Springboks legend won’t hold grudge if Tony Brown chooses All Blacks

Source: Radio New Zealand Tony Brown. photosport Former South Africa captain Jean de Villiers says he will not hold a grudge should Tony Brown decide to exit the Springboks and return to New Zealand ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Following Scott Robertson’s shock departure as All Blacks head coach last week, New Zealand … Read more

Luxon speech devoid of policy or vision

Source: NZCTU NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi president Sandra Grey is calling out the National Party leader for failing to address the concerns of working people at a time when a positive vision for the country is desperately needed. “Christopher Luxon evidently has no ideas to improve the material conditions and economic wellbeing of working people,” … Read more

Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani dies at 93

Source: Radio New Zealand Italian fashion legend Valentino Garavani, whose elegant evening gowns were favoured for decades by some of the world’s most glamorous women, has died at 93, according to his foundation. Born in the northern town of Voghera, Italy, in 1932, Valentino – who was popularly known by his first name – learned … Read more

When will Election Day be, and how is it decided?

Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is expected to announce the 2026 Election Day soon. RNZ / Marika Khabazi / Photo illustration / 123rf Explainer – Only one person can decide when Election Day 2026 is. How is it picked, and when is it likely to be? Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set … Read more

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon confirms h’es about to announce 2026 election date

Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is expected to announce when this year’s election will be held tomorrow. The first National Party caucus of the year gets underway on Tuesday afternoon in Christchurch, where Luxon is expected to announce the date of the election at … Read more

Price of meth at new low, cocaine demand growing according to Drug Trends Survey

Source: Radio New Zealand Methamphetamine seized at the border in March 2025. Supplied / Customs The price of methamphetamine is the lowest it has ever been in New Zealand according to new research. The average price of a point, or 100 milligrams – a standard dose, is now $74. The price of a gram halved … Read more

Counties Manukau urgent care service now operating 24/7

Source: New Zealand Government South and East Aucklanders can now access urgent care at any time, with the Counties Manukau after-hours service now operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “This is a significant milestone for people living in the Counties Manukau area, which has been the only … Read more

Person critically hurt after assault in Taranaki

Source: Radio New Zealand Police were called to Ihaia Road in Ōpunake at around 10.15pm on Monday. RNZ / Marika Khabazi A person has been critically injured in an assault in Taranaki overnight. Police were called to Ihaia Road in Ōpunake at around 10.15pm on Monday after reports a person had been seriously assaulted. The … Read more

Hurricanes wing Fehi Fineanganofo heading to England after 2026 season

Source: Radio New Zealand Hurricanes wing Fehi Fineanganofo. Photosport / Patrick Hoelscher Hurricanes wing Fehi Fineanganofo will be heading to the English rugby premiership following the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific and NPC seasons. The Newcastle Red Bulls have signed Fineanganofo on a two-year deal from the beginning of the 2026-27 Prem season. Since signing with … Read more

A fisherman’s yellow leggings helped save them after capsizing at Tolaga Bay

Source: Radio New Zealand Three men spent six hours in the water off Tolaga Bay before a major search and rescue effort reached them. Supplied / NZDF Yellow leggings and fuel tanks helped three cray fishermen who were in the water for about seven hours after capsizing near Tolaga Bay be rescued. The men were … Read more

Health survey shows attitudes to sun protection, skin cancer slipping

Source: Radio New Zealand The slogan ‘Slip, slop, slap and wrap’ seems to have been forgotten. 123RF / Sosiukin Public health researchers say more than a decade of underinvestment in skin cancer prevention has resulted in a “lost generation” largely unaware of the risks of sunburn, and ignorant of the once-popular slogan ‘Slip, slop, slap … Read more

Tight job market fuels interest in overseas volunteer work

Source: Radio New Zealand Kate Wareham shops in markets at Apia, Samoa. Supplied/VSA An organisation offering volunteer work abroad says New Zealand’s tight job market is fuelling interest in its assignments and it has plenty on offer. Some local charities are turning away people wanting to volunteer amid a flood of interest they say is … Read more

Concern ‘ghost houses’ will turn Queenstown into trainwreck

Source: Radio New Zealand A former World Bank senior economist says people buying holiday homes and leaving them empty in Queenstown for much of the year are on track to “hollow out” the town, unless authorities take strong action to build more affordable housing for workers. Data suggests, at any given time, more than a … Read more

Kiwi photographer Max Alexander turns camera on ‘planetary defence’, space junk

Source: Radio New Zealand Max Alexander will photographing New Zealand skies, while travelling here this summer. RNZ/Robin Martin An award-winning New Zealand photographer, who has an asteroid named after him for his work in space sustainability, describes the honour as a “tremendous thrill”. Papakura-raised, but UK-based Max Alexander is quick to point out his namesake … Read more

