University Research – HPV self-test boosts cervical cancer screening ‘across the board’, new study confirms – VIC

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Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington   Making human papillomavirus (HPV) self-testing available to all women increases the number of people screened for cervical cancer, a new study led by researchers from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington has confirmed.   The study, published today in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health journal, shows offering the HPV … Read more

GDP increases 0.2 percent in the December 2025 quarter – Gross domestic product: December 2025 quarter – Stats NZ news story and information release

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Source: Statistics New Zealand GDP increases 0.2 percent in the December 2025 quarter – news story 19 March 2026 New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.2 percent in the December 2025 quarter, following a 0.9 percent increase in the September 2025 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. “GDP has now risen in … Read more

Takeaways from US intelligence officials’ testimony amid war with Iran

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Source: Radio New Zealand By Aaron Blake, CNN Director of Defense Intelligence Agency James Adams III, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Acting Commander of US Cyber Command William Hartman testify during the Senate Committee on Intelligence hearing. AFP / OLIVER CONTRERAS Analysis – Top Trump administration officials testified publicly on Thursday (NZT) … Read more

Greenpeace targets PM’s office over possible NZ minerals deal with US

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Source: Radio New Zealand The scene of the protest on Thursday. Supplied Pictures of US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, and US flags have been plastered on the prime minister’s electorate office in the Auckland suburb of Botany on Thursday morning. A sign which reads ‘Trump War Minerals HQ’ with a cutout of … Read more

GDP data shows a growing economy

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Source: New Zealand Government Economic data released today confirms the economy was growing at the end of last year, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ figures released today show real Gross Domestic Product rising 0.2% in the December quarter. “While GDP data was volatile throughout 2025, the New Zealand economy picked up noticeably in … Read more

Ban on retaining reef fish bycatch remains

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Source: New Zealand Government A proposal to allow certain reef fish species taken as bycatch in the fishery in the north of the North Island to be retained and sold by commercial fishers will not go ahead, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.  “My officials tested a proposal to remove a historic ban that … Read more

DOC and Meridian Energy celebrate 10-years of powering Kākāpō Recovery

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Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  19 March 2026 This year marks 10 years of collaboration between DOC and Meridian as the National Partner of the Kākāpō Recovery Programme, working alongside Ngāi Tahu to support the critically threatened kākāpō. DOC Director-General Penny Nelson says the partnership demonstrates the power of working together for nature. “Meridian has … Read more

Rugby: Table-topping Hurricanes face first NZ derby of Super Rugby season

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Source: Radio New Zealand Billy Proctor celebrates scoring a try with team mates. MARK EVANS The Hurricanes top the Super Rugby standings, but the real tests of their title credentials are yet to come. They face the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday night in their first New Zealand derby of the season, before games against … Read more

Crashes cost up to 70% more than expected, data shows

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Source: Radio New Zealand The Ministry of Transport currently factors elements such as road closures, emergency service response, and the social costs for the life lost into the total cost of a road fatality. RNZ A transport consultancy firm says analysis of traffic data reveals the total cost of a crash is up to 70 … Read more

‘Should not be alarmed’: Massive training exercise on Lake Tekapo this weekend

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Source: Radio New Zealand Lake Tekapo. Karen Jiang A multi-agency Search and Rescue training exercise is scheduled this weekend, police said, in the Tekapo region. Lake Tekapo will host Operation Oasis between Friday and Sunday, “a complex, multi-phase scenario designed to test search techniques, field skills, and fatigue management in realistic conditions”. It will involve … Read more

New figures show slow growth in job market

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Source: Radio New Zealand The latest SEEK employment report shows job ads rose 0.9 percent in February. 123rf A slow warming in the job market appears to be broadening out into a more meaningful market shift. The latest SEEK employment report shows job ads rose 0.9 percent in February, the ninth consecutive monthly increase. It … Read more

Economy – RBNZ releases Summary of Submissions and Key Decisions from Liquidity Management Consultation

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Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand 19 March 2026 – The Reserve Bank has published a Summary of Submissions and Key Decisions paper on the Liquidity Management Review consultation. Decisions on the design of Open Market Operations (OMO) are expected to come into effect from 2 April 2026. The Reserve Bank has been reviewing its liquidity … Read more

Body found in search for missing man, Lake Manapouri

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Source: New Zealand Police Police searching for the missing man in Lake Manapouri over the past week, have this morning recovered a body. On Saturday 14 March, around 6.15pm, Police received a report that a man had fallen overboard from a vessel approximately 1km offshore in Lake Manapouri. While formal identification is yet to take … Read more

Commissioner’s speech to the National Cyber Security Summit 2026

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Source: Privacy Commissioner 17 Mar 2026, 09:00 Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster spoke on Tuesday 17 March at Takina in Wellington It’s great to be here today to: share some observations, from my perspective as Privacy Commissioner, about the place of cyber security in the minds of decision-makers, organisations, and the everyday person in the street, … Read more

