Recreation
The puzzle shop that's been open for 50 years
Reporter Peter de Graaf talks to the Puzzleman about his puzzle shop's remarkable longevity. Audio
Authorities urge violence-free New Year's Eve
It comes after two straight nights of violence in Auckland, involving group brawls.
Mayor's mission to bring back Rotorua hydroslide
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell has made it her mission to bring back the hydroslide that used to be part of the Leisure World theme park.
Watch: This is what a rip looks like
Do you know what to do if you get caught in a rip? Or how to respond if you see someone else in trouble in the water?
Surf Life Saving stress caution as rescues double from last year
Lifeguards are reminding beachgoers this summer that the safest recue is "the one that never has to happen".
'Only takes one spark': Fireworks banned at multiple holiday hotspots
The private use of fireworks has been banned at several locations over the holiday period due to high fire risk.
People who pushed the limits in 2025
We love a good adventure yarn at RNZ and in 2025 we met travellers, climbers explorers, skippers and speed merchants.
Summer festivals latest loser in cost of living crisis
The classic summer festival is the latest loser in the cost of living crisis, with another iconic event announcing it's downfall today. Splore is part of a growing list of struggling festivals with… Audio
'Just a disaster': Friends' dream fishing trip ends in nightmare
Two women were hurt injured as they were thrown into the air and crashed back on deck during a bar crossing.
Tongariro National Park huts and tracks reopen after fire
The major blaze burned through 296 hectares of vegetation.
Midday Report Essentials for Tuesday 9 December 2025
A blaze in Tongariro National Park is raging on. While crews are still battling to contain it, the local hapu says they're a lot further ahead than last time; The nurses union says people are waiting… Audio
New Zealand to get stone skimming championship
An all-age summer pastime will get its own New Zealand championship next year - stone-skimming. Richie Laming spoke to Lauren Crimp from Hāwea. Audio
Why does New Zealand take such a long summer holiday break?
Are our summer breaks too long? And how did they become a Kiwi institution?
Bike trail builders hampered by conservation rules
One club had to give $40,000 back to a donor after the Department of Conservation pulled the pin on an agreement to start on tracks in Te Anau's Snowdon Forest Park. Audio
The long trail for cycleway builders
Bike trail builders in central Otago are talking about an end to the 'dark days' when they ran into a mess of conservation rules, stopping many tracks being built for years. Phil Pennington reports. Audio
When buying cheaper puts child safety in danger
Between the high cost of living and a slew of toys failing safety tests, buying Christmas presents for kids is fraught.
Are rules against e-bikes on trails outdated?
Restrictions on e-bikes stem from an older conservation management strategy, written before the surge in e-bikes. Pete Masters, acting chair of New Zealand Cycle Trails spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
Terror under the tree - the toys that can kill
Between the high cost of living and a slew of toys failing safety tests, buying Christmas presents for kids is fraught. Audio
Sewage overflows impacting Auckland beaches
It's only the first day of summer - but already a code brown is casting an unwanted shadow over Auckland's beaches. Sewage overflows from the weekend's thunderstorms have impacted water quality at… Audio
Lifeguards start summer patrols early after spike in serious accidents
Surf Life Saving warns that the warm weather has created a perfect storm of hidden hazards, such as rips.
