‘Please hit pause’: Advocates and UK MP call for passport grace period

Source: Radio New Zealand Dual citizens face having to get both passports and keep them up to date – and to get a UK passport soon if they want to travel from the end of February. Gill Bonnett UK lobby groups are calling on the British government to urgently delay the deadline for dual nationals … Read more

Queensland fruit fly restrictions lifted – Mt Roskill

Source: Auckland Council With no further fruit flies found in the Mt Roskill area, Biosecurity New Zealand has lifted restrictions on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the area. Biosecurity New Zealand, the biosecurity arm of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), announced the update today. Dr Imogen Bassett, Head of Natural Environment Specialist … Read more

Waipā and Ōtorohanga states of emergency extended

Source: Radio New Zealand Water rushing over a blown out culvert on Corcoran Rd, Te Pahu, Waipā. Supplied/Ryan Vickers Both Waipā and Ōtorohanga Districts have extended their respective states of emergency for a further seven days. Both districts experienced localised flooding after storms on Friday 13 February, which also washed away a water treatment plant … Read more

Grown-ups, playing is good for you too

Source: Radio New Zealand Somewhere along the way to adulthood, time to play fades away. We tend to trade silliness and imagination for seriousness and busyness. Yet there is clear evidence that adults benefit from playfulness just as children do. Play has long been treated as something separate from adult life. Unsplash .928934010152″> Our research … Read more

Successful fruit fly response in Mt Roskill a credit to community

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand is once again free of Queensland fruit fly, following a swift biosecurity response in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.  Biosecurity New Zealand has lifted controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the area. No further evidence of the pest has been … Read more

How the British press reacted to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest

Source: Radio New Zealand British media are preparing their Friday morning newspapers in the wake of ex-prince Andrew’s arrest. It will be no surprise that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, pictured soon after leaving a UK police station and looking stunned in the back of a car, is dominating front pages. Meanwhile, reporters gathered en masse outside Buckingham … Read more

Government awards primary sector student scholarships

Source: New Zealand Government Six tertiary students have been awarded scholarships as part of efforts to support farmers and growers on-the-ground, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard have announced. “This Government is backing the sector by supporting the next generation of on-farm advisers,” Mr McClay says. “Our On Farm Support Science … Read more

Work begins on new inpatient ward at Nelson Hospital

Source: New Zealand Government Construction is now underway on a rapid‑build inpatient ward at Nelson Hospital, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “The 28‑bed ward will allow services to be relocated while major redevelopment work progresses at Nelson Hospital, including seismic strengthening of existing buildings,” Mr Brown says. The project involves around four months of off‑site … Read more

WorkSafe launches investigation into Mount Maunganui landslide

Source: Worksafe New Zealand 20 February 2026 WorkSafe New Zealand has now officially begun an investigation into work health and safety at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park in the lead up to the landslide on January 22. It follows completion of the recovery operation by Police on 1 February. “We have taken time to be … Read more

As it happened: Former prince Andrew arrested by UK police over Epstein ties

Source: Radio New Zealand Follow updates with RNZ’s live blog above. Britain’s former prince Andrew has been arrested overnight over allegations he sent confidential government documents to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. King Charles’ younger brother – now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after he wasstripped by his older brother of his titles and … Read more

Northern Brave duo set to debut for White Ferns

Source: Radio New Zealand Nensi Patel of the Northern Brave. www.photosport.nz There are two new players in the White Ferns squad named to take on Zimbabwe later this month. Northern Brave duo Nensi Patel and Kayley Knight have been included for the series, which will be the first between the two nations and includes three … Read more

The llamas keeping sheep safe at Auckland’s Ambury farm

Source: Radio New Zealand On a sunny weekday at lunchtime, Ken, Drick, and Lamar are working hard. Grazing on grass, and occasionally lifting their heads to check the surroundings. But don’t be fooled by their languid behaviour – they’re actually top notch security guards. Park ranger Millie Law has been looking after the llamas. Ke-Xin … Read more

Toy Story 5 trailer drops: Woody and Buzz are back to take on tech

Source: Radio New Zealand The Toy Story franchise is back with its fifth instalment and this time – the toys are taking on technology. By the time Toy Story 5 hits theatres in June, it will have been seven years since Toy Story 4 was released. The trailer for the latest Disney and Pixar film … Read more

Four hospitalised after chemical incident at Levin plant released

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson The four people who were hospitalised following a chemical incident at a meat processing plant in Levin have since been discharged. Emergency services were called to the Alliance Group site on Hamaria Road at about 6.30pm on Thursday. St John said four people were taken to … Read more

