AGP Executive Report

Rugby Spotlight: The All Blacks’ Ardie Savea shared a shoulder-healing update after missing the Baltimore finale, with New Zealand facing a big test against South Africa at M&T Bank Stadium on 12 September as the series heads to its final chapter. Cricket & Coaching: England fielding coach Sarah Taylor reflects on her legacy as a first woman in the men’s set-up, while Pakistan launch an internal “discipline and conduct” inquiry during Mike Hesson’s turbulent start. Streaming & Film: Prime Video greenlit Laos alcohol-death docuseries Free Spirits: The Backpacker Poisonings and Madness of Three, and Elephants in the Fog and Don’t Tell Mother both pick up Asia Pacific Screen Awards momentum with NZ connections. Music: Bryan Adams announces album How’s It Goin’ for 6 November, and Isaiah Rashad tees up new NZ dates for his Lil Sunny’s Awful Road Trip tour. Local Culture & Community: A new teen-focused café and community art space, Creative Grounds, is set to open in Lyons on 16 September. Energy & Public Life: Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm officially opens, and thousands of public servants strike over pay.

Bay of Plenty Film Buzz: A new showreel is pitching the region’s landscapes to filmmakers, with Hollywood stars Cliff Curtis and Temuera Morrison appearing and musician Tiki Taane scoring an “upbeat, summery, beachy” soundtrack. Hospitality Red Tape: A government review says hospitality businesses are getting squeezed by too many fees, murky licensing decisions, and slow processes—pushing for a lower-risk category system and a more coherent alcohol framework. Screen Industry Watch: Wētā FX posted a $52m loss, with a return to profitability pushed to the medium term as the wider industry grapples with streaming fragmentation. Streaming Originals: Prime Video ordered two Australian true-crime docuseries—Free Spirits: The Backpacker Poisonings and Madness of Three—plus a fourth season of The Test, all set for 2027. NZ Film Connections: The New Zealand Film Commission has joined the newly launched Lumière Alliance to boost global screen-industry links. Community & Culture: Rainbow Games 2026 named ambassadors including All Black Campbell Johnstone and mountain biker Kate Weatherly ahead of the Auckland event in late October.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: South Africa edged New Zealand 29-25 in Soweto to take a 2-1 series lead, setting up a decisive fourth Test in Baltimore. All Blacks injury update: Prop Tamaiti Williams says an MRSA infection nearly left him in a wheelchair and cost him 18kg after four months in hospital. Referee call explained: Ruben Love’s yellow card was tied to an offside decision at the breakdown, leaving fans still scratching their heads. Rugby tech trial: World Rugby’s WXV is testing a smaller women’s ball (size 4.5), with England players reporting passes “dying” sooner. Cricket coaching: Kevin Pietersen joins England’s white-ball setup as a specialist mentor ahead of the 2027 World Cup. NZ sport & community: Christchurch school wellbeing gets a nature-inspired “Te Whare Rama Pod” to help students regulate and reset. Entertainment & pop culture: Natalie Imbruglia announces a London Palladium show for Feb 5, 2027. Gaming: GTA 6 release times appear staggered, with New Zealand players potentially getting midnight NZDT access on Nov 19. Music industry: Samantha Juneman is named Head of Music at Mattel, arriving from Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists Group. Fitness: Suunto launches the lightweight Suunto Run 2 running watch with a 2,000-nit AMOLED screen and offline maps. Local cause: New Zealand rolls out a nationwide rural plastics recycling scheme from March 1, 2027.

