New Zealand redraws open work visa conditions

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Yiting Lin Open work visa holders are set to see changes to their visa conditions next month. An open work visa generally allows people to work for almost any employer, across most sectors and locations, without needing a job offer. From 20 April, Immigration New Zealand said open work … Read more

Seascape developer Shundi Customs placed in receivership

Source: Radio New Zealand The Seascape apartment project in Auckland is at a standstill. RNZ / Ziming Li The owner and developer of the 187-metre 52-storey Seascape development near Auckland’s waterfront has been put into receivership. Receivers Brendon Gibson and Neale Jackson of Calibre Partners said the immediate priority was to ensure Shundi Customs’s development … Read more

Polls show NZers want long term solutions, a new economy, and further tax on the ultra rich

Source: WEAll Aotearoa New Zealand Two Talbot Mills polls have revealed New Zealanders overwhelmingly want politicians to think long-term with future generations in mind; our economic system to change; and for the ultra rich to be taxed more to fund public goods like healthcare, housing and climate action. The two polls were commissioned by the Wellbeing Economy … Read more

New CT scanner for Wairarapa

Source: New Zealand Government A new CT scanner is now operational at Wairarapa Hospital, marking a significant upgrade to diagnostic services in the region, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “This $2.46 million investment will strengthen diagnostic services for Wairarapa, bringing faster, more reliable imaging closer to home and improving access for local patients,” Mr Brown … Read more

Christopher Luxon forced into another correction over Iran war visas

Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Parliament. (File pic) VNP / Phil Smith Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had to make a personal explanation in the House on Tuesday night, after he stated incorrectly the government was automatically extending visas for people in New Zealand affected by the war in Iran. The Greens … Read more

New Zealand family living in Qatar: ‘Like a Covid lockdown with the occassional loud boom’

Source: Radio New Zealand Missiles are seen in the skies over Doha on March 3. MAHMUD HAMS/AFP The family car is filled with petrol and packed with supplies and go bags for a hasty escape. But for now, a New Zealand family living in Qatar’s capital, said they would stay where they were while loud … Read more

Primary teachers’ union seeks ERA intervention in stalled pay talks

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Alexander Robertson The primary teachers’ union wants to take stalled pay talks to urgent facilitated bargaining. The Educational Institute Te Riu Roa says mediated bargaining last week failed to reach a settlement of the primary teachers’ collective agreement. Negotiator Liam Rutherford told RNZ the Education Ministry made an offer … Read more

Name suppression continues for man accused of trying to solicit sexual favours from teens

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Nate McKinnon The identity of a Christchurch man accused of trying to solicit sexual favours from three teenage girls will remain secret for now. The man, aged in his 50s, has interim name suppression that prevents RNZ detailing much of the case. Judge David Robinson extended the interim suppression … Read more

Dave Rennie named as new All Blacks coach

Source: Radio New Zealand PHOTOSPORT Dave Rennie has been named the new All Blacks coach, seeing off Jamie Joseph in the two-man race to replace Scott Robertson. The 62-year-old former Chiefs coach and coach of the Wallabies was unveiled as the national coach in a New Zealand Rugby social media post just before midday. He … Read more

Shoplifters couldn’t hide from Police

Source: New Zealand Police Two offenders tried it on, and failed, after an alleged shoplifting at a clothing retailer. The pair face court today after Police caught up with them in west Auckland on Tuesday morning. Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager Acting Inspector Nick Salter says around 11am a unit was travelling through Henderson CBD, … Read more

Woolworths presents $426K giant cheque to Salvation Army

Source: Woolworths New Zealand 4 March 2026 – Woolworths New Zealand’s customers gave an extraordinary $326,000 during the Woolworths Salvation Army Christmas Appeal in December, boosted by a further $100,000 donation from the supermarket company. On 27 February, a giant cheque for $426,000 was presented by Woolworths New Zealand to Major Christina Tyson, head of The … Read more

Education – Whitireia and WelTec welcome ākonga with powerful Pōwhiri, Mihi Whakatau and vibrant orientation events

Source: Whitireia and WelTec Whitireia and WelTec has launched the 2026 teaching year with a series of uplifting Pōwhiri, Mihi Whakatau and orientation events across their campuses, marking an exciting beginning for both new and returning ākonga (students). The events brought together ākonga and their whānau, kaimahi (staff), and community in a spirit of unity and … Read more

Save the Children – Children sleeping in cars and on the streets in Lebanon as families seek safety

Source: Save the Children Families are sleeping in cars, in the street and in damaged schools seeking safety as the number of people displaced in Lebanon rises and with seven children reported killed, Save the Children said. About 58,000 people, including an estimated 16,000 children have been displaced in Lebanon in the past three days … Read more

Child Care: Tamariki and rangatahi in Oranga Tamariki care are yet again being failed by the system that is supposed to be protecting and caring for them – Ihorangi Reweti Peters

Source: Ihorangi Reweti Peters The Experiences of Care in Aotearoa report found that Oranga Tamariki has continued to not comply with the National Care Standards Regulations, six years after they have come into effect.  The National Care Standards Regulations set out the minimum standard that tamariki and rangatahi in care should receive.  The fifth Experiences … Read more

War can be good for your KiwiSaver, but are you ok with that?

