Clean gear to stop weed spread on Easter outings

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Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  02 April 2026 DOC Biosecurity Technical Advisor Connor Hines says invasive weeds like common heather, gorse, or broom have recently been found on some popular hikes such as the Routeburn and Kepler tracks, as well as in some remote places in Fiordland, Southland, and Rakiura/Stewart Island. “These weeds are very … Read more

Police urge Hawke’s Bay clubs to remain vigilant following series of burglaries

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Source: New Zealand Police Police are urging sports and community clubs across Hawke’s Bay to be vigilant following a number of burglaries targeting club premises. Since February, Police have investigated nine burglaries at clubs across the region, with offenders causing damage and stealing items including cash, alcohol, and equipment. While enquiries into these incidents are … Read more

Rain with a chance of charges

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Source: New Zealand Police An offender who fled Northland Police in a stolen vehicle was located drenched, defiant and in possession of methamphetamine yesterday. At around 1pm, an officer in Kaeo sighted a vehicle reported stolen following a burglary. Mid/Far North Area Prevention Manager, Senior Sergeant Clem Armstrong, says the driver saw Police and took … Read more

Two arrested after possible sighting of a firearm in Glenfield, schools’ lockdown lifted

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Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / REECE BAKER Two people have been arrested following an incident that earlier prompted Auckland’s Glenfield Mall and surrounding schools into lockdown. Police said they were called to a reports of a single vehicle crash on Downing Street, around 11.20am. “Two people have fled the vehicle, and one was sighted … Read more

Unethical brain rot: why are millions watching AI fruits have affairs on TikTok?

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Source: Radio New Zealand If you’ve spent much time on TikTok recently, you may have noticed a strange new type of AI brain rot taking over: fruit dramas. These AI-generated short dramas feature odd-looking anthropomorphic fruit characters engaging in a range of ethically problematic behaviours. Many storylines, for instance, are based around affairs, racist attitudes, … Read more

Police incident unfolding in Glenfield, schools in lockdown

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Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / REECE BAKER Auckland’s Glenfield College and Wairau Valley Special school have gone into lockdown, with armed police seen running into the nearby Glenfield Mall. In a statement on social media, Glenfield College asked people to avoid the school. “Please do not come to the school or phone the scool … Read more

Marsden Point to get diesel storage capacity boost

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Source: Radio New Zealand Marsden Point. RNZ / Peter de Graaf The government will put more than $20 million towards additional diesel storage capacity at Marsden Point. The arrangement – funded through the Regional Infrastructure Fund – will support 90 million litres of storage at the import and storage terminal by recommissioning storage tanks that … Read more

Fast-track approved project could deliver New Zealand’s largest wind farm

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Source: New Zealand Government Fast-track approval has been granted for New Zealand’s largest wind farm project.  Contact Energy lodged a substantive application for the Southland Windfarm in August 2025. The proposed wind farm will be developed across 58km² of privately owned land in eastern Southland, about 30km southeast of Gore. “Approval has taken around 5 … Read more

NZ doesn’t join allies in call for responsible use of AI by the military

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Source: Radio New Zealand South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul delivers a speech at the closing session of the Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) summit in Seoul on September 10, 2024. AFP / JUNG YEON-JE New Zealand has not joined in the latest international call for responsible use of AI by the military, … Read more

Getting to know Maukahuka

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Source: NZ Department of Conservation By Tōrea Scott-Fyfe My first few days working on Maukahuka, I felt out of kilter. I walked confidently into the bush and found everything was a little bit off. The īnaka shrub was particularly spiky, and it had a penchant for eyes. When I got into the scrub, I found … Read more

Much-needed relief for hospitality businesses in time for Easter

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Source: New Zealand Government A member’s bill reforming alcohol laws comes into force at midnight tonight, providing much-needed regulatory relief and clarity for the hospitality sector just in time for the Easter long weekend, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee. The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, … Read more

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announces election-year Cabinet reshuffle

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Source: Radio New Zealand Chris Penk and Penny Simmonds have been promoted to Cabinet, as the prime minister reshuffles his ministerial lineup. The reshuffle also sees first-term MPs Cameron Brewer and Mike Butterick made ministers outside Cabinet. The changes were necessitated by the upcoming retirement of Judith Collins, as well as Dr Shane Reti’s decision … Read more

Increased mileage rates for home and community support workers

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Source: New Zealand Government Home and community support workers will receive a temporary 30 per cent increase to their mileage rates to help offset rising fuel costs, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. 30 per cent boost to mileage rates for home and community support workers Timely, temporary, and targeted support Supporting continuity of essential healthcare … Read more

Employee takes police vehicle camping despite being booked for search and rescue exercise

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Source: Radio New Zealand The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) released a summary of a police investigation it oversaw on Thursday. RNZ / REECE BAKER A police employee misused a police vehicle by taking it to go camping with a friend, despite it being booked for a search and rescue exercise, the police watchdog has … Read more

Government announces increased mileage rates for home and community support workers

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Source: Radio New Zealand Health Minister Simeon Brown. RNZ / Adam Burns Home and community support workers will receive a temporary 30 percent increase to their mileage rates to help offset rising fuel costs. The 30 percent increase means mileage rates will go from 63.5 cents to 82.5 cents per kilometre. The changes work out … Read more

Parts of the Far North still cleaning up after floods

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Source: Radio New Zealand A family begins the enormous task of shovelling silt off their Whirinaki property. Supplied / FNDC Parts of the Far North are still cleaning up and some whānau are unable to return to their homes one week after a major storm battered the district. The settlement of Whirinaki was worst hit … Read more

‘Definitely number one’: Melie Kerr smashes century in White Ferns record run chase

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Source: Radio New Zealand White Ferns captain Melie Kerr walks from the field after their win. Marty Melville Melie Kerr rates her unbeaten 179, that helped her the White Ferns to the highest successful run chase in women’s ODI history, as the greatest innings of her career. Chasing 347 to win Wednesday’s second one-dayer against … Read more

Live: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announces election-year Cabinet reshuffle

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Source: Radio New Zealand Chris Penk and Penny Simmonds have been promoted to Cabinet, as the prime minister reshuffles his ministerial lineup. The reshuffle also sees first-term MPs Cameron Brewer and Mike Butterick made ministers outside Cabinet. The changes were necessitated by the upcoming retirement of Judith Collins, as well as Dr Shane Reti’s decision … Read more

Police seek information on man facing charges for attacks in Hutt Valley

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Source: Radio New Zealand The police are now seeking the public’s help for information. RNZ / Nate McKinnon A 19-year-old man is before the courts on two indecent assault charges following an attack on people jogging in the Hutt Valley. The police are now seeking the public’s help for information and believe there may have … Read more

Union win for home support workers – but mileage increase still falls short – PSA

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Source: PSA A temporary increase in the mileage allowance for home support workers is a welcome response to the fuel crisis but more is needed. Health Minister Simeon Brown announced today a temporary 12 month increase in the allowance from 63.5 cents to 82.5 cents per kilometre. “This is a positive step forward for home support … Read more