Health Governance – Progress on government’s mental health targets is positive, but challenges remain for young people

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Source: Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Following the release of the Government’s latest targets data this morning, Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is renewing its calls for increased urgency to improve access to services for young people. “While we are encouraged by workforce growth and acknowledge the Government’s … Read more

Politics – Federated Farmers propose major shake-up of local government

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Source: Federated Farmers New Zealand’s local government structure has become an increasingly messy patchwork, and Federated Farmers says it’s time to clean it up. “The way councils are currently organised is a major factor in how effectively they serve their communities,” Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner says. “The number and type of councils – … Read more

Fire Safety – Restricted fire season for Manawatū-Whanganui coastal zone

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Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving the Manawatū-Whanganui coastal zone into a restricted fire season at 8am today, Wednesday 25 March, until further notice. Levin, Foxton, Sanson and Bulls are excluded as they fall within inland zones. A restricted fire season means a permit is required from Fire and … Read more

Farmers urged to adopt fuel saving measures to cut costs

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Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF Farmers in the thick of harvest are being reminded there are small changes they can make to save on fuel. In the regions farmers, growers and rural contractors are feeling the pain of rising fuel prices. The rising cost of diesel is adding thousands of dollars to the bills of … Read more

National diabetes action plan launched

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Source: New Zealand Government The National Diabetes Roadmap has today been launched to improve care, strengthen prevention, and support better health outcomes for the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders living with diabetes, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “Diabetes is one of the fastest growing long-term health conditions in New Zealand, affecting an estimated 348,000 … Read more

Car flips upside down into stream in Wellington

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Source: Radio New Zealand Google Maps Emergency services are at the scene of a crash that’s left a car upside down in a stream in rural Wellington. Police, Fire and Emergency and Wellington Free Ambulance were called to the crash in Mākara just after 8am. Fire and Emergency shift manager Alex Norris said crews arrived … Read more

Man arrested after fleeing police, crashing and barricading himself in car

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Source: Radio New Zealand Police said officers saw live ammunition in the drivers lap after they crashed. RNZ / Marika Khabazi A man with two handguns and a large amount of ammunition has been arrested after barricading himself in a vehicle following a crash in northern Waikato this morning. Police spotted a vehicle – reported … Read more

Emergency services at scene of crash in Wellington

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Source: Radio New Zealand A police car seen behind a cordon as officers attend an incident. RNZ Emergency services are at the scene of a crash in Mākara, a rural Wellington suburb near Karori. The police say they were called just after 8am on Wednesday. They can’t yet say how many vehicles were involved or … Read more

More recruitment leading to shorter wait times for mental health patients, govt says

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Source: Radio New Zealand Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey said 514 new mental health and addiction professionals trained over the past year. RNZ / Mark Papalii More mental health and addiction workers are training and entering the workforce meaning shorter wait times for patients, according to the government’s latest data on targets. The targets, set … Read more

Higher diesel, shipping costs pile pressure on logging industry

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Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Nate McKinnon The logging industry is warning some companies could be on the brink as the conflict in Iran pushes up the cost of diesel. Logging operators say it’s increasingly difficult to get logs to port and if the situation drags on, export-reliant regions like South Canterbury and the … Read more

Funding for Hamilton Airport runway extension

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Source: New Zealand Government A project to extend Hamilton Airport runway will receive a $6.5 million loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, boosting resilience for Waikato and the national aviation network, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. “Extending the runway will increase Hamilton Airport’s capacity to support a broader range of aircraft. Its location and … Read more

Tough 10 days ahead as Phoenix strive for title

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Source: Radio New Zealand Lucía León of the Wellington Phoenix celebrates. Elias Rodriguez / www.photosport.nz The Wellington Phoenix women face a tough ten days ahead as they attempt to rewrite history. The Phoenix will play their final three A-League regular season games in a week and a half, starting with their rescheduled fifth round fixture … Read more

Wellingtonians face average $2400 water bill next year, massive increases to follow

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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, to as high as $6831 a year, as its … Read more

Mental health workforce target exceeded

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Source: New Zealand Government The frontline mental health and addiction workforce has grown, with the latest target data showing the Government’s workforce target has been exceeded, giving more New Zealanders faster access to support, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “The Government’s mental health plan is delivering faster access to support, more frontline workers, and … Read more

A significant step forward: the 2026 Port and Harbour Marine Safety Code

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Source: Maritime New Zealand For more than two decades, the Port and Harbour Marine Safety Code (the Code) has been a cornerstone of safe navigation in Aotearoa’s busy commercial ports and harbours. What began as a commitment to consistency has matured into a strong partnership between Maritime NZ, port operators, and regional councils – one … Read more

37-year-old Flaxmere man arrested for serious sexual offending

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Source: Radio New Zealand Police are now appealing for anyone who may have information on any other alleged offending by this man RNZ / Nate McKinnon A 37-year-old man has been arrested and charged after allegations of serious sexual offending. He has been charged with abduction for sex, impedes breathing/blood circulation, two counts of unlawful … Read more

Erica Stanford accused of sending National Party video to principals through ministerial email

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Source: Radio New Zealand Education Minister Erica Stanford RNZ / Nick Monro Erica Stanford is being accused of using government resources to distribute party political videos, but her office says it was simply “human error”. On Tuesday morning, the Education Minister emailed school principals about the government’s new SMART assessment tool from her ministerial account. … Read more

Man faces court after fleeing Police

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Source: New Zealand Police Please attribute to Inspector Grant Tetzlaff, Acting Auckland City District Commander: A 30-year-old man is facing serious charges after he fled from Police and drove dangerously before crashing in northern Waikato. At around 11.40pm on Tuesday, a vehicle of interest was seen on Dominion Road, Sandringham. This vehicle had been reported … Read more

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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