Five young people arrested after Napier aggravated robbery

Source: Radio New Zealand On Monday, Police were notified of an aggravated robbery at a commercial premises on Charles Street RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Five young people have been arrested and charged after an aggravated robbery in Westshore, Napier. They are due to appear in Napier Youth Court on Wednesday, jointly charged with aggravated robbery … Read more

Taking cash off criminals to protect New Zealanders

Source: New Zealand Government Money seized from criminals will once again be redirected to protecting New Zealanders, with a new funding round for the Proceeds of Crime Fund opening on 30 March 2026, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee. “We are taking money off criminals and using it to fix what matters for victims by … Read more

Reminder: don’t spray detergent on an oil spill

Source: Maritime New Zealand We’ve recently become aware of an incident where detergent was sprayed on an oil spill, so we’d like to share a reminder about the rules for using ‘oil spill control agents’ or OSCAs. Dispersants can help reduce the amount of spilled oil reaching the shore, but we need to be sure … Read more

Contractors want the government to hurry up with new road rules for agricultural machinery

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF Rural contractors say new road rules for agricultural machinery are nowhere to be seen, and in the meantime contractors are still being stung with fines. To operate tractors or heavy machinery like harvesters on roads, drivers must get a permit. But the rules are “outdated” and not keeping up with … Read more

Weekly reports to the Minister for Mental Health

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health Publication date: 18 February 2026 The Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora provides a weekly report to the Minister for Mental Health containing regular updates on the Ministry’s Mental Health work programme and other key information.  The published weekly reports do not necessarily reflect the current status of the … Read more

Homicide inquiry launched into man’s death

Source: New Zealand Police The death of a man in Tauranga on Saturday is now being treated as a homicide. Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Flowerdew-Brown, Western Bay of Plenty Area Investigations Manager, says the man’s body was discovered in a secluded area of Wharepai Domain about 2pm on Saturday 14 February. “A post-mortem on Monday … Read more

Fletcher Building posts smaller half-year loss, expects another tough year

Source: Radio New Zealand Chief executive Andrew Reding expected market conditions to remain challenging in the near term. Supplied / Fletcher Building Fletcher Building has posted a smaller half-year loss as the company continues to clean up its long-list of legacy issues, while business remains challenging. Key numbers for the six months ended December compared … Read more

Five youth charged following aggravated robbery, Napier

Source: New Zealand Police Five youth are before the court following an aggravated robbery in Westshore, Napier. On Monday 16 February, Police were notified of an aggravated robbery at a commercial premises on Charles Street about 4.40pm. Three people allegedly entered the premises and stole a number of items before fleeing in a vehicle containing … Read more

Top Up’ to deliver faster access to support

Source: New Zealand Government Seven grassroots mental health initiatives supporting small and hard-to-reach communities have received funding to deliver faster access to support, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced today. “These seven projects deliver practical support, from supporting parents and educating on mental health, to empowering women, grassroots sport initiatives, and accessible movement programmes,” Mr … Read more

Man charged with breaching Mt Maunganui landslip cordon

Source: Radio New Zealand The Mt Maunganui cordon, pictured earlier this month. Nick Monro A man has been arrested after allegedly breaching the cordon around Mt Maunganui. The cordon has been in place since the deadly landslide that killed six people at a campground in January. Tauranga City Council said it aimed to lift part … Read more

How to avoid moisture-loving parasites in livestock, following storms

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF Livestock farmers are being urged to keep their animals well fed and circulated to avoid the spread of moisture-loving parasites. Downpours and gusts that lashed the country in recent weeks have left farmers grappling with paddocks turned to lakes, keeping stock fed and dry, and navigating cut-off tracks, roads and … Read more

Luca Harrington finishes sixth in Winter Olympics big air final

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand’s Luca Harrington during the Freeski Big Air final at the 2026 Winter OLympics. KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP New Zealand’s Luca Harrington has finished sixth in the men’s big air final at the Milan Winter Olympics, missing out on a medal. Harrington, the reigning big air World Champion, had a … Read more

Weather live: Major highway set to reopen after floods in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula

Source: Radio New Zealand Follow our live blog at the top of this page for updates. Banks Peninsula remains cut off by road after widespread damage from flooding and slips. Canterbury’s civil defence controller Duncan Sandeman says the focus on Wednesday will be opening roads and restoring communications. The peninsula was pelted by ten times … Read more

Severe jail terms needed for owners of ‘homicidal dogs’, Shane Jones says after Northland mauling

Source: Radio New Zealand A dog runs free in Kaihu, Northland. RNZ Hefty jail terms should be considered for owners of dangerous, roaming dogs, Northland local and cabinet minister Shane Jones says. His comments come after a woman was mauled to death in Kaihu this week. Her death is the third in Northland in the … Read more

