Emergency closure to protect hoiho extended

Source: New Zealand Government An emergency fishery closure around Otago Peninsula to protect northern hoiho has been extended for nine months, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The decision extends the closure to 16 September 2026. “I have extended this closure to set-net fishing to make sure we get the settings for longer-term measures … Read more

Fatal house fire in Auckland’s New Lynn not suspicious, police say

Source: Radio New Zealand Emergency services were called to the house on Kohekohe Street on Monday afternoon. (File photo) RNZ / REECE BAKER A house fire that killed a man in West Auckland’s New Lynn, has been deemed not suspicious. Emergency services were called to the house on Kohekohe St at 1.23pm on Monday. About … Read more

Abortion Services Aotearoa New Zealand: Annual Report 2025

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health Publication date: 10 December 2025 This is the fourth annual report on abortion services the Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora has published. The Ministry plays an important role in ensuring that abortion services are accessible, equitable, person-centred, high-quality, and timely. The Abortion Services Aotearoa New Zealand: Annual Report … Read more

Secondary principals vote to accept settlement

Source: New Zealand Government Education Minister Erica Stanford welcomes the successful conclusion of pay negotiations for secondary principals, with a majority vote from members of the Secondary Principals’ Association of NZ (SPANZ) and the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) to renew the Secondary Principals’ Collective Agreement. “Secondary principals play a pivotal role delivering on our … Read more

First Responders – Tongariro National Park Fire Update #9

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Drones with thermal imaging equipment have found little to no fire activity on the Tongariro fireground overnight. Fire and Emergency New Zealand will have 37 personnel on the ground today, including firefighters, specialist fire investigators and incident management personnel. They will be supported by one helicopter. Incident Controller Assistant Commander … Read more

Cyber Security – Gen Threat Labs Calls it “The Year the Internet Outgrows Human Intuition”

Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners for Gen Gen Reveals Cybersecurity Predictions for 2026 to Kiwis Auckland, Dec. 10, 2025 – Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), a global leader dedicated to powering Digital Freedom through its family of Cyber Safety brands, today unveiled its 2026 Cybersecurity Predictions, forecasting a year defined by blurred realities, synthetic identities, emotional manipulation … Read more

Greenpeace – High risk of economic losses from Cook Islands nodule extraction and sales – new study reveals

Source: Greenpeace The economic potential of seabed polymetallic nodules in the Cook Islands has been overstated, according to a new independent study commissioned by Greenpeace International.[1] The analysis shows that, once costs, market factors, and technological challenges are accounted for, deep sea mining for Cook Islands nodules is more likely to have a negative economic return. … Read more

Privacy Commissioner makes it clear: “You can share personal information to keep children and young people safe”

Source: Office of the Privacy Commissioner Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says there needs to be an end to stories of children not getting the help they need because people in organisations are worried about information sharing and privacy. He says, “There is no legislative barrier to information sharing where there is a wellbeing or safety concern … Read more

Advocacy – Human Rights Day – 10 December – PFNZ

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand (PFNZ) Today, on Human Rights Day, we reaffirm the universal principle that every human being is entitled to dignity, freedom, and justice. These are not abstract ideals; they are basic rights that must be protected, upheld, and defended everywhere. Yet for the Palestinian people, these rights remain systematically denied. … Read more

OPen Letter – Concern Regarding Comments Made in the House Tuesday

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand Open Letter follows: Rt Hon Gerry BrownleeSpeaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Dear Rt Hon Speaker, It’s important to note that what happened today was not “poetry” or an “impromptu performance.” It was the voice of conscience from ordinary people who can no longer stay silent while … Read more

‘Devastated’ Joseph Parker confident he will fight again after failed dope test

Source: Radio New Zealand Joseph Parker (R) during his fight against Fabio Wardley. photosport New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker says he’s “devastated” by his positive doping test and is confident the defence mounted by his team will clear him of wrongdoing. Former WBO world champion Parker has given his first interview since he was … Read more

Minister seeking advice after Supreme Court decision rules full-time carers are employees of the government

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 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 the … Read more

Significant boost to school property budgets

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is continuing to supercharge school property, increasing maintenance funding for the first time since 2010 so more students benefit from safe, warm and dry classrooms. “Since coming into office, we have consistently driven efficiencies in school property delivery so more schools, communities and children benefit sooner. Investing in maintaining school … Read more

Ghislaine Maxwell court documents can be released as part of push for information on Jeffrey Epstein, judge says

Source: Radio New Zealand By Hannah Rabinowitz, CNN (alt text) CNN/US District Court for the Southern District of New York This undated trial evidence image obtained 8 December 2021, from the US District Court for the Southern District of New York shows British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and US financier Jeffrey Epstein. A federal judge in … Read more

Should you get your child’s teacher a Christmas gift? If so, what?

