HMAS Canberra accidentally blocks wireless internet and radio services in New Zealand
The Department of Defence has acknowledged that HMAS Canberra, the Royal Australian Navy's largest warship, accidentally took out a number of wireless internet and radio services across New Zealand earlier this week during a visit intended to celebrate the sister city relationship between Canberra and Wellington.
The incident occurred early on Wednesday morning, as the 230-metre navy flagship made its way through the Cook Strait en route to New Zealand's capital, where the ship's crew is set to be welcomed with a parade and concert on Saturday.
According to local internet service providers (ISPs), HMAS Canberra's navigation radar began interfering with 5GHz wireless access points — devices that bridge wired and wireless networks — in regions on both New Zealand's North and South islands at around 2am.
The radar interference triggered in-built switches in the devices that caused them to go offline, a safety precaution intended to prevent wireless signals from interfering with radar systems in New Zealand's airspace.
Stuff, an online news outlet in New Zealand, reported that the outages were first raised with Radio Spectrum Management, an agency within the government's business ministry.
The agency notified the New Zealand Defence Force, which notified the Australian Defence Force.
"On becoming aware, HMAS Canberra changed frequencies rectifying the interference," a spokesperson for Australia's Department of Defence said.
"There are no ongoing disruptions."
The outages affected wireless internet and radio services in New Zealand's Taranaki and Marlborough regions, the spokesperson added.
Matthew Harrison, managing director of New Zealand-based ISP Primo, said he had never seen anything like the incident before.
"This wasn't just a blip. It was full-scale, military-grade radar triggering built-in safety protocols … and it rolled across our network in sync with the ship's movement," he wrote on LinkedIn.
"It's not every day a warship takes your gear offline!"
Mr Harrison said the incident underlined the fragility of New Zealand's radio spectrum environment, with rural fixed wireless services having to share a frequency band with radar systems.
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News.com.au
13 hours ago
- News.com.au
We handpick all the best travel deals for EOFY 2025
The End of Financial Year Sales have kicked off bringing thousands of dollars in savings and discounts of up to 90 per cent. As a professional deal hunter, I'm pretty adept at weeding the good deals from the great ones - and because no one likes to waste their time or their money, I'm only bringing you the best ones here. Top of my list - particularly for travellers - is Flight Centre with up to 60 per cent off travel. If you're headed to across the pond for the snows, there's New Zealand flights from $456 return on Air New Zealand. However, if you'd prefer not to lift a finger, they've also rustled up to 60 per cent off beach holidays. Think eight nights at Phuket's Kamala Beach Resort from $350 per person and seven nights at Double Six in Seminyak Bali from $943 per person. I'm a sucker for points earning opportunities and if you are too, you'll be stoked to hear that Luxury Escapes is running a triple points deal on select packages. These points are for their Sociéte program and can earn you future discounts and exclusive benefits. Popular stays you can rack up points with include five nights at the Meru Sanur Bali from $2059 per room and seven nights at the all-inclusive Katathani Phuket Beach Resort from $1999 per room. Banking up Qantas Frequent Flyer Points instead? Lotte Duty Free is currently offering two Qantas Points per $1 spent in their online store. This makes life so much easier as you can click and collect at the airport. For your wardrobe, Boody has slashed its prices by at LEAST 30 per cent. Bras start at $12 and undies at $8, with our favourite Full Briefs down to $13.97 per pair (down from $19.99) and "the perfect travel pants" the Downtime Lounge Pants now $55.97 (originally $79.99). The Iconic has also joined in the fun with the fun (I'd expect nothing less), slinging up to 60 per cent off end of season stock, plus a bonus 20 per cent off selected items. Deals that have caught my eye include these Lorna Jane No Chafe Ankle Biter Leggings for $60 (down from $99.99), these Abrand 94 High & Wide Debbie Jeans from $89 and these unisex ASICS GEL-Quantum 360 VIII runners for $188 (down from $250). If you've been eyeing a robovac for way too long, you can score the ECOVACS DEEBOT N20 PRO Plus Vacuum Robot with Mopping Function for $695 (was $999) at Amazon while the ever-popular Dyson has worked its magic with up to 50 per cent off floorcare, including $750 off its 360 vis nav robovac If you're overdue to upgrade your mattress Emma Sleep has slashed its comfy numbers by up to 55 per cent and to dress that up C anningvale has spoiled us with up to 90 per cent off bedding, linens and towels. When it comes to suitcases you won't be stuck for choice with American Tourister and Antler taking up to 50 per cent off their bestsellers, while The Iconic seems determined to clear its stock of Flylites with half off most pieces. 