Fire crews put in ‘grunt’ work to dampen down Tongariro fire hotspots

Source: Radio New Zealand Diggers at work at the site of the fire on Tuesday. RNZ/Jimmy Ellingham Combined Fire and Emergency and Department of Conservation crews are continuing to put in the ‘grunt work’ on Wednesday dampening down hotspots in the aftermath of the fire that tore through almost 3000 hectares of Tongariro Park at … Read more

Whitianga SH25 intersecton completely blocked following crash, police say

Source: Radio New Zealand All traffic were advised to avoid the area or delay travel as there were no diversions in place, police said. RNZ / REECE BAKER The intersection of State Highway 25 and Moewai Road in Whitianga has been completely blocked following a serious crash. Police said they were called to the incident … Read more

National Iwi Chairs Forum files court proceedings over RMA reforms

Source: Radio New Zealand Tukoroirangi Morgan at the Iwi Chairs Forum at Waitangi. RNZ / Ella Stewart The National Iwi Chairs Forum has filed court proceedings seeking clarification on how the Crown must uphold Treaty of Waitangi settlements as it pushes ahead with major resource management reforms. The action has been brought by forum member … Read more

Netball: Silver Ferns beat Scotland Thistles in second test in Glasgow

Source: Radio New Zealand Silver Ferns Jeremy Ward/ Photosport The Silver Ferns have beaten Scotland 80-48 in the second and final test against the Thistles in Glasgow. Grace Nweke, who sat out the first Test, started at GS and finished with 34 goals from her 30 minutes on court. Maddy Gordon’s feeds into Nweke were … Read more

Weather: Heavy rain warning for Bay of Plenty, wind, rain watches across North Island

Source: Radio New Zealand MetService has issued an orange heavy rain warning for the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne/Tairawhiti north of Tokomaru Bay. Photo / 123RF A low front is moving down the North Island, bringing heavy rain and gales to many areas. MetService has issued an orange heavy rain warning for the Bay of … Read more

Road blocked, State Highway 25, Whitianga

Source: New Zealand Police The intersection of State Highway 25 and Moewai Road in Whitianga is completely blocked following a serious crash. Police were called to the incident just after 10am. Two people are reported to be injured, one with serious injuries, and another with minor injuries. The Serious Crash Unit have been notified. All … Read more

First cancer medicine available in private hospitals

Source: New Zealand Government Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour, and Health Minister Simeon Brown welcome Pharmac’s decision to fund access to five treatments, including for breast and lung cancer, from 1 December 2025. Pharmac has made decisions to:  Fund new, more convenient options for medicines already funded as IV (into a … Read more

Adopt a kākāpō? Squawk yes!

Source: NZ Department of Conservation A word from Sirocco. Sirocco | : Maddy Whittaker/DOC. Skraaaaark! Kia ora, friends! Sirocco here, your favourite feathered conservation ambassador, and occasional internet sensation. I’m popping in (virtually, of course) to talk about something close to my heart: the kākāpō adoption programme. Now, before you get too excited – no, … Read more

Pharmac to fund five medicines for multiple sclerosis, breast cancer, eye conditions, and lung cancer

Source: PHARMAC New Zealanders living with multiple sclerosis, breast cancer, eye conditions, and lung cancer will benefit from five medicines that Pharmac will fund from 1 December 2025. The funding decision includes new treatments and faster-to-administer versions of existing medicines, secured through a multiproduct agreement with pharmaceutical supplier Roche. Around 1,700 people are expected to … Read more

‘This is not a safe place for students’: ERO fires back at Wesley College

Source: Radio New Zealand Staff and students at Wesley College did not not report assaults on junior students, the Education Review Office said in its report. RNZ / Shannon Haunui-Thompson The Education Review Office is firing back at Wesley College, saying it strongly refutes claims about it made by its principal. The school south of … Read more

30 with Guyon Espiner: Labour leader Chris Hipkins comfortable being labelled a socialist

Source: Radio New Zealand Chris Hipkins is comfortable being labelled a socialist, saying there is a more active role for the state to play. It comes after democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani won the New York mayoralty in Donald Trump’s America. Hipkins, the leader of the New Zealand Labour Party, told Guyon Espiner on 30 with … Read more

$300,000 Auckland Christmas decorations spark mixed feelings

Source: Radio New Zealand An artist’s impression. SUPPLIED Auckland Council is spending another $300,000 on towering Christmas decorations for the city centre, to the delight of some and dismay of others. It has commissioned an artist to build a series of five-metre tall pillars that will be dotted along Queen Street between Aotea Centre and … Read more

Man pleads not guilty to double murder over Bucklands Beach fire

Source: Radio New Zealand Police guard at the scene of the Bucklands beach double homicide fire. RNZ / Finn Blackwell A man charged with murdering a father and son who died in an Auckland house fire has pleaded not guilty. The bodies of 36-year-old Jung Sup Lee and 11-year-old Ha-il Lee were found inside a … Read more

Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster refuses to comment on damning McSkimming report

Source: Radio New Zealand Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has been placed on leave from his role as chief executive of the Social Investment Agency. RNZ / Angus Dreaver Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster is refusing to comment on a damning report by the police watchdog that was scathing of his response to allegations of … Read more

Medical conference red tape cut, and NZ is open for business

Source: New Zealand Government The passing on the Medicines Amendment Bill has ended New Zealand’s prohibition on advertising medicines at medical conferences and trade shows, and New Zealand is open for business, Regulation Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown say.  “Thanks to the Red Tape Tipline local economies will receive a cash injection, and … Read more

Costco announcement great news for shoppers

Source: New Zealand Government News that US supermarket giant Costco is planning to open a second New Zealand store in South Auckland is great news for Kiwi shoppers, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “Today’s announcement follows the introduction to Parliament last week of legislation creating a consenting express lane so that new supermarkets can … Read more

Further update: Wainoni shooting, Christchurch

Source: New Zealand Police Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan: Police are following strong lines of enquiry into the shooting in Wainoni, Christchurch, which occurred on Monday evening, 10 November. Police would like to reassure the community this is believed to be an isolated incident with no increased risk to the public. The victim … Read more

Erica Stanford – New Secretary for Education appointed

Source: New Zealand Government Education Minister Erica Stanford welcomes the appointment of Ellen MacGregor-Reid as the new Secretary for Education. “Our reforms are about ambition, raising achievement and delivering better outcomes for our young people. Ms MacGregor-Reid has been acting in the role since October 2024 and has played a crucial role in driving the … Read more

Medicines Amendment Bill passes third reading

Source: New Zealand Government Associate Health Minister David Seymour is welcoming the passing of the Medicines Amendment Bill at third reading. The Bill enables the ‘Rule of Two’, allowing medicines to be approved within 30 days if the product has approval from two recognised overseas jurisdictions.    “Faster access to medicines has always been a priority … Read more

National Day of Reflection for survivors of abuse & neglect in care

Source: New Zealand Government The Government’s marking one year on from the public apology to survivors of abuse and neglect in care by acknowledging and remembering those who suffered while in the care of the State or faith-based institutions. “A year ago, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and seven public sector leaders apologised for the abuse … Read more

Ballast water compliance made simple

Source: Maritime New Zealand If you’re organising an overseas voyage, the easiest way to stay safe and compliant with ballast water management (BWM) rules is to make sure you have a plan and get certified. This will help you avoid having to justify something to an enforcement officer. At its core, BWM compliance means following … Read more

Kiwi Web Design Helps Launch the Mount Albert Business Association

Source: Press Release Service Headline: Kiwi Web Design Helps Launch the Mount Albert Business Association Kiwi Web Design partners with local leaders to launch the Mount Albert Business Association website — empowering small businesses across Auckland to connect and grow online. The post Kiwi Web Design Helps Launch the Mount Albert Business Association first appeared … Read more

Tech – Tense, sceptical, aware: NZers increasingly cautious about Internet

Source: InternetNZ 12 November 2025 – Tense, sceptical, aware – three words that describe New Zealanders’ relationship with all things Internet, including Artificial Intelligence, according to the latest 2025 World Internet Project (WIP). The World Internet Project (WIP) is a global study of the social, economic, and cultural impact of the internet and digital technologies on societies … Read more

Health – New Primary Care Pathway to increase GP workforce a win for health care and patients

Source: Royal NZ College of General Practitioners The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) is welcoming the establishment of the Primary Care Pathway to give medical graduates in year 2 of their Post Graduate training (PGY2) the opportunity to train and work in general practice. In this announcement, Minister Brown confirmed that up … Read more

Global Indigenous leaders and educators to unite in Tāmaki Makaurau for WIPCE 2025

Source: PĀNUI PĀPĀHO Next week, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland will transform into a hub of Indigenous knowledge, connection and celebration as 3,800 educators and leaders from across Aotearoa and the globe gather for the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE). Returning to Aotearoa for the first time in 20 years, WIPCE 2025 will provide thought-provoking … Read more

Property Market – Favourable conditions see first home buyers capture record market share

Source: Cotality First home buyers (FHBs) in New Zealand are making their mark, maintaining a record-high share of purchases, highlighting their ongoing market strength and motivation towards home-ownership, according to the latest Cotality-Westpac NZ First Home Buyer Report. In the September quarter 2025, FHBs accounted for 27.7% of property purchases nationwide, a record-high, up from … Read more

Banking – ASB land optimisation programme to transform farmers’ futures and add billions to NZ economy

Source: ASB ASB to back farmers with capital and pay for agri-consultant support, to help them improve resilience and revenue per hectare through land optimisation. ·         Innovative finance approach unlocks capital to transform the economic potential of pastoral farms, with greatest opportunity within sheep, beef and Māori land.·       … Read more