Police making enquiries into unexplained death in Hastings

Source: New Zealand Police To be attributed to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Karli Whiu: Police are making enquiries after a man was located deceased at a construction site on Omahu Road in Hastings earlier this week. Officers were called to the site at 7pm on Thursday 18 March.  The man was not an employee at … Read more

Recognition – Safeguarding Children wins New Zealand Community of the Year 2026

Source: Safeguarding Children A nationwide movement that has trained more than 93,000 advocates to recognise and respond early to signs of child abuse has been awarded the Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year 2026. Safeguarding Children CEO Willow Duffy accepted the award at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards ceremony, reflecting … Read more

Statement – Home support workers must be front of queue for fuel fix Nicola Willis – PSA

Source: PSA The PSA is urging the Finance Minister to make 23,000 home support workers a priority when delivering urgent support to low income workers hit by sharply rising petrol prices. Nicola Willis told media today she wants a ‘very targeted and temporary’ fix for those ‘acutely impacted’, adding she doesn’t want to see a situation where ‘people … Read more

Investigation launched following serious injuries, Christchurch

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Detective Sergeant Ben Rolton, Christchurch Metro CIB: Police are investigating after a woman was found with serious injuries in Christchurch last night. Police were called to Worcester Street, between Latimer Square and Barbadoes Street, around 10pm last night, with reports that a person had received wounds consistent with being … Read more

Person critically injured in assault in North Canterbury

Source: Radio New Zealand Police are investigating following a serious assault on Thursday night in Amberley, in the Hurunui District in North Canterbury. Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons said officers responded around 10.25pm after being told a person had been seriously assaulted at a rural property on Racecourse Road. The victim was taken to hospital … Read more

Arts – NZSA Mentorships 2026 announced!

Source: NZSA We are pleased to announce the 13 emerging writers who have been selected for The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa 2026 Mentorship Programme. The Judging panel of Dr Paula Morris (convenor), Cassie Hart and Philippa Werrycommented: ‘We were impressed with the number of applications and the range of … Read more

Warriors’ ‘Mahi Man’ earns his moment in the spotlight

Source: Radio New Zealand Mark ‘the mahi man’ pictured here with Warriors skipper James Fisher-Harris, will lead the Warriors onto the field this weekend to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. instagram He’s the unofficial Warriors hype man, and a worthy challenger to the Mad Butcher’s title of the club’s biggest fan. Introducing Mark ‘the Mahi … Read more

Robot Rampage: Enthusiasts watch epic final fight in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand Team Brazil was crowned champion at the Robot Rampage World Cup. Robot Rampage Fought inside a bulletproof cage, a battle between combat robots is not for the faint-hearted. It’s the grand final of Robot Rampage World Cup, a four day competition between teams from New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, and the United … Read more

Auckland resident contests council’s ‘broad brush model’ for flooding designations

Source: Radio New Zealand The council publishes multiple different flood maps, which provide broad information about flood risks across the city. Auckland Council An Auckland homeowner disputes her property is flood-prone, despite it being designated as such on Auckland Council’s online maps. The council publishes multiple different flood maps, which provide broad information about flood … Read more

Foodstuff’s petrol stations continue to offer discounts despite stores running dry

Source: Radio New Zealand Foodstuff’s petrol stations say they will continue to offer discounts despite stores running dry and operating day to day. Petrol stations across the country are seeing a surge of drivers filling up as fuel prices rise amid fears over the Iran war and potential shortages. Finance Minister Nicola Willis said as … Read more

Genesis says $300 million rights issue ‘strongly supported’

Source: Radio New Zealand Genesis chief executive Malcolm Johns. Supplied Genesis Energy says its $300 million rights issue has been strongly supported, raising $242.7 million from eligible shareholders – including the Crown, which will maintain its 51 percent stake. The offer opened on 23 February, giving investors one new share for every 7.9 held, and … Read more

Last chance to save globally rare plants from rabbits

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  20 March 2026 It’s part of a wider goal to have a pest free Kaitorete Spit which is internationally recognised for its ecological value and contains many globally unique plants. DOC Mahaanui Operations Manager Andy Thompson says the plan is to restore more than 300 hectares and bring back rare … Read more

Reserve Bank head Anna Breman will publicly speak about the Iran conflict

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Reserve Bank to increase media events after cash rate decisions Will have online news conference after cash rate reviews, starting 8 April Previously cash rate reviews only had written statement Governor Anna Breman to speak about Middle East impact on economy next week Reserve Bank governor Anna … Read more

