Minister Shane Jones says ‘green banshees’ in regional council are stifling growth

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Mark Papalii Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says the current regional council structure stifles economic growth and that regional councils have suffered cost burdens, “green overreach” and too much influence from iwi. His comments come after the government announced its plan to scrap regional councillors and hand responsibilities over … Read more

‘Great concerns’ for Christchurch teen missing more than a week

Source: Radio New Zealand Cobra, 14. Supplied / Police Police have “great concerns” for a missing 14-year-old in Christchurch. In a statement, police asked the public for help finding Cobra, who was last seen leaving school on 17 November. She was reported missing the next day. “Police have been following lines of enquiry to locate … Read more

‘Robust growth’ drives Fisher & Paykel Healthcare to $213m half-year profit

Source: Radio New Zealand Fisher & Paykel Healthcare managing director Lewis Gradon Supplied / Fisher & Paykel Healthcare New Zealand’s largest exporter Fisher & Paykel Healthcare has beaten expectations with a 39 percent increase in first-half net profit with revenue up 14 percent. The respiratory appliance manufacturer’s first-half net profit for the period ended September … Read more

Mountain guide who died on Aoraki Mt Cook described as ‘careful and diligent’

Source: Radio New Zealand On Tuesday police recovered the body of a mountain guide from Aoraki Mt Cook. Unsplash / Corey Serravite The New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA) says a guide who died on Aoraki Mount Cook was a careful diligent guide with experience climbing the mountain. On Tuesday police recovered the bodies of … Read more

Backing skills for business events sector

Source: New Zealand Government The Government has today announced it is investing in the New Zealand Certificate in Business Events (Level 4) “Te Haeata”, a new industry-led qualification designed to build a skilled workforce for New Zealand’s business events sector, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.  Te Haeata has been developed by industry, for … Read more

Long-term plan to rebuild Defence estate

Source: New Zealand Government The Government has unveiled a long-term plan to modernise Defence Force infrastructure that will strengthen military resilience and create building and construction jobs across New Zealand.  “The national security of New Zealand depends on a strong Defence estate that empowers the Force to perform at its best,” Associate Minister Chris Penk … Read more

Annual Maximum Fee Movement (AMFM)

Source: Tertiary Education Commission Looking to apply for an exception? AMFM rates The 2026 AMFM is 6.00 percent.  TEOs may increase their fees (GST exclusive) for eligible courses by up to 6.00 percent above what they charged in 2025. The AMFM for 2025 was also set at 6.00 percent. The AMFM rate for each year … Read more

Asset management for TEIs

Source: Tertiary Education Commission They are required to comply with statutory processes relating to the disposal of assets (including demolitions), or interests in assets (including granting of easements), and the leasing of land or buildings. Assets include land and buildings, plant and equipment and financial assets. Capital Asset Management The Government sets out its expectations for … Read more

Wairere Falls between a rock and a good place

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  26 November 2025 The track, a tourist hotspot near Matamata, has been closed since 13 July due to high levels of rockfall activity and ongoing instability. DOC Senior Ranger Heritage and Visitors Matiu Te Kani-McQueen says the closure provides opportunity. “While we work on making the track safe, we will … Read more

New international partnership to attract investment in critical minerals

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand has joined the international Minerals Security Partnership to attract investment in our critical mineral sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters say. “Joining the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) aligns with New Zealand’s ambitious Minerals Strategy which aims to double the value of minerals exports by 2035 … Read more

AI navigation to deliver faster access to support

Source: New Zealand Government New Zealanders seeking mental health support will soon have a better understanding of what services are available to them, thanks to government funding for Whakarongorau to develop a mental health AI navigation platform, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey says.  “Not knowing where to go or who to talk to has … Read more

Another fire breaks out at scene of earlier suspicious blaze at Waiuku

Source: Radio New Zealand More than 60 firefighters tackled the first blaze at Waiuku recycling facility. Supplied Shipping containers at an Auckland business park that were set alight late on Monday night were ablaze again in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Fire engulfed nearly 5000 square metres of plastic and six shipping containers at … Read more

Maths professor says Education Minister’s claims a school trial is ‘groundbreaking’ is problematic

Source: Radio New Zealand The 12-week trial involved 1500 Year 7 and 8 students who received small-group tutoring up to four times a week. Supplied / Ministry of Education A maths professor has questioned the results of a school maths trial the Education Minister has labelled as “groundbreaking”. Education Minister Erica Stanford said a maths … Read more

One in five Auckland home sellers making a loss

Source: Radio New Zealand Almost 20 percent of Auckland homeowners are selling their properties for a loss. RNZ / Kate Newton Almost 20 percent of Auckland homeowners are selling their properties for a loss. Cotality has released its latest Pain and Gain report, which shows the number of properties being sold for a gain or … Read more

