WorkSafe delivers strong results amid organisational transformation

Source: Worksafe New Zealand WorkSafe’s Annual report has been published, which highlights key achievements for 2024/25. It tracks our progress delivering on our strategic objectives to influence businesses and workers to meet their health and safety duties. It sets out our actions over the year to reduce acute, chronic and catastrophic harm through our engaging, … Read more

Employment Disputes – Fire and Emergency received calls to 18 incidents during today’s strike

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand received calls for 18 incidents between 12pm and 1pm today, Friday 28 November, the time of the strike action by members of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU). Of these,13 incidents were in areas impacted by the paid firefighters’ strike. Eight of these incidents … Read more

New tactics for fight against exotic Caulerpa seaweed

Source: New Zealand Government Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says the Government and a range of experts have come up with a new strategy to take on the harmful exotic Caulerpa seaweed. “Caulerpa seaweed is a pest. The new strategy focusses on five things: prevention, detection, removal, research, and coordination of resources. Getting this right is … Read more

Federated Farmers: Unitary council model future-fit, with less upheaval

Source: Federated Farmers Separating rural and provincial governance from urban councils is the simplest and most effective way to streamline local government, Federated Farmers says. “Top marks to the Government for kicking off an overdue conversation about cutting back costs, duplication and decision-making roadblocks that plague our current 78 councils,” Sandra Faulkner, Feds local government spokesperson, … Read more

New wastewater standards a win for ratepayers

Source: New Zealand Government Ratepayers across New Zealand will be better off under new national wastewater environmental performance standards, which will significantly cut consenting costs for councils and help reduce pressure on rates, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says. “These changes are about saving money for communities. By streamlining the consenting process, councils and ratepayers … Read more

Wānaka guide Thomas Vialletet, who died on Mt Cook, ‘left a mark on everyone’

Source: Radio New Zealand Mountain guide Thomas Vialletet died on Aoraki Mt Cook. Supplied The wife of a guide who died while climbing Aoraki Mt Cook says his death has left an ache in the hearts of those who knew him. Wānaka-based guide Thomas Vialletet and American lawyer Kellam Conover were roped together climbing from … Read more

Police seeking information, CCTV after alleged shooting in Chartwell, Waikato

Source: Radio New Zealand Police were called to a property on Sapphire Place in Chartwell, at about 11.50pm on Thursday to reports a man had been shot. RNZ / Patrice Allen Waikato police are seeking information from the public after an alleged shooting left a man with serious injuries. Police were called to a property … Read more

Light at the end of the tunnel for CRL construction

Source: New Zealand Government The upgraded Auckland public transport network with City Rail Link (CRL) at its heart will open to passengers in the second half of 2026.  Transport Minister Chris Bishop, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson confirmed the project is on track to open in … Read more

Action Plan supports Kiwis to live better, longer

Source: New Zealand Government The new Better Later Life Action Plan is designed to provide practical support to help older New Zealanders live well and maintain their connections and independence, Minister for Seniors Casey Costello announced today. “The Action Plan consists of a range of practical improvements and is built around a simple goal – … Read more

Gang president arrested in Auckland Airport drug sting

Source: Radio New Zealand Twenty search warrants were carried out across the Auckland region on Thursday. LDR / Stuff / Stephen Forbes Police have made further arrests in attempts to dismantle an international organised crime syndicate smuggling Class A drugs through Auckland Airport. Twenty search warrants were carried out across the Auckland region on Thursday … Read more

Health – Graduate nursing hire improves but falls short for some – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation Te Whatu Ora’s hire numbers for this year’s nursing graduates are an improvement, but some new nurses could still be packing their bags for Australia, NZNO student representatives say. Te Whatu Ora today committed to employing 1800 of 2200 nursing graduates by 30 June 2026. Offers have been made today to … Read more

Environment – EPA makes headway on hazardous substance assessments

Source: Environmental Protection Authority The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) continues to make progress assessing hazardous substance applications, approving 21 applications in the first quarter of the 2025-26 year. The first of a new series of hazardous substances quarterly reports shows the queue of applications fell 9 percent from 96 at 1 July 2025 to 87 at … Read more

I Am Hope’s ministry contract for Gumboot Friday gets thumbs-up

Source: Radio New Zealand Mike King. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone A year after criticising the government’s rushed procurement process for the Gumboot Friday mental health initiative, the auditor-general now says the contract is being managed properly and in line with good practice. The public spending watchdog on Friday released its response to Labour MP Ingrid … Read more

Improving access to the Public Safety Network for more Emergency Responders

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is strengthening New Zealand’s Emergency Responder capability by creating a new entity, and expanding the mandate of Next Generation Critical Communications, announced Emergency Management and Recovery Minster Mark Mitchell.  “Around 25,000 frontline responders already use the Public Safety Network cellular services, improving coverage and reliability during emergencies. Cabinet has … Read more