Major Events & Sport: New Zealand has secured the 2028 PSA Squash World Championships in Auckland, with the NZ government backing the event via its Major Events Fund ahead of squash’s Olympic debut at LA28. Rugby Rivalry: Springboks and All Blacks head into the Greatest Rivalry finale in Baltimore, with South Africa making two key changes as they chase a series win. Local Crime & Safety: A man has been charged after an alleged assault at an Auckland gym in Mount Wellington, with police investigating and one person taken to hospital in a serious condition. Media & Radio: ARN has broken silence amid reports of new KIIS FM Melbourne breakfast hosts following the Kyle and Jackie O exit, with Ash London and Elliot Garnaut named in the coverage. Film & Streaming: Disney is shutting down its online store for Australia and New Zealand (and parts of Asia) by September 30, while Aardman’s Shaun the Sheep horror-comedy “The Beast of Mossy Bottom” lands in cinemas Sept 18. Arts & Culture: Wellington’s spring culture calendar is packed, with major music and gallery highlights including City Gallery Wellington’s October 10 reopening. Tech & Everyday Life: Interest.co.nz unpacks AI’s real-world impact in New Zealand, focusing on what’s practical now versus hype.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: South Africa’s Springboks beat New Zealand 29-24 in Soweto to take a 2-1 series lead, with the latest world rankings showing the Boks holding top spot as the decisive fourth Test heads to Baltimore. Injury Update: Cheslin Kolbe’s broken jaw and Ardie Savea’s shoulder injury add pressure for the All Blacks ahead of the US finale. Cricket (NZ link): England appoints Kevin Pietersen as a specialist white-ball mentor for the 2027 World Cup build-up, with NZ named in the next summer’s series. Music: Arthur Hill drops new single “Orange Wine” and announces a major 2027 tour that includes New Zealand dates. Fashion/Travel Retail: Joseph Ribkoff’s Nadine Clour talks airport openings in Auckland and Cairns, plus its new Edit 57 line and Elizabeth Hurley-led campaign. Arts & Culture: VOU’s Fijian Flying Circus brings a high-energy Pacific twist to the stage, mixing aerials with drumming, dance and folklore. Community & Waste: Really Really Free Markets keep spreading the idea of sharing goods and skills with no money changing hands. Health & Society: A Kiwi road to EU health-claim approval highlights how long science can take to reach market.

NRL Finals Team News: Rabbitohs confirm Euan Aitken’s season-ending scapula fracture ahead of the elimination finals, while the Cowboys weigh a “big gamble” and the Warriors are monitoring three touch-and-go stars for their Dolphins clash in Auckland. IndyCar NZ Spotlight: Scott McLaughlin ends a 35-race win drought with a Laguna Seca victory, with Sir Scott Dixon’s final Ganassi outing also in focus. Film/TV Industry: A practical explainer on the U.S. O1 visa for filmmakers breaks down how NZ and other non-U.S. talent can pitch and work in Hollywood. Anime for Kiwi viewers: Crunchyroll and Toei announce One Piece Elbaph arc English dubs start Oct 20, weekly on Tuesdays, with NZ included. Local Screen & Arts: Show Me Shorts Film Festival names Norway as Country of Honour for 2026, bringing eight Norwegian films and visiting filmmakers to Aotearoa. Community & Culture: Wāhine Toa Oceania applications open for the second cohort, offering Pacific retired athletes leadership training across Fiji, Greece and PNG. Funeral tech trend: A report says livestreaming at funerals is now a “standard expectation,” with families using drones and multi-camera setups to include loved ones overseas. Sports Leadership/Pathways: Kiwi 3x3 star Te Tuhi Lewis inspires at the Zespri AIMS Games, showing how elite sport can feed the next generation. Aviation Update: Government says it’s passed the halfway mark on its Aviation Action Plan priorities, including moves to expand 24/7 access at Ohakea. Food & Hospitality: SunRice launches Microwave Protein+ rice in Australia, adding collagen protein to a staple in 90 seconds.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: Springboks beat the All Blacks 29-24 in Soweto to take a 2-1 series lead, with Ardie Savea scoring twice and Siya Kolisi calming pitch-invaders after the final whistle. Coaching fallout: Rassie Erasmus has apologised for swearing in a press conference after earlier scrum-row accusations from Dave Rennie. NRL finals setup: Penrith clinched the minor premiership with a 38-10 win over Wests Tigers, setting up a qualifying final vs the Roosters; the Warriors host the Dolphins in Week 1. F1 Italian GP: Fernando Alonso and Liam Lawson start from the pitlane after FIA/technical penalties at Monza. Tennis: Alex Eala’s US Open run ends in a third-round loss to Iva Jovic, while Michael Venus and Yuki Bhambri exit men’s doubles. Culture & writing: A Cyprus love story told at life’s end wins an international writing prize.

