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

Heavy traffic and Police presence in Raglan for SoundSplash this weekend

Source: New Zealand Police Police are warning the public travelling to, from and around Raglan to take extreme care driving due to the SoundSplash festival playing this weekend. The 25th anniversary of the festival will be held at Wainui Reserve, close to the Raglan town centre, from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 January. Traffic congestion … Read more

Road closed after two cars crash in Bay of Plenty

Source: Radio New Zealand The NZ Transport Agency said State Highway 30 is expected to remain closed for quite some time. NZTA Road closures are in place after two cars crashed in Bay of Plenty. The crash on State Highway 30 in Tikitere, a suburb in Rotorua, was reported to police at 4.20am on Thursday. … Read more

UK says dual NZ nationals told of passport change in good time

Source: Radio New Zealand Dual citizens face having to get both passports and keep them up to date – and to get a UK passport soon if they want to travel from the end of February. Gill Bonnett RNZ revealed on Wednesday that from next month anyone who was born in Britain – or has … Read more

Small NZ charity takes big swing at US government in bid to protect endangered dolphins

Source: Radio New Zealand Māui dolphin. Department of Conservation / supplied A David and Goliath case is unfolding as a tiny charity takes another swing at the US government at the Court of International Trade in a bid to protect endangered dolphins. Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders NZ – which has one part-time employee – … Read more

Ministry of Defence seeks advice for plan to have drones scour Pacific

Source: Radio New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The Ministry of Defence is looking to companies and experts for advice on a potential plan for surveillance drones to scour the Pacific. As part of New Zealand’s Defence Capability Plan released last year, it said there would be a greater focus on … Read more

Road closures in place following serious crash on State Highway 30, Tikitere

Source: New Zealand Police Road closures are in place following a serious crash early this morning on State Highway 30, Tikitere. The crash, involving two cars, was reported to Police at 4.20am.  Diversions are in place at the intersections of State Highway 30/State Highway 33 and State Highway 30/Matahi Road. At this stage, Police are … Read more

Simple ways to reduce your exposure to microplastics around the home

Source: Radio New Zealand If you’re feeling concerned about microplastics it can be hard to know what to do about it. After all, aren’t they everywhere? “We are constantly exposed to microplastics and nanoplastics, even smaller particles,” Cassandra Rauert says. “We really don’t have a good understanding of any links to potential health outcomes,” the … Read more

Wellington is hosting an international floorball tournament – but what is it?

Source: Radio New Zealand Japan’s Satoru Shimoyama’s first goal. Supplied / Hamish Black Media This week Wellington is hosting an international tournament for a sport many have never heard of. Floorball is particularly popular in Scandanavian countries, but it’s beginning to pick up in popularity here too. This week, the Asia-Oceania qualifier for the 2026 … Read more

Recap: Black Caps v India – second ODI

Source: Radio New Zealand Follow all the action as the Black Caps take on India for the second one-day international in Rajkot. Virat Kohli hit 93 to help India chase down 301 in a tense four-wicket win over New Zealand in the first ODI on Sunday night (NZT). First ball at Niranjan Shah Stadium is … Read more

Manage My Health ignored warning about lax security system – cyber-security expert

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Finn Blackwell Cyber-security expert says Manage My Health ignored warning about lax security two years ago Experts criticise “high trust” system of self-regulation Lack of government regulation is result of industry lobbying against “red tape” – political pundit Digital Health Association says “stronger penalties alone” won’t stop breaches and … Read more

Why are teeth left out of public healthcare?

Source: Radio New Zealand Dental grants of up to $1000 are available to people on low incomes and with limited assets each year. 123RF Tens of millions of dollars are being paid out in dental grants each quarter – and advocates say the total cost of excluding dental care from the public health system is … Read more

Police to delve into ‘true detail’ of Waitārere Beach shooting as critically injured survivors fight for their lives

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ/Mark Papalii Body of dead man to be removed on Thursday Scene examination could continue into weekend Three survivors critically wounded in Wellington Hospital Police reveal they attended a first callout to the Waitārere Beach property hours earlier Relative of dead man names Benjamin Timmins Police describe “hideous” scene and “harrowing … Read more

Taranaki highway closure to affect Ed Sheeran fans, holidaymakers and businesses

Source: Radio New Zealand Ed Sheeran fans travelling to Auckland for his concert on the weekend are having to add extra travel time to their journey as a result of the highway closure. Paras Griffin / Getty Images via AFP Ed Sheeran fans, holidaymakers, sports competitors and businesses are being hit in the back pocket … Read more

Smoke warning lifts for Dunedin after scout hall catches fire

Source: Radio New Zealand Supplied / Chloe Matthews Firefighters will continue working into the night to put out a blaze at a scout hall in the Dunedin suburb of Roslyn. Fire and Emergency said a heavy digger was demolishing the front of the building so firefighters could finish dampening down the interior. The fire broke … Read more

Tennis: Cam Norrie out of ASB Classic after loss to Giovanni Perricard

Source: Radio New Zealand France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard during his singles match at the ASB Classic Men’s ATP 250 tennis tournament at Manuka Doctor Arena, Auckland, New Zealand. Wednesday 14 January 2026. © Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz Local favourite and fifth seed Cam Norrie is out of the ASB Classic after losing 6-4 … Read more

Live: Black Caps v India – second ODI

Source: Radio New Zealand Follow all the action as the Black Caps take on India for the second one-day international in Rajkot. Virat Kohli hit 93 to help India chase down 301 in a tense four-wicket win over New Zealand in the first ODI on Sunday night (NZT). First ball at Niranjan Shah Stadium is … Read more

Waitārere Beach shooting: Police called hours before fatal shooting

Source: Radio New Zealand Police at the scene of the shooting incident. RNZ/Mark Papalii Police were called to a Waitārere Beach address hours before arriving a second time to find a man dead and three others with gunshot wounds in the early hours of this morning. The survivors – a 46-year-old woman and two males … Read more