Weather live: Highway washed out, flights cancelled as rain, wind hit Wellington, Wairarapa

Source: Radio New Zealand Follow updates in our live blog above. Wellington and Wairarapa have spent the night under a red heavy rain warning, with downpours expected to continue through Tuesday. Wellington was hit by widespread, damaging floods and landslides on overnight on Sunday. Authorities are urging lower North Island residents to stay off the … Read more

Consumer Research – Shocking variation in recent power price increases

Source: Consumer NZ Consumer NZ analysis of the April 1 electricity price rises shows large differences around the country, and those getting hit the hardest can least afford it. “The impact of the increases vary across the country,” says Paul Fuge, Manager of Powerswitch. “In the Far North we found annual cost increases in the … Read more

Govt Cuts – Transport regulation jobs at risk as Govt funding cuts bite – PSA

Source: PSA More than 250 workers at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi face an uncertain future as the Government’s relentless squeeze on spending forces yet another major restructure. Staff in Waka Kotahi’s Regulatory Group were this week briefed on a proposed restructure impacting around 250 positions or around 10% of the total workforce. The plan proposes … Read more

Snapped: Burglar busted on camera

Source: New Zealand Police A man caught rummaging through a Whangārei construction yard will face court today. Just before 11pm on Monday, security monitoring the yard off Okara Drive contacted Police. Whangārei Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Rene Rakete says a man was allegedly removing items off a trailer parked in the yard. He then … Read more

NZ Chinese Language Week – Celebrating UN Chinese language day in NZCLW buildup

Source: New Zealand Chinese Language Week Trust Today’s celebration of Chinese Language Day is a good time to remind people that New Zealand Chinese Language Week is early this year. New Zealand Chinese Language Week will run from June 29 to July 5 2026. NZCLW Trust chair Jo Coughlan says the last week of the … Read more

Save the Children – More than 2.7 million children aged under five in Pakistan face acute malnutrition

Source: Save the Children Over 2.7 million children aged under five in Pakistan are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition before September, as areas of the country still struggle to recover from devastating floods in 2025, Save the Children said. [1] The new analysis from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the world’s leading authority on hunger … Read more

The New Zealand wool that went around the moon

Source: Radio New Zealand File photo. Wool filters in breathing apparatus being tested prior to the Artemis II mission. NASA It’s one for small step for man, one giant leap for New Zealand wool. Auckland-based company Lanaco had its EcoStatic air filters on board the Artemis II mission, NASA’s first crewed lunar flyby in 50 … Read more

‘Hopefully the last of it’: Flood water tears through Wellington pharmacy

Source: Radio New Zealand The owner of an Island Bay pharmacy says he had been lucky to find no extra damage after flood waters ripped through the property on Monday. Wellington’s south coast was one of the worst affected areas during yesterday’s flooding. Unichem owner Duncan Sutherland said he sandbagged the shop overnight, and was … Read more

Tax Reform – IRD recognises the problems but is short on solutions – Tax Justice Aotearoa

Source: Tax Justice Aotearoa 20 April 2026 – Inland Revenue’s Long Term Insights Briefing on the future of New Zealand’s tax system has been welcomed as recognising the need for more government revenue, but it is short on meaningful solutions to solve the problem, says tax reform group Tax Justice Aotearoa (TJA). “IRD draws attention to … Read more

The ’90s movie soundtrack that still makes millennial hearts flutter

Source: Radio New Zealand Backlit by an orange sky, Romeo appears. He smokes on a derelict outdoor stage; the only curtains here the blonde hair framing his face. The moody keyboard of Radiohead’s Talk Show Host swells, a 21-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio comes into focus, and a million teenage crushes are launched. The year is 1996 … Read more

Taking up your kid’s hobby: ‘He opens up, he tells me he loves me’

Source: Radio New Zealand Auckland-based midwife Sandy Wen is not just a mother to teenage chess player Luna Lu, who competes internationally in tournaments. She’s her comrade, her supporter, her teacher, her competitor and team player. When Luna became intrigued by chess pieces at the age of eight during the Covid-19 pandemic, Wen naturally began … Read more

Bro’Town creator no long a ‘faker’, bringing Kung Fu short film to life

Source: Radio New Zealand Graphic artist Ant Sang made a name for himself as head designer of the hit animated series Bro’Townin the early 2000s. But he’s never tackled animation and always felt “like a bit of a faker”, he told RNZ’s Culture 101. “People meet me and they assume that I can do the … Read more

Microsoft announces boost in NZ AI training

Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf Microsoft is boosting its commitment to improving New Zealanders’ skills in artificial intelligence. The company says it is pledging to provide digital and AI training for 200,000 New Zealanders by 2028. It follows an earlier commitment in 2024 to train 100,000 New Zealanders. Microsoft Australia and New Zealand president Jane … Read more

