Wellington Phoenix sign White Ferns midfielder

Source: Radio New Zealand Emma Pijnenburg of the Football Ferns. MEXSPORT / PHOTOSPORT The Wellington Phoenix women have signed White Ferns midfielder Emma Pijnenburg for the rest of the A-League season. The 21 year old replaces Alyssa Whinham, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in round three. Pijnenburg returns to New Zealand having secured a … Read more

Two hospitalised after overnight brawl in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / REECE BAKER Two people have been taken to hospital after another overnight brawl in Auckland. Police were called to Wallson Crescent in Wiri just before 10pm to what they say were reports of a fight involving several people. One person was left with serious injuries, and another was in … Read more

Brigitte Bardot, the French star you ‘had to see to believe’

Source: Radio New Zealand Brigitte Bardot, the doe-eyed beauty whose sensuality brought French cinema to the mainstream, has died aged 91. Arriving on screen in the 1950s, Bardot swiftly rose to fame as an era-defining “sex kitten”. She starred in films such as And God Created Woman, Contempt and Jean-Luc Godard’s Masculin Féminin. French actress … Read more

‘Close call’: Elderly man saved after collapsing, getting lost during hike in Coromandel

Source: Radio New Zealand Kauaeranga Valley. Supplied/DOC. An elderly hiker who got lost and collapsed wearing only shorts and a singlet was saved by a mother and her two teenagers who huddled around him to keep him warm, police say. He was in the Kauaeranga Valley in Coromandel with no emergency supplies apart from a … Read more

Elderly man saved by family while tramping in Coromandel

Source: New Zealand Police Please attribute to Inspector Mike Henwood, Area Commander Waikato West An 80-year-old man was saved by a mum and her two teenage children after he got lost while hiking in the Kauaeranga Valley area last night.  The man was only wearing shorts and a singlet and apart from his mobile phone … Read more

Wellington Phoenix determined to end winless run in Melbourne

Source: Radio New Zealand The Phoenix celebrate their win over Central Coast. Marty Melville/Photosport Coach Giancarlo Italiano is adamant the Wellington Phoenix can change their “atrocious record” at AAMI Park as they strive to snap a 23-match winless streak at the ground and push themselves into playoff contention. The New Zealanders take on Melbourne Victory … Read more

The oddest news RNZ covered in 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand A statue showing Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein; a roll of bread; the Dalai Lama; a lost and confused kitten; a Fabergé egg that went on a journey. AFP / supplied/ NZ Police / RNZ 2024 set a high bar to beat when it came to things being generally weird, but … Read more

French actress Brigitte Bardot dies aged 91

Source: Radio New Zealand French film legend Brigitte Bardot – a cinema icon of the 1950s and ’60s who walked away from global stardom to become an animal rights protector – has died aged 91, her foundation said on Sunday. Bardot had rarely been seen in public in recent months but was hospitalised in October … Read more

Essential New Zealand Albums: Collision

Source: Radio New Zealand The roots of Collision can be traced to Tokoroa, where brothers Hirra and Ali Morgan and cousins Colin Henry and Charley Hikuroa formed a band called Shriek Machine. By 1973, the four had relocated to Wellington. Joined by keyboard player Philip Whitcher, they renamed themselves Collision. The band took up a … Read more

Former Black Cap Doug Bracewell retires from cricket

Source: Radio New Zealand Doug Bracewell playing for Central Districts 2024. PHOTOSPORT Former Black Caps allrounder Doug Bracewell has announced his retirement from all cricket. The 35-year-old debuted as an 18-year-old for Central Districts in late 2008, when he was already a New Zealand Under 19 representative. Just three years later he made his ODI, … Read more

The “Hey DOC…” questions you ask us: Summer edition

Source: NZ Department of Conservation We love hearing about and seeing you out naturing over the summer – keep tagging us in your adventures, we absolutely love it! During this period, we get a lot, and I mean A LOT of people tagging us in posts and messaging us on our channels to ask us … Read more

First pakeke pup marks start of season

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  29 December 2025 Six-year-old sea lion, Tui, had a pup on Christmas Day, starting off what is hoped to be another successful breeding season for the Nationally Endangered species. The pup’s gender isn’t known yet, but may be determined as part of the tagging process when that work is undertaken … Read more

Weather: Heavy rain, strong winds for much of country

Source: Radio New Zealand (File photo) 123rf Northland and Whanganui are the places to be in the North Island today for the best weather. For the rest of the island, MetService is forecasting heavy rain and/or strong winds. A heavy rain warning is currently in place for Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and Coromandel, and for Hawke’s Bay from … Read more

Vehicle rescues in central Auckland face delays after engine crash, firefighters’ union says

Source: Radio New Zealand The fire engine involved in the crash was a what is known as a pump rescue tender (file image). RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The Professional Firefighters Union says there will be delays extracting anyone who may become trapped in a vehicle in Auckland’s central city, after a fire truck was damaged … Read more

