Latest from Otago Daily Times
Otago Daily Times
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Rams show Nuggets no mercy
What does hope look like when it has been shredded in a blender? Well, like the long faces that headed into home dressing rooms at the Edgar Centre last night. The Otago Nuggets trailed the Canterbury Rams 55-29 at the break. The game was over. Or was it? Of course it was over. It was a clash between the best team in the National Basketball League and easily the worst and that was very, very obvious. The 113-59 final score was a painfully honest reflection of the gulf in class between the traditional rivals. The 54-point loss was the heaviest defeat in their history. Their previous largest losing margin was a 47-point shellacking by the Southland Sharks in 2013. Australian guard Sean Macdonald top-scored with 27 points and CJ Penha added 19 from the bench. Jonathan Janssen was the best of the Nuggets players. He posted a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds. There were early troubling signs. Rams guard Taylor Britt got free passage along the baseline for a basket. Someone dropped off their defensive assignment and he was not the last. Macdonald drilled a couple of early three-pointers and the Rams took an 8-0 lead. Janssen finally got the Nuggets on the board with a putback and Jaylen Sebree landed a triple. Other than that it was painful to watch for the home fans. The Nuggets made a series of bumbling efforts close to the hoop and some complete misreads on defence. Where is the exit? Cannot have been the only one thinking that. The Rams claimed twice as many rebounds and posted almost three times as many points in a lopsided 27-10 opening period. Macdonald stuck another three for the two-time defending champions early in the second quarter. Walter Brown grabbed an offensive board and popped it in. That was too easy. So was the cut Macdonald made to the cup for another bucket moments later. Maybe the fire alarm will go off now? Cannot have been the only one thinking that. The Nuggets rallied towards the end of the half but still trailed by 26 points. The third quarter was sloppy. The Rams lacked some of the urgency they displayed earlier and the Nuggets were able to disrupt their pattern more successfully. Max Darling drilled late back-to-back threes to stretch the margin to 38 points with 10 minutes remaining, though. Make it stop. Cannot be the only one thinking that. The game carried on, of course. The Rams spent a chunk of the fourth quarter taunting Sebree and he promptly fouled out of the game. Call that a win for the visitors. Darling brought up 100 for the Rams with a lay-up. The Rams beat the Nuggets 42-36 in the Rapid League game.
Otago Daily Times
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Pacers cruise past OKC to force game seven
Obi Toppin scored 20 points off the bench to lead a balanced offensive effort as the Indiana Pacers evened the NBA Finals with a 108-91 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in game six today in Indianapolis. The Finals will go to a winner-take-all seventh game for the first time since 2016. Game seven is Monday (NZT) in Oklahoma City. There was little drama today, as Indiana jumped ahead in the first quarter and never relinquished the lead. Andrew Nembhard added 17 points while Pascal Siakam had 16 points and 13 rebounds to move the Pacers within one win of their first NBA title. Tyrese Haliburton, playing through a calf injury, had 14 points and five assists, and T.J. McConnell contributed 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals. Indiana forced 21 turnovers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21 points, but had a playoff career-worst eight turnovers and just two assists. Jalen Williams, who scored 40 points in game five, finished with just 16 points. Trailing by 30 entering the final quarter, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault pulled his starters, opting to save them for game seven. Oklahoma City shot just 8-for-30 (26.7%) from beyond the arc — 1-for-11 in the first half. The Thunder put up their lowest point total of the regular season or postseason. Their previous low was 92 in a second-round game four win over the Denver Nuggets. The Pacers took control in the second quarter, turning the tables on the Thunder. Oklahoma City won game four and five the same way it had plenty of others this season — by turning up the pressure on defense and using that to fuel its offense. Over the final eight-plus minutes before halftime, Indiana's defense led the way on a 30-9 run to go into halftime with a 64-42 lead. The Pacers scored 11 of their 36 second-quarter points off the Thunder's seven turnovers. Haliburton, who had struggled early in games for much of the series even before straining his right calf early in game five, helped set the defensive tone for Indiana. In the final minute of the half, Haliburton elevated near the sideline for a steal off Williams' pass, then quickly fired to Siakam as he was falling out of bounds. Siakam finished off the play with an emphatic dunk to stretch the lead to 20. Then he grabbed a rebound off a Chet Holmgren miss on the other end and buried an 18-footer just before the buzzer to send the Pacers into the locker room with a commanding lead. Indiana, which committed 23 turnovers in game give had just two first-half turnovers today. The Pacers were slow to get started on offense, going nearly four minutes into the game without a field goal and missing their first eight shots while falling behind 10-2. But it didn't take long for Indiana to close the gap, scoring eight consecutive points to tie the game less than a minute after hitting its first field goal. Moments later, the Pacers took the lead for the first time and what proved to be for good. After going without a field goal in game five, Haliburton missed his first four shots Thursday before taking a quick feed from Myles Turner off an offensive rebound and burying a three-pointer with just more than four minutes remaining in the first quarter to put Indiana up 24-17. The Pacers continued to stretch their lead in the third, holding Oklahoma City to just 18 points. Indiana's James Johnson was ejected in the final minute after an altercation with Oklahoma City's Isaiah Joe.
