Our Changing World: The unexpected potential of ketamine

Source: Radio New Zealand Ketamine was first approved for use as an anaesthetic in the 1970s. AFP / Thom Leach / Science Photo Library Follow Our Changing World on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio or wherever you listen to your podcasts Anaesthetic, horse tranquilizer, illicit party drug; and now one of the most promising medicines for those … Read more

Senior police staffer ‘under assessment’ after internet use audit

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / REECE BAKER A senior police staffer’s internet usage is “under assessment” relating to potential misuse following an audit of senior staff and leaders in wake of the Jevon McSkimming scandal. There have been 19 police staff investigated in total to date following audits of internet use, four of whom … Read more

GSM Launches Green SM Platform, A Multi-Service Technology Platform, In Indonesia And The Philippines

Source: Media Outreach JAKARTA, INDONESIA/ MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 April 2026 – Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company (GSM) today announced the launch of its shared business platform, Green SM Platform, in Indonesia and the Philippines. This marks a strategic milestone following more than two years of international expansion, while … Read more

Dismissal of Gibson Appeal a Major Win for Workers’ Safety

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) has welcomed the High Court’s decision to dismiss the appeal of former Ports of Auckland Chief Executive Tony Gibson, calling the ruling a major victory for workers. The High Court upheld Gibson’s earlier conviction under the Health and Safety at Work Act, … Read more

Tirimoana Road in West Auckland road closed after fatal crash

Source: Radio New Zealand Police were called to Tirimoana Road around 7pm on Monday. RNZ / Marika Khabazi A road in the West Auckland suburb of Te Atatū South is closed after a fatal crash. One person has died following the two-vehicle crash on Tirimoana Road at about 7pm on Monday. Police are urging motorists … Read more

Save the Children responds after four children reportedly killed in Cyclone Maila

Source: Save the Children Save the Children is deeply saddened that four children are reportedly among 11 people killed in floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Maila in Papua New Guinea. Cyclone Maila destroyed homes, roads and bridges, and severely disrupted food supplies as it tracked across parts of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands last … Read more

Storm News – State of Emergency lifted for Northland

Source: Northland Regional Council The State of Emergency for the Northland region has been lifted as of 5pm Monday 13 April. The decision to lift the declaration was made this afternoon following consultation with local councils, emergency services, and welfare support agencies. Based on the latest assessments, the situation across the region can now be effectively … Read more

Legal Issues – High Court dismisses Tony Gibson appeal – Maritime NZ

Source: Maritime NZ   The Auckland High Court has upheld the initial guilty finding and sentence of former Port of Auckland Chief Executive, Tony Gibson, after stevedore, Pala’amo Kalati, was killed at the port in August 2020 by a falling container.   “Our thoughts continue to go out to Mr Kalati’s family and friends, as … Read more

That’s Us: National quit campaign returns for World Smokefree May to support whānau to stop smoking

Source: Hapai Te Hauora Hāpai Te Hauora is encouraging whānau across Aotearoa to come together this May, as World Smokefree May returns for 2026 with a focus on supporting people who smoke to connect with their local Stop Smoking Service and stop smoking. The That’s Us: World Smokefree May campaign highlights the benefits of stopping smoking … Read more

Tokoroa man sent to prison for distributing ‘illegal and harmful’ content

Source: Radio New Zealand Tokoroa District Court, Waikato. Google Maps Warning: This story contains content some may find disturbing. A Tokoroa man has been sentenced to nearly 5 years imprisonment for possession and distribution of objectionable material, including bestiality-related abuse and content involving infants. 30-year-old River Nathanile Foster appeared for sentencing in Tokoroa District Court … Read more

Heritage Spanish brand Osborne taps Singapore distributor Octopus to drive Asia-Pacific Growth

Source: Media Outreach Partnership opens pathway for joint product development and regional expansion Osborne aligns interests by taking S$5m equity stake in Octopus SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 April 2026 – Spain-based Grupo Osborne (“Osborne”), one of Europe’s oldest producers of wines and spirits, has appointed Octopus (APAC) Holdings Limited (“Octopus” or “Company”) … Read more

Former Ports of Auckland chief found guilty over worker’s death has appeal dismissed

Source: Radio New Zealand Former Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson. RNZ / Nick Munro The High Court has dismissed an appeal from a former Ports of Auckland chief executive who was found guilty in relation to the death of a worker. A stevedore, Pala’amo Kalati, aged 31, was killed by a falling container … Read more

West Auckland road closed after serious crash

Source: Radio New Zealand Police were called to Tirimoana Road around 7pm on Monday. RNZ / Marika Khabazi A road in the West Auckland suburb of Te Atatū South has closed after a serious crash. Police were called to Tirimoana Road around 7pm on Monday. Initial indications suggest there have been injuries. Diversions are in … Read more

