The Briefing
New Zealand
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Blackmoore murder trial: Defence's Dungeons and Dragons submission 'ludicrous' - prosecutor
4 Dec 2023Crown prosecutors in the Angela Blackmoore murder trial have described evidence against the pair of co-accused as 'overwhelming'.
Consultation on timeframe for State Highway 1 closure over Brynderwyn Hills underway
City Rail Link: Advocate suggests closer scrutiny as boss makes no promises on deadline delivery
Politics
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Northland doctors say scrapping smokefree legislation 'ridiculous'
4 Dec 2023A plan to repeal parts of the smokefree legislation is anti-health, Northland emergency doctors say in a letter to Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. Audio
Govt confirms it is dumping 'hugely wasteful' Lake Onslow battery project
Scrapping NZ battery project 'short-sighted' - Otago energy expert
Sport
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Women’s rugby in Aotearoa: The challenges that lie ahead
4 Dec 2023We've just had our first uninterrupted season of professional women's rugby in New Zealand, so how is it all looking asks Jamie Wall.
Beauden Barrett recommits to NZ Rugby until end of next World Cup
Captain Tohu Harris re-signs with Warriors until end of 2025 season
Business
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'Pretty over it' - Repeated SH2 closures disrupt food supply transport
The chief executive of vegetable supplier Leaderbrand wants a long-term fix to State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier.
Cost of living pressures drive drop in retail spending
InterCity owner Entrada buys Greyhound Australia
More News & Current Affairs
Featured stories
'We had an instant sort of good vibe'
Every photographer needs their muse, and for Kate Simon, Bob Marley has proved a lasting one. Audio
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Does NZ really need its defence force?
As wars continue in Gaza, Ukraine, and other parts of the world, a new book questions whether New Zealand ought to have a military force at all. Audio
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Unknown Country: Listening for the Sound of Aotearoa New Zealand
Award-winning writer, musician, and broadcaster Nick Bollinger investigates what differentiates New Zealand pop music from its overseas cousins, and what that can tell us about our identity in the 2023 Lilburn Lecture. Video, Audio
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Helping retired racehorses: 'I get tears in my eyes as they go down the driveway'
Chanelle Dickie helps working horses adjust to life off the track at the Selwyn Equestrian Centre. Audio
In Case You Missed It
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What to expect when you're expecting a Parliament
4 Dec 2023New Zealand has a government, but no sitting parliament. That changes this week, when the 54th Parliament finally gets underway.
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Pining for the real thing - Christmas tree farms still thriving
4 Dec 2023While some use artificial Christmas trees, the market for real trees is still thriving. Audio
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Kiwi climbers hit the high spot at Olympic qualifier
4 Dec 2023Climbing enthusiasts hope the latest Olympic sport will take off after two New Zealanders secured a spot in Paris in 2024.
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RNZ Concert's picks of the best classical, jazz and contemporary Christmas tunes
3 Dec 2023RNZ Concert's resident music lovers pick their favourite Christmas music - from Mario Lanza and Bing Crosby to YoYo Ma and Gustav Holst (and quite a few other… Video
RNZ Music
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Unknown Country: Listening for the Sound of Aotearoa New Zealand
Award-winning writer, musician, and broadcaster Nick Bollinger investigates what differentiates New Zealand pop music from its overseas cousins, and what that can tell us about our identity in the 2023 Lilburn Lecture. Video, Audio
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Wonderful classical, jazz and contemporary Christmas tunes
4 Dec 2023If Christmas pop tunes have a negative impact on your goodwill to all, then we have good news. RNZ Concert's resident music fans share favourite classical, contemporary and jazz pieces to restore your Christmas spirit. Video
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Martinborough Music Festival 2023: Opening Night
Lunchtime Concert: Top classical musicians visit the small Wairarapa town to perform stellar chamber music, including Elgar's Romance for bassoon, Rachmaninov's cello sonata, and Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence.
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Celebrating Togetherness - Ngū Kīoro, Harikoa Ake
LISTEN: An exuberant and diverse crowd packed the Michael Fowler Centre for this, the first concert to a live audience by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (or any large ensemble worldwide) following the first COVID lock downs.
In Depth
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What if political donations were reined in?
What would happen if only voters - not unions or businesses - could donate to political parties? A plan to do exactly that exists, if the government wants to…
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The meaning of Tāmaki: The most fascinating election result
When ACT's Brooke van Velden won the Auckland seat of Tāmaki, it was a triumph of shrewd campaigning. But it was also a failure for Christian conservatism in…
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The government's first press conference: Wilder than an episode of Love Island
Analysis - The three ring-masters of the coalition announcement had spectacularly different ideas about the point of the show.
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Revolving door for lobbyists 'can result in unfair access'
Justice Ministry warns of 'misuse of privileged information' by ministers entering the lobbying industry.
What You Need to Know
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Q+A on tropical cyclones
RNZ asks NIWA forecasting and media principal scientist Chris Brandolino to explain what a tropical cyclone actually is.
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Bird of the Century: What you need to know about pūteketeke
New Zealand's Bird of the Century is the pūteketeke but what is it and why is it so special? Here's what you need to know. Audio
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Coalitions, confidence and supply: What you need to know
Explainer - Election campaigns are often strewn with debate over potential coalition or other partnership arrangements - here's how it all works.
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Covid-19 restrictions dropped: What you need to know
Explainer - The last remaining Covid-19 mandates have been dropped by the government, so what does this mean for Kiwis now? RNZ is here to clear it all up. Audio
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Comment & Analysis
As news fades from social media platforms - where does that leave journalism?
Opinion - News organisations that work through social media will have limited control as terms of service are changed at will, leaving news companies to deal…
Is it right to call state-funded journalism 'bribery' - or is there a bigger threat to democracy?
Opinion - Winston Peters had only just been sworn in as deputy prime minister when his long-standing antipathy to the news media emerged in the form of a…
Legacy of colonisation driving decline in traditional Christian beliefs among Māori
Analysis - Religious beliefs among Māori have shifted significantly over the past two decades.
Read all about it: The 2023 Booker Prize Shortlist
Devoted reader Jeremy Rees read all the books in the 2023 Booker Prize shortlist (so you don't have to). Here's what he and the judges have to say about the six…