Source: Radio New Zealand Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut on March 3, 2026. AFP KiwiSaver funds with exposure to oil and defence stocks might benefit from conflict in the Middle East in the short term, but providers are divided on whether to invest in them. … Read more

Fire Safety – Change of fire season for areas within the Nelson Tasman region

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand is enforcing a total fire ban for the St Arnaud zone, which will take effect from 8am on Wednesday 4 March, until further notice. During a prohibited fire season, no fires are allowed in the open and all fire permits are suspended. The St Arnaud … Read more

Children In Care – National Care Standards Regulations still not being met – Experiences of Care in Aotearoa 2024/25 published

Source: Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor There has been no real improvement in compliance with the National Care Standards (NCS) Regulations, six years after coming into effect. The regulations are the minimum standard the more than 5,600 tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) in care should receive. Oranga Tamariki has custody of nearly 99 … Read more

Part of SH35 on East Coast raised to help performance in wet weather

Source: Radio New Zealand The completed project which stood up well to heavy rain in January. Suppled / NZTA A critical section of State Highway 35 has been raised by almost a metre as part of an upgrade to make the road more flood resilient. The New Zealand Transport Agency says the 230 metre section … Read more

Liam Lawson ‘still learning’ as F1 opener looms in Melbourne

Source: Radio New Zealand Liam Lawson. AFP New Zealand driver Liam Lawson says he’s still coming to grips with a “sensitive” car in Melbourne as he targets a strong start to his second full season in Formula One. This weekend’s opening Australian Grand Prix provides uncertainty and apprehension for pundits, team management and drivers alike … Read more

How do airlines judge when and where it’s safe to fly near a conflict zone?

Source: Radio New Zealand PUNIT PARANJPE / AFP The conflict in the Middle East is continuing to disrupt global air traffic with nearly 4000 flights a day being cancelled across the region. Limited flights out of Dubai and Doha were announced after airspace partially reopened on Wednesday morning. However, hundreds of thousands of passengers were … Read more

New Zealand and Uruguay: Natural partners

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand and Uruguay have reaffirmed their natural partnership as small, open democracies, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.  “Today’s discussions in Montevideo have underlined that New Zealand and Uruguay have much in common, as small, export-oriented countries buffeted by global forces over which we have little control,” Mr Peters says.  “In … Read more

New Zealand faces shortage of ultra-luxury housing

Source: Radio New Zealand A luxury house in Arrowtown. Supplied Latest house sales data indicates there is a shortage of ultra-luxury housing to meet the requirements of high-net-worth immigrants. Changes to the Active Investor Plus visa, which take effect next week, limit house-buying immigrants to homes priced over $5 million. Data collected by sales portal … Read more

Progress sails on new Chatham Islands ship

Source: New Zealand Government The procurement of a new Chatham Islands supply vessel has hit another major milestone with the signing of a ship delivery agreement, paving the way for its construction to begin. Associate Transport Minister James Meager says the milestone ensures the 77-metre-long vessel’s delivery by the end of 2027, ahead of the … Read more

Hunters and Nature: why managing wild deer, pigs, tahr, and goats takes more than one tool

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Hunting in Fiordland National Park. Photo: George Ledgard.   Hunting is part of New Zealand’s outdoor heritage. For many people, it’s how they were first introduced to the bush. Early starts, learning to read the land and weather, the thrill of the chase, spending time with friends and family, passing knowledge down through generations, and enjoying … Read more

Global dairy prices continue to rise in wake of Middle East conflict

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF Supply pressure and buying interest saw dairy prices continue their climb at the latest Global Dairy Trade auction overnight. The average price rose 5.7 percent overnight to US$4301 (NZ$7299) a tonne. It was the fifth consecutive auction where prices have risen since the start of the year and followed a … Read more

Government pushes back deadline for agencies’ project funding bids

Source: Radio New Zealand It showed agencies such as in health, justice and education had faced a December deadline to make the case for their bids for this year’s Budget, but that had to be pushed back. RNZ The government has been facing too much demand to fund infrastructure projects from agencies left with too … Read more

Smokefree compliance efforts double

Source: New Zealand Government Health agencies more than doubled the number of store visits and controlled purchase operations last year to curb illegal sales of cigarettes and vapes to minors, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “In the 12 months ending 31 December, more than 4,500 controlled purchase operations (CPOs) were carried out across … Read more