This week’s Inside Line examines how one New Zealander turned a Champions Cup game on its head and how another is cultivating an intriguing European campaign with his intuitive coaching. Finally, a glance at the Mitre 10 Cup suggests that Kiwis will continue to blaze the tactical trail, both at home and beyond. Piutau exposes Wasps’ trust issues Dai Young’s squad know precisely how Charles Piutau can conjure openings from innocuous positions. Elliot Daly admitted as much last week. Wasps would have prepared with their former star’s attacking prowess in mind and vowed to close him down. But Piutau still manufactured Ulster’s first try on Friday evening. It comes from this driving lineout maul, which is fairly promptly stalled by the visiting pack. Ulster scrum-half John Cooney brings the ball away, and passes to fly-half Christian Leali’ifano behind the twin decoy lines of centres Stuart McCloskey... … [Read more...] about Inside Line: Influences from New Zealand shape the Champions Cup – and will keep coming
Chipocalypse: potato shortage in New Zealand sparks crisp crisis
A year of heavy rains has devastated New Zealand’s potato crop, causing a shortage of crisps – aka chips – that has been dubbed the “chipocalypse”. The rainfall, which included two “weather bombs” and two serious floods in both the North and South Island, has wiped out 20% of New Zealand’s annual potato crop, and 30% in the regions most affected, with the “crisping” varieties taking the biggest hit. The news has sent some New Zealanders into a spin with concerns that the shortage might affect their Christmas feasts and favourite rugby snack. Some supermarkets have put up signs in their crisp sections alerting customers to the shortage, and although no panic buying has yet been reported, the shortage has been well raked over on social media. Lachlan Forsyth (@LachlanForsyth) Re: NZ #chipocalypse. Yes, there's a potato shortage. But before anyone suggests them, kale chips are an abomination. October 15, 2017 Creampuff … [Read more...] about Chipocalypse: potato shortage in New Zealand sparks crisp crisis
South Africa 24 New Zealand 25: Springboks push All Blacks all the way despite late red card
Their rivalry might have died a few weeks ago with the 57-0 drubbing in Albany, but South Africa did their best to resurrect one of rugby's famous duels in a 25-24 thriller at Newlands, won by the All Blacks despite a world-class effort from Malcolm Marx and welcome Springbok defiance. Only in the final ten minutes did New Zealand really do enough to secure the result, Damian McKenzie's try in the corner and resulting conversion coming minutes before South Africa lost Damien de Allende to a red card for a late forearm charge on Lima Sopoaga. Cape Town had waited nine years for a Test between these two sides and the occasion never disappointed. For nearly every blistering counter-attack by the All Blacks there was a Springbok turnover to match it, usually by Marx, emulating the great performances in recent times of his predecessor Bismarck du Plessis. The fact that he missed out on the Man of the Match award was a crime. Nehe Milner-Skudder was the chief supplier of magic in … [Read more...] about South Africa 24 New Zealand 25: Springboks push All Blacks all the way despite late red card
New Zealand election: polls give Bill English reasons to be cheerful despite ‘Jacinda effect’
Clothed in a khaki oilskin to protect him from a furious downpour, Bill English has turned up at the suburban Benedict’s cafe in Maungaraki on the outskirts of Wellington for chitchat and a coffee. There are hand-knitted jumpers for sale and smudgy prints on the wall, and the New Zealand prime minister orders a cappuccino before moving through the assembled supporters – children, mothers and the over-60s, mostly, this weekday morning. The last two polls before Saturday’s closely contested general election have shown English’s National party seven to 10 points ahead of opposition Labour. English is also ahead as the preferred prime minister, so his mood is buoyant as he ambles among the tables, which smell of yeast and wet wool. He ruffles children’s hair and takes pictures with supporters who don’t bother to ask about National’s policies or how his party can help them because they’ve already had nine years of government to judge. New … [Read more...] about New Zealand election: polls give Bill English reasons to be cheerful despite ‘Jacinda effect’
New Zealand jet fuel ‘debacle’ disrupts election campaign and chokes off exports
New Zealand’s jet fuel crisis is worsening by the day with airlines restricting ticket sales, politicians limiting travel to essential flights only on some routes in the final days of the election campaign and all but the most critical exports halted. Rationing is set to continue for another week after a digger on Thursday struck the sole jet fuel, diesel and petrol supply pipe to Auckland, the country’s biggest city and major transport hub for international visitors. New Zealand's general election: all you need to know Read more Three thousand people a day are being affected by cancelled domestic and international flights. Another 6,000 people will be impacted by delays or disruptions to normal service, Air New Zealand said, and it had taken the “unusual” step of restricting ticket sales to all but essential or compassionate travel to try and manage the shortage. As a result of the tightening fuel shortage, all airlines stopping in Auckland … [Read more...] about New Zealand jet fuel ‘debacle’ disrupts election campaign and chokes off exports