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Use code EOFYS Winnings EOFY sale: 20 per cent off top bathroom brands Temple & Webster Up to 50 per cent off Canningvale Up to 90 per cent off sitewide Mocka Up to 50 per cent off selected items. Plus extra 10 per cent off with code EOFY10 Dreame FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE END OF FINANCIAL YEAR SALES What are End of Financial Year sales? The End of Financial Year sale, sometimes referred to as EOFY, Mid-Year sale and Stocktake Sale, is an annual deals event that runs in the lead-up to the end of financial year on June 30. In Australia, it's regarded as one of the biggest sales events of the year and each and every year feels like it's getting bigger and starting earlier. "The sales have already begun," said ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown of the 2025 sales. "Retailers have reduced prices on a wide selection of clothes, shoes, accessories, homewares, furniture and electronics, and it's a terrific opportunity for shoppers to find great deals for winter." How long do the End of Financial Year sales last? The End of Financial Year sales run until June 30, which is the end of the tax year. What are the most sought out products in the End of Financial Year sales? This year ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown has noticed that "many savvy shoppers are on the lookout for work-related products to claim on their tax return. This is making computers, phones, and other technology highly sought after." Other popular categories of note are fashion, household appliances, whitegoods and tech. - - Best luggage brands
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Former Royal Australian Navy submariners take the plunge with local craft beer brand Deep Elite Brewing
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The Advertiser
3 days ago
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New Zealand has cut aid to Cook Islands after accusing it of breaching trust for inking secretly negotiated agreements with China that run contrary to a treaty that it must consult with Wellington over defence and security pacts. It's not clear if that was what was Mr Xi was referring to in his welcoming remarks - the only part of their bilateral meeting which was open to media - to Mr Luxon at the Great Hall of the People on Friday. "(In the) 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the China-New Zealand relationship has experienced many ups and downs," Mr Xi said, according to reports. "But we have always respected each other." On Thursday, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun suggested displeasure at New Zealand's response to growing Cook Islands-China ties. "China's co-operation with the Cook Islands does not target any third party, and should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party," he said. New Zealand, which has a formal alliance with Australia and strong defence links with the west, prides itself on maintaining a strong ties with China. Chinese leaders, including Mr Xi, have referred to a "relationship of firsts" with New Zealand. New Zealand was the first western nation to support it joining the WTO in 1997, to designate it a market economy in 2004, to secure a free-trade deal in 2008, and signing on to its Belt and Road infrastructure network in 2017. The bilateral meeting comes amid a furious debate on the direction of foreign policy in New Zealand. Previous leaders, including Helen Clark, argue Mr Luxon's government risks New Zealand's prosperity by aligning too close to the west and over-militarising the Pacific. Mr Luxon leaves such debate for his foreign minister, Winston Peters, who says Ms Clark suffers from "relevance deprivation syndrome" and should stay quiet. Mr Xi met Mr Luxon for the first time last year on the sidelines of the APEC summit, and on Friday, he offered praise for the Kiwi leader. "I remember that you said that you wish to further advance bilateral relations on the basis of our past partnership and friendship," he said. "I appreciate your positive attitude and I'm ready to work together with you for new progress." Mr Luxon also personally praised Mr Xi, president since 2013, for strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. "The relationship has flourished under your leadership," Mr Luxon said, keeping his eyes on trade. "We have big ambitions to grow the New Zealand economy, and building trade between New Zealand and China is a really important contribution to that." Before his political engagements in Beijing, Mr Luxon spent three days in Shanghai hawking New Zealand's produce and services. His conservative government, which took office in late 2023, has a cornerstone ambition of doubling Kiwi exports within a decade, and China - as the destination for more than 20 per cent of exported Kiwi goods and services - will be essential to reaching that. China President Xi Jinping has acknowledged at-times strained ties with New Zealand during a bilateral meeting with Chris Luxon in Beijing. Mr Luxon secured the meeting with the long-serving leader as part of what he hoped would be a trade-focused trip to China this week. Instead, tensions between his country and the Cook Islands has cast a geopolitical cloud over his meeting with Mr Xi. New Zealand has cut aid to Cook Islands after accusing it of breaching trust for inking secretly negotiated agreements with China that run contrary to a treaty that it must consult with Wellington over defence and security pacts. It's not clear if that was what was Mr Xi was referring to in his welcoming remarks - the only part of their bilateral meeting which was open to media - to Mr Luxon at the Great Hall of the People on Friday. "(In the) 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the China-New Zealand relationship has experienced many ups and downs," Mr Xi said, according to reports. "But we have always respected each other." On Thursday, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun