Major social housing shake-up announced

Source: Radio New Zealand Housing Minister Chris Bishop. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The government’s announced a major shake-up of social housing – beginning in this year’s Budget. The change will boost support for more than 100,000 families by an average $15 a week, but leave another 80,000 families worse off by an average $30. The…

Delivering fairer social housing

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is launching a multi-year reform of New Zealand’s social housing system to make support fairer, better targeted, and more focused on encouraging independence, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Social Development Minister Louise Upston say. “Some people will always require housing support. Social housing should be there for those who…

SPEECH TO APŌPŌ CONGRESS 2026

Source: New Zealand Government Good morning, everyone. I’d like to thank Murray Pugh and the team at Apōpō for hosting this event and inviting me to speak. I’d also like to acknowledge our international friends from the Global Forum for Maintenance and Asset Management, and World Partners in Asset Management including members from Japan, France,…

Local News – Option for Spicer Landfill’s future decided – Porirua

Source: Porirua City Council A public refuse transfer station in place of Porirua’s Spicer Landfill has been identified as the preferred way forward when the landfill closes in 2030. Porirua City Council’s Te Puna Kōrero Committee today considered four options, before landing on one to progress to the next stage of planning. Porirua Mayor Anita Baker … Read more

The “super parents” of the bird world

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  21 May 2026 The pair are part of the captive breeding programme at The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust (ICWT) in Christchurch. Wildlife Manager Leigh Percasky says Trixie is a “super-mum.” “The breeding season has ended and yet she’s still producing eggs and raising chicks. Ideally, we’d prefer her to…

Twenty people arrested after investigation into alleged corruption within several prisons

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ/Calvin Samuel Twenty people have been arrested following a major investigation that has spanned nearly a year into alleged corruption within several prisons. Detective Inspector Colin Parmenter, of the National Organised Crime Group, said on Thursday Police began investigating criminal activity at the Mt Eden Corrections Facility (MECF) in July 2025.…

No evidence to back Luxon’s claim Peters mischaracterised view of Iran, PM’s office says

Source: Radio New Zealand VNP / Phil Smith The Prime Minister’s office says it has no evidence to back Christopher Luxon’s claim that Winston Peters micharacterised his view of the Iran War. Luxon had personally declined to offer such evidence, instead pointing to public government statements reflecting the official view. RNZ requested under the OIA…

Twenty arrests in corruption investigation

Source: New Zealand Police A complex Police investigation spanning nearly a year has unearthed alleged corruption and other criminal activity taking place within several corrections facilities. Twenty people have been charged this week after the National Organised Crime Group terminated Operation Jasper. Those arrested include Corrections Officers, Reintegration Officers and members of the public associated…

Turners profit dips on write-down despite record underlying result

Source: Radio New Zealand Turners Automotive Group. (File photo) RNZ / Nate McKinnon Car dealer and financier Turners Automotive has posted a slightly lower net profit after a goodwill write-down in its credit business masked a record performance across its divisions. Key numbers for the year ended March compared with a year ago: Net profit…

Injury rules Catherine Hall out of ANZ Premiership, Commonwealth Games in doubt

Source: Radio New Zealand Northern Mystics defender Catherine Hall. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz Mystics star defender Catherine Hall has been ruled out of the rest of the ANZ Premiership season due to injury, leaving her Silver Ferns Commonwealth Games prospects in serious doubt. Hall could be seen on crutches when the Mystics beat the Stars 57-51 on…

EIT celebrates graduates at Auckland ceremonies

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology 47 seconds ago More than 200 graduates crossed the stage at the Aotea Centre this week as EIT celebrated its latest graduating cohort across two ceremonies. The morning and afternoon ceremonies on Tuesday (May 19) saw 207 learners graduate, including 186 receiving master’s qualifications across a range of disciplines. EIT…

Defence supports efforts to train Ukrainian military

Source: New Zealand Government The New Zealand Defence Force has joined a new multi-national initiative led by Norway to train Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel in Poland, Defence Minister Chris Penk says. “New Zealand remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion,” Mr Penk says.…

EPA seeks feedback on bifenthrin insecticide proposals

Source: Environmental Protection Authority The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is calling for submissions on a proposal to restrict the use of insecticides containing bifenthrin. The public consultation runs from 21 May – 21 July 2026. Bifenthrin is used on a wide range of crops, including kiwifruit, squash, vegetable brassicas, and tomatoes, to control insects. It is … Read more

Budget 2026: What is Needed Is A Budget That Listens

Source: Hapai Te Hauora The past year has pushed many whānau to their limits. Rising living costs, housing stress, severe weather events and ongoing inequities continue to place pressure on communities already carrying the weight of stretched systems. And yet communities continue to respond – supporting each other, stepping up during crises and leading solutions often … Read more

Good Events – Firefighters take on the Sky Tower

Source: Blood Cancer NZ Over 1,100 firefighters from across the country are once again gearing up to take on the 1,103 steps of Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower for Blood Cancer NZ’s Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge. The Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge will be held on Saturday, 23 May with firefighters from not only New Zealand but also … Read more

Health – Bupa nurses take pay equity claim over historic wage discrimination – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation NZNO nurses working at Bupa aged residential care homes throughout Aotearoa New Zealand have raised a pay equity claim to address historic gender-based wage discrimination. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO has more than 380 registered nurse members working at Bupa’s 40 aged residential care homes across the country. NZNO aged … Read more

Oxfam – Aid cuts left DRC exposed to Ebola – Oxfam is mounting a response

Source: Oxfam Aotearoa Reacting to the World Health Organization’s declaration of the Ebola outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) – with over 400 suspected cases and 89 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo – Dr. Manenji Mangudu, Oxfam Country Director in the DRC, said: “Our partners are sending us deeply alarming … Read more

Sir Graham Dingle urges wealthy Kiwis to invest in young people’s goals

Source: Radio New Zealand Philanthropist Sir Graham Dingle. (File photo) Sir Graham Dingle Philanthropist Sir Graham Dingle says wealthy Kiwis need to invest in young people to help them reach their goals. Through his organisation, the Graham Dingle Foundation, he’s launching a nationwide fundraising initiative Move Mountains for Youth, calling on New Zealanders to help…

Awards – Tower wins Canstar’s Home & Contents Insurer of the Year Award

Source: Canstar 21 May, 2025: Tower has won its third consecutive Canstar Home & Contents Insurer of the Year Award, for consistently delivering outstanding value and customer satisfaction. For this year’s award, Canstar’s expert panel researched 14 home and contents insurance products from 11 providers. Each policy was assessed across 30 nationwide property addresses, to … Read more

Winston Peters condemns Israeli minister over flotilla video as Kiwis arrested

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand has joined the international condemnation of Israel’s far-right national security minister, even summoning the Israeli ambassador to convey that message. A video posted by Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing him taunting detained flotilla activists, drew international condemnation on Thursday. The video showed kneeling activists, with their hands…