Storm News – Northland overnight update on Cyclone Vaianu

Source: Northland Regional Council Severe winds were recorded across parts of Northland overnight. Wind gusts of up to 120km/h were observed at Cape Reinga and Tutukākā Harbour, while Hokianga Harbour recorded gusts of up to 110km/h. In relation to rainfall, the southeastern areas of Northland have seen the highest totals, with Whangārei recording approximately 90 millimetres … Read more

Two dead, two in critical condition, after Gisborne crash

Source: Radio New Zealand (file photo) RNZ / REECE BAKER Two people have died after a crash near Gisborne overnight, police say. Emergency services were called to the scene on Tucker Road, about 11.40pm on Saturday. Two people were found dead at the scene. Two more were in a critical condition and were taken to … Read more

Live: Pacific Four – Black Ferns v USA in Sacramento

Source: Radio New Zealand Follow all the action, as the Black Ferns take on USA in Sunday’s Pacific Four game in Sacramento. Three players will make their debuts with new coach Whitney Hansen’s first team selection – loose forward Mia Anderson, halfback Tara Turner and winger Justine McGregor. All three were on the reserves bench. … Read more

‘She has lain forgotten’: the Māori composer whose 110-year-old song features in Hollywood blockbuster

Source: Radio New Zealand Alongside hits by The Beatles and Harry Styles, the soundtrack to sci-fi blockbuster Project Hail Mary includes a powerful version of the waiata ‘Pō Atarau’, a song originally written in te reo Māori which became a global hit in English as ‘Now is the Hour’. Erima Maewa Kaihau (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Te … Read more

One dead after electric bike crash

Source: Radio New Zealand (file photo) RNZ / Tom Kitchin One person has died after a crash involving an electric bicycle on a rural road near Palmerston North. The crash on Banks Road at Rongotea happened about 12:40am Sunday, and only one vehicle was involved, police said in a statement. The rider died at the … Read more

Health NZ sending more eye operations to private sector under long-term contracts

Source: Radio New Zealand Health NZ is sending more eye operations to the private sector. 123RF Health NZ (HNZ) is sending more eye operations to the private sector under longer-term contracts without first working out how much that is likely to save compared to short-term outsourcing. It is moving to set up a “panel” of … Read more

GP concerned over ‘dire shortage’ of staff at Palmerston North Hospital’s gastroenterology department

Source: Radio New Zealand Palmerston North Hospital. RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham Manawatū GP concerned about shortage of staff at Palmerston North Hospital gastro department Dr Nicola Barrack says patients are feeling the effects of a service under pressure Health NZ says it’s recruiting for staff, while supporting the service the best it can in the … Read more

Most charter schools reached or surpassed target starting enrolments

Source: Radio New Zealand Mastery School sin Christchurch logo. RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon Enrolment figures show most of the first eight charter schools have reached or surpassed their target starting enrolments. The schools set up last year had 658 pupils between them and only Māori boarding school Tipene and Mastery Schools in Christchurch had not … Read more

Football Ferns ‘completely different journey’ one step away from World Cup

Source: Radio New Zealand Captain Kate Taylor takes a selfie with her Football Ferns team celebrating the 5-0 win over Fiji. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz Half the job is done and now Football Ferns coach Michael Mayne will have some tough decisions to make about who will finish it off. New Zealand defeated Fiji 5-0 on Saturday … Read more

NZDF to send 50 personnel to aerial and ground drones exercise in US

Source: Radio New Zealand Anduril Industries has been awarded a US$159 million contract by the US Army for an initial prototyping period to develop a night vision and mixed reality system. Supplied / Anduril Industries The Defence Force aims to send 50 personnel to a big aerial and ground drones exercise in the United States … Read more

Study shows benefits of psychedelic drugs for people with life-threatening illness

Source: Radio New Zealand Psilocybe Cubensis, a species of psychedelic mushroom Flickr user afgooey74 / CC BY 2.0 Psychedelic drugs, including LSD and magic mushrooms, could help people cope with having a life-threatening illness, an expert in psychological medicines says. A study involving 93 palliative care doctors in New Zealand and Australia has found strong … Read more

Te Wehi: ‘I just thought I’d be fencing for the rest of my life’

Source: Radio New Zealand Before playing sold-out stadiums last summer and dominating the NZ music charts with his Hori Shaw duet ‘Ready to Ride’, Te Wehi shared covers, but not his original songs, on TikTok. As he got older, the reggae, soul and country-inspired musician was freed up when he “stopped caring what people think”. … Read more

