How strong is support for Christopher Luxon? We’re about to find out

Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. RNZ / Mark Papalii Analysis – The Prime Minister has doubled down in the wake of a horror poll on Friday, saying he is “absolutely not” considering stepping aside from the top job. Christopher Luxon did a last-minute interview on Newstalk ZB on Friday night after a … Read more

Fonterra’s $4.22 billion sale of its Mainland Group to Lactalis unconditional

Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf / Supplied images Dairy co-operative Fonterra says the $4.22 billion sale of its Mainland Group to Lactalis is unconditional, with the sale expected to be completed by the end of the month. Fonterra said all required regulatory approvals and sale conditions had been satisfied in order to separate from Mainland … Read more

SH1 closes as truck and car crash near Milton

Source: Radio New Zealand St John said an ambulance and a helicopter had been sent to the crash site RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson A helicopter has been sent to a the scene of a collision between a truck and car blocking State Highway 1 near Milton. The crash happened shortly before 9am near the … Read more

Defiant Christopher Luxon says no discussions needed on his leadership

Source: Radio New Zealand Christopher Luxon. RNZ / Calvin Samuel Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he did not ask any of his ministers over the weekend if he had their support, because he did not need to. There has been speculation in recent days that Luxon is under pressure after a terrible poll result last … Read more

NZ skier Alice Robinson in two-way battle for super-G title

Source: Radio New Zealand Alice Robinson competes in the Women’s Super G event. FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP New Zealand skier Alice Robinson has to finish at least second in the final race of the season to have any chance of claiming the overall super-G title, after placing fourth in the penultimate round in Val di … Read more

Interislander sailing cancelled after technical fault found

Source: Radio New Zealand File photo. Supplied / Regan Ingley A single return sailing had to be cancelled on the Interislander’s Kaiārahi ferry after an intermittent technical fault was discovered just hours before a scheduled maintenance layby. Interislander operations general manager Taru Sawhney said Kaiārahi was berthing in Wellington around 2.30am on Saturday morning when … Read more

Drivers flock to pumps as concern grows over fuel prices

Source: Radio New Zealand Marika Khabazi Petrol stations across the country are seeing a surge of drivers filling up as tensions in the Middle East push the global oil prices higher. Over the weekend, RNZ spoke to drivers queuing at a petrol station to get in before the price goes up. “The later I leave … Read more

Retired school teacher leaves a legacy for nature

Source: NZ Department of Conservation 29 years of planting leaves a legacy for Buller High School and retired school teacher Janet Pottinger.  Late in 2025, DOC staff in the Buller Kawatiri office headed out to Tauranga Bay to take part in a planting day which both marked the retirement of a local schoolteacher, Janet Pottinger, who spearheaded work to restore native vegetation … Read more

New team to strengthen consumer voice

Source: PHARMAC Introducing our Consumer Relations team – responsible for ensuring Pharmac works meaningfully with consumers.  “Good engagement really matters because it helps Pharmac make decisions that genuinely reflect people’s needs,” says External Engagement team Manager, Ryan Perica.  “When we engage openly, people can see that their views matter and really do help shape what … Read more

Collaboration on medical device procurement

Source: PHARMAC Pharmac and Health New Zealand (Health NZ) are working towards a more streamlined and coordinated national approach to hospital medical device procurement. The Government announced changes to the procurement of hospital medical devices(external link) in September last year. Pharmac and Health NZ are now jointly responsible for procuring medical devices, with Pharmac leading procurement … Read more

Funding medicines for people with high health needs

Source: PHARMAC Pharmac is working to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders, including those with the highest health needs. This includes Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled people, women, and people living rurally.  “Health equity ensures everyone has fair access to health care and the opportunity to live well, regardless of who they are or where … Read more

Reset Programme reflects on progress to transform engagement

Source: PHARMAC With February marking one year since publication of the Consumer Engagement Workshop Report, it’s a good time to reflect on the positive progress being made to transform Pharmac’s relationship with stakeholders through the Reset Programme. The report captured the feedback of consumers who had earlier shared their experiences engaging with Pharmac. A clear theme … Read more

Obesity experts advise on new treatments

Source: PHARMAC With high obesity rates in New Zealand and new medicines entering the market, public interest in weight‑loss treatments is understandably strong.  In June 2025 Medsafe approved semaglutide (Wegovy) for use in New Zealand for weight loss. Medsafe approves medicines for use in New Zealand. They check that these products meet our standards for … Read more

New agreement improves access to treatment for New Zealanders

Source: PHARMAC A multiproduct agreement, which took effect on 1 December last year, is delivering significant benefits for patients and the health system – freeing up thousands of infusion hours and helping services run more efficiently.  Under the agreement Pharmac is funding five treatments for multiple sclerosis, breast cancer, lung cancer and serious eye conditions.  … Read more

