RNZ hits live listener target a year early

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly More people are listening to Radio New Zealand, with the broadcaster saying it has hit a target for live listeners a year ahead of schedule. GFK survey figures released on Tuesday show 500,300 in a typical week for RNZ National aged 10 or older, up from 475,800 … Read more

Local government shake-up: A complicated job to fix a complex system

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Regional councillors who’ve just been sworn in have been shown the writing on the wall by the government, which is plotting a swift end to their terms It’s been billed as the biggest shakeup in local government since amalgamation in 1989. But at the end of the … Read more

Electronic case files to deliver faster justice in Wellington

Source: New Zealand Government The move to electronic case files in the Wellington District Court for the Disputes Tribunal was implemented yesterday to deliver faster and more flexible justice, Courts Minister Nicole McKee says. “Right now, Disputes Tribunal locations across the country still rely on paper case files in a world where nearly every other … Read more

New diplomatic appointments

Source: New Zealand Government Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced seven new diplomatic appointments:   Wendy Matthews, High Commissioner to Canada. Olivia Owen, Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union. Jane Coombs, Ambassador to Germany. Raylene Liufalani, Ambassador to Thailand. Brody Sinclair, High Commissioner to Tonga. Zoe Coulson-Sinclair, High Commissioner to Tuvalu (based in Wellington). Victoria Hallum, Permanent Representative to the United … Read more

New Disability Strategy drives change

Source: New Zealand Government Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston says a new action-focused disability strategy will be a lever to drive positive change.   The New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030 released today includes a refreshed vision and principles to guide work affecting the lives of disabled people. It also features goals and actions in education, … Read more

Tertiary education to focus on quality skills and innovation

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand’s new Tertiary Education Strategy will ensure providers deliver the skills, knowledge, and opportunities students need to build strong careers and contribute to a more productive, competitive economy, say Universities Minister Dr Shane Reti and Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds.  The new Strategy provides clearer and more deliberate direction for … Read more

Labour’s claims of corporate clinics not prioritising community ‘not reflective of the data’

Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF A corporate healthcare provider has hit back on Labour’s claims that it doesn’t prioritise community needs. On Sunday, the party announced a policy that would offer doctors and nurse practitioners low-interest loans to set up new practices or buy into existing ones, if elected next year. The loans would only … Read more

Person seriously injured in Christchurch robbery

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Marika Khabazi A person has been seriously injured and a manhunt is under way after a Christchurch robbery. Police were called to the scene at a business on Opawa Road about 5.40am on Tuesday. By the time they got there, the alleged offenders had fled. Police said they were … Read more

High calibre appointments for Industry Skills Boards

Source: New Zealand Government Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds has confirmed the ministerial appointments to the eight new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs). These appointments begin immediately, as the ISBs are now formally established through the Orders in Council. “These high-calibre appointees bring deep industry knowledge, governance capability, and a commitment to supporting a vocational education … Read more

Regional leadership returns to polytechnics

Source: New Zealand Government Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds has announced the ministerial appointments to the inaugural governing councils of New Zealand’s ten re-established polytechnics, marking a milestone in returning decision-making and accountability to the regions. “I am pleased to confirm these appointments, which restore local leadership and strengthen connections with communities and industries,” Ms … Read more

Whitebait – what happens to the ones that get away? 

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Īnanga/īnaka/whitebait caught in a whitebaiter’s net | Paddy Ryan Whitebait – all grown up  Every whitebait season whitebait wriggle upstream – some destined for fritters, some as dinner for other native and non-native species.   But what happens to those whitebait that get away?   They grow up to be six different … Read more

Liam Lawson to remain in Formula 1 in 2026 – report

Source: Radio New Zealand Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson arrives in the paddock ahead of the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix AFP Reports in Europe say New Zealand driver Liam Lawson will remain in Formula 1 in 2026. Red Bull will announce their driver lineups for Red Bull and Racing Bulls on Tuesday local time … Read more

Calls for yellow-legged hornet trapping in Auckland to be widened

Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf The battlelines have been drawn in Biosecurity New Zealand’s war against the yellow-legged hornet, but there’s some suggestion they should be widened before a population takes hold. Currently, trapping has been extended out to a five kilometre radius around the concentration of the hornet detections in Auckland’s Glenfield and Birkdale, … Read more

Relying on forestry for carbon removal is placing ‘eggs in one basket’, MPs warned

Source: Radio New Zealand Climate Change Commission chief executive Jo Hendy. RNZ / Dom Thomas Relying on trees to offset New Zealand’s emissions years into the future is putting “a significant number of eggs in one basket”, the Climate Change Commission chair has warned politicians. New trees would need to be “in the ground” within … Read more