Arrest made following landslide cordon breach, Mount Manganui

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander, Inspector Clifford Paxton:  Bay of Plenty Police have arrested and charged a man following a breach at the Mount Maunganui landslide site cordon early this morning. At around 2.30am, Police were notified that a man had allegedly entered the Mount Maunganui landslide zone … Read more

Charging $9 toll wouldn’t cover cost of new Auckland harbour crossing, advocate says

Source: Radio New Zealand Auckland Harbour Bridge. 123rf Imposing tolls on the existing Harbour Bridge won’t raise enough revenue to cover long-term costs of a new crossing, the editor of an advocacy website says. The Infrastructure Commission has suggested a toll as high as $9 to help pay for a second crossing. Greater Auckland editor … Read more

What can you do if the weather forecast terrifies you?

Source: Radio New Zealand Explainer – If the weather lately is stressing you out, you’re not alone. As of Tuesday, there have been nine local states of emergency declared so far in 2026, according to Civil Defence. That’s already more than were declared in all of 2025 and 2024. There have also been two red … Read more

Charging $9 toll wouldn’t cover cost of new harbour crossing, advocate says

Source: Radio New Zealand Auckland Harbour Bridge. 123rf Imposing tolls on the existing Harbour Bridge won’t raise enough revenue to cover long-term costs of a new crossing, the editor of an advocacy website says. The Infrastructure Commission has suggested a toll as high as $9 to help pay for a second crossing. Greater Auckland editor … Read more

‘Lifeline’ Lake Ferry Road bridge gouged out by raging floodwaters in South Wairarapa

Source: Radio New Zealand Phillip Maybury and Natasha Robinson have been helping catch supplies. RNZ / Mary Argue A “lifeline” road gouged out by raging floodwaters in southern Wairarapa is a “nightmare” scenario, that has split families and forced residents to scramble for supplies. Several rural and coastal settlements on the road to Cape Palliser … Read more

Weather live: Banks Peninsula cut off by slips, flooding

Source: Radio New Zealand Follow our live blog at the top of this page for updates. Banks Peninsula remains cut off by road after widespread damage from flooding and slips. Canterbury’s civil defence controller Duncan Sandeman says the focus on Wednesday will be opening roads and restoring communications. The peninsula was pelted by ten times … Read more

The wine industry headache

Source: Radio New Zealand It’s estimated that roughly a fifth of the potential crop may be left on vines this year due to a combination of factors. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Perfect growing conditions for grapes at a time when demand for wine is dropping is likely to result in more fruit left on the … Read more

Homeowners shifting properties could be good news for the economy

Source: Radio New Zealand First-home buyers were still a strong force in the market, but dropped to 26.2 percent of transactions compared to 28.3 percent at the end of 2025. Unsplash/ Jakub Żerdzicki Homeowners becoming willing to brave the housing market and shift to a new property could be a positive thing for the economy, … Read more

Company boss shocked as 2500 apply for one job

Source: Radio New Zealand Oppo managing director Morgan Halim said more people applied for the entry level roles, than the ones with more specialist requirements. RNZ Oppo managing director Morgan Halim would usually consider 500 a high number of applicants for a job ad. So when a current advertisement ticked over 2500 applications – and … Read more

Kaihu community in mourning after woman mauled to death by a pack of dogs

Source: Radio New Zealand The scene of a fatal dog attack in Kaihu, Northland. RNZ The small Northland settlement where a woman was mauled to death by a pack of dogs is devastated, a councillor and kaumātua for the region says. Emergency crews rushed to Kaihu north of Dargaville on Monday and Police remained at … Read more

Antarctic expedition collects evidence that ice sheet melted during previous warm period

Source: Radio New Zealand Co-chief scientist Molly Patterson with a core sample all packaged up for transportation back from the Crary Ice Rise campsite. Supplied / Ana Tovey (SWAIS2C) An Antarctic sediment sample dating back millions of years shows evidence that a major ice sheet partially or totally collapsed during a previous warm period. The … Read more

Second priest at St Bede’s College was accused of sexual abuse by three complainants

Source: Radio New Zealand Fr Brian Cummings was rector at St Bede’s College between 1990-2001. Supplied A second priest who worked at St Bede’s College was accused of sexual abuse by three complainants over three decades, it can be revealed. The priest, who “strenuously denied” the allegations, was rector at the school for more than … Read more

Banks Peninsula sees 10 times monthly rainfall in 48hrs, MetService says

Source: Radio New Zealand Flooding around Akaroa, Banks Peninsula on Tuesday. RNZ / Nathan McKinnon Banks Peninsula has been hammered by nearly 10 times the average monthly rainfall in just 48 hours, MetService says. The deluge has left the peninsula cut off, with slips and flooding blocking State Highway 75, the main road between Christchurch … Read more