Here’s the thing: the City Rail Link is almost certainly going to be overcapacity from day one, with crowding on the trains at peak times. In the simple terms of popular transportThis post was originally published on Linked In by Nicolas Reid. It is republished here with permission....

[Source: NZ Herald]The Highlanders scored a stunning try to Sam Gilbert to overcome a much-improved Moana Pasifika 35-21 in an entertaining clash on Saturday. Article continues after advertisementThe try finally broke Moana Pasifika, who led 18-14 at the break and signalled they are capable of taking some Australian scalps this year. As hinted at during their trial games, Moana Pasifika showed that their set-piece work has come on leaps and bounds this season. Former Hurricanes star Julian Savea was also outstanding for Moana Pasifika in his first outing. Appearing fitter than last year, the big lock got through plenty of work in arguably one of his best games for the Highlanders.

Blues against Fijian Drua [Source: stuff.co.nz]The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua succumbed to a strong Blues side 34-10 in their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season opener in Auckland today. The Drua tried hard to score more points but were let down by handling errors and superior play from the Blues. Sullivan scored his second try in the dying stages to seal the win for the Blues. Meanwhile in other Super Rugby Pacific games today, the Highlanders face the Moana Pasifika at 6:05pm before the Reds face the Waratahs at 9:05pm. Player of the match, Tevita Ikanivere [Source: Fijian Drua]

Countdown Dunedin South is set to reopen on Sunday. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONCountdown Dunedin South is still set to reopen on Sunday after no rats were caught in the store overnight. A Woolworths spokesman said if the trend continues, the store will be able to reopen as planned on Sunday. The news comes as the Ministry for Primary Industries says it will be keeping a close eye on Countdown Dunedin South even after it reopens. ‘‘It’s important that both ourselves and MPI are confident before we reopen to the community.’’laine.priestley@odt.co.nz

NZR chief executive Mark Robinson made a beeline for Sky TV chief executive Sophie Moloney - pleasantries, a quick social chat, lots of smiles and then greetings to the rest of Moloney’s table. Mahony’s departure follows the departure of New Zealand Rugby chief communications and brand officer Charlotte McLauchlan late last year. SKY TV chief executive Sophie Moloney. “The Olympics is an event like no other when it comes to broadcasting,” says Sky chief executive Sophie Moloney. Stuff chief executive Laura Maxwell did not address this or other specific financial questions that I sent her yesterday.

Photo: Know Your Stuff NZDrug testers have issued an urgent warning over fake MDMA circulating in Dunedin. Know Your Stuff NZ posted that several samples the user thought was MDMA had come back as the stimulant known colloquially as bath salts. "This is presumed to be N-Butylpentylone. There are many unknowns with this substance, with no research into the safety or use of this on humans," it said. Know Your Stuff advised that anyone who had not checked their MDMA should refrain from using until after checking.

On Saturday, Ponsonby witnessed a makeover of epic proportions as the iconic Stickman joined the Auckland Rainbow Parade, strutting down Ponsonby Road like you’ve never seen her before. For the second year in a row, PAK’nSAVE’s parent company Foodstuffs got involved with the Auckland Rainbow Parade, this time, with a special guest. Stickman saw an opportunity to spread his low-priced love for the rainbow community and get into character for the event. Introducing Stick Queen, aka Isla Value, the budget queen from the house of Pak’n. With thanks to Ford Ponsonby, attendees saw ‘Isla’ strut her stuff in heels, while addressing the crowd in a way only Isla could!

With so many places in Auckland to eat, it can be hard to decide where to go - but it may be a little easier now with the release of the 2024 Top 100 Iconic Eats list. The Top 100 dishes on the fourth annual Iconic Auckland Eats list are nominated by the public and feature everything from cafes and food trucks to fine-dining restaurants. For a Kiwi classic fish and chips, the ones from Tipene's Takeaways in Morningside is the place to go, or Snapper'n'Chips from The Local on Waiheke Island. Tataki Auckland's destination director Annie Dundas said the variety of cuisines on the list reflects the mix of ethnicities in Tamaki Makaurau. See here for the full list to try when you're next after a flavour hit in the City of Sails.

Wales rugby international Rhys Patchell has plenty of experience but admits to some nervousness ahead of his DHL Super Rugby Pacific debut against Moana Pasifika in Dunedin on Saturday. Patchell goes into the campaign having had a taste of pre-season play but knowing the real deal of Super Rugby Pacific begins at the weekend. He's a great human and was super welcoming of me as a new player in the environment. "The way he views the game is potentially fairly different from how the Moana Pasifika team views the game, which is awesome because everybody has to learn and adapt to each other. He loves the boys, loves the environment, loves the team, loves the lifestyle and his family seems to be settling in as well."

It’s Melanie Bracewell! You may have seen her on her hit show, The Cheap Seats, or embarrass herself on Taskmaster NZ. Now is your chance to see her live as she brings her brand new stand up show to Canberra! Melanie promises to bring you her signature brand of relatable, goofy and punchline-heavy stand up comedy. She promises she won’t actually attack you.

Legendary Aussie rugby league coach Wayne Bennett (pictured) has brought his Dolphins NRL team to Queenstown. Asked why they picked Queenstown, he says ‘‘it’s a very popular place in Australia, a lot of people talk about it’’. ‘‘Myself, I don’t know what I’ll do — it won’t be bungy.’’The Dolphins leave for Auckland today to play a pre-season game against the Warriors tomorrow. Bennett has coached NRL teams to seven premiership titles, including six with the Brisbane Broncos. He’s also coached England, Great Britain and Australia and has put his hat in the ring to coach the New Zealand Kiwis.

A police officer allegedly sent sexually explicit messages to an underage girl on Instagram. Court documents seen by the New Zealand Herald allege the Christchurch man, who is aged in his mid-40s, committed the offences between February 5 and February 26, 2023. He faces two charges of being a person of or over the age of 16 years who intentionally exposed a young person under the age of 16 years to indecent material, namely sexually explicit messages via the Instagram messaging app. The man’s occupation on court documents is a police officer. A Christchurch District Court registrar confirmed the man is next due to appear in court in May.

Robertson also took assistant coach Scott Hansen with him, while long-serving players Richie Mo’unga, Sam Whitelock and Jack Goodhue have also moved on. So how will the all-conquering Crusaders, winners of seven titles in as many years under Robertson, fare now that he’s in charge of the All Blacks? New Crusaders coach Rob Penney has told stuff.co.nz that he is very excited, the reason being it’s a bit of a line in the sand for them. Just days after Penney took over the team, centre Braydon Ennor suffered a knee injury while playing for the All Blacks and will miss the season. Crusaders: Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece, Levi Aumua, Dallas McLeod, Macca Springer, Rivez Reihana, Mitchell Drummond, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Dominic Gardiner, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett (capt), Tamaiti Williams, George Bell, George Bower.

Discovery (Three) Sky’s decision to go after a bigger share of the advertising market appears to be working. Sky’s chief executive, Sophie Moloney, was upbeat about the new strategy. The Herald and Newstalk ZB owner’s operating profit was $56.2m, down from $64.7m in 2022 and under its lowest forecast made just in November. That was on total operating revenue of $340m (down from $355m). NZME, which through last year twice told the market it believed the advertising market was about to pick up, is less bullish now.

Here’s the thing: the City Rail Link is almost certainly going to be overcapacity from day one, with crowding on the trains at peak times. In the simple terms of popular transportThis post was originally published on Linked In by Nicolas Reid. It is republished here with permission....