Transporting New Zealand hails two-lane Pekatahi Bridge replacement

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand National Road Freight Association Transporting New Zealand is welcoming Transport Minister Chris Bishop’s announcement that a new two-lane bridge will be built on State Highway 2 (SH2) near Tāneatua in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, replacing the existing one-lane Pekatahi Bridge. Construction of the new two-lane bridge is likely to begin … Read more

Conservation Minister scores on stewardship land – Minerals Council

Source: New Zealand Minerals Council It is a relief to have much of the stewardship land on the West Coast now classified, says New Zealand Minerals Council chief executive Josie Vidal. “This has been a football no one wanted to touch for too long, so we are pleased to see Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has picked … Read more

Coromandel and Motutere back lower speeds: New limits on SH1 and SH25 in before summer

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency Andrew Corkill, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Director Regional Relationships for the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, says the support for these lower speeds came from many different avenues, and in particular, local residents.   “We received a total of 982 submissions on the 4 speed limit reviews we … Read more

Police seek truth on serious injuries to 3-week-old baby

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Wescott: Police investigating the serious injury caused to a young baby in the Hutt Valley are asking the public for information on how the injuries were sustained. On 2 December, Police were notified that a three-week-old baby had been brought into hospital by her family. … Read more

How the world got talking about red-tipped bananas

Source: Radio New Zealand Red-tipped bananas are not new to Australian consumers, but have gone viral on social media this month after an inquisitive post from two bewildered British backpackers. The video from travellers Mel Chekaoui and Phil Colia has been seen more than 11 million times on Instagram, with eager consumers commenting that they … Read more

Students pair up with retirees and exchange lives through letters

Source: Radio New Zealand Children at St Heliers School and residents at Grace Joel Retirement Village has been pen pals for the past year. Ke-Xin Li There’s nervous excitement as the children of Room 25 at St Heliers School get ready to visit their pen pals. A five minute walk brings the kids to the … Read more

Why you might suddenly stop drinking milk

Source: Radio New Zealand You’ve long enjoyed a generous pour of milk in your morning coffee, or a big bowl of ice cream for dessert. You’ve been fine with dairy most of your life, but you’re getting into middle age, and all of a sudden it’s not sitting right with you – creating lots of … Read more

Weather forecast: Temperatures creeping back down after scorching summer days

Source: Radio New Zealand Parts of the country saw temperatures in the high 20s or early 30s earlier this week. (File photo) RNZ/ Mohammad Alafeshat After days of sweltering heat for much of the country temperatures should drop by a few degrees in coming days. Earlier this week a heat alert was in place for … Read more

Biosecurity doubles Auckland’s surveillance zone for yellow-legged hornets

Source: Radio New Zealand Yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) and their nests have been found in the Auckland region. Biosecurity NZ Biosecurity NZ has more than doubled the surveillance zone for invasive yellow legged hornets in Auckland. More than 30 queen hornets and 22 nests have been located and destroyed so far in the region, with … Read more

Three more arrests after murder of US student Kyle Whorrall in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand Kyle Whorrall, 33, was killed at a bus stop on St Johns Rd in Meadowbank, Auckland. SUPPLIED A trio of teenagers are the latest to be arrested as Auckland police investigate the violent murder of American student Kyle Whorrall. Six people have now been charged in connection with the homicide investigation, … Read more

External project management team to run Nelson Hospital redevelopment

Source: Radio New Zealand Nelson Hospital. RNZ / Samantha Gee Health New Zealand is hiring an external project management team to run the Nelson Hospital redevelopment for the next six years. The project aims to deliver new, refurbished and seismically strengthened buildings in three packages. First up, design of a new 11,000 square metre inpatient … Read more

Farmers doing their bit to support those with intellectual disabilities in rural communities

Source: Radio New Zealand Kaye and her daughter check out the calves at the Temuka sale. Supplied Strong beef prices are helping raise record funds as part of a fundraising scheme that’s been going for more than 40 years. IHC has been around for 70 years supporting those with intellectual disabilities, particularly in rural communities. … Read more

Live: Black Caps v West Indies second test – day two

Source: Radio New Zealand The Black Caps ripped through the West Indies on the first day of the second test in Wellington, but it came at a cost. Late on day one the West Indies were dismissed for just 205, with a top score of just 48 from Shai Hope to put the Kiwis well … Read more

Education – Whitireia and WelTec announce partnership with Toi Whakaari to provide performing arts education in Wellington

Source: Whitireia and WelTec Whitireia and WelTec are excited to announce their partnership with Te Kura Toi Whakaari o Aotearoa: New Zealand Drama School to deliver performing arts education in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Through this arrangement, new and returning ākonga (students) will have the unique opportunity to complete Whitireia and WelTec’s New Zealand Diplomas in Drama, Dance, … Read more

Health – Asthma Foundation supports stop-smoking provider threatened for rejecting vapes

Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ is appalled that a Wellington stop-smoking provider is at risk of losing its Government contract for refusing to supply vapes to help people knock the habit. Takiri Mai Te Ata Trust, in a statement released yesterday, advised that Te Whatu Ora was intending to terminate … Read more

Climate – Degraded estuaries feel the heat – Earth Sciences

Source: Earth Sciences New Zealand Degraded estuaries are less resilient to the impacts of heatwaves, new research from Earth Sciences New Zealand shows. Estuaries are vital to Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural and economic wellbeing; they also play a crucial role in the carbon cycle and can act as a carbon sinks. However, little is known about … Read more

Events – Auckland Live Summer in the Square 2026 unleashes a month of culture and creativity

Source: Maia Studio Auckland’s favourite free summer celebration is back, brighter, bolder and more diverse than ever. Auckland Live Summer in the Square returns to Aotea Square from Friday, 30 January to Sunday, 22 February 2026, transforming the centre of the city into a playground of music, movement, culture and whānau-friendly fun. An iconic feature … Read more

Spin – Shameless right wing stunt fudges truth of brutal spending and job cuts

Source: PSA The Taxpayers’ (not-a-) Union stunt with Ruth Richardson “debating” Finance Minister Nicola Willis and promoting this with expensive boxes of fudge is a deliberate false-flag operation to make Willis seem more moderate than she really is. “New Zealanders won’t be fooled by this gaslighting – these right-wing zealots would have done more good by … Read more

Legislation – Dangerous Fast-Track changes made as nature is reaching breaking point – Greenpeace

Source: Greenpeace Greenpeace says the passing of the Fast-Track Approvals Amendment Bill last night makes an already damaging law even more dangerous for Aotearoa’s environment. “The original Fast Track Approvals Act was already the most aggressive attack on environmental oversight and democratic participation in New Zealand’s modern legislative history. The Government has now made that reckless … Read more

Energy sector celebrates progress in 2025 Net Zero Accord update

Source: Energy Resources Aotearoa Energy Resources Aotearoa has released the 2025 update of the Energy Resources Net Zero Accord, demonstrating New Zealand’s energy sector is leading the way to cut emissions while keeping Kiwi homes and businesses supplied with the energy they need. The Accord is an initiative led by Energy Resources Aotearoa to bring together … Read more

Gaza storms amid Israeli aid restrictions cut off vital services for children – Save the Children

Source: Save the Children Israel’s aid restrictions mean that severe winter weather is cutting children in Gaza off from much-needed child protection and psychosocial support services, Save the Children said, as storms began again yesterday (local time).  Four of the aid group’s eight child-friendly spaces were forced to close during last month’s severe storms as camps … Read more

Consumer NZ – Sunscreen expert busts sunscreen myths

Source: Consumer NZ Consumer NZ’s sunscreen expert says persistent sunscreen myths and some sunscreen marketing are putting New Zealanders’ health at risk. She’s urging New Zealanders to rethink what they think they know about sunscreen. Inconsistencies in how often sunscreens are independently tested, mean Consumer’s recently updated sunscreen database is New Zealand’s most comprehensive information … Read more

Greenpeace: Denmark moves to lower limits on nitrate in drinking water – when will NZ follow suit?

Source: Greenpeace Denmark’s Environment Minister is making moves to dramatically lower the legal limit for nitrate in drinking water, after a government-commissioned report recommended reducing the legal limit for nitrate contamination to 6 mg/L of nitrate (1.3 mg/L nitrate-nitrogen). Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe says New Zealanders deserve the same action. “There’s no secret playbook that the Danes … Read more

PSA and Firefighters Union attending mediation over FENZ job losses

Source: PSA The PSA and the NZ Professional Firefighters Union will today attend mediation with Fire and Emergency NZ after the Employment Relations Authority ordered it in response to the unions filing legal proceedings challenging the damaging restructure proposed by FENZ. FENZ announced last month a plan to cut some 140 roles, more than 10% of … Read more

Universities – High-school biology sows graduate’s passion for genetics – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA) Doctoral graduate Zanetta Toomata was amazed at high school in Hawaii to learn that something as tiny as DNA could hold the blueprint for life and is now dedicated to genetics. When doctoral graduate Zanetta Toomata first learnt about DNA in a biology class at her Hawaiian high school, something … Read more

Universities – Optometry graduate eyes working rurally – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA) Grace Su is moving to work in an optometry clinic where she worked while on the University’s Rural Health Immersion Programme. New optometry graduate Grace Su is moving to Tauranga to start work in a practice where she worked while participating in Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland’s Rural Health … Read more

Local Water Done Well victory for ratepayers

Source: New Zealand Government All councils water service delivery plans under Local Water Done Well have now been assessed, meaning ratepayers will benefit from reliable and financially sustainable water services, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says. When developing their plans, councils had the option to deliver water services in-house or as part of a separate … Read more