Health Tech – Major diagnostic imaging expansion brings advanced imaging closer to home for Otago and Southland patients

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Source: RHCNZ Patients across Otago and Southland are set to benefit from a major expansion of diagnostic imaging services, with PET-CT technology now permanently based in the region for the first time at Pacific Radiology’s new Dunedin Central clinic. Pacific Radiology Group (PRG), the South Island’s largest diagnostic imaging provider, officially opened its purpose-built clinic on … Read more

Master Plumbers welcomes practical changes to proposed self-certification scheme for plumbers and drainlayers

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Source: Master Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Master Plumbers welcomes the government’s moves to strengthen a self-certification scheme that will enable certified plumbers and drainlayers to sign-off on their own work. “We have advocated strongly for self-certification for years and have worked closely with the Minister to ensure it will deliver the cost and time-saving benefits intended,” … Read more

Recreation – Ducks In A Row For Bumper Game Bird Season

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Source: Fish and Game NZ What’s been a “rubbish” summer for campers and beachgoers has duck hunters in the lower North Island rubbing their hands together in anticipation of a bumper waterfowl season, which starts next weekend (May 2/3). Wellington Fish & Game manager Phil Teal says a range of factors have aligned in the lead … Read more

Fire Safety – Fire ban lifted in three areas of Otago

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Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand is revoking the restricted fire seasons for Otago Central, Lakes, and Upper Waitaki zones from 8am, Thursday 23 April, until further notice. This means you do not need to apply for a permit from Fire and Emergency New Zealand to light an outdoor fire in … Read more

Education – Education sector backlash against Government’s curriculum reforms intensifies

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Source: NZ Principals Federation The education sector is demanding that the Government pause the rollout of its rushed curriculum reforms as opposition to the direction, scope, and pace of change continues to swell. A joint statement to the Minister of Education opposing the rushed and poorly designed changes has seen a surge in support, with more … Read more

Does hard work make you better off? More New Zealanders aren’t convinced

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Source: Radio New Zealand Shamubeel Eaqub, co-author of the latest Social Cohesion report Supplied Financial stress is putting pressure on New Zealand’s social cohesion, a new report says. The second Social Cohesion in New Zealand report by the Helen Clark Foundation said the country’s social fabric was “fraying on almost every measure”. The survey of … Read more

Wellington storm damage could reach hundreds of million of dollars, Mayor says

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Source: Radio New Zealand Wellington Mayor Andrew Little says costs of damage to Wellington in the recent storm could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars He is calling for donations from locals who could afford to kick in cash or things like furniture, saying some families have lost everything. The calls came during … Read more

Update: Goat deaths, Pōkeno

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Source: New Zealand Police Police can now provide an update regarding the investigation into the deaths of 18 goats at a Pōkeno property last week. Further investigations have taken place and Police have since established that it’s likely the goats have not been shot, but instead attacked and killed by dogs. Counties Manukau South Area … Read more

Online Casino Gambling Bill passes third reading

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Source: New Zealand Government The Online Casino Gambling Bill has passed its third and final reading, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.   The new regulatory regime strengthens consumer protections and ensures that a share of online casino gambling revenue goes back to communities across the country.   “The Bill also supports the coalition agreement by closing the gambling tax loophole and requiring licensed online casino … Read more

DOC and Northland deploy new trap to catch invasive turtles

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Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  23 April 2026 Designed to safely capture these non-native turtles, the modified basking trap is intended to target key breeding sites around the North Island, geographically spread from Kerikeri to Horowhenua. DOC Freshwater Ecosystems and Threats Technical Advisor Phoenix Hale says DOC and NRC worked together to make modifications to … Read more

Chance Voight group investors face a ‘substantial shortfall’ according to liquidators report

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Source: Radio New Zealand A Canterbury investment company appears to have used investors’ money to fund personal interests of its director and his family members, while investors face a “substantial shortfall”, according to an interim liquidators report. In December 2025, the Financial Markets Authority sought the liquidation of Rangiora-based Chance Voight Investment Corporation Limited (CVICL), … Read more

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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