Dozen injured in major State Highway 30 crash at Lake Rotoma

Source: Radio New Zealand A dozen people have been injured in a major crash near Rotorua (File photo). RNZ/ Marika Khabazi A crash between a car and a minivan at Lake Rotoma, near Rotorua has seen a dozen people taken to a number of hospitals in the North Island. Emergency services, including two helicopters, responded … Read more

Principals say ERO not giving rural schools credit for challenges

Source: Radio New Zealand ERO says it has the same high expectations of every school. RNZ/Sally Round Principals say the Education Review Office isn’t giving schools in poor communities enough credit for the challenges they face. They say the review office makes no allowances for the fact many of their students come from disadvantaged backgrounds … Read more

Education Ministry sets up financial support scheme for schools facing asbestos sand clean-up

Source: Radio New Zealand Schools are having to spend thousands of dollars replacing carpet, curtains and other items contaminated by play sand containing asbestos. Supplied A school principal facing a $90,000 bill for cleaning up asbestos-contaminated sand says she urgently needs more detail on a new scheme for financial support. The Ministry of Education is … Read more

New Zealanders going ‘no contact’ with a parent

Source: Radio New Zealand It wasn’t until Laura, a 46-year-old from Hawke’s Bay, became an adult that she began to view her father’s behaviour towards her as narcissistic. He seemed to thrive on creating conflict between Laura and her sister. He would switch between being lighthearted and friendly, to horrific and cruel, depending upon the … Read more

Retail, construction, manufacturing industries eye GDP growth with cautious optimism

Source: Radio New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis said GDP growth showed there were better times ahead. RNZ The retail, construction and manufacturing sectors are cautiously optimistic about recent growth in the country’s economy. Stats NZ data showed gross domestic product (GDP) – the broad measure of economic growth – rose 1.1 percent in the … Read more

How savers can stop accounts being eroded by inflation

Source: Radio New Zealand Savings account rates generally aren’t offering enough interest to keep up with inflation. But what are savers’ options if they don’t want to see their money going backwards? Reserve Bank data shows that the average interest rate paid by bonus-paying savings account, such as those that reward someone when they make … Read more

‘Public good over corporate greed’: Greens challenge Willis to debate them instead

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Marika Khabazi The Green Party is targeting “private interests and corporate greed” as it gears up for an election the co-leaders expect to be filled with vitriol and personal attacks. Swarbrick – facing her first campaign as co-leader – is calling for fundamental economic change, and laid down a … Read more

The best music of 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand What were the best and biggest music moments of 2025? Teeks at the Auckland Town Hall? Singing along to Chappell Roan’s The Subway? Joining nearly 300,000 music fans at Spain’s biggest music festival? Some of RNZ’s music experts weigh in with their picks from a big year in music. .1em]:grid-cols-[calc(14rem*var(–base-multiplier))_1fr] @[28.1em]:p-16 … Read more

Who will be the next CEO of Netball New Zealand?

Source: Radio New Zealand Outgoing chief executive Jennie Wyllie. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Analysis – It will take a brave person to put their name forward to become the next chief executive of Netball New Zealand. The national body will be in the hunt for a new boss in the new year, with Jennie Wyllie … Read more

Hangaroa mother’s pleas for help went unanswered before 5-year-old son found dead in pond

Source: Radio New Zealand A diver searches the pond where Khyzah DeLaCroix was later found dead. RNZ/Alexa Cook A coroner has criticised a disability service for not urgently addressing a mother’s safety fears for her autistic, non-verbal son who was later found dead in a pond at his home in rural Gisborne. Five-year-old Khyzah Tawhai … Read more

Man convicted of starting Loafers Lodge fire to be sentenced

Source: Radio New Zealand Esarona David Lologa was found guilty of five counts of murder. RNZ/Mark Papalii The man who murdered five people by lighting the Loafers Lodge blaze will be sentenced in the High Court in Wellington on Friday. The 50-year-old, Esarona David Lologa, set the Wellington boarding house alight in May 2023. Michael … Read more

Former Gloriavale teacher applauds ‘courageous’ move to cancel school’s registration

Source: Radio New Zealand Gloriavale School. Jean Edwards A former teacher at Gloriavale School has applauded the Education Ministry for effectively closing the school, but says it has been a frustratingly slow process. The Secretary for Education has cancelled the school’s registration, effective from 23 January. Ellen MacGregor-Reid wrote to the West Coast Christian community’s … Read more

New feather in cap for Hong Kong’s legal hub

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2025 – Another international law-related organisation has unveiled plans to set up a regional base in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The General Assembly of the Italy-based International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) decided (December 11) on … Read more

China turns Hainan Island into special customs supervision zone

Source: Media Outreach HAIKOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2025 – China on Thursday launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), the world’s largest FTP by area, allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage and more business-friendly measures. An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. … Read more

