Rockfall blocks state highway

Source: Radio New Zealand File image. 123RF Rockfall has been causing disruption on the roads around Arthur’s Pass between Canterbury and the West Coast. Fire and Emergency says it responded to a crash around 10.15pm on Christmas Day on State Highway 73, near the turnoff to Mount White. A car had run into a fallen … Read more

Rare Hector’s or Māui dolphin spotted in Northland prompts questions

Source: Radio New Zealand By Penny Smith Scientists are asking people to watch out for any Māui or Hector’s dolphins spotted in North Island waters, and report them. Māui dolphin are critically endangered, while Hector’s dolphins are vulnerable. Earthrace Conservation/Liz Slooten (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) Sightings of a rare dolphin in the Bay of Islands in … Read more

Scrapped light rail must become Auckland’s long-term transport plan, advocate says

Source: Radio New Zealand An artists’ visualisation for Auckland Transport of light rail in Mt Roskill. Supplied / Auckland Transport A public transport advocate, whose Auckland Light Rail submission made it onto the NZ Infrastructure Commission’s list of priorities, said light rail and mass transit needs to be brought back and become part of the … Read more

What makes Dudley Benson’s The Awakening an essential album

Source: Radio New Zealand Some time in the mid-2000s, a singular piece of music found its way onto student radio and other playlists. Consisting only of multi-tracked voices – like a one-person choir – The Awakening was a spooky song-poem: “a canon set in purgatory” as its author would later describe it. The subject of … Read more

Vingroup Signs Strategic Cooperation with The Government of Uzbekistan, Opening Large-Scale Investment Opportunities in Central Asia

Source: Media Outreach HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 December 2025 – Vingroup announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan to promote cooperation and implement multi-sector projects in Uzbekistan. The agreement marks the beginning of a long-term cooperation … Read more

Vietnam Is Shining, and Can Gio Is the Hidden Jewel Awaiting Its Moment

Source: Media Outreach CAN GIO, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 December 2025 – In 2024, when Hines released its seminal report Why Asia Now, the message was simple yet profound: The world’s most compelling growth story was shifting eastward. At that time, global markets were turbulent but still predictable. Vinhomes Green Paradise: A … Read more

Hundreds lose power in Dunedin thunderstorms

Source: Radio New Zealand (File photo) 123RF Hundreds of households in the lower South Island are still without electricity after severe thunderstorms damaged powerlines. Power has been restored to many homes in Mosgiel near Dunedin, but at 10pm provider Aurora still listed around 300 customers impacted by outages. Dozens of rural areas in Southland are … Read more

SCG Advances Regional Optimization Strategy for Sustainable Growth

Source: Media Outreach Positioning Vietnam as Production-Export Hub to Global Markets, with SCGD Leading Decorative Surface Materials and Ceramic Tiles Market Ready to Drive Cement Business Expansion of Low-Carbon Products to Global Markets HCMC, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 December 2025 – SCG continues its Regional Optimization strategy, positioning Vietnam as a Strategic … Read more

What happens to people who die without any relatives to bury them?

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Nate McKinnon The number of people in the Auckland region who died without any family or friends to handle funeral arrangements leapt in the last year. If someone dies and no family or friends come forward to claim the body, some councils cover the cost of a burial or … Read more

What to remember before your Boxing Day shopping spree

Source: Radio New Zealand Consumer NZ is urging people to do their homework ahead of the Boxing Day sale frenzy. RNZ Consumer NZ is urging people to do their homework, double check gift cards and know their rights ahead of Boxing Day sale frenzy. Electronic transaction figures showed pre-Christmas spending was slightly down on last … Read more

Tucking in the Christmas spirit in Upper Hutt

Source: Radio New Zealand Christmas lunch diners John Kiegan and Thelma Balthiejus. RNZ / Ellen O’Dwyer Since early Christmas morning, volunteers, chefs and do-gooders have been busy cooking up Christmas Spirit in Upper Hutt. The Rimutaka Lions Club held its annual Christmas lunch today, a tradition running for nearly four decades. Known as Room at … Read more

Person critically injured after vehicle rollover

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson A person has been airlifted to Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital in critical condition after a vehicle rolled over in Northland. St John were called to Pouto Point at around 2.30pm. One person with moderate injuries was treated at the scene and a second person with critical injuries … Read more

India free trade agreement excludes dairy, but that could change – minister

Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Trade Minister Todd McClay announce the free trade agreement with India. RNZ / Mark Papalii New Zealand could continue to see improvements for the dairy industry under its Free Trade Agreement with India, the trade minister says. The government announced the deal with India on Monday, … Read more