Source: Radio New Zealand One of the most thoughtful yet bizarre gifts Shirley Serban received from a student during her teaching career was a basket containing a can of Sprite, dog food and a banana. “She was so proud to give it to me and her mum said she thought very carefully about each item … Read more

Motorcyclist injured in crash on west Auckland road

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Marika Khabazi A motorbike and car have collided on west Auckland’s Te Atatū Rd, near the motorway on-ramp heading into the city. The motorcyclist is reported to be in a serious condition. A police spokesperson said police were at the scene on Wednesday morning. One lane of Te Atatū … Read more

Concern commuters may shun buses after second fatal stabbing on Auckland service

Source: Radio New Zealand Police officers at the scene of an incident on Fenchurch Street in Glen Innes around 8pm on Monday. RNZ / Marika Khabazi Shaken commuters may reconsider their use of buses in the wake of a second fatal stabbing in just over a year, a councillor says. Police have charged a man … Read more

Update: Fatal house fire, New Lynn

Source: New Zealand Police Police are not treating a fatal house fire in New Lynn on 8 December as suspicious. Yesterday, a scene examination was completed at the Kohekohe Street property as well as a post-mortem examination. Police will continue to make enquiries into the man’s death on behalf of the Coroner. ENDS. Jarred Williamson/NZ … Read more

Minister to lead work on reducing social media harm for under-16s

Source: New Zealand Government Social media restrictions for under-16s will become part of the Government’s work programme, with Education Minister Erica Stanford assigned to lead this and bring options to Cabinet, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced. “The overwhelmingly positive response from mums and dads makes it clear we need to progress options to restrict … Read more

Police investigate prisoner’s death

Source: New Zealand Police Police will carry out a homicide investigation following the death of a prisoner at Mt Eden Corrections Facility. On 29 November 2025, Police were notified by Corrections about a serious assault at the facility. Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend says the male victim was taken to hospital with critical injuries. “He … Read more

Could Australia’s ‘No Jab, No Pay/No Play’ policies work in NZ?

Source: Radio New Zealand Could Australia’s ‘No Jab, No Pay/No Play’ policies work in NZ? PEAKSTOCK / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRAR Under Australia’s long-standing ‘No Jab, No Pay’ legislation, parents must have kids immunised to qualify for the Family Tax Benefit and subsidised childcare Heightened vaccine hesitancy post-Covid makes that ‘tough sell’ in NZ Low immunisation … Read more

DOC warns rat numbers could double by 2090 as it seeks $150m in extra revenue

Source: Radio New Zealand Rat numbers could double by 2090 if climate change gets really bad says the Department of Conservation (DOC), as it hunts urgently for $150 million in extra revenue. DOC has told MPs it needs this much more per year to “not go backwards”. Director-General Penny Nelson said the $360m currently spent … Read more

New government rules coming for micro-abattoirs; homekill for sale in pipeline

Source: Radio New Zealand Jordan Hamilton-Bicknell offers a homekill service. Supplied The government is looking to cut red tape for small meat processors and is also exploring how homekill meat could be made suitable for sale. From next year, small-scale meat processors will be subject to reduced meat sampling and testing requirements – compared to … Read more

‘It’s here, it’s finally here’: Highly anticipated Special Olympics returns

Source: Radio New Zealand Swimming is one of 10 sporting codes on show during the Special Olympics’ national summer games. SUPPLIED / SPECIAL OLYMPICS A special kind of sporting fever has arrived in Christchurch ahead of the start of the highly anticipated return of the Special Olympics. The official start of the 2025 National Summer … Read more

Stray dogs and berms: The biggest bugbears of suburbia, and why they make us so mad

Source: Radio New Zealand When residents have a gripe about rain, stray dogs, berm maintenance, or even a tree root, they call their councillor. Today The Detail is calling those councillors, too. Bryan Cadogan has 27 years of local politics stories up his sleeve, but the 2am phone call from a furious resident takes the … Read more

Avoiding the bloodsucking bugs: What works to repel them and stop the itch

Source: Radio New Zealand With the warm air comes a familiar whine in your ear and that inevitable itch on your ankle. Before you curse the bloodsuckers away, Julia Kasper, lead curator of invertebrates at Te Papa, reminds us seeing these critters is a good thing for the ecosystem. Mosquito and sandfly larvae help filter … Read more

A mysterious mayday call and the boat that was never found

Source: Radio New Zealand A mayday call in a notorious stretch of water triggers an urgent search and rescue operation in Wellington. Emergency services pull in Coastguard, even a Cook Strait ferry. But a day later, the search is called off. No one was ever reported missing, and no debris was ever found. Who was … Read more