New home consents rise, led by multi-unit homes – Building consents issued: November 2025 – Stats NZ news story and information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand New home consents rise, led by multi-unit homes – news story 14 January 2026 There were 35,969 new homes consented in Aotearoa New Zealand in the year ended November 2025, up 7.0 percent compared with the year ended November 2024, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. “In the year to … Read more

Employment indicators: November 2025 – Stats NZ information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand Employment indicators: November 2025 – information release 14 January 2026 Employment indicators provide an early indication of changes in the labour market. Key factsChanges in the seasonally adjusted filled jobs for the November 2025 month (compared with the October 2025 month) were: all industries – up 0.3 percent (6,569 jobs) to 2.35 … Read more

Dwelling and household estimates: December 2025 quarter – Stats NZ information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand Dwelling and household estimates: December 2025 quarter – information release 13 January 2026 National dwelling and household estimates are used for many purposes including planning, policy formation, business decisions, and as ‘bottom lines’ in the calculation of market coverage rates. Key factsAt 31 December 2025, the estimated number of: private dwellings is … Read more

Economic snapshot: September 2025 quarter – Stats NZ news story

Source: Statistics New Zealand Economic snapshot: September 2025 quarter – news story 13 January 2026 Our economic snapshot summarises important economic statistics for the September 2025 quarter. It uses statistics drawn from key Stats NZ datasets to provide insights into New Zealand’s overall economic performance. Data sources has more information about the statistics used in this snapshot. … Read more

Mental health callouts: Police ‘wiping their hands’ – union

Source: Radio New Zealand The PSA is concerned changes to the response have left staff more vulnerable to violence. RNZ / Richard Tindiller Police failed to respond to emergency calls from mental health workers who were allegedly assaulted by a patient, according to a complaint laid by the Public Service Association (PSA). The union has … Read more

Winston Peters tells RBNZ governor Anna Breman to ‘stay in her New Zealand lane’

Source: Radio New Zealand In a post on social media, Peters said the Reserve Bank had no role in US politics and should not involve itself. RNZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters has urged the Reserve Bank governor to stay in her lane when it comes to United States domestic politics. Anna Breman signed a letter … Read more

Police arrest man after assault on Northland store owner Dallas Gurney

Source: Radio New Zealand Dallas Gurney was pushed off the deck of his Whananaki Store from behind. DALLAS GURNEY / SUPPLIED Police have arrested a man after the owner of a small town store in coastal Northland was violently pushed to ground. Dallas Gurney, once the boss of short-lived news station Today FM, was left … Read more

‘Close-knit community’ rocked by shooting in Waitārere Beach

Source: Radio New Zealand Police were at the scene of the shooting on Wednesday morning RNZ/Mark Papalii A small community has been rocked by a shooting involving a local family. A woman and two young men are in critical condition and one man is dead after a shooting in Waitārere Beach, a small settlement located … Read more

Universities and Education – MIT and Unitec appoints first Chief Executive

Source: Unitec Professor Christina Hong, a vocational education leader of international standing has been appointed as inaugural chief executive of one of the country’s largest providers of on-campus and on-line vocational education, announced today by MIT and Unitec Chair Alastair Bell. On 1 January this year, Government-led reforms established the Manukau Institute of Technology and Unitec … Read more

Kaupapa Māori early intervention delivers better health outcomes for community and health system

Source: Rata Foundation Marlborough’s only kaupapa Māori general practice, Manu Ora is focused on addressing healthcare inequity through prevention and early intervention, resulting in positive results both for its patients and the wider healthcare system.  The practice, established by Dr Sara Simmons (Ngāi Tahu) and Dr Rachel Inder in partnership with Te Piki Oranga, focuses on … Read more

Property Values – Nationwide residential property values rise as Auckland returns to growth – QV

Source: QV – Quality Valuations The latest QV House Price Index shows that average residential property values across New Zealand Aotearoa rose by 1.1% over the three months to December 2025, with the national average now $910,118. That figure is 0.9% higher than at the same time last year, and 13.1% below the nationwide market … Read more

PSA seek investigation from Independent Police Conduct Authority of Police Mental health withdrawal policy following incident

Source: PSA The PSA has laid an official complaint with the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) after Police failed to assist mental health workers who were assaulted by a distressed patient. Three emergency calls to Police in 90 minutes by a mental health worker went unanswered on 21 November 2025. “The PSA laid a complaint with … Read more

Health Sector – Not so festive for ED nurses, survey reveals – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation NZNO College of Emergency Nurses spokesperson Natasha Hemopo says 84% of survey respondents reported dealing with unacceptable behaviour. Shouting and swearing was the most common (94%), followed by physical aggression (39%) and threats (35%). “There is a chronic shortage of health workers at Te Whatu Ora which is contributing to increased … Read more

University Research – New Zealand’s first lung cancer organoid bank – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA) The first lung cancer organoid bank in New Zealand is being created at the University of Auckland. Dr Hossein Jahedi is leading a multidisciplinary team, which aims to grow tumour samples from patients with advanced lung cancer into tiny organoids – 3D mini-tumours that mimic the original cancer. Different treatments … Read more

