‘If I’m guilty, I’m guilty’: What a father who admitted killing his son told a journalist

Source: Radio New Zealand Mukzameel Mukhzar Ali pictured holding his baby Mustafa Mahir Ali, whom he admitted killing in their Te Kūiti home. SUPPLIED Nearly two years before Mukzameel Ali pleaded guilty to killing his son, he spoke to RNZ national crime correspondent Sam Sherwood on several occasions, with his explanation about what happened. “If … Read more

Power concerns: Lines companies urged to consider ‘non-network’ solutions

Source: Radio New Zealand One of the most significant options was shifting electricity use away from peak times, the agencies wrote. File photo. RNZ / Russell Palmer The agencies governing energy use in New Zealand are urging lines companies are being urged to consider flexible pricing and other ‘non-network’ solutions instead of building more powerlines … Read more

Youth facing more psychological distress, finding it harder to get specialist help – report

Source: Radio New Zealand The report revealed that 23 percent of people aged 15 to 25 had experienced high or very high psychological distress in the four weeks leading up to the survey – up from 8 percent 10 years ago. RNZ/Michelle Tiang Young people are facing more psychological distress and finding it harder to … Read more

Primary school teachers’ pay talks resume after government’s last offer rejected

Source: Radio New Zealand Primary school teachers picket in Whangarei in October. RNZ/Peter de Graaf Primary school teachers’ pay talks resume on Wednesday, two-and-a-half months after union members rejected a government offer. Educational Institute Te Riu Roa (NZEI) negotiator Liam Rutherford said the Employment Relations Authority would mediate the negotiations. The collective agreement had been … Read more

NZ Post notifies exporters of 10 percent flat-rate US tariff on global imports

Source: Radio New Zealand The Supreme Court last week blocked many of President Donald Trump’s earlier sweeping import taxes. AFP / Brendan Smialowski New Zealand exporters have been notified by NZ Post of a new 10 percent flat-rate US tariff on global imports. The new 10 percent levy came into effect late Tuesday evening after … Read more

Health and Employment – Allied Health workers ratify new collective agreement – PSA

Source: PSA More than 12,300 Allied Health workers who are members of the PSA have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new collective agreement with Te Whatu Ora Health NZ, in a result that underlines the power of workers standing together. “This collective agreement was reached as a result of PSA Allied Health workers who showed up, … Read more

Statistical area 2 and 3 population projections: 2023(base)–2053 – (second instalment) – Stats NZ information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand Statistical area 2 and 3 population projections: 2023(base)–2053 – (second instalment) – information release 24 February 2026 Statistical area 2 (SA2) and statistical area 3 (SA3) population projections released in Aotearoa Data Explorer (ADE) provide an indication of future changes in the size and age-sex structure of the population usually living in … Read more

Scott Robertson named Barbarians coach in first role since All Blacks axing

Source: Radio New Zealand Scott Robertson. ©INPHO/Ken Sutton Scott Robertson will get his shot at redemption against the Springboks. However, it won’t come as All Blacks coach. Robertson has been named as one of four coaches to lead the Barbarians in their clash against the world champions in June. It will be ‘Razor’s’ first assignment … Read more

EtonHouse Rolls Out Enterprise AI Workspace with OpenAI, Aligning Education with Singapore’s National AI Push

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 February 2026 – In the wake of Budget 2026 and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s announcement of a National AI Council to accelerate mission-driven artificial intelligence deployment, EtonHouse International Education Group has collaborated with OpenAI to roll out ChatGPT Edu across its global education network, establishing … Read more

Australian police charge New Zealand man after finding extremist videos on his phone

Source: Radio New Zealand Australian police have charged a New Zealand man over alleged violent extremist material. Supplied Australian police say they have charged a New Zealand man found with videos of violent extremist material on his phone. They say the 24-year-old was stopped for a baggage examination at Perth Airport on Monday after he … Read more

Temperatures set to drop in South Island in next few days

Source: Radio New Zealand NIWA’s map shows rain is set to hit the South Island by 6pm on Thursday. Screenshot / NIWA / Earth Sciences New Zealand A cold front could cause temperatures to plunge later this week, particularly in the South Island. NIWA meteorologist Chester Lampkin said for the past couple of days there … Read more

Hundreds still without power after last week’s storm

Source: Radio New Zealand Last week’s storm caused the most damage to the network since Cyclone Gabrielle, PowerCo says. Supplied / Caleb Gordon More than 200 people in the lower North Island are still without power, a week after the destructive storm hit the region. Powerco said most of those still cut off were in … Read more

Triple agonist UBT251 delivers up to 19.7% mean weight loss after 24 weeks in phase 2 trial in China

Source: Media Outreach UBT251 is a triple agonist of the receptors for GLP-1, GIP and glucagon (triple G), being jointly developed by United Biotechnology and Novo Nordisk In a placebo-controlled phase 2 trial in Chinese people with overweight or obesity, UBT251 led to a statistically significant mean weight loss of up to 19.7% after 24 … Read more

