Ultra-processed food marketing needs tougher regulations – researcher

Source: Radio New Zealand A university researcher who tracks the amount of ultra-processed products and ingredients coming into New Zealand is calling for stronger regulations around marketing, especially to children. Ultra-processed foods are not just junk food, but anything full of chemical based preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated fats, and artificial … Read more

Health and Tech – Burnett Foundation Aotearoa calls on AI Innovators to build the future of HIV prevention

Source: Burnett Foundation Aotearoa Burnett Foundation Aotearoa is launching a national Innovation Challenge to explore how artificial intelligence can responsibly accelerate progress toward zero locally acquired HIV transmissions, and support people living with HIV. The Innovation Challenge will fund two seed-stage concepts at approximately $30,000 each, inviting technologists, designers and digital health innovators to use AI … Read more

Strong backing for Applied Doctorates Scheme

Source: New Zealand Government A scheme that brings student researchers and industry together to tackle challenges that matter to people’s daily lives is open for further applications, Science, Innovation and Technology and Universities Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “The Applied Doctorates Scheme attracted strong backing from industry last year, and the new call for projects … Read more

How a wind gust triggered high-speed Auckland SailGP crash

Source: Radio New Zealand A sudden increase in wind speed caused the Black Foils to lose control of their boat moments before their high-speed crash with Team France in this month’s SailGP regatta in Auckland, an investigation has found. The horrifying crash, which unfolded just 15 seconds after the start of the third race on … Read more

Van owner arrested after crashing down a bank

Source: New Zealand Police Police have arrested the owner of a van following a burglary in Christchurch that ended with a trailer detaching and the van crashing down a bank near Amberley. Sergeant Nathan Wilson, of Canterbury Police, says the incident unfolded after a member of the public discovered a sign‑written trailer abandoned on the … Read more

Meridian warns households could face power bill increases up to seven percent

Source: Radio New Zealand Meridian Energy CEO Mike Roan. Meridian Energy Meridian Energy says households could face power bill increases of up to seven percent this year, mostly due to lines and transmission charges. The country’s biggest power generator returned to profitability in the half-year ended December, posting a bottom-line profit of $227 million, compared … Read more

Sharlene Smith homicide: Vehicle of interest identified

Source: Radio New Zealand The vehicle of interest in the Sharlene Smith investigation. Supplied / NZ Police Police investigating the death of a grandmother whose body was found at a Hawke’s Bay worksite earlier this month have identified a likely route taken by a vehicle of interest. Police have issued a fresh appeal for help … Read more

Investigation underway after body found near vehicle in Westland

Source: Radio New Zealand A police officer found the body near Parkers Creek. Google Maps Police are investigating after a person was found dead near a vehicle in Whataroa, north of Franz Josef. Detective Senior Sergeant Brent Lyford said a police officer found the body near Parkers Creek. “At this time, the death is being … Read more

Events – Jim Beam Homegrown 2026 Kicks Off Massive Hamilton Kirikiriroa Build

Source: Jim Beam Homegrown It’s New Zealand’s fastest growing city but Hamilton’s population is about to swell with another 30,000 people expected to descend on ‘The Tron’ for Jim Beam Homegrown next month. One of Aotearoa’s biggest music events, Jim Beam Homegrown has officially marked ground at Claudelands Oval for its return to Kirikiriroa after … Read more

Lifestyle and Security – Coward Punch Hall of Shame to be Exposed on 24-Hour Charity Walk

Source: Walk Without Fear Trust The Walk Without Fear Trust will unveil the justice system’s roster of coward punch shame this weekend at the 24-hour “Walk in Solidarity” in Hamilton. The 24-hour, 100 km continuous walk, in support of the Walk Without Fear Trust’s mission to eliminate the coward punch will run from 3:00 PM … Read more

A Fresh Take on Modern Continental: JIN Gastrobar at Mid Valley Southkey JB Reveals Its Latest Menu

Source: Media Outreach KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 February 2026 – First established in 2019, JIN Gastrobar introduces a refreshed take on modern continental cuisine, bringing together thoughtfully crafted dishes, curated gin selections, and signature cocktails in a warm, contemporary setting. Conveniently located within Aurum Theatre at The Gardens Mall and … Read more

Legislation – RMA reform at a crossroads for farmers – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers A dark cloud is shading Matt and Tory Simpson’s optimism that a new dawn for land use regulation is around the corner. Like thousands of other farmers, the owners of Ranui Station in Canterbury were delighted to hear pledges from the Government that resource management reform would reduce red tape, and balance environmental … Read more

Tech – New Zealanders concerned about AI harm and impact on society, new research shows

Source: InternetNZ InternetNZ | Ipurangi Aotearoa will launch new annual Internet Insights research on Monday, 2 March 2026. The report provides insights into our attitudes towards the Internet and our online world. As we spend more of our lives online, this research helps us, as a country, better understand how we use the Internet and how … Read more

