Winston Peters unveils KiwiSaver-from-birth NZ First policy, bank takeover plan

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Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ/Dan Jones New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has announced a policy to automatically enrol all newborn New Zealand citizens into KiwiSaver with a $1000 government contribution, alongside a proposal to buy back the Bank of New Zealand and merge it with Kiwibank to create a new state-owned bank. Speaking at … Read more

National to scrap good character assessments for sex offenders at sentencing

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Source: Radio New Zealand The National Party is promising tougher sentences for sexual offending if it’s re-elected. Its justice spokesperson Paul Goldsmith – who is currently the Justice Minister – revealed on Sunday National would scrap good character assessments at sentencing for all sexual crimes, which meant harsher punishment. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made the … Read more

Live: Winston Peters to make NZ First policy announcement

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Source: Radio New Zealand NZ First leader Winston Peters is due to make a policy announcement. Peters will be speaking from Trusts Arena in West Auckland where he has been addressing a public meeting. He is due to take questions around 2pm. Previously, during his State of the Nation speech in March, Peters had announced … Read more

Are hot baths or saunas better for you?

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Source: Radio New Zealand A humble hot bath may do more for your health than a session in the sauna, according to new research. Hot water immersion triggered stronger cardiovascular and immune responses than both traditional and infrared saunas, found the University of Oregon study, suggesting a simple soak offers surprisingly powerful health benefits. “Hot … Read more

New Zealand’s walking football team takes world stage in Brisbane

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Source: Radio New Zealand The 2026 International Walking Football Federation World Championships kicks off in Brisbane at the end of May. Screenshot/Youtube New Zealand’s walking football team is expecting to punch above its weight on the world stage this month. The 2026 International Walking Football Federation World Championships kicks off in Brisbane at the end … Read more

‘When you think you’re going to die, you fall in love with the world all over again’

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Source: Radio New Zealand Kate Bowler was a 35-year-old academic with a young family when stage 4 colon cancer suddenly “exiled her into the land of the sick”. “I was like, how can I be both feeling utterly broken and yet feel kind of carried by this thing that turns out to be joy?”, she … Read more

Auckland Grammar School welcomes government’s proposed NCEA replacement

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Source: Radio New Zealand Auckland Grammar School Headmaster Tim O’Connor said the school was positive about the government’s changes. RNZ Insight/John Gerritsen Auckland Grammar School has welcomed the government’s proposed replacement for NCEA, saying the planned qualification reforms are a move toward greater academic rigour and consistency across the country. The government on Saturday released … Read more

Auckland’s St James Theatre owner buys neighbouring properties

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Source: Radio New Zealand Inside Auckland’s damaged St James Theatre. RNZ / Soumya Bhamidipati The owner of Auckland’s St James Theatre has purchased two neighbouring properties on Queen Street and Lorne Street. The heritage theatre, which opened in 1928, has been closed since a fire in 2007. But in 2023, the government and Auckland Council … Read more

What intimacy looks like with a disability

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Source: Radio New Zealand It’s a stormy February night in Adelaide, and Jacqueline Tedmanson is at the hospital with her partner Jackson, waiting to meet their first baby. Despite having a disability, Jacqueline isn’t nervous about the birth. She’s just excited to be having a child, and the couple only hope the child “is funny” … Read more

NRL: NZ Warriors re-unite Mitch Barnett, James Fisher-Harris in starting front row

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Source: Radio New Zealand Mitch Barnett has been plagued by injury during the 2026 NRL season. Blake Armstrong/Photosport NRL Magic Round: NZ Warriors v Brisbane Broncos Kickoff 6pm NZT, Sunday, 17 May Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Live blog updates on RNZ For the first time in 2026, NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster will finally unleash his … Read more

White Ferns beat England in final one-dayer

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Source: Radio New Zealand Brooke Halliday, player of the match in the final ODI against England, May 17th 2026. AFP The New Zealand women’s cricket team continue to show promising signs ahead of the defence of their T20 World Cup crown next month, after beating England in Cardiff, in the final of a three match … Read more

Police encourage jet ski owners check for hidden issues

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Source: New Zealand Police Attribute the following to Senior Constable Nick Hall, Marine Rescue Centre: Police supporting a water rescue yesterday are encouraging owners to check for hidden issues in their jet skis. Just before 2pm, a vessel in the Motuihe Channel near Emu Point reported seeing a jet ski explode, with smoke and flames … Read more

Government Cuts – RespectEd Aotearoa: ten years of prevention work ends, but a future worth fighting for

