Rising heating costs close Hokitika Pool

Source: Radio New Zealand The council posted on social media, announcing the pool will shut for roughly three to six months. Google Maps/Screenshot The Westland District Council will temporarily close the Hokitika swimming pool amid the rising cost to keep it heated. The council posted on social media, announcing the pool will shut for roughly … Read more

Government’s diesel partnership good for supply not for price, Business NZ says

Source: Radio New Zealand Business New Zealand’s head of advocacy Catherine Beard. Supplied / Business NZ Businesses say the government’s deal with Z Energy for an emergency diesel reserve is reassuring in case of supply disruption, but will not help with high prices. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Tuesday announced the deal which will see … Read more

Support to lift cultural status of vocational training to equal a university education

Source: Radio New Zealand “A tradie can earn as much as a policy analyst,” says Michael Johnston. Supplied/ Unsplash – Josh Olalde There’s increasing support to lift the cultural status of vocational training to equal that of a university education. A report by The New Zealand Initiative largely supports a Ministry of Education proposal to … Read more

School enrolments forecast to drop after reaching record high last year

Source: Radio New Zealand The latest Education Ministry forecast suggests the number of children at school is dropping. 123RF The latest Education Ministry forecast suggests the number of children at school is dropping after reaching a record high last year. The annual National School Roll Projections said there were 849,385 children at school in 2025 … Read more

Inquest begins into death of teen Karnin Petera during Abbey Caves school trip

Source: Radio New Zealand Karnin Petera, 15, died during a school caving trip in 2023. SUPPLIED An inquest into the death of 15-year-old Karnin Petera – who was swept away by floodwaters during a school caving trip three years ago – is due to get underway in Whangārei Thursday morning. Sixteen other Whangārei Boys’ High … Read more

Business NZ say Govt’s Z partnership good for supply not for price

Source: Radio New Zealand Business New Zealand’s head of advocacy Catherine Beard. Supplied / Business NZ Businesses say the government’s deal with Z Energy for an emergency diesel reserve is reassuring in case of supply disruption, but will not help with high prices. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Tuesday announced the deal which will see … Read more

Phancy Group Launches PhanthyModel

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 April 2026 – Phancy Group Co., Ltd. (Stock Code: 6682.HK), a leading Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) company, today announced the launch of PhanthyModel, a powerful new AI tool built specifically for scientists, engineers, and developers. By enabling AI to train and refine models, … Read more

$500m+ to be invested in new South Island industrial expansion

Source: Impact pR Over $500m will be invested in expanding the South Island’s food, manufacturing and construction supply chain infrastructure over the next five years. The investment in Christchurch’s Hornby Quadrant comes as the precinct is integrated into a new $5.5 billion, 860-hectare regional manufacturing and export logistics network designed to connect Canterbury with the … Read more

ISCA Highlights Year of Investment and Growth at AGM With Accumulated Reserves at $116 Million, Measured at Fair Value

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 April 2026 – The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) held its 2025/2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 24 April 2026, where members reflected on a year of deliberate investment to strengthen member value and looked ahead to the priorities for the year ahead. The … Read more

Cyberport and NSTDA’s Thailand Science Park Sign MoU to Accelerate I&T Collaborations beyond Borders Synergising Bilateral Ecosystem to Augment I&T Impact in ASEAN Markets

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 April 2026 – Cyberport today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) acting through Thailand Science Park (TSP), to establish a strategic partnership that strengthens innovation and technology (I&T) collaboration between Hong Kong and Thailand. Cyberport … Read more

Employment indicators: March 2026 – Stats NZ information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand Employment indicators: March 2026 – information release 28 April 2026 Employment indicators provide an early indication of changes in the labour market. Key facts Changes in the seasonally adjusted filled jobs for the March 2026 month (compared with the February 2026 month) were: all industries – up 0.3 percent (5,983 jobs) to … Read more

Moths and butterflies face widespread decline

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  28 April 2026 Their decline matters because as well as being a much-loved part of the natural environment, moths and butterflies are well-known pollinators and food for birds, and an essential part of ecosystems. An independent panel of experts has assessed the conservation status of 498 Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) … Read more

Ant International Launches Open-Sourced Agentic Mobile Protocol to Drive AI Commerce

Source: Media Outreach Agentic Mobile Protocol (AMP) is the world’s first agentic payment framework designed for mobile interfaces, including digital wallets, super apps, and wearable devices. Fully open-sourced, the protocol enables LLMs, platforms and merchants’ seamless agentic connection to 4.4 billion digital wallet users worldwide through simple and secure integration. KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media … Read more

Universities – Scientists welcome new blood donation policy – UoA

Source: University of Auckland – UoA University of Auckland research has helped inform a change in blood-donation policy. TUESDAY 28 APRIL: Population health researchers are excited to have helped inform a policy change by the New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS). From 4 May, every blood donor will be asked the same questions about their sexual … Read more

