Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong asked to resign after code of conduct breach

Source: Radio New Zealand First-term Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong. Supplied First-term Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong has been asked to resign by his colleagues for breaching the code of conduct. Ong criticised a council staff member in an email to the council’s chief executive and two local journalists last month. An independent investigation found he seriously … Read more

World Vision – MYANMAR EARTHQUAKE: ONE YEAR ON, RECOVERY IS FAR FROM OVER

Source: World Vision One year on from a devastating 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar (on 28 March 2025) killing thousands, nearly a third of the population remains in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. Hundreds of thousands of families are still struggling to rebuild their lives, while grappling with the ongoing impact of earthquake-damaged property, infrastructure, and … Read more

Rural towns struggle with little alternative options amid fuel crisis

Source: Radio New Zealand Laskeys Auto Service in Paihiatua. Charlotte Cook/RNZ It’s an easy alternative for most, fuel prices jump so you make use of public transport, or pedal power, but for many small towns around New Zealand it’s simply not an option. Petrol prices have increased by almost $1 per litre on average in … Read more

Education and Politics – Education sector unites against Government’s wholesale curriculum changes

Source: NZ Principals Federation Educators representing 34 organisations have slammed the direction, pace, and lack of genuine consultation in the Government’s rushed, wholesale curriculum changes. In a joint statement concluding a hui organised on Tuesday, 24 March, by the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF) and education union NZEI Te Riu Roa, educators noted that the direction … Read more

Endangered kakī/black stilts gobble up hearts

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  25 March 2026 Alliance Group has signed a new two‑year contract to supply 5,000 kilograms of beef hearts per year to feed hungry chicks. The hearts will feed juvenile kakī at the Department of Conservation’s captive breeding facility near Twizel in the Mackenzie basin until they are ready to be … Read more

Free public transport would protect bus drivers and incomes – Workers First Union

Source: Workers First Union Workers First Union is supporting the call from the Green Party and others to immediately implement a free public transport fares system in response to rising fuel costs and continuing abuse and violence against bus drivers. Anita Rosentreter, Workers First Deputy Secretary, said free public transport was a long-held goal of the bus drivers’ … Read more

Health Governance – Māori maternal mental health at greater risk as fuel support package falls short, warns Hine ki te Wheiao

Source: Ki tua o Matariki At a time when suicide remains the leading cause of maternal death in Aotearoa, Hine ki te Wheiao, a Māori maternal mental health advocacy group, is warning that sustained cost-of-living pressure is likely to further harm the mental health of young parents. The group says this week’s Government fuel cost support … Read more

Health Governance – Progress on government’s mental health targets is positive, but challenges remain for young people

Source: Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Following the release of the Government’s latest targets data this morning, Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is renewing its calls for increased urgency to improve access to services for young people. “While we are encouraged by workforce growth and acknowledge the Government’s … Read more

Politics – Federated Farmers propose major shake-up of local government

Source: Federated Farmers New Zealand’s local government structure has become an increasingly messy patchwork, and Federated Farmers says it’s time to clean it up. “The way councils are currently organised is a major factor in how effectively they serve their communities,” Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner says. “The number and type of councils – … Read more

Fire Safety – Restricted fire season for Manawatū-Whanganui coastal zone

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving the Manawatū-Whanganui coastal zone into a restricted fire season at 8am today, Wednesday 25 March, until further notice. Levin, Foxton, Sanson and Bulls are excluded as they fall within inland zones. A restricted fire season means a permit is required from Fire and … Read more

Farmers urged to adopt fuel saving measures to cut costs

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF Farmers in the thick of harvest are being reminded there are small changes they can make to save on fuel. In the regions farmers, growers and rural contractors are feeling the pain of rising fuel prices. The rising cost of diesel is adding thousands of dollars to the bills of … Read more

National diabetes action plan launched

Source: New Zealand Government The National Diabetes Roadmap has today been launched to improve care, strengthen prevention, and support better health outcomes for the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders living with diabetes, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “Diabetes is one of the fastest growing long-term health conditions in New Zealand, affecting an estimated 348,000 … Read more

Car flips upside down into stream in Wellington

Source: Radio New Zealand Google Maps Emergency services are at the scene of a crash that’s left a car upside down in a stream in rural Wellington. Police, Fire and Emergency and Wellington Free Ambulance were called to the crash in Mākara just after 8am. Fire and Emergency shift manager Alex Norris said crews arrived … Read more

Man arrested after fleeing police, crashing and barricading himself in car

Source: Radio New Zealand Police said officers saw live ammunition in the drivers lap after they crashed. RNZ / Marika Khabazi A man with two handguns and a large amount of ammunition has been arrested after barricading himself in a vehicle following a crash in northern Waikato this morning. Police spotted a vehicle – reported … Read more

