Electricity Authority lodges formal complaint against Genesis

Source: Radio New Zealand The authority said Genesis did not comply with dispatch instructions in respect of its Huntly power station, or immediately advise Transpower why it could not. RNZ The Electricity Authority has lodged a formal complaint alleging Genesis did not adequately comply with a request to deliver power into the grid. It says … Read more

Lindis Pass Road, blocked

Source: New Zealand Police Lindis Pass Road at Omarama is blocked following a two-vehicle crash. Emergency services were advised of the crash, at the intersection with Short Cut Road, about 10am. While there were fortunately only minor injuries, the road remains blocked for now and motorists are advised to avoid travelling this route for now … Read more

Protect our precious freshwater – do your Check, Clean, Dry this summer

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  23 December 2025 Freshwater pests can be accidentally introduced to a new lake or river on wet fishing equipment, lifejackets, boats, kayaks, boots, togs and in drink bottles. Nicki Atkinson, Freshwater Ecosystems and Threats Manager at DOC, says the Check, Clean, Dry method is proven to stop the spread of … Read more

Sticking it to drivers, to stick to the limit

Source: New Zealand Police Lumsden Police are sticking it to motorists in the area, by teaming up with local business owners to help get the road safety speed message out – through stickers. “Nearly one million visitors travel through Lumsden, and other areas, on State Highway 6, when traveling from Queenstown into Fiordland and Milford … Read more

2025: The year of the naked dress?

Source: Radio New Zealand The year’s biggest trend was barely there. It crested Margot Robbie in slim strands of beads and rhinestones; it draped Julia Fox, Sandro Botticelli-style, in little more than strands of brunette curls; and, through an empire waisted layer of sheer white mesh, it revealed Sienna Miller’s new pregnancy to the world. … Read more

UK singer Chris Rea dies at 74, days before Christmas

Source: Radio New Zealand British singer-songwriter Chris Rea, best known for the 1980s festive hit ‘Driving Home for Christmas’, has died at the age of 74, his family announced on Monday (local time). “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris,” a spokesperson for his wife and two children … Read more

‘Only takes one spark’: Fireworks banned at multiple holiday hotspots

Source: Radio New Zealand Fireworks have been banned in several locations over the holidays. Robert Smith/RNZ The private use of fireworks has been banned at multiple holiday hotspots over the holiday period due to high fire risk. Fire and Emergency (FENZ) confirmed fireworks would be banned in Coromandel from 8am Tuesday until 30 January. Bans … Read more

Hamilton airport is flying after this year’s return of international flights

Source: Radio New Zealand Hamilton is proving to be a popular spot to fly into, airlines say. Supplied Hamilton airport expects to wrap up end the this year with its busiest ever month, after a new daily Jetstar jet service between Hamilton and Christchurch started on 1 December 2025. Air New Zealand returned a jet … Read more

Man hospitalised after falling from Paritutu Rock

Source: Radio New Zealand Paritutu Rock and nearby rock islands in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Jordan Tan / 123rf A man has been hospitalised after falling off the Paritutu Rock walkway in New Plymouth. Police said they received a report at about 5:10pm on Monday that a man might have fallen from the top of … Read more

Person hospitalised after incident on Paritutu Rock

Source: Radio New Zealand Paritutu Rock and nearby rock islands in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Jordan Tan / 123rf One person has been taken to hospital after an incident at Paritutu Rock in New Plymouth. St John said it was called to the 156 meter tall volcanic outcrop between Back Beach and Ngāmotu Beach about … Read more

Why home loan applicants might face an extra wait

Source: Radio New Zealand Anyone applying for a home loan now could face an extra wait for an answer. RNZ Anyone applying for a home loan now could face an extra wait for an answer. Mortgage advisers say a busier-than-usual period for applications, coupled with the impending Christmas break, could mean a wait for some … Read more

Your (very last minute) Naturing gift guide this Christmas

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Did you forget to put your bird obsessed neighbours on the Christmas shopping list? Need a last-minute gift idea for the naturing hero in your life? Don’t panic! Give them something that will also benefit nature this year. Here’s 6 meaningful gift ideas for your fellow nature lover… 1. Plant … Read more

Weather: Warning to drivers as wild weather hits central New Zealand before Christmas

Source: Radio New Zealand Motorcylists and drivers are being told to take extra care through State Highway 2 around Remutaka Hill. NZTA Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast to hit central New Zealand in the days leading up to Christmas. A front from over the Tasman Sea moved over the North Island on Tuesday, … Read more

The case for lying to kids about Santa – a philosopher’s view

Source: Radio New Zealand Opinion – I have a vivid memory of the moment I realised Santa didn’t exist. I was around six years old, it was the height of summer, and I was sitting on the step outside our back door, thinking about God. The existence of God, back then, was something that annoyed … Read more

