‘Trail went cold’: The hunt for masterpieces stolen in the Gardner Museum heist

Source: Radio New Zealand Thieves stole 13 artworks by masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Manet, and Degas from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990. Screeenshot / FBI Thirty-six years on, mystery still lingers at Boston’s Gardner Museum. In the early morning hours of 18 March 1990, two men dressed as police officers talked their … Read more

‘Morning Report: Chris Hipkins Hipkins says he considered his future in politics after ex-wife’s claims

Source: Radio New Zealand Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he did consider his future in politics after his ex-wife levelled claims at him on social media, but he remains “absolutely committed” to staying on. Hipkins appeared on a suite of morning media on Wednesday – including Morning Report – where he again flatly denied all … Read more

‘Batteries on wheels’: EV expert says power grid well-equipped for rise in use

Source: Radio New Zealand If more Kiwis make the switch to an EV, could the electricity network handle the extra demand? ABC News / Brendan Esposito With interest in electric vehicles increasing due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, questions have been raised over the reliability of New Zealand’s power grid, should there … Read more

Popstar Robbie Williams announces New Zealand tour

Source: Radio New Zealand Global popstar Robbie Williams will play Christchurch’s new stadium later this year. Williams will be one of the first international acts at the One New Zealand Stadium when he brings his BRITPOP World Tour to the city on 28 November – the singer’s first concert in Christchurch in 25 years. He … Read more

Building a stronger future for our children

Source: New Zealand Government More women and families affected by addiction will now have improved access to support, giving children the best possible start in life. Increased investment announced today focuses on preventing and reducing substance-related harm in the areas that matter most, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “Too many New Zealanders are affected … Read more

England netball coach Jess Thirlby steps down to focus on family

Source: Radio New Zealand Jess Thirlby former head coach of England. © Photosport Ltd 2021 www.photosport.nz England netball coach Jess Thirlby has stepped down just four months out from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She steps down with immediate effect in a decision she said was “best for me and my family”. Thirlby had been … Read more

‘Morning Report: ‘Sewer pit’ – Chris Hipkins looks to battle ‘absolutely untrue’ posts

Source: Radio New Zealand Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he doesn’t think it is in anyone’s best interests to be arguing over details of his marriage break-up in public. It comes after he rejected allegations made against him by his ex-wife. On Wednesday, Hipkins told Morning Report says “all sorts” of additional unsubstantiated claims were … Read more

Charges confirmed following fleeing driver incident

Source: New Zealand Police Please attribute to Superintendent Shanan Gray, Counties Manukau District Commander: Police have charged four males following an aggravated burglary and fleeing driver incident across Auckland on Tuesday afternoon. At around 3.10pm, Police responded to an aggravated burglary reported on Bleakhouse Road in Howick. Police soon located a Ford Ranger allegedly stolen … Read more

“Charlotte’s Change” to provide redress for more survivors of abuse in mental health care

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is taking action to provide redress for more survivors of abuse in care, to include survivors of State-run mental health facilities from 1 July 1993 to 30 June 2022. “The Government is continuing to address the wrongs of the past, and while this can never repair the harm suffered, we are focused … Read more

Person critically injured after scooter, vehicle collide in Auckland CBD

Source: Radio New Zealand A police car seen behind a cordon as officers attend an incident. RNZ A person has been critically injured after a scooter and vehicle crashed in central Auckland on Wednesday morning. Police are at the intersection of Mayoral Drive and Cook Street. The injured person has been taken to hospital. Cordons … Read more

Kura Toa gives students more options in Term 3 2026

Source: New Zealand Government  Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that Kura Toa will open as an iwi led charter school in Term 3 2026. “Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow in ways which are more specific to their needs. Today’s announcement demonstrates the innovation enabled by the charter school … Read more

Iran war will lead to more supermarket price rises – Foodstuffs boss

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ Shoppers will take another hit when the impact of the Iran war hits the supermarket shelves, a Foodstuffs boss says. Households have already been feeling the pressure over the last year as shown by the release of new Stats NZ data. Prices were up 4.5 percent on an annual basis … Read more

Morning Report live: Chris Hipkins faces questions after rejecting claims by ex-wife

Source: Radio New Zealand Labour leader Chris Hipkins. RNZ / Mark Papalii Chris Hipkins is speaking to Morning Report shortly. You can listen on the player above, your app or your local RNZ frequency. Labour leader Chris Hipkins is set to face question on Morning Report after rejecting allegations made against him by his ex-wife. … Read more

