First official breeding colony milestone for pakake

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  29 April 2026 This would be the first breeding colony on mainland New Zealand, excluding Rakiura, for 150 years. To be considered a breeding colony, at least 35 pups need to be born for five consecutive seasons. Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou CEO Nadia Wesley-Smith says this is an important milestone … Read more

UAE’s departure from OPEC ‘radical move’ – energy expert

Source: Radio New Zealand An ADNOC Gas facility, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. The UAE has been an OPEC member through the emirate of Abu Dhabi since 1967. AFP / Ryan Lim The United Arab Emirates’ decision to quit the OPEC and OPEC+ groups of major oil-producing countries is a “radical … Read more

TUANZ seeks ‘bold leadership’ from government over AI worker training, national framework

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ A deep-tech talent shortage is among the emerging risks to New Zealand’s productivity as AI-powered business systems reshape how skills develop on the job. The Technology Users Association’s (TUANZ) 2026 Digital Priorities Report, developed in collaboration with One NZ, highlights how technological advances are at risk of being undermined by … Read more

Women take top prizes at Pureora Hunting Competition

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  29 April 2026 The 6-week event was run by the Department of Conservation’s Maniapoto team, with support from the NZ Deerstalkers Association (NZDA), and has been a fixture for local hunters for more than 30 years. Running from 14 March to 26 April, the competition was open to any permitted … Read more

Government cracking down on large nitrous oxide canisters as misuse continues to grow

Source: Radio New Zealand Canisters of nitrous oxide left in a South Auckland car park (file image). RNZ / Rose Garratt Large nitrous oxide canisters will automatically be classed as psychoactive substances if they do not have a lawful use, with the government introducing measures to crack down on their misuse. The gas has common … Read more

Proposed leave bill will make workers’ lives ‘materially worse’, select committee hears

Source: Radio New Zealand Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Part-time and shift workers have told MPs they’ll lose money under proposed leave entitlement changes – but the minister in charge says that’s unavoidable. On Wednesday morning, the Education and Workforce Select Committee heard submissions on the Employment Leave Bill, which … Read more

Can your nervous system really be overloaded? Can it reset?

Source: Radio New Zealand You might have heard people talking about their nervous system being “overloaded” or “dysregulated” when they’re going through periods of heightened stress. Or perhaps you’ve been offered ways to “heal” or “reset” your nervous system on social media or at expensive wellness retreats. What does the nervous system do? The autonomic … Read more

The Weed Eaters asks: why bury a body when you can just eat it, maybe with some tomato sauce?

Source: Radio New Zealand In the microbudget horror comedy The Weed Eaters, a group of bumbling townies get high on someone else’s supply with grisly and ridiculous consequences. Jules (Alice May Connolly) gives up partying with her friends for New Year’s Eve, and instead goes away with her boyfriend Brian (Finnius Teppett) and two of … Read more

Disgraced immigration adviser Qian Yu faces a further $25,000 in fines

Source: Radio New Zealand Liberty Consulting Group Limited in Rosedale, Auckland. RNZ / Gill Bonnett A disgraced immigration adviser has been fined a further $25,000 for fabricating an official immigration letter, lying to clients and failing to file visa applications. “This is one of those rare cases where an adviser must be removed from the … Read more

Massey University’s Albany campus evacuated over fire in classroom

Source: Radio New Zealand Smoke seen rising from the roof of a Massey University building. Calvin Samuel Students and staff have been evacuated from Massey University’s Albany campus in Auckland due to a fire. Fire and Emergency says 10 fire trucks are at the campus fighting a fire in a classroom on the top floor. … Read more

Cracking down on nitrous oxide misuse

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is taking further steps to tighten controls on nitrous oxide to reduce harm and curb its illegitimate use, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. Large canisters with no lawful use will automatically be classified as psychoactive substances Imports of nitrous oxide will require approval from … Read more

Police appeal after aggravated robbery at business in Christchurch’s Somerfield

Source: Radio New Zealand Supplied / NZ Police Police investigating an aggravated robbery in Christchurch are appealing for help from the public. Officers were called to a business on Milton Street in Somerfield after an employee and a member of the public were allegedly threatened with a weapon on 17 April. “Thankfully they were uninjured, … Read more

Firefighters battle large industrial building fire in Timaru

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Nate McKinnon Firefighters are battling a fire at an industrial premises in Timaru. Fire and Emergency NZ were called to a fire in High Street shortly before 9am on Wednesday. A spokesperson said the building, which was 30 metres by 40 metres in size, was engulfed in fire when … Read more

HIPC Rule 3A: Notification requirements for indirect collection of health information