Otago Daily Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Cook Islands PM slams NZ over funding pause
By Caleb Fortheringham of RNZ Pausing nearly $20 million in development assistance is "patronising" and "inconsistent with modern partnership", Prime Minister Mark Brown has told the Cook Islands parliament. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has paused $18.2 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands, due to a lack of consultation regarding a partnership agreement and other deals signed with Beijing earlier this year. The pause includes $10 million in core sector support, which represents four percent of the country's budget. On Wednesday local time, Brown said the money would have been used for health, education and tourism marketing. "The relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand is defined by partnership, not paternalism," he told his parliament on Thursday. "Decisions to unilaterally pause core sector support reflect a patronising approach, inconsistent with modern partnership." The 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration signed between the two nations requires them to consult each other on defence and security, which Peters said had not been lived up to, but Brown said the declaration was "explicitly clear" that the Cook Islands could enter international agreements in its own right. "Where we are finding our divergence of views is in the provision relating to the consultation obligations and rights of both parties to the declaration. "We are committed to addressing this urgently. That is why we agreed to New Zealand's proposal to establish a formal dialogue mechanism to discuss the agreements and their implementation." Brown said there had been two meetings so far - one in April and May. "It is disappointing that political commentary from within New Zealand has come at a time when official dialogue continues," he said. "Such commentary undermines genuine and concerted efforts by our senior officials to mend the erosion of trust and confidence that, to be clear, has been experienced on both sides." Peters' office was approached for a response on Brown's comments. A spokesperson for Peters said they would make no further comment and stood by the statements issued Thursday. In parliament, Brown suggested a double standard from New Zealand and said he was "not privy to or consulted on" agreements New Zealand may enter into with China. Brown said he was surprised by the timing of the announcement. "Especially, Mr Speaker, in light of the fact our officials have been in discussions with New Zealand officials to address the areas of concern that they have over our engagements in the agreements that we signed with China." Peters previously said the Cook Islands government was informed of the funding pause on June 4. He also said it had nothing to do with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visiting China. Brown said he was sure Luxon would ensure good outcomes for the people of the realm of New Zealand on the back of the Cook Islands state visit and "the goodwill that we've generated with the People's Republic of China". "I have full trust that Prime Minister Luxon has entered into agreements with China that will pose no security threats to the people of the Cook Islands. "Of course, not being privy to or not being consulted on any agreements that New Zealand may enter into with China." The Cook Islands is in free association with New Zealand and governs its own affairs, but New Zealand provides assistance with foreign affairs (upon request), disaster relief and defence. Former Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister and prominent lawyer Norman George said Brown "should go on his knees and beg for forgiveness, because you can't rely on China". "[The aid pause] is absolutely a fair thing to do, because our Prime Minister betrayed New Zealand, and let the government and people of New Zealand down." Not everyone agrees. Rarotongan artist Tim Buchanan said Peters was being a bully. "It's like he's taken a page out of Donald Trump's playbook, using money to coerce his friends," Buchanan said. "What is it exactly do you want from us, Winston? What do you expect us to be doing to appease you?" Buchanan said it had been a long road for the Cook Islands to get where it was now and New Zealand seemed to want to knock the country back down.
