What Auckland’s new plan means for your neighbourhood

Source: Auckland Council   [embedded content] Auckland Council is making changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan – the city’s rulebook for where and how new homes and buildings can be built. These changes will see stronger protections against floods and other natural hazards and focus new homes in safer, well-connected places near shops, services, jobs … Read more

Hobsonville Point – first decade of a housing masterclass

Source: Auckland Council Hobsonville Point has evolved into a living example of smart housing in a growing city. The harbourside suburb in west Auckland has shown how walkable, well-designed, mixed density housing can build a strong sense of community. Like Northcote ( and many other emerging suburbs offering medium density housing options built close to … Read more

Live: Moana Pasifika v Crusaders – Super Rugby Pacific

Source: Radio New Zealand Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action as the Crusaders take on Moana Pasifika at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland. Kick-off is at 7.05pm. Team lists Moana: 1. Tito Tuipulotu 2. Millennium Sanerivi 3. Atu Moli 4. Tom Savage 5. Allan Craig 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c) 7. Niko Jones 8. Semisi … Read more

Super Rugby Pacific: Reds beat Fijian Drua in Lautoka

Source: Radio New Zealand Fijian Drua couldn’t capitalise on their home advantage as they lost their Super Rugby Pacific match 21-6 to the Queensland Reds in Lautoka. The Drua had won five of their last seven matches on their home turf but struggled to find cohesion in their attacks today. Both teams made plenty of … Read more

Taylor Broughton sentenced for life-threatening knife attack on Whanganui probation officer

Source: Radio New Zealand Corrections undertook a safety review following the stabbing. NZME An offender who became enraged during a meeting with his probation officer repeatedly stabbed the man in what has been described as the most serious attack on a probation officer in the country’s history. The officer suffered life-threatening injuries after being stabbed … Read more

Calls to delay Auckland rail closures as fuel prices push up public transport demand

Source: Radio New Zealand Supplied With high prices dragging on, officials are being urged to consider putting off work set to shut down our biggest city’s train network for days at a time. Several full closures on Auckland’s four lines are pencilled in for April. One block is over the long Easter weekend, and another … Read more

Bluebridge weekend Cook Strait sailings cancelled after technical fault

Source: Radio New Zealand The Bluebridge ferry Connemara. File photo. RNZ / Bill Hickman A technical fault has halted sailings on a Cook Strait ferry this weekend, disrupting travel between Wellington and Picton. Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries said a fault was identified on board the Connemara on Saturday morning. The ferry will remain in port … Read more

$4 a litre 91 petrol is coming, but take care with data showing it’s here in main centres

Source: Radio New Zealand Nick Monro / RNZ It’s likely 91 octane petrol will hit $4 a litre before long, but take care with Gaspy data showing it’s already there. Gaspy spokesperson Mike Newton said while 91 was near that level in the more remote parts of the country or difficult to access stations, people … Read more

Vintage cars celebrated in Nelson festival

Source: Radio New Zealand Cars lined up for the teams relay as part of the Vero International Festival of Motoring Samantha Gee/RNZ There have been flashbacks to the past on the roads around Nelson this week, with hundreds of veteran, vintage and classic cars hitting the streets as part of an international motoring festival. The … Read more

One injured after boat explosion at Tauranga marina

Source: Radio New Zealand Police said they were called to the scene at the marina about 1.35pm. RNZ / Nate McKinnon Emergency services are responding to a boat explosion in Tauranga. Police said they were called to the scene at the marina about 1.35pm. One person suffered moderate injuries, police said. Fire and Emergency said … Read more

Emergency services rush to boat explosion at Tauranga marina, one injured

Source: Radio New Zealand Police said they were called to the scene at the marina about 1.35pm. RNZ / Nate McKinnon Emergency services are responding to a boat explosion in Tauranga. Police said they were called to the scene at the marina about 1.35pm. One person suffered moderate injuries, police said. Fire and Emergency said … Read more

Fitch outlook reaffirms case for fiscal discipline

Source: New Zealand Government Global economic volatility makes the Government’s programme of fiscal consolidation more important than ever, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “Fitch Rating’s decision to place New Zealand’s AA+ long-term credit rating on negative outlook is a reminder of why fiscal discipline is so important.  “Over the past two years, this Government has … Read more

I’ve lived in Australia all my working life, can I come back for the NZ pension? – Ask Susan

Source: Radio New Zealand Supplied/ Unsplash – Matt Bennett Got questions? RNZ has a podcast, Got questions? RNZ has a podcast, No Stupid Questions, with Susan Edmunds. We’d love to hear more of your questions about money and the economy. You can send through written questions, like these ones, but – even better – you … Read more

Police asking for information on park assault

Source: New Zealand Police Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Paula Drewery, Taranaki Area Investigations Manager: Police investigating a serious assault in Stratford yesterday evening are asking the public for information surrounding the incident. The victim was walking through the entrance near the old Maryann Residential Care Hospital in King Edward Park around 6pm when … Read more

