Blockage on Mangawhero Road, Matamata, Waikato

Source: New Zealand Police Police are currently at the scene of a traffic incident involving a truck which has spilled its load on SH24, east of Matamata. The truck has spilled contents onto Mangawhero Road and the road surface is now slippery. The road is not closed, however it is partially blocked. Motorists are asked … Read more

The X Factor: Grok deepfakes and why NZ is still using Elon Musk’s X

Source: Radio New Zealand In this photo illustration an iPhone screen displays Elon Musk’s repost on his social media platform X regarding criticism from British Prime Minister Kier Starmer about his AI tool Grok, on 11 January 2026 in Bath, England. Elon Musk’s company xAI has been widely criticised following reports that its AI tool … Read more

Watch: Ministers mark start of new granny flats rules

Source: Radio New Zealand The Housing, Building and Associate Finance Ministers have marked the start of new rules allowing easier building of small dwellings. Chris Bishop, Chris Penk and Shane Jones visited a granny flat in Auckland’s Riverhead on Thursday. They were there to talk up the changes as well as shifts in national direction … Read more

‘He lost his spark for life’: Benjamin Timmins’ sister speaks out after Waitārere shooting

Source: Radio New Zealand The scene of the shooting on Wednesday. RNZ/Mark Papalii The sister of a man who died after a shooting in Waitārere Beach in Horowhenua says her brother is more than just his criminal history. Rach O’Grady and Benjamin Harry Timmins in photos taken in 1986 and 2025. Facebook/ Rach O’Grady A … Read more

David Byrne has already given us one of the year’s best shows

Source: Radio New Zealand It’s only the third week of January, but David Byrne’s dazzling performance at Auckland’s Spark Arena Wednesday night will go down as one of the concert highlights of the year. The legendary frontman for Talking Heads made a triumphant return to Tāmaki Makaurau with his Who Is The Sky? tour, filling … Read more

New Plymouth: The sunniest spot in New Zealand?

Source: Radio New Zealand Fitzroy Beach is New Plymouth’s most popular swimming beach. RNZ / Robin Martin New Plymouth has been crowned the sunniest spot in New Zealand. With 2743 sunshine hours in 2025, Earth Sciences NZ found the Taranaki region basked in sunshine for 2743 hours in 2025, putting it ahead of Nelson (2672 … Read more

Man arrested after allegedly spraying bus driver with fire extinguisher in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand File photo. 123rf.com A 32-year-old man has been arrested after a bus driver was allegedly sprayed with a fire extinguisher in Auckland earlier this week. Police said a passenger travelling on the 27H bus along MT Eden Road became verbally aggressive with the driver about 6pm on Tuesday. They claim he … Read more

Health – ProCare appointed to lead veteran health reimbursements from 2026

Source: ProCare Leading healthcare provider ProCare has been appointed by Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand to lead the reimbursement of medical and pharmacy costs for veterans’ service-related conditions from 1 April 2026. From April 2026, ProCare will take over as the national provider for claiming and reimbursement services. Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare, says: “The … Read more

Business – Appellation Marlborough Wine Acknowledges Outgoing Chief Executive

Source: Appellation Marlborough Wine Appellation Marlborough Wine Acknowledges Outgoing Chief Executive Michael Wentworth’s Contributions  Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) today announces that Chief Executive Michael Wentworth will step down from his role at the end of January 2026. Michael will be relocating to Hawke’s Bay to take up a new professional opportunity that reflects his talent, leadership, … Read more

Australians invited to discover Canterbury and the West Coast

Source: New Zealand Government Canterbury and the West Coast’s regional tourism organisations will receive  $1million to launch a new campaign Discover Different, showcasing the best of what Canterbury and the West Coast have to offer this autumn, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston has announced. “This campaign builds on the success of this year’s ‘Winter … Read more

Regional Tourism Boost: welcoming more visitors

Source: New Zealand Government More international visitors will be exploring regional New Zealand this year, thanks to a $3.69 million investment from the second round of the Government’s Regional Tourism Boost, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston has announced. “We want visitors to experience more of what New Zealand has to offer. Whether it’s cycling … Read more

Waikato gears up for autumn tourism boost

Source: New Zealand Government Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston has announced more than $450,000 in funding for a new international tourism campaign, helping boost the Waikato economy as autumn approaches. The funding will support new seasonal travel deals and itineraries designed to attract international visitors, particularly from Australia, to experience the heart of the … Read more

More Australians to discover the Southern Way

Source: New Zealand Government More Australians will soon be discovering the wonders of the lower South Island, with a fresh boost of Government funding for the Southern Way campaign, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston announced today. “We’re backing the South to shine,” Louise Upston says. “With direct flights from the Gold Coast into both … Read more