suggested displeasure at New Zealand's response to growing Cook Islands-China ties. "China's co-operation with the Cook Islands does not target any third party, and should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party," he said. New Zealand, which has a formal alliance with Australia and strong defence links with the west, prides itself on maintaining a strong ties with China. Chinese leaders, including Mr Xi, have referred to a "relationship of firsts" with New Zealand. New Zealand was the first western nation to support it joining the WTO in 1997, to designate it a market economy in 2004, to secure a free-trade deal in 2008, and signing on to its Belt and Road infrastructure network in 2017. The bilateral meeting comes amid a furious debate on the direction of foreign policy in New Zealand. Previous leaders, including Helen Clark, argue Mr Luxon's government risks New Zealand's prosperity by aligning too close to the west and over-militarising the Pacific. Mr Luxon leaves such debate for his foreign minister, Winston Peters, who says Ms Clark suffers from "relevance deprivation syndrome" and should stay quiet. Mr Xi met Mr Luxon for the first time last year on the sidelines of the APEC summit, and on Friday, he offered praise for the Kiwi leader. "I remember that you said that you wish to further advance bilateral relations on the basis of our past partnership and friendship," he said. "I appreciate your positive attitude and I'm ready to work together with you for new progress." Mr Luxon also personally praised Mr Xi, president since 2013, for strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. "The relationship has flourished under your leadership," Mr Luxon said, keeping his eyes on trade. "We have big ambitions to grow the New Zealand economy, and building trade between New Zealand and China is a really important contribution to that." Before his political engagements in Beijing, Mr Luxon spent three days in Shanghai hawking New Zealand's produce and services. His conservative government, which took office in late 2023, has a cornerstone ambition of doubling Kiwi exports within a decade, and China - as the destination for more than 20 per cent of exported Kiwi goods and services - will be essential to reaching that. China President Xi Jinping has acknowledged at-times strained ties with New Zealand during a bilateral meeting with Chris Luxon in Beijing. Mr Luxon secured the meeting with the long-serving leader as part of what he hoped would be a trade-focused trip to China this week. Instead, tensions between his country and the Cook Islands has cast a geopolitical cloud over his meeting with Mr Xi. New Zealand has cut aid to Cook Islands after accusing it of breaching trust for inking secretly negotiated agreements with China that run contrary to a treaty that it must consult with Wellington over defence and security pacts. It's not clear if that was what was Mr Xi was referring to in his welcoming remarks - the only part of their bilateral meeting which was open to media - to Mr Luxon at the Great Hall of the People on Friday. "(In the) 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the China-New Zealand relationship has experienced many ups and downs," Mr Xi said, according to reports. "But we have always respected each other." On Thursday, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun suggested displeasure at New Zealand's response to growing Cook Islands-China ties. "China's co-operation with the Cook Islands does not target any third party, and should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party," he said. New Zealand, which has a formal alliance with Australia and strong defence links with the west, prides itself on maintaining a strong ties with China. Chinese leaders, including Mr Xi, have referred to a "relationship of firsts" with New Zealand. New Zealand was the first western nation to support it joining the WTO in 1997, to designate it a market economy in 2004, to secure a free-trade deal in 2008, and signing on to its Belt and Road infrastructure network in 2017. The bilateral meeting comes amid a furious debate on the direction of foreign policy in New Zealand. Previous leaders, including Helen Clark, argue Mr Luxon's government risks New Zealand's prosperity by aligning too close to the west and over-militarising the Pacific. Mr Luxon leaves such debate for his foreign minister, Winston Peters, who says Ms Clark suffers from "relevance deprivation syndrome" and should stay quiet. Mr Xi met Mr Luxon for the first time last year on the sidelines of the APEC summit, and on Friday, he offered praise for the Kiwi leader. "I remember that you said that you wish to further advance bilateral relations on the basis of our past partnership and friendship," he said. "I appreciate your positive attitude and I'm ready to work together with you for new progress." Mr Luxon also personally praised Mr Xi, president since 2013, for strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. "The relationship has flourished under your leadership," Mr Luxon said, keeping his eyes on trade. "We have big ambitions to grow the New Zealand economy, and building trade between New Zealand and China is a really important contribution to that." Before his political engagements in Beijing, Mr Luxon spent three days in Shanghai hawking New Zealand's produce and services. His conservative government, which took office in late 2023, has a cornerstone ambition of doubling Kiwi exports within a decade, and China - as the destination for more than 20 per cent of exported Kiwi goods and services - will be essential to reaching that.