Severe thunderstorm warning for Dunedin region

Source: Radio New Zealand (File photo) 123RF MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm warning over Dunedin and Clutha. It said thunderstorms are moving east/northeast and are expected over Dunedin at around 6pm. MetService said thunder will be accompanied by very heavy rain and large hail and warns it may make driving conditions dangerous. A broader … Read more

Auckland business owner isn’t dreaming of a light Christmas

Source: Radio New Zealand Suhail Mohammed says last Christmas was busy at his shop. Ke-Xin Li On Christmas Day, tourists are getting the rare chance to enjoy a quiet Auckland city centre. Most restaurants have shut their doors, but some business owners like Suhail Mohammed, who runs a burger eatery, hope the reduced competition means … Read more

Man wanted for questioning in Ruatiti homicide turns himself in

Source: Radio New Zealand Sheep farmer husband and wife, Brendon, 56, and Trina Cole, 54, were found dead at their Murumuru Road property in the farming community of Ruatiti on 13 December. Google Maps / Screenshot A man wanted for questioning after a double homicide in the central North Island has handed himself over to … Read more

Celebrating Christmas with Indian culinary favourites

Source: Radio New Zealand Appam is a rice pancake – a favourite within the Malayali community. 123rf The aroma of spices instead of mint sauce signals the arrival of Christmas Day in kitchens across the country, as Indian New Zealanders celebrate with dishes shaped by region, faith and migration. While many households across New Zealand … Read more

What it’s like learning to swim as an adult

Source: Radio New Zealand When I went to swimming classes as most kids do in New Zealand it did not stick. I am not sure whether it was the dozens of kids running around while one teacher shows them how to make windmills with their arms or just a complete lack of an ability to … Read more

Update: Man speaking to Police in relation to Ruatiti homicide

Source: New Zealand Police Please attribute to Central District Commander Superintendent Dion Bennett: The 29-year-old man Police required to speak to about a double homicide in Ruatiti on Saturday 13 December has handed himself into Police custody. Police launched a homicide investigation following the deaths of 56-year-old Brendon Leigh Cole and 54-year-old Trina Michelle Cole … Read more

In review: New Zealand sporting highs and lows in 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand All Blacks Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett, showing the strain, at the disastrous game against South Africa, at Wellington’s Sky Stadium, on 13 September. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz Nothing incapsulates the joy and agony sport had to offer for New Zealand in 2025 more than what the All Blacks experienced in … Read more

Churches open doors for Christmas celebrations and thanks

Source: Radio New Zealand Princy Christian (third from left) joined the morning service straight after her night shift. She’s at the service with her family. Ke-Xin Li After spending Christmas Eve working a long night shift at the Waitakere Hospital, healthcare assistant Princy Christian drove 30 minutes to attend a 9am Christmas service at her … Read more

Storm warnings for Boxing Day, wet front still over South Island

Source: Radio New Zealand MetService said a front was moving north over the South Island into Christmas Day, and was expected to affect areas from Waikato and Bay of Plenty north on Boxing Day. Supplied/ MetService People in the Bay of Plenty and from Waikato northwards are being warned to batten down the hatches for … Read more

Gull, NPD merger will drive down gas prices, companies say

Source: Radio New Zealand The 240 Gull and NPD sites throughout the country would maintain their original distinctive brand if the merger goes ahead. Supplied/ NPD Fuel companies NPD and Gull have announced plans to merge national operations. While still subject to Commerce Commission approval, the move would combine NPD and Gull sites, teams and … Read more

New Zealand fuel companies Gull and NPD to merge

Source: Radio New Zealand The 240 Gull and NPD sites throughout the country would maintain their original distinctive brand if the merger goes ahead. Supplied/ NPD Fuel companies NPD and Gull have announced plans to merge national operations. While still subject to Commerce Commission approval, the move would combine NPD and Gull sites, teams and … Read more

Christmas Day marked with reflection, fun and shared lunch

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealanders are celebrating Christmas Day throughout the country, with traditional family get togethers, shared meals, gift giving and Christmas trees. Here’s some of what Christmas looks like this year. Auckland’s Catholic bishop Steve Lowe says Christians at home and around the world have been gathering in places of worship to … Read more

Aeroplane crashes into house in Pauanui

Source: Radio New Zealand Supplied/ Paul Baker A small plane has crashed into a house in the holiday hotspot of Pauanui, on the Coromandel Peninsula. Police said about 9:10am on Christmas day they received reports of a small plane crashing into an unoccupied house on Harvard Court, next to Pauanui Airfield. Two people are being … Read more

Two injured in stabbing, police say

Source: Radio New Zealand (File photo) RNZ Two people are injured following a stabbing in Ngaruawahia, north of Hamilton, late on Christmas Eve, police say. Emergency services were called to a commercial premises on Market Street, about 11 pm on Wednesday. Two people were taken to hospital in moderate condition. Police are investigating. Sign up … Read more