Weather: Heavy rain, strong winds for much of country

Source: Radio New Zealand (File photo) 123rf Northland and Whanganui are the places to be in the North Island today for the best weather. For the rest of the island, MetService is forecasting heavy rain and/or strong winds. A heavy rain warning is currently in place for Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and Coromandel, and for Hawke’s Bay from … Read more

Vehicle rescues in central Auckland face delays after engine crash, firefighters’ union says

Source: Radio New Zealand The fire engine involved in the crash was a what is known as a pump rescue tender (file image). RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The Professional Firefighters Union says there will be delays extracting anyone who may become trapped in a vehicle in Auckland’s central city, after a fire truck was damaged … Read more

Master Lock Comanche wins Sydney-Hobart ocean race for fifth time

Source: Radio New Zealand Master Lock Comanche sailing near Tasman Island, during the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race. AFP Master Lock Comanche took line honours in the 80th Sydney-Hobart ocean race on Sunday, ending LawConnect’s bid for a third straight title. It was the fifth line honours victory in the 628-nautical-mile bluewater classic for … Read more

‘Celia’ the optometry bus hits the road to check Kiwi kids

Source: Radio New Zealand Volunteer optometrist Lynden Mason working with a young patient on the bus. Supplied A charity screening children for sight and hearing problems at schools in high-need areas now has a fully kitted-out optometry bus – and big plans to roll the service out to reach more regions and adults too. Painga … Read more

One seriously injured in crash on Upper Hutt’s SH2

Source: Radio New Zealand Emergency services at the scene of an accident at the intersection of SH2 and Waterworks Road in Kaitoke. RNZ / Mary Argue A road closed by a serious two-vehicle crash in Upper Hutt has now reopened. Police were called to the incident at the intersection of SH2 and Waterworks Road in … Read more

Update – road open, SH2 Kaitoke

Source: New Zealand Police The road has now reopened after the earlier serious crash at the intersection of SH2 and Waterworks Road, Kaitoke. Motorists should expect some delays while backed-up traffic clears.  Police thank motorists for their patience.  ENDS  Issued by Police Media Centre  MIL OSI

One seriously injured in crash on Upper Hutt’s SH2, ‘significant delays’ expected

Source: Radio New Zealand Emergency services at the scene of an accident at the intersection of SH2 and Waterworks Road in Kaitoke. RNZ / Mary Argue Emergency services are at the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash in Upper Hutt. Police were called to the incident at the intersection of SH2 and Waterworks Road in … Read more

Oil spill on SH73 makes driving hazardous

Source: Radio New Zealand File photo. 123rf.com Canterbury drivers are being urged to be cautious after an oil spill on State Highway 73, West Coast Road near Porters Pass. The spillage reportedly extends from the Porter Pass summit to the intersection with Benmore Road, near Springfield. Combined with rain, it is causing slippery conditions for … Read more

Serious crash, Kaitoke

Source: New Zealand Police Emergency services are at the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash at the intersection of SH2 and Waterworks Road, Kaitoke, Upper Hutt. Police were called about 6.35pm.  Initial indications are that one person is seriously injured.  The road is blocked at the intersection, which will likely cause significant delays in both … Read more

Memorable moments from across the sporting globe in 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand India win women’s cricket world cup, Rory McIlroy finally wins the Masters Tournament, Armand “Mondo” Duplantis breaks is own pole vault world record, baseball star Shohei Ohtani makes history with his bat and arm in 2025. AFP / Getty Whether it was a watershed moment for a team, or an iconic … Read more

Sheep shearing industry, government announce $75,000 animal welfare programme

Source: Radio New Zealand The $75,000 fund follows allegations of sheep mistreatment related to shearing practices which are still under investigation. RNZ/Sally Round The government and the shearing industry have announced a $75,000 programme to improve animal welfare in the industry. The fund will go towards workshops, online modules, practical assessments, and resources for shearers, … Read more

Police ask for help finding people behind ‘mass disorder’ on Auckland’s Karangahape Road

Source: Radio New Zealand Police are asking any witnesses to come forward via 105, particularly if they had photos or video. Police are asking for help to identify those involved in a brawl on Auckland’s Karangahape Road early on Sunday morning. Three men were hospitalised after a series of assaults following the “mass disorder”, police … Read more

Recreational drug users urged to get their stuff checked before this New Year’s

Source: Radio New Zealand KnowYourStuff manager Casey Spearin Leah Hollingworth A drug-checking group is reminding concertgoers this New Year party season that it offers a free, legal and confidential service. KnowYourStuff will be at the AUM New Years Festival, Northern Bass, Twisted Frequency and Rhythm and Alps in Wānaka, while the Drug Foundation will be … Read more

