Tech and Education – New Artificial Intelligence micro-credential for business leaders available from Open Polytechnic

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Source: Open Polytechnic Open Polytechnic, New Zealand’s specialist online learning provider, in conjunction with Spark, is offering business leaders the opportunity to better understand Artificial Intelligence (AI) by completing a new micro-credential. “As a world leader in online and distance education with expertise in digital technology, Open Polytechnic is thrilled to combine our expertise with Spark … Read more

Economic recovery remains fragile – Buy NZ Made

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Source: Buy NZ Made Buy NZ Made is calling for renewed support for homegrown businesses as new Centrix data reveals liquidations have surged to a 14-year high, even as overall confidence across the economy shows signs of improvement. The latest figures highlight the pressure facing many New Zealand-owned companies, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that … Read more

University Research – Drug courts in focus as meth use climbs – UoA

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Source: University of Auckland (UoA) With only three drug treatment courts in the country, experts are meeting in Auckland to explore how these specialist courts can save money, support recovery and reduce reoffending, particularly at a time of escalating meth-related harm. Latest Ministry of Justice figures show people who complete the Alcohol and Other Drug … Read more

Northland Regional Council media briefs – 02 December 2025

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Source: Northland Regional Council NORTHLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL AT WHANGĀREI A&P SHOW – 06 DECEMBER Northland Regional Council will have an information stand at the Whangārei A&P Show on Saturday, 06 December at Barge Showgrounds (sites 6 & 8). The stand will feature information and resources on pest animals, weeds, biodiversity, and the Wild Deer Free Programme, … Read more

Auckland hosts national cleantech leaders for one-day innovation trek

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Source: Ara Ake Cruising around Auckland in New Zealand’s only hydrogen-powered bus, 30 energy innovators, investors, enablers and industry leaders will spend 4 December exploring the city’s growing cleantech sector. The bus, which generates its own electricity onboard using hydrogen, sets the tone for a tour focused on future-ready technology and commercial development. The group is … Read more

Building inspection target drives accountability

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Source: New Zealand Government The first release of data shows 66 out of 67 Building Consent Authorities have hit the Government’s new mandatory target for building inspection wait times.   “In August, new regulations requiring Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) to complete at least 80 percent of building inspections within three working days of the request date … Read more

Community education professionals settle pay negotiations

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Source: New Zealand Government Education Minister Erica Stanford is welcoming the successful conclusion of pay negotiations for community education professionals following a majority vote from Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) members to accept settlement.  “Community education promotes a culture of lifelong learning and helps people to gain new and valuable skills outside and beyond school. … Read more

Ozempic-type drugs backed by WHO for treating obesity

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Source: Radio New Zealand WHO guidelines said GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic or Wegovy could be used by adults as part of a comprehensive approach to obesity treatment. Ida Marie Odgaard / Ritzau Scanpix via AFP The World Health Organization has released its first guidelines on the Ozempic-type drugs, conditionally recommending their use for long-term … Read more

Vandalism sparks installation of cameras in Wellington’s Town Belt

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Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf Wellington City Council is installing motion-activated cameras in the Town Belt on Mt Victoria after a spate of vandalism which it says appeared to have targeted mountain bikers. Over the past few days, the council said logs, stumps and other obstacles had been placed on several mountain bike trails in … Read more

Dairy owner stabbed during Christchurch robbery

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Source: Radio New Zealand Flowers outside the Opawa Discounter, where the business’ owner was stabbed during a robbery on 2 December. RNZ/Tim Brown A shop owner is in hospital after being stabbed during a robbery in the Christchurch suburb of Opawa. Police were called to the dairy on Opawa Road at about about 5.40am on … Read more

Calls for government to stump up $359 million for forestry response

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Source: Radio New Zealand A cross-sector group concerned about the impact of forestry in Tai Rāwhiti is urging the government to stump up $359 million. The transition advisory group, known as TAG, was established in response to a ministerial inquiry, which labelled the problem an “environmental disaster”, and is tasked with transitioning 100,000 hectares of … Read more

SAFE stands by call for animal welfare portfolio to be removed from Andrew Hoggard

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Source: SAFE For Animals SAFE is reasserting its formal complaint which highlights the urgent need for reassignment of the ministerial animal welfare portfolio due to serious and egregious conflicts of interest. The complaint, sent to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on 10 November, outlines several issues relating to Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Haggard’s oversight of animal … Read more

Live: Black Caps v West Indies first test: Day one

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Source: Radio New Zealand The Black Caps take on the West Indies in their first test from Hagley Oval in Christchurch. New Zealand has played just two Test matches so far in 2025, beating Zimbabwe 2-0 in Bulawayo in August. Since then they’ve played 17 white-ball games against Australia, England and West Indies. “The team … Read more

Information sought on fatal crash, State Highway 5, Tapapa

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Source: New Zealand Police Police investigating a fatal crash on State Highway 5 on 1 December are seeking help from the public to further understand the circumstances of the crash. The single vehicle crash was reported to Police at 10.45am. Police understand the vehicle, a 2006 black Mercedes Benz Saloon, was driving west along SH … Read more

RNZ hits live listener target a year early

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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’

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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

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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

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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

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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? 

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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

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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

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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