Emergency services at scene of crash in Wellington

Source: Radio New Zealand A police car seen behind a cordon as officers attend an incident. RNZ Emergency services are at the scene of a crash in Mākara, a rural Wellington suburb near Karori. The police say they were called just after 8am on Wednesday. They can’t yet say how many vehicles were involved or … Read more

More recruitment leading to shorter wait times for mental health patients, govt says

Source: Radio New Zealand Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey said 514 new mental health and addiction professionals trained over the past year. RNZ / Mark Papalii More mental health and addiction workers are training and entering the workforce meaning shorter wait times for patients, according to the government’s latest data on targets. The targets, set … Read more

Higher diesel, shipping costs pile pressure on logging industry

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Nate McKinnon The logging industry is warning some companies could be on the brink as the conflict in Iran pushes up the cost of diesel. Logging operators say it’s increasingly difficult to get logs to port and if the situation drags on, export-reliant regions like South Canterbury and the … Read more

Funding for Hamilton Airport runway extension

Source: New Zealand Government A project to extend Hamilton Airport runway will receive a $6.5 million loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, boosting resilience for Waikato and the national aviation network, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. “Extending the runway will increase Hamilton Airport’s capacity to support a broader range of aircraft. Its location and … Read more

Tough 10 days ahead as Phoenix strive for title

Source: Radio New Zealand Lucía León of the Wellington Phoenix celebrates. Elias Rodriguez / www.photosport.nz The Wellington Phoenix women face a tough ten days ahead as they attempt to rewrite history. The Phoenix will play their final three A-League regular season games in a week and a half, starting with their rescheduled fifth round fixture … Read more

Wellingtonians face average $2400 water bill next year, massive increases to follow

Source: Radio New Zealand Tiaki Wai is replacing Wellington Water and inheriting the region’s assets – managing and providing drinking water, wastewater, and piped stormwater services from July. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Wellingtonians will face “really steep” increases in their water bills over the next decade, to as high as $6831 a year, as its … Read more

Mental health workforce target exceeded

Source: New Zealand Government The frontline mental health and addiction workforce has grown, with the latest target data showing the Government’s workforce target has been exceeded, giving more New Zealanders faster access to support, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “The Government’s mental health plan is delivering faster access to support, more frontline workers, and … Read more

A significant step forward: the 2026 Port and Harbour Marine Safety Code

Source: Maritime New Zealand For more than two decades, the Port and Harbour Marine Safety Code (the Code) has been a cornerstone of safe navigation in Aotearoa’s busy commercial ports and harbours. What began as a commitment to consistency has matured into a strong partnership between Maritime NZ, port operators, and regional councils – one … Read more

37-year-old Flaxmere man arrested for serious sexual offending

Source: Radio New Zealand Police are now appealing for anyone who may have information on any other alleged offending by this man RNZ / Nate McKinnon A 37-year-old man has been arrested and charged after allegations of serious sexual offending. He has been charged with abduction for sex, impedes breathing/blood circulation, two counts of unlawful … Read more

Erica Stanford accused of sending National Party video to principals through ministerial email

Source: Radio New Zealand Education Minister Erica Stanford RNZ / Nick Monro Erica Stanford is being accused of using government resources to distribute party political videos, but her office says it was simply “human error”. On Tuesday morning, the Education Minister emailed school principals about the government’s new SMART assessment tool from her ministerial account. … Read more

Man faces court after fleeing Police

Source: New Zealand Police Please attribute to Inspector Grant Tetzlaff, Acting Auckland City District Commander: A 30-year-old man is facing serious charges after he fled from Police and drove dangerously before crashing in northern Waikato. At around 11.40pm on Tuesday, a vehicle of interest was seen on Dominion Road, Sandringham. This vehicle had been reported … Read more

Trump says US talking with ‘respected’ figure in Iran. It may be a war veteran with a record of suppressing dissent

Source: Radio New Zealand By Tim Lister and Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf looks on as parliamentarians chant in support of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran on February 1. Hamed Malekpour/WANA/Reuters via CNN Newsource The Iranian official talked of as a potential interlocutor with the Trump administration once … Read more

All Black winger Emoni Narawa recommits to NZ rugby

Source: Radio New Zealand Emoni Narawa of the All Blacks. Jeremy Ward / PHOTOSPORT The desire to play at a Rugby World Cup made Emoni Narawa’s decision to stick with New Zealand rugby an easy one. The All Blacks and Chiefs winger has extended his commitment through to the end of 2029. “Wearing the black … Read more