm relations between Australia and India.

Instead, the two countries have effectively agreed to disagree on Ukraine and to work on shared interests in other areas.

In a time of extreme geopolitical polarisation, this is an achievement in itself.

While New Zealand has backed the West on Ukraine, it has done so in a more measured way than Australia - which in theory should make it easier to find common ground with India.

In Wellington, Jaishankar https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jaishankar-inaugurates-new-indian-high-commission-chancery-in-wellington/article65988028.ece said New Zealand's relationship with India was 'due for refresh'].

He is not wrong.

But a reset will take time - and it will need leadership.

* Geoffrey Miller is the Democracy Project's international analyst and writes on current New Zealand foreign policy and related geopolitical issues. He has lived in Germany and the Middle East and is a learner of Arabic and Russian.

Originally posted here:

Opinion: New Zealand's relationship with India is in trouble - RNZ

Everything you need to know New Zealand v Lebanon

New Zealand head into this World Cup with the strongest squad they have had in years. The Kiwis will be looking to claim their first World Cup success since 2008 this autumn.

Michael Maguires have one of the strongest spines in the tournament, featuring the likes of NRL superstars Joey Manu, Dylan Brown, Jahrome Hughes and Brandon Smith.

Lebanon have two superstar half-backs of their own though in the shape of Adam Doueihi and Mitchell Moses, with the latter playing in the NRL Grand Final for Parramatta.

The Cedars will be coached by Argentina rugby union coach Michael Cheika at this World Cup. Cheika was born in Australia to Lebanese parents. They will be hoping to make it out of the groups.

Heres everything you need to know about the match

New Zealand 19-man squad: 1 Joey Manu, 2 Ronaldo Mulitalo, 3 Marata Niukore, 4 Peta Hiku, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Dylan Brown, 7 Jahrome Hughes, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Brandon Smith, 10 James Fisher-Harris, 11 Isaiah Papalii, 12 Kenny Bromwich, 13 Joe Tapine, 14 Kieran Foran, 15 Moses Leota, 16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 17 Briton Nikora, 19 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 21 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

Lebanon 19-man squad:1 Jacob Kiraz, 2 Josh Mansour, 4 Brad Morkos, 5 Abbas Miski, 6 Adam Doueihi, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Kayne Kalache, 9 Michael Tannous, 10 Hanna El Nachar, 11 Elie El Zakhem, 12 Charbel Tasipale, 13 James Roumanos, 14 Anthony Layoun, 15, Andrew Kazzi, 16 Reece Robinson, 17 Jalal Bazzaz, 19 Khalil Rahme, 20 Jaxson Rahme, 21 Josh Maree.

New Zealand captain Jesse Bromwich said: Anything but the final is a bit of a failure. Im really excited by what the squad can do. Its been a long time since New Zealand had a squad like this. For me, its not just the one-to-17, its the depth of the whole squad.

Lebanon coach Michael Cheika, who has welcomed former London Broncos boss Tony Rea onto his backroom staff, said: Weve a really good base of knowledge from some coaches that have been involved at the top end of the game.

BBC Red Button TV, 7:05pm | BBC iPlayer

Every game across the mens, womens and wheelchair World Cup tournaments is being broadcast by the BBC.

The match will also be available to view on the BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport mobile app.

LIST:How to watch every Rugby League World Cup game on the BBC

New Zealand are second favourites behind reigning champions Australia to win the World Cup according to Planet Sport Bet, who have them priced at 10/3 to lift the trophy.

As a result, the Kiwis are understandably massive favourites heading into their opening World Cup match against Lebanon at 1/200.

If you fancy an outside bet, Lebanon are priced at 20/1 to cause an upset in Warrington.

I think New Zealand will win the tournament this time around. The Kiwis thumped Leeds 74-0 last weekend, so they head into the World Cup in strong form. I reckon theyll win by at least 30 against Lebanon.

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RLWC2021 New Zealand v Lebanon: Team news, how to watch on TV & predictions - Love Rugby League

Australia and New Zealand set to reaffirm defence relationship to protect security in the region. Image: Aleksandar Mijatovic/Shutterstock.com

New Zealands Minister of Defence Peeni Henare departs for Australia on Sunday, October 16 to meet with the countrys Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles to discuss defence cooperation and security in the region.

The annual meeting will take place in Victoria ahead of both Ministers travelling to Tonga to attend the South Pacific Defence Ministers meeting, the New Zealand government said.

