Man in custody following Grove Street incident, Nelson

Source: New Zealand Police A man has been taken into custody following an incident in Grove Street, Nelson. Police were called just after 9:20pm yesterday following reports of a verbal disorder between two people. At around 10pm, the man was located on top of the roof of a building. Police have negotiated with the man … Read more

Pharmac proposal to procure drug-eluting stents will mean savings for public hospitals

Source: PHARMAC 25 March 2026 Media release Hospital devices Pharmac has negotiated a provisional agreement for the supply of drug eluting stents to public hospitals that would result in savings of $1.2m for public hospitals per annum. The proposed deal would award Principal Supply Status for permanent coronary drug-eluting stents for public hospitals to Medtronic … Read more

New commercial vehicle safety centre in Taupō

Source: New Zealand Government A new commercial vehicle safety centre in Taupō is now open, helping target unsafe heavy vehicles and improve road safety on one of New Zealand’s busiest freight routes, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Keeping people safe on our roads is a top priority, and that includes making sure heavy vehicles are … Read more

How one man did his bit to help make Otago Peninsula possum-free 

Source: NZ Department of Conservation When the Otago Peninsula was declared possum‑free in early March 2026, it marked a major milestone for the predator‑free movement and the communities who made it possible. Led by the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group and Predator Free Dunedin, it was the result of 15 years of dedicated work, including countless everyday actions from local … Read more

Bluebridge cancels Connemara sailings for a week

Source: Radio New Zealand The Connemara RNZ/Anthony Phelps Bluebridge has cancelled a week’s worth of sailings on one of its Cook Strait ferries due to a technical fault, and there’s no word on when it’ll be fixed. The fault was found on the Connemara on Saturday morning. On Thursday, the company’s website said it had … Read more

District Court Judges appointed

Source: New Zealand Government Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new District Court Judges.  The appointees, who will take up their roles in April and May at the Palmerston North and Nelson Courts, are: Prudence McGuire Ms McGuire is a Rotorua based barrister.  Her legal career began following admission to the bar … Read more

Government confirms next steps on new senior secondary qualification

Source: New Zealand Government The Government has taken the first major step in rebuilding New Zealand’s senior secondary qualifications system, with Cabinet agreeing to the structure of a new qualification system to replace NCEA following consultation, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.    “This is the first of two major milestones that make up a carefully sequenced set of decisions to design a modern qualification … Read more

Hunters asked to watch for weeds this roar

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  26 March 2026 DOC Biosecurity Technical Advisor Connor Hines says invasive weeds like common heather, gorse, and broom are very harmful for our native bush, and can quickly get out of control once they get established. “DOC has recently had reports of these species at some remote South Island sites, … Read more

Greens announce plan to end homelessness & fix housing crisis

Source: Green Party The Green Party has announced today their new campaign A Home for Everybody, calling to end homelessness, fix renter’s rights, and end the housing crisis once and for all.  “In a country like Aotearoa, with our wealth of resources and skills, there is no excuse for people to go without a decent home, let alone any home at all,” says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson.  “In 2022, … Read more

Minister announces details of process to replace NCEA

Source: Radio New Zealand We’ll be livestreaming the announcement above. This story will be updated. The Education Minister is set to reveal details about the process to replace NCEA in secondary schools. The announcement is confirmation of a government proposal to abolish all levels of NCEA, as it looks to replace it with a new … Read more

Ready, set, naturing: DOC Great Walk, hut and campsite bookings open from 12 May

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  26 March 2026 To give everyone a fair go, opening dates for bookings are staggered across several days, with bookings opening at either 9:30 am or 12 pm on their respective days. The phased approach helps people planning multiple trips and reduces pressure on the booking system on opening day. … Read more

Testing for asbestos in kids’ play sand no game

Source: Radio New Zealand Asbestos removal is carried out. Kim Baker Wilson / RNZ Tucked above an unassuming safety store in Auckland, a small team is making big inroads into understanding the asbestos contamination of children’s play sand. Testing for any airborne particles from the products, it is thought to be the first research of … Read more

Three-tier system to replace NCEA unveiled

Source: Radio New Zealand Education Minister Erica Stanford RNZ / Nick Monro The Education Minister is set to reveal the education system that will replace NCEA in secondary schools. The announcement is confirmation of a government proposal to abolish all levels of NCEA, as it looks to replcae it with a new three tier qualification … Read more

