Dr Hinemoa Elder: We need more mental health care in NZ

Source: Radio New Zealand As she comes towards the end of her career as a working psychiatrist, Dr Hinemoa Elder says there’s never been more need for mental health resources to help navigate, “extremely trying times”. “You know, I’m 60 years old and this feels like the worst confluence of horrible and terrifying global and … Read more

Support for National, Labour dips in new political poll

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ Support for both major parties has dipped – while New Zealand First is up on double digits – in the latest 1News Verian poll. The results – that polled 1003 eligible voters between 7 and 11 February – has National down 2 points to 34 percent and Labour down 3 … Read more

Rugby league: Door open for Kiwis to play State of Origin

Source: Radio New Zealand Born in Sydney, Kiwis player Casey McLean would be eligible for State of Origin. Photosport / David Neilson With State of Origin set to debut in Auckland in 2027, Kiwis can now also feature in the iconic series after changes to the eligibility criteria. The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) today … Read more

Can artificial intelligence legally be an inventor?

Source: Radio New Zealand Stephen Thaler is seeking a patent for a new type of food container. RNZ An American computer scientist wants New Zealand’s courts to decide whether AI can legally be an inventor in a global test case next week. Stephen Thaler is seeking a patent for a new type of food container. … Read more

‘His legs were like jelly’ – man hospitalised for huffing nangs

Source: Radio New Zealand Nitrous oxide is used recreationally for a high that can cause serious side effects. File photo. AFP / BENJAMIN POLGE The mother of a man who still has nerve damage more than a year after huffing nitrous oxide – and is no longer unable to work in construction – wants tougher … Read more

All eyes on delivery: Value for Money Committee opens for 2026

Source: Auckland Council Savings and service reviews led the agenda as the Value for Money Committee’s first 2026 meeting echoed its always-on focus for increased efficiency. At Thursday’s committee, chair Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson welcomed the council’s continued savings progress – with another $14.9 million saved in the three months to 31 December 2025. “This … Read more

Live weather: Wellington residents urged to ‘stay vigilant’ ahead of high tide

Source: Radio New Zealand More than 30,000 properties have lost power as wild winds bring trees and power lines down across much of the lower North Island. Powerco said about 23,000 properties across its network have lost connections and in the Wellington region, about 10,000 have their connections cut. Manawatū-Whanganui has been hit badly, and … Read more

Sewage spill stinks of double standards – Federated Farmers dairy chair

Source: Federated Farmers By Karl Dean, Federated Farmers dairy chair This month Wellington’s Moa Point wastewater treatment plant failed catastrophically, sending an estimated 70 million litres of untreated sewage straight into the ocean each day. Mayor Andrew Little called it an environmental disaster and Wellingtonians have been told it could be months before the south coast … Read more

Fatal shooting after argument in Christchurch home, court told

Source: Radio New Zealand Michael Scott Rodger is accused of murdering Richard Leman. RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon Animosity between two men led to one of them being murdered and dismembered, a Christchurch High Court jury has heard. Michael Scott Rodger, 46, is accused of murdering Richard Leman, 41, whose body was found in the boot … Read more

Wellington plastic surgeon treating dog attack victims almost every week

Source: Radio New Zealand Dr Emily Yassaie said dog attack injuries are very common and a review into animal control laws is needed. 123RF A Wellington plastic surgeon is patching up dog attack victims on a weekly basis, with some injuries so severe they are life changing. Dr Emily Yassaie has already treated two dog … Read more

South Wairarapa residents coming together during floods

Source: Radio New Zealand A creek burst in banks on Lake Ferry Road south of Martinborough, Wairarapa. RNZ/Mary Argue Residents in South Wairarapa are turning to one another in the face of “unprecedented” flooding that triggered several evacuations overnight. The stormy weather lashing the region has caused rivers to burst their banks, inundating roads and … Read more

Weather: Local farmers clear mudslide which trapped 20 vehicles

Source: Radio New Zealand Trucks stopped in Taihape. Supplied Cars stranded by a slip in rural Taihape are now free after a local farmer cleared a path through the slip with his tractor. About 20 cars were stuck for several hours between a flood and a slip in the remote area of Turakina Valley Road … Read more

Benefits of intermittent fasting ‘fail to match the hype’, major review finds

Source: Radio New Zealand Intermittent fasting has become a popular phrase in dieting, promising to boost metabolism, shed body fat, and even help reduce the risk of diabetes, hypertension and obesity. From the 5:2 diet to the eight-hour feeding window, it has become a hot topic for researchers to study and internet personalities to promote. … Read more

Ushering in a Year of Prosperity: Celebrating Thailand’s Chinese New Year Festival Siam Paragon Joins Forces with TAT and Kasikornbank to Launch “Siam Paragon A Prosperous Chinese New Year 2026”