Fatal Crash, SH30, Tikitere

Source: New Zealand Police Two people have died following a serious crash in Tikitere early this morning.  Emergency services were called to the two vehicle crash on State Highway 30 at around 4.20am.  Sadly, two people were located deceased at the scene.  One other person received moderate injuries.  Road closures remain in place while the … Read more

Watch Live: Ministers mark start of new granny flats rules

Source: Radio New Zealand The Housing, Building and Associate Finance Ministers are speaking to media ahead of the government’s rules allowing small dwellings taking effect. The new rules allow a small dwelling with a simple design of up to 70 square metres to be built without a resource consent, and are in effect from today. … Read more

Electrifying growth: Infrastructure and energy RMA national direction changes

Source: New Zealand Government The Government’s important changes to boost infrastructure delivery, including our supply of renewable energy come into effect today, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Energy Minister Simon Watts, and Infrastructure and RMA Reform Under-Secretary Simon Court. The Government has introduced one new piece of National Direction under the RMA and amended … Read more

Granny flat consent exemption takes effect

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealanders can now build granny flats in their backyards without needing building or resource consents, marking a milestone in the Coalition Government’s effort to expand affordable and diverse housing options for Kiwis.  “It’s an exciting day for Kiwis across the country who have been waiting for the green light to … Read more

Updated National direction for Natural Hazards and Highly Productive Land

Source: New Zealand Government The Government’s changes to improve the way productive land and natural hazard risks are managed take effect today, freeing up land for development and supporting greater resilience from natural hazards, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay. “These changes will make it easier to enable the development … Read more

Man in court over Mt Eden bus assault

Source: New Zealand Police Police have arrested a man following an alleged assault on a bus driver in Mt Eden on Tuesday night. The incident occurred aboard the 27H bus on Mt Eden Road around 6pm. Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill says a passenger allegedly became verbally aggressive towards the driver. “He allegedly sprayed the … Read more

Train hits large rock disrupting Wellington’s peak-time services

Source: Radio New Zealand File pic RNZ / Krystal Gibbens Wellington rail commuters can expect delays on Thursday morning after one service collided with a large rock. A KiwiRail spokesperson says the collision was reported about 6.30am. It involved a passenger train travelling north from Wellington on the Kāpiti Line. The spokesperson said there were … Read more

Proposed temporary fisheries closure and netting ban at Tutukaka Harbour, Ngunguru Bay and surrounding areas, Northland

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries Have your say The Whāngai Mokopuna Rohe Moana Tangata Kaitiaki (Ngāti Takapari, Te Waiariki, Ngāti Korora) have requested a 2-year fisheries closure and net prohibition, under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996. Consultation opened on 15 January and submissions close at 5pm on Monday 2 March 2026 Proposed … Read more

Police seized gun from family’s home hours before fatal Waitārere Beach shooting

Source: Radio New Zealand Police are not looking for anyone else in relation to the shooting. RNZ/Mark Papalii Police seized a dismantled a gun, parts and ammo from a Waitārere Beach property a few hours before returning to find a man dead and three others with gunshot wounds. The survivors – a 46-year-old woman and … Read more

Education ministry failure meant murdered children’s disappearance went unnoticed for years

Source: Radio New Zealand The children Yuna Jo (left) and Minu Jo (right). Supplied A failure by the Ministry of Education to report the extended absence of two children from school meant their disappearances went unnoticed for years and only ended when their bodies were found in suitcases. Ministry documents released to RNZ under the … Read more

ANCAP push for buttons over touchscreens in cars over safety concerns

Source: Radio New Zealand MATTEO DELLA TORRE As vehicle dashboards rely more heavily on touchscreens, concerns are growing about driver distraction. The body that oversees safety of vehicles in Australia and New Zealand said it will now reward higher safety ratings to cars that reintroduce physical buttons for basic functions. ANCAP hoped it would encourage … Read more

How much do teenage boys really need to eat?

Source: Radio New Zealand You can imagine – or recall – the boasting in the school playground. “How many Weet-Bix can you eat?” one teenage boy asks his mates. “I ate six in one go yesterday.” “I ate eight the other day.” “Well, I ate 11 after rugby training.” “Yeah, right.” Actually, 11 Weet-Bix isn’t … Read more

Qatar says some personnel departing US base over ‘regional tensions’

Source: Radio New Zealand A US military transport aircraft is pictured on the tarmac at the Al-Udeid air base southwest of Doha on 21 March 2024. AFP/GIUSEPPE CACACE Some personnel have been told to leave Qatar’s major US military base over “regional tensions”, Doha said, while Saudi Arabia’s US mission urged caution as Washington and … Read more

Two killed as cars collide on Bay of Plenty highway

Source: Radio New Zealand The NZ Transport Agency said State Highway 30 is expected to remain closed for quite some time. NZTA Two people are dead after two cars collided on a Bay of Plenty highway. Road closures are in place after two cars collided on State Highway 30 in Tikitere, a suburb in Rotorua, … Read more