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

Auckland’s fortnightly rubbish collection trial kicked to curb

Source: Radio New Zealand Supplied / Auckland Council Auckland Councillors have voted not to proceed with a six-month trial of fortnightly kerbside rubbish collections in parts of the city, after considering public feedback. The proposed trial would’ve halved the number of kerbside collections in Te Atatū, Panmure, Tāmaki, Clendon Park and Weymouth, with the intention … Read more

Man jailed for more than five years for collecting child exploitation material

Source: Radio New Zealand Storm Uriah Constable-Carter appears via video link in the Nelson District Court. RNZ / Samantha Gee WARNING: Contains content about sexual offending against children and animals. A Tasman man has been jailed for more than five years for collecting thousands of child exploitation photos and videos, described by a judge as … Read more

Transport subsidies for elderly and disabled people reduced

Source: Radio New Zealand The subsidy will be reduced from 75 percent to 65 percent. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The government is cutting transport subsidies for elderly and disabled people for elderly and disabled people from 75 percent to 65 percent. The Total Mobility scheme provides discounted taxis and public transport fares for those with … Read more

Attacks on guide dogs leave animals too anxious to work

Source: Radio New Zealand Guide dogs can not get away if they are attacked while in their harness, and could put their owners at risk. File photo. RNZ / Marika Khabazi Some guide dogs who get attacked by other dogs while on the job can not recover their confidence and have to be retired. Several … Read more

Leeds Capital and MIO Trust Are Proud to Announce Their Collaboration on an AI‑Driven Multi‑Asset Trust Focused on Digital Assets and Precious Metals

Source: Media Outreach SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 December 2025 – Leeds Capital and MIO Trust are proud to announce their collaboration. Together they are set to launch an AI‑driven multi‑asset trust with a dynamic allocation strategy, giving investors a new way to combine digital assets and precious metals—especially gold and silver—within … Read more

Want a rollercoaster in your garden?

Source: Radio New Zealand If Aussie theme parks are not an option and you can’t face the crowds at Rainbow’s End, fear not. Bjorn Burton might have the solution. During lockdown, inspired by backyard roller coasters on YouTube, the Auckland father designed from scratch and built (with some weekend help from his own dad) a … Read more

Two injured after crash near Mount Victoria tunnel

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / REECE BAKER A northbound lane of State Highway One – near Mount Victoria tunnel in Wellington – is closed following a crash. Emergency services were called to Paterson Street – which runs through the tunnel to the Basin reserve – shortly after 4pm. A police spokesperson said a person … Read more

Water fight: Farmers strive to limit cows’ environmental footprint

Source: Radio New Zealand Andrew Barlass’ farm is home to about 1500 dairy cows RNZ / Nate McKinnon As nitrates creep up in some Canterbury drinking water supplies, dairy farmers are striving to limit nitrate leaching and their cows’ environmental footprint by planting special crops and experimenting with new winter grazing systems. In the second … Read more

Optimistic Hong Kong Ecommerce Merchants Report Growth, But Hidden Payment Friction Is Eroding Up to 10% of Revenue, Aspire Report Finds

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 December 2025 – Aspire, the all-in-one finance platform for modern businesses, today released its Hong Kong Ecommerce Pulse Check for 2025, revealing that while 100 Hong Kong merchants (with HKD 1–10 million annual business revenue) remain optimistic about growth even amid macroeconomic challenges, … Read more

Mount Victoria Tunnel closed, Wellington

Source: New Zealand Police The Mount Victoria Tunnel, Wellington City is closed following a serious crash this afternoon. Police were called to the two-vehicle crash on State Highway 1/Paterson Street around 4.10pm. Initial indicators are that there have been serious injuries. The Serious Crash Unit have been advised, and the tunnel is expected to remain … Read more

Planning reform bills pass first reading

Source: New Zealand Government The legislation underpinning New Zealand’s new planning system has passed its first reading in Parliament, marking a major step toward replacing the RMA with a system that supports economic growth and opportunities for Kiwis, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court say. “The Planning Bill and the Natural Environment … Read more

Football: Auckland FC striker getting better protection months into A-League season

Source: Radio New Zealand Sam Cosgrove of Auckland (centre) celebrates with Logan Rogerson (left) after scoring a goal during the A-League. DAN HIMBRECHTS/ PHOTOSPORT Auckland FC knew what they were getting when they signed towering forward Sam Cosgrove but the coach believes it has taken A-League officials a while to figure the Englishman out. At … Read more

Man sentenced in long-running corruption case

Source: Radio New Zealand Former roading subcontractor Frederick Pou pleaded guilty to giving gifts to an agent. 123rf A former roading subcontractor has been sentenced to home detention in a long-running corruption case. Frederick Pou, of Coastal Roading Contractors, pleaded guilty to Serious Fraud Office charges in May 2024 to corruptly giving gifts to an … Read more