High Court dismisses Tony Gibson appeal

Source: Maritime New Zealand The Auckland High Court has upheld the initial guilty finding and sentence of former Port of Auckland Chief Executive, Tony Gibson, after stevedore, Pala’amo Kalati, was killed at the port in August 2020 by a falling container. The Auckland High Court has upheld the initial guilty finding and sentence of former … Read more

Northland and Waikato end states of emergency

Source: Radio New Zealand Flooding in Paeroa during Cyclone Vaianu, on Sunday 12 April, 2026. RNZ/ Nick Monro Northland and Waikato have ended the states of emergency activated on Saturday ahead of Cyclone Vaianu’s arrival. Declaring a state of emergency grants councils extra powers during a local crisis. Whakatāne remained under a state of local … Read more

Calls for independent checks on healthy homes standards

Source: Radio New Zealand Damp old villas in a gully below Devon St, Aro Valley, Wellington, below Victoria University. Newsroom Housing advocates want an independent certification system so that landlords can’t just mark their own homework and say that their properties meet healthy homes standards. Since July last year, it’s been compulsory for all rental … Read more

Christchurch stadium boss calls for transparency over event funding

Source: Radio New Zealand Venues Ōtautahi chief executive Caroline Harvie-Teare. RNZ / Nate McKinnon The boss of Christchurch’s new stadium is calling for greater transparency over how the Government is divvying up its $40 million events attraction package. Wellington’s Ultra Festival, rock band Linkin Park and pop star Robbie Williams are among those lured with … Read more

Kiwifruit growers endured Cyclone Vaianu without major damage

Source: Radio New Zealand Colin Bond from Kiwifruit Growers hoped that the record crop that it was forecasting still eventuated. SUPPLIED/ZESPRI Kiwifruit growers have come through Cyclone Vaianu relatively unscathed. It has been less than 24 hours since strong wind and heavy rain lashed the North Island. Colin Bond from Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated told Checkpoint … Read more

Marata Niukore to leave Warriors to continue career in Australia

Source: Radio New Zealand Marata Niukore of the Warriors. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz Another Warrior is on the way out. Second rower Marata Niukore will depart at the end of this season to join the Newcastle Knights through until 2029. The 29-year-old New Zealand and Cook Islands international is off contract at the conclusion of the current … Read more

Former board member says Boxing NZ marred by bullying for too long

Source: Radio New Zealand Former Boxing NZ board member Ken Clearwater RNZ / Nate McKinnon Boxing NZ has been marred for too long by bullying atmosphere and inappropriate behaviour, former Boxing NZ board member Ken Clearwater says. The 73-year-old Canterbury boxing stalwart has written to the Sports Integrity Commission and Sport and Recreation Minister Mark … Read more

Communities say they dodged a bullet as Cyclone Vaianu moves offshore

Source: Radio New Zealand Floodwaters surround a house in Paeroa, during Cyclone Vaianu. RNZ/ Nick Monro Thousands of homes are still without power but most are feeling like they dodged a bullet after Cyclone Vaianu swept across much of the country. All evacuation orders have now been lifted and many communities feel they dodged a … Read more

Ram raid at Kaikohe aerodrome leaves club members with $250k bill

Source: Radio New Zealand Last month’s ram raid at Kaikohe Aerodrome inflicted huge damage on the local gliding club’s aircraft. RNZ/Peter de Graaf A Far North man has been arrested after a ram raid at an aerodrome wrecked a flying club’s gliders and left members with a $250,000 repair bill. A vehicle was used to … Read more

Wellington cafe considers fuel surcharge as costs keep rising

Source: Radio New Zealand On the fuel application Gaspy, 91 fuel was an average of $3.48 a litre and diesel was averaging $3.89 per litre. RNZ / Quin Tauetau A well-known Wellington Cafe is considering introducing a fuel surcharge in response to its suppliers hiking up their prices. Smith the Grocer in The Old Bank … Read more

Emma Main to miss Wellington Phoenix A-League finals campaign

Source: Radio New Zealand Emma Main shoots for goal for the Wellington Phoenix against Melbourne City in an A-League Women’s match at Porirua Park, Wellington, 10 January, 2026 PHOTOSPORT The Wellington Phoenix will tackle their first finals campaign without talented forward Emma Main. Main has a chronic lumbar spine injury, which has seen her miss … Read more

Four clubs in 2 years, Football Fern Jacqui Hand finds ‘good fit’

Source: Radio New Zealand Football Fern Jacqui Hand is now one of the more experienced players in the squad. Photosport Jacqui Hand is months into the biggest move of her football career and with a possible second Football World Cup on the horizon she is wanting to reach her potential at club level. Hand is … Read more

¡Ándale! ¡Arriba! Speedy Gonzales set to make his triumphant return

Source: Radio New Zealand ¡Ándale! ¡Ándale! ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba!” Meaning “hurry up, let’s go,” the trademark slogan of Speedy Gonzales was, for generations of children, the first Spanish words they learned. But by the 1980s, ABC had pulled his cartoons due to concerns that his dress, accent and characters like his cousin, Slowpoke Rodriguez, were insensitive … Read more