Trump says US talking with ‘respected’ figure in Iran. It may be a war veteran with a record of suppressing dissent

by

Source: Radio New Zealand By Tim Lister and Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf looks on as parliamentarians chant in support of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran on February 1. Hamed Malekpour/WANA/Reuters via CNN Newsource The Iranian official talked of as a potential interlocutor with the Trump administration once … Read more

All Black winger Emoni Narawa recommits to NZ rugby

by

Source: Radio New Zealand Emoni Narawa of the All Blacks. Jeremy Ward / PHOTOSPORT The desire to play at a Rugby World Cup made Emoni Narawa’s decision to stick with New Zealand rugby an easy one. The All Blacks and Chiefs winger has extended his commitment through to the end of 2029. “Wearing the black … Read more

New Zealand rural towns struggle with little alternative options amid fuel crisis

by

Source: Radio New Zealand Laskeys Auto Service in Paihiatua. Charlotte Cook/RNZ It’s an easy alternative for most, fuel prices jump so you make use of public transport, or pedal power, but for many small towns around New Zealand it’s simply not an option. Petrol prices have increased by almost $1 per litre on average in … Read more

Appeal for information as man arrested for alleged sexual offences

by

Source: New Zealand Police Attributable to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Karli Whiu: Polce investigating alleged serious sexual offending by a Flaxmere man are appealing for anyone who may have information to come forward. On Monday 23 March, a 37-year-old Flaxmere man was arrested and he appeared in the Hastings District Court yesterday. He has been … Read more

Blues and Drua to play for Joeli Vidiri trophy

by

Source: Radio New Zealand NZ sevens wing Joeli Vidiri with his gold medal. Kuala Lumpar Commonwealth Games 1998. Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz The Blues and Fijian Drua will in future play for the Joeli Vidiri Memorial Trophy whenever they meet in Super Rugby. The two clubs made the announcement with the trophy up for grabs … Read more

Consistency the key as Liam Lawson prepares for Japan GP

by

Source: Radio New Zealand Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team MARCEL VAN DORST / AFP Analysis – Consistency is the word that has been linked with Liam Lawson ever since he joined Formula 1 in 2023. It remains the topic as he heads into round three of … Read more

Homelessness among older people at crisis levels, Christchurch Methodist Mission says

by

Source: Radio New Zealand Jill Hawkey. RNZ / Penny Smith The Christchurch Methodist Mission is warning that homelessness among older people is at crisis levels and that the situation is rapidly worsening. The scale of the problem was laid bare during the launch of the charity’s cross-party Doors to Dignity campaign at Parliament on Tuesday … Read more

The race against time for people trapped in floodwaters

by

Source: Radio New Zealand Flooding in Ōtorohanga claimed one life in February, with specialist rescue teams not pre-deployed despite the weather warnings. RNZ/Marika Khabazi Fire and Emergency (FENZ) has been struggling to respond quickly to some rescue callouts when big storms hit – including one last month when a man died, well-placed sources say. The … Read more

NZ has ‘seized opportunities’ to work closer with US on defence, space – MFAT briefing

by

Source: Radio New Zealand A MFAT briefing says technology cooperation is increasingly significant to the relationship between the US and NZ. 123rf New Zealand’s attempts to get more cooperation with the Trump administration on defence, space and sensitive technology sectors has been paying off, according to an official briefing. “New Zealand has seized opportunities in … Read more

Artificial intelligence could soon be used to help screen for breast cancer

by

Source: Radio New Zealand AFP Artificial intelligence could soon be used to screen for breast cancer in the public system. Experts say using AI as a second set of eyes for mammograms could make better use of our radiologists – as long as its trained on the right data. Typically, the tool works by assessing … Read more

‘It’s going to get messy’: Construction costs to jump

by

Source: Radio New Zealand Supplied/ Unsplash – Josh Olalde The inflationary effects of higher oil prices is already being felt in the construction sector. The industry is still licking its wounds after a lengthy downturn and while recent economic growth numbers suggest there is a gentle recovery underway in residential, commercial construction has yet to … Read more

Government getting advice on proposal to boost Marsden Point storage

by

Source: Radio New Zealand Shane Jones (front) descends from the top of a 27-metre-high fuel tank at Marsden Point. RNZ / Peter de Graaf The minister responsible for fuel security says he has received proposals from import terminals to open up more diesel capacity, but any recommission of tanks would be a while off. Associate … Read more

