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Source: NZ Drug Foundation The NZ Drug Foundation is welcoming a new substance harm action plan that it says has many interventions the sector has long called for. The government’s Action Plan to Prevent and Reduce Substance Harm 2026 – 2029 was announced by Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey this morning. (ref. https://www.health.govt.nz/publications/action-plan-to-prevent-and-reduce-substance-harm-2026-2029 ) … Read more
Source: New Zealand Police Police have seized firearms, ammunition and drugs during a search warrant at a Te Kamo property. Whangārei CIB were executing a search warrant on Mcmillan Avenue on Tuesday afternoon. “Police were making enquiries into a family harm matter when the discovery of illegal items were made,” Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer … Read more
Source: Greenpeace Greenpeace activists are demonstrating outside Environment Southland today, handing out copies of a recent report on Southland groundwater to force councillors to confront the realities of nitrate contamination in the region. Greenpeace says that high levels of nitrate in drinking water in the region warrant immediate action to protect the health of the community. … Read more
Source: New Zealand Government Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says a grant of $468k from the Lottery Minister’s Discretionary Fund to the SPCA for dog desexing will help address irresponsible dog breeding and the dangers posed by dog roaming in New Zealand. SPCA’s own contribution will bring the total funding for this initiative to … Read more
Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date: 18 March 2026 Source: Save the Kiwi These kiwi were transported back to the region by representatives from Ngāti Hei and Ngāti Huarere for release on the Kūaotunu Peninsula. Motutapu, an island connected to Rangitoto in Tīkapa Moana/Hauraki Gulf, is a kōhanga for Coromandel brown kiwi. Since 2012, 156 Coromandel brown … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Auckland courier driver Tuipulotu Vi was killed in August 2024. Police allege an organised crime group they’ve linked to the killing of a New Zealand man corrupted prison officers and bail officials. It’s understood the man that was killed, Auckland courier driver Tuipulotu Vi, was not involved in the drug world. … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand File photo. An animal control officer with a roaming dog. RNZ / Felix Walton Hundreds of thousands of dollars is being directed by the government to try to curb rife uncontrolled dog breeding in Auckland and Northland. The funding comes after a spate of serious dog incidents, including the death of … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Artist’s impression of the planned Sunfield development in Auckland. Winton / supplied One of Auckland’s largest new housing developments – the Sunfield community near Ardmore Airport in South Auckland, given the go-ahead under fast-track rules – has raised the ire of local politicians. Developers Winton envisage nearly 4000 homes, a town … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Economists were split on whether the conflict in the Middle East would mean lower or higher interest rates. Stuff/Kathryn George Banks are moving interest rates higher, but the right term to pick depends a lot on how you think the economy will fare through the rest of this year. BNZ on … Read more
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 18 March 2026 A routine incident at New Zealand’s deepest gold mine has given WorkSafe inspectors rare, real-world proof that years of joint safety training are paying off. WorkSafe has been embedded with the Snowy River gold mine project, near Reefton, since 2018. But in November 2025 safety lessons were put … Read more
Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date: 18 March 2026 The Department of Conservation booking data from 1 October to late January shows visitors spent more than 323,000 nights in huts and campsites over the peak season, broadly in line with last summer. While severe weather and temporary closures affected some traditionally busy locations, many regions experienced … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Auckland firefighters protest for better pay and work conditions on November 2025. RNZ/Lucy Xia Fire and Emergency (FENZ) has once again postponed its final decisions about restructuring. Originally, FENZ said it would decide before Christmas on a proposal made last November to cut 140 positions and make changes to 700 roles … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Associate Education Minister David Seymour RNZ / Mark Papalii An iwi-led charter school will open in Porirua later this year. Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced the Ngati Toa-run secondary school for children in Y7-13, Kura Toa, would open in the third school term. Seymour said Ngāti Toa’s education organisation, Puna … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Quin Tauetau Consumer confidence slipped in the March quarter as global uncertainty made households more nervous about the economic outlook. The Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence Index fell 1.8 points to 94.7. A level below 100 indicates pessimists outweigh optimists. Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod said the survey was … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Police at the scene. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson Four teenagers have been charged over an Auckland home invasion that resulted in a high-speed chase across the city, ending on Karangahape Road with a forced stop. The accused – aged between 15 and 17 – are due to appear in the … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Moana Pasifika halfback Augustine Pulu tackles Blues opposite Sam Nock. Alan Lee / www.photosport.nz Moana Pasifika halfback Augustine Pulu has been suspended for three weeks for a dangerous tackle during his side’s 43-7 defeat to the Blues last weekend. It’s a blow for Moana who have three tough games on the … Read more
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health Publication date: 18 March 2026 The Action to Prevent and Reduce Substance Harm 2026-2029 (the Plan) builds a foundation for a comprehensive and strategic health-system response to address substance-related harm. The Plan sets out the key actions the health system will undertake to strengthen New Zealand’s health response to … Read more
Source: New Zealand Government The Government will introduce the Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill to Parliament this afternoon, a package of practical and targeted changes to strengthen New Zealand’s immigration system and ensure it remains fit for today’s challenges. “Immigration is important for New Zealand, and we are committed to ensuring we continue to … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ Property investors say new research shows that they contribute significant amounts to the country’s economy – but not everyone is convinced. Work by Infometrics, commissioned by the New Zealand Property Investors Federation, showed that private residential property investors contributed $24.8 billion to gross domestic product, or 5.9 percent of GDP, … Read more
Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date: 18 March 2026 Normally hidden amongst dense tussock, flax and mānuka scrub, the Volcanic Plateau speargrass has been exposed by the fire-cleared landscape, following extensive fires in late 2025. DOC Technical Advisor and botanist Paul Cashmore says although the plant was known in the area, its abundance wouldn’t have been … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Thieves stole 13 artworks by masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Manet, and Degas from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990. Screeenshot / FBI Thirty-six years on, mystery still lingers at Boston’s Gardner Museum. In the early morning hours of 18 March 1990, two men dressed as police officers talked their … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he did consider his future in politics after his ex-wife levelled claims at him on social media, but he remains “absolutely committed” to staying on. Hipkins appeared on a suite of morning media on Wednesday – including Morning Report – where he again flatly denied all … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand If more Kiwis make the switch to an EV, could the electricity network handle the extra demand? ABC News / Brendan Esposito With interest in electric vehicles increasing due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, questions have been raised over the reliability of New Zealand’s power grid, should there … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Global popstar Robbie Williams will play Christchurch’s new stadium later this year. Williams will be one of the first international acts at the One New Zealand Stadium when he brings his BRITPOP World Tour to the city on 28 November – the singer’s first concert in Christchurch in 25 years. He … Read more
Source: New Zealand Government More women and families affected by addiction will now have improved access to support, giving children the best possible start in life. Increased investment announced today focuses on preventing and reducing substance-related harm in the areas that matter most, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “Too many New Zealanders are affected … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Jess Thirlby former head coach of England. © Photosport Ltd 2021 www.photosport.nz England netball coach Jess Thirlby has stepped down just four months out from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She steps down with immediate effect in a decision she said was “best for me and my family”. Thirlby had been … Read more
Source: Radio New Zealand Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he doesn’t think it is in anyone’s best interests to be arguing over details of his marriage break-up in public. It comes after he rejected allegations made against him by his ex-wife. On Wednesday, Hipkins told Morning Report says “all sorts” of additional unsubstantiated claims were … Read more