Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Newstalk ZB

China is encircling Taiwan in a series of military drills - just days after Taiwan’s president was elected.  

The Chinese military says the onslaught of planes, war ships and coast guard vessels is punishment for what it's calling "separatist actions". 

Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis told Heather du Plessis Allan “This is a step up from what we've seen before.” 

Lewis said “For the first time ever, China has simulated a full-scale invasion of Taiwan.” 

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Former All Blacks captains Richie McCaw and Ian Kirkpatrick have urged New Zealand Rugby to change their governance structure. 

Meanwhile, nearly 1.59 million New Zealanders have watched NRL matches on Sky Sport and free to air on Sky Open, a lift of 14 per cent from last season. 

Sports Journalist Lavina Good told Heather du Plessis Allan “The Warriors don’t even have to win for people to love it.” 

Good says “The game [rugby union] is in disarray. Everyone is watching rugby league.” 

Sports Journalist Jim Kayes says “Rugby is still rating as well as it has done in the past – there's no reason why you can’t watch both codes.” 

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Richie McCaw is urging New Zealand Rugby to change the way they’re governed based on an independent review - emphasising long-term benefits over short-term interests. 

McCaw has warned that New Zealand rugby may lose the unity that has historically strengthened the sport from grassroots, to the professional level. 

Former All Blacks Captain Ian Kirkpatrick told Heather du Plessis Allan “It’s time for change. Changing administration will change the game too, we hope.” 

Kirkpatrick said “The game has become so gladiatorial, that mothers don’t want their kids to play.” 

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Another Defence Force evacuation flight from Noumea has landed in Auckland today - with 49 passengers. 

It's our third group to return - and it's understood 160 New Zealanders are still in the French Territory. 

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters told Heather du Plessis Allan “We think we might have it resolved by the end of the week.” 

Peters said “We’ve got security issues, that those on the ground will better understand.” 

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A 13-year-old's been charged with murder over the death of another teen in Dunedin yesterday.  

Police say they've been aware for some time of anti-social behaviour at the city's Great King Street bus hub - and they arrived at the scene within one minute of the 16-year-old being stabbed. 

Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich told Heather du Plessis Allan “We instigated private security patrols, which have provided more eyes on the street.” 

Radich said that although private security don't have police powers, they are the eyes on the street, who provide pastoral care and give people someone to talk to. 

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Auckland Council is removing almost a third of rubbish bins around the region to save $9.5 million over the next eight financial years.   

Meanwhile, the council spent almost $147,000 dollars on a sculpture at the Pakuranga Rotary Walkway in November last year, two months before removing a bin. 

Auckland Council chair of revenue expenditure Maurice Williamson told Heather du Plessis Allan “This has got to be the greatest example of a policy that was good in theory, and has been a disaster in practice.” 

Williamson said “About 30 percent of the bins weren’t being used, or had an alternative bin nearby.” 

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