Virtual reality helping people learn to drive before stepping foot in vehicle

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Evie Richardson All motorists know what it is like learning to drive – the endless attempts to parallel park, the grinding gears, the lurches and the stalls. Now one instructor believes he has found a way to confine those teeth-clenching experiences to the past, with a virtual reality programme … Read more

Man arrested in Dunedin overnight due in court tomorrow

Source: New Zealand Police Attributable to Superintendent Jason Guthrie, Southern District Commander: The man arrested following a series of events in Dunedin last night has been charged and is due in court tomorrow. The 46-year-old was arrested in Fraser’s Gully following his earlier attempts to avoid Police, during which Police fired a shot which did … Read more

Families making impossible decision amid child poverty crisis

Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf Child poverty activists say families are having to make impossible decisions and go without life’s essentials following the release of new Stats New Zealand data. The statistics agency said one in seven kids are living in material hardship, according to research conducted between July 2024 and June last year. Child … Read more

Otago Regional Council aims for zero percent rates rise

Source: Radio New Zealand Dom Thomas The Otago Regional Council is aiming to deliver an overall zero percent rates rise in the upcoming financial year. The council has been preparing a draft annual plan which will be put up for adoption in April. The Long Term Plan forecasted a close to nine percent increase for … Read more

Hamilton’s growth may lead to lower speed limits on part of Te Rapa Road

Source: Radio New Zealand Over two thousand new homes are planned in a new neighbourhood, named Te Awa Lakes. Supplied/Hamilton City Council Growth in Hamilton is leading the council to consider lowering the speed limit on part of a major city road. Up to 2,500 new homes are planned for the northern end of the … Read more

Another bank cuts rates, but should you take them?

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Marika Khabazi Another bank has adjusted down its long-term rates, but borrowers deciding whether to take a longer term will need to weigh up a few factors. BNZ said it was reducing its three-year rate by 10 basis points to 4.99 percent, its four-year rate by 36 basis points … Read more

Government activates additional support for weather-affected farmers and growers

Source: New Zealand Government The Government has classified recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, and Canterbury as a medium-scale adverse event. This enables additional support for farmers and growers in the affected regions who continue to face weather-related challenges. “The effects of these weather events continue to be felt in these regions. … Read more

Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana and Crown sign Deed of Settlement for historical claims

Source: Radio New Zealand Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith said the settlement included an agreed historical account and redress for historical breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi. RNZ / Mark Papalii Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana and the Crown have signed a Deed of Settlement for historical claims dating back to 1866. Representatives from the Crown, … Read more

Cyclone Gabrielle inquest: Wives of volunteer firefighters proud of their work

Source: Radio New Zealand Dave van Zwanenberg, left, and Craig Stevens. Supplied The wives of two firefighters killed in a landslide during Cyclone Gabrielle have recounted the moment they learned their husbands had died. Volunteer firefighters Dave van Zwanenberg and Craig Stevens were buried while responding to slips on Muriwai’s Motutara Road on 13 February … Read more

Two seriously injured after bus, cars crash

Source: Radio New Zealand Supplied There are serious injuries after an accident between two cars and bus in Auckland. It happened on Jervois Road in Ponsonby just before 4pm St John treated four people at the scene after sending three ambulances and two rapid response vehicles. Two have been taken to Auckland City Hospital in … Read more

Oriental fruit fly – Papatoetoe

Source: Auckland Council On 25 February 2026, Biosecurity New Zealand (MPI) announced the discovery of a single male Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) in a surveillance trap in Papatoetoe.  In response, Biosecurity New Zealand has launched a biosecurity operation and is ramping up trapping and inspections in Papatoetoe. As a precautionary measure, legal restrictions on … Read more

Two seriously injured after bus, car crash

Source: Radio New Zealand Supplied There are serious injuries after an accident between a car and bus in Auckland. It happened on Jervois Road in Ponsonby just before 4pm St John treated four people at the scene. Two have been taken to Auckland City Hospital in serious conditions, while another is in a moderate condition. … Read more

Fiordland hunters make big push for venison meat processing plant

Source: Radio New Zealand The Fiordland Wapiti Foundation has a track record of two decades of deer management with volunteers within a zone known as the Wapiti Area. Supplied A community conservation effort is hoping to fund a new processing facility for wild deer in the deep south. Deer numbers have been exploding in Fiordland … Read more

‘Burned in my memory’: Man who pulled Sophia Crestani out of deadly party pile-up honoured

Source: Radio New Zealand Samson Aruwa on the seat dedicated to Sophia Crestani in Dunedin. RNZ / Tess Brunton A man who carried Sophia Crestani away from a deadly stairwell pile-up and helped free at least 30 others at a Dunedin student party says the night is burned in his memory. Samson Aruwa carried the … Read more