Source: Privacy Commissioner IPP3A is about an agency’s obligations when it collects personal information indirectly (collecting from someone other than the person themselves). Under IPP3A, if an agency collects someone’s personal information indirectly, they are required to notify them, unless one of the listed exceptions applies. We have general guidance on the requirements of IPP3A … Read more

Aviation Sector – Civil Aviation rules update work launched – CAA

Source: Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Published date: 29 April 2026 – Acting Minister of Transport James Meager has announced details of the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) rules update programme which aims to modernise New Zealand’s civil aviation rules, increase alignment with international standards, and be more responsive to the aviation sector’s needs. CAA is focused on … Read more

Education – Historic MECA negotiations in polytechnic sector begin

Source: Tertiary Education Union Negotiations between Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union (TEU) and Aotearoa New Zealand polytechnics for a multi-employer collective agreement (MECA) commence this May Day, Friday 1 May. TEU members are seeking a two-year term, and real pay increases that are not absorbed or overtaken by the rising cost of living but … Read more

Appointments – Fonterra announces interim leadership changes

Source: Fonterra Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has today announced interim changes to the leadership of its Global Ingredients business ahead of Richard Allen, current President Global Ingredients, stepping into Fonterra’s CEO role on 1st May 2026. Elisa Giusti, Fonterra’s Executive Vice President Global Ingredients Growth based in Chicago, will assume the role of President Global Ingredients … Read more

Policy – Ageing not the crisis – lack of planning is, says aged care sector

Source: Aged Care Association The Aged Care Association says a new report from the Koi Tū Centre for Informed Futures, highlighted in today’s New Zealand Herald, points to a challenge the sector has been raising for years but fails to reflect that the consequences are already being felt. The report, People, Place and Prosperity: The Case … Read more

Banking – ASB makes changes to home loan and term deposit rates

Source: ASB ASB has today increased its fixed home loan rates across 12-month to 4-year terms by between 6 and 16 basis points, and it’s 5-year term by 20 basis points. To support savers, ASB has also lifted term deposit rates by between 5 and 20 basis points across 12-month to 4-year terms. ASB’s Executive … Read more

PSA – Police pause on mental health withdrawal must be start of wider backdown

Source: PSA A decision by Police to pause the fourth stage of their withdrawal from mental health support is a welcome but damning admission that this reckless programme has failed workers and patients from the start. This final fourth phase of the Mental Health Change Programme would have seen Police only required to wait with people … Read more

ASB joins other banks in pushing up interest rates

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / DOM THOMAS ASB has joined the other main banks in pushing up interest rates. It increased its fixed home loan rates across 12-month to four-year terms by between six and 16 basis points, and its five-year term by 20 basis points. Its one-year rate lifts by six basis points … Read more

Investment in local start-ups holding up despite geopolitical uncertainty

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Quin Tauetau Rising geopolitical uncertainty from the war in Iran does not appear to be putting off investment in new local start-ups, although it has had some impact. The latest Catalist New Zealand Angel Market Report for the first quarter shows around $1.8 million was invested across 34 deals … Read more

Devonport–Takapuna Local Board declines Statue of Peace proposal for Barry’s Point Reserve

Source: Auckland Council The Devonport–Takapuna Local Board has resolved to decline an application from the Korean Garden Trust to install a Statue of Peace at Barry’s Point Reserve in Takapuna. The proposal sought landowner approval to establish a bronze sculpture and associated plaque intended to honour survivors of wartime sexual violence. Local board chair Trish … Read more

Why it’s not too early to start thinking about the US 2028 presidential election – seriously

Source: Radio New Zealand Potential 2028 US presidential candidates could include, clockwise from top left, Republicans Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, or even wild cards like former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, while Democrats Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris all show up in … Read more

Finalists announced for manufacturing awards

Source: New Zealand Government The finalists of the annual Minister for Manufacturing Awards reflect the innovation, creativity and tenacity of the industry, Minister of Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Cameron Brewer says. Cameron Brewer announced the finalists today. In its second year, the awards recognise outstanding businesses and individuals in the manufacturing industry. He says … Read more

Duck season: Not all ducks are fair game

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  29 April 2026 With duck hunting season opening on Saturday, the Department of Conservation is asking hunters out naturing to double check their target is not a whio/blue duck or pāteke/brown teal. Taranaki has an increasing population of whio in and around Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki, and pāteke present in and around … Read more

Man facing firearms charge after police raid in Coromandel

Source: Radio New Zealand Hamilton District Court. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly A man is facing firearms charges after a police raid in the Coromandel on Wednesday morning. A police spokesperson said they were called to a property on Tairua Whitianga Rd in Coroglen about 7pm last night after a man was reported seen with a … Read more