VANUATU: New climate-resilient classroom opens after fundraising boost from Kiwi and Australian adventurers

Source: Save the Children PORT VILA, Vanuatu 27 APRIL 2026 – A new, climate resilient classroom built using container architecture has opened in Vanuatu – one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world [1] – to keep children learning even when disasters damage school infrastructure, Save the Children said. The opening of the classroom comes … Read more

2nd MOTIFX – Embracing the Beauty of Chinese Culture A Surreal Garden of Botanical Patterns Blooms at Home InStyle & Fashion InStyle 2026

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 April 2026 – Following its successful presentation at LANDMARK, Central in March, the 2nd MOTIFX – Embracing the Beauty of Chinese Culture will be showcased at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 27 to 30 April 2026, as part of Home … Read more

Universities – Microplastics pose threat to marine life – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA) Microplastics are having toxic effects on tiny creatures on the seafloor – and the ripple effect could throw the marine environment out of balance, says University of Auckland research fellow Dr Yuxi You. Her recent research shows a bamboo worm – Macroclymenella stewartensis – is less active and less able … Read more

Save the Children Report: 15 years since devastating famine, Somalia faces new disaster – drought without aid

Source: Save the Children Families in Somalia are confronting a new catastrophe, with hunger and humanitarian needs soaring, a worsening drought, and aid levels at unprecedented lows, said Save the Children. In a new report, When Aid Disappears, Childhood Disappears Too , Save the Children reveals how the collapse of international aid funding to Somalia in 2025 may … Read more

NZ Drug Foundation – Overdose Good Samaritan Bill to be debated in Parliament

Source: New Zealand Drug Foundation A law change that would provide legal protections for people seeking help in the event of an overdose could to be debated in Parliament for the first time tomorrow. The Drug Overdose (Assistance Protection) Legislation Bill, a member’s bill in the name of Green MP Kahurangi Carter, would provide explicit … Read more

Freight access protected during critical Tiniroto Road repairs

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Transporting New Zealand says improved access arrangements for urgent Tiniroto Road repairs are a positive step after initial closure plans threatened major disruption to freight and the local community. Membership Manager, Lindsay Calvi-Freeman says getting work underway ahead of winter is important given the poor condition of the road. … Read more

Employment Disputes – Fire and Emergency reminds public to be extra careful while strike action takes place

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand is warning the public that the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) will be undertaking a strike tomorrow morning, Wednesday 29 April, between 7.30am and 8.30am. The NZPFU has indicated its intention to continue twice-weekly strikes. “I want to reassure the public that all 111 … Read more

Blood donation policy reform marks long-awaited step toward inclusion – Burnett Foundation

Source: Burnett Foundation Aotearoa Burnett Foundation Aotearoa welcomes the New Zealand Blood Service’s move toward more equitable, behaviour-based donor screening. This change enables more people – including gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men – to donate blood, while maintaining the high standards New Zealanders expect with blood safety. For more … Read more

Events – Firefighters race it out on Wellington waterfront in UFBA national championship

Source: United Fire Brigades’ Association New Zealanders will have a front-row seat to the strength, skill and determination of the country’s firefighters as Wellington hosts a high-energy national championship this week. On Friday 1 and Saturday 2 May, more than 160 firefighters from across Aotearoa – including volunteer, career, airport and defence force crews – will … Read more

World Vision – Give a gift that gives twice this Mother’s Day

Source: World Vision World Vision’s ethical gift catalogue offers New Zealanders a meaningful way to celebrate mums, while helping families around the world This Mother’s Day, New Zealanders looking for a meaningful alternative to flowers or chocolates are being encouraged to choose an ethical gift that changes lives. Gifts from World Vision New Zealand’s Gift … Read more

PSA – Snap rally outside Birthright Hutt Valley tomorrow to save the service

Source: PSA The PSA has organised a snap rally outside Birthright Hutt Valley tomorrow after last week’s announcement of the service’s proposed closure sparked an outpouring of public outcry. Single mother, Sheyaine Sanson, who has been supported by Birthright for nearly 7 years said “I’ve gone through some pretty hard things in my life and Birthright … Read more

Cost Builder – Fuel pressure building as construction costs hold steady

Source: Quality Valuation – QV Construction price rises remain relatively contained, despite significant fuel pressures. The latest QV CostBuilder monthly update incorporates more than 11,000 of the latest material price movements across six main centres, offering a detailed view of how construction costs are responding to current market pressures. It shows that overall construction cost … Read more

Asia NZ Foundation – Report highlights untapped Pacific role in New Zealand’s engagement with Asia

Source: Asia New Zealand Foundation As Asia cements its status as a global hub of innovation and growth, new research shows Pacific New Zealanders have deep, and often underutilised, connections with the region.     A survey of 348 Pacific New Zealanders found they are 26 percent more likely to be interested in Asian languages and 20 … Read more