Thousands stranded in New Zealand after digger punctures jet fuel pipe
New Zealand has been hit by a severe shortage of jet fuel, with thousands of domestic and international passengers stranded after a digger struck an airport supply pipe in Auckland, the country’s biggest city. International and domestic flights have been affected, with airlines told to fill plane tanks to capacity in other domestic airports before flying to Auckland, and long-haul international flights told to plan for re-fuelling stops in Australia and the Pacific Islands, according to Air New Zealand. The airline predicted about 2,000 passengers a day would be affected. Jet fuel is being rationed in Auckland after a farm digger struck the sole supply pipe on Thursday, reducing jet fuel supplies to 30% of normal capacity. Petrol and diesal supplies have also been affected by the damaged pipe, with both fuels being being driven overland to Auckland from other supply points in the north island. Energy minister Judith Collins said the military could be called on to assist with fuel … [Read more...] about Thousands stranded in New Zealand after digger punctures jet fuel pipe
EU moves ahead of Britain on opening trade talks with Australia and New Zealand
Britain once again faces being pushed to the back of the trade deal queue as the European Union moves to open formal talks with English-speaking members of the Commonwealth. European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker announced in Strasbourg on Wednesday that he was launching negotiations with Australia and New Zealand on a deal with the EU – giving the 27-nation bloc at least a year's head start on UK negotiators. Mr Juncker said countries from around the world were “lining up at our door” to do trade deals with the EU and that other accords such as those with Mexico and parts of South America were also on the table. His decision to press ahead with the talks means EU negotiators will already be locked in discussions with the two former British dominions when the UK leaves the EU – the first opportunity the UK will have to start fully negotiating its own deal. The early conclusion of a deal between the EU and Australia and New Zealand … [Read more...] about EU moves ahead of Britain on opening trade talks with Australia and New Zealand
Topshop’s New Zealand unit placed in receivership
Image copyright Getty Images Topshop's unit in New Zealand has been placed in receivership, just months after the Australian arm of the fashion retailer suffered a similar fate. Its two stores will stay open until a final decision is made on their ownership, said Top Retail Limited which runs the chain in New Zealand. Topshop's New Zealand and Australian businesses have struggled in tough retail markets. High prices and unpopular stock from the British label has hurt sales. The New Zealand business runs stores in Wellington and Auckland. It opened to great social media fanfare and long queues of shoppers two years ago, but has been hit by growing competition from digital retailers as consumers increasingly turn their backs on brick-and-mortar stores. Both the New Zealand and Australian Topshop units operate as franchises, separate to their UK parent.Chris Wilkinson, managing director of First Retail … [Read more...] about Topshop’s New Zealand unit placed in receivership
New Zealand to host their first-ever day-night Test against England in March
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced on Monday (28 August) that they will be hosting their first-ever day-night Test match in 2018. The Kiwis will play under the floodlights in the first match of their two-Test series against England that takes place from 22 March at Eden Park in Auckland next year. The proposal for a day-night Test was approved by The Auckland Council following an application from Eden Park as the venue was previously not allowed to host matches under lights. "NZC has a particular focus on improving access to cricket for everyone," New Zealand Cricket chief operating officer Anthony Crummy said, as quoted by CricBuzz. "Being able to stage the Test as a day-nighter is a significant step in the right direction. "This means we can promote cricket in its most modern and vibrant incarnation; we can improve accessibility for new audiences, and we can showcase Eden Park, Auckland and New Zealand to a truly global audience." There have only been five day-night Tests that have … [Read more...] about New Zealand to host their first-ever day-night Test against England in March
England 32 New Zealand 41: Ruthless Black Ferns clinch their fifth Women’s Rugby World Cup title
New Zealand were crowned Women’s Rugby World Cup champions, beating defending champions England in Belfast’s Kingspan Stadium, after a breathless game that will go down as a classic final of both the men’s and women’s game. For the majority of the tournament, New Zealand’s match-day 23 was made up of 17 amateurs and just six players on sevens contracts. This is sure to further the debate surrounding professional contracts for women’s XVs players as England were the only side in the tournament to field a professional side. Head coach Simon Middleton’s team looked sharp until the 60-minute mark but the Black Ferns showed the ruthless streak Kiwi teams are famed for. None was more ruthless than player of the match, loose-head prop Toka Natua, who scored a hat-trick. A talking point in the build-up was Middleton’s decision to start Emily Scarratt at full-back – due to the injury-enforced absence of Danielle Waterman – rather than … [Read more...] about England 32 New Zealand 41: Ruthless Black Ferns clinch their fifth Women’s Rugby World Cup title
