Spark sees 83% increase in net profit to $64 million in six months to December

Source: Radio New Zealand Spark saw a net after tax profit of $64 million for the six months ended December. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson Telecommunications company Spark’s mobile and broadband businesses delivered slight revenue growth over the first half, contributing to an 83 percent increase in net profit. “The first half of FY26 has … Read more

New Zealand Climate Change Ambassador appointed

Source: New Zealand Government Climate Change Minister Simon Watts has announced the appointment of Stuart Calman as New Zealand’s Climate Change Ambassador. “I am pleased to welcome Stuart to this role, given his expertise in foreign policy, trade and development, along with strong climate policy experience,” Mr Watts says. “Stuart brings an excellent understanding of … Read more

A ‘huge crash’: Wellington family evacuates property after huge branch hits roof during storm

Source: Radio New Zealand A Wellington family has been forced out of their home after a large branch flattened their roof in this week’s vicious storm. William Ray, an RNZ employee and Johnsonville resident, said his family were lucky to leave when they did, with the branch now precariously leaning against his house. Ray said … Read more

As it happened: Evacuations as landslip narrowly misses homes in Dunedin

Source: Radio New Zealand State Highway 75 connecting Christchurch to Akaroa reopened on Wednesday. The New Zealand Transport Agency said road users would need to take care and prepare for temporary restrictions, but the flooding and slips had been cleared. Banks Peninsula was pelted by ten times the monthly average rainfall in the last 48 … Read more

Firearms seized in ongoing investigation

Source: New Zealand Police Police have recovered a cache of weaponry as part of an ongoing investigation into a family harm event. Counties Manukau West Police responded to Māngere address on Sunday afternoon. “A disagreement between family members occurred, when a firearm was allegedly presented by one member,” Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Steve Albrey … Read more

NZ Warrior seek improvement in second NRL pre-season trial against Dolphins

Source: Radio New Zealand Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi scores a pre-season try for the Warriors against Manly. Kerry Marshall/Photosport NRL pre-season: Warriors v Dolphins Kickoff: 8pm Friday, 20 February Leichhardt Oval, Sydney Live blog updates on RNZ Still smarting from a subpar performance in their first pre-season hitout, NZ Warriors will seek a drastic improvement, when they … Read more

Fatal dog mauling: Animal control staff visited property day before attack

Source: Radio New Zealand Police at the scene of the fatal attack. RNZ Animal control officers visited the property where Mihiata Te Rore was mauled to death four times, including the day before the attack. Te Rore, 62, was visiting a person she knew at a property in the small Northland town of Kaihu when … Read more

Police search farm effluent ponds and waterways of missing Southland man Kevin Belling

Source: Radio New Zealand Invercargill man Kevin Belling, 62, was last seen at his Motu Rimu farm on Friday 9 January. Supplied / NZ Police Effluent ponds and other waterways on the farm of a missing Southland man are now being searched by the police. Kevin Belling, 62, was last seen at his Motu Rimu … Read more

Chris Hipkins accuses Winston Peters of ‘pure racism’ in Parliament

Source: Radio New Zealand NZ First leader singled out a Green MP for his Rarotongan heritage, which Labour leader Chris Hipkins says was “pure racism”. RNZ Winston Peters has been accused of “pure racism” in Parliament by Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who has called out National ministers for failing to combat or challenge it. The … Read more

Burglar bungles getaway, faces court

Source: New Zealand Police An offender left himself seeing red, after a dangerous dash through red lights foiled his getaway from a burglary. The man came to Police attention in Newmarket just after 10am on Tuesday. “A camera operator based in Newmarket observed a ute running through several red lights and travelling on the wrong … Read more

Shortfalls in driver licensing for trucks highlighted in review

Source: Radio New Zealand Increasing demand for truck licenses is putting pressure on testers, according to the review. File photo siwakorn / 123RF A review of driver licensing for trucks and other heavy vehicles has found persisting weaknesses in regulatory practice. The internal review – conducted in 2024 – was released to media today through … Read more

Hipkins accuses Peters of ‘pure racism’ in Parliament

Source: Radio New Zealand NZ First leader singled out a Green MP for his Rarotongan heritage, which Labour leader Chris Hipkins says was “pure racism”. RNZ Winston Peters has been accused of “pure racism” in Parliament by Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who has called out National ministers for failing to combat or challenge it. The … Read more

Dogs in fatal Kaihu attack had gone after other animals

Source: Radio New Zealand Police at the scene of the fatal attack. RNZ The dogs that killed a woman in Northland yesterday came onto a neighbour’s property recently and pack attacked their dog. The Kaihu local says it was “really quite frightening” living near the animals. Mihiata Te Rore, 62, was visiting a person she … Read more