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Source: RespectEd Aotearoa RespectEd Aotearoa will close in August after exhausting its reserves following the withdrawal of government funding. For ten years, RespectEd Aotearoa has worked in the spaces where sexual violence begins. It has delivered comprehensive programmes that recognise everyone’s right to live free from harm. It has helped organisations build cultures where respect is … Read more

Health – GenPro calls for major investment in General Practice ahead of Election 2026

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Source: GenPro GenPro has today (May 18) released its Election 2026 Policy Agenda, calling on all political parties to commit to strengthening general practice as the cornerstone of a high-performing and sustainable health system in New Zealand. The manifesto sets out a comprehensive package of evidence-based reforms designed to improve patient access, reduce hospital pressure, … Read more

Greenpeace – Ōtautau bore water a potential preterm birth risk, but town supply safe

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Source: Greenpeace Greenpeace says that its free drinking water testing event in Ōtautau, Southland, revealed that while town water supplies in the area are relatively safe, private bore water tests showed increased nitrate levels. The organisation is in the middle of a three-day series of drinking water testing events for nitrate contamination, with the final event … Read more

Details of NCEA replacement confirmed

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Source: New Zealand Government New Zealand’s new senior secondary qualifications will provide clearer, more credible recognition of student achievement, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “We want young people leaving school with qualifications that are clear, rigorous and widely understood by parents, employers, tertiary providers and students themselves,” Ms Stanford says. “In March, we confirmed that … Read more

Saturday update – fatal house fire, Mairehau

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Source: New Zealand Police Attributable to Detective Sergeant Brent Menzies: A scene examination has been completed at the scene of Thursday’s fatal house fire in Mairehau, Christchurch. The fire sadly took the life of a three year old girl, and her mother later died in hospital. Enquiries remain ongoing to speak with family members and … Read more

Hockey: Black Sticks squad named for FIH Nations Cup defence

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Source: Radio New Zealand Olivia Shannon, is among the 20 players named in the Blacksticks, for the FIH Nations Cup in Auckland, June 2026 worldsportpics.com/ Photosport An experienced New Zealand women’s hockey team’s been named for the defence of their FIH Nations Cup title in Auckland next month. Head coach Phil Burrows has confirmed 20 … Read more

Kayaker dies after suffering medical event off Auckland’s Hobsonville Marina

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Source: Radio New Zealand The man was assisted onto a different boat but did not survive. RNZ / REECE BAKER A man has died after suffering a medical event while kayaking in Auckland on Saturday morning. Police were notified of the incident near the Hobsonville Marina shortly before 9.15am. They said the man was assisted … Read more

Netflix doco star: Betraying wives of paedophile polygamist was ’emotional torture’

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Source: Radio New Zealand Befriending the abused wives of Sam Bateman, then becoming “the one who took away their prophet and the father of their babies,” was not easy for Christine Marie, star of Trust Me: The False Prophet. After her own controlling relationship with a Mormon man she’s described as another “false prophet” in the … Read more

Whangārei driver arrested after doing burnout in front of police

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Source: Radio New Zealand A Whangārei driver who performed a burnout in front of police is now facing charges. Supplied / NZ Police A Whangārei driver who performed a burnout in front of police is now facing charges. Sergeant Shawn Parker, of the Whangārei Youth Crime Unit, said police were monitoring a gathering of car … Read more

Warriors v Broncos ‘Magic Round’: What you need to know

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Source: Radio New Zealand Warriors v Broncos at NRL ‘Magic Round’. RNZ/Photosport After a week off, NZ Warriors arrive in Brisbane for NRL ‘Magic Round’, facing a perfect storm of obstacles, as they pursue their fifth straight win. Firstly, they must pick up where they left off two weeks ago, when they accounted for Parramatta … Read more

Papakura woman arrested after police find hoard of gas heating equipment, LPG bottles

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Source: Radio New Zealand Police say a search warrant revealed a number of 45kg gas bottles and eight gas califonts. 123rf A woman has been arrested after a hoard of stolen gas heating equipment and LPG bottles were found at an Auckland property. Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Nelson, from Counties Manukau South CIB, said police … Read more

Why has my investment performed so poorly? Ask Susan

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Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ money correspondent Susan Edmunds. RNZ Got questions? RNZ has launched a podcast, ‘No Stupid Questions’, with Susan Edmunds. We’d love to hear more of your questions about money and the economy. You can send through written questions, like these ones, but even better, you can drop us a voice memo … Read more

Education Minister Erica Stanford promises update on social media ban in June

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Source: Radio New Zealand Education Minister Erica Stanford aims to introduce legislation this year. RNZ / Marika Khabazi Education Minister Erica Stanford promises an update on the government’s plans for a social media ban for under-16s next month. Coalition partner ACT says the situation remains a “mess that needs to be tidied up”, meaning the … Read more