It’s a start – council welcomes review of Dog Control Act and urges urgency

Source: Auckland Council Auckland Council has welcomed the government’s announcement of a ‘comprehensive review’ of the ageing Dog Control Act 1996 and urges that this progress with urgency, and a firm timeline, given the significant issues many regions are facing. The council’s Director of Community Rachel Kelleher says Minister Watts’ letter to mayors, chairs and … Read more

PSA – What is the Govt. hiding? MPI blocks key info on meat inspection privatisation

Source: PSA MPI officials make flying visit to USA to reassure key export market The PSA is calling on the Ministry for Primary Industries to lift the veil of secrecy on its controversial plans to privatise meat inspection services. MPI has refused to release to the PSA under the Official Information Act the detailed analysis it … Read more

Country Life: Possums, stoats and hedgehogs no match for Canterbury’s 4×4 trappers

Source: Radio New Zealand Ray Cossar (left) checks a DOC 200 Mustelid trap while Alastair Stewart resets a “flipping timmy” possum trap. RNZ/Anisha Satya It takes a village to raise a dotterel – because they can’t get by on their own nowadays. “You can see how vulnerable they would be,” trap layer Ken Body said, … Read more

New Zealand joins 19 countries in statement condemning Iran’s attacks in the Gulf

Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon emphasised the attacks against fuel tankers and energy infrastructure were leading to higher fuel prices for New Zealanders. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone New Zealand has joined 19 other countries in condemning Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the Gulf. In a collective statement, the countries including the … Read more

Jason Holland signs three-year deal as Blues head coach

Source: Radio New Zealand Hurricanes Head Coach Jason Holland PHOTOSPORT Former All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland will take charge of the Blues on a three-year Super Rugby Pacific deal starting next year, after finishing up as an assistant at the Hurricanes. Holland has been appointed Blues head coach in place of Vern Cotter, who … Read more

Crackhead: the TV show turning Kiwi pain into a punchline for a global audience

Source: Radio New Zealand Holly Shervey is the creator, writer and star of Crackhead. Matt Klitscher Warning: This story covers topics including sex addiction and suicide. New Kiwi dark comedy Crackhead turns real-life addiction struggles into sharp humour – with Holly Shervey starring and husband Emmett Skilton directing. Holly Shervey was just six-years-old when her … Read more

Fuel crisis: AA warns against panic buying, stockpiling

Source: Radio New Zealand Several petrol stations ran out of fuel on Thursday and Friday. RNZ / Quin Tauetau The Automobile Association (AA) is warning against panic buying or stockpiling fuel, saying large quantities may impact house insurance claims. Several Gull, Foodstuffs, and Tasman Fuels stations ran out of petrol and diesel on Thursday and … Read more

Government orders complete review of Dog Control Act after spate of attacks

Source: Radio New Zealand Local Government Minister Simon Watts says recent attacks have been horrific. RNZ / Mark Papalii The government is ordering a complete review of the decades-old Dog Control Act after sustained criticism the current law is not enough. It comes after a spate of incidents, including the death of a woman in … Read more

Government orders review of Dog Control Act

Source: New Zealand Government The Government has ordered a comprehensive review of the Dog Control Act to crack down on roaming and uncontrolled dogs, following a number of horrific attacks. “New Zealanders are appalled by recent attacks by aggressive and out-of-control dogs. People are reporting that they are avoiding areas in their neighbourhood because they … Read more

Football: Phoenix women on the brink of history after 3-1 win over Sydney FC

Source: Radio New Zealand Pia Vlok of the Wellington Phoenix (file photo) photosport The Wellington Phoenix have all but secured a place in the women’s A-League finals after recovering from conceding an early goal to beat Sydney FC 3-1. Down 1-0 after five minutes, teenage forward Pia Vlok found an equaliser for the visitors soon … Read more

Country Life: Donald Moore on meeting global demand for protein

Source: Radio New Zealand Global Dairy Platform Executive director Donald Moore. Rebecca McMillan / Supplied The global dairy sector risks losing society’s support – social licence – if it doesn’t adopt a ‘global mass’ approach to addressing emissions. That’s what Donald Moore, from the Chicago-based Global Dairy Platform, told food industry leaders at the recent … Read more

Country Life: A look inside Mataura’s Masjid

Source: Radio New Zealand Haji Zamberi Matyunus, a long time resident in Mataura and the current imam of the Mataura Masjid. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life In a former Anglican church just off Mataura’s main street, you’ll find a new group of worshippers. The Mataura Masjid and community centre was established at the deconsecrated site … Read more

Why can you remember every word of an old song – but not why you walked into a room?

Source: Radio New Zealand While driving recently, a long-forgotten song came on the radio. I found myself singing along; not only did I know all the lyrics to a song I hadn’t heard in 25 years or more, but I also managed to rap along. How is it that I could give this rendition, but … Read more