Health – Growing demand shows addictions sector needs more investment

Source: NZ Drug Foundation An increase in people accessing specialist addiction treatment highlights the hard work the sector is doing despite a longstanding lack of funding, the NZ Drug Foundation says. A new monitoring report released by Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission today shows an increase in people accessing specialist addiction … Read more

Milestone Systems expands Singapore footprint with the launch of Asia Experience Centre, strengthening regional leadership in video technology

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 February 2026 – Milestone Systems, a world leader in data-driven video technology, today announced the opening of its new Experience Centre in Singapore, representing a major expansion of the company’s regional footprint in Asia. The Centre will serve as a next-generation hub for solution design, … Read more

Multiple injuries after bus crash in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand File photo. RNZ / REECE BAKER Multiple people have been injured after a bus crash in the Auckland suburb of Grafton this afternoon. Hato Hone St John said three ambulances and one rapid response unit were sent to the scene on Carlton Gore Road / Park Road, shortly after 2.30pm “Four … Read more

National and New Zealand First go head to head over Hauraki Gulf

Source: Radio New Zealand NZ First’s Shane Jones and National’s Tama Potaka. RNZ New Zealand First has hit out at National after its coalition partner promised to campaign on stronger fishing protections in the Hauraki Gulf. National’s conservation spokesperson Tama Potaka laid out the position his party would take to the election campaign over the … Read more

Government scraps its quarterly action plans

Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon previously said the plans helped create momentum and drive focus. RNZ / Nathan McKinnon The government appears to have scrapped its quarterly action plans, after not releasing one so far this quarter. At the start of the term, the Prime Minister released the things the government planned … Read more

MediMap urgently seeks court injunction to protect stolen data after cyber hack

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ/Calvin Samuel MediMap, the hacked health portal, is heading to court to try to block people accessing and using the data that has been breached. It was breached on Sunday, and the company has now taken the platform offline while it investigates. It’s used for prescribing and giving medication in places … Read more

3G shutdown: Spark to block phones unable to call emergency 111

Source: Radio New Zealand Spark said it will be proactively blocking mobile phones unable to make emergency 111 calls once its 3G network shuts down on 31 March. 123RF Spark says it will be blocking phones unable to call emergency services on 111 after its 3G shutdown. All three main mobile operators – Spark, 2degrees … Read more

Auckland local body election rivals unite against racism

Source: Radio New Zealand Candidates contesting a local body election in Papatoetoe want ethnicity left out of the race as they vie for one of the four seats that are up for grabs. A Manukau District Court judge in December voided the outcome of the 2025 vote for the Papatoetoe subdivision that forms part of … Read more

Fire and Emergency New Zealand and DOC renew their Service Agreement

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  25 February 2026 Source:  Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Department of Conservation The Agreement covers how the two organisations work together. It includes the fire control services provided by DOC including services such as advice, research, and personnel for deployments. It covers the designated services provided by Fire and Emergency … Read more

Whakaari White Island survivor Kelsey Waghorn’s long road to recovery

Source: Radio New Zealand “It was a normal day up until it wasn’t,” Whakaari White Island guide and survivor Kelsey Waghorn says. Waghorn, then 26, wasn’t even rostered on to work on 9 December 2019 when the volcano erupted killing 22 people and injuring 25 others. She had been called up to work that morning. … Read more

Further appeal in Omahu homicide

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Kris Payne:  Hawke’s Bay Police investigating the homicide of Sharlene Smith are releasing further information and appealing for public assistance. On Tuesday, 3 February 2026, Police were called to a worksite on Taihape Road, Omahu, after Sharlene’s body was located on the property. Through ongoing … Read more

Ramadan recipes to indulge in after sunset

Source: Radio New Zealand Across Aotearoa, the iftar table (the meal that marks the breaking of the fast) at mosques, markets and homes can be a vibrant spread of flavours cherished across the Middle East, Asia and beyond. From comforting savoury bites to rose-flavoured sweets, these dishes reflect generations of culinary tradition. Though many of … Read more

Man admits murder of Bernice Marychurch on Auckland bus

Source: Radio New Zealand Kael Leona at an earlier appearance. RNZ / Lucy Xia A man has admitted to murdering a woman on an Auckland bus two years ago. Bernice Louise Marychurch was killed in October 2024 while on the Number 74 bus in Onehunga. There were nine other passengers onboard. The man charged with … Read more

Tech Security – What to Do After a Data Breach

Source: Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners A data breach is when an unauthorised third-party accesses sensitive or confidential information. Think: login details, NHI and IRD numbers, or financial information. Breaches can stem from cyberattacks, like phishing or malware, but also from insider threats or system flaws. If your data was exposed through a breach the … Read more