Source: Media Outreach Showcasing Spectacular Entertainment and Chinese Cultural Performances, Featuring Renowned Chinese Artist “Zhu Zhengting” to Bless the People of Thailand in the Heart of the City BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 February 2026 – Siam Paragon, Thailand’s premier global landmark and the top destination in the hearts of Thai people … Read more

Boil water notice lifted in Christchurch

Source: Radio New Zealand There have been three clear days of samples from the Rawhiti supply zone. File photo. 123rf The boil water notice affecting thousands of households in eastern Christchurch east has been lifted. Christchurch City Council has had three clear days of samples from the Rawhiti supply zone, so people in New Brighton, … Read more

Fences taken out, crop destroyed: Rain, wind hammers North Island farmers

Source: Radio New Zealand Ōtorohanga on Sunday 15 February. RNZ/Marika Khabazi Stormy weather has cut power to dairy sheds, brought down trees, shelter belts and wiped out vegetable and arable crops. Ōtorohanga was one of five districts still under a state of emergency following the heavy rain and strong gusts over the weekend. Michael Woodward, … Read more

Watermain breakage leaves Lower Hutt streets flooded

Source: Radio New Zealand The broken pipe sent water rushing down the street and lifted manholes. Streets in the Lower Hutt suburb of Stokes Valley have become rivers after a watermain breakage. The pipe broke underneath Kamahi Street sending thousands of litres of water onto the road. It has ripped up the route, lifted manholes … Read more

Weather: 20 vehicles stuck after mudslide in Taihape, defence force helicopter assessing situation

Source: Radio New Zealand Fire and Emergency says crews from Taihape are responding. RNZ / Nate McKinnon About 20 cars remain stranded by a slip in remote rural Taihape, with a Defence Force helicopter the only way to see how they are faring. It may also be the only way to rescue them. Rangitikei mayor … Read more

Recidivist thieves wind up in custody

Source: New Zealand Police A pair of thieves allegedly responsible for helping themselves to more than $40,000 worth of goods from various stores across Auckland and the Bay of Plenty have wound up in Police hands. The duo have been trying to evade Police since September, with Police actively looking for the pair given the … Read more

‘Culture is the winner’: All Stars clash proves it’s more than just a game

Source: Radio New Zealand Adam Pompey leads a Māori cultural performance in the build-up to the Māori v Indigenous All Stars Rugby League match at FMG Stadium, Hamilton. DJ Mills “Culture is the winner at the end of the day.” That’s how Indigenous Men’s captain Nicho Hynes summed up this year’s NRL All Stars clash … Read more

Campers evacuate overnight after Wainui River burst its banks

Source: Radio New Zealand There were six campers at the Herbertville Campground when it was evacuated. RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham Campers and some residents of the tiny coastal settlement of Herbertville rushed to the community hall in the early hours of this morning after the Wainui River burst its banks. The evacuation came three years … Read more

Iwi welcomes government’s two year ban on harvesting rockpools north of Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand People with buckets by the rock pools at Army Bay on the Whangaparāoa Peninsula. MARK LENTON / SUPPLIED Local iwi Ngāti Manuhiri has welcomed the government’s two-year ban on harvesting rockpools in the north of Auckland. The ban is for all of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, and further north at Kawau Bay … Read more

Winds gust to 240km/h on lower North Island’s east coast

Source: Radio New Zealand A tree blown onto a car in the Wellington suburb of Brooklyn. RNZ / Pokere Paewai Wind gusts measuring up to 240km/h have been recorded on the east coast of the lower North Island with gusts of up to 190km/h hitting high parts of Wellington. MetService said the strong winds and … Read more

Youth motocross in focus as coroner orders joint inquest into four fatalities

Source: Radio New Zealand 10-year-old Jack Willson died in a motocross accident in Taupō in April 2023. Supplied The deaths of four young people in separate motocross accidents over a two-year span will be the focus of a joint Coronial inquest, placing the safety of the sport under scrutiny. At a case management hearing in … Read more

Two assaults in central Auckland over the weekend

Source: Radio New Zealand File photo. RNZ / Yiting Lin Two separate assaults in the Auckland CBD over the weekend are being investigated by police. Police received a report of a person being assaulted in Quay Street by a group of men unknown to them at about 11.40pm on Saturday. The victim’s phone and bag … Read more

Services sector growth slows but stays in expansion

Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf Services sector expands at a slower pace in January Sales activity continues rising, employment falls Proportion of negative comments increases BNZ says economy is on the right track The services sector recovery slowed to a crawl last month. The BNZ-BusinessNZ Performance of Services Index (PSI) fell by 0.8 points to … Read more

Moa Point sewage failure to be independently reviewed

Source: Radio New Zealand Moa Point. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The government has confirmed there will be an independent review looking into the Moa Point treatment plant failure. On 4 February, the plant failed, sending millions of litres of raw sewage into the Cook Strait per day. Last week, Wellington Mayor Andrew Little met with … Read more