Westpac survey shows New Zealanders are starting the year with financial stress

Source: Radio New Zealand The fall of interest rates has done little to ease the financial stress many New Zealanders are experiencing RNZ Many New Zealanders are starting the year feeling stressed about money despite interest rates having fallen, one bank says. Westpac surveyed just over 1000 of its customers and found 28 percent said … Read more

Ihaia Road, Ōpunake closed following incident overnight

Source: New Zealand Police Ihaia Road, Ōpunake is closed following an incident overnight. At around 10:15pm, Police were notified that a person had been seriously assaulted. They were transported to hospital in a critical condition. Cordons are in place and Police are working to determine the circumstances of the assault. Ihaia Road is expected to … Read more

All Whites to host Finland and Chile in first NZ-hosted FIFA Series

Source: Radio New Zealand The last time the All Whites were at Eden Park they qualified for the 2026 Football World Cup. Shane Wenzlick / www.photosport.nz Nearly a year after they secured qualification for the Football World Cup with a victory on Eden Park, the All Whites will return to the stadium to farewell fans … Read more

Weather live: Northland, Auckland, Coromandel in line for another blast of heavy rain

Source: Radio New Zealand Northern areas are in line for another blast of heavy rain and winds, days after parts of Northland were flooded. MetService has issued orange heavy rain warnings for Northland, Auckland north of the Harbour Bridge and Great Barrier Island, as well as the Coromandel Peninsula. A strong and humid easterly flow … Read more

Kiwis smashing it abroad: The best thing that happened to Christopher Yu was being made redundant

Source: Radio New Zealand Across borders and industries, New Zealanders are carving out space, building influence and exporting creativity. In this series, RNZ speaks to Kiwis making their mark abroad, those coming home, and those living somewhere in between. Before Christopher Yu became the co-founder of prestige fragrance houses Colour & Stripe and Ostens — … Read more

PM Christopher Luxon says tariffs ‘not the way forward’ in dispute over Greenland

Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon fronts media after his State of the Nation speech. RNZ / Calvin Samuel Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says “tariffs are not the way forward”, as the United States and the European Union go head to head over Greenland. “We don’t want to see a downward spiral of … Read more

Invercargill councillors reject claims they failed former Mayor Tim Shadbolt

Source: Radio New Zealand Partner Asha Dutt speaks at Sir Tim Shadbolt’s funeral. Former Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark disputes claims made at Sir Tim Shadbolt’s funeral that his colleagues have blood on their hands. Sir Tim’s partner, Asha Dutt, told mourners on Friday that his health turned due to the extreme stresses placed on him … Read more

More confirmed yellow-legged hornet sightings, but still confined to North Shore

Source: Radio New Zealand The sightings have so far been contained to the Glenfield and Birkdale areas. RNZ / Isra’a Emhail The number of queen yellow-legged hornets found in Auckland this summer has reached 43. Yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina), a pest hornet not known to be established in New Zealand, are considered a biosecurity concern, … Read more

KiwiSaver or your house – which is likely to give better investment returns?

Source: Radio New Zealand Other investments have been outperforming housing in recent years. (File photo) Unsplash/ Li Rezaei Your KiwiSaver might have given you a better return than your house over the past 10 years, and experts say the same is probably true of the next 10. Realestate.co.nz spokesperson Vanessa Williams said while people were … Read more

AGNEZ MO Reunites with Wax Figure and Fans at Madame Tussauds Singapore’s Exclusive Fan Meet

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 January 2026 – Madame Tussauds Singapore hosted an exclusive fan meet event on 16 January 2026, featuring international music and entertainment icon AGNEZ MO, bringing fans up close with the superstar in an intimate and memorable setting. The special appearance marked a meaningful reunion between … Read more

Yongchun Hosts the “Kung Fu Comes From Yongchun” Fashion Industry Promotion Event in Beijing, Showcasing Incense Culture and Intangible Cultural Heritage

Source: Media Outreach BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 January 2026 – On January 17th, amidst Beijing’s first snow of the year, the fashion industry promotion event “Kung Fu Comes From Yongchun” warmly commenced at the Fujian Mansion. Centered around Yongchun’s intangible cultural heritage, with its iconic incense as the soul and the … Read more

Henkel kicks off its anniversary year 2026

Source: Media Outreach Henkel is celebrating its 150th anniversary under the motto “Future? Ready!”, highlighting its pioneering spirit, innovation, and commitment to responsibility Recognition and benefits for employees during the anniversary year, as well as initiatives and events worldwide DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 19 January 2026 – This year, Henkel is celebrating a special … Read more

Seatbelt injuries reveal truth behind Nelson crash that injured pregnant woman

Source: Radio New Zealand Seatbelt wounds revealed the real culprit in the Nelson crash last October. Photo / 123RF A drunk and disqualified driver who crashed and flipped his faulty car with his pregnant partner in the passenger seat tried to say she was behind the wheel at the time. However, bruises from the seatbelt … Read more