Peeni Henare said about the meeting: I met with Minister Marles at the Shangri-La Dialogue earlier this year and we agreed we needed to sit down and have a more in-depth discussion, and this is a good opportunity to do just that.

Australia is our only formal defence ally and our two countries have a proud history of working together. This will be a chance for the two of us to discuss matters relating to our region and how our two countries can further strengthen our bilateral defence relationship and cooperation.

Henare travels to Tonga on Monday, October 17 and will return to New Zealand on October 20.

The news comes after the New Zealand government added new sanctions and trade bans on Russia and Belarus in response to Putins attempts to illegally annex parts of Ukraine.

Sanctions targeted 51 oligarchs including New Zealand-linked Alexander Abramov and 24 Russian-backed office holders in annexed areas of Ukraine.

The new bans were on exports and imports of luxury goods like NZ wine and seafood and Russian vodka and caviar, as well as strategically important products like oil, gas and related production equipment.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article, do remember to come back and checkThe Euro Weekly Newswebsite for all your up-to-date local and international news stories and remember, you can also follow us onFacebookandInstagram.

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Australia and New Zealand set to reaffirm defence relationship to protect security in the region - Euro Weekly News

Air New Zealand's lounge for frequent flyers isn't actually called the Koru Club or even Koru Lounge - and this has thrown frequent traveller Brook Sabin into a tailspin.

There are some facts of life that you'd think most of us would know.

I'm talking things like: strawberries aren't berries, fruit loops are all the same flavour (devastating, I know) and it's impossible to lick your elbow. I hope nobody was around when you attempted to prove me wrong. Yes, even your dog wondered what you were up to.

So, how many of the above three did you already know?

Well, I'm going to add one more to the list. The Koru Club isn't called the Koru Club.

READ MORE:* Air New Zealand's Koru Club: It's time to kick the freeloaders out* Air New Zealand introduces tougher rules for lounges * Budget Buster: Are airport lounges still worth it?

Hang on, Air New Zealand's lounge, where everyone scoffs all the food and listens to everyone else's conversations, isn't the Koru Club? Not even the Koru Lounge? Nope - you're not even close.

I found this all out when a polite email popped up from Air New Zealand correcting me after I did a recent story. I'd overheard a conversation in the Koru Club about how to get cheap fares on Air New Zealand regional flights (what did I say about listening to conversations) and turned it into a story. I made a reference in the story about the source of my information: the Koru Club.

DAVID WHITE/STUFF

Air NZs lounge in Wellington Airport.

But, hang on - if it's not the Koru Club, what is the place called?

Before I reveal all, here's a recap on what is a Koru Club. It's Air New Zealand's frequent flyer lounge, and they are scattered all across the country and at a few locations overseas.

Inside, you'll find a revolving buffet of food. Much of it is quite tasty, like salads, sandwiches and curries - and there are always a lot of cheese and crackers on offer. There is also a pretty impressive bar, and it's not uncommon to see holidaymakers having a celebratory glass of bubbles at 8am before a flight.

SUPPLIED

Air New Zealands lounge in the Auckland Airport.

Oh, and my favourite bit - you can order fresh barista-made coffee on your phone.

There are also a few downers - such as the hospital-like scrambled eggs which turn up every morning. I'm unsure if chickens were actually involved in the making of them. But alas, while I have occasionally criticised Air New Zealand's lounges, mainly because of crowding issues, you only have to travel on other airlines and experience their lounges to realise how lucky we are. For a relatively small country with little competition in the lounge space, Air New Zealand does an exceptional job.

This brings us to the most important thing you need to know: The first rule about Koru Club is it's not called Koru Club.

DAVID WHITE/STUFF

The Wellington lounge has a great view of the runway.

A spokesperson for the airline confirmed it's now known as drum roll please the 'Air New Zealand Lounge'. Surely this is a recent change? No, not even close. The airline ditched the name in 2015, and it has gone pretty much unnoticed for roughly 2556 days.

The spokesperson told Stuff Travel the airline ditched the term because Koru members (those who pay for access) are only a portion of passengers able to access the Air New Zealand lounges. Lounge guests can be Airpoints tiered members (e.g. Gold, Elite, Silver), Business class customers, Star Alliance eligible guests, voucher holders or frequent fliers from partner airlines.