UFC Paris: Salahdine Parnasse made a brutal debut, stopping Dan Hooker by TKO in round one at 2:35, then immediately calling out Max Holloway as he set his sights on the lightweight top five. Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: South Africa edged New Zealand 29-24 in Soweto to take a 2-1 series lead, with Dave Rennie’s All Blacks left to regroup after Ardie Savea’s injury and a late defensive wobble. NRL Minor Premiership: The Warriors moved top after a tight Auckland win, with Penrith still able to reclaim first on Sunday—meaning the minor premiership race is down to margins and results. Supermarket Politics: The Greens launched “Affordable Kai”, promising a publicly owned supermarket chain (KiwiMart) to break the Foodstuffs/Woolworths duopoly and cut food prices, alongside expanded school lunches and food support. Motorsport: Scott McLaughlin took IndyCar pole at Laguna Seca, while Oscar Piastri copped a grid penalty at Monza for impeding Liam Lawson. Local Community: Aligarh Muslim University alumni in New Zealand are calling for registrations for Sir Syed Day in Auckland on October 17.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: The Springboks and All Blacks head to Soweto for the third Test at FNB Stadium, with the series locked 1-1 and both sides chasing a 2-1 lead before the finale in Baltimore. Matchday build-up: South Africa’s captain Siya Kolisi is leaning on Soweto history and fan energy, while the week’s scrum controversy and late lineup drama have kept the spotlight on set-piece battles. Women’s rugby: Black Ferns and Springbok Women meet in a historic FNB Stadium doubleheader, with New Zealand making key changes ahead of the first test between the sides on South African soil. Local sport business: Ahead of the Test, South African police seized 1,700+ counterfeit Springboks items worth over R1.5m in a Johannesburg CBD raid, including manufacturing equipment. Cricket (NZ link): Smriti Mandhana can overtake Suzie Bates’ women’s T20I run record with 74+ vs Pakistan, while Mohammad Shami’s comeback hunger is backed by Ishan Kishan. UFC (NZ connection): Auckland-born Dan Hooker returns for UFC Paris against Salahdine Parnasse on Sept 5.

Rugby Rivalry Fallout: Airlink’s ultra-low Cape Town flyover for All Blacks vs Springboks sparked SACAA scrutiny, with a planned Johannesburg flypast for the third Test later scrapped. Broadcast Backlash: Sky Sport cut to a Betcha ad as Jai Arrow walked out for his 100th NRL game, prompting outrage and an apology citing a scheduling error. Local Sports Spotlight: The Sydney Kings beat a makeshift New Zealand Breakers side 95-74 in NBL pre-season, with injuries and a stand-in coach shaping the result. Travel & Tourism: Vietnam Airlines, Saigontourist and New Zealand’s Distinction Hotels have teamed up on a five-year MoU to boost two-way tourism. Arts & Culture: Masterworks Gallery marks 40 years with a cast-glass-focused exhibition, while Vea Mafile’o discusses co-directing LOMU and the need for stronger arts funding. Human Stories: A Dunedin ANZ contact-centre job cut plan has staff “very upset,” and a Nepal flood survivor recounts relatives losing homes and businesses.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: South Africa and New Zealand meet for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry third Test at FNB Stadium in Soweto with the series locked 1–1, and New Zealand making forward changes while Springboks aim to tighten defence after conceding tries in Cape Town. Women’s Rugby: Black Ferns captain Georgia Ponsonby leads a reshuffled side for their first Test in South Africa, with Hannah King moving to five-eighth. Rugby Drama: Dave Rennie says the “spat” with Rassie Erasmus is over, while Sir Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie call Erasmus’ late Springbok changes a “debacle”. Broadcast Backlash: Sky Sport cut away to a betting ad as Jai Arrow walked out for his 100th NRL game, sparking anger from fans and MND New Zealand. Music & Tours: Kneecap adds new UK/Europe and NZ dates for its FENIAN World Tour, with Auckland and Wellington tickets on sale Sept 9. Arts & Culture: Pauline Scanlon shares her cultural picks ahead of TG4 Singer of the Year at the Gradam Ceoil Awards Sept 13. Travel/Tech: New Zealand moves selected visitor and transit visa applications online only from Oct 1.

Music & Culture: Simple Minds have announced their next studio album, Sacrosanct, due Jan 29, 2027, with Jim Kerr describing the songs as feeling “closer to faith” than a career, after a huge post-2022 run including a documentary, memoir and 1.5m+ fans on tour. Arts Funding: Screenrights says $293,400 is headed to six projects under its 2026 Cultural Fund, including Aotearoa initiatives like a Māori & Pasifika Impact Producing Lab and a story-labs programme. Creative Wellbeing: Artsenta and Creative Arts Trust open registrations for Toi Piringa: The Art of Connection, a one-day symposium at Tūhura Otago Museum (Oct 12–18 Mental Health Awareness Week). Live Music: Bruno Mars adds a third Auckland stadium date at Eden Park (Mar 16, 2027) due to demand, with Tyla joining and Anderson .Paak as DJ Pee.Wee. Film: New Māori gothic horror Marama drops a trailer, set in 1859 North Yorkshire and tied to colonial heritage. Sports & Community: Waka Ama Aotearoa celebrates its crews after two weeks at the 2026 IVF World Sprint Championships in Singapore.

