Animal Welfare – Bull’s terrified escape highlights urgent need for rodeo ban

Source: SAFE For Animals An 800kg bull named Thunder broke through a fence at the Far North rodeo in Kaitaia on 2 January in a desperate attempt to escape his torment in the rodeo arena. Bulls are naturally social herd animals, yet in rodeo bull riding competitions they are singled out and provoked into fearful, reactive … Read more

Two-vehicle crash in Dairy Flat puts one in hospital

Source: Radio New Zealand Pine Valley Road, Dairy Flat. Google Maps / supplied One person is seriously injured after a two-vehicle crash in Auckland’s Dairy Flat. Emergency services are at the scene on the rural Pine Valley Road. St John said it was notified of the crash just before 1pm. One patient has been transported … Read more

Update 3: Body found in search for missing tramper Connor Purvis

Source: New Zealand Police To be attributed to Otago Coastal Search and Rescue Coordinator Sergeant Matt Sheat: Teams searching for missing man Connor Purvis have located a body high on the southern side of Mount Huxley about 9am this morning. While formal identification is yet to take place, it is believed to be the missing … Read more

State Highway 1, Karapiro, blocked

Source: New Zealand Police State Highway 1, Tirau Road, southeast of Karapiro, is blocked following a single vehicle crash. Emergency services received reports of the crash at around 1:10pm. There are no reported injuries. Motorists should expect delays and are asked to delay travel if possible. ENDS Issued by the Police Media Centre. MIL OSI

Serious crash, Pine Valley Road, Dairy Flat

Source: New Zealand Police District: Waitematā Emergency services are at the scene of a serious crash on Pine Valley Road, Dairy Flat, Auckland. The two-vehicle crash was reported at 12:50pm. The road is closed while emergency services work at the scene. END MIL OSI

Five kilometres traffic queues on SH1 in Auckland after ‘serious incident’

Source: Radio New Zealand Traffic was heavy while police closed part of SH1 in Auckland following a serious incident. RNZ / Christina Persico Traffic of up to 5 kilometres built up on Auckland’s Northern Motorway as police closed the highway over a “serious incident”. Officers shut State Highway 1 northbound at Greville Road in Albany … Read more

The Village Rise: What It Takes to Create a Modern Neighbourhood That Still Feels Like Matakana

Source: Press Release Service Headline: The Village Rise: What It Takes to Create a Modern Neighbourhood That Still Feels Like Matakana Discover how The Village Rise blends modern neighbourhood design with Matakana’s relaxed charm, lifestyle, and timeless coastal character. The post The Village Rise: What It Takes to Create a Modern Neighbourhood That Still Feels … Read more

Court rejects climate protester’s hand-drawn $50 note featuring Shane Jones

Source: Radio New Zealand Climate activist and artist Bruce Mahalski attempted to pay a court fine using a hand-drawn $50 note. Supplied “This storm in a T-shirt” is how a climate activist who tried to pay a court fine using a hand-drawn $50 note has described being trespassed for wearing a shirt saying ‘It’s a … Read more

Memorial for children killed in house fire let’s mum know ‘her little one’s lives mattered’

Source: Radio New Zealand August, Goldie and Hugo Field died last year. Photo: Supplied A Sanson cafe owner says a memorial to the children of the Field family is a chance to let mother Chelsey Field know “her little ones’ lives mattered”. August, Hugo and Goldie Field died late last year, in what is being … Read more

The couple who ditched corporate life for growing greens

Source: Radio New Zealand Callum and Amanda McLean are one year into developing the 12-acre McLean Farm which feeds their young family, and provides a living from selling salads at a local market. A stint working on a homestead and the work of Taranaki-based bio-intensive gardening educator and restoration grazing consultant Jodi Roebuck inspired Callum McLean to … Read more

Ex-users’ data may have been stolen in Manage My Health breach

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF People whose GPs no longer use Manage My Health may still have had their historical data hacked. Hackers are threatening to release 400,000 files from 120,000 patients, if the health portal does not pay a US$60,000 (NZ$103,000) ransom. Manage My Health has begun telling general practices whether their patients have … Read more

Cricket Ashes live: Australia v England, test 5, day 4

Source: Radio New Zealand Follow all the action from the Sydney Cricket Ground as Australia builds up a first innings lead in the final Ashes test. Australian skipper Steve Smith became the second-most prolific Ashes run-scorer of all time on the way to his century on day three. The 36-year-old trails only the great Donald … Read more

Man charged over theft of war grave plaques in Invercargill

Source: Radio New Zealand One of the missing plaques. Supplied / Invercargill City Council Plaques stolen from soldiers’ graves at an Invercargill cemetery have been recovered, and a man charged with their theft. Nine plaques were taken in October and November last year from St John Cemetery. Four of them belonged to World War I … Read more

