Dental Costs – Landmark Report Lays Out Costed Plan for Universal Dental, Calls on Politicians to Act on “Gap in the Public Health System”

Source: Dental for All A landmark report released today outlines a detailed proposal to make oral healthcare free and universal in New Zealand. The report, ‘Fixing Oral Healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Costed Policy Plan for Delivering Dental for All’, is published by Dental for All and includes costings by independent economists for a … Read more

McClay leads delegation to India for FTA signing

Source: New Zealand Government Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay departs for New Delhi today to sign the New Zealand – India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), leading a cross-party delegation including MPs and more than 30 Kiwi business representatives. “This landmark agreement provides huge opportunities for New Zealand exporters in one of the world’s largest … Read more

Mayoral Relief Fund launched in Wellington after severe weather

Source: Radio New Zealand A $100,000 Mayoral Relief Fund has been launched to support Wellingtonians affected by Monday’s severe weather, with the city calling on Wellingtonians for further donations. On Monday Wellington’s southern suburbs were hit with widespread torrential rain and flooding which has led to landslides and damage to some people’s homes and businesses, … Read more

Data shows highest term one regular attendance since 2020

Source: Radio New Zealand Associate Education Minister David Seymour said the data showed attendance rates continuing to rise under the coalition. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone New data shows 68.6 percent of students attending school regularly for term 1 this year, the highest figure for term 1 since 2020. However, that figure is still four points … Read more

NZ stock market yet to appoint new chief executive after 10 months

Source: Radio New Zealand NZX Chief Executive Mark Peterson. (File photo) RNZ / Dom Thomas The New Zealand stock market is yet to appoint a permanent replacement to take over from the long-serving chief executive Mark Peterson, who departs at the end of the month. “The process for CEO recruitment is well advanced and the … Read more

Skilled plumbers and drainlayers scheme expands

Source: New Zealand Government A self-certification scheme allowing skilled plumbers and drainlayers to sign off their own work is being expanded to cover more residential work and some commercial activity, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.  “Trusted tradespeople want to get on with delivering the homes and infrastructure New Zealanders need, but too often … Read more

New biodiversity plan focuses on turning the tide

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  23 April 2026 Source:  Office of the Minister of Conservation The Government has set out its priorities to restore biodiversity in New Zealand and make a difference for nature, in the ‘Action for Nature’ – Implementation plan for Te Mana o te Taioao – Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy.   “Biodiversity underpins our environment, our economy, … Read more

Rugby: Mo’omo’oga Palu to debut for Black Ferns in first-ever Anzac Day Test against Australia

Source: Radio New Zealand Kaipo Olsen-Baker was a stand-out in last weekend’s win against Canada. Jay Biggerstaff / Photosport Black Ferns selectors have made four changes to the side that beat Canada in Kansas City last weekend, for Saturday’s historic clash against Australia. The Black Ferns face the Wallaroos on Anzac Day for the first … Read more

Johnsonville line trains cancelled after slip covers tracks

Source: Radio New Zealand A slip on Johnsonville Line tracks near Wadestown. KiwiRail A Wellington train line has been blocked by a landslip. Johnsonville Line tracks near Wadestown have been covered over, and all Johnsonville Line services have been cancelled as a result until further notice. Metlink is providing bus replacement services, but advised people … Read more

Christchurch Thai massage business fined for exploiting five migrant workers

Source: Radio New Zealand One of the 55 breaches included failing to pay minimum wage. (File photo) 123RF A Christchurch massage business has been fined $210,000 for exploiting migrant workers. Mother’s Thai, operating as Diamond Thai, and its owner Janya Duangjai had already agreed to pay the workers $230,000. But authority member Peter van Keulen … Read more

Chris Hipkins announces Labour will back India free trade deal

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The Labour Party has confirmed it will support the India-NZ free trade deal, giving National and ACT the required numbers to pass it through Parliament. But Labour leader Chris Hipkins said he remained concerned about a commitment in the agreement to promote up to $20 billion (USD) … Read more

Watch live: Chris Hipkins announces Labour will back India free trade deal

Source: Radio New Zealand The Labour Party has confirmed it will support the India-NZ free trade deal, giving National and ACT the required numbers to pass it through Parliament But Chris Hipkins has warned businesses to proceed at their own risk and do their own due diligence. “New Zealand businesses need to go into this … Read more

Hop farmers work to brew new markets; expand US, despite export hurdles

Source: Radio New Zealand Tapawera’s Hop Revolution during the 2026 harvest. SUPPLIED/HOP REVOLUTION Hop farmers who have wrapped up this season’s harvest are flying the flag in the United States, despite is being a complex time for trading with that key market. Thirsty Americans enjoy New Zealand hops in their tap and bottled beers, and … Read more

