WEL Networks extends partnership with Downer and Ventia

Source: WEL Networks WEL Networks has extended its partnership with Tier 1 contractors Downer and Ventia for a further three years, reinforcing our commitment to delivering safe, reliable and efficient services for our customers. From 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029, Downer and Ventia will continue to play a central role in strengthening and supporting … Read more

Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the Department of Conservation renew their Service Agreement

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the Department of Conservation (DOC) have signed a new three-year Operational Service Agreement. 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 … Read more

Advocacy – Gaza-based Humanitarian organisations petition Israeli High Court as closure deadline approaches – Oxfam

Source: Oxfam Aotearoa The clock is ticking on a large part of the humanitarian response sustaining civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory. Thirty-seven international aid organisations have been ordered by Israeli authorities to cease operations in the occupied Palestinian territory by the end of February under revised Israeli registration rules. With efforts to force closures imminent, … Read more

Energy Sector – Meridian rebounds off back of near-record inflows

Source: Meridian Energy 25 February 2026 – Meridian Energy has reported operating cash flows of $336 million for the six months ending 31 December 2025. This compares to $50 million in the same period last year when the company’s financial performance was impacted by the cost of hedge and demand response contracts required to support customers … Read more

Energy Sector – Ara Ake reopens National Flex Discovery Fund with renewed focus on digital connectivity

Source: Ara Ake Ara Ake, New Zealand’s energy innovation centre, has reopened its National Flex Discovery Fund after a successful first round in 2025, continuing its support for smarter ways to manage electricity demand. The Fund helps flexibility service providers connect devices such as batteries, electric vehicles and smart appliances to open-access platforms, so their energy-saving … Read more

Health Research – Young people are missing out on access to mental health services

Source: Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Te Hiringa Mahara is calling for increased urgency to improve access to specialist mental health and addiction services for young people after new analysis shows a continued reduction in the number of young people accessing services. Despite 15-to-24 year-olds reporting increasing levels of high psychological distress, … Read more

UK police finish search of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s property in Berkshire

Source: Radio New Zealand Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Max Mumby/Indigo British police say they’ve finished searches of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s property in Berkshire following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The former British prince was released last Thursday, pending further investigation, after he was questioned at a Norfolk police station about his links to the … Read more

Two people critically hurt as train and car collide in New Plymouth

Source: Radio New Zealand The crash on Mountain Road in Lepperton was reported at 8.45am on Wednesday. Google Maps Two people are critically injured after the car they were in collided with a freight train near New Plymouth on Wednesday. Emergency services responded to the crash off Mountain Road, State Highway 3A in Lepperton around … Read more

Banks must provide cash services to customers, Reserve Bank says

Source: Radio New Zealand Services should include cash withdrawals, deposits and change, the RBNZ says. RNZ / Marika Khabazi The Reserve Bank says banks should provide basic cash services Services should be walkable distance in urban areas or driveable in rural areas Services should include cash withdrawals, deposits and change The RBNZ suggest banking hubs … Read more

Taranaki composting company fined $71k for stinking out its neighbours

Source: Radio New Zealand Remediation NZ’s Uruti site. Supplied A controversial North Taranaki composting company has been fined more than $71,000 for discharging offensive odours described by neighbours as smelling like “faecal and pig effluent” from its site near Uruti. The company pleaded guilty at the New Plymouth District Court to discharging odorous compounds between … Read more

Scales corporation profits off the scale

Source: Radio New Zealand Harvest of Posy apples is under at Mr Apple’s Meeanee orchard near Napier. SUPPLIED/Mr Apple Strong sales of premium apple varieties into Asia and the Middle East has led Scales Corporation to report a massive jump in profit. The company’s net profit for the 2025 financial year was $117.7 million – … Read more

Pay equity backlash is ‘hyperbole’, Finance Minister says

Source: Radio New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Finance Minister Nicola Willis has dismissed claims the coalition’s pay equity changes amount to an abuse of power as “hyperbole”. An unofficial select committee run by 10 former MPs from across the political spectrum has condemned the changes, arguing the government had violated … Read more

Dozens of jobs on offer at coolest place on Earth

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand’s Scott Base in Antarctica, in 2023. Antactica NZ/ Anthony Powell Antarctica New Zealand is on the hunt for 40 people willing to brave the sub-zero temperatures and work in one of the most remote places on Earth. The organisation is looking for everything from medics to chefs, electricians and … Read more