Potential extreme fire risk for Northland as high winds and low humidity looms

Source: Radio New Zealand Firefighters are still working at the scene of Sunday’s major blaze in Kerikeri ahead of a possible sharp increase in fire danger on Wednesday. RNZ/Peter de Graaf Northland’s top firefighter is warning that forecast high winds and low humidity tomorrow could create a short period of extreme fire risk. Fire and … Read more

Hong Kong Launches Its First Dental Innovation Incubation Programme

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 December 2025 – The University of Hong Kong (HKU) proudly unveils the Global Hub for Future Dentistry (GHFD) — Hong Kong’s first dedicated dental incubation programme, inviting innovators, researchers, and startups worldwide to accelerate their impact at the intersection of science, technology, and … Read more

Chris Bishop can’t say how many jobs could be lost to multiple ministries merger

Source: Radio New Zealand Minister for Transport Chris Bishop. RNZ / Mark Papalii The Minister for Transport can’t say how many people are expected to lose their jobs as the government plans to merge multiple ministries with around 1300 staff in total. Chris Bishop said the agencies involved are “very high-performing” but he acknowledged – … Read more

Missing fisherman swept off rocks near Cape Rēinga presumed drowned

Source: Radio New Zealand Man Bock Lee, 65, from Hamilton, was swept from rocks while fishing at Taputapotu Bay in the Far North. RNZ / Lois Williams Police say a fisherman swept from rocks near Cape Rēinga three weeks ago is still missing and presumed drowned. Sixty-five-year-old Man Bock Lee, from Hamilton, was fishing from … Read more

Public warned to stay away from man sought over double murder

Source: Radio New Zealand Mitchell Cole Supplied / NZ Police Police are warning people not to approach a man being sought in relation to a double murder in the central North Island. Police have been looking for Mitchell Cole, 29, following the discovery of two bodies in Ruatiti – west of Mt Ruapehu – on … Read more

Work-related health newsletter – December 2025

Source: Worksafe New Zealand 16 December 2025 Check out our latest guidance and resources to help you ensure a healthy and safe work environment for you and your workers. In this edition of the work-related health newsletter: Reminder about summer risks WorkSafe’s Annual Report and Statement of Intent Psychosocial survey of first responders New industry … Read more

Forecasts show Govt economic strategy failing workers

Source: NZCTU The Treasury’s latest forecasts, released today, show the Government’s economic strategy isn’t working and that workers will be paying the price for years to come, said NZCTU President Sandra Grey. “This Government’s fiscal choices have exacerbated the economic downturn over the past couple of years and working people have suffered the consequences,” said … Read more

GEELY Opens Worlds Largest Vehicle Testing Centre, Meeting the New Benchmark in Global Automotive Safety

Source: Media Outreach NINGBO, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 December 2025 – Geely Auto Group today unveiled the Geely Safety Centre, now the world’s largest and most advanced automotive safety testing facility. The safety center spans an area of 45,000 m², with an initial investment of over 2 billion RMB, enabling Geely to … Read more

Japan’s Hokkaido University Strengthens International Engagement Ahead of Its 150th Anniversary

Source: Media Outreach “Hokkaido University 150 Initiative” Held at One&Co open space in Tanjong Pagar, Singapore SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 December 2025 – Hokkaido University hosted the “Hokkaido University 150 Initiative” on 3 November 2025 at One&Co open space (#11-01, 20 Anson Road, Singapore 079912) as part of its efforts to deepen … Read more

Papatoetoe by-election ordered after allegations of fraud

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Liu Chen An Auckland judge has upheld a petition in the Manukau District Court calling for a judicial inquiry following allegations of fraud in an Auckland local body election. Judge Richard McIlraith on Tuesday ruled that the irregularities materially affected the result, declaring the election of local board members … Read more

Advisory to media: Interim suppressions for Mt Wellington homicide

Source: New Zealand Police Police are issuing an advisory to media around interim suppression orders in place concerning Operation Hawkin, the Mt Wellington homicide on 5 December 2025. A Coroner’s non-publication order is due to expire tomorrow, 17 December 2025, at 5pm. However, media should be aware that an interim suppression order is still in … Read more

Health targets: Patients getting improved care

Source: New Zealand Government Kiwis are receiving faster access to healthcare, with the latest quarterly results showing year-on-year improvements across all health targets despite a busy and challenging winter, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “Our frontline teams have made steady progress ensuring New Zealanders can access timely, quality healthcare when they need it,” Mr Brown … Read more

MEDIA ADVISORY: Latest police wing to graduate this week

Source: New Zealand Police Media are invited to the 391 Louisa Wall recruit wing graduation. What:              Graduation of the New Zealand Police 391 Recruit Wing.Who:               For families and friends to celebrate with the newly attested police officers.Why:               Completion and graduation from initial training course.Where:            Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua.When:             Thursday 18 December at … Read more