Weekend weather: Warning for Bay of Plenty with muggy downpours on the way

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF You may need to keep your raincoats handy as the warm weather the North Island is experiencing may take a turn this weekend. A low-pressure system is lining up a soggy weekend, bringing warm, humid air and the risk of heavy rain, especially for parts of the North Island still … Read more

Gisborne business leader calls for long-term solutions amid ongoing cycle of weather events, cleanups

Source: Radio New Zealand The chunk of State Highway 2 between Ōpōtiki and Mātāwai closed for two weeks. Supplied/NZTA Economic confidence in Tai Rāwhiti is being lost because of the constant weather impacts on its roading network, a Gisborne business leader says. Heavy rain and severe flooding swept across the North Island last month, battering … Read more

The easiest way to clean your microwave and a common mistake

Source: Radio New Zealand When was the last time you cleaned your microwave? If you close the door, a little bit of food splatter or a slight smell is pretty easy to ignore. But according to experts, the sooner you deal with the problem the better. Cleaning the microwave is also a lot simpler than … Read more

One in court following vehicle theft and attempted vehicle theft in Christchurch

Source: New Zealand Police Attributable to Senior Sergeant Hamish Keer-Keer A 28-year-old Christchurch man is before the courts after unlawfully taking a vehicle and attempting to take further vehicles. About 9.35pm on Wednesday 11 February, Police were called to Queen Elizabeth II Drive after a man allegedly stole another person’s vehicle following a three-vehicle crash. … Read more

Black Ferns to play in Sacremento and Kansas City

Source: Radio New Zealand Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand scores a try against the USA Eagles Women. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz The remaining two fixtures of the Pacific Four Series have been revealed by hosts USA Rugby, with the Black Ferns playing matches in Sacramento and Kansas City. The Black Ferns’ schedule will start against the US … Read more

Speed limit increases on Transmission Gully

Source: Radio New Zealand Transmission Gully. RNZ / Angus Dreaver Transmission Gully will move to a 110km/h speed limit from next week. The 27km stretch of State Highway 1 was opened in 2022, with the government saying it was designed and built to support higher-speed travel. Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the road was a … Read more

Weekend weather: Soggy days ahead in North Island

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF You may need to keep your raincoats handy as the warm weather the North Island is experiencing may take a turn this weekend. A low-pressure system is lining up a soggy weekend, bringing warm, humid air and the risk of heavy rain, especially for parts of the North Island still … Read more

Name suppression continues for teen charged with murder of elderly woman in Burnham

Source: Radio New Zealand The woman was found dead at a Burnham home in January. RNZ/Nathan Mckinnon A man charged with murdering an elderly woman and attacking two family members at a rural Canterbury property is yet to enter a plea. The woman’s body was found at a home in on Burnham School Rd, Burnham … Read more

Black Ferns to play in Sacrementon and Kansas City

Source: Radio New Zealand Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand scores a try against the USA Eagles Women. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz The remaining two fixtures of the Pacific Four Series have been revealed by hosts USA Rugby, with the Black Ferns playing matches in Sacramento and Kansas City. The Black Ferns’ schedule will start against the US … Read more

Finance Minister Nicola Willis challenges Labour to keep Investment Boost policy if elected

Source: Radio New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis at the New Zealand Economic Forum. RNZ/Libby Kirkby-McLeod Finance Minister Nicola Willis is challenging Labour to commit to keeping her Investment Boost policy if elected. The centrepiece of last year’s Budget, the boost, allows businesses to deduct 20 percent of a new asset’s value from taxable income … Read more

Piopiotahi Milford Sound experiencing record summer

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  12 February 2026 Market intelligence from Great South suggests the Chinese market, which has been slower to rebound since COVID, has swung strongly back this summer – particularly for Chinese New Year. Great South General Manager Tourism and Events Mark Frood says there has been continued growth in FIT (free … Read more

Kiwi snowboarder qualifies for halfpipe final

Source: Radio New Zealand Cam Melville Ives of New Zealand during Snowboard Halfpipe Winter Olympic Games in Italy, 2026. www.photosport.nz Wānaka snowboarder Cam Melville Ives has qualified for the final of the halfpipe competition at the Winter Olympics. Melville Ives finished eighth in qualification, with Australian Scotty James leading the top 12 to progress from … Read more

Skellerup posts record profit for first half

Source: Radio New Zealand Skellerup makes products for water supplies and wastewater, foam for boats and roofing products. Rubber goods manufacturer Skellerup has posted a record first half profit on the back of higher sales across the business. Key numbers for the six months ended December compared with a year ago: Net profit $28.9m vs … Read more

Transmission Gully accelerating to 110km/h

Source: New Zealand Government Transmission Gully has received the green light for a new 110 km/h speed limit for drivers travelling between Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop. The new speed limit will take effect from 12:01am on Monday, 16 February 2026. “This change is part of a wider effort to … Read more