Lifting of Wellington swimming ban ‘positive shock’ for businesses

Source: Radio New Zealand The owner of a business operating out of Lyall Bay says the partial lifting of the rāhui on Wellington’s South Coast has come as a “positive shock”. The rāhui was put in place on the stretch of southern coast from Ōwhiro Bay to Breaker Bay after the Moa Point wastewater plant … Read more

XTransfer Receives Malaysia Central Bank’s Conditional Approval for Key Payment Licences

Source: Media Outreach KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2026 – XTransfer, the World’s Leading B2B Cross-Border Trade Payment Platform, is pleased to announce that it has received conditional approval from Bank Negara Malaysia(BNM) for key payment licences, including issuing electronic money, as well as a Money Services Business Licence (Class … Read more

Fairlie farmer’s accident inspired his fundraising efforts for new town helipad

Source: Radio New Zealand supplied A Fairlie farmer who ended up with a shattered leg after a farm accident has spearheaded a fundraiser to get his local town a new helipad. It was a normal day on farm for Andrew Hurst, he’d just returned from a bull sale when he was driving a two-wheeler round … Read more

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe retires from international rugby again

Source: Radio New Zealand Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has again announced she is bowing out of the international stage. Photosport / Masanori Udagawa The greatest of all time is hanging up her black jersey, again. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who came out of retirement for last year’s Rugby World Cup, has announced she is bowing out of the international … Read more

Pulsar Opens Hong Kong Office to Serve Asia Maritime Satellite Internet Market

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2026 – Pulsar International, a leading global provider of satellite internet communications, managed hybrid networking, cybersecurity, and crew welfare solutions, has opened its APAC headquarters in Hong Kong to better serve the Asia market. With more than 30 years of experience, Pulsar … Read more

ANZ headline business confidence down amid rising interest rates

Source: Radio New Zealand ANZ bank’s February survey showed headline confidence falling five points to a net 59 percent optimism level. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly ANZ headline business confidence down 5 points to net 59 percent optimism Firms’ own outlook edges higher to 52.6 pct, manufacturing most bullish ANZ puts the stumble down to the … Read more

Kenanga Group Launches Malaysia’s First Tokenised Money Market Funds

Source: Media Outreach The launch marks a significant step in expanding Malaysian retail investor participation in financial products through blockchain technology TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2026 – Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“Kenanga Group“), Malaysia’s leading independent investment bank and the Stellar Development Foundation (“Stellar”), a US-based non-profit organisation that supports … Read more

Generali Hong Kong Receives Multiple Accolades at the “10Life 5-Star Insurance Awards 2026”

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2026 – Generali Hong Kong has once again earned multiple accolades at the “10Life 5-Star Insurance Awards 2026”. Seven products achieved the highest 5-Star rating across annuity, savings, critical illness, and whole life protection categories. These awards reflect Generali Hong Kong’s strong … Read more

Call for Ministers to stop ‘derogatory’ rhetoric against councils

Source: Radio New Zealand Pita Tipene said he wouldn’t quote the ‘derogatory comments’ made by Cabinet Ministers. RNZ / Peter de Graaf Northland Regional Council chairperson Pita Tipene has called on Cabinet Ministers to stop making “derogatory” comments about councils. Representatives from local and regional councils were gathered in the Beehive’s banquet hall for the … Read more

Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern moving to Australia

Source: Radio New Zealand Dame Jacinda Ardern. RNZ Dame Jacinda Ardern is moving to Australia. The news comes after an Australia real estate website reported the former New Zealand prime minister had been house hunting for properties in Sydney’s northern beaches. According to RealEstate.com.au, Ardern and husband Clarke Gayford were seen looking at homes for … Read more

Pedestrian dies after being hit by truck in Whangārei

Source: Radio New Zealand Police said the pedestrian died at the scene. RNZ / Marika Khabazi A pedestrian hit by a truck in Whangārei this morning has died. Emergency crews were called to Kamo Road just after 9:35am on Thursday. Police said the pedestrian died at the scene after being struck. Kamo Road is still … Read more

Kiwi teaching academic named top Australian lecturer

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealander Roma Forbes is Australia’s top university teacher. Ōpōtiki-born Forbes, who teaches physiotherapy at the University of Queensland, has been in Australia for 16 years, she told RNZ’s Afternoons. “I studied physiotherapy at AUT in New Zealand and then came over to the University of Queensland to be a clinical … Read more

One before the courts following aggravated robbery, Ngāruawāhia

Source: New Zealand Police Police have arrested a man following an aggravated robbery in Ngāruawāhia last week. On Friday 20 February, Police received a report that someone had just been threatened and had their vehicle stolen from them at the Ngāruawāhia boat ramp. Police, including a Dog Unit, were deployed to the boat however the … Read more