Police ramp up recruitment efforts in Auckland as drain to Australia slows

Source: Radio New Zealand Police have ramped up recruitment efforts in Auckland with hopes to bring more Kiwis into the force, and tempt those currently working in Australia to return home. They partnered with ‘Round the Bays’ in Auckland on Sunday, announcing that more recruit wings were coming to the city. New Zealand Police’s Deputy … Read more

Landmark case could force rewrite of emissions strategy

Source: Radio New Zealand The Government’s second Emissions Reduction Plan – ERP2 – will be the focal point for a trial being held at Wellington High Court. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Two environmental groups are taking the government to court over the country’s second Emissions Reduction Plan and its ‘risky’ reliance on trees. The verdict … Read more

Kiwi Paul Coll wins third NZ Squash Open title

Source: Radio New Zealand Paul Coll in action at the New Zealand Open in Christchurch. photosport Squash star Paul Coll defended his New Zealand Open title in Christchurch on Sunday, with a dominant 11-7, 11-2, 11-5 victory over Egyptian teenager Mohamad Zakaria in the final. It’s the Kiwi’s third successive New Zealand Open triumph. Zakaria … Read more

Ninth wave of Covid-19 suggests wane in immunity, expert says everyone must ‘act to reduce impact’

Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf.com – RNZ / Composite Image – RNZ A public health expert says New Zealand is in its ninth wave of Covid-19. The latest Health New Zealand figures show 50 hospitalisations and 19 deaths with the virus in the past week. With booster uptake falling and little tracking of long Covid, … Read more

Raisina: The Taiwan Strait Issue

Source: Radio New Zealand By Graeme Acton, Asia Media Centre This week’s 11th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi decided to take the Taiwan Strait issue seriously. GREG BAKER/AFP If China decides to attack Taiwan, what exactly does the rest of the world do? Graeme Acton is at the 2026 Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi. It’s … Read more

Concern over suitable athletics venue for 2034 NZ Commonwealth Games hosting bid

Source: Radio New Zealand XIV Commonwealth games opening ceremony, Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand, 24 January 1990. Photosport Despite its dominance of last month’s Halberg Awards, athletics looms as a possible weak link in a bid to host the 2034 Commonwealth Games. Track and field holds pride of place in past New Zealand success … Read more

What it’s like living with cancer, rather than dying from cancer

Source: Radio New Zealand Paula Miles has “advanced notice” that her days are numbered. “I’ve been shoulder tapped and said, ‘hey, you know, look out, this is coming sooner rather than later’.” Miles was originally diagnosed with breast cancer 14 years ago, aged 56. She had some years cancer free before it returned in her … Read more

Hutt roadworks traffic chaos: Short term pain for long term gain – mayor

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Samuel Rillstone An obstacle course of road cones throughout Hutt City may be frustrating residents, but the agencies responsible for them say its short term pain for long term gain. Across Hutt City Council, Greater Wellington and the Transport Agency there are multiple projects underway in Lower Hutt to … Read more

Is pet insurance worth it?

Source: Radio New Zealand It could be easier for people to work out whether it was worth buying insurance if vets were more transparent about their fees, says an insurance expert. File photo. ekarin/123RF Niki Bezzant says that when her cat was dying of cancer, she was relieved to have taken out pet insurance to … Read more

Aussie farmer who swam his way out of depression

Source: Radio New Zealand Stressed, overworked and cloudy-headed, New South Wales farmer Brendan Cullen was feeling “pretty crook” back in 2015. When he started talking out loud to himself, he realised something wasn’t right. Cullen found the courage to walk into the local hospital and ask for help that day. Eventually – with the help … Read more

Black Caps suffer heavy defeat as defending champions India win T20 World Cup

Source: Radio New Zealand Ishan Kishan of India celebrates his fifty runs ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Grand Final. www.photosport.nz Defending champions India have thumped the Black Caps by 96 runs in this morning’s T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad. Batting first, the co-hosts posted a big total of 255 for 5 and despite a … Read more

Second oil spill in Akaroa Harbour in two months sparks concern for wildlife

Source: Radio New Zealand The spill in Akaroa Harbour. Facebook/Environment Canterbury A wildlife expert has serious concerns for dolphins and seabirds after a navy ship spilled hundreds of litres of oil into Akaroa Harbour yesterday. About 200-300 litres of lubricating oil leaked from the HMNZS Te Kaha on Sunday morning, due to a defect to … Read more

Decade mistakenly in a cash fund: ‘Why didn’t the bank contact me?’

Source: Radio New Zealand The bank’s cash fund returned 2.8 percent a year over the past 10 years, compared to 4.2 percent for its conservative fund. File photo. 123RF A woman who did not realise that her KiwiSaver was mistakenly in a cash fund for more than a decade is taking her complaint to the … Read more