Cut it out: recidivist burglar caught by Police

Source: New Zealand Police Matamata Police have arrested a recidivist burglar after an electronic tracking tag alerted officers to the location of a stolen lawnmower. A local officer took the report of the burglary on Monday morning, with the victim stating that the $1,200 brand new lawnmower had an electronic tracking tag attached for security. … Read more

Small ideas, big impact: How simple digital tools help Auckland’s factories thrive

Source: Auckland Council If you travel past Auckland’s many factories, it’s not immediately obvious how much these businesses contribute to our everyday life. But they do, producing everything from stainless-steel tubing to food products, plastics, electronics and specialist components.  They’re also a very important part of New Zealand’s prosperity. Auckland’s manufacturing firms keep thousands of … Read more

Health and Politics – Government Acknowledges Aged Care Pressures But Families and Carers Still Carrying the Load

Source: Aged Care Association The Aged Care Association says today’s Government response to the Health Committee inquiry into aged care capacity recognises serious system pressures but leaves families and informal carers continuing to shoulder the consequences. The inquiry examined how well the aged care sector can support people experiencing neurological cognitive disorders, including dementia. While the Government has … Read more

Animal Welfare – Government drops plans to revive live animal export trade – SAFE

Source: SAFE For Animals SAFE is celebrating news that the Government will not move forward with plans to reinstate live animal exports by sea, ensuring the ban on the trade remains in place at least for this parliamentary term. Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard confirmed yesterday that Cabinet had been unable to reach agreement on reviving … Read more

Greenpeace – Renewed calls for Govt to lower nitrate contamination limits, following Danish precedent

Source: Greenpeace In  an open letter launched this morning, Greenpeace is calling on the New Zealand Government to put public health above industry profits by lowering the legal limit for nitrate in drinking water. (ref. https://www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/publication/open-letter-nitrate-limits/ ) This follows the Danish Government’s move to lower the legal limit for nitrate in drinking water, after an expert panel recommended it … Read more

Consumer NZ – No u-turn to petrol for New Zealand EV owners

Source: Consumer NZ New research from Consumer NZ shows an overwhelming 96% of electric vehicle (EV) owners would buy another EV, confirming strong satisfaction among current owners. Consumer has released findings from its latest car reliability and satisfaction survey, representing responses from 5,791 members and supporters collected in November and December 2025. “This survey canvassed … Read more

Arrests made, drugs and firearms seized, Canterbury

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Damon Wells:  Police have arrested two men and seized amounts cash, methamphetamine, firearms, and ammunition, in Canterbury. Over the past two weeks, Police executed search warrants at various properties linked to Mongrel Mob gang members, in Christchurch and North Canterbury. During these searches, Police located and … Read more

Crusaders back themselves to turn around slow start in Super Rugby

Source: Radio New Zealand Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham in action against the Blues. Brett Phibbs The Crusaders concede they have not been good enough but are confident they can turn around their disappointing start to the Super Rugby season. The defending champions have won just one of their first four games with losses to the … Read more

Covid booster should be given alongside annual flu vaccine – experts

Source: Radio New Zealand Covid-19 booster vaccination rates are dropping. (File photo) AFP The latest wave of Covid-19 is being driven by low vaccination rates, a health expert says. Latest number show 50 hospitalisation and 19 deaths with the virus within the span of a week. University of Otago professor of public health Michael Baker … Read more

Jacinda Ardern joins star-studded Auckland Writers Festival line-up

Source: Radio New Zealand Some of literature’s biggest names – from Aotearoa and around the world – will hit the stage for this year’s Auckland Writers’ Festival in mid-May. The festival’s 2026 programme features more than 220 artists participating in more than 170 ticketed and free events. Audiences will be among the first in New … Read more

Tall Ferns newcomers make international debut alongside USA’s biggest names

Source: Radio New Zealand Caitlin Clark for USA and Emma Rogers for the Tall Ferns will both made their senior team debuts at the Basketball World Cup qualifiers this week. Photosport Three of the biggest stars of USA women’s basketball share something special with a trio of inexperienced New Zealanders. Jade Kirisome and cousins Emma … Read more

Person dies on popular walking track near Wānaka

Source: Radio New Zealand Skyline Track near Wānaka. Department of Conservation A person has died on a popular hiking track near Wānaka. Emergency services were called to the Skyline Track, which runs along the ridgeline between Roys Peak and the Cardrona Valley, just before 3pm on Tuesday. The body was recovered by a helicopter. Police … Read more

Rural communities encouraged to attend emergency preparedness events

Source: New Zealand Government A series of rural resilience workshops to help farmers and growers be better prepared for adverse events will be rolled out starting next week, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay says. “Significant rainfall and flooding this summer have caused damage to farms and orchards, and had an impact on freight, transport … Read more

