Dozens evacuated as torrential rain floods Wellington suburbs, more downpours expected

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Source: Radio New Zealand Torrential rain has triggered what locals say is the worst flooding seen in years across parts of the Wellington region, forcing evacuations, inundating homes and cutting roads as more downpours loom. Twenty-five homes in Stokes Valley and one in Porirua were evacuated on Saturday morning, with most residents staying with family … Read more

Dirt bike ride all the way to court

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Source: New Zealand Police Police have seized a dirt bike and arrested its rider following dangerous and unlawful behaviour on Taupō roads. We’re targeting the use of off-road motorcycles on local roads says Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Yardley, Taupō Area Investigations Manager. “We’ve had numerous complaints about dirt bikes speeding in residential areas and on … Read more

Economy – Fragile and exposed: new report says NZ economy needs a new blueprint, not more band-aids

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Source: WEAll Aotearoa New Zealand Aotearoa New Zealand’s economy is fragile, and we’re all feeling it. Our standard of living is being buffeted by global forces we don’t control and home ownership is slipping out of reach for everyday New Zealanders. Fewer than one in five New Zealanders (17%) believe the next generation will be better off than … Read more

Information sought following burglary, Glen Innes

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Source: New Zealand Police Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a male involved in a burglary at Glen Innes home early on Friday morning. An investigation is underway after occupants awoke to an unknown male inside their home on Chiltern Crescent at around 4.30am. Police are releasing an initial description of the man … Read more

Kiwi track cyclists on form in Hong Kong

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Source: Radio New Zealand UCI Track World Cup Hong Kong Women’s Team Pursuit gold medalists: Bryony Botha, Prudence Fowler, Emily Shearman, Ally Wollaston and Samantha Donnelly. Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com Kiwi track cyclists have secured three medals, two of them gold, on the opening day of the UCI World Cup in Hong Kong. Both the women’s and … Read more

Hutt Valley firefighters place ban on truck with ‘multiple faults’

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Source: Radio New Zealand The NZPFU said crews were happy to work with another truck if one was provided (file image). RNZ / Paris Ibell Hutt Valley firefighters have placed a ban on a fire truck they say broke down at a building fire on Friday. The New Zealand Professional Firefighters’ Union (NZPFU) has issued … Read more

Live: Pacific Four rugby – Black Ferns v Canada

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Source: Radio New Zealand Follow all the rugby action, as the Black Ferns take on Canada in the Pacific Four series at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City. The Black Ferns will be keen to avenge their World Cup semifinal loss, when the teams last met in September. A hattrick of tries to winger Mererangi Paul … Read more

Is a recession going to put my life savings at risk? – Ask Susan

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Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ’s money correspondent Susan Edmunds answers your questions. RNZ Got questions? RNZ has a podcast, ‘No Stupid Questions‘, with Susan Edmunds. We’d love to hear more of your questions about money and the economy. You can send through written questions, like these ones, but even better, you can drop us a … Read more

Fatal crash, body found at fire scene may be linked – Police

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Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King A body found at a house fire on Friday may be linked to a fatal car crash earlier this week in the Ruapehu district, police said. One person was found dead after a house fire in Rangataua on Thursday night. The fire was reported about 6.40pm. Investigators … Read more

Labour selects Kingi Kiriona to contest Hauraki-Waikato

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Source: Radio New Zealand Kingi Kiriona at the opening of the Te Ahu a Turanga Highway in June 2025. RNZ/Pokere Paewai Te reo and haka exponent Kingi Kiriona says government “divestment away from kaupapa Māori” initiatives is behind his decision to step into politics and contest the Hauraki-Waikato electorate for Labour. Kiriona (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā … Read more

Fatality following house fire, Rangataua

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Source: New Zealand Police Attributable to Inspector Neil Forlong, Whanganui Area Commander: Investigators undertaking a scene examination at a house fire in Rangataua located one person deceased yesterday afternoon. Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) were alerted to the house fire on Kaha Street at around 6.40pm on Thursday 16 April. The fire was extinguished … Read more

Rugby: Black Ferns v Canada Pacific 4 match delayed by storm

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Source: Radio New Zealand The Black Ferns celebrate scoring a try against the USA in their opening Pacific 4 series match. www.photosport.nz The Black Ferns have had their Pacific 4 rugby international against Canada in Kansas City delayed. The game was due to kick off at 10.15am NZST this morning, but World Rugby has issued … Read more