Industry groups call for new ‘Buy Kiwi Made’ as McCain Foods latest to face closures

by

Source: Radio New Zealand McCain Foods has announced it will close its Hastings processing plant. Roberto Machado Noa Industry groups and local government leaders are calling for the resurrection of a Buy Kiwi Made campaign as alarms sound over new job losses and factory closures. McCain Foods announced on Tuesday it would close its Hastings … Read more

The suburbs where values rose 6 percent in three months

by

Source: Radio New Zealand Thirty suburbs increased in value by more than 3 percent, many of which were in Otago. 123RF Karitane, in Dunedin, and Blackball in Grey District experienced house value increases of 6 percent in the three months to March, while Little Wanganui, in Buller, dropped by the same amount. It’s a mixed … Read more

Wellingtonians’ water bills jump by hundreds of dollars, more increases to come

by

Source: Radio New Zealand Tiaki Wai is replacing Wellington Water and inheriting the region’s assets – managing and providing drinking water, wastewater, and piped stormwater services from July. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Wellingtonians will face “really steep” increases in their water bills over the next decade as its new water entity tries to fix old, … Read more

Fuel prices keep drivers off roads

by

Source: Radio New Zealand AFP / ROBERT MICHAEL Rising fuel prices appear to be keeping some travellers off the roads in the main centres. Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub helped RNZ compile NZ Transport Authority data showing traffic at sites throughout the country. It shows Auckland’s light vehicle traffic numbers are down 2.2 percent and … Read more

Father’s meningitis plea after daughter’s death

by

Source: Radio New Zealand Gerard Rushton and his wife Claire hold a picture of their daughter, Courtenay, who died of meningitis in 2014, at 16 years old.   Mike Clare / clickmedia.nz / supplied A grieving dad renews his call for free meningitis vaccines as cases hit NZ students, and a deadly UK outbreak grows. A … Read more

Combat deployment of NZ troops to Middle East unlikely, even if help asked – law professor

by

Source: Radio New Zealand A MarineTraffic map showing ship movements in the Strait of Hormuz . AFP / JONATHAN RAA A law professor says if New Zealand was asked to support ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a combat deployment is unlikely. But Professor Alexander Gillespie said a joint statement between 19 countries … Read more

Government announces new diabetes roadmap but keeps details secret, for now

by

Source: Radio New Zealand Maungakiekie MP Greg Fleming. RNZ / Felix Walton A new diabetes roadmap hopes to slow the disease’s progression and decrease the number of amputations. The government’s roadmap would be released publicly, but not for a number of weeks while its details were finalised. Maungakiekie MP Greg Fleming announced the plan on … Read more

Iranian New Zealanders mark Nowruz at Parliament with mixed feelings

by

Source: Radio New Zealand A dancer performing at the event. RNZ / Lillian Hanly Iranian New Zealanders gathered at Parliament on Tuesday night to celebrate Nowruz, or Iranian new year, while grappling with a “mix” of feelings due to the ongoing conflict. Those in attendance told RNZ they hoped a new year would bring new … Read more

Two senior Corrections staff under investigation

by

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ understands both involve senior staff. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson Two senior Corrections staff are under investigation including one who faces an allegation of sexual harassment. The other person has been suspended following multiple allegations of bullying and harassment. Corrections said the two cases, which both involve staff at Mt … Read more

‘Impactful’ weather event heading for upper North Island

by

Source: Radio New Zealand Unsplash / Erik Witsoe MetService says an “impactful” weather event is heading for the upper North Island this afternoon, with Northland likely to be upgraded to a red weather warning as it develops. An orange heavy rain warning was in place for Northland from 4pm Wednesday and for Great Barrier Island … Read more

Board accused of interfering in Columba College, accuses ministry of ‘overstepping’ in turn

by

Source: Radio New Zealand Columba College in Dunedin. RNZ Documents show staff at Dunedin’s Columba College complained to education officials multiple times accusing the school’s board of bullying and interfering in the day to day running of the school. In response, the college would later say the Ministry of Education’s apparent concerns were “not made … Read more

Dunedin City Council considers sanctioning first-termer Benedict Ong for code of conduct breach

by

Source: Radio New Zealand Dunedin City councillor Benedict Ong. Supplied The Dunedin City Council will consider sanctioning first-term councillor Benedict Ong for breaching its code of conduct after publicly criticising a staff member. Ong last month sent an email complaining about the staff member’s performance to the council’s chief executive and two local journalists. The … Read more

4am wake-ups: Can anyone be a ‘morning person’?

by

Source: Radio New Zealand Nadia White wakes up at 4am to make bacon and egg butties for the regular truckies loggers, shearers, boaties and fishers passing through Martinborough. “We can’t do anything until we have the magic brown juice and once that magical juice is running through our veins and then, then we’re just into … Read more