Investigation following serious assault, Amberley, Hurunui District

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons:  Police are investigating following a serious assault last night in Amberley, Hurunui District. At around 10.25pm Police were called with a report that a person had been seriously assaulted at an address on Racecourse Road. The victim was transported to hospital with critical injuries … Read more

Court decision summary – Tamiefuna v R [2025] NZSC 40

Source: Privacy Commissioner 20 Mar 2026, 10:13 Have you ever wondered whether the information privacy principles in the Privacy Act 2020 are relevant to the right against unreasonable search and seizure? The Supreme Court answered that question with a yes in this criminal appeal.  The appellant, Mr Tamiefuna, was convicted of one charge of aggravated … Read more

Don’t complain too much: Finland’s advice as NZ once again ranks below top 10 happiest countries

Source: Radio New Zealand It’s the third year in a row New Zealand has ranked outside the top 10 in the World Happiness Report. 123rf.com Finland has once again been named the happiest country in the world, a title it has now held a record nine times. New Zealand often ranks in the top 10, … Read more

Woman seriously injured in stabbing in central Christchurch

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson Police are investigating after a woman was found with serious injuries in Christchurch on Thursday night. Detective Sergeant Ben Rolton, Christchurch Metro CIB said officers were called to Worcester Street, between Latimer Square and Barbadoes Street, around 10pm. There were reports that a person had been … Read more

Counties Manukau youth to get faster support

Source: New Zealand Government A new dedicated child mental health service in Counties Manukau was officially opened today by Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey, marking an important step in ensuring our young people have faster access to support. “Mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing our youth today. Every New Zealander deserves access … Read more

Inmate dies at Christchurch Men’s Prison

Source: Radio New Zealand Christchurch Men’s Prison. Luke McPake / The Wireless An investigation is underway into the death of an inmate at Christchurch Men’s Prison. Corrections says staff and paramedics tried to revive the man, who died in the health unit early on Thursday morning. Other inmates and staff are being provided support. Corrections … Read more

Economy – RBNZ Advisory: Expanded April Monetary Policy Review and change to focus of Business NZ speech

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua (RBNZ) 20 March 2026 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua (RBNZ) is expanding its communications approach for the 8 April Monetary Policy Review. The April Monetary Policy Review decision will be released as usual on the RBNZ website at 2pm. We … Read more

Appointments – CAA appoints new Chief Financial Officer

Source: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) After a thorough recruitment process, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Brett Banner as Chief Financial Officer to its Executive Leadership Team. Brett is an experienced public sector finance leader and Chartered Accountant with more than 20 years’ experience across corporate services, including finance … Read more

Save the Children – Conflict drives Eid food price surge across Middle East and wider region, leaving families struggling to cope

Source: Save the Children Food prices have surged in some of the most food-insecure countries in the Middle East and wider region due to the ongoing conflict, threatening to push the most vulnerable families further into hunger as Eid approaches, Save the Children said. Families already struggling after years of conflict and economic shocks have told … Read more

Health – New air pollution report prompts renewed calls for action

Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation A new report reveals that more than 700 Aucklanders are dying every year from traffic-related air pollution – a toll now rivalling smoking – yet little is being done to reduce the human toll, a leading health charity says. A new University of Auckland report – released by Healthy Auckland Together … Read more

Investigation launch following serious injuries, Christchurch

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Detective Sergeant Ben Rolton, Christchurch Metro CIB: Police are investigating after a woman was found with serious injuries in Christchurch last night. Police were called to Worcester Street, between Latimer Square and Barbadoes Street, around 10pm last night, with reports that a person had received wounds consistent with being … Read more

Allocation process for flight landings in Westland Tai Poutini National Park opens

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  20 March 2026 The allocations process is the way DOC manages aircraft landings in and around the popular South Westland glaciers. Currently, four businesses are directly involved in landings in the Park, which are a significant drawcard to visitors wanting to experience the glacier landscape. This allocation follows a consultation … Read more

Fog disrupts flights at Wellington airport

Source: Radio New Zealand Some Sounds Air flights had been cancelled due to fog. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King MetService says low cloud disrupting flights in the capital is already starting to lift. Wellington airport said 12 flights had been cancelled and a further 10 delayed on Friday morning. An airport spokesperson said the weather was … Read more

Pumping wastewater into Kawarau River only option, Queenstown mayor says

Source: Radio New Zealand The Kawarau River. 123rf Queenstown’s mayor says pumping treated wastewater into the “pristine” Kawarau River is the council’s only realistic option. Queenstown Lakes District councillors agreed on Thursday to lodge a 35-year resource consent application for discharge from the Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant, while staff keep looking for alternative solutions to … Read more