Industrial fire burning in Wiri in south Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand A large fire in the South Auckland suburb of Wiri has resulted in road closures. The fire is understood to be at an industrial building and large plumes of dark grey smoke can be seen from several kilometres away. Police have closed Roscommon Road and are directing traffic back on to … Read more

EIT Auckland forum strengthens student–industry connections

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology 18 seconds ago Building on last year’s success, EIT Auckland’s second annual Mahi Heke Mai – Working Futures forum brought together dozens of recent graduates and current students to hear from specialists across the IT, supply chain, health and recruitment sectors. Held at EIT’s Auckland Campus last month, the event … Read more

Mineral reservation over Kermadec Arc renewed

Source: New Zealand Government A reservation over the Kermadec Arc north of New Zealand will remain in place for a further two years, continuing restrictions on mineral permitting in the area, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The reservation, established in 2010 and renewed through successive declarations, is made under the Crown Minerals Act 1991 and … Read more

Enjoy the Blue Springs safely this summer

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency The Blue Springs and Te Waihou Walkway near Putāruru is one of the Waikato’s true (not so hidden) gems, and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), South Waikato District Council (SWDC) and NZ Police are pleased to see so many people wanting to experience its natural beauty. “If you’re entering … Read more

Making summer holiday travel easier; road workers to down tools

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency Summer holiday travel can be fraught with frustration and unwelcome surprises and New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is doing its part to make journeys smoother around the South Island. As is the Kiwi tradition from pre-Christmas onward, thousands are expected to hit the state highways to travel to … Read more

Road closure following Wiri fire

Source: New Zealand Police A section of Roscommon Road has been closed following a fire in Wiri. Police have put cordons in place at the intersections with Wiri Station Road and Cavendish Drive. Fire and Emergency NZ continue to respond to the fire. Motorists should take alternative routes wherever possible and expect delays. ENDS. Jarred … Read more

Japanese and Korean sunscreens are trendy – but do they work under NZ’s sun?

Source: Radio New Zealand Once niche imports, Japanese and Korean sunscreens are now lining shelves at retailers, including major places like Farmers, and slipping into the routines of New Zealanders tired of the heavy, chalky formulas they grew up with. Auckland hairstylist and makeup artist Naeema Bhikoo has watched the shift firsthand. After years of … Read more

NZ helps strengthen Pacific aviation security

Source: New Zealand Government Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced New Zealand will invest an additional $13.3 million, over five years, to strengthen aviation security in the Pacific region.   The investment will go towards new airport x-ray and scanning machines, as well as technical and training support, at 11 Pacific airports. It builds on the … Read more

Consolidated mining and quarrying competency requirements published

Source: Worksafe New Zealand 16 December 2025 WorkSafe has published a consolidated version of the Health and Safety at Work (Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations – Prescribed Competency Requirements for Certificates of Competence) Safe Work Instrument 2023 on our website. The consolidated safe work instrument (SWI) specifies the requirements for certificates of competence for the … Read more

Consolidated controlled substance licence requirements published

Source: Worksafe New Zealand 16 December 2025 WorkSafe has published a consolidated version of the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances — Modified Application of Controlled Substance Licence Requirements for Specified Class 1 Substances) Safe Work Instrument 2023 on our website. The consolidated safe work instrument (SWI) brings together the information from the principal … Read more

Man charged with killing fellow prisoner

Source: Radio New Zealand Jonathan Trubuhovich died in hospital earlier this month after being assaulted. 123RF An inmate has been charged with killing a fellow prisoner at Mt Eden Prison. Jonathan Trubuhovich, who was 69, was assaulted at the end of November and died in hospital 10 days later. Police launched a homicide investigation and … Read more

What the election of Tonga’s new noble PM means for democracy

Source: Radio New Zealand Lord Fakafanua is Tonga’s new prime minister. VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox The election of a noble to lead Tonga’s next government is raising concerns over the direction of the country’s democracy. Lord Fakafanua, 40, beat incumbent prime minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke – the only other nominee – in Monday’s vote for … Read more

NZ police to guard Jewish community locations following Bondi attack

Source: Radio New Zealand Police outside Kosher Deli NZ Nick Monro New Zealand police expect officers to guard key locations for the Jewish community until at least the end of the week. Police say the officers, who have been armed, will stay while they continue to assess the deadly attack at Bondi that killed 15 … Read more

Police acknowledge sentencing in sexual offences case

Source: New Zealand Police Attributable to Detective David Payne: Police acknowledge the sentencing yesterday of a former Wellington medical professional in relation to sexual offences. Jared Cook was sentenced yesterday in the Wellington District Court to 10 months home detention after pleading guilty to charges of indecent acts on boys aged 12-16 years, making intimate … Read more

