A year of coping with the grief of losing a daughter

Source: Radio New Zealand When Kirsten O’Connor’s daughter Kahlia died by suicide in April last year, she started to keep records about her creative and complex daughter. It was a way of processing her grief, she told RNZ’s Afternoons. “Sometimes when you’re going through grieving, the brain isn’t working quite right. You forget memories. And … Read more

‘Education hub’ for students cut off from schools by Helena Bay Hill slip

Source: Radio New Zealand Students cut off from their high schools by a monster slip northeast of Whangārei are instead taking lessons at a temporary ‘education hub’ set up at a local primary school. Supplied / Ngātiwai Trust Board Northland secondary students cut off from their schools by a massive slip are taking lessons at … Read more

Safety restrictions eased on four Tauranga homes after landslide

Source: Radio New Zealand Damaged property from the landslide at Welcome Bay on 23 January. RNZ / Calvin Samuel All four homes red-stickered in Tauranga’s Welcome Bay after a deadly landslide last month have had their safety restrictions eased. The large slip hit neighbouring homes on Welcome Bay Road killing two people during the storm … Read more

Reckless ride ends in court for teen

Source: New Zealand Police A teenager’s reckless ride on an electric bike through the North Shore found him making a hard landing into court. On Tuesday night, Police initially responded to an aggravated robbery on Coliseum Drive, Albany at 7.41pm. Inspector Aron McKeown, Waitematā East Area Prevention Manager, says the teenage victim was outside a … Read more

Independent review of Covid-19 monetary policy

Source: New Zealand Government The Government has instigated an independent review of New Zealand’s monetary policy response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the purpose of the review is to identify any lessons New Zealand could learn to improve the monetary policy response to future major events. “An independent review means the … Read more

Palmerston North Hospital ED expansion underway

Source: New Zealand Government Construction is underway to expand and upgrade Palmerston North Hospital’s emergency department, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “This redevelopment is a practical, front-line investment that will make a real difference for patients and staff, helping to reduce wait times while improving safety, privacy, and the overall flow of care,” Mr Brown … Read more

New Zealand’s corruption-free reputation takes hit for fourth-year in a row – survey

Source: Radio New Zealand Voter fraud allegations and a lack of transparency around political lobbying and funding were some of the top concerns. (File photo) Pixabay/shafin_protic New Zealand’s reputation for low levels of corruption has taken a hit for the fourth year in a row. In global organisation Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perception Index – … Read more

Senior navy officer found not guilty of encouraging junior to kiss her

Source: Radio New Zealand Commanding Officer Bronwyn Heslop. RNZ / Lucy Xia A senior navy officer facing court martial over allegations of encouraging a junior to kiss her on the cheeks at a bar during an overseas operation in 2023 has been found not guilty of doing an act to prejudice service discipline She can … Read more

Grey Lynn shooting: Kayden Stanaway to spend at least eight years in prison for murder

Source: Radio New Zealand Flowers at the scene where Maxwel-Dee Repia was killed. (File photo) Lucy Xia / RNZ A teenager who murdered another after months of feuding will spend at least eight years behind bars. Maxwel-Dee Repia, 18, was killed on Turangi Rd in Grey Lynn in September, 2024. Three others he was with … Read more

Tax Reform – State of the Nation report shows persistent inequality, requires rebalancing of tax system – Better Taxes

Source: Better Taxes The State of the Nation report released today by Better Taxes Coalition member, The Salvation Army, shows persistent inequality across most measures, from child poverty and food insecurity, to unemployment and housing affordability. The Better Taxes campaign endorses the remarks of Dr Bonnie Robinson, Salvation Army Director Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit, … Read more

Senior navy officer found not guilty of encouraging junior to kiss them

Source: Radio New Zealand Devonport Naval Base. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson A senior navy officer facing court martial over allegations of encouraging a junior to kiss them on the cheeks at a bar during an overseas operation in 2023 has been found not guilty of doing an act to prejudice service discipline. The charge … Read more

Universities – Transformational gift to support natural environmental research at Victoria University

Source: Victoria University of Wellington, Te Wāhanga a Manaia – Faculty of Science and Engineering Te Wāhanga a Manaia—Faculty of Science and Engineering is celebrating a remarkable $5 million gift from the George Mason Charitable Trust to support multidisciplinary research into the natural environment. Dr George Mason ONZM, who passed away in 2024, was an … Read more

Giving Western Springs lake a fresh start

Source: Auckland Council One of Auckland’s most loved and historic waterbodies is getting a much-needed helping hand. This week, Auckland Council’s Environmental Services and Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience teams will carry out a major pest fish removal operation at Te Wai Ōrea / Western Springs Lake, an important step toward improving water quality and … Read more