Special Olympics flame in Dunedin and Invercargill this weekend

Source: New Zealand Police Media is invited to attend the Southern Law Enforcement Torch Runs to take photos and interview participants, including some of the local Special Olympics stars.  The Law Enforcement Torch Run is in Dunedin on Saturday and Invercargill on Sunday.  DUNEDIN Where: Meeting outside the Dunedin Central Police station at 12pm. Departing … Read more

Bodies of climbers recovered from Aoraki Mount Cook

Source: New Zealand Police Police, with the assistance of Department of Conservation and the Rescue Coordination Centre, have recovered the bodies of two climbers on Aoraki Mount Cook. “We can now begin the process of returning these men to their families,” says Canterbury Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker. “I want to thank all of … Read more

Heat alerts possible as temperatures begin to soar

Source: Radio New Zealand Forecast maximum temperatures for Wednesday 26 November. MetService/Facebook MetService says heat alerts could be issued as temperatures begin to soar on Wednesday. Timaru is expected to hit 30° on Wednesday, while it’s set to be 28° in Dunedin and 29° in Christchurch. The high temperatures are set to also run into … Read more

Delays on Auckland Harbour Bridge after roadworks equipment breakdown

Source: Radio New Zealand The breakdown delaying reopening lanes after an overnight closure. NZTA / Waka Kotahi Commuters heading south over the Auckland Harbour Bridge can expect delays after roadwork equipment broke down. The New Zealand Transport Agency said a piece of roadworks equipment malfunctioned on the bridge overnight. The breakdown delayed reopening lanes after … Read more

Breakers development player Tukaha Cooper banned for cannabis use

Source: Radio New Zealand Tukaha Cooper of the Southland Sharks, 2025. PHOTOSPORT Breakers development player Tukaha Cooper has been banned from basketball for a month after testing positive for cannabis. The Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui tested Cooper after the Southland Sharks National Basketball League game against Saints in Wellington on 20 July. The … Read more

Black Caps face tricky group at T20 World Cup

Source: Radio New Zealand Black Caps celebrate a wicket Photosport The Black Caps have been grouped with South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada and UAE for this summer’s T20 World Cup. New Zealand are currently fourth in the world T20 rankings, one place ahead of South Africa, while Afghanistan are tenth, but will be a challenge in … Read more

30 with Guyon Espiner: Sir Bill English believes Christopher Luxon will lead National to election victory

Source: Radio New Zealand Despite dropping in the polls and failing to resonate with voters on a range of issues, Sir Bill English is confident Christopher Luxon is the right person to lead National to victory at next year’s election. Speaking to 30 with Guyon Espiner, the former Finance Minister said the government has done … Read more

Milk production hits historic levels as Fonterra narrows payout forecast

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand milk production hit historic levels in October. 123rf New Zealand milk production hit historic levels in October, with national collections rising 2.8 percent year-on-year. It marked the biggest October since 2018 and the third-largest month for milk production in New Zealand’s history. It came as high global supply of … Read more

Auckland couple take legal action over refusal to buy out flood-damaged home

Source: Radio New Zealand Brendon and Stephanie Deacon at their property that was considered category one by Auckland Council despite their neighbours all being category three following flooding. RNZ / Luka Forman An Auckland couple who had to kayak from their home in Huapai to escape flash flooding are taking the city council to court … Read more

Primary principals urge Minister to slow down curriculum changes

Source: Radio New Zealand Education Minister Erica Stanford. RNZ / Mark Papalii Primary principals say they are at an impasse with the government over its school reforms. In a series of open letters, regional principals associations have urged Education Minister Erica Stanford to slow down her curriculum changes and reverse her overhaul of the Teaching … Read more

The rising cost of taking a gamble on the what-ifs

Source: Radio New Zealand Generic image of insurance, homes, houses. 123rf From house insurance to health insurance, mortgage to pet to funeral, the list of what can be insured seems to be growing. Insurance experts list the ones you can cancel. As the cost of insurance balloons to more than $16 billion a year, more … Read more

‘I was engulfed in this huge cloud of orange and green slime’

Source: Radio New Zealand One of the most explosive tales in underwater cameraman Andrew Penniket’s new memoir comes courtesy of a snoozing sperm whale in Tonga. “It was a big bull, and he was just floating along. And it was incredibly clear water.” Penniket swam out to the whale, but the current had placed him … Read more

Local government reforms: Need for local voices stressed

Source: Radio New Zealand Regional councils such as ECan may not exist for much longer, under new government plans. File photo. RNZ / Nate McKinnon While opposition parties agree more needs to be done to make local government work better for everybody, they say the government’s proposals to scrap regional councils could remove a layer … Read more