A ‘miscommunication’ led to the $138,000 shock removal of two ex-police houses

Source: Radio New Zealand Two former police houses were unexpectedly taken from a Shannon property after a miscommunication involving government departments. Ngāti Whakatere, the local iwi, had offered to fix up the old homes as part of a land banking application in a Treaty claim. Instead, without warning in May this year, the houses were … Read more

Why Melissa Stokes is excited to anchor the 1News flagship bulletin

Source: Radio New Zealand It was a “bittersweet” moment when Melissa Stokes learned she was to be the new lead presenter of TVNZ’s 1News at Six. “Because my mum died two years ago and she would have loved to have known that I’d got the job.” He family knew when she found out, but were … Read more

Auckland beachgoers warned of sewage overflows

Source: Radio New Zealand Auckland’s Herne Bay Beach. RNZ/Felix Walton It’s only the first day of summer but already a code brown is casting an unwanted shadow over Auckland’s beaches. Sewage overflows from thunderstorms over the weekend have impacted water quality at beaches across the central city, with swimmers being warned to stay out of … Read more

Invercargill council’s $2.4m storm damage bill unlikely to be recovered by insurance

Source: Radio New Zealand The city’s 150-odd parks and reserves had been hit hard by damages. RNZ / Calvin Samuel The damage caused by the storm that swept through Invercargill in October has cost the local council about $2.4 million, but it expects much of that cost will not be able to be recovered through … Read more

Education – Papakura Principals’ Association open letter to Education Minister

Source: NZ Principals Federation Letter to the Minister of Education: Curriculum pacing and governance Dear Minister Stanford, This letter is written on behalf of the Papakura Principals’ Association and reflects our deep commitment to providing high-quality education to the tamariki of Aotearoa New Zealand. We want to first affirm that we, as educational leaders, are not … Read more

Climate News – Earth Sciences’ Summer Climate Outlook

Source: Earth Sciences New Zealand The Seasonal Climate Outlook for December. Highlights: – Moderate La Niña conditions are present in the tropical Pacific but a rapid weakening of La Niña conditions is expected over summer – High pressure will be an increasingly common occurrence as December progresses – Dryness is a concern from mid-December and into January … Read more

Local Reform – Rates cap plan recipe for privatisation, job cuts and higher charges says local government union – PSA

Source: PSA The Government’s plan to cap council rates is a recipe for asset sell-offs, job losses and higher user charges that will hit households and communities harder than rates ever did. “Rates caps will backfire and hurt the very communities they are supposed to help,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga … Read more

Health and Employment – Crest Hospital staff strike over collective disagreement – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation Crest Hospital staff, who are members of NZNO, will strike tomorrow (Tuesday, 2 December) over the employer’s refusal to allow lower paid workers to join their collective. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) delegate and nurse Susan Norma White says that while she’s been offered a less … Read more

PSA welcomes external review of Public Service Commission strike adverts – PM now needs to intervene in health dispute

Source: PSA The PSA welcomes the Public Service Commission undertaking an external review of its controversial Facebook advertising campaign during October’s health strikes. The Public Service Commission Te Kawa Mataaho spent public money on social media adverts targeting striking health workers just days before the historic industrial action on 23 October. The external review follows a … Read more

PSNA Statement: National protest to highlight Peters/Collins cowardice to Trump

Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) Palestine solidarity supporters from around the country will be marching on parliament next Wednesday, 10 December, to protest government complicity with the US/Israeli genocide in Gaza. “Despite the so-called ceasefire, Israel continues its daily slaughter of Palestinians” says PSNA Co-Chair Maher Nazzal. “The theft of Palestinian land, building new … Read more

Weather News – An active start to summer – MetService

Source: MetService Covering period of Monday 1st – Thursday 4th December Widespread rain and possible thunderstorms for the North Island Tuesday and Wednesday Strong winds possible for upper North Island mid-week Humid air ahead of a low, followed by a cooler southerly change Improving weather for most areas on Thursday. It may be the start … Read more

Events – Biggest Waka Ama Event in Aotearoa Champions Whānau Health in 2026

Source: Waka Ama Aotearoa NZ (WAANZ) Lake Karāpiro is set to host nearly 4,000 kaihoe from Sunday 11 January to Saturday 17 January as part of the 2026 Waka Ama Sprint Nationals. Supported by mana whenua Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā, and organised by Waka Ama Aotearoa NZ (WAANZ), the annual event is expected … Read more

Peace Action Wellington Statement – NZ assists global surge of weapons sales

Source: Peace Action Wellington New Zealand is assisting the global surge of weapons sales. Data about global weapons sales released today shows Lockheed Martin once again topping the list of arms dealers. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute compiles an annual list showing the top 100 arms-producing and military services companies in the world. New Zealand … Read more