So, m te w Koru Club even if most of us are only saying our goodbyes long after its departure. The only official use of the word koru is now the Koru membership and Koru hour. Yes, thats the happy hour on Air New Zealand where alcohol and comically large chunks of cheese are served on tiny crackers. Thankfully, some things never change.

Brook Sabin/Stuff

The cheese and cracker service on Air New Zealands Koru hour flights.

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We've had it wrong for years: Air New Zealand doesn't have a 'Koru Club' - Stuff

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Patrick Tuipulotu will lead the All Blacks XV in next month's matches with Ireland A and the Barbarians.

Sam Wilson is a Stuff sports reporter

OPINION: Hands up if you'll be setting your alarm for the small hours to watch the All Blacks XV tackle Ireland A in Dublin next month?

Me neither.

In an already overcrowded sporting calendar, the introduction of the newly-branded, Leon MacDonald-coached team essentially a 'New Zealand A' smacks of overkill and cynicism on the part of New Zealand Rugby.

Billed as a high-performance pathway for Ian Foster's All Blacks, the bean counters at Rugby House no doubt view this shiny new venture as a potential money-spinner to help them recoup some of the losses from the last few Covid-plagued years.

Hence why the 'All Blacks' brand has been co-opted once more (much like the 'All Blacks Sevens') to give the side a prestige it really doesn't warrant.

Of course, there are some very fine rugby players in MacDonald's recently announced squad for the two tests against Ireland A and the Barbarians in Dublin and London, not least blockbusting Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu, who will lead the side during their sojourn of Europe.

The 28-strong group contains an intriguing mix of raw promise and big-match experience, with big prop Tamaiti Williams and veteran halfbacks TJ Perenara and Brad Weber at very different stages of their careers.

ALL BLACKS

All Blacks coach Ian Foster names his squad for the tests against Japan, Wales, Scotland and England.

But to suggest that their performances against a patchwork Irish side and a hastily thrown together BaaBaas outfit will strengthen their claims for a place in Foster's squad for next year's Rugby World Cup in France is stretching credulity.

Indeed, it's difficult to see these two meaningless matches as anything more than a cynical marketing ploy from New Zealand Rugby, who are seemingly intent on hoodwinking the public into believing the actual All Blacks are in action in order to put more bums on seats and bring more eyeballs to TV screens.

And answer me this, does New Zealand really need three senior men's national representative teams?

Isn't it enough to have the Mori All Blacks? This proud and historic side dating back to 1888 has traditionally served as a breeding ground for future All Blacks, taking the scalps of the British and Irish Lions, England and Ireland among others down the years.

Apparently not, and that's why we've been treated to breathless press releases and saturated media coverage for a team partaking in what are effectively glorified training matches on the other side of the world (also, did anyone consider the carbon costs?).

And next time you New Zealand Rugby rattle on about their concerns over player welfare, forgive me if I tune out.

There is already too much rugby being played, from the busy international calendar to Super Rugby and the domestic NPC competition that is nearing its conclusion.

A recent study conducted by the University of Glasgow found rugby players' were 2 times more at risk of brain disease than the general public. The chances of developing Parkinson's from brain-rattling concussions was three times higher. To mitigate that risk, surely the amount of competitive fixtures across the globe needs to be reduced, not increased.

A short break from the game to recharge the batteries ahead of a February start to next season would appear to be more beneficial to those in the All Blacks XV environment than yet another run-out at the end of a long, hard season.

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Why the 'All Blacks XV' rebrand is a cynical move by New Zealand Rugby - Stuff

Netball Australia and its Players Association are in urgent talks ahead of Sundays second Test of the Constellation Cup against New Zealand in Tauranga.

Fox Sports can reveal Diamond players had raised issues about taking the netball court against New Zealand wearing a uniform featuring new sponsor, Hancock Prospecting.

Netball Australia confirmed the new squad uniform had been delayed pending the resolution of outstanding matters relating to the player interim agreement and certain sensitivities.

Hancock Prospecting, owned by Australias richest woman Gina Rinehart, was recently named by Netball Australia as a multi-million-dollar sponsor of the newly minted Commonwealth Games gold medallists.

Watch the oldest rivalry in Netball as Origin Australian Diamonds face New Zealand in the Constellation Cup Wednesday 5:00 PM Live & Free on Kayo Freebies. Join now and start streaming instantly >

Its logo was set to feature on the Diamonds uniforms during this months Constellation Cup against the Silver Ferns before the three-Test England Roses Series.

