Prudential launches more affordable Integrated Shield Plan riders with additional benefits

Source: Media Outreach Premiums for the new supplementary plans, PRUExtra Care series, are at least 30 per cent lower compared to the previous suite of riders; new critical illness and retrenchment benefits added SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 April 2026 – Prudential Singapore (“Prudential”) has launched a refreshed suite of Integrated Shield Plan … Read more

Mixed trends in river and lake water quality indicators – Stats NZ news story

Source: Statistics New Zealand Mixed trends in river and lake water quality indicators – news story 1 April 2026 Phosphorus levels showed improving trends but Escherichia coli (E. coli) trends worsened at many river sites, while overall lake health remained poor, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. New Zealand’s river and lake water … Read more

Annual number of home consents up 12 percent – Building consents issued: February 2026 – Stats NZ news story and information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand Annual number of home consents up 12 percent – news story 1 April 2026 There were 37,534 new homes consented in Aotearoa New Zealand in the year ended February 2026, up 12 percent compared with the year ended February 2025, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. “The annual number of … Read more

OceanX Announces A Shared Voyage: Joint U.S.-China Student Ocean Exploration and Education Program

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 April 2026 – OceanX today announced A Shared Voyage: OceanX China 2026, a joint U.S-Chinese goodwill mission that will bring together 10 American and 10 Chinese early-career ocean scientists, students, and instructors in pursuit of their shared goal to better understand the ocean … Read more

Bill to protect artists against outdated copyright laws passes first reading

Source: Green Party Tonight, Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill passed through its first reading. “This common-sense amendment would improve how our copyright laws work in a modern media landscape, and provide more protections for artists, like Australia, Canada, and parts of Europe,” says Green Party spokesperson for Arts, Culture … Read more

The Drama is a dark rom-com with a controversial twist

Source: Radio New Zealand OK, now the movies are cooking again. Despite appearances to the contrary, the wildly unpredictable new A24 film The Drama is anything but a traditional romantic comedy, even if it tangles with modern love in darkly funny ways. It’s not called The Drama for nothing. . VVS Films Norwegian arthouse director … Read more

Pharmac needs more staff and money to speed-up drug funding decision – advocates

Source: Radio New Zealand The new report highlights progress and persistent gaps in the country’s medicines system. File photo. CC BY-NC 2.0 Gatis Gribusts Pharmac needs more staff and a bigger operational budget to speed-up decisions on drug funding, say patient advocates. In a report released today, the agency has been criticised for a focus … Read more

Road tolls: Driving from Auckland to Northland and back could cost drivers $14.20

Source: Radio New Zealand The newest section of motorway between Auckland and Northland, which opened in 2023, connects Pūhoi to Warkworth. The next stage will continue to Te Hana, north of Wellsford. Supplied / NZTA Waka Kotahi A return trip between Auckland and Whangārei could cost drivers $14.20 in tolls, if a proposal for the … Read more

Tenchijin to Exhibit at ASIAWATER 2026 and Deliver a Presentation

Source: Media Outreach TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 April 2026 – Tenchijin Inc., a space-tech innovator transforming sustainable water infrastructure management, is pleased to announce its participation in ASIAWATER 2026, the region’s leading platform for the water and wastewater industry in developing Asia. The event will take place from 7–9 April 2026 … Read more

Section of central Auckland road blocked following car fire

Source: Radio New Zealand A section of a central Auckland street has been blocked after a car caught fire. The blaze in a hatchback vehicle happened outside the ferry terminal building on Wednesday evening. Firefighters had extinguished the flames and were monitoring the car. Firefighters at the scene in Auckland’s CBD. EDWARD GAY / RNZ … Read more

Appeal for information relating to indecent assaults, Lower Hutt

Source: New Zealand Police Hutt Valley Police are appealing for information after a 19-year-old man appeared in court for two alleged indecent assaults in Lower Hutt. Police would like to hear from anyone who may have information that may relate to this offending to come forward. Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Williamson says while the man … Read more

West Coast families forced to manage complex health needs at home – Aged Care Association

Source: Radio New Zealand Some older people are being forced to leave their communities to receive care, say advocates. File photo. Unsplash/ Ina Ramos West Coast families are being left to manage complex health needs at home because of a shortage of aged care beds, the Aged Care Association says. The association is calling on … Read more

White Ferns captain Amelia Kerr steers epic chase

Source: Radio New Zealand Amelia Kerr plays a shot on the way to her century. Marty Melville A stunning unbeaten century by White Ferns skipper Amelia Kerr has led her side to a record successful chase against South Africa at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Kerr clobbered 179 as the White Ferns chased down their … Read more