U-turn on fish sizes not enough for some

Source: Radio New Zealand Commercial fishing in the Hauraki Gulf Simon Mark-Brown Advocacy groups are supporting the government’s U-turn on minimum size limits for commercial fishers, but still want the government to consider killing the Fisheries Amendment Bill entirely. Meanwhile, Seafood New Zealand says it is ironic the change has resulted in an outcome that … Read more

Rural-based carer, job applicant despair over lack of fuel support

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Quin Tauetau New Zealanders living in rural areas say they’re being left out of the government’s fuel support package, warning it excludes people already under pressure from rising costs. Almost 150,000 families with children will receive an extra $50 a week to help offset soaring petrol prices created by … Read more

It’s election year – let the lies, damn lies, and dodgy statistics flow

Source: Radio New Zealand By law South Australian politicians aren’t allowed to lie in their election ads. Here, we have the Advertising Standards Authority and the Media Council, but neither have the force of a criminal penalty behind them. RNZ Does New Zealand have robust enough checks and balances to stop politicians lying in election … Read more

Briscoes Group trialling facial recognition tech

Source: Radio New Zealand Briscoes Group is halfway through a year-long trial which began in September 2025. RNZ Facial recognition technology (FRT) trials are underway in 18 Briscoes and Rebel Sports stores across the North Island, the country’s fourth big retailer to have announced a move to adopt or test it. Foodstuffs’ separate chains in … Read more

New needle exchange provider denies drug users are avoiding it

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF Advocates fear hepatitis C and HIV cases may rise in the South Island as some users are reluctant about a new needle exchange service. A new provider of needle exchange services – Te Waipounamu Collective – took over from the DISC Trust last October. DISC Trust national harm reduction lead … Read more

Live: Heavy rain lashes upper North Island, rescue crews prepare

Source: Radio New Zealand Fire and Emergency is urging residents in storm-affected areas to be ready to evacuate if necessary, following a night of heavy rain. A red weather warning remains in place for Northland east of Kaikohe from Doubtless Bay to Whangārei, with the worst of the downpours expected to hit on Thursday afternoon. … Read more

ACT and Retail NZ claim paywave surcharge ban ‘dead’, but National says that’s wrong

Source: Radio New Zealand Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson is looking after the bill. RNZ / Mark Papalii The ACT Party is claiming the government’s proposed ban on surcharges for contactless and credit card payments is dead, but the minister responsible insists it is still being worked on. The Commerce and Consumer Affairs … Read more

Health NZ staff told to stop using ChatGPT to write clinical notes

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ Health NZ (HNZ) says staff have been caught using free AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to write clinical notes, a move it says could result in formal disciplinary action. A memo seen by RNZ was sent this week from a senior manager to all Mental Health and Addiction Services … Read more

Another power comparison site launches

Source: Radio New Zealand Electricity Authority chief executive Sarah Gillies. RNZ / REECE BAKER The Electricity Authority has launched its power comparison site Billy, going head-to-head with Consumer’s Powerswitch, which it previously supported. It said the site was designed to help people quickly and easily understand their power costs and what good value would be … Read more

Phoenix suffer blow in Premiership hopes

Source: Radio New Zealand Pia Vlok of the Wellington Phoenix shoots. photosport The Wellington Phoenix women have suffered a blow in their A-League Premiership hopes. The Phoenix have been beaten 2-1 by the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford. The reigning champion Mariners scored both of their goals before Phoenix midfielder Macey Fraser scored a spectacular … Read more

Policing our politicians for porkies

Source: Radio New Zealand By law South Australian politicians aren’t allowed to lie in their election ads. Here, we have the Advertising Standards Authority and the Media Council, but neither have the force of a criminal penalty behind them. RNZ Does New Zealand have robust enough checks and balances to stop politicians lying in election … Read more

When is location sharing a red flag in relationships?

Source: Radio New Zealand Between phones, watches and other smart devices, we’re never far from reach for our family, friends and partners. There are also apps and location services that can show where we are at any given moment. Experts say couples may see location sharing as a sign of trust or closeness. Experts say … Read more