Four ways the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board delivers on sustainability

Source: Auckland Council With the cost of living rising and climate change top of mind for many residents, communities across Ōtara-Papatoetoe are finding practical solutions close to home. Passionate locals are transforming patches of land into māra kai or community gardens that grow not just vegetables, but also knowledge, resilience, and connection – while helping … Read more

Watch live: Christopher Luxon faces questions about Iran, fuel and polls

Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to face questions about Iran, fuel prices and National’s poll numbers after a meeting of the government’s top ministers. Luxon is expected to speak about 3pm. You can watch the livestream at the top of this page. It follows an eventful week in politics, including … Read more

Aon Appoints Winnie Loh as Real Estate and Data Centre Leader for Southeast Asia

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 April 2026 – Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, today announced the appointment of Winnie Loh as real estate and data centre leader for Southeast Asia, effective immediately. The appointment underscores the firm’s continued investment in data centres and digital infrastructure … Read more

Meet the marvellous Northland mudfish – the 2026 fish of the year

Source: NZ Department of Conservation In a late-stage upset Te Tai Tokerau residents rallied to back their own Northland mudfish as the country’s fish of the year – coming from behind to win the fifth annual Mountains to Sea competition. Measuring a mudfish The come back After trailing outside the top 10 at the halfway … Read more

What is E coli bacteria contamination, and what does it mean for your health?

Source: Radio New Zealand E coli bacteria is usually found in our guts, but certain strains can also cause illness when they contaminate food, water or your hands. THOM LEACH / Science Photo Library via AFP Explainer – What does it mean when a boil water notice is issued due to possible E coli contamination? … Read more

Hawkes Bay water project to boost food production

Source: New Zealand Government Pre-construction work will commence at the Tukituki Water Security Project in Hawkes Bay with the help of a Regional Infrastructure Fund loan of up to $18.13 million, Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson says. The Minister was at an event in Ongaonga today to announce the funding. “The water storage project … Read more

‘Tipping point’: Kiwis switch to electric cars, solar as fuel prices stay high

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Unsplash New Zealand has reached a “tipping point” with more people switching to electric cars and solar as Meridian Energy’s weekly app registrations increase by 214 percent, it says. Rising oil prices have put pressure on prices across New Zealand, pushing an upward trend and interest in EV alternative … Read more

Reserve Bank expected to hold OCR steady at 2.25%

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ Reserve Bank expected to hold official cash rate unchanged at 2.25 percent Middle East conflict clouds decision making for central banks Recent speech by Governor Anna Breman likely template for latest decision Accept inevitable inflation and growth impacts, but no knee jerk rate reaction Markets price in 25 basis point … Read more

Weather: Tauranga residents told to evacuate if they feel unsafe in heavy rain

Source: Radio New Zealand The main road in Kawakawa RNZ / Nick Monro People in Tauranga feeling unsafe when heavy rain bears down on the city are being urged to evacuate. The Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane is now under an orange heavy rain warning, with up to 140mm forecast from midnight. Tauranga City … Read more

Appointments – Lian Butcher appointed as next EPA Chief Executive

Source: Environmental Protection Authority Lian Butcher has been appointed as the next Chief Executive of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), effective 1 July 2026. Ms Butcher joins the EPA from Greater Wellington Regional Council, where she has been Group Manager of the Environment Group, her second tenure with Greater Wellington. Previously, she was Deputy Director-General, Partnerships … Read more

Farming app detects rise in ‘suspicious’ fuel takes overnight

Source: Radio New Zealand A farmer with his farm fuel tank featuring Levno sensors to monitor fuel withdrawals. SUPPLIED/LEVNO Data from an app that tracks farm fuel levels shows a small rise in fuel being taken from monitored tanks during the night, amid the global fuel crisis. Palmerston North-based company Levno has sensors on farm … Read more

DOC statement: Outcome of Wildlife Act investigation

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  07 April 2026 The Department of Conservation has completed its investigation into an allegation McCallum Bros Limited (MBL) disturbed protected stony corals during sand-dredging activities in the Pākiri Temporary Sand Extraction Area in 2025. Although corals were identified in the area, there is insufficient evidence to prove stony corals were … Read more

Weather: Tauranga residents urged to consider evacuating as heavy rain heads south

Source: Radio New Zealand The main road in Kawakawa RNZ / Nick Monro People in Tauranga feeling unsafe when heavy rain bears down on the city are being urged to evacuate. The Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane is now under an orange heavy rain warning, with up to 140mm forecast from midnight. Tauranga City … Read more

Gang member arrested and charged for drug supply, Christchurch

Source: New Zealand Police Attributable to Inspector Craig Scott: Police delivered an early Easter surprise to a Christchurch gang member, who was arrested and charged in relation to drug supply last week. At around 2:45pm on Thursday 2 April, the Te Wai Pounamu Gang Disruption Unit located a person of interest on Litchfield Street. A … Read more

