World Cup dream over for Tall Ferns after winless tournament

Source: Radio New Zealand Emilia Shearer #2 of New Zealand at the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan. (Photo by Edgardo Medina / NurPhoto via AFP) The Tall Ferns have finished their World Cup Qualifying Tournament winless after a 77-61 loss to hosts Puerto Rico. The Tall Ferns had to beat Puerto … Read more

Universities – Traffic silently killing Aucklanders – UoA

Source: University of Auckland – UoA Pollution from cars in Auckland is killing around 700 people a year and hospitalising 4,000 more, with health researchers calling for policy changes. More than 700 Aucklanders die every year from air pollution from traffic, similar to the number who die from smoking cigarettes, with almost 4,000 more ending up … Read more

New Zealand man accused of woman and baby’s murders in Australia

Source: Radio New Zealand By Talissa Siganto, ABC Blake Seers, 37, has been charged with two counts of murder (domestic violence) over the deaths of a woman and child. ABC/Lucas Hill A man accused of killing his partner and baby daughter in Logan, south of Brisbane, was suffering a “schizoaffective disorder”, a court has heard. … Read more

Etiqa Insurance Singapore Returns to NATAS Travel Fair 2026

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 March 2026 – Etiqa Insurance Singapore, a leading general and life insurer, returns to the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) Travel Fair 2026 as the Official Travel Insurer for the fifth consecutive year. Themed “Be A NATAS World Traveller”, Singapore’s largest premier travel … Read more

Waikato Steel Manufacturing Project Fast-tracked

Source: New Zealand Government A structural steel manufacturing plant that will help build the future of New Zealand’s infrastructure has been approved through Fast-track. National Green Steel Limited lodged its application in July 2025 to build a structural steel manufacturing plant in Hampton Downs in Waikato. “Approval has taken around five months following the commencement … Read more

Moa Point failure report to be released on Friday

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Samuel Rillstone A report into the Moa Point disaster will be revealed to the public at the end of this week. The wastewater treatment plant failed last month, sending millions of litres of raw sewage into the sea each day. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office said a final … Read more

Police seek information on Wellington aggravated assault

Source: New Zealand Police Police investigating an aggravated robbery in Aro Valley are asking the public for information to help identify the offenders. The victim was walking on Ohiro Road around 5.40pm last night, when they were seriously assaulted by two unknown men. The victim’s phone was stolen, and they sustained multiple injuries requiring hospital … Read more

Genomic trial brings testing home for Kiwis with cancer and rare disorders

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealanders with cancer and rare disorders will benefit from faster, locally delivered genomic testing through a new clinical pilot being launched by Health New Zealand, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. Faster results for cancer and rare disease patients First step in building a national genomics service Building secure systems to … Read more

Murderer, sex offenders among current asylum claimants

Source: Radio New Zealand Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. RNZ / Mark Papalii Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says she was shocked to find out a murderer and sex offenders convicted in New Zealand are among current asylum claimants. Removing appeal rights against deportation for migrants and cracking down on asylum claims are among controversial proposals announced … Read more

New Zealand writer gets shoutout by Meghan Markle

Source: Radio New Zealand A book of poems about motherhood has been dog-eared and shared by Meghan Markle on her social media. They Bloom Because of You was published two weeks ago by Christchurch-based mother of three, Jessica Urlichs. “I was just completely stunned, I didn’t believe that it would be real,” Urlichs told RNZ. … Read more

SIM Global Education Showcases Why University Degrees Continue to Matter in a Skills-Driven Job Market

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 March 2026 – SIM Global Education (SIM GE) highlighted that while hiring practices are evolving, a university degree remains an important foundation for career success. In today’s job market, academic credentials continue to provide the knowledge base and credibility that employers expect, increasingly complemented by … Read more

Fuel stock down, but not unusually so – Nicola Willis

Source: Radio New Zealand Nicola Willis. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Energy Minister Shane Jones says there is no need for fuel restrictions at this stage, as the government provides the latest update on stocks. And the latest data shows New Zealand continues to hold “healthy levels of petrol, diesel and jet fuel” according to Finance … Read more

Activist Sector – Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting must condemn illegal war

From: Peace Action Wellington New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins will land in Canberra for the third iteration of the Australia and New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ANZMIN) this week. “Winston Peters and Judith Collins along with Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles must … Read more

GlobalData reveals most-exposed countries and key damage channels as recession risk rises from Hormuz disruption

Source: GlobalData The US–Israel–Iran war is severely disrupting global energy and logistics markets, heightening recession and inflation risks. With the Strait of Hormuz heavily constrained and commercial shipping facing elevated threats, markets are extremely sensitive to supply losses, delays, and shifting geopolitical risk premiums. Oil and refined product prices remain volatile, while LNG, freight rates, … Read more

