State of local emergency declared for Ōhura, life-threatening flooding possible

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Source: Radio New Zealand Flooding at the interchange of State Highway 2 – Haywards Interchange on Saturday. Screenshot / Video Josh Hay A state of local emergency has been declared for the small town of Ōhura in the Ruapehu District due to heavy rain. The National Emergency Management Agency is warning that life-threatening flooding is … Read more

Why are people having less sex?

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Source: Radio New Zealand Gen Z’s lack of interest in sex has been shaped by “unfortunate side effects” of the #MeToo movement, skewed self-perception thanks to social media and exposure to pornography at a very young age, says neuroscientist and human sexuality expert Dr Debra Soh. To young women serious about finding a partner, Soh’s … Read more

Do you taste words or hear colours? Here’s the neuroscience behind synaesthesia

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Source: Radio New Zealand Have you ever tasted a word, or seen colours while listening to music? If you have, you may be among the 1 percent to 4 percent of people who have a fascinating trait known as synaesthesia. Synaesthesia is a neurological phenomenon where the activation of one sense, such as hearing, triggers … Read more

NZPA president has heard ‘anecdotally’ staff received threats amid police pay bargaining

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Source: Radio New Zealand Police Association President Steve Watt says any indication that advocacy could result in punishment goes against good-faith bargaining. RNZ/ Phil Pennington The president of the Police Association says he’s heard “anecdotally” of reports that staff have been threatened in regards to police’s code of conduct amid a police pay bargaining campaign. … Read more

Kayakers rescued from rough waters off Auckland beach

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Source: Radio New Zealand Stanmore Bay Beach. RNZ/Nick Monro Two people have been rescued from rough waters, clinging to their kayak 5.7 kilometres off Stanmore Bay Beach. Maritime police were called in on Saturday afternoon after the pair failed to show up at Manly Beach after leaving from Mahurangi earlier. One of the group contacted … Read more

So you want to buy an EV – here’s what your bank could offer

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Source: Radio New Zealand Banks have reported more interest in loans to purchase EVs in recent weeks. RNZ / Mark Papalii More New Zealanders have been thinking about switching to electric vehicles in recent weeks as pressure grows on fuel prices. Banks have reported more interest in loans to purchase EVs and Meridian said it … Read more

Black Fern Ruahei Demant says win over Canada just the start

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Source: Radio New Zealand Black Fern co-captain Ruahei Demant. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant says beating Canada felt good, but the way they beat them felt even better. The Black Ferns avenged their World Cup semi-final loss to Canada last year with a stunning victory in their Pacific Four Series clash in Kansas … Read more

River levels monitored after heavy rain hits Lower Hutt

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Source: Radio New Zealand Hutt River City on Saturday night after the storm. Mark Papalii/RNZ Emergency operations staff in Lower Hutt have been monitoring river levels throughout the night after heavy rain battered the city on Saturday Orange warnings for heavy rain were in place for much of the North Island including: Taranaki, King Country, … Read more

Heavy rain, reports of flooding in lower North Island

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Source: Radio New Zealand The Mayor of Lower Hutt is encouraging people to check on their neighbours in the wake of major flooding today. About 25 homes were evacuated in Stokes Valley. Ken Laban said most of those evacuated had been placed with family or friends, with their welfare team working to place the remaining … Read more

Environmental Protection Authority admits cost of running government’s fast-track process in excess

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Source: Radio New Zealand A Select Committee review of the EPA reveals that, between December 2024 and December 2025, 49 applications were lodged. RNZ The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has admitted that the costs of running the government’s fast-track process are ”well in excess” of what it expected. The agency was granted a $10 million … Read more

Chiefs beat Hurricanes in golden point extra time thriller

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Source: Radio New Zealand Chiefs’ Xavier Roe attacks during their Super Rugby Pacific match against the Hurricanes at FMG Stadium, Hamilton, 18 April 2026. Photosport The Chiefs have claimed a thrilling extra-time 22-17 Super Rugby Pacific victory over the Hurricanes in Hamilton. With the scores locked at 17-all at fulltime, Super Point was introduced with … Read more

Matt Payne cruises in for Supercars victory in Christchurch

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Source: Radio New Zealand Matt Payne celebrates his win in race 12 of the Supercars championship at Ruapuna Raceway, Christchurch. Mark Horsburgh/EDGE Photographic A loose wheel upended Matt Payne’s chance of victory in Supercars race 11, but he proved dominant in race 12. The Auckland driver won by 11.6 seconds from Broc Feeney, with James … Read more