Hainan Winter Trade Fair Links Global Markets, Unlocks FTP Agricultural Opportunities

Source: Media Outreach HAIKOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2025 – The 28th China (Hainan) International Winter Trade Fair For Tropical Agricultural Products was held in Haikou from Dec. 4 to 7th, hosting over 2,000 enterprises and more than 10,000 professional buyers, attracting nearly 200,000 visits. Exhibitors from 16 countries and regions … Read more

Rocket Lab launches fourth spacecraft into orbit for US Department of War testing

Source: Radio New Zealand Rocket Lab has successfully launched a fourth spacecraft into orbit for the United States Department of War. Supplied / Rocket Lab Rocket Lab has successfully launched a fourth spacecraft into orbit for the United States Department of War. The launch, named ‘Don’t Be Such A Square’, lifted off from Wallops Island … Read more

GDP increases 1.1 percent in the September 2025 quarter – Gross domestic product: September 2025 quarter – Stats NZ news story and information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand 18 December 2025 New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose 1.1 percent in the September 2025 quarter, following a 1.0 percent decrease in the June 2025 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. “GDP rose in three of the last four quarters, but fell 0.5 percent over the year … Read more

Guide to fertility measures – methods paper

Source: Statistics New Zealand Guide to fertility measures – methods paper 17 December 2025 This guide describes a range of fertility measures, discusses the strengths and limitations of these measures, and identifies where published measures are available. Measuring the number of births and rates of birth (fertility) is of long-standing demographic and statistical interest. Births – … Read more

Business employment data: September 2025 quarter – gross earnings data update

Source: Statistics New Zealand Business employment data: September 2025 quarter – gross earnings data update 17 December 2025 Gross earnings data for Business employment data: September 2025 quarter will be released on Friday, 19 December, at 2pm. This is a change from the previously scheduled publication date of 11 December 2025. Data for filled jobs … Read more

Current account deficit $3.8 billion for the September 2025 quarter – Balance of payments and international investment position: September 2025 quarter – Stats NZ news story and information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand Current account deficit $3.8 billion for the September 2025 quarter – news story 17 December 2025 New Zealand’s seasonally adjusted current account deficit widened by $153 million to $3.8 billion in the September 2025 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. “The primary income balance widened by $435 million, … Read more

Technical feasibility: Measuring population and dwellings using administrative data (2025 update) – Stats NZ report

Source: Statistics New Zealand Technical feasibility: Measuring population and dwellings using administrative data (2025 update) – report 16 December 2025 This report provides an update on the technical feasibility of using administrative (admin) data, supported by surveys, to measure New Zealand’s population and dwellings. It outlines Stats NZ’s readiness to shift towards an admin data-first approach … Read more

Annual food prices increase 4.4 percent – Selected price indexes: November 2025 – Stats NZ news story and information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand Annual food prices increase 4.4 percent – news story 16 December 2025 Food prices increased 4.4 percent in the 12 months to November 2025, following a 4.7 percent increase in the 12 months to October 2025, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. Higher prices for the grocery food group, up … Read more

Hongkong Land in partnership with HKTB illuminates “Winter Wonderland in Central”, bringing the heart of Hong Kong to life with dazzling decorations and experiences

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2025 – Hongkong Land is delighted to partner with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to bring “Winter Wonderland in Central” as part of Hong Kong WinterFest 2025. Hongkong Land’s philosophy, Experience is central™, takes on new meaning as we join the … Read more

ZEISS concludes fiscal year 2024/25 with solid growth

Source: Media Outreach Revenue totaled almost 12 billion euros, with EBIT at 1.552 billion euros. The segments once again presented a mixed picture. Targeted resilience measures and investments in innovative strength are the key to the future. Mixed picture in all four segments Targeted resilience measures continued Expenditure on research and development still high at … Read more

More than $1 million worth in luxury cars, property and banned vapes seized in police raids

Source: Radio New Zealand Two Ferrari convertible sports cars were seized. Supplied / NZ Police More than $1 million in assets including property, luxury cars and thousands of banned vapes have been seized in raids in Wellington and Auckland. Police have been investigating the proceeds of a criminal’s drug-selling activities across the North Island and … Read more

Homicide investigation in Hamilton after man dies at house

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / REECE BAKER A homicide investigation has been launched in Hamilton. Police were called to a house in Lake Crescent at around 6:15pm, where they found a seriously injured man, who died at the scene. A second person has been taken to Waikato Hospital with an arm injury. Detective Senior … Read more

Fatal crash on rural property near Tīrau

Source: New Zealand Police One person has died following a vehicle rolling on a rural property in Piarere, near Tīrau. Emergency services were called to the scene around 5:15pm. WorkSafe has been advised, and the circumstances of the incident are under investigation. The death is expected to be referred to the Coroner. ENDS Issued by … Read more