Live: Heavy rain, reports of flooding in lower North Island

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Source: Radio New Zealand State Highway 58 is closed between Pāuatahanui and Haywards. Supplied / NZTA MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for areas of the lower North Island, as wild weather lashes the country. The latest warning applies to Kāpiti Coast, Upper Hutt City, Hutt City, Porirua City, Wellington City, South Wairarapa, and … Read more

Lower Hutt’s Eastern Bays Shared Path opens

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Source: New Zealand Government Lower Hutt’s new Eastern Bays Shared Path opens this morning, improving resilience for this coastal route and providing safer walking and cycling connections, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “The new 4.4km seawall and shared path along Marine Drive between Point Howard and Eastbourne is a significant investment in both transport resilience … Read more

Transport Minister Chris Bishop brushes off leadership bid questions

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Source: Radio New Zealand The Transport Minister Chris Bishop is playing down political pressure following recent poll results, insisting he remains focused on the job and confident in the Prime Minister. RNZ / Penny Smith The Transport Minister Chris Bishop is playing down political pressure following recent poll results, insisting that he remains focused on … Read more

Fuel price pressure could mean May OCR increase, top economist says

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Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealanders are likely to continue to spend more but get less fuel for the near term at least. Quin Tauetau New Zealanders are likely to continue to spend more but get less fuel for the near term at least – and the pressure on prices could mean the official cash … Read more

RNZ dismantling ageing transmission masts in Auckland, outages expected

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Source: Radio New Zealand Work has begun to dismantle RNZ’s 92-year-old northern mast on Selwood Road. RNZ Work is underway to dismantle and replace two ageing RNZ transmission masts in West Auckland, with listeners warned to expect temporary AM outages over the coming weeks. The project began on Thursday at RNZ’s Henderson transmission sites, where … Read more

Country Life: Dragon fruit a sweet choice for storm-scarred Northland?

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Source: Radio New Zealand One of the new varieties of dragon fruit being grown at the Bioeconomy Science Institute orchard in Kerikeri RNZ/Sally Round Move over satsumas and kiwifruit, a smaller and sweeter version of the exotic looking dragon fruit could be the next big thing in school lunchboxes. While it may be smaller than … Read more

Country Life: Why Canterbury’s crop farmers are leaving the industry

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Source: Radio New Zealand David Clark inspects his radish seed crop. RNZ/Anisha Satya This year’s carrot seed crop should have been David and Jayne Clark’s money-maker. “Establishment was very good,” David said. “Our weed control through the winter was exceptional … our plant height is very even, and then our umbel (flower cluster) numbers going … Read more

MetService issues severe thunderstorm warning for parts of lower North Island

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Source: Radio New Zealand That warning applied to Carterton, Kapiti Coast, Upper Hutt City, Porirua City and South Wairarapa, and were expected to be accompanied by torrential rain. MetService MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for areas of the lower North Island, as wild weather lashes the country. That warning applied to Carterton, Kāpiti … Read more

Government reviews RSE visa scheme, report calls for reform

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Source: Radio New Zealand More than 20,000 workers arrive each year from the Pacific, filling jobs in horticulture and viticulture such as fruit-picking. RNZ / Marika Khabazi RSE workers’ costs should be more fairly shared with employers and government, report finds Policy being reviewed by MBIE, including workers’ shared accommodation Concerns over ‘blacklisting’ of workers … Read more

Retailers taking a hit from high fuel prices

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Source: Radio New Zealand Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen said electricity and petrol were up 13 percent while diesel was up 37 percent. RNZ / Quin Tauetau Consumers have tightened their belts amid the global fuel crisis, and it’s hitting some retailers hard, according to Retail New Zealand. The latest data released on Friday from … Read more

How to tell if your dog is in pain (and what to do if they are)

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Source: Radio New Zealand Living with a pet, you might feel like you can almost read each other’s minds. You might even have experienced your pet responding to your emotional state. Animals seem to have impressive skills at detecting our state of health, too. However, new research suggests that many dog owners are not skilled … Read more

Spinning meats are far more than a 3am feed

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Source: Radio New Zealand In the half-century or so since Turkish immigrants brought the doner kebab to Aotearoa, the wrap filled with meat shaved off a vertical spit, salads and sauces has become a fast food staple, particularly late at night. But there’s a lot more to spinning meats than 3am feeds. “I don’t want … Read more

Christopher Luxon meets with other world leaders to discuss Strait of Hormuz situation

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Source: Radio New Zealand Prime minister Christopher Luxon has taken part in a virtual meeting of world leaders overnight to discuss efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Supplied / Christopher Luxon via X The prime minister has taken part in a virtual meeting of world leaders overnight to discuss efforts to reopen the Strait … Read more