Celebrated sustainability strategist and governance leader Dr. Jayanthi Desan Honoured as ESG Pioneer at ACES Awards 2025

Source: Media Outreach BALI, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 December 2025 – In a year defined by rising environmental pressures and rapid shifts in global markets, the ACES Awards 2025 recognised a leader whose work continues to shape the future of responsible business across Asia. Dr. Jay receives her prestigious ESG Pioneer Award … Read more

Football Fern Annalie Longo to sign off against Matildas

Source: Radio New Zealand Football Fern Annalie Longo will end her international career against the Matildas in Adelaide. www.photosport.nz Football Ferns legend Annalie Longo knew the end of a career spanning nearly 20 years at the top was coming this year and she is thankful to walk away on her own terms. Longo will retire … Read more

Watch: Christopher Luxon faces questions amid speculation over rates cap policy

Source: Radio New Zealand The government’s long-awaited rates cap will be a variable target band, and would be enforced by a new regulator. Likely starting with minimum increases of two percent and a maximum of four percent, the cap would take effect from 1 January 2027. It was not clear from the initial written statement … Read more

Puberty blocker regulation ‘based on politics’, legal injunction filed

Source: Radio New Zealand The Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa has filed an application for an urgent injunction to prevent the ban coming into effect on 19 December. File photo. RNZ // Angus Dreaver An urgent legal injunction has been filed to stop the incoming ban on new prescriptions of puberty blockers to treat … Read more

Siam Paragon Marks 20th Anniversary with “A Journey of Extraordinary Dreams”

Source: Media Outreach Transforming Every Square Meter into Happiness and Featuring a Star-Studded Lineup Set to Deliver Unmatched Experiences BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 December 2025 – Siam Paragon, a global landmark destination that also ranks among the world’s most highly regarded and loved by visitors, continues to lead in delivering exceptional … Read more

Finish line in sight in Mycoplasma bovis eradication

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), OSPRI, and the country’s dairy and beef sectors are today marking that New Zealand is on the home straight to eradicate the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis. “Spring bulk tank milk testing across the country has found no sign of M. bovis. That’s a … Read more

Getting rates under control for ratepayers

Source: New Zealand Government The Government has agreed to progress a rates cap to help councils keep rates increases under control and reduce pressure on household budgets, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says. “Rates are taking up more of household bills, and some communities have faced double-digit increases year after year. This is unsustainable and … Read more

Get naturing with Mahi Aroha

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  01 December 2025 Mahi Aroha – a collaboration between community group Project Tongariro and DOC invites visitors and locals to get naturing this summer with 30 trips on offer across the region. Project Tongariro Chief Executive Officer Kiri Te Wano says the programme has a variety of options thanks to … Read more

Soldiers’ burial plaques stolen from grave sites in Invercargill

Source: Radio New Zealand Police said they are investigating the thefts from grave sites at St Johns Cemetery between 28 October and 22 November. RNZ / Nate McKinnon Several burial plaques of First and Second World War soldiers have been stolen from grave sites in Invercargill. Police said they are investigating the thefts from grave … Read more

Firefighters free driver trapped in Otago logging truck crash

Source: Radio New Zealand Firefighters are working with specialist equipment to rescue the driver. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King Firefighters have freed the driver of a logging truck who was trapped after a crash north of Balclutha. Police said the crash occurred on Coe Road just after 11am on Monday. Fire and Emergency said specialist equipment … Read more

Food poisoning warning after Christchurch students eat contaminated school lunches

Source: Radio New Zealand The school has recalled the lunches, but some had already been eaten by students. Unsplash A Christchurch school says it has been provided with contaminated school lunches in a significant health and safety breach. Haeata Community Campus, which covers from Year 1 to 13, has put up a post on Facebook … Read more

Person dies after car crashes into tree, catches fire on SH5, Waikato

Source: Radio New Zealand Police said a car had collided with a tree between Harwoods Road and Tapapa Road. RNZ / Marika Khabazi A person has died after a car crashed into a tree and caught on fire. Emergency services were called to the crash on State Highway 5 near Tapapa, Waikato at 10.45am on … Read more

Auckland’s new convention centre to bring million-dollar boost to economy

Source: Radio New Zealand The Sky City Convention Centre’s foyer. RNZ/Nona Pelletier The opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) is just around the corner and expected to contribute an initial $90 million a year to the economy over the next three years. The convention centre had been nearly 17 years in the … Read more

Exciting milestone in Mycoplasma bovis eradication reached

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand has achieved a major milestone in eradicating the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis, with no sign of the disease detected after two spring calving seasons, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. “Thanks to the hard work of farmers, after three autumn and two spring calving seasons with no infections, we’re entering … Read more