Ōtara-Papatoetoe election re-do a ‘nail in the coffin’ for the postal voting – law professor

Source: Radio New Zealand A judge has ordered a new election to take place for seats on the Auckland local board due to manipulation of voting papers. RNZ / Eveline Harvey A law professor says a judge’s order for a new election to take place for seats on an Auckland local board – due to … Read more

Can you donate your poo in New Zealand?

Source: Radio New Zealand Poo transplants may sound unglamorous, but researchers say the early evidence has been encouraging, and it’s grabbed attention around the world. Nelson infectious disease specialist Richard Everts (of Richmond Health Centre) and researchers at Auckland’s Liggins Institute say fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) can help certain patients — yet finding eligible donors … Read more

A permit for trapping feral cats may get much easier to obtain after a U-turn by DOC

Source: Radio New Zealand Hunter Victor Tindale in Fiordland. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Permits for trapping feral cats on conservation land may become easier to obtain. At present, individuals need to adapt a possum fur trapping permit and contact local Department of Conservation (DOC) offices for permission to trap. Gaining permission can take weeks, and … Read more

Former New Plymouth mayor bids for Kāinga Ora flats neighbouring his apartment development

Source: Radio New Zealand Former mayor Peter Tennent is developing two buildings across the road including one which will house a family apartment overlooking the Tasman Sea. RNZ / Robin Martin A former New Plymouth mayor has put in a bid to buy two blocks of Kāinga Ora flats – planning to bowl them and … Read more

‘Crunch point’: Stretched rheumatologists decline half of referrals in some regions

Source: Radio New Zealand A computer illustration of a person with foot pain. KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Rheumatologists in some regions are turning down about half the specialist referrals they receive from GPs in order to provide adequate treatment for their existing patients. However, they say even with restricting “in-flow” in that way, wait times … Read more

The best films of 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand Best Oscar Contender/Best Movie of the Year One Battle After Another Director Paul Thomas Anderson’s career-long evocation of what he loves about the movies of the 1970s reaches new heights with this fist-pumpingly righteous call to action that reminds us that films actually used to, you know, be about stuff. As … Read more

More than 10,000 children stood-down for physically assaulting other students, teachers last year

Source: Radio New Zealand Schools cracked down on more fights and assaults last year. Unsplash/ Taylor Flowe Schools cracked down on more fights and assaults than ever before as their rolls increased rapidly last year. Education Ministry figures show the number of stand-downs for children who physically assaulted other students or their teachers reached 9758 … Read more

Anglers becoming endangered species on some Canterbury rivers

Source: Radio New Zealand Rising nitrate levels in drinking water have dominated Canterbury’s water quality debate, but anglers, conservationists and scientists are also worried about the environmental effects, with many rivers and streams testing well above the national bottom line. In the third of a three-part series, Keiller MacDuff reports on the people fighting for … Read more

Review: Avatar: Fire and Ash – a technical spectacle, but I lost interest

Source: Radio New Zealand As the third Avatar film arrives in cinemas, it is fascinating to see how many people are still prepared to bet against James Cameron. I recall being skeptical before the first film in the series was released back in 2009. I wasn’t at all sure about the character designs for the … Read more

Australia’s gun law ‘complacency’ a result of early success, expert says

Source: Radio New Zealand Gun control expert Rebecca Peters. Supplied An international firearm regulation expert says the shooting at Bondi is not a sign gun laws aren’t effective – rather, it’s a wake up call for Australia’s enforcement. A father and son targeted a Jewish festival on Sunday evening, killing 15 people with legally-owned rifles. … Read more

Economists forecast tough calls to get books back to black

Source: Radio New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis speaking at the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update. RNZ Economists say the government is stuck between a rock and a hard place off the back of Treasury’s latest economic forecasts. Tuesday’s Half-Year Fiscal and Economic Update (HYEFU) saw a budget surplus stretch further out of reach, … Read more

Jevon McSkimming case a wake-up call to child abuse ‘at every level’, charity says

Source: Radio New Zealand Ex-deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming. RNZ / Mark Papalii Warning: This story discusses sexual abuse, which some may find disturbing. Jevon McSkimming’s sentencing on Wednesday should serve as a wake-up call to how common sex abuse images have become – and to help perpetrators stop accessing them, according to a child … Read more

Funeral home reunites families with unclaimed ashes, but over 800 still in storage

Source: Radio New Zealand Morrisons Funerals have over 800 ashes sitting in storage. (File photo) An Auckland funeral home has reunited unclaimed ashes with about a dozen families, but still has over 800 remaining unclaimed after a call-out before a mass interment. In September, Morrisons Funerals said it had a secured room full of over … Read more

WorkSafe files charge following worker’s fatal fall from scissor lift

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Samuel Rillstone WorkSafe has filed a charge in relation to the death of a Chinese worker who fell from a scissor lift during work last December. The worker came to New Zealand on a visa to work for an Auckland aluminium company. The worker fell from a scissor lift … Read more