VinFast signs partnerships with 14 e-scooter dealers in the Philippines, accelerating nationwide network expansion

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Source: Media Outreach MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 April 2026 – VinFast today announced the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on strategic cooperation with 14 e-scooter distributors in the Philippines. The agreements demonstrate VinFast’s ability to rapidly scale its retail network, while further affirming its long-term commitment to advancing green mobility … Read more

China lodges ‘serious protest’ over NZ Air Force’s conduct near its air space; NZDF denies disruption

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Source: Radio New Zealand China has urged New Zealand to abide by international law and basic norms governing international. RNZ / Richard Tindiller China says it has lodged a serious complaint over the New Zealand Air Force’s alleged repeated harassment near its airspace, which the Defence Force denies. Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign … Read more

Netball: Steel stun highly-rated Stars after ‘unacceptable’ second quarter collapse

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Source: Radio New Zealand Carys Stythe of the Steel had a big game. Joshua Devenie / Photosport The highly-fancied Stars have been brought back to earth by the Southern Steel in round two of netball’s ANZ Premiership with a deflating 69-60 loss in Invercargill. A massive 21-7 second quarter blitz by the Steel left the … Read more

Kiwi boxer Lani Daniels claims three world titles with TKO victory

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Source: Radio New Zealand Lani Daniels lands a right hand to the jaw of Shadasia Green during their IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine championship bout at Madison Square Garden, New York, April 17, 2026 AFP New Zealand boxer Lani Daniels has claimed three world titles with a TKO victory over Shadasia Green, but triumph turned … Read more

Taupō dirt bike rider arrested as police crackdown on dangerous driving

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Source: Radio New Zealand Police seized a man’s dirtbike and arrested him for dangerous driving. Police/Supplied An 18-year-old Taupō rider was arrested and had his dirt bike seized after speeding in residential areas and public roads. Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Yardley said police had been targeting the use of off-road motorcycles on local roads. “We’ve … Read more

SH 2 through Waioweka Gorge closed due to slip

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Source: Radio New Zealand State Highway 2 through Waioweka Gorge is closed. NZTA/Screenshot Forecasted rain and an unstable slip has closed State Highway 2 through Waioweka Gorge. The Bay of Plenty, East of Whakatāne River, is under an Orange Heavy Rain Warning from 3am Sunday through to 4pm. The Transport Agency said it will remain … Read more

Live: Super Rugby Pacific – Hurricanes v Chiefs

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Source: Radio New Zealand Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action, as the Hurricanes take on the Chiefs at FMG Stadium. After dispatching the Blues 42-19 in Wellington, the competition leaders head to Hamilton for another top-of-the-table clash. “We were pretty proud of our performance [against the Blues],” Hurricanes midfielder Billy Proctor said. ”We’re happy … Read more

China lodges ‘serious protest’ over NZ Air Force’s conduct in its air space; NZDF denies disruption

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Source: Radio New Zealand China has urged New Zealand to abide by international law and basic norms governing international. RNZ / Richard Tindiller China says it has lodged a serious complaint over the New Zealand Air Force’s alleged repeated harassment near its airspace, which the Defence Force denies. Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign … Read more

China lodges ‘serious protest’ over NZ Air Force’s conduct in its air space

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Source: Radio New Zealand China has urged New Zealand to abide by international law and basic norms governing international. RNZ / Richard Tindiller China says it has lodged a serious complaint over the New Zealand Air-force’s repeated harassment near its airspace. Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Guo Jiakun said that a P-8A … Read more

Police ask public for help after burglary in Auckland suburb

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Source: Radio New Zealand Police are asking the public to help identify a man involved in a burglary in Glen Innes. RNZ / REECE BAKER Police are asking for help to identify a man involved in a burglary in the Auckland suburb of Glen Innes. An investigation is underway after the occupants awoke to an … Read more

Overdue kayakers rescued after Stanmore Bay trip

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Source: New Zealand Police Police Maritime responded to a search and rescue incident this afternoon after a group of kayakers were reported overdue off the coast in the Stanmore Bay area. The group had set off from Mahurangi intending to paddle to Manly Beach. When one double kayak failed to arrive as expected and sea … Read more

Live: NRL – NZ Warriors v Gold Coast Titans

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Source: Radio New Zealand Follow all the NRL action, as NZ Warriors take on Gold Coast Titans at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. The Warriors will be riding high, after snapping a 17-game, 11-year losing streak against Melbourne Storm 38-14 last weekend. While the struggling Titans have just two wins from six games so far … Read more