Tower expects rise in weather-related claims to nearly halve profits

Source: Radio New Zealand Tower insurance chair Michael Stiassny says some progress to tackle the impacts of extreme weather events had been “haphazard, inadequate and painfully slow”. RNZ Tower paid out $12m already in bad weather claims, expects more Company has $45m fund for big events, a quarter already spent Full year underlying profit will … Read more

Police sent to Auckland school after ‘threats towards students’

Source: Radio New Zealand Western Springs College’s principal says there was an “altercation” last week and a threat made on social media. RNZ / Lauren Baker Police have been posted at an Auckland school after what it says were threats from another school. “Last Thursday, a group of students from another school made threats toward … Read more

Do you recognise these people?

Source: New Zealand Police Bay of Plenty Police are seeking to the public’s help to identify the three people pictured in these images. We believe they may be able to assist us with our enquiries into a breach of the Mount Maunganui landslide cordon on Wednesday 11 February and Sunday 15 February. If you are … Read more

Events

Source: Privacy Commissioner Events are a great way for us to promote privacy issues, and answer questions. Our people speak to a range of audiences across New Zealand about privacy issues. The Commissioner is often asked to be a keynote speaker at conferences.  Privacy Week speaker applications are now open During May each year we … Read more

Weather live: Evacuations as landslip narrowly misses homes in Dunedin

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 ‘sausage sensei’ who says his snags are art

Source: Radio New Zealand If you’ve ever wanted to craft the perfect sausage, Texan Bill Dumas could make your dreams come true. Known as the Sausage Sensei, Dumas is on his second visit to New Zealand for two sausage-making workshops. And while sausages are a beloved barbeque staple in many parts of the world, for … Read more

The truth about energy: Why your 40s feel harder than your 20s, but there may be a lift later on

Source: Radio New Zealand Some of us remember having more energy in our 20s. We could work late, sleep badly, have a night out, recover quickly and still feel capable the next day. By our 40s, that ease has often gone. Fatigue feels harder to shake. It’s tempting to assume this is simply the ageing … Read more

Willis calls $9 Auckland crossing toll a ‘completely hypothetical scenario’

Source: Radio New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis RNZ / Mark Papalii National’s Nicola Willis says the government has not given any consideration to putting a $9 toll on both the Auckland Harbour Bridge and a new crossing, calling it a “completely hypothetical scenario”. And Labour says any such move would have to be “thought … Read more

Photographer invites you to become part of living archive

Source: Radio New Zealand A Canterbury photographer, who has a project that turns portraits into time capsules, is inviting new faces into his lens at a Christchurch studio next week. For more than a decade, Charlie Fox has been creating time-lapse portraits. The full-size versions are a towering 1.2 metres-tall and rendered at a staggering … Read more

Foo Fighters returning to rock out in New Zealand at two stadium shows

Source: Radio New Zealand Foo Fighters have announced two huge stadium shows for New Zealand in January 2027. They will play in Christchurch on 19 January, before performing at Auckland’s Western Springs Stadium on 22 January. Hawkins had been a member of the Foo Fighters since 1997. They have become one of rock’s most popular … Read more

First Home Loan scheme gets another option

Source: Radio New Zealand The loan underwritten by Kainga Ora. RNZ ASB has joined the Kāinga Ora First Home Loan scheme, which allows borrowers to buy a house with a deposit of only 5 percent. The loan is underwritten by Kāinga Ora, so borrowers are usually able to access the same interest rates as buyers … Read more

EMA – Employment Law Changes Bring Certainty for Employers and Contractors

Source: EMA Yesterday’s third reading of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill gives employers long-sought clarity on defining the status of contractors in the workplace, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA). The EMA’s Head of Advocacy, Alan McDonald, said that wish for clarity predates the recent Uber court decision and gives employers a four-gateway test that … Read more

Former prison guard’s appeal against murder conviction, sentencing to be heard in November

Source: Radio New Zealand David Benbow was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non parole period of 17 years after a jury found him guilty of murder. A former prison guard who murdered his childhood friend will have his appeal against conviction and sentence heard later this year. David Benbow was sentenced in 2024 … Read more

Man’s body found in Tauranga park, homicide probe launched

Source: Radio New Zealand Police said the man’s body was discovered in a secluded area of Wharepai Domain on Saturday. RNZ / Nate McKinnon A homicide investigation has been launched after a man’s body was found in Wharepai Domain, Tauranga. Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Flowerdew-Brown, Western Bay of Plenty Area Investigations Manager, said the man’s … Read more

Employment Research – Strategic hiring, rising pay pressures and a borderless workforce – Robert Walters

Source: Robert Walters Robert Walters identifies New Zealand’s key labour and salary trends for 2026 Auckland, New Zealand, 18th Feb 2026 - 2026 will be a year of strategic hiring, increased pressure on salaries, and rising workforce mobility across New Zealand, according to new research from global talent solutions partner Robert Walters.   The findings come from its latest Salary Guide, launching … Read more

Housing Market – Subdued start to 2026 as NZ housing market begins rebuilding confidence – Cotality

Source: Cotality New Zealand’s property market has started 2026 in a subdued fashion with little movement in prices and lower sales transactions despite improved affordability, more favourable mortgage rates and a gradually strengthening economy. The Cotality NZ February Monthly Housing Chart Pack shows national median property values fell a modest -0.3% over the three months … Read more

Home Finance – ASB announces Kāinga Ora First Home Loan offering to help Kiwi into their first home

Source: ASB ASB Bank will now offer the Kāinga Ora First Home Loan, marking another step in the bank’s commitment to making home ownership accessible for more New Zealanders. The First Home Loan is designed for people who can afford regular mortgage repayments but are finding it difficult to save a 20% deposit. Instead of … Read more

BusinessNZ – Better employment law will support job growth

Source: BusinessNZ The Employment Relations Amendment Bill will help restore balance, certainty and common sense to New Zealand’s employment framework, BusinessNZ says. Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard says the Bill, which passed its third reading last night, addresses real-world issues facing employers and workers, and supports a more flexible and confident economy. “Clear and workable employment … Read more

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