NZ-AU: Gelteq Furthers Asia Presence Through Partnership with Hong Kong Flag Football Program

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU) MELBOURNE, Australia, Dec. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gelteq Limited (“Gelteq” or the “Company”), a clinical and science-based company specialising in gel-based oral delivery solutions, today announced a new partnership with the Hong Kong Flag Football Program. The partnership will integrate Gelteq’s advanced hydration and sports performance formulations into the training and … Read more

Electoral reforms pass final reading

Source: New Zealand Government The Government has passed legislation which helps ensure future elections are timely and efficient, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “While the core principles guiding our elections endure, how they’re delivered needs to adapt over time to keep up with changing trends, new challenges and new technologies.  “Late enrolments, for example, have … Read more

Cheers to New Beginnings: Carlsberg Hong Kong Launches No & Low-Alcohol and Beyond Beer Series for Conscious Celebrations

Source: Media Outreach Ringing in the New Year, the extended collection promotes moderation and conscious drinking throughout the festive season and beyond HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 December 2025 – Carlsberg Hong Kong is championing moderation and mindful drinking with the launch of its extended No & Low-Alcohol Range and Beyond … Read more

The 27th Mountain Emei Ice, Snow & Hot Spring Season Invites Global Visitors to “Enjoy Winter Fun”

Source: Media Outreach EMEISHAN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 December 2025 – On the evening of December 14, as the 218-meter-high Twin Towers lit up with a spectacular giant-screen light show, the launch ceremony of the 2025 Leshan Winter Tour and the 27th Mount Emei Ice, Snow & Hot Spring Season was held … Read more

Lily Allen, Little Simz and Bianca Bustamante Light Up The Red-Carpet In Desert Diamonds, At The Fashion Awards 2025

Source: Media Outreach LONDON, UK – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 December 2025 – Desert diamonds graced the red-carpet at this year’s Fashion Awards, held at the Royal Albert Hall on 1st December. Attendees including singer-songwriter Lily Allen, musician and actor Little Simz and racing driver Bianca Bustamante attended this evening’s Fashion Awards wearing natural … Read more

Big music festivals struggle as cost of living bites

Source: Radio New Zealand 2026 will be the last year for the Splore music festival. Sigrid Yiakmis The classic summer festival is the latest loser in the cost of living crisis, with another iconic event announcing its downfall today. Splore is part of a growing list of struggling festivals, with big names like WOMAD and … Read more

New Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman talks to Corinn Dann: ‘Financial market conditions have tightened’

Source: Radio New Zealand New Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman will not hesitate again to issue a statement for markets to understand how she interprets the economy. Breman sat down for an extensive interview with Morning Report presenter and incoming RNZ business editor Corin Dann, just a day after she took the unusual step of … Read more

‘It will never be forgotten’ – RNZ on the ground at Bondi Beach

Source: Radio New Zealand Tributes from mourners are piled together at the Bondi Pavilion in memory of the victims of a shooting at Bondi Beach. Saeed Khan First Person: RNZ journalist Charlotte Cook is in Sydney to cover the aftermath of the Bondi Beach terror attack, and says people on the street are not returning … Read more

Earthquake-prone buildings Bill passes first reading

Source: New Zealand Government Legislation that will bring significant financial relief to many building owners by refocusing the earthquake-prone building system has passed its first reading in Parliament. “Building a better future for New Zealand starts with putting the right settings in place for our cities and regions to thrive,” Building and Construction Minister Chris … Read more

Mayor Wayne Brown’s rate rise not popular with former deputy chief of staff

Source: Radio New Zealand Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says council staff have worked hard to stay within budget. Jessica Hopkins / RNZ A lobbyist who used to work for Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is now a critic of the city’s 7.9 percent rates rise. Josh Van Veen was Brown’s deputy chief of staff just two … Read more

Some dolphins appear to have orca friends – scientists think they have figured out what’s going on

Source: Radio New Zealand How dolphins and orca can work together By Katie Hunt for CNN Underwater footage revealed that the killer whales were also following dolphins on their dives of up to 60 metres. File photo. AFP / FRANCO BANFI A pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins off the coast of British Columbia have been … Read more

Willis v Richardson debate unlikely to go ahead

Source: Radio New Zealand Current Finance Minister Nicola Willis and former minister Ruth Richardson. RNZ/Reece Baker/Supplied The debate between Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Taxpayers Union chair Ruth Richardson seems unlikely to go ahead, with Richardson saying she won’t be part of a “circus or sideshow”. Willis last week challenged Richardson – the former National … Read more

Finance minister must take responsibility for state of books, say Labour, Taxpayer Union

Source: Radio New Zealand Finance Minster Nicola Willis says going harder could hurt lower income families, while going softer was “reckless and irresponsible”. RNZ / Mark Papalii Both Labour and the Taxpayers’ Union have hit back at criticism levelled at them by Finance Minister Nicola Willis, saying she must take responsibility for the state of … Read more