However, it is understood some players have concerns about the sponsorship particularly with Indigenous player Donnell Wallam now a member of the squad.

Netball Australia said in a prepared statement: This delay allows time to ensure players remain focused on the Constellation Cup competition and for Netball Australia and the Australian Netball Players Association to resolve these matters in an appropriate time frame.

Netball Australia is committed to continuing these conversations and working with all parties to the benefit of our sport.

The Hancock Prospecting partnership is one of the most significant investments in our sport, $15m dollars will be provided over four years with 100% directed at players, coaches and the Diamonds high-performance program, providing the opportunity to help grow and strengthen netball.

Netball Australia, Hancock Prospecting and the Diamonds will continue to work together for the benefit of the entire sport.

Fox Sports can also confirm former Australian captain Sharni Norder addressed the playing group ahead of the Test.

Norder, a Sports Environment Alliance ambassador, said: This is a company that doesnt suit Netball Australias values.

Weve always stood up for social justice, weve always been anti-gambling, no smoking and there were, and are, other avenues to source sponsorship.

Lang Hancocks past and what he said in regard to Indigenous people is just not suitable for Australian sport. Netball Australia has always tried to be inclusive we now have Donnell in the team.

This is not a respectful way to act and even if Donnell wasnt in the team, we must do better.

Diamonds eager to win back Cup | 04:53

I did a zoom with the players just to educate them on doing right by the sport but also doing right by yourself and honouring your own values.

I just wanted to have a conversation is that money worth your reputation and what you stand for as a person?

Just so they are making good decisions for themselves because they represent the clubs and our country but also themselves.

The deal was touted as helping Netball Australias deep financial trouble having recorded losses of more than $7 million over the past two years.

At the time the deal was announced, it was said the partnership would invest directly in the Diamonds athletes and coaches and provide funding support for training camps and competitions.

A statement from Hancock Prospecting said: In keeping with tradition, our new partnership with Netball Australia is athlete focussed. Assuming Netball Australia can reach agreement with relevant parties, $3.5m dollars each year for four years can be directed to the Diamonds High Performance Program and importantly includes that 100% of these funds would go to athletes and for coach salaries and the delivery of camps and competition costs, with none to be spent on any administrative costs.

Hancock Prospecting understands this sponsorship would help Netball Australia to have certainty around the Diamonds Program moving forward after a period of very real financial distress. Hancocks support would enable Netball Australia to retain ownership of all its commercial assets including the Super Netball League, ensuring the revenue from the growth can be invested directly back into the sport of netball for generations to come. We note that this would not have been possible should a commercial agreement have been implemented with another entity, prior to Netball Australia choosing Hancock Prospecting.

We are aware that there has been some recent enquiries raised regarding Hancocks relationships with traditional owners. Hancock has positive agreements with all the native title holders in the areas we operate in, providing very significant royalty payments to the traditional owners in all our mining areas, well in excess of $300m in the last seven years alone. We work very closely with the communities on providing training, jobs, business development and contracting opportunities as well as heritage, health and education initiatives.

Assuming Netball Australia is able to reach agreement with relevant parties, we look forward to working with Netball Australia and the Diamonds to support and provide more opportunities for many people, including young indigenous people in the Pilbara, broader West Australia and Australia. In any event, we wish the athletes well for their matches against New Zealand this week.

Wallam is set to make her debut for the Diamonds in their upcoming three-Test series against England and it is understood no players or the Players Association were consulted about the sponsorship.

For Rinehart, the sponsorship continues her association with elite sport having supported Swimming Australia for over a decade, Rowing Australia since 2016 and this year announcing it would sponsor the Olympic team through to 2026 as well as a number of other philanthropic initiatives in the areas of health and education, including being a sponsor of NAIDOC since 2012 and Cambodian Childrens Fund.

AUSTRALIAS CONSTELLATION CUP AND ENGLAND SERIES FIXTURES all matches will be shown live and exclusive on KAYO

New Zealand vs Australia, Sunday, October 16

Australia vs New Zealand, Wednesday, October 19

Australia vs New Zealand, Sunday, October 23

Australia vs England, Wednesday, October 26

Australia vs England, Sunday, October 30

Australia vs England, Thursday, November 3

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Diamonds in urgent talks ahead of second Test after players protest over sponsor - Fox Sports