Lawyers criticise ministry’s advice to Fisheries Minister Shane Jones on set net fishing

Source: Radio New Zealand A hoiho or yellow-eyed penguin. Supplied / Catlins Tours Lawyers representing a charity calling for more protection for the hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguin, have criticised advice on set net fishing given to the fisheries minister. In October the Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) filed High Court proceedings against the Minister for Oceans … Read more

Road blocked, Ngaruroro River Bridge SH2, Hawkes Bay

Source: New Zealand Police The Ngaruroro River Bridge, State Highway 2, Hawkes Bay is blocked following a crash this morning. Police were called to the crash, involving three vehicles, around 6:50am. Thankfully, there are no serious injuries reported. Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible, and expect delays. ENDS MIL OSI

Diesel spill, SH2 Remutaka Hill, Upper Hutt

Source: New Zealand Police Motorists are advised to exercise caution when driving on State Highway 2, through Remutaka Hill, Upper Hutt, due to a diesel spill this morning. Police were notified of the spill around 7:10am. Council has been notified for clean up and motorists are advised to take extra care while driving and expect … Read more

How leadership challenges happen in New Zealand politics

Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, centre, with (clockwise from top right), former prime ministers Jacinda Ardern, Chris Hipkins, Mike Moore, David Lange, Bill English and John Key. Many have faced leadership challenges or chose to resign and hand over to a successor. RNZ file images / 123rf Explainer – ‘Tis the season … Read more

Ikea opening day: Nearby businesses preparing for mayhem

Source: Radio New Zealand In Auckland, businesses near the new Ikea store are steeling themselves for a stampeed to the homeware giant’s opening on Thursday. Traffic experts have run their numbers and expect crowds of up to 20,000 a day, with a 40-minute crawl on the nearby motorway and another 40 to find a car … Read more

Tall Blacks coach knew it would take something special to beat them

Source: Radio New Zealand Australia celebrate their win over New Zealand Tall Blacks. Marty Melville / PHOTOSPORT Tall Blacks coach Judd Flavell admits he couldn’t have been more proud of his side and knew it would probably need something special to beat them. Australia beat New Zealand 79-77 in the second game of the World … Read more

Health NZ and nurses union at loggerheads over strike plan

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand Nurses Organisation strike on 28 November. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Health NZ has accused nurses of failing to honour their commitment to provide so-called “life preserving services” during a partial strike. However, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation is blaming Health NZ for rejecting a plan for dedicated on-call staff … Read more

Charter School Agency reveals enrolment numbers after telling schools to keep figures under wraps

Source: Radio New Zealand File photo. There are 427 students enrolled in the country’s eight charter schools. Unsplash The Charter School Agency has revealed there are 427 students enrolled in the eight charter schools. The number of enrolments has been kept under wraps after the agency told the privately-run, state-funded schools not to reveal their … Read more

How a student feels his way through NCEA exams for six hours

Source: Radio New Zealand On the morning of his final NCEA exams, while most students flick straight to page one and start scribbling, Year 13 Hutt Valley High School student Toby Ireland begins by feeling the test. His right hand hovers over rows of tiny raised dots; his left flies across a compact keyboard-like device. … Read more

NZ facing health crisis from chronic methamphetamine use – emergency doctor

Source: Radio New Zealand The consequences of chronic methamphetamine use are already visible in hospital wards, and it’s about to get worse, an emergency department doctor says. Dr Paul Quigley told a symposium on reducing drug harm on Monday the country was facing an impending health crisis on par with smoking-related lung disease. “We are … Read more

Why one fund manager is banking on Trump to support falling Bitcoin

Source: Radio New Zealand The price of Bitcoin has fallen significantly after a volatile year. CFOTO / NurPhoto via AFP Falls in Bitcoin’s value are typical of the cryptocurrency’s high levels of volatility, experts say, but having a proponent in the White House is likely to put a floor under its price. The price of … Read more

Adjustment to single pension rate may be prompting women to borrow against homes

Source: Radio New Zealand Single retired women turning to reverse mortgages Single women are turning to reverse mortgages as a way to get more cash flow in retirement. UnSplash/ Cade Martin Single women are turning to reverse mortgages as a way to get more cash flow in retirement – and some commentators say it may … Read more

The Rotorua family who have been on a 4-year camping trip

Source: Radio New Zealand The Leopard family decided to take time out to go on a 15-month camping trip in 2021. But the allure of life on the road was such they’re still going strong, travelling the country towing an off-grid caravan. Mike and Sophie Leopard and their three children, Jade, 13, Riley, 12, and … Read more