Kiwibank hit by online outage

Source: Radio New Zealand Kiwibank Kiwibank says some customers are having problem accessing its app an internet banking. “We’re working to restore services, and we apologise for the inconvenience.” It said cards and ATMs were still working. Customers on social media complained about the interruption. One said she was trying to transfer money to pay … Read more

Honey exporter Comvita moves to recapitalise business with $30m of new shares

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF Honey exporter Comvita is taking steps to recapitalise the business, with an offer of up to $30 million of new shares at 65 cents each. “The capital raise and refinancing package mark a significant milestone for Comvita as we continue to execute against our strategic plan,” chair Bridget Coates said. … Read more

Former All Blacks captain Taine Randell standing as New Zealand First candidate

Source: Radio New Zealand Former All Blacks captain Taine Randell will stand as a New Zealand First candidate at this year’s election. Taine Randell Getty Images / Sandra Mu Randell played 51 tests for the All Blacks between 1997 and 2002, captaining the side 22 times. He also had a lengthy career with Otago and … Read more

Ryman Healthcare’s fourth quarter sales up 10 percent on last year

Source: Radio New Zealand The Middle East conflict hadn’t affected Ryman Healthcare’s broader business to date, its chief executive said. Supplied Ryman Healthcare’s fourth quarter sales are down 23 percent on the third quarter, but up 10 percent on the year earlier. The retirement village operator’s total sales for the three months ended March totalled … Read more

The Boys actor Karl Urban on thrilling final season

Source: Radio New Zealand As The Boys enters its fifth and final season, Karl Urban says the stakes have never been higher. Playing the gravel‑voiced, vengeance‑fuelled Billy Butcher, Urban says his character has “turned himself into the very thing that he despises the most” in his mission to destroy corrupt superheroes. “The sort of really … Read more

Security breach at Auckland Airport leads to major delays

Source: Radio New Zealand Major delays were reported on Wednesday morning with long queues in the domestic terminal RNZ Long queues at Auckland Airport are starting to clear after a security breach caused major delays. Wait times to go through security checks had been up to about an hour on Wednesday morning, with queues building … Read more

Minister welcomes Landcorp special dividend

Source: New Zealand Government The Government will receive a $10 million special dividend from Landcorp Farming Limited today, State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown says.  “We expect our state-owned enterprises to operate efficiently, maintain strong balance sheets, and return value to New Zealanders,” Mr Brown says. “Including this payment, Landcorp will have returned a total … Read more

Auckland celebrates an air quality ‘victory lap’

Source: Auckland Council Aucklanders have good reason to take a deep breath; the region’s air quality has improved steadily over the past two decades, with scientists reporting encouraging progress in reducing pollution from vehicles and other sources.  But experts say there’s still work to do to keep that progress going.  In a new report ‘Auckland … Read more

Karl Urban on The Boys, friendship with Antony Starr and AI

Source: Radio New Zealand Amazon Actor Karl Urban says his latest show has parallels to what the world is currently dealing with in regards to AI. The actor has just wrapped up filming on the fifth, and final, season of superhero series The Boys. He was known for earlier roles on Shortland Street, Xena: Warrior … Read more

Dunedin to get new Crisis Recovery Café

Source: New Zealand Government Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has today announced the second South Island Crisis Recovery Café will open in Dunedin. “Talking to people with lived experience, the feedback has been clear. Sitting in a brightly lit, busy emergency department is not the best environment to be in when in mental distress. That’s … Read more

Waikato community rallies to gift new home to healthcare worker after house fire

Source: Radio New Zealand A Waikato community is coming together to support long-serving healthcare worker Billie Gillet-Kati, whose home was destroyed in a 2021 fire. Supplied / Te Kōhao Health / Tetoa Benioni A Waikato community is rallying behind a Māori health worker who lost her home in a fire, with whānau, businesses and volunteers … Read more

Queues build at Auckland Airport as flights delayed

Source: Radio New Zealand Major delays were reported on Wednesday morning with long queues in the domestic terminal RNZ There are major delays at Auckland Airport, with plane departures being held up. Long queues to go through security checks are winding right through the domestic terminal. Travellers were being warned wait times at security were … Read more

Naomi Ballantyne, Rosanne Meo among seven named as Business Hall of Fame Laureates

Source: Radio New Zealand Naomi Ballantyne, left, and Dame Rosanne Meo are among the seven business people named as Business Hall of Fame Laureates. Greg Bowker / APO/ Adrian Malloch Seven business leaders who have made a significant and lasting impact on the economic and social development of New Zealand will be inducted into the … Read more

Waitangi Tribunal begins urgent inquiry into school Treaty obligations and curriculum changes

Source: Radio New Zealand The tino rangatiratanga haki (flag) outside Parliament on the day of the Treaty Principles Bill introduction. RNZ / Emma Andrews An urgent inquiry into the government’s decision to remove school boards’ legal obligation to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and overhaul the national curriculum is underway, with iwi and … Read more

