Farmer who ‘charged’ council officer fined $35,000 for effluent discharges

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Source: Radio New Zealand James Langton was fined $35,000 when he appeared for sentencing at New Plymouth District Court. Supplied / Ministry of Justice An Ōpunake farmer who charged at a regional council staff member inspecting problems at his property has been told the courts will “not tolerate threats or intimidation” of people doing their … Read more

Rip Curl de-merger bid rejected

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Source: Radio New Zealand KMD Brands has rejected a proposal which would see Rip Curl de-merged into a separate dual-listed company, then merged with Stokehouse to create a new company. photosport Retailer KMD Brands has rejected a proposal from a US surfwear company to slice off its Rip Curl label and marry the two brands … Read more

Easy ways to avoid oil discharges

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Source: Maritime New Zealand Vessels can discharge oily water that causes harm to the oceans and rivers we depend on for our livelihoods and wellbeing. New Zealand’s latest state of the environment report – Our environment 2025 – outlines how our marine and freshwater environments are being affected by pollution, climate change, and resource depletion. … Read more

Contact Energy CEO dismisses NZ First plan to split electricity suppliers

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Source: Radio New Zealand Winston Peters said the country was paying some of the highest power prices in the world. RNZ / Mark Papalii The head of Contact Energy has brushed aside Winston Peters’ claims saying electricity prices in New Zealand are some of the lowest in the OECD. New Zealand First is campaigning on … Read more

Scott Base plan ready by June – Antarctica NZ

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Source: Radio New Zealand Impression of how a revamped Scott Base might look. Antarctica NZ / supplied Antarctica New Zealand says it is aiming to get its detailed business case to revamp Scott Base in front of Cabinet for approval in June. This is about two years after the project was reset amid concerns over … Read more

‘Operating in this dearth of information’: Airlines pleading government for assurance

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Source: Radio New Zealand Airlines are comfortable there is currently a sufficient fuel supply, Board of Airline Representatives chief executive Cath O’Brien says. Supplied/ Air NZ Airlines are pleading for assurance from the government, as the supply of jet fuel could be limited due to the conflict in the Middle East. Board of Airline Representatives … Read more

Prospecting application targets frontier acreage

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Source: New Zealand Government A new prospecting permit application in the offshore Canterbury Basin signals renewed sector confidence in pursuing opportunities in New Zealand’s search for oil and gas, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals (NZP&M) has today opened a three-month competitive process for an application submitted by CBX Energy Limited. … Read more

Christchurch man could have been trying to take copper from transformer when electrocuted

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Source: Radio New Zealand Superintendent Lane Todd said the incident was a reminder of the dangers of power infrastructure. RNZ / Diego Opatowski Christchurch police are investigating the electrocution of a man who is believed to have been attempting to take copper from a transformer. Emergency services were called to a fire at a transformer … Read more

Fog cancels and delays flights at Christchurch airport

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Source: Radio New Zealand The fog was believed to have cleared by 8am on Tuesday but returned shortly after 9.15 am. 123rf.com Intermittent fog at Christchurch airport is leading to flight delays and cancellations on Tuesday morning. Eight domestic flights were cancelled when fog descended on the airport at about 7.25 am but by 8 … Read more

Reserve Bank governor Anna Breman warns of higher inflation, lower growth

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Source: Radio New Zealand Reserve Bank governor Dr Anna Breman. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone RBNZ govenror says NZ is likely to see higher short-term inflation Rates could rise if there are effects on medium-term inflation or inflation expectations Economic growth likely to be dampened The Reserve Bank governor is warning of higher inflation and weaker … Read more

More banks hike interest rates as fuel threatens to push up inflation

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Source: Radio New Zealand The changes bring ASB and Kiwibank into line with all other major banks SUPPLIED ASB and Kiwibank have become the latest to increase interest rates, on the back of market fears the rising oil prices may push up inflation. Wholesale rates have lifted since war broke out, even though the Reserve … Read more

Health targets delivering for New Zealanders

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Source: New Zealand Government Clear improvements are being delivered across all five Government health targets, with the quarterly results for October to December 2025 showing year‑on‑year gains and more Kiwis accessing care sooner, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “Across every target, more New Zealanders received care sooner during the quarter, despite sustained pressure on hospitals … Read more

