‘Disaster sightseeing’ getting in way of contractors, mayor of storm-hit Rangitikei says

Source: Radio New Zealand Rangitikei Mayor Andy Watson. RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham The Rangitikei mayor wants people to stop taking “disaster sightseeing” trips into the back country because they are getting in the way of contractors doing their jobs. “Sections of Marton and Taihape are also without electricity, and people should prepare to be without … Read more

New iron treatment funded for people who have experienced serious reactions

Source: PHARMAC From 1 March 2026 Pharmac will fund ferric derisomaltose (Monofer) in hospitals for people who have experienced serious reactions after other iron infusions. Pharmac consulted on a proposal to fund this medicine in January, following the discontinuation of iron as sucrose (Venofer) which is used by people who have experienced hypophosphataemia after other … Read more

Person killed by dogs in Kaihu, Northland

Source: Radio New Zealand Follow our live blog for updates above. A person has been killed by dogs at a property in Kaihu, Northland. Emergency services were called to the property on State Highway 12 at 11.25am. Upon arrival, police found a dead person. Kaipara District Council’s animal management team confirmed they are responding to … Read more

Are $7 blocks now normal? What’s going on with the price of chocolate

Source: Radio New Zealand Unsplash / Tetiana Bykovets You weren’t imagining it – Valentine’s Day chocolate probably was more expensive this year. Stats NZ data shows food prices up 4.6 percent in the year to January, after a 4 percent increase in the 12 months to December. Grocery prices were up 4 percent. Sirloin steak … Read more

Arts – Global exhibitions coming to Tāmaki Makaurau: Auckland Museum announces 2026/2027 international exhibition programme

Source: Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum announces an exciting line-up of international touring exhibitions, including an exclusive new Triceratops exhibition, coming to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland over 2026 and 2027. Auckland Museum Director of Audience Engagement Victoria Travers says the upcoming programme brings a diverse range of … Read more

‘Roof tiles absolutely everywhere’: Wellingtonians confront damage after storm

Source: Radio New Zealand Sarah Lyne says she returned home to find rooms in her Kingston flat open to the elements after Sunday night’s wild weather. Supplied A Wellington woman says she returned home to find rooms in her Kingston flat open to the elements after Sunday night’s wild weather. People in the lower North … Read more

Minister welcomes settlement for pharmacists

Source: New Zealand Government Health Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for pharmacists employed by Health New Zealand, following a vote by members of the Association of Professionals & Executive Employees (APEX). “I’m pleased for the approximately 300 pharmacists nationwide who will benefit from this agreement. It recognises the … Read more

Person killed by dogs in Kaihu, Northland, RNZ understands

Source: Radio New Zealand Follow our live blog for updates above. RNZ understands a person has been killed by dogs in Northland. St John confirmed an ambulance and helicopter were called to the scene around 11.22 this morning. They referred further queries to police. The incident comes amid growing calls for an overhaul of dog … Read more

Is ‘March Madness’ already hitting Auckland commuters?

Source: Radio New Zealand A file photo of Auckland traffic in 2023. RNZ / Lucy Xia Is traffic already worse than normal or are Aucklanders just dealing with the usual shock of congestion as everyone returns to work and school? The spike in Auckland traffic congestion is known as ‘March Madness’, but travel times are … Read more

New research on 1080 bait impact on Rakiura deer

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  17 February 2026 The study found Rakiura white-tailed deer are more susceptible to eating a lethal dose of 1080 bait pellets than other deer populations in New Zealand, and the use of deer repellent slightly reduced the impact. The study was done by the Bioeconomy Science Institute (formerly Manaaki Whenua … Read more

Teaching Council fell short in managing conflicts of interest, investigation finds

Source: Radio New Zealand The Public Service Commission has published its investigation into the Teaching Council’s procurement and conflicts of interest management. RNZ / Richard Tindiller The Public Service Commission says the Teaching Council fell well short of public sector standards in its management of procurement and conflicts of interest. The commission has published its … Read more

New Zealand’s first national infrastructure plan unveiled

Source: Radio New Zealand Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop. RNZ / Nathan McKinnon The Infrastructure Commission has released the country’s first National Infrastructure Plan Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop requested the plan and is pushing for cross-party buy-in The plan sets out 16 recommendations, and 10 priorities for the next decade The country’s first National Infrastructure Plan … Read more

Police chase down bike after shoplifting

Source: New Zealand Police Foot power triumphed over pedal power, as one offender in a shoplifting failed to give Police the slip. Three people are facing a list of charges after the violent shoplifting unfolded in Rānui yesterday afternoon. Inspector Jason Edwards, Relieving Waitematā West Area Commander, says two men and a woman entered the … Read more