Inflating cost of running a farm now structural – report

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Source: Radio New Zealand AFP / William West The cost of running a farm in New Zealand is more than a quarter higher than it was before the Covid pandemic. ANZ’s latest Agri Insights report, which analysed financial performance across more than 4000 dairy, red meat, kiwifruit, arable and pipfruit customers over five years, found … Read more

Rural Wellbeing Fund backs 18 initiatives

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Source: New Zealand Government The Government is backing rural New Zealand by supporting 18 community-based initiatives through its Rural Wellbeing Fund, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey say. “We established the fund mid-last year to boost wellbeing programmes that support the rural sector,” Mr McClay says. “These initiatives will ensure farmers … Read more

Conan O’Brien funded Sona’s IVF, so she made him Godfather of twins

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Source: Radio New Zealand Sona Movsesian and Conan O’Brien are co-workers but also “just two people who really care about each other”. Making the 62-year-old comedian a Godfather to her two sons was also a way to present them with someone who has a great work ethic and character to try and emulate, Movsesian tells … Read more

Cost of driving 15km in Auckland nearly double that of public transport – AT

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Source: Radio New Zealand It’s now costing people nearly double to drive their own cars. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Public transport is nearly half the price of driving to work in Auckland as fuel prices surge amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East It comes amid huge uncertainty on the price of petrol in … Read more

Crashes cost up to 70% more than expected, Transport Ministry finds

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Source: Radio New Zealand The Ministry of Transport currently factors elements such as road closures, emergency service response, and the social costs for the life lost into the total cost of a road fatality. RNZ A transport consultancy firm says analysis of traffic data reveals the total cost of a crash is up to 70 … Read more

Rocket Lab wins record contract with US Department of War

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Source: Radio New Zealand Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Sir Peter Beck. Supplied / Rocket Lab Rocket Lab has won a US$190 million (NZ$327m) contract from the United States Department of War, formerly the Department of Defence, for a series of hypersonic test flights using its HASTE launch vehicle. It is the largest single … Read more

Economy grew by 0.2 percent in last three months of 2025

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Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Quin Tauetau Economy grows 0.2 pct in December quarter, 1.3 pct on year ago Data at the low end of expectations Previous quarter revised to 0.9 pct growth from 1.1 pct Primary sector and tourism industries lead growth Manufacturing flat, construction sector contracts Data not likely to change Reserve … Read more

BusinessNZ – Oil slick: NZ’s economy still grows amid turbulent times

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Source: BusinessNZ The latest BusinessNZ Planning Forecast shows that while the economic outlook largely depends on how the conflict in Iran evolves, current forecasts still point to encouraging growth through to March 2028. Chief Economist John Pask says even as we navigate stormy seas internationally, there are reasons to remain optimistic at home. “Our construction sector is showing … Read more

Multi-agency Search and Rescue exercise in Canterbury this weekend

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Source: New Zealand Police Police would like to advise the Tekapo community of a multi-agency Search and Rescue training exercise taking place this week. From Friday 20 March to Sunday 22 March, Lake Tekapo will be hosting Operation Oasis, a complex, multi-phase scenario designed to test search techniques, field skills, and fatigue management in realistic … Read more

Online Security – Top Tips for Parents, for Safer Online Gaming

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Source: Herd MSL, for Roblox Roblox’s Global Head of Parental Advocacy, Dr Elizabeth Milovidov, says the school holidays are a timely moment for families to revisit their approach to online safety. Top Tips for Parents, for Safer Online Gaming 1. Start with privacy and safety basics Before your child starts gaming, consider what privacy and … Read more

Masterton aerodrome reaches new heights

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Source: New Zealand Government Upgraded airfield infrastructure of Masterton’s Hood Aerodrome improves safety and supports the strengthening of the region’s economy, thanks to a $10 million government grant, says Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. Mr Mark Patterson is in Masterton today joining locals to celebrate the completion of this significant milestone for Wairarapa’s aviation … Read more

We’re committed to generations of storytelling through Auckland Polyfest

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Source: Green Party Surrounded by festival goers this morning at Auckland Polyfest 2026, The Green Party announced that a Green Government would bridge the funding gap currently faced by Polyfest organisers. “Polyfest is whakapapa, Polyfest is healing: Polyfest is the best of us. The Green Party wants to preserve and protect this,” says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson. “Polyfest is … Read more

Master Plumbers marks 125 years of fixing problems and safeguarding public health

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Source: Master Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Master Plumbers has been fixing problems and advocating for regulation that protects public health for a long time. Chief Executive Greg Wallace says its work has kept communities functioning, and most importantly, healthy. “Nowhere is that more obvious at the moment than in Wellington, where the importance of good plumbing … Read more