Infrastructure Commission clarifies suggestion of Auckland Harbour Bridge toll

Source: Radio New Zealand Tom Kitchin The Infrastructure Commission has moved to clarify its suggestion around tolling the Auckland Harbour Bridge, with the government considering whether a toll will help pay for a new Waitematā Harbour crossing. The government has been at pains to stress no decisions have been made around tolling the existing bridge, … Read more

Crucial SH35 connection restored

Source: New Zealand Government State Highway 35 will once more connect Tairāwhiti to eastern Bay of Plenty, when it reopens at 7am tomorrow, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. It’s been three weeks since heavy rainfall and flooding caused slips above and below the road, closing the road between Pōtaka and Te Araroa isolating the communities … Read more

Southland Police continue search for missing man Kevin Belling

Source: New Zealand Police Attributable to Detective Sergeant John Kean: The search for missing 62-year-old Kevin Belling continues as Southland Police conduct searches in waterways in the Motu Rimu area. Kevin was last seen at his Motu Rimu farm on Friday 9 January and was reported missing on 18 January. Police Search and Rescue and … Read more

Super Rugby Preview: Seven Moana debutants, Barrett back, duel derbies await

Source: Radio New Zealand Jordie Barrett is back in the capital and will start in the midfield against Moana. Photosport The Hurricanes have entered the chat. After sitting out round one with the bye, the Canes will open their campaign in the capital on Friday night against a buoyant Moana side bringing Pasifika bragging rights … Read more

CRL to lift tourism and major events in Auckland

Source: Auckland Council Auckland competes in a highly dynamic global market for tourists and major events. The City Rail Link (CRL) is tipped to give the city a new edge in both arenas.  Annie Dundas, Director Destination for Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, says greater ease of access enabled by the CRL will support the agency’s aims. … Read more

Economy – There’s still time to assess the effects of prior OCR cuts – Cotality

Source: Cotality – Commentary by Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson As widely expected, the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee, under new Governor Anna Breman, held the official cash rate unchanged at 2.25% today. This was firmly in line with the forward guidance from the previous meeting in November and it reflects the expectation that spare capacity … Read more

Next stop for the Northwest Busway

Source: New Zealand Government NZTA has applied for statutory approvals for the Northwest Busway project under the Fast‑track Approvals Act (FTAA), marking a major milestone for a project that will deliver faster, more frequent and more reliable public transport for Auckland’s growing northwest, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop.  “The project, similar to the successful Northern Busway, will provide … Read more

University Research – Lab discovery offers hope for lymphoedema – UoA

Source: University of Auckland – UoA A newly discovered molecule shows promise for treating painful lymphoedema. Scientists have made a breakthrough that could lead to effective treatments for lymphoedema, a painful swelling condition for which there is currently no cure. Lymphoedema can be congenital or caused by an injury, but it mostly occurs as an … Read more

Outgoing Netball NZ chairperson denies any pressure to step down

Source: Radio New Zealand AAP / www.photosport.nz The outgoing Netball New Zealand chairperson says changes at the top will help inject new energy into a sport that is facing significant challenges. The national body last night confirmed that chairperson Matt Whineray and three appointed board members had decided to step down. It followed the resignation … Read more

Plans to deliver food and meds to more than 100 people trapped near Ngawi in Wairarapa

Source: Radio New Zealand Residents are also concerned about a second bridge undermined by floodwaters at Hurupi Stream. Supplied / Sharon Durrant Plans are underway to deliver food and increasingly urgent medical supplies to more than 100 people trapped near Ngawi on Wairarapa’s southern coastline. Two bridges are out of action on the only roads … Read more

Prices continue to rise at global dairy trade auction

Source: Radio New Zealand The price rises at the latest global diary trade auction have been described as a “very good result” for New Zealand dairy farmers. 123RF Dairy prices rose again at the global dairy trade auction overnight – continuing a reversal of last year’s downward swing and raising questions about whether a $10 … Read more

Cyclists thigh-deep in water days after rain

Source: Radio New Zealand The Petone railway underpass on a nearly-new $70 million cycleway is thigh-deep in water more than two days after the storm and heavy rain in Wellington. Surprised cyclists on Wednesday morning entered the 30m-long tunnel under the main Hutt Valley rail line with just their tyres underwater, but ended up with … Read more

Wellington Water stops pumping raw sewage directly into Tarakena Bay

Source: Radio New Zealand Untreated water leaked onto the capital’s south coast beaches due to the Moa Point Treatment Plant flooding. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Wellington Water has stopped pumping raw sewage through a five metre pipe directly into the sea at Tarakena Bay. The 1.8 kilometre long pipe into Cook Strait was overwhelmed during … Read more

New military health centre opens at Burnham

Source: New Zealand Government A first-of-its-kind health and rehabilitation centre has opened at Burnham Military Camp to support the health, wellbeing and operational readiness of New Zealand Defence Force personnel.  “Kiwis who put on the uniform put their lives on the line to defend and protect New Zealand and its people. They deserve the best support possible to … Read more