Australia v New Zealand: how they line up in the great trans-Tasman tussle test
The current rift/tiff between the Australian government and the New Zealand opposition Labour party has been fierce, fiery and memorable. But whether it will be significant depends if Jacinda Ardern becomes New Zealand’s next prime minister and the issue of “trust” with the Australian government is tested. Australia accuses New Zealand opposition of trying to bring down government Read more Despite frequent references by leaders on both sides of the Tasman to the countries “special relationship” and close “family” ties, there has been growing tension between Australia and New Zealand in recent years, with New Zealand advocates saying New Zealanders in Australia are treated as second-class citizens. On Wednesday New Zealand TV host Jesse Mulligan called Australia a “bully” and said it treated New Zealand like dirt; a sentiment that has been quietly growing in New Zealand as Australia has dispatched dozens of New … [Read more...] about Australia v New Zealand: how they line up in the great trans-Tasman tussle test
Coalition elevates citizenship crisis into diplomatic incident with New Zealand
The Turnbull government lost a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives as the culmination of a chaotic and bitterly contested day where it elevated its dual citizenship crisis into a full blown trans-Tasman diplomatic incident. The lost vote in the House late on Tuesday meant Labor amended environmental legislation to include a criticism that the Coalition was failing to protect the Great Barrier Reef – a procedural embarrassment that followed a day of rolling controversy about the deputy prime minister’s dual citizenship of New Zealand. As well the challenge posed by Barnaby Joyce this week referring himself to the high court – a move that could imperil the government’s slender one seat majority in the lower house – Labor is continuing to raise questions about the citizenship status of two other government MPs, Julia Banks and Anne Sudmalis. Coalition loses vote condemning government over climate – as it happened Read … [Read more...] about Coalition elevates citizenship crisis into diplomatic incident with New Zealand
New Zealander paints his own parking restrictions
Image copyright Virginia Fallon/Fairfax Image caption Mr Taylor says that his unofficial yellow lines stop people from parking on blind corners A New Zealand activist who has unlawfully painted yellow line parking restrictions outside his house in Wellington for the last 20 years says he has done so to improve road safety and to protest against gentrification.Russell Taylor said it was necessary to stop cars from parking dangerously in an increasingly busy street. "It's a major contribution to road safety," he told the BBC.The city council says the lines are illegal and will be removed.My Taylor says he has painted the lines intermittently over the last two decades when the parking problem in his street has become especially bad. "It's a protest against the failure of our council to take action," … [Read more...] about New Zealander paints his own parking restrictions
Global Britain! Boris Johnson in Australia to build on warm trade talks with New Zealand
The Foreign Secretary said the links between Britain and Australia were “deep and enduring” and called for a comprehensive trade deal after the UK leaves the European Union. He also received a Brexit boost from New Zealand, whose foreign minister said there was a “strong interest” in quickly establishing a trade deal. Boris Johnson visited arrived in Australia today after trips to New Zealand and Japan. The bonds of kinship between Britain and Australia are deep and enduring Boris Johnson During his stay Down Under he is due to meet his opposite number Julie Bishop and join Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon at an annual summit of UK and Australian ministers.Upon arrival he said post-Brexit trade with Australia will be "top of the agenda" for the three-day visit. Mr Johnson said: “The bonds of kinship between Britain and Australia are deep … [Read more...] about Global Britain! Boris Johnson in Australia to build on warm trade talks with New Zealand
Boris Johnson continues charm offensive as he bonds with lizard in New Zealand
First he met a robot in Japan, now he's making new friends in New Zealand. Some could argue that Boris Johnson spends a lot of time with cold-blooded creatures in his day job, so he was at home as he made the acquaintance of a lizard while on a diplomatic visit. The Foreign Secretary was on a visit to Zealandia ecosanctuary in Wellington when he was transfixed by the creature. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson holds a tuatara Credit: Hagen Hopkins-Pool/Getty Images The animal is a tuatara, a species native to New Zealand. The Foreign Secretary is on the latest leg of a nine-day international tour that will see him head to Australia next. After delivering a statement in which he said New Zealand would be "at or near the front of the queue" for a free trade deal after the UK leaves the 27-member bloc, the Uxbridge MP was quizzed about his political ambitions. Mr Johnson was greeted by a shout of "Boris for PM" at a ceremony in Wellington - … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson continues charm offensive as he bonds with lizard in New Zealand