IEA Declaration strengthens international co-operation on critical minerals

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand has joined international leaders at the 2026 International Energy Agency Ministerial meeting in committing to strengthen global co-operation on critical minerals to strengthen long‑term energy security.  Energy Minister Simon Watts, who has been at the ministerial meeting in Paris this week, joined 32 member countries in endorsing a Declaration supporting the … Read more

Wellington resident horrified after raw sewage ‘exploded’ from his toilet

Source: Radio New Zealand The resident lives near Moa Point in Wellington. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone This story contains photos of the sewage-affected bathroom which may upset some readers. A Wellington resident living near Moa Point says sewage “exploded” out of his toilet on Thursday morning. Ed, a Miramar resident who doesn’t want his surname … Read more

Old pressures to blame for number of companies going broke

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF Insolvencies rise in fourth quarter, annual rate highest in 10 years Failures reflect companies weakened some time ago Signs of economic improvement too late for some companies Construction biggest insolvency group, broad hospitality second The number of companies going broke has surged to its highest level in 10 years as … Read more

Update – Cannons Creek assault

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Kāpiti Mana Area Commander, Inspector Renée Perkins: Police investigating an assault in Cannons Creek this morning are seeking information from the public to assist our investigation. Just before 7:40am, Police were called to Dido Place after reports of a firearm being discharged. One person sustained moderate injuries, they are … Read more

Auckland Business Chamber optimistic govt’s surcharge ban efforts have stalled

Source: Radio New Zealand Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges, who campaigned for an end to the policy, said he was hopeful this was a win for small and medium businesses. The Auckland Business Chamber is cautiously optimistic that government promises to ban paywave and credit surcharges from card payments appear to have stalled. … Read more

What dog control laws say about fatal attacks – and what people want to change

Source: Radio New Zealand Explainer – A Northland woman was killed by a dog this week, the latest in a series of fatalities. What exactly are the laws around animal control? Here’s where dangerous dog regulations stand in New Zealand, and what people are saying needs changing. Mihiata Te Rore, 62, was killed by dogs … Read more

Owner of half-finished Auckland apartment project faces removal from Companies Register

Source: Radio New Zealand An unfinished apartment block on Manukau Rd in Auckland’s Epsom. MELANIE EARLEY / RNZ The company behind a half-finished apartment block in Auckland’s Epsom is in the process of being removed from the Companies Register – while a neighbour is still waiting to be paid $30,000. Work on the Epsom Central … Read more

Roadside drug testing continues to boost road safety efforts

Source: New Zealand Police Two months on after roadside drug driving testing was introduced in Wellington, Police continue to gain valuable operational knowledge and are evaluating processes on this new and important road safety tool. Since implementing testing in mid-December 2025 to further bolster road safety efforts, more than 300 screening tests have been completed. … Read more

Winter Olympics: Kiwi Mischa Thomas qualifies for halfpipe final as rival stretchered off

Source: Radio New Zealand Canada’s Cassie Sharpe receives medical assistance after crashing during the women’s freestyle skiing halfpipe at the Winter Olympics. 2026. KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP Auckland freeskier Mischa Thomas has qualified for the final of the halfpipe at the Winter Olympics. The 17 year old landed a score of 77.00 in her first … Read more

Armed police at scene after assault puts Porirua schools in lockdown

Source: Radio New Zealand Armed police remain at the scene (file image). RNZ/ Calvin Samuel An assault in Porirua, which placed nearby schools in lockdown, has left one person with moderate injuries. Police remain in the area – some armed. In a statement, Kāpiti-Mana Area Commander, Inspector Renée Perkins, said officers were called to Dido … Read more

Major delays as crash blocks lane on SH2 in Wellington

Source: Radio New Zealand X/NZTA A crash on State Highway 2 between Wellington city and Petone is causing delays for motorists. The Transport Agency said the northbound lane is blocked just before the Petone off-ramp. There are reports of long queues. A police spokesperson said a truck hit the median barrier just before 8am on … Read more

Fire Safety – Central Otago moving to a Prohibited Fire Season

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a Prohibited Fire Season in Central Otago beginning at 8am this Saturday, 21 February, banning all outdoor fires until further notice. District Manager Craig Gold says the ban may come as a surprise to many because of a slow start to summer and … Read more

Fonterra provides Farmgate Milk Price and earnings update

 Source: Fonterra Fonterra expecting to distribute Mainland Group earnings as special Mainland dividend Fonterra confirms FY26 forecast earnings guidance from continuing operations Fonterra lifts 2025/26 season forecast Farmgate Milk Price midpoint from $9.00 per kgMS to $9.50 per kgMS Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has today lifted its forecast Farmgate Milk Price for the 2025/26 season … Read more