Five retailers facing prosecution for selling nangs

Source: New Zealand Police Retailers across Police’s Central District are facing prosecution for illegally selling nitrous oxide for recreational use, following operations by Police in New Plymouth, Hāwera, Whanganui, Palmerston North, and Levin. Superintendent Dion Bennett, District Commander for Central District, says this is both good and bad news for Police and our communities. “It’s … Read more

Immediate fuel relief for school communities

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is rolling out immediate targeted support to help small, rural and isolated schools manage fuel cost pressures, keep classrooms warm, and ensure students remain engaged in learning, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Global fuel price volatility is hitting some schools harder than others, particularly those that rely on diesel … Read more

Two arrested following attempted aggravated robbery, Christchurch

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Senior Sergeant Gerard Peoples:  Two young people have been arrested after an attempted aggravated robbery in Sockburn, Christchurch, last night. At around 9.40pm, Police were called to Kumai Place with a report that two youth had threatened a person in an attempt to rob them. Thankfully, the victim was … Read more

Indian community welcomes ‘momentous’ free trade deal

Source: Radio New Zealand Christopher Luxon visits Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in New Delhi, India, in March 2025. RNZ / Marika Khabazi New Zealand’s Indian community has welcomed the government’s decision to sign a long-awaited free trade agreement with India next week in New Delhi, describing it as a major milestone in bilateral trade ties. Trade … Read more

Tough grind for Black Caps as Bangladesh wins by six wickets in second one-dayer

Source: Radio New Zealand Follow all the cricket action as the Black Caps take on Bangladesh in their second one day international at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur. It’s the second of three ODI matches, followed by three T20I series matches, taking place during the Black Caps tour of Bangladesh. First ball is at 5pm … Read more

What to know about working for your family

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF As margins tighten, some small and medium-sized businesses are turning to family members to help keep their operations running. However, legal risks can arise when a family “helper” is later found to have effectively been an employee. Employment lawyers say that when a family relationship unravels due to issues such … Read more

Live: Christopher Luxon faces caucus for first time in weeks

Source: Radio New Zealand Follow updates in our live blog above. The prime minister says he has the full support of his caucus, as National MPs gather in Wellington for the first time in nearly three weeks. Parliament’s first sitting day since 2 April comes after a 1News-Verian poll showing the government would be out … Read more

Wellington man Philip Sutton still missing after flooding

Source: Radio New Zealand NZ Police/Supplied There has been no update overnight in the search for a Wellington man, reported missing after flash floods hit the capital. A family member called emergency services around 7am on Monday after being unable to make contact with Philip Sutton, who is aged in his 60s. Sutton’s Karori South … Read more

Anzac Day: What’s open and what’s closed and when?

Source: Radio New Zealand Anzac Day is Saturday, but the holiday will also be marked on Monday with a public holiday. RNZ / Reece Baker Anzac Day is coming, and it’s one of the holidays when many businesses must close for part of the day. On Anzac Day, most shops need to stay shut for … Read more

Dying for a drink? How midlife NZ women think about alcohol

Source: Radio New Zealand For many midlife women busily juggling work and care responsibilities, an evening glass of wine can feel like the perfect antidote. But that everyday habit comes with real risks. Beyond the familiar hangover, alcohol is linked to at least seven types of cancer, including breast, bowel, mouth and throat cancer. Even … Read more

Disabled kea achieves social dominance with one-of-a-kind ‘jousting’ technique

Source: Radio New Zealand Bruce the disabled kea has achieved social dominance with an innovative fighting technique. Supplied / Ximena Nelson A disabled kea has achieved social dominance with an innovative fighting technique. Though he lacks the top half of his beak, Bruce keeps a stiff upper lip. Using his lower mandible as a spear, … Read more

Businesses amped for first sports event at Christchurch’s One NZ Stadium

Source: Radio New Zealand Businesses around Christchurch’s new stadium are buzzing about the first sports match at the $683 million arena on Friday night and making preparations for an influx of patrons. The Crusaders will play the New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific’s Super Round in front of 25,000 people at One New … Read more

Wellington residents prepare for worst as red rain warning continues

Source: Radio New Zealand Brooklyn residents clearing gutters of debris from a slip further up the road. RNZ / Charlotte Cook A woman was so worried about rising floodwaters she decided to sleep in her shop after flash floods ravaged Wellington. The capital and surrounding areas are under a rare red rain warning after days … Read more

Weather live: Red rain warnings all day for flooded Wellington region

Source: Radio New Zealand The Wellington region and Wairarapa have spent the night under a red heavy rain warning, with downpours expected to continue through to late Tuesday. Wellington was hit by widespread, damaging floods and landslides overnight on Sunday following a weekend of storms. Authorities are urging lower North Island residents to stay off … Read more