‘Serious incident’ closes part of State Highway 1 in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand Traffic is building as police close part of SH1 in Auckland following a serious incident. Supplied A ‘serious incident’ has seen the full closure of part of State Highway 1 northbound in Auckland. Police said the motorway had been closed at Greville Road in Albany as police respond. Officers were called … Read more

Serious crash, Curletts Road, Hillmorton

Source: New Zealand Police Curletts Road, State Highway 75, is closed following a serious two-vehicle crash. The crash, which involved a car and a motorbike, was reported to emergency services about 11am. Police are in attendance and the serious crash unit has been advised. One person has been taken to hospital in a critical condition … Read more

32C day looms as ‘unusually’ hot weather arrives

Source: Radio New Zealand The east coast of the country was projected to be particularly hot and dry, especially in Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough and Canterbury, Makgabutlane said (file image). RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King Unusually hot weather may be on the way, with MetService warning above-average temperatures are projected across much of the country for the … Read more

‘Shambles’: Metlink troubles makes return to work even more sour for Wellington commuters

Source: Radio New Zealand Most train lines are fully or partially closed with buses replacing trains between 26 December to 11 January while works are done across the rail network. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King Wellington commuters have complained Metlink’s train network has been a shambles this week with limited buses replacing trains as people return … Read more

Man charged after theft of war plaques

Source: New Zealand Police Invercargill Police have charged a 44-year-old man with theft following the removal of veteran war plaques from St John Cemetery. Between 28 October and 22 November, nine plaques were taken, four of which were taken from the graves of Returned Service personnel who served in the World War I and II. … Read more

SH1 northbound full closure at Greville Road, Auckland

Source: New Zealand Police State Highway 1 northbound has been closed at Greville Road as Police respond to a serious incident. Officers were called to the area about 10:50am. Police thank the public for their patience, and ask them to delay travel if possible and follow suggested diversions. ENDS MIL OSI

Vacancy rates fall as frontline mental health workforce grows

Source: New Zealand Government New workforce data shows the frontline mental health and addiction workforce has grown significantly and vacancy rates have decreased under this Government, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “I’ve been very clear that faster access to support and more frontline workers is a top priority, and that focus has paid off. … Read more

Manage My Health hackers removes information about data online

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Finn Blackwell The hackers who say they have stolen data from a health app have removed information about the data online. The hackers, known as ‘Kazu’, previously published samples of the leaked information. Last night, Manage My Health was granted a High Court injunction preventing anyone from accessing or … Read more

How Kiwi troops compared to Australian counterparts in the World Wars

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand national anthem sung at the Auckland memorial service. RNZ / Marika Khabazi A British World War expert is expected to reveal how Kiwi troops compared to their Australian counterparts in both World Wars. Professor Gary Sheffield is one of 34 historians who will challenge and explore quirky, controversial and … Read more

Black Caps pace ace Jacob Duffy selected for T20 World Cup

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz / Photosport Ltd 2025 Jacob Duffy’s super summer will continue after being named in the Black Caps squad for next month’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India. The Otago pace bowler is set for his first senior World Cup after being … Read more

Ancient DNA shows how Pasifika carried pigs across the ocean

Source: Radio New Zealand By Christine Rovi of PMN 123RF A major genetic study has revealed how Pacific people helped move pigs across the ocean for thousands of years, shaping island life, culture, and ecosystems from Southeast Asia to Polynesia. The study, published in the journal Science, looked at the DNA of more than 700 … Read more

Aiming for a healthier year? Five tips from a doctor

Source: Radio New Zealand Was that you I spotted at that New Year’s Day group class at my local YMCA? If not, don’t worry. It’s not too late. The start of a new year is a natural time to think about health and make resolutions for science-backed habits that make a difference over months and … Read more

Kiwi hopes and US icon eliminated from ASB Classic

Source: Radio New Zealand USA’s Venus Williams during her singles match at the 2026 ASB Classic Women’s Tennis Tournament at Manuka Doctor Arena, Auckland, New Zealand. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz The drawcards continue to fall at Stanley Street. New Zealand tennis player Erin Routliffe and her new partner didn’t last long at the ASB Classic in Auckland. … Read more

Dairy prices reverse course, with demand rising

Source: Radio New Zealand Farming was one of the bright spots in the economy last year. Rafael Ben-Ari/Chameleons Eye Dairy prices have risen sharply overnight in the latest Global Dairy Trade index, reversing months of falling auction prices and delivering a surprise uptick for farmers. While farming was one of the bright spots in the … Read more