Watch live: Labour’s Chris Hipkins responds to Luxon’s State of the Nation address

Source: Radio New Zealand Labour leader Chris Hipkins is responding to the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation address. Christopher Luxon has delivered his first speech of the year, to the Auckland Business Chamber. Luxon launched a defence of his government’s progress and reform programme, and promised there would be no deviation from its plan … Read more

Storefriendly Earns HKGBC BEAM Plus “Excellent” Rating: Setting New ESG Standards for Mini Storage in Hong Kong

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 January 2026 – Storefriendly Self Storage Group held an award presentation ceremony at Storefriendly Tower (Peninsula West) in Lai Chi Kok and was honoured with an Excellent grade in the Management aspect of BEAM Plus EB V2.1 Selective Scheme by Portfolio Assessment Mechanism. … Read more

How a wrong turn led to 3 weeks lost in bush + statement from Graham Garnett’s family

Source: New Zealand Police Please attribute to Sergeant Jonny Evans, Police Search and Rescue Disoriented by heavy cloud and with weather conditions closing in, one wrong turn was all it took to send Graham Garnett deep within the Kahurangi National Park for almost three weeks. His family did not know if they would see him … Read more

Weather: Another week of rain as second weather system looms

Source: Radio New Zealand A band of rain moves across the country on Thursday. Earth Science NZ New Zealand is in for another week of rain as a new weather system is forecast to move across the country. The top of the North Island has been hit by heavy rain, causing flooding and slips. But … Read more

Tararua district caught between anniversary days

Source: Radio New Zealand The Tararua District is located between three regions, Manawatū-Whanganui, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington. Google Maps Tararua’s mayor says many in his district observe anniversary days celebrating areas north and south of it, but they don’t get an extra stat day. The area includes the town of Dannevirke and borders Wairarapa and … Read more

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon delivers State of the Nation speech

Source: Radio New Zealand The prime minister says there will be no “extravagant” election promises from National, and confirms his government will continue to run a tight budget, in his first speech of the election year. In a State of the Nation address at Auckland’s new International Convention Centre, Christopher Luxon launched a defence of … Read more

Sheep die after truck crash in Wairoa

Source: Radio New Zealand Police attended the single vehicle crash where several sheep died. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Sheer have died after a truck with a number of livestock on board overturned. The incident has closed State Highway 2, between Cricklewood Road and Kiwi Valley Road, in Wairoa. Police were called to the single-vehicle crash … Read more

New Zealand firefighters sent to help fight Australia’s bush fires

Source: Radio New Zealand A bushfire burning near the town of Longwood, northern Victoria. AFP / CFA Wandong Fire Brigade / Kylie Shingles Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) has sent 22 firefighters to Victoria, Australia to help fight the catastrophic bushfires. They departed on Monday morning and will return to New Zealand on 2 … Read more

‘Huge amount of luck’ led to discover of tramper missing since last year

Source: Radio New Zealand Graham Garnett. Supplied / NZ Police Two people who stumbled upon a tramper missing for almost three weeks in the upper South Island were in the right place at the right time. Graham Garnett, 66, was found by sheltering in a hut in Kahurangi National Park by a helicopter pilot and … Read more

New Zealand and Kiribati enhance partnership

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand and Kiribati have enhanced their Pacific partnership, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Kiribati Vice President Dr Teuea Toatu announced in Tarawa today.  “Our two countries have had significant political-level dialogue over the past six months, and New Zealand is pleased this has culminated in the signing of a Statement … Read more

All Blacks: The big issues for whoever takes over

Source: Radio New Zealand The All Blacks perform the haka before their test with Wales in Cardiff, 2025. Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency So while the All Black conversation turns to who will be named as new coach, it’s worth weighing up just what they’re getting themselves into. For a start, the test schedule coming up … Read more

Weather News – Relentless Heavy Rain and Strong Winds – MetService

Source: MetService Covering period of Monday 19th – Friday 23rd January Yellow Heavy Rain Watch for Northland  Yellow Heavy Rain Watches for Auckland (north of the Harbour Bridge), Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula  A Low with tropical origins likely to impact New Zealand’s weather from Wednesday. Significant severe weather continues this week with … Read more

TE MAURI DIALOGUE: Kiribati – New Zealand Statement of Partnership

Source: New Zealand Government [Statement was signed in Kiribati on 19 January 2026 by New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters and Kiribati Vice President Honourable Dr. Teuea Toatu.] TE MAURI DIALOGUE Kiribati – New Zealand Statement of Partnership- Tei Wawaaki n Ararakea te Maeuraoi This Statement of Partnership sets out the shared principles, … Read more

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to deliver State of the Nation speech

Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will also take the opportunity to outline some of the government’s progress in areas such as law and order, education, and cutting red tape. RNZ / Mark Papalii The prime minister will outline his plan for the year ahead and New Zealand’s future in a State of … Read more