Canterbury Museum pleads for an extra $64m after another budget blow-out

Source: Radio New Zealand Canterbury Museum’s redevelopment had an original budget of $205 million, which has now been pushed out to almost $262 million. Supplied/Canterbury Museum Canterbury Museum is pleading for councils and central government to stump up an extra $64 million for its cost-plagued redevelopment following another budget blow-out. The project had an original … Read more

Why some newer smartphones may be hit by the 3G shutdown

Source: Radio New Zealand All three main mobile operators are shutting down their 3G networks and upgrading their sites to either 4G or 5G. Jae Park/ Unsplash A digital equity advocate is worried that many people will not understand what is required to keep connected after the 3G network is shut down. All three main … Read more

AI and privacy: Commissioner signs on to global statement on ‘potential harms’

Source: Radio New Zealand An image of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis was misleadingly animated using AI by a Facebook page recently. Screenshot / Facebook New Zealand’s privacy commissioner’s office has signed on to a global joint statement voicing concerns about AI-generated images and calling on organisations to follow the law. … Read more

Significant maintenance contracts up for renewal

Source: Auckland Council Auckland Council is renewing a significant suite of full facilities and maintenance contracts, to support the upkeep of thousands of community, park and play assets across the region for the next five to 10 years. These contracts cover all the services required to maintain 10,298 hectares of gardens and green spaces, 853 … Read more

Primary school principals accept government pay offer

Source: Radio New Zealand Richard Tindiller Primary school principals have voted to accept the government’s offer in pay negotiations. A majority of members of the NZEI education union voted to accept the Ministry of Education’s agreement. Primary principals will receive a 2.5 percent increase immediately, plus 2.1 percent in 12 months. The settlement also includes … Read more

‘Ultra-processed foods are making us sick’ – lawsuit against manufacturers

Source: Radio New Zealand The lawsuit alleges the companies deliberately designed the foods to be addictive, in full knowledge they make people sick. File photo. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly A US attorney who is suing some of the biggest food manufacturers is accusing them of deliberately designing products to be addictive – despite the harm … Read more

Political support for NZ-India FTA getting closer – trade minister

Source: Radio New Zealand Trade Minster Todd McClay says the government is “working through a process” with opposition parties. RNZ / Mark Papalii The Free Trade Agreement with India is better than almost every other trade agreement with India, says the trade minister, who is optimistic it will get the political support needed to ratify … Read more

Hong Kong Tech Delegation Heading for Market Expansion at Mobile World Congress 2026

Source: Media Outreach Debut at startup-centric zone 4YFN, Dual-presence at World Class Tech Exhibitions in Spain HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 February 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in collaboration with Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will lead a delegation of 21 Hong Kong tech companies … Read more

Council cost cutting prompts Levin woman to turn berm into flower garden

Source: Radio New Zealand Louise McCarthy was not happy when the council stopped mowing her berm but decided to turn it into a flowering meadow instead. Louise McCarthy A Horowhenua District Council cost-cutting decision has resulted in a local attraction. When the council stopped mowing residential berms to save money, it made Levin resident Louise … Read more

Genesis Energy a ‘fair proposition’ despite some customers bills increasing by 30%

Source: Radio New Zealand Supplied / Genesis Energy Genesis Energy cannot guarantee its customers won’t receive further price increases this year. It comes as customers are told their electricity prices will increase at the end of March. The company has also just revealed a massive bump in profit. On Monday, Genesis said its half-year net … Read more

Cost of eliminating invasive clams from lake too much for council

Source: Radio New Zealand Eradicating the gold clams could cost up to $1.3 million, with no guarantee of success. File photo. NIWA Boating restrictions at Lake Rotomanu in New Plymouth are to remain while Taranaki Regional Council seeks partners to help fund an attempt to eradicate the invasive gold clam. Tuesday’s full council meeting weighed … Read more

Cyclone Gabrielle inquest: FENZ leader admits going against protocol to restart search for dead firefighter

Source: Radio New Zealand A Muriwai memorial for firefighters Craig Stevens and Dave van Zwanenberg. RNZ / Rayssa Almeida A leading search and rescue operator says he told police he could hear a noise so the search for a dead firefighter could continue. A coronial inquest is exploring the desperate search and rescue operation after … Read more

ASB branches set to open half an hour later at 9.30am Monday to Saturday

Source: Radio New Zealand ASB is set to start opening its branches at 9.30am rather than 9am between Monday and Saturday. RNZ / DOM THOMAS ASB is set to start opening all its branches half an hour later. It has told customers that they will start opening at 9.30am between Monday and Saturday. “This will … Read more

Ukraine conflict: NZ PM to take part in Coalition of the Willing meeting

Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he will take part because he supported Ukraine’s efforts. RNZ / Marika Khabazi The prime minister will take part in a Coalition of the Willing meeting this evening, on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The government is providing a further $8 million in … Read more