Gull, NPD merger should bring fuel prices down – AA

Source: Radio New Zealand The proposal is subject to Commerce Commission approval. RNZ / Dan Cook The Automobile Association believes a proposed merger between two fuel companies should drive down pump prices. NPD and Gull want to combine sites, teams and supply chains to form what they say would be the largest independent, majority New … Read more

Tairāwhiti motorists: plan ahead and be patient on busy roads

Source: New Zealand Police Police are urging motorists to plan ahead and expect hold ups, with an influx of traffic to Tairāwhiti over the holiday break. With Rhythm and Vines on, and people travelling to see their families, the roads will be busy, says Tairāwhiti Area Commander Inspector Danny Kirk. “If you’re on the road, … Read more

Rhythm and Vines partiers urged to stay careful on wet, busy roads

Source: Radio New Zealand Campers at the 2024 Rhythm and Vines event. Supplied / Rhythm and Vines With heavy traffic expected over the New Year period – much of it driven by people unfamiliar with the roads – police are urging revellers heading to Rhythm and Vines to expect delays. “If you’re on the road, … Read more

Four hurt in two-vehicle crash near Levin

Source: Radio New Zealand Police were called to State Highway 1 at the Waitarere turnoff about 11am (file image). RNZ / REECE BAKER Four people have been injured in a two-vehicle crash north of Levin. Police were called to State Highway 1 at the Waitarere turnoff about 11am on Sunday. Two people were trapped, but … Read more

Tasman floods recovery expected to cost $50m, take two years

Source: Radio New Zealand Flooding and damage in Otuwhero Valley and Sandy Bay Road near Marahau, during extensive floods in the area, on 12 July, 2025. Supplied/ Jodie Reed More than six months after back-to-back floods caused widespread damage across the Tasman District, the recovery is expected to cost the council $50 million and take … Read more

Science, English slide, as secondary school students seek life skills

Source: Radio New Zealand English is still the most-widely studied subject, but has slipped from 87 to 80 percent of students. Unsplash One in five secondary school students studied life skills or personal development courses in 2025. Education Ministry figures show the field has grown rapidly in popularity over the past 15 years, while core … Read more

Assaults on K Road disorder: Police asking for help to identify offenders

Source: New Zealand Police Please attribute the following to Auckland City Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greaves: Police are asking for the public’s assistance after the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of this morning. Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around … Read more

Government and industry launch pilot to enhance welfare practices in shearing sector

Source: New Zealand Government The Government and industry are supporting training initiatives to improve animal welfare outcomes in New Zealand woolsheds, Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson have announced. “We’ve worked with industry to establish a $75,000 fund to support targeted training initiatives that build knowledge, skills, and best practice … Read more

Drivers should take care in Tairāwhiti over the holidays

Source: New Zealand Police Police are urging motorists to plan ahead and expect hold ups, with an influx of traffic to Tairāwhiti over the holiday break. With Rhythm and Vines on, and people travelling to see their families, the roads will be busy, says Tairāwhiti Area Commander Inspector Danny Kirk. “If you’re on the road, … Read more

Crash involving fire truck injures one in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand The crash involved a fire truck (generic image). RNZ / Nate McKinnon One person is injured after a crash between a fire truck and car in central Auckland on Sunday morning. The police were called at 9.38am to the intersection of Hobson Street and Victoria Street West. A police spokesperson said: … Read more

Weather set to worsen ahead of New Year’s Eve

Source: Radio New Zealand Revellers at last year’s Rhythm and Vines event. Kaelin Wade A bout of bad weather is about to sweep across the east of the North Island, ahead of New Year celebrations. Rhythm and Vines in Gisborne could get off to a damp start, with an orange heavy rain warning issued by … Read more

Where do MPs go, when they go bush?

Source: Radio New Zealand Labour MP Duncan Webb and his son Albert Webb on top of Avalanche Peak. Supplied There’s simply nothing better than ditching the workwear for an outdoor get-up and heading into the bush. Thousands will head into the great outdoors this summer, including MPs from across the political spectrum. RNZ interviewed a … Read more

UFC year in review: The good, the bad and the ugly

Source: Radio New Zealand From eye pokes to Donald Trump, the UFC in 2025 was not the most stellar of years for the promotion. photosport The year 2025 will not go down as a golden period for the UFC. A dearth of star power, GOATS turned to ducks, a dis-interested president, a plethora of eye … Read more

Staycation activities in New Zealand’s main cities

Source: Radio New Zealand A staycation doesn’t require flashy gear or carefully planned excursions to make it memorable. What matters is finding something that fits your family’s interests and offers a little challenge and a lot of joy, especially if you’re trying to pry kids away from their screens, says Susannah Smith, president of Physical … Read more