Tuakau College in Waikato in lockdown due to ‘ongoing incident’

Source: Radio New Zealand Taukau College in Waikato. Tuakau College A high school in the Waikato town of Tuakau has gone into lockdown. Police said they are dealing with an ongoing incident at Tuakau College. Tuakau College has posted to its social media page that it’s gone into lockdown because of an incident. “Please DO … Read more

Bluebridge cancels Connemara sailings for 7th day, no timeframe for fix

Source: Radio New Zealand The Connemara RNZ/Anthony Phelps Bluebridge has cancelled a week’s worth of sailings on one of its Cook Strait ferries due to a technical fault, and there’s no word on when it’ll be fixed. The fault was found on the Connemara on Saturday morning and it hasn’t sailed since. On Thursday, the … Read more

Union calls for banks to let staff work from home

Source: Radio New Zealand The cost of fuel has risen sharply in the past month. 123RF Workers First Union has asked banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions to do more to help staff struggling with the cost of commuting. The cost of fuel has risen sharply in the past month, as war in the … Read more

Government once again squeezing young people into one-size-fits-all model

Source: Green Party The Green Party has serious concerns with the proposed changes to NCEA by Luxon’s Government, which will undo decades of progress towards a student-centred system.  “Luxon’s Government is squeezing our young people back into one-size-fits-all model. Anyone who has met more than one child knows that they are all different,” says the Green … Read more

Cricket: Don Mackinnon steps down from integrity role as NZ20 plans advance

Source: Radio New Zealand Don Mackinnon has been a key figure in sport integrity over many years. Elias Rodriguez The front man for a proposed new Twenty20 league has stepped down as chairperson of the Sport Integrity Commission, as questions emerge over his dual roles in New Zealand sport during a pivotal moment for cricket’s … Read more

Politicians and defamation in an election year – How far can you go?

Source: Radio New Zealand Labour leader Chris Hipkins speaks to media about social media posts made by his former partner. Marty Melville Explainer – It’s election year, and attacks are already starting to fly. What happens if comments about a politician cross the line? While politicians – deservedly or not – come in for equal-opportunity … Read more

Live: Floods close highways as heavy rain hits North Island

Source: Radio New Zealand Fire and Emergency is urging residents in storm-affected areas to be ready to evacuate if necessary, following a night of heavy rain. A red weather warning remains in place for Northland east of Kaikohe from Doubtless Bay to Whangārei, with the worst of the downpours expected to hit on Thursday afternoon. … Read more

Person critically hurt in kindergarten carpark fight

Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf.com A person was critically injured during an assault in a kindergarten carpark in Lincoln, near Christchurch, overnight. Police said they responded to a report of multiple people fighting late Wednesday night, but that was not the case by the time officers arrived. Hato Hone St John was called to the … Read more

Man in custody following Grove Street incident, Nelson

Source: New Zealand Police A man has been taken into custody following an incident in Grove Street, Nelson. Police were called just after 9:20pm yesterday following reports of a verbal disorder between two people. At around 10pm, the man was located on top of the roof of a building. Police have negotiated with the man … Read more

Pharmac proposal to procure drug-eluting stents will mean savings for public hospitals

Source: PHARMAC 25 March 2026 Media release Hospital devices Pharmac has negotiated a provisional agreement for the supply of drug eluting stents to public hospitals that would result in savings of $1.2m for public hospitals per annum. The proposed deal would award Principal Supply Status for permanent coronary drug-eluting stents for public hospitals to Medtronic … Read more

New commercial vehicle safety centre in Taupō

Source: New Zealand Government A new commercial vehicle safety centre in Taupō is now open, helping target unsafe heavy vehicles and improve road safety on one of New Zealand’s busiest freight routes, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Keeping people safe on our roads is a top priority, and that includes making sure heavy vehicles are … Read more

How one man did his bit to help make Otago Peninsula possum-free 

Source: NZ Department of Conservation When the Otago Peninsula was declared possum‑free in early March 2026, it marked a major milestone for the predator‑free movement and the communities who made it possible. Led by the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group and Predator Free Dunedin, it was the result of 15 years of dedicated work, including countless everyday actions from local … Read more

Bluebridge cancels Connemara sailings for a week

Source: Radio New Zealand The Connemara RNZ/Anthony Phelps Bluebridge has cancelled a week’s worth of sailings on one of its Cook Strait ferries due to a technical fault, and there’s no word on when it’ll be fixed. The fault was found on the Connemara on Saturday morning. On Thursday, the company’s website said it had … Read more