Otago Daily Times
9 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Previously missing Dunedin man found 'safe and well'
Missing man Peter was last seen in Kenmure at 10.30pm yesterday. Photo: NZ Police A previously missing Dunedin man has been found. Peter, 77, was located "safe and well", police said in an update at about 3.40pm this afternoon. Earlier today police had sought public help to locate Peter, after he was reported missing having last been seen about 10.30pm yesterday. Police thanked the public for their assistance in this afternoon's update.
Otago Daily Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Luxon holds talks with Chinese President
By Craig McCulloch of RNZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has held talks with one of the world's most powerful people, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who began by acknowledging "ups and downs" in the bilateral relationship. The highly anticipated meeting took place on Friday afternoon (NZT) at the grand Great Hall of the People on the edge of Beijing's Tiananmen Square. As is custom, the two men shook hands in front of photographers before taking their seats on either side of a long table. In his brief introductory remarks, Xi said now was a time to build on the two countries' past achievements and "strive for new progress". "The China-New Zealand relationship has experienced many ups and downs, but we have always respected each other and worked together," he said, through a translator. Xi also acknowledged the NZ government's recent move to relax visa requirements for Chinese travellers coming from Australia. "This will facilitate people to people exchanges, and I appreciate it." Xi said he had been "very impressed" by Luxon during their first meeting on the sidelines of APEC in November. "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." In response, Luxon described the bilateral relationship as being "long-standing" and of "great consequence" to New Zealand. "The relationship has flourished under your leadership," Luxon said. "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." New Zealand's dialogue with China was more important than ever before at a time of "increasing global uncertainty and strain", Luxon said. "The world looks to China as a major global power to play a constructive role in addressing many of the challenges that are facing us all. "Stability in our region and our deep and abiding support for the rules-based system are fundamental to New Zealand's interest. "Our long-standing connections and cooperation supports us to continue our positive, constructive, open and comprehensive discussions, as partners should do," he said. Media were then escorted from the room before the start of the formal engagement. Luxon is expected to take questions from media later this evening. He earlier met with China's number three, Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People's Congress standing committee, also in the Great Hall. In translated opening remarks, Zhao described New Zealand as a "sincere friend and cooperation partner" and said the partnership had maintained a "good momentum". In reply, Luxon acknowledged the "depth and breadth" of the bilateral relationship. He said ongoing dialogue was critical to progressing opportunities and engaging on differences. The meeting came a day after revelations New Zealand paused nearly $20 million of funding for the Cook Islands after the agreements it signed with China earlier this year. The government's dispute is primarily with the Cook Islands for failing to first consult New Zealand, but it speaks to a broader disagreement with China over its increasing assertiveness. In a press conference on Thursday, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun described both New Zealand and the Cook Islands as "important cooperation partners" but also offered a more pointed statement. "China's cooperation with the Cook Islands does not target any third party and should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party," Jiakun said. The Xi meeting took place against a backdrop of global volatility with Israel and Iran in open warfare, with the United States and China backing opposing sides. Both Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have recently described the China-NZ relationship as "complex", highlighting differences over human rights and militarisation in the Pacific. On Thursday, AFP reported that NZ diplomats had privately warned China tried to mislead foreign governments by playing down the importance of a nuclear-capable missile test over the Pacific Ocean in September. A perceived tilt towards the United States has also prompted concern from former political leaders - including Helen Clark and Don Brash - who this month warned the "special relationship" could be in jeopardy. Luxon earlier dismissed the warnings as wrong and "a bit simplistic" - and said the relationship was mature and multi-faceted. Immediately after the Xi meeting, Luxon was expected to take part in an event promoting New Zealand fruit and then the launch of a new tourism campaign to lure Chinese holidayers. Luxon will return to the Great Hall of the People on Friday evening for the final event of his trip: an official welcome ceremony and then meeting with his counterpart Premier Li Qiang.
