Mackenzie District workers sleeping in cars as tourism drives up long-term rental prices

Source: Radio New Zealand Lake Tekapo’s Iconic Landmark. RNZ/ Rachel Thomas Some Mackenzie District workers are resorting to sleeping in cars, campervans or commuting because there are not enough affordable, long-term rentals. The local mayor has described Tekapo and Twizel as bursting at the seams with visitors, saying it was a welcome economic boost, but … Read more

Petrol prices could hit $3 a litre amid conflict in Middle East

Source: Radio New Zealand Marika Khabazi Petrol prices could start rising by the end of the week as the Middle East conflict goes on, one industry head says. Waitomo Group chief executive Simon Parham told Checkpoint it would not be surprising to see the price of unleaded fuel hit $3 per litre in some places. … Read more

Courier companies fined over $1 million for cartel conduct

Source: Radio New Zealand The penalties follow separate hearings at the Auckland High Court. 123RF Two courier companies found to be involved in cartel behaviour have been ordered to pay more than $1.2 million combined. Courier service Aramex has been penalised $700,000, while a second company, GoSweetSpot, has been penalised $525,000 in two separate cases … Read more

Best Nights VC invests in Mad Monkey alongside lead investor EXS Capital

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – Best Nights VC (BNVC) is proud to announce its investment in Mad Monkey, one of the world’s leading socially responsible hostel groups, joining lead investor EXS Capital. With locations across Southeast Asia and Australia, Mad Monkey welcomes hundreds of thousands … Read more

Retailer charged for selling nitrous oxide

Source: New Zealand Police Last week Police said we’d be taking action on the illegal sale of nitrous oxide in our communities and this week we are seeing results. “Many districts, including Eastern, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Central, and Bay of Plenty had already begun working with retailers to ensure they knew the laws around the … Read more

TVNZ chair calls Paul Goldsmith after police minister dissatisfied with gang numbers story

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Mark Papalii The media and broadcasting minister Paul Goldsmith has confirmed the board chair of TVNZ contacted him after the police minister expressed dissatisfaction with a 1News story about gang numbers. Goldsmith said the chair of the public broadcaster, Andrew Barclay, had raised the story during the call, but … Read more

Forest and Bird granted leave to appeal part of Dome Valley landfill approval

Source: Radio New Zealand Dome Valley. The Wireless / Luke McPake Legal action over a controversial mega-dump in Auckland’s Dome Valley is continuing, with Forest and Bird granted leave to appeal part of the decision to approve the landfill. Forest and Bird will appeal the Environment Court’s 2023 decision to allow the landfill to go … Read more

Man facing murder charge after death of woman in Kāpiti Coast

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / REECE BAKER A 24-year-old man who previously faced lesser charges after a woman was found dead in a Kāpiti Coast house has now been charged with murder. The woman was found dead at an address on Mataua Road in Raumati Beach in February. Following her death, the man was … Read more

Drugs and firearms charges follow Riverhead warrant

Source: New Zealand Police A Police investigation has shut down a suspected methamphetamine manufacturing operation and seized several firearms in north-west Auckland. Two arrests were made in the operation, led by the Waitematā Gang Disruption Unit, after Police descended on a Riverhead property early on Tuesday. The operation included Police staff from the GDU, local … Read more

All Blacks jersey to be ‘earned’ under new coach Dave Rennie’s regime

Source: Radio New Zealand The All Blacks will have to earn their jersey under new coach Dave Rennie. On Wednesday, Rennie was announced as All Blacks head coach following weeks of guessing games in the wake of Scott Robertson’s sacking. Speaking to media for the first time in Auckland this afternoon, Rennie said he will … Read more

Property owners fined for illegal work on Northland beach

Source: Radio New Zealand A still from a video taken by a local resident shows a digger at work on the beach at Church Bay, northeast of Whangārei. Supplied Two waterfront property owners have been fined more than $6000 for carrying out illegal earthworks on a Northland beach. Reports of a digger moving sand and … Read more

‘It’s in the blood for many of us’ – Wairarapa welcomes the world to the World Shearing Champs

Source: Radio New Zealand One hundred and fifty shearers and woolhandlers representing 27 countries were welcomed to Masterton with a pōwhiri, which kicked off the 2026 Golden Shears. The pressure at this year’s competition, which runs from Wednesday to Saturday, will be a bit higher as it coincides with the World Premier Shearing and Wool … Read more

First look inside the new Wellington Library

Source: Radio New Zealand Walking through the Victoria Street entrance of Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui, at first glance the library is the same yet different.  There are hundreds of thousands of books, metal bridges and escalators from before. But beyond that, the revamped library offers a whole new host of creative spaces and … Read more

Geopolitical instability and interconnected risks raise fears of Black Swan scenarios

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – Despite seeming predictable in hindsight, Black Swans are unexpected or unforeseen events that are highly disruptive and economically damaging. Examples include the 9/11 attacks of 2001 in the US, the 2008 global financial crisis, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Allianz Research estimates cumulative … Read more

