Government’s council shake-up ignores its own advice

Source: Green Party The Green Party says today’s local government reorganisation announcement is fundamentally undemocratic, shows a lack of understanding of how local government operates, and ignores the findings of the Government’s own expert bodies. “Today’s announcement is fundamentally undemocratic and a cynical move in election year. None of the coalition parties campaigned on this,” … Read more

Heavy rain warnings issued for South Island’s west with more severe weather possible

Source: Radio New Zealand MetService’s rain radar shows the South Island’s west under heavy downpours from 12pm Thursday. Screengrab / MetService A front will bring heavy rain to parts of the South Island from later today with up to 400 millimetres predicted in some areas. ️Severe Weather Update️ 1️⃣️The first of two weather systems in … Read more

New youth mental health service to open in Northland

Source: Radio New Zealand Matt Doocey. RNZ / Mark Papalii Warning: this story discusses sensitive topics relating to mental health and suicide. A new youth mental health respite service is set to open in Northland later this year in response to a damning coroner’s report into a youth suicide cluster. Announcing the new service in … Read more

Unemployment rate drops slightly to 5.3 percent in first quarter of year

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Quin Tauetau Unemployment eases to 5.3pct from 10-year high of 5.4pct 4000 jobs added in quarter, but number opting out grows Underutilisation rate steady at 12.9 pct; Youth unemployment rises Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Wellington highest unemployment rates Annual wage growth remains five-year low of 2pct Data a touch … Read more

Southern Police pleased with duck hunting behaviours so far

Source: New Zealand Police Over the opening weekend of the three-month-long duck hunting season in Southland, Police and Southland Fish and Game conducted a joint compliance operation ensuring hunters were abiding by the law, and rules and regulations. In the first weekend of May, Operation Daffy saw three teams, consisting of one Southland Fish and … Read more

Why the same medicine can be called by several different names at your chemist

Source: Radio New Zealand Pharmacists like Wainuiomata’s Clive Cannons often get called upon to explain drug name differences. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Explainer – At Clive’s Chemist in Wainuiomata, customers know Clive Cannons by name. That’s possibly helped by the giant, smiling photo of him pasted to the outside of the store. This particular Friday … Read more

War an excuse to hike prices even without fuel costs – economist

Source: Radio New Zealand Inflation is expected to rise because of the war in the Middle East. RNZ / Quin Tauetau A leading economist says businesses could exploit the war in the Middle East to raise prices even when not directly related to the fuel crisis. Petrol price surges have seen 91 routinely above $3 … Read more

More care, closer to home for Otago Central Lakes

Source: New Zealand Government Planning is underway to expand locally delivered healthcare services for people living in Wānaka, Cromwell, Queenstown, and across the wider Otago Central Lakes area, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The planned expansion focuses on: Growing primary, diagnostic, maternity, obstetric and gynaecology, and outpatient services Strengthening mental health and addiction support closer … Read more

‘Big explosion’ after unidentified cannister found at Auckland’s Long Bay beach

Source: Radio New Zealand Long Bay on Auckland’s North Shore. (File photo) 123rf.com A loud explosion has been heard at Auckland’s Long Bay beach after an unidentified canister washed up. Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s northern shift manager, Carrin Larkin, said Defence Force staff had been called to take a look but firefighters believed it … Read more

CDC signs deal to build 555-megawatt data centre

Source: Radio New Zealand A CDC data centre. (File photo) Luke McPake CDC Data Centres (CDC) has signed a deal to build to build a 555-megawatt (MW) data centre, with the ability to scale-up to more than one gigawatt (GW) – enough to power up to 1 million homes. CDC, which was nearly 50 percent … Read more

Amisfield dropped from Good Food Guide following allegations against chef Vaughan Mabee

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand food magazine Cuisine has dropped award-winning restaurant Amisfield from its esteemed food guide, following at least five complaints about executive chef Vaughan Mabee. Amisfield was awarded Restaurant of the Year and the highest rating, three hats, at the 2025 Cuisine Good Food Awards. Amisfield was named Restaurant of the … Read more

Chinese art exhibition reflects transformative modern times

Source: Radio New Zealand Hundreds visited Auckland Art Gallery over the weekend to view more than 60 works by 42 Chinese artists that included photography, sculptures, installations, moving images and new media. Titled Forever Tomorrow: Chinese Art Now, the exhibition is the first major survey of Chinese contemporary art displayed in Auckland on this scale. … Read more

Feedback sought on Auckland and Coromandel shellfish-gathering

Source: New Zealand Government People are being encouraged to have their say on proposals to safeguard the sustainability of shellfish and other marine species in intertidal zones around Auckland and Coromandel. “Fisheries officials have prepared proposals for better intertidal species management which will include options for area closures and additional restrictions on shellfish and some … Read more

Review of measures for shore-based shellfish harvesting in the Auckland Coromandel area

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries Have your say Fisheries New Zealand is reviewing the management measures for recreational shellfish harvesting in the Auckland Coromandel area. This area is defined in the Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations 2013 and includes beaches on the east and west coasts (a map showing the Auckland Coromandel area is provided … Read more