All Blacks vs Springboks (Johannesburg build-up): New Zealand’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry social posts are winning hearts, with the team using South African music and isiXhosa/Zulu captions in viral clips ahead of the third Test. Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (team news): Dave Rennie has made changes for the decider, including Peter Lakai starting and Reiko Ioane left out of the match-day 23, sparking major fan reaction. Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (safety buzz): A low-flying jet flyover in Cape Town is under investigation by South Africa’s civil aviation authority after videos went viral. Music (tour + album): Simple Minds announce new album Sacrosanct (Jan 29, 2027) and a big 2027 arena run including New Zealand/Australia dates, with Gary Numan as support on key legs. Local arts & community: Auckland’s Whakaata Māori and APTN partner on international Indigenous co-production Māui & Elvis, while a new NZ crime drama Alibi heads to MIPCOM via Yes Studios. Sports diplomacy (softball): Softball New Zealand and India sign an MoU to expand coaching and youth pathways.

Indigenous Screen Co-production: Whakaata Māori and Canada’s APTN team up on children’s sci-fi comedy “Māui & Elvis”, filming across NZ and Canada with at least 30% te reo Māori dialogue, premiering next year. Local Arts & Events: Gisborne gets a “What’s on” roundup of market, music and workshops, while Auckland’s Miss IndiaNZ 2026 lands at Auckland Town Hall on Oct 23. Music & Touring: Punk veterans Strung Out bring their 30th-anniversary Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues tour to NZ in September. Sport & Community: Tauranga’s Zespri Aims Games expects nearly 30,000 people and 14,500 athletes across 27 codes, with mountain biking among the fastest-growing. Public Safety (Boating): Parliament passes rules making lifejackets must be worn on recreational craft 6m or less. Tech/Marketing Insight: A NZ-focused digital media piece warns most online ads fail to get meaningful attention, pushing brands to rethink spend.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: The All Blacks and Springboks head into the third Test in Johannesburg with the series locked 1-1, as Rassie Erasmus and Dave Rennie’s latest war of words keeps scrums in the spotlight and another late team-tinkering row hangs over the build-up. Controversy in sport: Hampshire have confirmed New Zealand all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn won’t play after backlash over his signing, following his acquittal in historical sexual assault charges. Cricket NZ links: India’s BCCI has called an emergency review meeting in Mumbai after defeats in Ireland and England, with injury management and future planning (including the New Zealand tour) on the agenda. Entertainment on screen: Prime Video’s thriller series Kill Jackie launches with Catherine Zeta-Jones in a new action chase, with Sky TV in New Zealand among the territories. Music & tours: Bruno Mars adds extra Australia and New Zealand dates to The Romantic Tour, including a second Eden Park show in Auckland. Tech/arts-adjacent: Studiocanal launches Studiocanal Classics, a new label for its restored catalogue, expanding its reach across New Zealand and beyond.

Local Sport Spotlight: Wellington Jazz Festival marks 30 years with a five-day takeover of Te Whanganui-a-Tara (14–18 Oct), boasting 180+ performances across nearly 70 venues, from Rogue Classic Album Series nights to new album launches and late-night sessions. NRL & Talent Moves: Channel Seven unveils its Rugby League World Cup 2026 broadcast team, led by a returning Ryan Papenhuyzen plus Trent Robinson, Luke Keary, Corey Parker and other RLWC-winning voices. Rugby’s Biggest Rivalry: A court ruling in the UK keeps long-term concussion lawsuits alive for hundreds of former rugby players, while New Zealand-linked research highlights Pacific and Māori athletes remain under-represented in concussion studies. Entertainment & Streaming: Tubi announces Halloween short-form horror anthology Bite Size Terror, premiering exclusively this fall in New Zealand and other markets. Music: Shaboozey’s Outlaws Never Die Tour kicks off with a concept-album era built around Outlaw Cherie Lee, blending country with hip-hop, R&B and soul. Travel/Leisure: SeaDream III is set for a July 2029 debut with 27-night sailings from Hong Kong, plus bookings opening 1 Sept.