New Zealand’s possum war: ‘barbaric’ drowning of babies at school fair sparks outcry
An animal rights group is calling for an end to New Zealand’s “barbaric” war on possums after joeys were drowned in a bucket of water at a school fundraiser. It said children were becoming desensitised to violence as a result of the method of killing an animal that is considered a pest in New Zealand. “It was clearly inhumane, it was appalling that children were witnessing this violence,” said Jasmijn de Boo, chief executive of animal rights group Safe. The killings took place during a North Island school’s annual possum hunt. The possum mothers had been shot and their fur and skins sold. It is illegal to wilfully or recklessly harm any wild animals – including possums – and every measure must be taken to euthanise possums as humanely as possible, with shooting being the preferred method. Drowning baby possums? Hatred of invasive species has gone too far | Jules Howard Read more De Boo said the recent drownings were … [Read more...] about New Zealand’s possum war: ‘barbaric’ drowning of babies at school fair sparks outcry
New Zealand gave Peter Thiel citizenship after he spent just 12 days there
Peter Thiel, the billionaire co-founder of Paypal, was granted New Zealand citizenship despite spending only 12 days in the country, new documents have revealed. The government ombudsmen has forced New Zealand authorities to release further details of Thiel’s highly unusual citizenship process because it was deemed in the public interest. On Thursday, Nathan Guy – who oversaw Thiel’s citizenship application as minister of internal affairs in 2011 – said Theil had been “a great ambassador for New Zealand, a great salesperson”. “He is a fine individual, good character, he has invested a lot in New Zealand, he’s got great reach into the US and I am very comfortable with the decision that I made.” The billionaire entrepreneur who is a close adviser to Donald Trump, was granted New Zealand citizenship in June 2011, after taking four brief trips to the country. He made it clear he had no immediate plans to settle in the country. The usual … [Read more...] about New Zealand gave Peter Thiel citizenship after he spent just 12 days there
Richard Scudamore to co-chair Governmentâs Sports Business Council
Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore has been recruited by the Government to help boost Britainâs sporting economy. Scudamore has established a reputation as being a shrewd negotiator, bringing in billions of pounds from television revenue, and it is hoped he can bring that expertise to the Sports Business Council. As co-chair of the group alongside sports minister Tracey Crouch, Scudamore has been brought in to unleash untapped potential in Britainâs sporting economy by bringing together the government and leading sports figures from the public and private sectors. #PL Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore to co-chair new Sports Business Council with @tracey_crouch More: https://t.co/ja9t57nMTG pic.twitter.com/q53qOk9HKZ â Premier League (@PLSpokesman) April 18, 2017 âSport has long been recognised for the cultural and social benefits it brings to the country,â Scudamore said. âIncreasingly, it is apparent that a strong and vibrant sports economy is making a … [Read more...] about Richard Scudamore to co-chair Governmentâs Sports Business Council
Apple avoided tax in New Zealand for more than a decade
More flak for electronics giant Apple with news it has not paid any tax in New Zealand for at least a decade.nnt In fact under a bilateral tax agreement Apple did pay 34 million NZ dollars of tax on sales for the last decade of 4.2 billion dollars, but to the Australian office which handles New Zealand business.nnt What continues to annoy local politicians is the amont of money Apple declares as profit in its Irish head office, and not just from New Zealand but operations around the world.nnt Irish corporation tax is among the lowest in the world but the EU has just called foul on the practise, and has hit Apple with a staggering 13 billion euro back tax bill. nnt Australia is about to pass a Diverted Profits bill modelled on the British law designed to crack down on tax avoidance.nnt Apple’s revenues are currently running at nearly 80 billion a quarter, easily matching a host of small and medium-sized … [Read more...] about Apple avoided tax in New Zealand for more than a decade
Alibaba Group expands presence in Australia, New Zealand
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Chinese online retailer Alibaba Group opened its Australian and New Zealand headquarters in Melbourne on Saturday, its first expansion in the region as it seeks to tap growing global demand for products from the two countries. The group’s billionaire founder Jack Ma, who spent time in Australia as a young man, said he hoped the e-commerce giant would help Australian and New Zealand businesses “share their world-famous products with billions of customers around the world”. There are more than 1,300 Australian and 400 New Zealand brands on Alibaba’s Tmall and Tmall Global, the company said in a statement. “Alibaba Group’s vision for the ANZ region is to build the entire operating infrastructure needed to enable local businesses to expand globally,” Maggie Zhou, the group’s Australian and New Zealand Managing Director, said. Further growth is planned in the areas of cloud computing, payments, digital entertainment … [Read more...] about Alibaba Group expands presence in Australia, New Zealand