Public service digital transformation accelerates

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is taking the next step in its plan to modernise and streamline digital services for New Zealanders by simplifying and coordinating the delivery of IT systems, Digitising Government and Public Service Minister Judith Collins says. “Logical digital groupings of government agencies will be progressively established and will share common … Read more

Insidious invasives pose major threat to freshwater

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Pest weeds, fish, microorganisms and now shellfish from overseas are estimated to cost New Zealand millions of dollars each year. Eradication is usually impossible. Containment and preventing further spread is a worthwhile investment – and a real team effort.  From left: Susan Emmitt, Brittany Earl and Shideen Nathan-Ngaronoa at a koi carp eradication operation. Photo: Sarah Wilcox, DOC  New Zealand’s worst freshwater weed  Brittany Earl, a DOC Freshwater Ranger, was in Christchurch catching up with a friend over … Read more

Study to reveal the secret lives of fur seals at sea

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  16 December 2025 Satellite tracking devices and dive data collectors were attached to eight female fur seals with pups, which will track their location, the dives they make, and the temperature of the ocean. Dr Mia Wege from the University of Canterbury, who led the research says studying the fur … Read more

New Zealand’s Winter Olympics team uniforms revealed

Source: Radio New Zealand Snowboarder Cam Melville Ives, left, skier Fin Melville Ives and skier Mischa Thomas model the uniforms the New Zealand team will be wearing at the Winter Olympics in northern Italy in February. SUPPLIED Twins Cam and Fin Melville Ives have revealed the New Zealand team’s uniform for the Milano Cortina 2026 … Read more

Splore festival will end for good in 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand Splore music and arts festival organisers have announced that next year’s will be the last due to lower than hoped for ticket sales. Splore curator John Minty said after 18 years of financial viability the festival first hit headwinds with Covid postponements and cancellations. Then the cost of living crisis led … Read more

Climate change could claim nearly all of NZ’s glaciers, research shows

Source: Radio New Zealand Tourists on Fox Glacier on the West Coast. supplied / Fox Glacier Guiding Almost all of New Zealand’s glaciers could completely disappear if global warming continues on its current track, new research shows. Local glacier researchers say that level of loss would contribute to sea-level rise, make water shortages worse, and … Read more

Police lay charge over prisoner’s death

Source: New Zealand Police A man will appear in court today in connection with the death of a prisoner at Mt Eden Corrections Facility last month. The prisoner was taken to hospital on 29 November 2025 following a serious assault at the facility. Auckland City Police commenced a homicide enquiry on 9 December after the … Read more

Parliament bill set to return historic Māori site in Northland to Ngāpuhi

Source: Radio New Zealand Kororipo Pā as seen from the other side of Kerikeri Basin with Kemp House, New Zealand’s oldest surviving building, on the right. RNZ / Peter de Graaf A bill returning one of New Zealand’s most historic sites to Māori is due to be passed by Parliament on Wednesday, ending a 20-year … Read more

Paws on board: Inside the Pet Bus as it travels the country

Source: Radio New Zealand was due Nearly two-thirds of households in New Zealand own a pet, and many more are planning to welcome a furry friend this Christmas. In Auckland, a family-run business is making sure pets get where they’re going safely – transporting more than 100 animals at a time on a bus that … Read more

Homelessness in Auckland more than doubles to 940 people in year to September – survey

Source: Radio New Zealand The latest six-monthly survey of housing support providers shows homelessness in Auckland has more than doubled to 940 people in the year to September. RNZ / Finn Blackwell A worker at a special court that helps Auckland’s homeless who have committed low-level offences turn their lives around, says she is seeing … Read more

Our Changing World: Return of The Kākāpō Files

Source: Radio New Zealand The males stay in one spot and attract the females through their boom and ching calls. Jake Osborne, DOC On the small, bush-clad, Whenua Hou / Codfish Island preparations are underway. People and supplies are being dropped in by helicopter. Food hoppers are being filled. Transmitters are being checked. And come … Read more

Fatal crash, Māngere

Source: New Zealand Police Police can confirm one person has died following a serious crash in Māngere on 3 December. Emergency services were notified of the two vehicle crash on State Highway 20 at about 4am that day. The man was assessed by ambulance services to have critical injuries at the scene and was transported … Read more

Firefighters sent to Rangipo Power Station after false fire alarm

Source: Radio New Zealand Firefighters are attending a reported fire at Rangipo Power Station (File photo). RNZ / Nate McKinnon Multiple Fire and Emergency crews were sent to Rangipo Power Station, after reports of a fire on Monday night. A spokesperson said crews were called to the site Kaimanawa Forest Park shortly before 9pm. They … Read more