Whistleblower sparks investigation into Health New Zealand’s medical scanning services

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ has reported extensively on districts struggling with technology and radiology workforce shortages. (File photo) 123rf A whistleblower sparked an investigation by a top lawyer into Health New Zealand’s medical scanning services. The agnecy said Michael Heron KC would lead an independent investigation after a protected disclosure about radiology services. An … Read more

Celebrating ‘outlandish, avant-garde, maverick houses’

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand architect Claude Megson designed a series of experimental, individual, geometrically complex homes in Auckland in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. New Zealand born, and now London-based architect Giles Reid was taught by Megson at AUT, he told RNZ’s Nine to Noon. While less well known than New Zealand architectural … Read more

Rakiura / Stewart Island residents face costly trips to mainland for health care

Source: Radio New Zealand Shona Sangster says GP shortages on the mainland add to the pressure of Rakiura residents accessing healthcare. RNZ / Mark Papalii Health New Zealand is reviewing how healthcare is delivered on Stewart Island after a survey raised serious concerns about the cost and difficulty of seeing a doctor. It has been … Read more

Timaru cafe inundated with calls after AI tool lists phone number for hospital

Source: Radio New Zealand The phone number for Sopheze Coffee Lounge has been offered up when people search for Timaru Hospital. Google Maps / Screenshot A Timaru café’s phone has been ringing off the hook but unfortunately many aren’t seeking a top-notch toastie – instead they’re after a doctor. Google’s Gemini Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool … Read more

Far North Mayor Moko Tepania says council ‘unfairly targeted’

Source: Radio New Zealand Far North Mayor Moko Tepania has defended having unelected iwi representatives on the council’s Māori liaison committee. NZME Far North Mayor Moko Tepania has defended having unelected iwi representatives on the council’s Māori liaison committee – and says the Far North is being unfairly targeted because it’s just one of 57 … Read more

Injured teen star Sam Ruthe won’t be rushed back onto the track

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand runner Sam Ruthe PHOTOSPORT No time frame yet on a possible return to the track for teen running star Sam Ruthe. The 17 year old revealed at the weekend that he had suffered a stress fracture in his leg. It put into doubt his plan for the year which … Read more

Fuel crisis: Support workers challenge government to do their job for a day

Source: Radio New Zealand Helen says most support workers earn the minimum wage. RNZ / Charlotte Cook Support workers suggest the government spend a day with them to understand why an increase to 82 cents per kilometre is a joke. The government has announced a temporary 30 percent increase in mileage reimbursement rates for home … Read more

New Zealanders’ trust in news is up after years of slumps

Source: Radio New Zealand Dr Merja Myllylahti and Dr Greg Treadwell from the AUT’s Centre for Journalism, Media and Democracy. RNZ / Jeremy Ansell “News and information you can trust,” a serious voice intoned at 7.30am last Monday morning – with a suitably serious soundtrack – before the familiar voice of Nicola Wright kicked in … Read more

What has happened to my Sharesies?

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ’s money correspondent Susan Edmunds is questioning her paltry returns from Sharesies. RNZ / Marika Khabazi Share markets have had a pretty good run over the past decade – albeit with some notable blips. Why then, has my share portfolio via Sharesies had a relatively dismal return? Sharesies displays a “simple … Read more

Would you pay a Temu tax?

Source: Radio New Zealand An organisation representing retailers wants a levy imposed on people shopping at retailers such as Temu and Shein. Nikos Pekiaridis / NurPhoto via AFP Would you pay a tax on Temu to help support local retail? New Zealand’s clothing retail sector has been hit particularly hard by a downturn in spending, … Read more

RNZ remains New Zealand’s most trusted news brand, survey reveals

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ holds its top spot as New Zealand’s most trusted news brand. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone RNZ has held its top spot as New Zealand’s most trusted news brand in the latest Trust in News in Aotearoa New Zealand report. The seventh annual report by AUT’s Journalism, Media and Democracy research … Read more

Scottish island where Kiwi monk Justin Evans went missing not entirely isolated – local councillor

Source: Radio New Zealand Stephen Clackson (C) and his wife Ute in the refectory during a visit with The Sons of The Most Holy Redeemer on Papa Stronsay. Supplied / Stephen Clackson A councillor for the small Scottish island where a young Kiwi monk went missing from says the island is not entirely isolated. Police … Read more

The danger of house plants going rogue

Source: Radio New Zealand Monstera plants – and other invasive houseplants – are popping up in the wild, says University of Auckland ecology professor Margaret Stanley. Stanley estimates about 20 introduced species begin breeding in the wild each year. It’s often not that plants are “escaping” homes, but people dumping them when they think they’re … Read more