Renewed appeal for information on missing woman Rowena Walker

Source: New Zealand Police Christchurch Police remain committed in their efforts to locate missing woman Rowena Walker, nearly eight months on from her last confirmed sighting. Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan says Police continue to follow lines of enquiry to locate the missing 39-year-old. “Rowena’s last confirmed sighting was on 14 August, when she was … Read more

Cyclone Vaianu cuts off roads, closes schools and cancels flights in Fiji

Source: Radio New Zealand Videos shared by the Fiji Meteorological Service – sent by the public – showing real-time weather updates of the impacts of Vaianu show rain and strong winds affecting different parts of the country. Screengrab / Facebook/Fiji Meteorological Service Dozens of roads and crossings are inaccessible in Fiji’s Western Division due to … Read more

Health and Education – From Intern to Psychologist: Fresh Minds helps careers begin

Source: ProCare Fresh Minds is shaping the next generation of psychologists through hands‑on training and supportive pathways into practice. Just one year after joining the Fresh Mind’s Intern Hub, Tasha Francis has stepped into a full-time Psychologist role with ProCare Fresh Minds. Her journey demonstrates how the Hub is delivering tangible outcomes for Aotearoa’s mental … Read more

Reprieve for Christopher Luxon, but National still under 30 in latest poll

Source: Radio New Zealand National Party leader Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins. RNZ The latest Taxpayers Union-Curia poll shows National slightly up – but still below 30%, and Labour slightly down, with the coalition parties comfortably able to form a government. Labour on 33.4% is still above National on 29.8%. But with NZ … Read more

Missing woman Rowena Walker’s family ‘desperately worried for her safety’

Source: Radio New Zealand Rowena Walker’s last confirmed sighting was on 14 August, when she was captured on CCTV in Christchurch on Bassett Street with an associate. Supplied The family of a woman who has been missing for nearly eight months are “desperately worried for her safety”, police say. Rowena Walker was reported missing by … Read more

Commerce Commission concerned over carpet company merger, delays decision

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Alexander Robertson Commerce Commission to issue detailed concerns about Bremworth takeover Takeover would join Bremworth with rival Godfrey Hirst Regulator previously said not convinced deal would not “substantially lessen” competition Decision pushed out until end of May A proposed merger of the country’s top two carpet makers is faces … Read more

Auckland’s traffic woes threaten New Zealand’s productivity – Infrastructure New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand AFP Infrastructure New Zealand is calling for more investment in Auckland’s transport woes, warning congestion and delays threaten the country’s productivity. The lobby group joined with thinktank Committee for Auckland to hold a summit of leaders from across business, infrastructure, and government to find ways through the city’s transport challenges. Chief … Read more

Pharmac widens access to two melanoma medicines

Source: PHARMAC Pharmac will widen access to two melanoma medicines, giving New Zealanders another funded immunotherapy option and reducing the amount of treatment some people may need. From 1 May 2026, people with stage 3B to stage 4 melanoma that can be removed with surgery will be eligible for funded nivolumab and ipilimumab before surgery. … Read more

Business – Fuel disruption hits business confidence before supplies, EMA survey

Source: EMA Media Release New Zealand businesses are already changing behaviour in response to the global fuel disruption, not because fuel has run out, but because confidence is waning. New survey evidence from the EMA shows employers are reacting to rising prices, volatility and uncertainty well ahead of any widespread disruption to physical fuel supplies, with … Read more

Advocacy – Greenpeace to join the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza

Source: Greenpeace Barcelona, Spain – Greenpeace has announced that its ship, the Arctic Sunrise, will join the upcoming Global Sumud Flotilla. Sailing alongside more than seventy vessels and over a thousand participants who seek to directly challenge Israel’s ongoing blockade of aid to Gaza – the Arctic Sunrise’s role will be to provide technical and operational maritime … Read more

Coromandel and North Waikato move to open fire season

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Both the Coromandel and North Waikato zones will move into an open fire season from Tuesday 7 April at 9am, until further notice. This means a permit is no longer required to light an open air fire in the area. Fire and Emergency New Zealand Acting District Manager Mark Tinworth … Read more

Events – North Island Firefighters compete in high-speed public event

Source: United Fire Brigades’ Association More than 140 firefighters from across Te Ika-a-Māui, the North Island, will converge on Havelock North this weekend to compete in one of the most physically demanding firefighter-sports events in the country – the UFBA North Island Firefighter Challenge. For the first time ever, this event will be taking place on … Read more

Advocacy – Foreign Minister Peters urged to put Palestine at the front of the agenda in Washington – PSNA

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa – PSNA Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa has just written to Foreign Minister Winston Peters, urging him to put Palestine front and centre in his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington this week. “The escalating international crisis, which all stems from resistance to Israel’s genocide in Gaza, … Read more