New data unlocks domestic tourism insights

Source: New Zealand Government Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston welcomed new data that provides fresh insights into how and why New Zealanders travel domestically.  Data released in February comes from the first wave of the new Domestic Visitor Survey, which measures insights into peak and off‑peak domestic tourism in New Zealand. “This new survey provides … Read more

New Zealand imposes travels bans on Iranian Ministers

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand is applying further sanctions on Iran, placing travel bans on members of the Iranian regime involved in the violent suppression of protests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.  “It has been horrifying to witness the brutal killing of thousands of protestors in Iran,” Mr Peters says. “Iranians have the … Read more

Primary Principals vote to accept settlement

Source: New Zealand Government Education Minister Erica Stanford has welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations to renew the Primary Principals’ (NZEI Te Riu Roa) Collective Agreement. On 24 February, a ballot with members of the NZEI returned a majority vote to ratify the PPCA settlement, which covers around 1,300 primary principals. “Primary principals play a … Read more

Chilly tinge to temperatures in South Island as summer winds up

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 It’s shaping as a chilly end to summer for the South Island as a cold snap brings low temperatures over the weekend. A stunning day is forecast on … Read more

Fixing the basics of NZ’s transport rules

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is continuing its work to fix the basics of New Zealand’s transport system, with public consultation opening today on two packages of practical rule changes to make everyday travel safer and cut red tape for truck operators, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “For most New Zealanders, transport rules are … Read more

Health NZ and PSA reach deal after months of negotiating and strike action

Source: Radio New Zealand The agreement included a pay increase of 2.5 percent from December 2025 and a further 2 percent from December this year. 123RF After months of negotiating and strike action, Health New Zealand and the union for allied health workers have reached a deal. The Public Service Association (PSA) said its more … Read more

Man arrested after allegedly shooting victim at their front door in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand A man and a woman, who is co-accused, will also appear in the Manukau District Court today. RNZ / Liu Chen A 34-year-old man has been arrested after a shooting in Manurewa, Auckland. Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers said officers were called to a property on Marumaru Lane at about 8.45pm on … Read more

Woman pleads guilty to dangerous driving charge, Motutere fatal crash

Source: New Zealand Police A woman has pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing death in relation to the fatal crash on SH1, Motutere, on 4 July 2025. The 24-year-old woman first appeared in court on 16 December 2025. She has now entered a guilty plea and is due to appear in Taupo … Read more

Man arrested after Police units rammed

Source: New Zealand Police Police have laid a raft of charges against a man after he allegedly rammed two Police vehicles, one of which he rammed multiple times. The man’s van came to Police attention just before 1.45am in the Manukau area. Inspector Warrick Adkin, of Counties Manukau Central Police, says the Hiace van was … Read more

Parking shortages ‘a failed experiment’ in policy planning – Auckland councillor

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Nick Monro An Auckland City councillor says a lack of parking in developments is leading to anxiety and disputes. Directives for developers to provide a minimum amount of spaces were outlawed in most major cities in 2020. But the government is looking at repealing the change and bringing back … Read more

Arrests made in Manurewa shooting

Source: New Zealand Police Police have arrested a 34-year-old man after a shooting in Manurewa last Wednesday. Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers says at around 8.45pm on 18 February, Police were called to Marumaru Lane after reports a person had been shot. “The offender has gone to the door and asked for the victim, before allegedly … Read more

Early morning traffic incidents close State Highway 1 lanes at Kaiapoi

Source: Radio New Zealand A crash blocked lanes on State Highway 1 in Kaiapoi pm Wednesday morning. (File photo). RNZ / Tom Kitchin Two separate incidents on State Highway 1 in Kaiapoi, Canterbury, brought early morning traffic to a near-standstill. Police were alerted to a two-vehicle crash on the soutbound side of the motorway about … Read more

PSA members vote to accept settlement

Source: New Zealand Government Health Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the successful ratification of a new collective agreement covering Allied, Public Health, Scientific and Technical (APHST) members represented by the Public Service Association (PSA). “I am pleased for the approximately 12,300 workers employed by Health New Zealand nationwide who will benefit from this agreement. Allied, … Read more

Citizens arrests, armed guards, and the power of Sunny Kaushal

Source: Radio New Zealand The Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime, headed by Sunny Kaushal and set up to give expert advice, has collapsed and three members quit before it was due to wind up, exposing deep differences within the retail industry.  RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The Government has long promised to be … Read more