Fire ban declared in Queenstown

Source: Radio New Zealand A fire ban has been declared for most of the Queenstown Lakes district. RNZ / Nate McKinnon A fire ban has been declared for most of the Queenstown Lakes district amid warnings of recent near misses. Firefighters and helicopters fought to control a vegetation fire near houses at Arthurs Point on … Read more

Pharmac to fund life‑changing treatments for children with cystic fibrosis

Source: PHARMAC Pharmac will fund new treatment options for people living with cystic fibrosis from 1 April 2026. The decision includes: widening access to Trikafta and Kalydeco for all people with eligible mutations funding Alyftrek for the first time for people with eligible mutations “Trikafta has already changed the lives of hundreds of New Zealanders … Read more

Three people hurt after car crashes into cafe on Auckland’s North Shore

Source: Radio New Zealand Google Maps A person has been critically injured and others also hurt after a car hit a cafe in Auckland. Emergency crews were called to William Souter Street in Forrest Hill on the North Shore around 8.55am on Wednesday. A person was taken to hospital in a critical condition. St John … Read more

Alleged burglars head to court

Source: New Zealand Police A late-night burglary attempt in Henderson on Wednesday ended with two men facing court after being caught by Police. Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, Acting Inspector Nick Salter, says around 2.15am Police were called to Central Park Drive following reports people had been seen unlawfully inside a building. “These two alleged … Read more

Large kea flock ‘micro-chipped’ to track travels

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  11 March 2026 Department of Conservation science staff and rangers recently caught 31 kea from a record flock of about 36 birds, attaching leg bands with tiny microchips. The bands are scanned by solar-powered readers attached to hut roofs and other sites that kea like to visit, allowing their travels … Read more

Crackdown on illegal diving at Manawanui wreck

Source: Radio New Zealand UAS footage of RNZN Divers surveying the area around HMNZS Manawanui on the Southern Coast of Upulo as part of Op Resolution. New Zealand Defence Force Illegal diving and forced entry at the wreck of HMNZS Manawanui have prompted the Samoan government to increase surveillance of the navy vessel. The Royal … Read more

What do rural sector groups think of the RMA?

Source: Radio New Zealand Aotearoa has more than 900,000 hectares of irrigated agricultural land, mostly in the South Island. Sally Round Access to water, food production as a priority, and land use classifications are some of the issues primary sector groups are considering with the government’s proposed new resource management legislation. Public hearings into the … Read more

The egg race – hopeful signs for the Kākāriki Karaka recovery programme

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  11 March 2026 Department of Conservation kākāriki karaka recovery programme lead Wayne Beggs says it’s a milestone moment in the battle to increase the numbers of our rarest parakeet. “The species would probably have gone extinct if wasn’t for organisations like The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust and the wonderful … Read more

Waipoua Forest embarks on bold Kauri Walks expansion to enhance visitor experience and protect trees

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  11 March 2026 DOC Northern North Island Regional Director Sue Reed-Thomas says the renovation at Kauri Walks will allow improved access to the Four Sisters and open previously inaccessible parts of Waipoua, including unique kauri gumland wetlands. “Forest health is our top priority, and we are focused on delivering a … Read more

Latest wave of Covid-19 driven by low vaccination rates, expert warns

Source: Radio New Zealand Covid-19 booster vaccination rates are dropping. (File photo) AFP The latest wave of Covid-19 is being driven by low vaccination rates, a health expert says. Latest number show 50 hospitalisation and 19 deaths with the virus within the span of a week. University of Otago professor of public health Michael Baker … Read more

Rugby: Crusaders teammates in heated scuffle as tensions spill over at training

Source: Radio New Zealand Crusaders’ forward Kershawl Sykes-Martin is one of the players reported to have been involved in the dust-up in training. Joe Allison Clarification: An earlier version of this story reported punches were thrown. This was incorrect. Days after a significant loss to the Blues, tensions rose at Crusaders training on Tuesday with … Read more

Queenstown-based tech entrepreneur Brian Cartmell donating hundreds of thousands to political parties

Source: Radio New Zealand Political donations made in an election year must be declared within 20 days if they are more than $20,000. RNZ Technology entrepreneur Brian Cartmell appears to have donated at least half a million dollars to the coalition parties – and to the Opportunity party. Cartmell moved to New Zealand in 2010 … Read more

Education sector Guidance will help frontline workers

Source: Privacy Commissioner 11 Mar 2026, 10:00 New privacy guidance, launched today, will give people working in the education sector a better understand about how to use and protect personal information, the Privacy Commissioner says.    “Privacy, especially when it relates to children and young people, can be a complex area.   “Our new guidance … Read more

Another Housing Development Approved

Source: New Zealand Government One of Auckland’s largest new housing developments, the Sunfield Masterplanned Community has been approved through Fast-track says Regional Development Minister Shane Jones.   Winton Land Limited submitted its application on 3 April 2025 to develop the ‘Masterplanned’ community to provide around 3,854 new homes, a 7.5‑hectare town centre, retail and healthcare services, … Read more