Molesworth Station: The groups vying to take over the country’s largest farm

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Source: Radio New Zealand The Molesworth landscape. Supplied / Pamu Farms Five groups are vying to take over the country’s largest farm. Molesworth Station, the iconic high country property, is run as a cattle farm by state-owned Pāmu. The area, known formally as the Rangitahi/Molesworth Recreation Reserve, at the top of the South Island, covers … Read more

Fuel ‘demand restraint’ being considered by government, Shane Jones says

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Source: Radio New Zealand Shane Jones. RNZ / Mark Papalii The government will be hearing from officials later this week on possible steps towards “demand restraint”, Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones says. Petrol prices have increased by almost $1 per litre on average in the past month, according to price tracker Gaspy, and diesel even … Read more

Our Changing World: The tree keepers

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Source: Radio New Zealand Aaron Hewson has been studying the genetics of the trees in the orchard. RNZ / Claire Concannon Follow Our Changing World on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio or wherever you listen to your podcasts. The lines of apple trees look lush and healthy, some garlanded with a heavy crop of coloured orbs – … Read more

NZ cricketers back new T20 league “You’re playing the game for the fans”

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Source: Radio New Zealand Jimmy Neesham. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz New Zealand’s top cricketers are happy a decision has been made about the future of the domestic T20 competition and are looking forward to its development. On Monday New Zealand Cricket decided to push ahead with a proposed NZ20 franchise league rather than entering into an expanded … Read more

Road rage of a different kind: How cranes and trucks are feeling jammed up

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Source: Radio New Zealand A truck transports wood in Wellington. RNZ / Angus Dreaver Angry truckers have banded together with bus, crane and even combine harvester operators to hit out over rules they say make it too hard to get bigger, more efficient vehicles on the road and easily move them round. They want far-reaching … Read more

Will you get a solar rebate from your power company?

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Source: Radio New Zealand The Electricity Authority will soon require distributors to pay rebates to reward customers generating electricity, such as rooftop solar. Supplied/SolarZero Electricity networks around the country will soon provide rebates for power exported during peak periods – but not every power company will pass those on to consumers directly. From 1 April, … Read more

Employers offering transport perks warned of tax rules

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Source: Radio New Zealand The price of 91 is now more than $3.30 a litre on average across the country, and forecast to rise further. RNZ / Dan Cook Any businesses planning to offer extra support for their staff facing fuel cost rises will need to consider the tax implications. Fuel prices have risen sharply … Read more

How rising costs are reshaping New Zealand’s regional air links

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Source: Radio New Zealand The Regional Connectivity Fund provided $30 million in concessionary loans to allow some regional airlines to consolidate debt, refinance loans and invest in aircraft maintenance or upgrades. RNZ / Quin Tauetau Explainer – Regional airlines across New Zealand are warning key air links are under growing pressure, as rising fuel and … Read more

Illegal street racing sees arrest and car impounded

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Source: New Zealand Police Raglan Police have arrested one person and impounded their car after reports of illegal street racing around the area over the weekend. The arrested person was one of multiple drivers seen driving dangerously on Nau Mai Road. The 19-year-old man was taken into custody around 1.30am on Sunday. He is due … Read more

Waihī Estuary has original name Te Heriheri restored as part of wetland project

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Source: Radio New Zealand Iwi members and local stakeholders at the unveiling of the new sign restoring the name Te Heriheri to the Waihī estuary. Supplied/Te Wahapū o Waihī An estuary near Maketu in Bay of Plenty has had its original name Te Heriheri restored as part of an iwi-led project to restore the health … Read more

Melbourne Storm say Eli Katoa may never play again

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Source: Radio New Zealand Eli Katoa received the injury during the Tonga and New Zealand Kiwis Pacific Championships match in Auckland. NRL Photos/Photosport Tongan rugby league player Eliesa Katoa may never play the game again, according to Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy. Katoa had brain surgery in November as a result of head knocks he … Read more

School attendance services warn rising fuel prices likely to drive up truancy

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Source: Radio New Zealand Attendance services warn rising fuel prices are likely to drive up truancy. 123rf Attendance services warn rising fuel prices are likely to drive up truancy. Two service providers, one in rural Northland the other in Auckland, say transport costs are a big driver of student absences and they expect it to … Read more

‘Abysmal, unfair’ – NZ Brits say they count for less than EU migrants

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Source: Radio New Zealand Dual British or Irish New Zealanders have no exemption to the new UK border rule. RNZ /Gill Bonnett Dual United Kingdom-New Zealand nationals say it is unfair some European Britons are allowed to dodge new passport rules, while British migrants in other parts of the world have to fall in line. … Read more