Dog missing after yacht capsizes in Northland

Source: Radio New Zealand A search is underway for a dog missing after a man was rescued from a capsized yacht in in Whananaki in Northland yesterday. The police were called to the incident near Elizabeth Reef at around 5:10pm. A police spokesperson said a dog was reportedly on the boat too, and to the … Read more

State Highway 1 near Ohau Point blocked by serious crash

Source: New Zealand Police State Highway 1 near Ohau Point is blocked following a serious crash this morning. Police were notified at 9.38am that two vehicles had collided.  Initial information from the scene is that two people have been seriously injured. An update on injury status will be provided as soon as we’re able. Travel … Read more

George Clooney becomes French citizen

Source: Radio New Zealand Actor George Clooney and his family have been granted French citizenship, official government documents show, after he has previously voiced concern about raising his children amid the glitz of Hollywood. A gazette notice listing all new French naturalisations, released on Saturday, includes Clooney – as well as his wife, Amal Clooney, … Read more

Eight Pasifika recipients in New Year Honours

Source: Radio New Zealand Ex-All Black Eroni Clarke sings the national anthem before the All Blacks v Australia 2025 Rugby Championship test match at Eden Park om 27 September 2025 Photosport / Brett Phibbs The New Year 2026 Honours List for Aotearoa includes eight Pasifika recipients this year. Leading the accolades for the Member of … Read more

Teishallia Te Paea homicide – further appeal for information

Source: New Zealand Police To be attributed to Detective Inspector Martin James, Eastern District Manager Criminal Investigations:  Police continue to make enquiries into the death of Teishallia Te Paea and are seeking assistance from the public. Investigators would like to speak with the three males who, together, visited Teishallia’s Kotuku Street address during August or … Read more

One dead in early morning Waikato crash

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Marika Khabazi One person has died following a single-vehicle crash in Waikato early this morning. The police were called to the intersection of Orini Road and McConnell Road in Orini around 12:30am. The sole occupant of the car was found dead at the scene. Orini Road was closed overnight … Read more

Naturing countdown – our top stories of 2025

Source: NZ Department of Conservation It’s been a big year for nature! We take a look back and count down some of the biggest naturing stories from 2025… 10: New bridges to get into nature A number of stunning bridge projects have been completed this year, making it even easier for people to head out … Read more

Māori excel in New Year Honours 2026

Source: New Zealand Government Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora e mua – Those who lead give sight to those who follow, those who follow give life to those who lead. Māori recipients in the New Year 2026 Honours list demonstrate deep and enduring commitment to Māori advancement and community leadership … Read more

New Year Honours: ‘Where the eye meets the brain’: Dame Helen Danesh-Meyer recognised for services to ophthalmology

Source: Radio New Zealand Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer is made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to ophthalmology in the 2025 New Year Honours. Supplied Dame Helen Danesh-Meyer works “at the intersection of where the eye meets the brain”. As New Zealand’s pre-eminent authority, and an internationally recognised leader in … Read more

Fatal crash, Orini, Waikato

Source: New Zealand Police One person has died following a crash in Orini, Waikato early this morning. Police were called to the single vehicle crash, at the intersection of Orini Road and McConnell Road, around 12:30am. Sadly, the sole occupant of the vehicle was found deceased at the scene. Orini Road was closed overnight, between … Read more

New Year Honours: Indycar, bowls, and running icons recognised

Source: Radio New Zealand Clockwise from top left, Lorraine Moller, Scott Dixon, Val Smith, Martin Guptill. Photosport An Indycar icon, a name synonymous with bowls, and a long-distance runner who pushed for women’s equity in sport are among those who have been recognised in the New Year Honours. New Zealand’s most successful modern motorsport champion, … Read more

Phoenix women climb A-League table with another big win

Source: Radio New Zealand Emma Main in action for the Phoenix. Marty Melville The Wellington Phoenix women have jumped from ninth to fourth in the A-League standings following a 3-nil win at Western Sydney Wanderers. Emma Main scored in the seventh minute of each half with Sabitra “Samba” Bhandari bagging the visitors third goal. Wellington’s … Read more

‘Literally the worst nightmare’: Hundreds hunt for beloved runaway horse

Source: Radio New Zealand Erin and her horse Scooter. Supplied Auckland rider Erin Swainston knew she had to let go of the reins, or be crushed by her beloved horse when it lost its footing. “Waves were kind of throwing us around, Scooter was thrashing and trying to get his feet up underneath him and … Read more

New Year Honours: Wellingtonians in line for applause

Source: Radio New Zealand Professor Graham Le Gros, Coral Shaw, Dorothy Spotswood and Scott Dixon are four of the seven being named Dames and Knights. RNZ A philanthropist, an art collector and a medical scientist are among those made knights and dames in this year’s New Year Honours. Nationwide, three new dames and four knights … Read more