District Court Judges appointed

Source: New Zealand Government Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new District Court Judges.  The appointees, who will take up their roles in April and May at the Palmerston North and Nelson Courts, are: Prudence McGuire Ms McGuire is a Rotorua based barrister.  Her legal career began following admission to the bar … Read more

Government confirms next steps on new senior secondary qualification

Source: New Zealand Government The Government has taken the first major step in rebuilding New Zealand’s senior secondary qualifications system, with Cabinet agreeing to the structure of a new qualification system to replace NCEA following consultation, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.    “This is the first of two major milestones that make up a carefully sequenced set of decisions to design a modern qualification … Read more

Hunters asked to watch for weeds this roar

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  26 March 2026 DOC Biosecurity Technical Advisor Connor Hines says invasive weeds like common heather, gorse, and broom are very harmful for our native bush, and can quickly get out of control once they get established. “DOC has recently had reports of these species at some remote South Island sites, … Read more

Greens announce plan to end homelessness & fix housing crisis

Source: Green Party The Green Party has announced today their new campaign A Home for Everybody, calling to end homelessness, fix renter’s rights, and end the housing crisis once and for all.  “In a country like Aotearoa, with our wealth of resources and skills, there is no excuse for people to go without a decent home, let alone any home at all,” says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson.  “In 2022, … Read more

Minister announces details of process to replace NCEA

Source: Radio New Zealand We’ll be livestreaming the announcement above. This story will be updated. The Education Minister is set to reveal details about the process to replace NCEA in secondary schools. The announcement is confirmation of a government proposal to abolish all levels of NCEA, as it looks to replace it with a new … Read more

Ready, set, naturing: DOC Great Walk, hut and campsite bookings open from 12 May

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  26 March 2026 To give everyone a fair go, opening dates for bookings are staggered across several days, with bookings opening at either 9:30 am or 12 pm on their respective days. The phased approach helps people planning multiple trips and reduces pressure on the booking system on opening day. … Read more

Testing for asbestos in kids’ play sand no game

Source: Radio New Zealand Asbestos removal is carried out. Kim Baker Wilson / RNZ Tucked above an unassuming safety store in Auckland, a small team is making big inroads into understanding the asbestos contamination of children’s play sand. Testing for any airborne particles from the products, it is thought to be the first research of … Read more

Three-tier system to replace NCEA unveiled

Source: Radio New Zealand Education Minister Erica Stanford RNZ / Nick Monro The Education Minister is set to reveal the education system that will replace NCEA in secondary schools. The announcement is confirmation of a government proposal to abolish all levels of NCEA, as it looks to replcae it with a new three tier qualification … Read more

U-turn on fish sizes not enough for some

Source: Radio New Zealand Commercial fishing in the Hauraki Gulf Simon Mark-Brown Advocacy groups are supporting the government’s U-turn on minimum size limits for commercial fishers, but still want the government to consider killing the Fisheries Amendment Bill entirely. Meanwhile, Seafood New Zealand says it is ironic the change has resulted in an outcome that … Read more

Rural-based carer, job applicant despair over lack of fuel support

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Quin Tauetau New Zealanders living in rural areas say they’re being left out of the government’s fuel support package, warning it excludes people already under pressure from rising costs. Almost 150,000 families with children will receive an extra $50 a week to help offset soaring petrol prices created by … Read more

It’s election year – let the lies, damn lies, and dodgy statistics flow

Source: Radio New Zealand By law South Australian politicians aren’t allowed to lie in their election ads. Here, we have the Advertising Standards Authority and the Media Council, but neither have the force of a criminal penalty behind them. RNZ Does New Zealand have robust enough checks and balances to stop politicians lying in election … Read more

Briscoes Group trialling facial recognition tech

Source: Radio New Zealand Briscoes Group is halfway through a year-long trial which began in September 2025. RNZ Facial recognition technology (FRT) trials are underway in 18 Briscoes and Rebel Sports stores across the North Island, the country’s fourth big retailer to have announced a move to adopt or test it. Foodstuffs’ separate chains in … Read more

New needle exchange provider denies drug users are avoiding it

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF Advocates fear hepatitis C and HIV cases may rise in the South Island as some users are reluctant about a new needle exchange service. A new provider of needle exchange services – Te Waipounamu Collective – took over from the DISC Trust last October. DISC Trust national harm reduction lead … Read more

Live: Heavy rain lashes upper North Island, rescue crews prepare

Source: Radio New Zealand Fire and Emergency is urging residents in storm-affected areas to be ready to evacuate if necessary, following a night of heavy rain. A red weather warning remains in place for Northland east of Kaikohe from Doubtless Bay to Whangārei, with the worst of the downpours expected to hit on Thursday afternoon. … Read more