US diplomats yet to warn NZ about immigration, as Trump demanded

Source: Radio New Zealand The US Embassy in Wellington. Wikimedia Commons US diplomats have yet to raise the matter of migration with New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) after being directed to do so by the Trump administration. A New York Times report on Wednesday said US embassies in Europe, Canada, Australia … Read more

Information sought on shooting – Sapphire Place, Hamilton

Source: New Zealand Police Please attribute the following to Detective Senior Sergeant Reece Durston: Waikato Police investigating a firearms incident overnight are seeking information from the public where a man was left with serious injuries. At about 11.50pm on Thursday 27 November, Police were called to a property on Sapphire Place in Chartwell after reports … Read more

Operation Matata: Significant Police-Customs investigation unravels smuggling syndicate at air border

Source: New Zealand Police Police are laying nearly 200 criminal charges against gang associates, who are allegedly facilitators in a criminal syndicate smuggling illicit drugs aboard international flights. This week’s enforcement activity is the latest phase in a joint Police-Customs investigation, which has targeted a syndicate allegedly smuggling class A drugs through unattended baggage, primarily … Read more

Warehouse Group shareholders bombard execs with criticism over under-performance

Source: Radio New Zealand The Warehouse is owned by The Warehouse Group. SUPPLIED The Warehouse Group’s shareholders have peppered the board and executives with pointed questions and criticism about several years of under-performance at this morning’s annual meeting. Outgoing chair Dame Joan Withers said the past few years had been difficult for shareholders, but a … Read more

The music festival shutting down K’ Road this weekend

Source: Radio New Zealand It’s incredibly hard putting on any music festival at the moment, but this year Reuben Bonner also took on the “mighty challenge” of closing down K Road for The Others Way. A lot of people had to give their go-ahead for Auckland’s beloved boutique music festival to block off Karangahape Road … Read more

Man wielding hedge trimmer blade who trapped woman, baby was ‘violent and not rational’ – witness

Source: Radio New Zealand Police were called to reports of a man armed with a blade from a pair of hedge trimmers, who had trapped a woman and her baby in a Wellington bus-stop. Supplied A man who saw police officers taser an armed man who had trapped a woman and her baby in a … Read more

Watch live: Latest announced in crackdown on airport staff importing drugs

Source: Radio New Zealand Police and Customs are set to reveal the latest in a crackdown on staff helping import drugs at Auckland International Airport. Operation Matata has been focused on a transnational organised crime syndicate working with local gangs who are alleged to have imported significant quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine into New Zealand. … Read more

Paid firefighters strike after negotiations stall

Source: Radio New Zealand About 2000 members of the Professional Firefighters’ Union will strike between 12-1pm. RNZ / Ruth Hill Paid firefighters are walking off the job for one hour again today over their deadlocked contract negotiations with Fire and Emergency. About 2000 members of the Professional Firefighters’ Union will strike between 12-1pm. Fire and … Read more

Unions call on Prime Minister to uphold democratic values and respect school communities

Source: NZCTU The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi President, Sandra Grey, is calling on the Prime Minister to uphold democratic values and ensure his MPs refrain from making false and inflammatory accusations about unions. Claims of bullying tactics from Sam Uffindell on social media yesterday are not only untrue, they undermine … Read more

Health New Zealand to welcome 1800 graduate nurses

Source: New Zealand Government Health New Zealand’s announcement that around 1800 graduate registered nurses will begin hospital-based roles represents a significant boost for the health system, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “A sustainable health system relies on a steady pipeline of skilled New Zealand-trained nurses entering the workforce,” Mr Brown says. “I welcome Health New … Read more

Fabian Holland and Braxton Sorensen-McGee up for top NZ Rugby awards

Source: Radio New Zealand Fabian Holland of New Zealand Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year winners Fabian Holland and Braxton Sorensen-McGee have been named among the finalists for New Zealand’s top rugby awards. Second rower Holland, who played 12 of the All Blacks 13 tests this year, is up for All Blacks … Read more

Chip maker Rakon narrows half-year loss

Source: Radio New Zealand Chief Executive Sinan Altug. Supplied / Rakon Chip maker Rakon slashed its half-year loss on the back of increased revenue. Key numbers for half year ended in September compared with a year ago: Net loss $2.95m vs $10.4m loss Revenue $54.2m vs $41.7m Operating loss $4.1m vs $15.8m loss No dividend. … Read more

Consumer confidence still negative, despite lift

Source: Radio New Zealand Falling consumer arrears, employment returning to modest growth and retailers reporting improved activity boosted the index. RNZ/Nick Monro Consumer confidence lifts, although pessimists slightly outweigh the optimists It follows the strong business sentiment on Thursday Households remain cautious on spending on big ticket items Consumer confidence has lifted to its highest … Read more