Teaching Council reviews highlight need for change

Source: New Zealand Government Education Minister Erica Stanford is highlighting the clear, critical need for major change within the Teaching Council following the significant and serious findings of two recent, external reviews.  “The findings of recent reports on issues within the Teaching Council are some of the most serious that I have seen. The reports … Read more

Members of Gas Security Fund panel named

Source: New Zealand Government Gas and energy industry specialist Andy Knight has been named as chair of the expert panel appointed to advise the Government on projects applying to the $200 million Gas Security Fund, Resources and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. “Mr Knight’s depth and breadth of experience in gas industry regulation and … Read more

IHC – New Zealanders with intellectual disability marginalised and forgotten

Source: IHC New Zealand Once again, new research delivers a stark reality check on the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders with intellectual disability. IHC’s latest report From Data to Dignity 2026: Health and Wellbeing Indicators for New Zealanders with Intellectual Disability  uses government data to show how inequities for New Zealanders with intellectual disability remain largely unchanged … Read more

Greenpeace – 78% of NZers want bottom trawling banned as Govt pushes to catch more coral in South Pacific

Source: Greenpeace New polling shows overwhelming support from New Zealanders for a ban on bottom trawling in the South Pacific high seas, says Greenpeace. The Horizon polling, commissioned at the end of 2025, reveals that 78% of New Zealanders (representative of 3 million adults) want the ban in the high seas area – where New Zealand … Read more

Insurance premiums soar, but big savings can still be made – Consumer NZ

Source: Consumer NZ Consumer NZ says significant savings are on the table for some people as house insurance premiums rise sharply in a few cities and drop in others. Consumer NZ’s latest house and contents premium survey found relief in insurance prices in Auckland, while prices in Wellington and Christchurch continue to rocket. “Our research … Read more

Mining Council – Innovation must be allowed to build our future

Source: New Zealand Minerals Council New planning and environmental law must leave room for innovation if we are to achieve change in New Zealand and build a country for the future, says New Zealand Minerals Council chief executive Josie Vidal. “On the face of it, the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill are an improvement on … Read more

Pharmacists vote to accept Health NZ pay offer

Source: Radio New Zealand The agreement covers pay and conditions for pharmacists, pharmacy assistants and technicians. 123RF Pharmacists and Health New Zealand have reached an agreement on pay and conditions, with members of the union voting to accept HNZ’s latest offer. Pharmacy Association of Professionals and Executive Employees (APEX) members – which include pharmacists, pharmacy … Read more

Legislation – Plan sets path for New Zealand’s infrastructure over the next 30 years

Source: New Zealand Infrastructure Commission The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission has released a National Infrastructure Plan setting out a practical, affordable pathway to deliver the infrastructure New Zealanders need to thrive over the next 30 years. “While the Plan looks at the long term, it’s clear that we need to take action now. Weather events and … Read more

National Infrastructure Plan Delivered

Source: New Zealand Government Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop today welcomed the release of the National Infrastructure Plan and tabled it in Parliament. “New Zealand’s future prosperity depends on high quality infrastructure. It is central to our quality of life and to the Government’s “Going for Growth” agenda,” Mr Bishop says. “Delivering and maintaining better infrastructure is … Read more

Arrest over fire that gutted Waitākere BMX club

Source: Radio New Zealand Police arrested a 15-year-old who has been referred to Youth Aid. RNZ / Marika Khabazi A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in relation to a fire that gutted a west Auckland BMX club last year. The canteen at Waitākere BMX club on Glen Road in Rānui was destroyed late November. Police … Read more

Doctors, nurses at South Island hospitals plagued by IT issues

Source: Radio New Zealand The latest issues follow at least four major IT outages at public hospitals last month. RNZ Doctors and nurses at South Island hospitals have been struggling with clinical documents not being displayed or not being saved. Health NZ on Monday issued a critical priority notice about service degradation of its electronic … Read more

Supreme Halberg Award winner Hamish Kerr sets sights on world record

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand high jumper Hamish Kerr is the Supreme Winner at The 63rd Halberg Awards. 2026. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz Supreme Halberg Award winner Hamish Kerr has set himself some lofty goals to achieve over the next few years and it includes a tilt at the world record. Kerr won the New Zealand … Read more

T20 cricket World Cup: Black Caps chasing place in Super Eight stage

Source: Radio New Zealand Black Caps batter Glenn Phillips www.photosport.nz The Black Caps can secure their place in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup with victory over Canada tonight and shouldn’t have too many problems achieving it. However, there remains some concern about how the New Zealand side will perform against the … Read more

Insurance price drop for some households – as other struggle to get it at all

Source: Radio New Zealand The median price for insurance for a large house in Auckland had dropped 11 percent year-on-year, Consumer NZ said. RNZ *Clarification: This article has been updated to clarify AA Insurance’s policy Aucklanders may finally be getting some relief on their insurance premiums – but the same cannot be said for Wellington … Read more