Grocery Commissioner puts supermarkets on notice

Source: Radio New Zealand Shoppers are bracing for more food price rises. 123RF Shoppers are bracing for more food price rises, but the Grocery Commissioner has put supermarkets on notice about their margins. Foodstuffs NZ managing director Chris Quin told Morning Report that there was likely to be pressure on food prices as conflict in … Read more

Employment Trends and Research – Benefits in use: popular vs untapped

Source: Robert Half Benefits with the highest usage, according to New Zealand hiring managers: Working from home/hybrid options (41%), flexible work arrangements (32%), and (un)paid sabbaticals/leave of absence (26%). Benefits with the lowest usage: Mental health resources/employee assistance (38%), working from home/hybrid working options (30%), and (un)paid sabbaticals/leave of absence (26%). Benefits that are not … Read more

Fuel stocks remain healthy, monitoring steps up

Source: New Zealand Government The latest data on fuel stocks shows New Zealand continues to hold healthy levels of petrol, diesel and jet fuel, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones say. “As at midnight on Sunday 15 March, combined petrol, diesel and jet fuel stocks equated to about 49 days of … Read more

Opening address at Annual Immigration Law Conference

Source: New Zealand Government Tēnā koutou katoa, thank you for inviting me to join you at the Immigration Law Symposium. It’s a privilege to be here today and speak about the work we’ve delivered in the immigration portfolio over the last two years. I want to acknowledge and thank you all for your contributions. As … Read more

Watch: Polyfest opens with dawn ceremony

Source: Radio New Zealand The world’s largest secondary school Pasifika cultural festival officially kicked off at the Manukau Sports Bowl in Auckland on Wednesday with an intimate flag raising ceremony. The sun crept over the horizon, met with traditional waiata as the flags of the Pacific were hoisted into the air, marking the start of … Read more

FENZ pause on job cuts is responsible, but the Govt. must now step in and stop them

Source: PSA Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s decision to postpone its restructure pending a second Employment Relations Authority ruling is a responsible step, but the PSA is clear: these cuts should never go ahead. FENZ has just announced the delay in making decisions on their proposed restructure because a determination from the ERA based on legal action brought … Read more

University Research – Hauraki Gulf seabirds face tough time raising chicks – UoA

Source: University of Auckland – UoA Studies this summer show seabirds in the Hauraki Gulf are struggling to raise chicks, as the impacts of climate change hit. Lack of food appears to have caused poor chick survival for some seabird species in the Hauraki Gulf this summer. University of Auckland Associate Professor Brendon Dunphy, research … Read more

Culture and Heritage – New Zealand creatives embrace digital tools

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage New research shows that seven out of 10 creators use digital tools for creative or cultural practices. Secretary for Culture and Heritage Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae says the research shows that creatives are already well on their way to exploring these technologies.  “The main benefits they noted were improved efficiency … Read more

World Vision – AFGHAN CHILDREN FACE HUNGER CRISIS AS MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT CUTS FOOD SUPPLY AND INCOME

Source: World Vision World Vision is warning of a rapidly worsening hunger crisis in Afghanistan after Iran halted food exports due to the escalating conflict across the Middle East. Afghanistan is heavily reliant on both Iran and Pakistan  for food imports, but trade with its neighbours has now largely dried up following a significant escalation in hostilities over … Read more

Environment – EPA continues positive trend for hazardous substances decisions

Source: Environmental Protection Authority The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) maintained the upward trend for hazardous substances decisions in the second quarter of the 2025-26 year. Dr Lauren Fleury, Manager Hazardous Substances Applications, says the EPA continues to use rapid assessment pathways where possible. Of the 16 approved applications in the second quarter, 13 were decided by … Read more

Health – Drug Foundation welcomes substance harm action plan

Source: NZ Drug Foundation The NZ Drug Foundation is welcoming a new substance harm action plan that it says has many interventions the sector has long called for. The government’s Action Plan to Prevent and Reduce Substance Harm 2026 – 2029 was announced by Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey this morning. (ref. https://www.health.govt.nz/publications/action-plan-to-prevent-and-reduce-substance-harm-2026-2029 ) … Read more

Warrant leads to numerous charges

Source: New Zealand Police Police have seized firearms, ammunition and drugs during a search warrant at a Te Kamo property. Whangārei CIB were executing a search warrant on Mcmillan Avenue on Tuesday afternoon. “Police were making enquiries into a family harm matter when the discovery of illegal items were made,” Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer … Read more

Greenpeace hold ‘nitrate emergency’ demonstration outside Environment Southland meeting

Source: Greenpeace Greenpeace activists are demonstrating outside Environment Southland today, handing out copies of a recent report on Southland groundwater to force councillors to confront the realities of nitrate contamination in the region. Greenpeace says that high levels of nitrate in drinking water in the region warrant immediate action to protect the health of the community. … Read more