Māori-led tech company prepares to go global

Source: New Zealand Government A Tauranga-based Māori health technology company is expanding into major international markets following support from the Government’s Māori Development Fund, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says. Carepatron, a Māori-led company, has developed an AI-powered clinical support tool integrated into practice management platforms to improve efficiency, accessibility, and scalability for health providers. … Read more

Speech to second Pacific Stakeholder Fono

Source: New Zealand Government Tēnā koutou katoa, and warm Pacific greetings to you all. Thank you for the opportunity to gather for this important fono.  I want to begin by thanking Reverend Hiueni for opening today’s fono and bringing us together in prayer this morning.   Thank you also to MC Fuimaono for your welcome and … Read more

Amnesty International Update – Urgent call to protect civilians and respect international law amid escalating regional conflict following US and Israeli attacks on Iran

Source: Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand Amid rapid expansion of regional hostilities across the Middle East following the ongoing joint United States-Israel attacks on Iran and the subsequent wave of Iranian retaliatory attacks across the region, Amnesty International is issuing an urgent call on all parties to protect civilians, adhere to international humanitarian law, in particular … Read more

Plan to mitigate stench from Christchurch treatment plant must avoid sewage washing up on beaches – community leader

Source: Radio New Zealand Bromley wastewater treatment plant. A community leader has urged the Christchurch City Council to avoid any chance of sewage washing up on the city’s beaches. His comments came after Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger announced the council was considering pumping 30 percent of the city’s sewage – partially treated – into the … Read more

Former financial adviser fined $15,000, investors remain out of pocket

Source: Radio New Zealand David McEwen. Screenshot / YouTube A former financial adviser has been convicted and fined $15,000 for breaching a banning order by the financial markets regulator, but investors remain out of pocket. David McEwen was convicted of four charges of breaching a 2023 Financial Markets Authority stop order at the Auckland District … Read more

Exports up more than $2b – powering economy

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand’s latest international trade statistics show robust performance across global markets, reflecting the skill, innovation, and resilience of Kiwi exporters who continue to rank among the best in the world, Trade and Investment Minister Hon Todd McClay says.  Exports rose to $29.2 billion for the December quarter, up $2.2 billion … Read more

Lifestyle – ExerciseNZ CEO Slams Removal of Physical Activity Benefit by Southern Cross!

Source: Exercise NZ “Regular physical activity is one of the most powerful things a person can do to improve their long-term health and wellbeing. In terms of increasing life expectancy, it sits second only to not smoking.” “There are many examples globally where insurers contribute towards the cost of people being active because healthier members … Read more

Environment – Drone Spraying of Glyphosate Over Endangered Species Habitat at Te Henga Goes Ahead Despite Environment Court Appeal

Source: Flora and Fauna of Aotearoa Flora and Fauna of Aotearoa is expressing deep alarm following confirmation that aerial drone spraying of glyphosate based herbicides (GBHs) has proceeded over the nationally significant wetlands of Te Henga — despite a last-minute application to the Environment Court of New Zealand seeking to halt the operation. The spraying, … Read more

Homelessness – Out of sight is not a solution

Source: Hapai Te Hauora Aotearoa cannot enforce its way out of homelessness. The Government’s proposed changes to the Summary Offences Act would expand Police powers to issue move-on orders requiring people to leave a public space for up to 24 hours. These powers would apply to rough sleeping, begging and behaviour deemed disorderly, including for young … Read more

Pay Equity – Go Purple for Pay Equity this Friday – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation Nurses, midwives and health care assistants throughout Aotearoa New Zealand will wear purple on Friday to show their support for Pay Equity – and urge all New Zealanders to join them. The Go Purple day is in recognition of International Women’s Day on Sunday. The NZNO members will be joined by … Read more

Amnesty International – Urgent call to protect civilians and respect international law amid escalating regional conflict following US and Israeli attacks on Iran

Source: Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand Amid rapid expansion of regional hostilities across the Middle East following the ongoing joint United States-Israel attacks on Iran and the subsequent wave of Iranian retaliatory attacks across the region, Amnesty International is issuing an urgent call on all parties to protect civilians, adhere to international humanitarian law, in particular … Read more

Immigration account $150 million in the red, visa numbers overestimated

Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf.com Over-optimistic forecasting of visa numbers has contributed to a blow-out in Immigration New Zealand’s finances. Visa fees rose sharply in 2024, but the agency’s memorandum account – balancing costs and visa revenue – has sunk into a $152 million deficit. The education and workforce select committee heard that deficit is … Read more

University of Otago to offer new qualifications in Queenstown as part of campus plans

Source: Radio New Zealand Queenstown. 123RF The University of Otago will offer two new qualifications in Queenstown as part of a long-term plan to build a campus in the resort town. The university will begin teaching an undergraduate degree in entrepreneurship and a postgraduate qualification in digital technology. Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson said the university was … Read more