The unofficial NZ Rugby awards for 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand The unofficial rugby awards for 2025. Graphic: Liam K. Swiggs PHOTOSPORT Another big year for our national game is in the books, so it’s once again time to recognise the highs and lows of rugby. NZ Rugby will be issuing their official awards on Thursday, but it is once again up … Read more

Government launches quantum tech discovery

Source: New Zealand Government Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti has launched a $1.35m discovery phase to explore a national quantum technologies platform aimed at creating jobs, attracting partnerships, and boosting New Zealand’s economy.  Research in quantum technologies explores how particles behave at the smallest scales, and quantum computing has the potential to … Read more

New Plymouth crisis recovery café gets a boost

Source: New Zealand Government Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey today visited Koha Café where he announced New Plymouths local crisis recovery café, will receive a funding boost from the Government. “Emergency departments are often not the best environment for someone in mental distress. Many people have told me that brightly lit, busy, clinical spaces … Read more

Crown Jewels protest turns to custard as Kiwi cop makes arrests

Source: Radio New Zealand A handout photo by Take Back Power on December 6, 2025, shows supporters of the civil resistance group holding a banner reading ‘Democracy has crumbled – Tax The Rich’ after they smothered dessert and custard over the case containing the Crown Jewels, at the Tower of London. AFP photo / Take … Read more

Quote of the year: Luxon’s ‘go make a marmite sandwich’ in running for annual contest

Source: Radio New Zealand One-liners from under pressure politicians, some frank conservationists and one of our most successful athletes are in the running for Massey University’s Quote of the Year. After a round of public nominations, the top 10 quotes had been chosen by a panel of communications experts and voting was now underway. “If … Read more

School lunch provider cleared over mouldy meals in Christchurch

Source: Radio New Zealand The rotten food served to students at Haeata Community Campus. Supplied / Haeata Community Campus New Zealand Food Safety has found no food safety risks with the government’s school lunch provider after an investigation into mouldy lunches found at a Christchurch school. Rotten meals were served to some students at Haeata … Read more

Wildlife comedy photography winners announced

Source: Radio New Zealand Bird Category Winner: These guillemots in Norway were nesting on a small rocky cliff ledge where space was at a premium. The nests all crammed in close together which isn’t a good recipe for being good neighbours, as guillemots are fiercely territorial.Warren Price Fish & Other Aquatic Animals Category Winner: Whilst … Read more

Major New Zealand apple grower shuts off shipments to US as tariffs bite into profits

Source: Radio New Zealand Cole Eastham-Farrelly One of New Zealand’s major apple growers won’t be sending any shipments to the US as tariffs bite into its profits. Tariffs on a range of New Zealand exports including apples were first introduced in April at 10 percent, and increased to 15 percent in August. Whike tariffs were … Read more

Minister seeks advice as Supreme Court decision rules two carers are government employees

Source: Radio New Zealand Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston. (File photo) VNP / Phil Smith The Minister for Disability Issues is seeking advice on the Supreme Court’s decision that two parents who care full-time for their disabled children are employees of the government and should received the same benefits and protections. Louise Upston asked … Read more

Parliament’s last-minute sprint

Source: Radio New Zealand The Hansard team show off their festive decorating skills. VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox You might imagine Parliament’s penultimate week before the summer break would involve MPs lurching tipsily between Christmas functions, ministers pinning yuletide bows onto the government’s now-closed annual agenda, and the vibe turning once again to Christmas mince pies … Read more

Appeal for sightings of red Holden, Palmerston North

Source: New Zealand Police Police investigating the burglary of a business in Palmerston North on Saturday are seeking the public’s assistance locating the vehicle that was stolen from the property. On Sunday 7 December, Police received a report of burglary that had occurred on Saturday 6 December at a commercial property on Domain Street. A … Read more

Secondary principals settle collective agreement negotiations

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF Secondary principals have settled their collective agreement negotiations. The deal announced by the Secondary Principals Association union and the Post Primary Teachers Association on Wednesday included pay rises of 2.5 percent from Friday this week and 2.1 percent in December next year. It also provided a $15,000 allowance for work … Read more

Community helps restore land after Craigieburn fire

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  10 December 2025 In early December last year, Department of Conservation biodiversity ranger Dean Turner was directing the aerial operations to fight the fire that burnt through the Craigieburn area, 100 km west of Christchurch. The blaze burnt through 960 ha, including vast areas of mountain beech forest and about … Read more

Man accused of fatal Auckland bus stabbing due in court

Source: Radio New Zealand Police at the scene of a homicide investigation after attacks on an East Auckland bus. RNZ / Marika Khabazi A man accused of stabbing two passengers on an East Auckland bus, killing one of them, is due to appear in court. A homicide investigation was launched after a 59-year-old man died … Read more