Cyclone Gezani tears through Madagascar, kills at least 31

Source: Radio New Zealand By Lovasoa Rabary, Reuters An aerial view of the city of Toamasina. TSIKY SIKONINA Fierce winds have left a trail of destruction in Madagascar as Tropical Cyclone Gezani hit the island, killing at least 31 people and leaving another four missing, the country’s disaster management office says. Of the deaths, 29 … Read more

MetService forecasts wet weather on the way this weekend

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF MetService is warning you may need to keep your raincoats handy as the warm weather the North Island is experiencing may take a turn this weekend. A low-pressure system is lining up a soggy weekend, bringing warm, humid air and the risk of heavy rain, especially for parts of the … Read more

Space launch limits increased to support growth

Source: New Zealand Government A huge increase in the number of space launches allowed from New Zealand will enable our space and advanced aviation sectors to continue their rapid growth, Space Minister Judith Collins and Environment Minister Penny Simmonds announced today. “The permitted number of launches will rise from 100 to 1000, following a review … Read more

Review finds Teaching Council’s penalties too light, incompetent teachers going under radar

Source: Radio New Zealand The report highlights multiple short-comings in the disciplinary process and calls for improvements, including enforceable financial penalties. RNZ / Richard Tindiller The Teaching Council’s penalties for dodgy teachers may be too light, an independent review says. It also warned that incompetent teachers might be going under the radar. The review commissioned … Read more

Kāinga Ora’s Turnaround Plan is working

Source: New Zealand Government One year on from the announcement of Kāinga Ora’s Turnaround Plan, the agency is getting its books back in order and improving performance – delivering lower build costs, a strong renewals programme, less rental debt, and higher tenancy satisfaction, Housing Minister Chris Bishop, and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka say. “Kāinga Ora’s turnaround is an excellent example of our … Read more

Investment Boost driving real investment, lifting productivity

Source: New Zealand Government The Government’s Investment Boost is already changing investment behaviour, bringing projects forward, increasing scale, and lifting productivity across the economy, Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis says. New Inland Revenue survey data shows the policy is working, tipping investment decisions early, increasing scale, and bringing capital forward. “Among firms that invested … Read more

All Whites to take on England

Source: Radio New Zealand England captain Harry Kane Pressinphoto / PHOTOSPORT The All Whites will play England as a part of their final preparations for this year’s FIFA World Cup. The two sides will meet in Florida on 6 June, five days out from the start of the tournament. England, who went through World Cup … Read more

Pest cull at Auckland’s Western Springs Lake using electrocurrents

Source: Radio New Zealand Usually, there are only calm currents at Auckland’s Western Springs Lake. But this week, electrocurrents are being used to stun pest fish and turtles so they can be scooped up, brought to land and killed. Associate Professor in Biodiversity and Ecology at the University of Waikato’s School of Science, Nicolas Ling, … Read more

Britney Spears sells rights to music catalogue in reported $330m deal

Source: Radio New Zealand US singer Britney Spears has become the latest musician to sell the rights to her catalogue that includes hits like ‘…Baby One More Time’ and ‘Oops!…I Did It Again’, US media is reporting. The deal is believed to be worth around $US200 million (NZ$330 million), according to sources cited by celebrity … Read more

Concerns for crew of former ferry at anchor in Tasman Bay

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) is voicing its concern regarding the welfare of underpaid seafarers onboard the vessel Vega (formerly the Aratere), which is sitting at anchor in Tasman Bay for over 50 days. MUNZ National Secretary Carl Findlay says the Union has received reports regarding the wellbeing … Read more

Raw sewage still pouring into Wellington waters raises questions, and anger

Source: Radio New Zealand A Breaker Bay local with a long history of fighting for clean water in Wellington explains why the sewage dump is so catastrophic, for health, history, and the environment. Ray Ahipene-Mercer with his jar of 24-year-old water from Moa Point sewage treatment plant. Sharon Brettkelly Ray Ahipene-Mercer keeps a jar of … Read more

Former Reserve Bank Governor supports review into Bank’s decisions during pandemic, but questions timing

Source: Radio New Zealand Former Reserve Bank Governor Don Brash. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Former Reserve Bank Governor Don Brash is supportive of the government’s decision to review the Bank’s decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic, but concerns from the opposition over the review’s timing so close to the election are a “fair question”, he says. … Read more

Schools accused of giving illegal scholarships to foreign students

Source: Radio New Zealand Photosport One of two schools that illegally gave scholarships to foreign students who played in their top sports teams says it only happened because a sponsorship deal fell through. The other has not responded to RNZ’s questions. School sport leaders say they do not believe the cases are symptomatic of a … Read more