Man allegedly bites officer during arrest, threatens police with knife

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ A 30-year-old man allegedly threatened police with a knife and bit an officer during an arrest in Dunedin. Police were told a man was trying to steal vehicles, and identified a person walking on King Edward Street about 10am on Friday, Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said. “Officers verbally informed him … Read more

Breakers beaten by Bullets to fall to third straight loss

Source: Radio New Zealand Breakers guard Izaiah Brockington. www.photosport.nz The New Zealand Breakers have slumped to a third straight defeat, beaten 99-85 by the Bullets in their NBL clash in Brisbane. The hosts entered the game having lost their past seven matches by an average of 22 points. However, they put that aside score 56 … Read more

Firefighters called to blaze at Christchurch business

Source: Radio New Zealand One crew is still there dampening down hotspots. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Firefighters are responding to a fire at a commercial property in the Christchurch suburb of Sydenham. Fire and Emergency (FENZ) said four crews were called to the scene shortly after 3.30am on Tuesday to find the building well involved. … Read more

Te Pāti Māori insists no left bloc without it, prepares to mobilise support again next year

Source: Radio New Zealand Te Pāti Māori’ co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi. RNZ/Liliian Hanly Te Pāti Māori co-leaders say they were “blindsided” at the way things “spiralled out of control” this year. Both Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi know next year be “tough”, but insist “there is no left bloc without Te Pāti Māori”. … Read more

Ten interesting New Zealanders we met this year

Source: Radio New Zealand Northland fisherman Cliff Barnes, 80, has had more brushes with death than most of us have had hot fish dinners. He’s fallen off his fishing boat and watched it chug off into the distance. Another time he survived in a cave for a week with nothing to eat but rotting octopus. It … Read more

Why a claim for a stone lost from a wedding ring was turned down by the insurer

Source: Radio New Zealand A woman who lost the ruby from her wedding ring had her claim turned down by her insurer. Supplied / Unsplash A case in which a woman had her claim for a lost stone from her ring turned down by her insurer is a reminder to check your cover, Consumer NZ … Read more

Name release: Fatal crash, Kaitaia

Source: New Zealand Police Police can now release the name of the man who died following a motorcycle crash in Kaitaia on 12 December. He was Marcus Tepania, 31, of Kaitaia. Our thoughts are with his friends and whānau at this time. Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing. ENDS. Holly McKay/NZ Police … Read more

How a Fiji man took on the world’s biggest polluters

Source: Radio New Zealand By Jamie Tahana for RNZ Pacific Vishal Prasad (Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change) speaks to the press before the International Court of Justice following the conclusion of an advisory opinion on countries’ obligations to protect the climate. AFP / Lina Selg 2025 was a big year for Vishal Prasad. From … Read more

Labour won’t say if it’ll back India free trade deal, says it’s a ‘good step forward’

Source: Radio New Zealand Labour’s trade spokesperson Damien O’Connor. RNZ / Angus Dreaver Labour will not say if it will give its backing to the government’s free trade agreement (FTA) with India, but acknowledges it seems like a “good step forward” in something the party would support. Labour’s trade spokesperson Damien O’Connor said he was … Read more

UnionPay International Rolls Out Year-End Holiday Initiatives Across 26 Countries and Regions Worldwide

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 December 2025 – As Christmas and New Year holiday draw near, UnionPay International has launched a promotional campaign spanning 26 countries and regions, which includes over 170 marketing activities across more than 100,000 merchant stores, with selected offers providing discounts of up to … Read more

Study in Taiwan at Academia Sinica: Fully-Funded PhD Programs in 14 Advanced Disciplines

Source: Media Outreach TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 December 2025 – Academia Sinica, Taiwan’s national academy of sciences and a leading research institution, invites outstanding students worldwide to apply for the 2026 Fall semester of its Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP). Applications are now open until 1 February 2026 (GMT+8). TIGP offers … Read more

Hong Kong’s First “Technology and Innovation Support Centre” Officially Commenced Operation

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 December 2025 – The Hong Kong Technology and Innovation Support Centre (HKTISC), established by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), has officially commenced operation with the support of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) and the Intellectual Property Department (IPD) of the … Read more

Cannubi by Umberto Bombana becomes first Italian restaurant in Thailand to receive a Michelin Star

Source: Media Outreach The accolade marks another major milestone for the reimagined Dusit Thani Bangkok BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 December 2025 – Cannubi by Umberto Bombana at Dusit International’s reimagined flagship hotel, Dusit Thani Bangkok, has been awarded One Michelin Star in The Michelin Guide Thailand 2026 – the first time … Read more