Iran war, petrol crisis causing increased stress among Kiwis

Source: Radio New Zealand Many of those stressed or depressed were already struggling before the war. methaphum/stock.adobe.com Psychologists say their clients are reporting increased stress and vicarious trauma because of the Iran war. Psychologist Dougal Sutherland said issues like the war and the price of petrol were adding to his clients’ existing anxieties. ”If you’re … Read more

Why women often feel embarrassed to talk about money

Source: Radio New Zealand Women are socialised not to talk about money and will share about their sex lives and almost anything else before speaking of it, says gender equity strategist Angela Meyer. With therapist Rachel Davies, she’s training women about money psychology via Hi Money and the new book Money Money Money. “We really … Read more

Rewilding project bringing sharks back to archipelago

Source: Radio New Zealand Raja Ampat in Southwest Papua province, Indonesia, is akin to a tropical Fiordland, conservationist Mark Erdmann says. The bio diverse archipelago comprising over 1500 small islands is a stunning part of the world, he says. “They’re just these beautiful karst uplifted coral reefs, a perfect palette of blues and greens and … Read more

Live weather: Cyclone Vaianu brings damaging winds, heavy rain to North Island

Source: Radio New Zealand Cyclone Vaianu is set to move southwards across the North Island, with strong wind and heavy rain watches and warnings in force for much of the island as well as the upper South Island. There are orange heavy rain warnings for Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty … Read more

Crusaders v Queensland Reds – Super Rugby Pacific

Source: Radio New Zealand Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham in action against the Blues. Brett Phibbs The Reds have held on to beat the Crusaders 31 – 26 in slippery conditions in Brisbane. The Crusaders took the lead early thanks to a Christian Lio-Willie try in the fifth minute, but the Reds hit back immediately and … Read more

Hurricanes underline title credentials with big win over the Blues

Source: Radio New Zealand Callum Harkin of the Hurricanes | Hurricanes v Blues, round 9 of the Super Rugby Pacific competition at Hnry Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday 11 April 2026. Judah Plester / Photosport Judah Plester The Hurricanes have announced their Super Rugby Pacific title credentials with a dominant 42-19 win over the … Read more

Blues v Hurricanes – Super Rugby Pacific

Source: Radio New Zealand Round nine sees the two top teams go to battle in Wellington, as the Hurricanes host the Blues in a serious test of title credentials at Hnry Stadium in Wellington. Kick-off is 7.05pm. Hurricanes: 1.Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Warner Dearns, 6. Devan Flanders, … Read more

Live: Crusaders v Queensland Reds – Super Rugby Pacific

Source: Radio New Zealand Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action from Suncorp Stadium. The champion Crusaders are in Brisbane to play the Reds, without their biggest strike weapon. Will Jordan sits out the week for the Crusaders with a tight calf, as will Codie Taylor, who has hurt is hamstring. Kick-off is at 9.35pm. … Read more

Netball: New look Tactix open season with big win over Steel

Source: Radio New Zealand Charlie Bell (left) of the Tactix and Carys Stythe of the Steel © Photosport Ltd 2026 www.photosport.nz The defending champion Tactix have made a strong statement of intent by beating the Southern Steel 55-42 in the opening round of the ANZ Premiership in Christchurch. The Tactix lost several players in the … Read more

Live NRL: NZ Warriors v Storm at AAMI Park in Melbourne

Source: Radio New Zealand Follow all the NRL action, as NZ Warriors take on Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park. Kickoff is 9.35pm NZT. Team lists Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson … Read more

Tauranga mayor declares state of emergency as cyclone risks grow

Source: Radio New Zealand Swells on the Coromandel coast ahead of Cyclone Vaianu. RNZ/Marika Khabazi Tauranga has declared a state of emergency ahead of Cyclone Vaianu, as officials warn of coastal flooding, dangerous swells and growing risks to public safety. Mayor Mahe Drysdale said the declaration would help authorities respond as conditions deteriorate. “We’ve been … Read more

Auckland FC fight back to draw in fiery encounter

Source: Radio New Zealand Sam Cosgrove of Auckland FC (middle). www.photosport.nz Auckland FC have eked out a 2-all draw with Melbourne Victory after coming from behind in a fiery encounter at GoMedia Stadium in Auckland. With just two games now left in the regular A-League season, it was a crucial clash for second-placed Auckland FC … Read more

Live: Auckland Blues v Wellington Hurricanes – Super Rugby Pacific

Source: Radio New Zealand Round nine sees the two top teams go to battle in Wellington, as the Hurricanes host the Blues in a serious test of title credentials at Hnry Stadium in Wellington. Kick-off is 7.05pm. Hurricanes: 1.Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Warner Dearns, 6. Devan Flanders, … Read more