ASB Bank posts $765 million half-year profit

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Marika Khabazi ASB Bank has reported a flat half-year profit as higher expenses offset higher improved lending and margins. Key numbers for the six months ended December 2025 compared with a year ago: Net profit $765m vs $763m Cash profit $719m vs $714m (excludes one-offs) Total income $1.84b vs … Read more

Person dies days after Wellington motorway crash

Source: Radio New Zealand The person died in hospital from injuries sustained in the crash. (File photo) RNZ / Nate McKinnon One person has died after a crash on Wellington’s State Highway two at the Ngauranga Interchange on Sunday. Emergency services were notified of the crash about 2am. One person had now died from their … Read more

University Research – Stark differences in COVID-19 vaccination rates between Māori and non-Māori, research finds – VUW

Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington A new study analysing COVID-19 vaccine uptake has found markedly lower vaccination rates among Māori, which researchers link to existing inequities in healthcare access. The study looked at vaccination rates from December 2020 to May 2023, finding 28.4 percent of Māori were unvaccinated during this period, compared with … Read more

Government – A message from HM King Charles III on the 100th anniversary of the constitutional relationship between Tokelau and New Zealand

Source: Government House A message from HM King Charles III on the 100th anniversary of the constitutional relationship between Tokelau and New Zealand To the people of Tokelau, Malo Ni! My wife and I have such fond and lasting memories of meeting members of the Tokelauan community during our visits to New Zealand, and so it … Read more

Banking – ASB half year result: Supporting our customers for long-term prosperity

Source: ASB ASB has reported a cash net profit after tax (NPAT) of $719 million for the six months to 31 December 2025, up 1% on the prior comparative period.  Statutory NPAT was $765 million. Since December 2024, home lending has grown 8%, while business and rural lending grew by 4%.  Total customer deposits increased … Read more

What’s point of external review of Govt. anti-strike facebook adverts with no finding of fault? – PSA

Source: PSA The independent review of the Government’s controversial facebook adverts opposing the nationwide strikes last October is a waste of public money with no finding of fault able to be found. Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission released the terms of reference yesterday, but dated 18 December. It states, ‘The reviewer will not make any findings of … Read more

Nearly 40,000 more building products approved

Source: New Zealand Government Thousands more plumbing and drainage products already used widely in Australia can now be accessed easily by Kiwi tradies and do-it-yourself homeowners.   “The Government is focused on fixing the basics and building a better future for New Zealand, and that means making it easier and more affordable to deliver the homes and public buildings … Read more

Equal employment opportunities

Source: Privacy Commissioner This policy outlines the commitment of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) to equal employment opportunity, diversity and inclusion and to eliminating the barriers that cause or perpetuate inequalities in employment. OPC aims to provide equal employment opportunities to make the most of the talents of all our people and attract … Read more

No dog, no – more “canine tourists” seen in cars in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  11 February 2026 Pets are not permitted in New Zealand’s national parks or on DOC land where dogs are prohibited – even if the hounds are inside vehicles – and owners could face a $400 infringement fee. DOC Principal Investigations Officer Marlous Heijs says staff at Aoraki/Mount Cook are seeing … Read more

Finance Minister promises to release data showing gas plan will lower power bills

Source: Radio New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Finance Minister Nicola Willis has committed to releasing all the calculations which she says show the government’s new gas plan will reduce New Zealanders’ power bills. The government is pushing ahead with plans to build a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility … Read more

How to set RNZ as your preferred source when you Google Search

Source: Radio New Zealand The ‘preferred sources’ feature lets you customise your results. Unsplash A new Google feature lets you choose which publishers you want more of in your Search results, offering you a more personalised experience. The ‘preferred sources’ feature lets you customise your results and by selecting RNZ as yours, you’ll see more … Read more

How to limit processed meats for lunch

Source: Radio New Zealand I have a confession to make.​ I buy myself a really expensive prosciutto that is cured only with salt. My kids, on the other hand, are fed ham and salami with ingredients that have a long list of weird chemical-sounding additives like pyrophosphates and polyphosphates hidden behind the numbers like E451 … Read more

What’s happening to the future of NZ Post services in New Zealand?

Source: Radio New Zealand NZ Post is undergoing a change to its services as mail volumes drop. RNZ / Richard Tindiller Explainer – NZ Post is closing service counters and cutting delivery days. What is the future of mail going to look like? So, is mail delivery as we know it just going to vanish? … Read more

Minister to attend Munich Security Conference

Source: New Zealand Government Defence Minister Judith Collins departs today for Germany to attend the international Munich Security Conference.  “In a turbulent and unpredictable world, the Munich Security Conference is an important opportunity to debate key security issues that impact New Zealand,” Ms Collins says. “This year the conference brings together global decision-makers and military … Read more