Police call for petrol stations to go prepay only as fuel thefts rise

Source: Radio New Zealand Global fuel insecurity due to America’s war on Iran has spiked the price of petrol and diesel. Nick Monro Police say there have been 100 extra fuel thefts per week since the price of filling up spiked earlier this year. Global fuel insecurity due to America’s war on Iran has spiked … Read more

A freaky horror that will have you worried during your commute

Source: Radio New Zealand On holiday in Tokyo a few years ago I saw a salaryman tumble down an escalator to the train platform at the bottom. Another man stood above him, as if he might have been responsible. Was there a dispute? Did they even know each other? The man in a heap looked … Read more

New biodiversity plan focuses on turning the tide

Source: New Zealand Government A new implementation plan will sharpen New Zealand’s focus on restoring biodiversity and supporting nature to recover, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. The Government has set out its priorities to restore biodiversity in New Zealand and make a difference for nature, in the ‘Action for Nature’ – Implementation plan for Te Mana … Read more

The 80s called, they want their views back

Source: New Zealand Government A new campaign called “The 80s Calling” was launched today by Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey, with the aim of eliminating discrimination towards people living with HIV.  “New Zealand has made real progress towards eliminating HIV, with locally acquired infections dropping significantly in recent years. But unfortunately, stigma and discrimination remain,” … Read more

Attendance rates increase, again

Source: New Zealand Government Term 1 2026 school attendance data shows attendance rates were higher than any Term 1 since 2022, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says.  Data shows that in Term 1 2026, 68.6% of students attended school regularly. This was an increase from 65.9% in Term 1 2025 (a 2.7 percentage point increase). … Read more

One-footed penguin causes stir in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  23 April 2026 Nikki Grist, a Department of Conservation (DOC) Ranger, says she’s been working with a team of wildlife response volunteers to observe the penguin regularly and sought advice from DOC’s penguin experts. “Currently the penguin is showing normal behaviours and is moving around well – it has been … Read more

Bonjour to investment in New Zealand

Source: New Zealand Government The Government has welcomed a new investment by French luxury fashion house Chanel in New Zealand’s premium agricultural sector. Chanel has invested in a joint venture company to own part of and support Lammermoor Station in the central Otago high country, which produces fine wool for Chanel’s garments. It comes as … Read more

Hundreds of graduates celebrated at EIT Hawke’s Bay ceremonies

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology 23 seconds ago More than 400 graduates crossed the stage in Napier on Wednesday, as EIT held its Hawke’s Bay graduation ceremonies. The two ceremonies, held at the Napier Municipal Theatre, were the first in the region since EIT re-established itself as an independent institute at the start of 2026. … Read more

Arrest made in Wairoa firearms incident

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant John Love, Tairawhiti Area Manager, Investigations: Police investigating a firearms incident in Wairoa have arrested one person and seeking the whereabouts of another for firearms and drug possession. The incident occurred on Thursday 2 April, where a firearm was fired towards a vehicle at a Rata … Read more

All Blacks midfielder Fainga’anuku to start in loose fowards for Crusaders

Source: Radio New Zealand Leicester Fainga’anuku of the Crusaders celebrates his try. © Photosport Ltd 2026 www.photosport.nz All Blacks back Leicester Fainga’anuku has been given a shock start at flanker for the Crusaders. Typically a centre or wing, Fainga’anuku has been named in the loose forwards for Friday night’s Super Rugby clash with the Waratahs. … Read more

Town struggles amid Awakino Gorge closure

Source: Radio New Zealand The slip closing Awakino Gorge. Supplied / NZ Transport Agency The small Waikato town of Mōkau on the west coast of the North Island is being described by locals as a “ghost town” and “dead as a doornail” due to the closure of the Awakino Gorge on State Highway 3. Local … Read more

BNZ joins rivals with interest rate rise

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Quin Tauetau BNZ is the latest major bank to raise interest rates. It has put its one-year rate up by six basis points, to 4.59 percent, its 18-month rate up by the same margin to 4.79 percent and its two-year rate by 20 basis points, to 5.09 percent. Two-year … Read more

Fast DNA sex test “game changer” for conservation

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  23 April 2026 The fast DNA test, developed by Gisborne-based dnature diagnostics & research, is less invasive than traditional testing methods, provides faster results and can be used in the field. DOC Science Advisor for kākāpō and takahē Dr Andrew Digby says knowing the sex of a chick early helps … Read more

Delays at Auckland Airport as Jetstar halts check-ins over tech problem

Source: Radio New Zealand File pic AFP Jetstar check-ins at Auckland have been halted and some of its departures delayed by a technical issue. “Technical teams are onsite working to resolve the issue, and Jetstar has currently paused check-in, with some delays to departing flights today,” Auckland Airport said. “No other domestic flights are affected.” … Read more