Person safe after Northland boat capsizes

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / REECE BAKER A person has been brought back to shore safely after a boat capsized in Whananaki in Northland yesterday evening. The police were called to the incident near Elizabeth Reef at around 5:10pm. The person was also assessed by the ambulance, according to the police. – Published by … Read more

New Year Honours: Xero co-founder Sir Rod Drury knighted

Source: Radio New Zealand Founder of accounting company Xero, Rod Drury. RNZ / Diego Opatowski Founder of accounting company Xero, Sir Rod Drury, who has been made a Knight Companion in the New Year Honours, says he has loved using his business skills to help the community in recent years. Drury has been made a … Read more

New Year Honours: ‘Fire still burns’ for Sir Scott Dixon

Source: Radio New Zealand Sir Scott Dixon. David Allio/Icon Sportswire / PHOTOSPORT New Zealand’s most successful modern motorsport champion has been knighted – but Sir Scott Dixon is still a bit uncomfortable with his new title. “Just Scott is fine. “I thought it was maybe some spam or something,” the Indycar icon told RNZ. “But … Read more

New Year Honours: Recognition for Dame Coral Shaw – Teacher, lawyer, judge and head of a royal commission

Source: Radio New Zealand Dame Coral Shaw has been recognised for her work, among other things, as a Commissioner on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. Libby Kirkby-McLeod/RNZ Teacher, lawyer, judge and head of a royal commission – Dame Coral Shaw’s career has always been about giving back to those most vulnerable. … Read more

‘Literally the worst nightmare’: Hundreds-strong hunt for beloved runaway horse

Source: Radio New Zealand Erin and her horse Scooter. Supplied Auckland rider Erin Swainston knew she had to let go of the reins, or be crushed by her beloved horse when it lost its footing. “Waves were kind of throwing us around, Scooter was thrashing and trying to get his feet up underneath him and … Read more

Royal recognition for Youth Aid officer

Source: New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has congratulated a Police Youth Aid officer who is recognised today with a royal honour. Senior Constable Grant Watts, based at Palmerston North in Central District, is made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to New Zealand Police and youth. Grant has … Read more

2026 New Year Honours: Seven New Zealanders named Knights and Dames

Source: Radio New Zealand Professor Graham Le Gros, Coral Shaw, Dorothy Spotswood and Scott Dixon are four of the seven being named Dames and Knights. RNZ Seven new Knights and Dames have been named on the New Year Honours list. They include Dames Helen Danesh-Meyer, Carol Shaw and Dorothy Spotswood and Sirs Scott Dixon, Rod … Read more

‘Quite heavy in localised areas ‘: More rain on the way for New Year’s Eve

Source: Radio New Zealand Festival goers at Rhythm and Vines are off to a soggy start after the region was wiped with heavy rain. Lucy Parkinson Much of the country is in for another rainy day on Wednesday, after severe wind and rain battered the North Island and upper South Island. Tuesday’s wild weather downed … Read more

Essential New Zealand Albums: The Warratahs – The Only Game In Town

Source: Radio New Zealand Think about how a great album is made, and it’s hard to escape the image of musicians notching up hundreds of hours of studio time crafting their masterwork, or engineers hunched over mixing boards, deliberating over every beat and chord. Some albums are made that way, but it isn’t the only … Read more

New Year Honours 2026 – the full list

Source: Radio New Zealand Supplied/ Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Here is the full list of everyone receiving a 2026 New Year Honour: Dame Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM): DANESH-MEYER, Professor Helen Victoria, CNZM – for services to ophthalmology SHAW, Coral May – for services to public service, the … Read more

Ten businesses that didn’t survive 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand Kitchen Things went into receivership mid-year. Google Maps It’s been another tough year financially for many New Zealand households and businesses. While some commentators said in 2024 that businesses needed to focus on the mantra “survive til 2025”, for some it was a case of battling to survive through the year, … Read more

Huawei and PEA Jointly Release Next-Gen Intelligent Substation Solution

Source: Media Outreach BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 December 2025 – An event themed “AI Empowers New-Gen Intelligent Substations” was successfully held in Bangkok where Huawei and Thailand’s Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) jointly unveiled an innovative next-gen intelligent substation solution, marking a new milestone in the digital and intelligent transformation of Thailand’s … Read more

Te Arawa Lakes Trust battles invasive gold clams

Source: Radio New Zealand The invasive gold clams. Supplied / MPI Te Arawa Lakes Trust and local councils are banding together in the battle against invasive gold clams. The trust is worried about the lakes in its area and the boaties coming to use them. A hui at Lake Ōkāreka has resolved to stand up … Read more