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

Auckland dog owners take fight against off-leash ban to court

Source: Radio New Zealand Last year, the Puketāpapa Local Board voted to ban dogs from running free in part of Hillsborough’s Monte Cecilia Park. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly The lawyers involved in a scrap between dog owners and the Auckland Council have been urged to settle their issues out of court. Last year, the Puketāpapa … Read more

Taranaki cyclist crashes off bike after loose dog bites her leg

Source: Radio New Zealand The cyclist was travelling at about 40km/h when the dog attacked. File photo. 123rf.com A Taranaki cyclist is on crutches with several “bone deep” puncture wounds after a roaming dog latched onto her leg. The attack sent the New Plymouth woman crashing off her bike while she was out on a … Read more

Canterbury Museum pleads for millions of dollars 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

New Zealanders’ dismal savings balances revealed

Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf A third of New Zealanders have savings of less than $500, Westpac says, with Auckland and Northland lagging the rest of the country. Westpac has released new data that shows Canterbury and Otago are top of the savings stakes – in both regions 28 percent of Westpac customers are making … Read more

Update: second arrest in Hastings homicide

Source: New Zealand Police Please attribute to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Darren Pritchard: Police investigating the murder of Flaxmere man Keith Pati on 16 February 2025, have made another arrest in relation to the incident. A search warrant was carried out today in Napier and a 35-year-old woman was arrested. She will appear in the … Read more

Waitaki council rejoins Southern Waters partnership

Source: Radio New Zealand Ratepayers are being warned of massive rates rises ahead, no matter what plan is implemented. RNZ Waitaki District Council is rejoining the Southern Waters partnership it ditched last year. The council has announced it will team up with Central Otago, Clutha and Gore district councils to deliver drinking water, wastewater and … Read more

Fatal Crash: SH2, Mangatāwhiri

Source: New Zealand Police Police can confirm one person has died following a serious crash on State Highway 2 near Mangatāwhiri. Emergency services were called to a crash involving a truck and car at around 11.10am. Sadly, the driver of the car died at the scene. The truck driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported … Read more

Farmers being cautious with profits

Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf While many farmers are riding a wave of strong farm-gate prices, the profits are only trickling into regional economies as they’re being cautious when it comes to spending. Waikato Chamber of Commerce chief executive Don Good said farmers are using their profits to service debt and pay for upgrades and … Read more

Bamboo: beloved backyard feature or Auckland’s quiet green invader?

Source: Auckland Council Bamboo has a reputation problem. To some Aucklanders it’s a design darling – sleek, fast-growing and perfect for privacy. To others, it’s the plant that ate the fence, cracked the driveway and popped up next door without permission. Originally from South America and Asia, bamboo is one of the most extraordinary plants … Read more

Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui / Hūnua Ranges pest control delivers outstanding gains for native wildlife

Source: Auckland Council Auckland’s Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui / Hūnua Ranges are thriving, with new monitoring results confirming a dramatic reduction in possum and rat numbers while delivering ideal conditions for native wildlife to flourish. Results from Auckland Council’s 2025 Hūnua aerial pest control operation, funded by the Natural Environment Targeted Rate, show possum numbers … Read more

A forest on the brink of recovery: Kawau Island poised for a pest-free comeback

Source: Auckland Council Te Kawau Tūmaro ō Tōi / Kawau Island’s forests are showing strong signs they can recover – when long-standing pressures from introduced mammalian pests are removed. A new baseline forest monitoring report, prepared ahead of a major pest eradication programme, paints a clear picture of both the damage done by browsing animals … Read more

Greenpeace – Seabed miners ‘trespassed’ from Taranaki waters, after Fast Track withdrawal

Source: Greenpeace Iwi representatives from Taranaki have delivered a ‘trespass’ notice to seabed miners in Sydney today, warning the company against pursuing any future plans to pillage the seabed in Aotearoa. Hand delivered by Rukutai Watene of Ngāti Ruanui, alongside Greenpeace Aotearoa, the notice was served peacefully at the headquarters of Manuka Resources – parent company … Read more

Environment – EPA approves biological control agent to combat invasive Chilean flame creeper

Source: Environmental Protection Authority The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved the release of a leaf-feeding beetle (Blaptea elguetai) as a biological control agent to combat Chilean flame creeper (Tropaeolum speciosum), an invasive weed in Aotearoa New Zealand. Chilean flame creeper is an invasive pest plant that spreads quickly and smothers native plants. It is now … Read more

Health – GP pharmacist led support strengthens patient care and clinical confidence

Source: ProCare In four months’ time, essential funding that is helping improve patient outcomes and freeing up GP time is set to end, despite outstanding results. ProCare has been supporting practices to integrate pharmacists, emergency care paramedics, physiotherapists, and care-coordinators into practices, through the Comprehensive Primary and Community Care Team (CPCT) initiative. Grey Lynn Family … Read more