Serious crash: Mayoral Drive, central Auckland

Source: New Zealand Police Police are in attendance at a serious crash in central Auckland this morning. At 7am, a crash involving a vehicle and scooter has occurred at the intersection of Mayoral Drive and Cook Street. The scooter rider is currently in a critical condition, and is being transported to hospital. Police have put … Read more

Speed limit confusion: NZTA reverses hundreds of fines

Source: Radio New Zealand Motorists had received fines for driving above 30km/h on 16 November. File photo. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Hundreds of speeding fines issued on a single day in Lower Hutt have been cancelled and refunded, after NZTA Waka Kotahi decided road signs had created confusion about the speed limit. The transport agency … Read more

Anxious, desensitised: How teens learn about news now

Source: Radio New Zealand When 18-year-old Wellington student Estella wants a different take on the latest war in the Middle East – or the conflict in Palestine or the Ukraine invasion – she has a quick scroll through her boyfriend’s social media feeds. Even though they share similar political views, his feed tends to skew … Read more

Is Nicola Willis’s ‘worst-case’ scenario not bad enough?

Source: Radio New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis. RNZ / Mark Papalii Finance Minister Nicola Willis might be being optimistic if she thinks inflation at 3.7 percent is a “worst case scenario”, one economist says. Willis told media on Monday that in the event of a prolonged conflict in Iran, lasting until the end of … Read more

Surge in prison sexual assault allegations linked to new complaints system, Corrections says

Source: Radio New Zealand The highest number of sexual assault allegations made by prisoners against staff in the 2024/25 financial year was recorded at Auckland Prison. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The Department of Corrections says a sharp rise in allegations of sexual assault by prisoners against staff is largely due to the introduction of a … Read more

‘We feel abandoned’: Kiwi in Dubai describes fear, chaos and lack of consular support

Source: Radio New Zealand A smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport. AFP A New Zealand citizen living in Dubai says they feel abandoned by the government as conflict intensifies, describing constant missile activity, shortages and a lack of clear evacuation support. Speaking anonymously, the expat told RNZ that conditions on … Read more

Seven Oranga Tamariki workers on trial accused of assaulting two teens at youth justice facility

Source: Radio New Zealand The defence lawyers say the staff were using legal restraint to keep themselves and the teens safe in a high risk situation. File photo. RNZ Seven Oranga Tamariki workers are accused of bashing two teens – or failing to stop them being bashed – in a tiny phone room at Korowai … Read more

Crews called in from Wellington to help with warehouse fire in Manawatū

Source: Radio New Zealand The scene of the fire around 4am on Wednesday. Facebook / Palmerston North Fire Brigade Firefighters are still battling a blaze at a large distribution warehouse in the central North Island. The fire in Milson, Palmerston North was first reported at 6.32pm on Tuesday. A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said the … Read more

White Ferns beaten, Black Caps win in game two of South Africa series

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand bowler Lockie Ferguson. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz The results were reversed for both the White Ferns and Black Caps in game two of their T20 double-header series against South Africa in Hamilton. After a convincing first up 80-run win, the White Ferns were beaten by 18 runs, while the Black Caps … Read more

AI boom creating shortage of key elements for consumer technology

Source: Radio New Zealand The AI boom is creating a shortage of key elements for phones, computers, even cars and dishwashers. 123RF New Zealand consumers are being warned laptops, smart phones and even fridges are going to cost more as the price of key components jump by 400 percent. Since the AI boom, manufacturers had … Read more

Should teachers give children lollies and chocolates for good behaviour?

Source: Radio New Zealand Some teachers give children lollies and chocolates for good behaviour. RNZ / Diego Opatowski Should teachers give children lollies and chocolates for good behaviour? Some do even though Health Ministry guidelines say schools should not serve sweets or chocolate at all. A teacher RNZ agreed not to name said rewarding children … Read more

Native speargrass survives Tongariro inferno virtually unscathed, report reveals

Source: Radio New Zealand Ecologist Jess Scrimgeour doing fauna assessments in the burnt area. Supplied / Department of Conservation A Department of Conservation (DOC) ecological report reveals that native plants are making a comeback in the blackened fire-charred areas of Tongariro National Park, but warns that invasive weeds and animal pests pose a risk to … Read more

Machete-wielding carjacker to be deported back to New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ A man who threatened four drivers with a machete in Australia in a series of attempted carjackings will be deported back to New Zealand. John Suafai Semau held a 64-year-old man in a headlock while trying to flee an accident scene in Queensland in 2022 and steal his car, and … Read more