Speech to Sprout Summit on prioritisation in New Zealand’s science, innovation and technology system

Source: New Zealand Government It’s a pleasure to be here at the Sprout Summit, surrounded by people who are quite literally designing the future of agrifood, ag‑tech and deep‑tech innovation in New Zealand. The theme of this year’s summit “The Catalyst: Connecting Industry, Innovation, and Investment”, is timely.  It speaks to the kind of system … Read more

Bill to ease holiday alcohol restrictions passes final reading in Parliament

Source: Radio New Zealand The bill was put forward by Labour MP Kieran McAnulty. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Legislation to ease alcohol restrictions over Easter, Anzac Day, and Christmas has passed its third and final reading at Parliament. The bill amends the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act to allow premises that are already open … Read more

Body found in central Otago lake during search for missing French national Antoine Richard

Source: Radio New Zealand Antoine Richard, 21, went missing from Cromwell. Supplied / NZ Police A body has been found in a central Otago lake during the search for missing French national Antoine Richard. Richard, 21, was last seen on 21 March, about 11.45pm at the Victoria Arms Hotel on the corner of Achil St … Read more

Science funding to focus on national impact

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is backing a shift in science spending to areas that will have the greatest national impact, with a stronger focus on advanced technology, says Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti.  “The Government is setting a clear direction for smarter investment. This marks a turning point as we … Read more

Bill to ease restrictions on Good Friday, Easter Sunday alcohol sales passes final reading

Source: Radio New Zealand Alcohol sale restrictions could be gone by long weekend. RNZ Legislation to ease alcohol restrictions on public holidays has passed in its third and final reading at Parliament – and could be passed into law in time for this Easter weekend. It is possible it may receive royal assent on Thursday, … Read more

New police powers: No new money for vital technology

Source: Radio New Zealand Enhanced data management will be “essential to building and maintaining public trust and confidence”, say official police documents. File photo. RNZ / Richard Tindiller A rush to deliver police new powers has not been matched by promised government funding for the technology needed to carry out those powers. Police need two … Read more

Waitaki council welcomed back into water partnership it abandoned

Source: Radio New Zealand Southern Waters will kick in from July next year. 123rf The Waitaki District Council has been welcomed back into the Southern Waters partnership it abandoned last year. The council announced its plans to team up with Central Otago, Clutha and Gore district councils again to deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater … Read more

Amazing Thailand Passport Privileges @ HAT YAI launches with Amazing Bag gifting activity

Source: Media Outreach BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 April 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announces the launch of Amazing Thailand Passport Privileges @ HAT YAI, a series of on-the-ground initiatives designed to revitalize tourism across Southern Thailand. Running from 1 to 30 April 2026, the campaign features the “Amazing … Read more

Have you seen James?

Source: New Zealand Police Police are asking for the public’s help finding 15-year-old James, who has been reported missing from the Alfriston area. James was last seen on Everlea Place at 10pm on 22 March. He is described as about 170cms tall with brown eyes and brown hair and was wearing a black hoodie, long … Read more

Larvae from exotic mosquito which could carry deadly diseases found in Auckland CBD

Source: Radio New Zealand The area where the mosquito larvae was found in Auckland’s CBD. HEALTH NZ / SUPPLIED Larvae from a type of exotic mosquito that can carry deadly diseases have been found in downtown Auckland. The National Public Health Service had launched a surveillance and interception programme after the discovery of the aedes … Read more

Man who fell overboard from the Interislander ‘extremely unlikely’ to have survived, police say

Source: Radio New Zealand CCTV camera footage from the ferry confirmed the man went into the water just after 11pm – about two hours after the ship departed Picton. Interislander Police say it is extremely unlikely that a man who went overboard from the Interislander ferry earlier this week has survived. The man had not … Read more

Auckland Council spends more than $100,000 in legal fight over off-leash dog ban

Source: Radio New Zealand Dog Lovers of Monte Cecilia Incorporated Society challenged a local board’s decision with a judicial review. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Auckland Council spent more than $100,000 fighting a group of aggrieved dog owners in court. After a local board removed an off-leash dog area at Monte Cecilia Park in central Auckland, … Read more

Mevo car sharing service goes into voluntary administration

Source: Radio New Zealand The company had cars in Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton and Nelson. Supplied Users of car sharing service Mevo are gutted the company has gone into voluntary administration, saying it is a cost-effective and climate-conscious choice that has served them well for years. The Wellington-based company had cars in the capital as well … Read more