Research – Construction cost growth rises alongside activity – Cotality

Source: Cotality Construction costs recorded their largest quarterly increase in over a year during the three months to December, as early signs of a sector recovery begin to emerge. The latest Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) shows residential building costs increased by 0.9% in the three months to December. (ref. https://www.cotality.com/nz/resources/downloads/cordell-construction-cost-index-ccci ) While this represents … Read more

Man in court after travelling four times over the posted speed limit, Southland

Source: New Zealand Police A 63-year-old Southland man has sped his way into court after allegedly travelling at high speeds in Edendale. On Wednesday 24 December, Police received multiple reports from members of the public of a black sports car speeding within the community. Constable Julie Russell says it is alleged the man returned to … Read more

Public Service Association says southern hospitals experienced major IT outage

Source: Radio New Zealand There is no suggestion the outage is related to hacking, a senior employee says. RNZ A major IT outage across southern hospitals prevented clinicians from accessing applications that track dosage information, lab results and patient notes, the Public Service Association [PSA] says. On Tuesday, Clinicians had to resort to paper-based workarounds, … Read more

Two-vehicle crash closes all northbound lanes on Auckland’s southern motorway

Source: Radio New Zealand Motorists are advised to expect delays and avoid the area if possible. RNZ / Marika Khabazi A person is seriously hurt after a two-vehicle crash near Papakura which has closed all northbound lanes on Auckland’s SH1. Police said the crash – involving a bus and car – had left one person … Read more

Job numbers edge up in November, but still down on last year

Source: Radio New Zealand Stats NZ’s found seasonally adjusted filled jobs rose by 0.3 percent. Unsplash / Anu Priya New Zealand’s job market showed a small lift in November, but overall employment remains weaker than a year ago, new figures show. Stats NZ’s latest Employment Indicators report found seasonally adjusted filled jobs rose by 0.3 … Read more

Pharm-D Health Science’s ELDON formalises brand ambassador partnership with Malaysian media personalities Chan Fong and Henley Hii as Brand earns Malaysia Book of Records recognition

Source: Media Outreach MoU signing and Malaysia Book of Records recognition underscore sustained consumer trust for ELDON, at a time when Malaysians are paying closer attention to sleep, stress and lifestyle balance KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 January 2026 – Malaysian media personality Chan Fong and singer-actor Henley Hii have been … Read more

Man appearing in court over Whananaki assault

Source: New Zealand Police Police have charged a man after a business owner was assaulted at work on Sunday evening. The assault was reported in Whananaki just after 8pm on 11 January, when the victim was allegedly assaulted by a patron. Whangārei-Kaipara Area Commander, Inspector Maria Nordstrom, says Police have since located a 36-year-old Whangārei … Read more

Live: Auckland Aces v Canterbury Kings Super Smash T20 cricket

Source: Radio New Zealand The Auckland Aces take on the Canterbury Kings in the T20 cricket Super Smash at Eden Park outer oval in Auckland. First ball is at 12.40pm. Squads Auckland Aces: Sean Solia, Cam Fletcher (WK), Adithya Ashok, Rohit Gulati, Martin Guptill, Ryan Harrison, Harjot Johal, Bevon-John Jacobs, Simon Keene, Angus Olliver, Dale … Read more

Serious crash closes SH79 in Geraldine

Source: Radio New Zealand State Highway 79 intersection with Lewis Street. Google Maps Street View A serious crash involving powerlines has closed State Highway 79 in Geraldine. Emergency services were called shortly before midday to the crash near the intersection with Lewis Street. The Transport Agency says delays are possible as the road is closed … Read more

Two-vehicle crash closes two southern motorway lanes

Source: Radio New Zealand Motorists are advised to expect delays and avoid the area if possible. RNZ / Marika Khabazi A person is seriously hurt after a two-vehicle crash near Papakura. Police said the crash – involving a bus and car – had closed two of the southern motorway’s northbound lanes near the Papakura on-ramp. … Read more

Employee confidence still in the negative

Source: Radio New Zealand Westpac senior economist Michael Gordon said New Zealanders still see jobs as being in short supply. 123rf Employee confidence has improved slightly, but remains deeply pessimistic. The Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index rose by 3.9 points to 93.8 in the three months ended December, its highest reading since March 2024. A … Read more

House prices are up – but what’s going on in Wellington?

Source: Radio New Zealand QV has released its latest house price index, showing for the country as a whole, prices were up 1.1 percent over the three months to December. 123RF Auckland house prices are showing signs of picking up, but Wellington’s continue to fall and increased supply is keeping townhouses cheaper. QV has released … Read more

Update: Fatal crash, State Highway 36, Hamurana

Source: New Zealand Police Police investigating yesterday’s fatal crash at Hamurana, near Rotorua, are appealing for dashcam or CCTV footage of one of the vehicles involved. The crash occurred about 5.30pm on State Highway 36, when a silver Lexus sedan collided with an oncoming truck. The driver of the Lexus died at the scene and … Read more