Overwhelming farmer support for equal welfare standards for pork imports

Source: Green Party The Green Party says a new poll has found strong farmer support for fairer import standards for animal products, consistent with the intent of a Member’s Bill from Green MP Steve Abel.  The Curia poll released today by Animal Policy International found 79 per cent of farmers agree that imported animal products … Read more

Widow’s plea: let our loved ones come home safely

Source: Worksafe New Zealand 6 May 2026 Two more businesses have been held to account for the forestry road failures that killed Coromandel truck driver Greg Stevens, as his widow issues an emotional plea for worker safety. 59-year-old Mr Stevens died when his fully loaded logging truck and trailer rolled while negotiating a treacherous bend … Read more

Test to strengthen citizenship by grant process

Source: New Zealand Government Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden announced today that a test to strengthen the citizenship by grant process will be introduced from late 2027. “Citizenship is a commitment to our shared responsibilities and privileges. By ensuring applicants understand these responsibilities and privileges, we strengthen what it means to be a … Read more

Winter warmers – fireplace etiquette

Source: NZ Department of Conservation It’s cooling down around the country, so how do you stay warm – and safe – in a DOC hut? Media and Communications Advisor Krysia Nowak explores how to optimise your fireplace game. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????? ” data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bobs-Hut-C-Rudge.jpg?fit=580%2C387&ssl=1″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bobs-Hut-C-Rudge.jpg?resize=580%2C387&ssl=1″ alt=”” class=”wp-image-59877″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bobs-Hut-C-Rudge.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bobs-Hut-C-Rudge.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bobs-Hut-C-Rudge.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bobs-Hut-C-Rudge.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bobs-Hut-C-Rudge.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bobs-Hut-C-Rudge.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 … Read more

All Whites to play Haiti in World Cup warm-up match

Source: Radio New Zealand All Whites coach Darren Bazeley says the side will play Haiti and England before the FIFA World Cup. Photosport The All Whites will play Haiti for the first time as one of their lead-up matches to the FIFA World Cup. The New Zealanders take on the Caribbean side, who are ranked … Read more

Global milk prices rise after previous slides

Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf A drop in milk volumes sold saw prices rise at the Global Dairy Trade auction overnight, stopping the slide seen at the previous two events. The average price rose 1.5 percent overnight to US$4127 (NZ$5035) a tonne. It followed a 2.7 percent fall at the previous auction a fortnight ago, … Read more

Health – A year after Pay Equity gutted, hardworking nurses even worse off

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation A year after the Coalition Government brutally scrapped their Pay Equity claims, the rising cost of living and the fuel crisis is compounding the financial struggle for undervalued and hardworking nurses and their whānau, NZNO says. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO last September became the first organisation to file claims … Read more

Health – “It saved my life”: Survivor urges nationwide lung cancer screening programme

Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Jane had no symptoms and no warning signs when she was diagnosed with New Zealand’s deadliest cancer. Jane, a 58-year-old ex-smoker from Auckland, had taken part in a targeted lung cancer screening research programme, which caught her cancer early. She is one of a growing number of Kiwis now living longer … Read more

Animal Welfare – Fast-tracked factory fish farm raises welfare red flags – SAFE

Source: SAFE For Animals Animal rights organisation SAFE is raising concerns about a proposed large-scale salmon farming operation spanning a coastal marine area of up to 2,500 hectares in the Foveaux Strait, off the north-eastern coast of Rakiura/Stewart Island. In December 2024, the Coalition Government passed the Fast-track Approvals Act, opening the door for large scale … Read more

“Everyone Deserves Bodily Autonomy”: Supporters Rally in Support of High Court Challenge to Puberty Blocker Ban

Source: Queer Endurance in Defiance Wellington | Te Whanganui-a-Tara – Members of the public supporting the right of trans young people to access gender-affirming healthcare gathered outside the High Court in Wellington today, in support of a legal challenge by the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) to the Government’s ban on new puberty … Read more

Economy – Financial system resilient amid heightened global risks – Reserve Bank

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand 6 May 2026 – “The global risk environment has worsened over the past six months, as conflict in the Middle East threatens world energy supply”, says Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman in publishing the Financial Stability Report this morning. “However, New Zealand’s financial system is resilient and well positioned to … Read more

Young people in Northland to get better crisis support

Source: New Zealand Government Young people in Northland will have access to a better crisis response, with a dedicated Youth Acute Respite Service opening alongside three additional Youth Suicide Prevention Coordination roles, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced today. “Every life lost to suicide is one too many. I feel deeply for the families, friends … Read more

Police investigating after dirt bike rider dies, another seriously injured in Northland

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF Police are investigating how two dirt bike riders were knocked off their bikes near Kaikohe, leaving one dead and another with serious injuries. Officers were called to Ngapipito Road at around 11.10pm on Tuesday following reports of a serious incident. One person was found dead at the scene. Police say … Read more