Road blocked, SH 2, Wairoa

Source: New Zealand Police State Highway 2, Waiora, is currently blocked following a crash this morning. Police were called to the single-vehicle crash, where a truck has overturned, around 10.40am. Thankfully, the driver was not injured, however unfortunately a number of livestock were on board. State Highway 2 is closed between Cricklewood Road and Kiwi … Read more

Dozens of slips close State Highway 2 through Waioweka Gorge after wild weather

Source: Radio New Zealand A slip on State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge. Supplied/NZTA State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge is expected to remain closed for several weeks. A rescue was launched on Friday after extensive damage, caused by heavy rain, left more than 40 people stranded. More than 320 millimetres of rain … Read more

Government considering ban on rock pool harvesting in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand A group of people at the Army Bay rock pools. MARK LENTON / SUPPLIED The government is making moves to stop people stripping rock pools of sealife in north Auckland. On Saturday, more than 100 Whangaparāoa residents protested against what they say are busloads of people plucking out everything from crabs … Read more

Fast-finishing Daniel Hillier gets second place at Dubai Invitational

Source: Radio New Zealand Daniel Hillier. photosport An in-form Daniel Hillier surged to the late lead before settling for runner-up honours and a healthy pay-day at the Dubai Invitational. The New Zealand golfer finished alone in second place behind Spaniard Nacho Elvira, who managed a par on his final hole to finish on 10-under, one … Read more

Phoenix continue unbeaten start to year

Source: Radio New Zealand Isaac Hughes doubled Wellington’s advantage shortly after the hour mark. AAP / Photosport The Wellington Phoenix continued their unbeaten start to 2026 with another statement win on the road. The Phoenix upset second-placed Sydney FC 2-0 at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, a fortnight after knocking over the then third-placed Roar 3-0 … Read more

Funding Wegovy will save taxpayer money in long run – specialist

Source: Radio New Zealand Wegovy slimming medication at a pharmacy in Berlin. AFP / Jens Kalaene Pharmac is seeking clinical advice on whether weight loss medication should be funded. New Zealand has the third-highest adult obesity rate in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). One in three people over the age of 15 … Read more

Raglan surfers clinch titles at national championships

Source: Radio New Zealand Maya Mateja (L) and Billy Stairmand celebrate their national championship surfing titles. photosport Raglan surfers Billy Stairmand and Maya Mateja have picked up the premier prizes at the national surfing championships north of Gisborne. It was ninth national title for Stairmand, while 17-year-old Mateja bagged her second crown, with both handling … Read more

What exactly will New Zealand’s free trade deal with India mean?

Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Trade Minister Todd McLay announce the conclusion of free trade negotiations with India in December. RNZ / Mark Papalii Explainer – Trade Minister Todd McClay and his Indian counterpart, Piyush Goyal, announced the recommencement of free trade negotiations as part of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s trip … Read more

Dominant Ally Wollaston in box seat to win Tour Down Under

Source: Radio New Zealand Ally Wollaston (R) after winning stage one of the Tour Down Under. photosport Ally Wollaston will take a 14-second lead into the third and final stage of the Tour Down Under after dominating the first two days of the World Tour race in Adelaide. Wollaston powered to victory in each of … Read more

People still isolated in Northland campsite, more heavy rain on the way

Source: Radio New Zealand Flooding in Mimiwhangata near Whangārei, on Sunday morning. RNZ Some people are still isolated in Northland after heavy rain caused havoc in the region, the Whangārei mayor says. Up to 200 millimetres of rain lashed Northland on Sunday, causing flooding and landslides. Whangārei mayor Ken Couper told Morning Report a number … Read more

Abuse in Care: Police prosecuted fewer than 1 in 10 referred cases

Source: Radio New Zealand Cooper Legal principal partner Sonja Cooper, whose firm had acted for hundreds of abuse survivors and victims, says she is not surprised by the statistic. RNZ WARNING: This story contains content that may be disturbing to some readers. Police have prosecuted fewer than one in ten of the cases referred from … Read more

Fire crews respond to blaze at egg carton factory overnight in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ/Marika Khabazi Half a dozen fire trucks were called to a South Auckland egg carton factory overnight. A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said seven fire trucks were called to a commercial building on Bairds Road in Ōtara just after midnight Monday. He said the fire was contained to just machinery, but … Read more

An inter-island ferry route from Picton to Clifford Bay has been an idea for almost a century

Source: Radio New Zealand 2000: The proposed route showing shortened travel times by car to Christchurch Dominion Post It’s an idea that’s endured almost a century. Since at least 1931 moving the South Island inter-island ferry port from Picton to Clifford Bay has been periodically floated and rejected. The latest bid – dubbed the North … Read more