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Source: New Zealand Government From today, disabled people with flexible funding will gain more choice and control over their supports, with purchasing rules removed and guidance available to help people manage their budgets. Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston says restoring flexibility is possible because of action taken since 2024 to stabilise the disability support … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand A Thailand beauty pageant contestant is making waves on social media after busting out some bold dance moves on stage. Darathorn Yoothong, a professional dancer, made headlines around the world for going against the tide in the scene as fellow contestants stood swaying to the music in their spot during the … Read more
Source: New Zealand Government Open Banking will be extended to business banking channels, opening the door to a broad range of tools and services for businesses, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson and Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk say. It means businesses can share their banking data with trusted providers, unlocking faster … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Insurer Vero’s annual SME Insurance Index indicates more than one in five (21 percent) businesses were not confident in their own business. 123RF Business confidence is under pressure, with nearly two-thirds of small- and medium-sized businesses experiencing a drop in revenue over the past year – with income down a quarter … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Three power cables run across Cook Strait and Transpower would like to add a fourth. Supplied / Transpower Commerce Commission set to approve $1.14 billion replacement of the Cook Strait power cables National grid operator Transpower needs regulator approval to spend Current cables 35 years old, near end of life Transpower … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Alcohol sale restrictions could be gone by long weekend. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Some restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday alcohol sales could be gone as soon as this long weekend. A member’s bill from Labour MP Kieran McAnulty would amend the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act to allow … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand National Commissioner of Corrections Jeremy Lightfoot. RNZ / Diego Opatowski Corrections chief executive Jeremy Lightfoot has been appointed as the new boss of the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport. Lightfoot, who has held the role since 2020, emailed staff on Wednesday morning saying he wanted to “share some personal … Read more
Source: Aged Care Association The growing shortage of aged residential care beds on the West Coast is not just a community issue – it is a health system failure, reinforcing that aged care must be treated and funded as an essential part of New Zealand’s health system. Over the past decade, the Buller District has lost … Read more
Source: University of Auckland – UoA How cohorts of students perform in maths tests as teenagers is associated with how these groups fare later in life, according to new research. The study, published in Economics of Education Review, finds stronger performance in two global assessments is associated with higher levels of education, stronger numeracy skills, … Read more
Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation People living with long-term lung and heart conditions are being urged to ensure their vaccinations are up to date ahead of the cooler months. With autumn beginning and a recent wave of COVID-19, respiratory viruses are already circulating in the community. For people with conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary … Read more
Source: Unite Union Unite Union is describing the April 1st minimum wage increase as “the bare minimum,” at a time when working people need real relief. The new rate of $23.95 remains significantly below the Living Wage, leaving workers struggling to keep up with the rising cost of rent, food, and basic necessities. “Cost of … Read more
Source: New Zealand Government Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay has wrapped up negotiations as Vice Chair at the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Yaoundé, Cameroon. “Disappointingly, proposals to reform the WTO and to extend the WTO-wide prohibition on the imposition of tariffs on digital trade flows could not be … Read more
Source: NZ Department of Conservation By Krysia Nowak It’s an iconic hike, you’ve seen it all over Instagram, and maybe you plan on hitting it this Easter: here’s how to get the most out of it, and what not to do. Emerald and Blue Lake on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. ” data-image-caption=” Emerald and Blue Lake on the Tongariro Alpine … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand An economist has compared the price of New Zealand Easter eggs with those in Australia. Cybèle and Bevan / Unsplash New Zealanders are paying more for their Easter eggs than shoppers across the Tasman, one senior economist says. Westpac economist Satish Ranchhod has compared the price of Easter treats in New … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand MetService said it had “moderate confidence” a heavy rain warning will be needed for the ranges of central and northern Westland. Julia Sudnitskaya / 123RF A calm start to the Easter break will be followed by potential heavy rain to parts of the country, forecasters say. “It’s a little bit windy … Read more
Source: Auckland Council The world’s fuel shock is making life challenging at the pump. Conflict in the Middle East and this fuel price pressure, whilst difficult on many fronts, are reinforcing the value of the City Rail Link (CRL) as the city gets ready for day one of the new network in the second half … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand The trucking and tourism sectors are struggling with rising fuel costs. RNZ / Unsplash A trucking sector veteran says the soaring price of diesel is the worst he’s seen in his 35 years in the industry. The US and Israel’s ongoing war on Iran has caused a global fuel crisis which … Read more
Source: New Zealand Government A new levy regime that comes into effect today makes the goods management system fairer by better reflecting the risks and costs associated with clearing goods at the border, Customs Minister Casey Costello and Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said today. “The changes are about more fairly recovering costs and also address … Read more
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology 23 seconds ago The Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) has welcomed Cabinet’s approval of $10 million from the Government’s contingency fund to support the rebuild and improvement of its Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale following Cyclone Gabrielle. Cabinet’s decision, announced yesterday, follows the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in February … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand The watch found in Germany. Supplied When Tom Metcalfe left for England to fly bombers in the second world war, he took a watch given to him by his parents for his 18th birthday in 1941. His little sister Sandra was just 12 when he left. She is now 97, and … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Margo’s Got Money Troubles This new dramedy from uber-TV producer David E. Kelley (Ally McBeal, Big Little Lies) stars Elle Fanning as Margo, a college dropout navigating unexpected motherhood and a mountain of debt. To make some fast cash, she launches an OnlyFans account, which quickly gains success after she uses … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Antoine Richard hasn’t been seen since 21 March. Supplied / NZ Police The family of French national Antoine Richard is appealing for more help in the search for the 21-year-old who was reported missing in Cromwell on the weekend of 21-22 March. Richard was last seen on 21 March, around 11.45pm … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Housing Minister Chris Bishop. RNZ / Marika Khabazi The housing minister says nothing has fundamentally changed as the government scales back Auckland’s minimum housing target even further. Auckland Council had been progressing a plan to accommodate up to 2 million homes in the next 30 years. But in February that was … Read more
Source: New Zealand Police Attributable to Detective Sergeant Heath Jones: Police have arrested a second person in relation to a fight at the Common Room bar earlier this month. Police responded to the fight that occurred between 1.30 and 2am on Sunday 8 March, where several people were injured – some seriously, with one requiring … Read more
Source: University of Otago, Wellington – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Pōneke Hospital admissions for sepsis rose significantly between 2000 and 2019, with infants, people over 70, Māori and Pacific peoples and those living in areas of deprivation at much higher risk of developing the condition, researchers at the University of Otago, Wellington – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand The living wage was set by Living Wage Aotearoa NZ. (File photo) RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King The living wage will rise to $29.90 per hour from 1 April, a 95c increase from the previous $28.95. The living wage is independently calculated by the Family Centre Social Policy Unit and released by … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF New Zealand small businesses have ranked last out of 11 Asia-Pacific countries in terms of their growth, for the second year in a row. CPA Australia has released the results of its 18th small business survey. It found only 38 percent of New Zealand small businesses reported growth in 2025, … Read more