Master Lock Comanche wins Sydney-Hobart ocean race for fifth time

Source: Radio New Zealand Master Lock Comanche sailing near Tasman Island, during the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race. AFP Master Lock Comanche took line honours in the 80th Sydney-Hobart ocean race on Sunday, ending LawConnect’s bid for a third straight title. It was the fifth line honours victory in the 628-nautical-mile bluewater classic for … Read more

‘Celia’ the optometry bus hits the road to check Kiwi kids

Source: Radio New Zealand Volunteer optometrist Lynden Mason working with a young patient on the bus. Supplied A charity screening children for sight and hearing problems at schools in high-need areas now has a fully kitted-out optometry bus – and big plans to roll the service out to reach more regions and adults too. Painga … Read more

One seriously injured in crash on Upper Hutt’s SH2

Source: Radio New Zealand Emergency services at the scene of an accident at the intersection of SH2 and Waterworks Road in Kaitoke. RNZ / Mary Argue A road closed by a serious two-vehicle crash in Upper Hutt has now reopened. Police were called to the incident at the intersection of SH2 and Waterworks Road in … Read more

Update – road open, SH2 Kaitoke

Source: New Zealand Police The road has now reopened after the earlier serious crash at the intersection of SH2 and Waterworks Road, Kaitoke. Motorists should expect some delays while backed-up traffic clears.  Police thank motorists for their patience.  ENDS  Issued by Police Media Centre  MIL OSI

One seriously injured in crash on Upper Hutt’s SH2, ‘significant delays’ expected

Source: Radio New Zealand Emergency services at the scene of an accident at the intersection of SH2 and Waterworks Road in Kaitoke. RNZ / Mary Argue Emergency services are at the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash in Upper Hutt. Police were called to the incident at the intersection of SH2 and Waterworks Road in … Read more

Oil spill on SH73 makes driving hazardous

Source: Radio New Zealand File photo. 123rf.com Canterbury drivers are being urged to be cautious after an oil spill on State Highway 73, West Coast Road near Porters Pass. The spillage reportedly extends from the Porter Pass summit to the intersection with Benmore Road, near Springfield. Combined with rain, it is causing slippery conditions for … Read more

Serious crash, Kaitoke

Source: New Zealand Police Emergency services are at the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash at the intersection of SH2 and Waterworks Road, Kaitoke, Upper Hutt. Police were called about 6.35pm.  Initial indications are that one person is seriously injured.  The road is blocked at the intersection, which will likely cause significant delays in both … Read more

Memorable moments from across the sporting globe in 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand India win women’s cricket world cup, Rory McIlroy finally wins the Masters Tournament, Armand “Mondo” Duplantis breaks is own pole vault world record, baseball star Shohei Ohtani makes history with his bat and arm in 2025. AFP / Getty Whether it was a watershed moment for a team, or an iconic … Read more

Sheep shearing industry, government announce $75,000 animal welfare programme

Source: Radio New Zealand The $75,000 fund follows allegations of sheep mistreatment related to shearing practices which are still under investigation. RNZ/Sally Round The government and the shearing industry have announced a $75,000 programme to improve animal welfare in the industry. The fund will go towards workshops, online modules, practical assessments, and resources for shearers, … Read more

Police ask for help finding people behind ‘mass disorder’ on Auckland’s Karangahape Road

Source: Radio New Zealand Police are asking any witnesses to come forward via 105, particularly if they had photos or video. Police are asking for help to identify those involved in a brawl on Auckland’s Karangahape Road early on Sunday morning. Three men were hospitalised after a series of assaults following the “mass disorder”, police … Read more

Recreational drug users urged to get their stuff checked before this New Year’s

Source: Radio New Zealand KnowYourStuff manager Casey Spearin Leah Hollingworth A drug-checking group is reminding concertgoers this New Year party season that it offers a free, legal and confidential service. KnowYourStuff will be at the AUM New Years Festival, Northern Bass, Twisted Frequency and Rhythm and Alps in Wānaka, while the Drug Foundation will be … Read more

Gull, NPD merger should bring fuel prices down – AA

Source: Radio New Zealand The proposal is subject to Commerce Commission approval. RNZ / Dan Cook The Automobile Association believes a proposed merger between two fuel companies should drive down pump prices. NPD and Gull want to combine sites, teams and supply chains to form what they say would be the largest independent, majority New … Read more

Tairāwhiti motorists: plan ahead and be patient on busy roads

Source: New Zealand Police Police are urging motorists to plan ahead and expect hold ups, with an influx of traffic to Tairāwhiti over the holiday break. With Rhythm and Vines on, and people travelling to see their families, the roads will be busy, says Tairāwhiti Area Commander Inspector Danny Kirk. “If you’re on the road, … Read more