The internal journey of the $33,500 Fabergé pendant swallowed in jewellery heist

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF A pendant swallowed by a man during an alleged theft at an Auckland jewellery store made headlines around the world and raised the question how exactly it was “recovered”. Police were called at 3.30pm last Friday to the store where a man was accused of picking up a Fabergé James … Read more

Police investigation launched after body found in vehicle near Wellington park

Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf.com Police are investigating to identify a body found in a vehicle near Seatoun Park in Wellington. They received a report on Saturday morning of a smell coming from a parked vehicle. Officers discovered a body inside, which appeared to have been there for some time. Police are working to identify … Read more

Advocacy – No Trust in Police Rallies in Wellington & Christchurch – Peace Action Wellington

Source: Peace Action Wednesday 10 December 2025 – Feminists and peace activists will rally against the disgraceful coverup of allegations against former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming, and against the sexist, racist and secretive culture of power within the police force. The Wellington Rally will be on Wednesday 17 December from 8:30am outside the Wellington … Read more

Legislation – Capital Back in 149 Days – Proposed RVA Changes Won’t Affect Radius Care

Source: Radius Care Last week the Government proposed changes to the Retirement Villages Act. These reforms will influence how older New Zealanders manage their homes, finances and living arrangements. As the Founder and Executive Chairman of Radius Care, I want to be clear about where we stand. Radius Care supports the reforms outlined in last … Read more

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

Source: Radio New Zealand The Black Caps take on the West Indies at Cello Basin Reserve for their second Test of the summer. New Zealand will pin their hopes on a rookie attack and field a new wicketkeeper when they take on the West Indies in the second test in Wellington starting this morning, following … Read more

Tower of London custard plot crumbled thanks to a holidaying Kiwi cop

Source: New Zealand Police A Waikato Police officer has proven once again that an officer is never off-duty, even during an overseas holiday, after he intervened when protesters targeted the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. Senior Constable Mark Strongman, who has been in the police for over 29 years, was visiting the tourist … Read more

Willis denies claims of sideshow over Richardson debate on government spending

Source: Radio New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis is gearing up for a debate with Ruth Richardson. RNZ / Mark Papalii Finance Minister Nicola Willis is rejecting claims she’s indulging in a sideshow as she gears up for a debate against her early 90s predecessor Ruth Richardson. The Labour Party is characterising the “public duel” … Read more

Emergency set net fishing ban to protect threatened hoiho around Otago Peninsula extended

Source: Radio New Zealand The hoiho / yellow-eyed penguin. Supplied / Craig McKenzie An emergency fishing ban off the Otago Peninsula will continue until September next year. The three-month set-net closure was imposed by Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones to protect the endangered northern hoiho. Jones announced on Wednesday he was extending the ban … Read more

Urgent consent-extension legislation passes third reading

Source: New Zealand Government Parliament has passed urgent legislation extending the duration of thousands of existing resource consents, providing immediate certainty for farmers, businesses and councils while New Zealand transitions to a new planning system, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court say. The Resource Management (Duration of Consents) Amendment Bill, passed this … Read more

Government app launched today

Source: New Zealand Government The Government has today released an app to make it easier and safer for people to access government services, Digitising Government and Public Service Minister Judith Collins says. “The Govt.nz app provides a secure option for people to access government information and services from their mobile phones,” Ms Collins says. “This … Read more

Water Safety – Auckland Risk Is Real, Particularly at West Coast Beaches – Take Extra Care This Summer

Source: Water Safety New Zealand Water Safety New Zealand is urging Aucklanders and visitors to recognise the danger posed by the region’s high-risk water locations. Over the past decade, a stubborn pattern continues with 39% of drowning fatalities in Auckland occurring at known “blackspot” locations – areas identified as particularly dangerous. The risk at the … Read more

Property Market – Best of the Best: NZ housing’s conflicting forces in 2025 – Cotality

Source: Cotality New Zealand’s housing market delivered a year of broad stagnation in 2025, with lower mortgage rates boosting sales volumes, but a sluggish economy and weak labour market providing an offsetting influence on property values. Cotality’s annual Best of the Best Report covers a wide range of property measures at a granular suburb level, … Read more

No, pensioners aren’t getting a Christmas bonus

Source: Radio New Zealand The Ministry of Social Development says the offers of cash for Christmas are not real. 123RF Superannuitants are being warned not to fall for a scam that claims they’re in for a pre-Christmas bonus. A hoax circulating online claims that people who are on NZ Super are to receive a “one-off … Read more