The Briefing
New Zealand
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How a tiny fish could lead to treatment for painful condition
19 Feb 2026A new discovery involving the larva of zebrafish shows promise for treating or preventing painful lymphoedema. Audio
Wastewater may be flowing to a Coromandel beach after sinkhole forms
Calls for tougher penalties to stop roaming, aggressive dogs
Politics
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Govt 'listened to Aucklanders' by lowering max number of houses
The Character Coalition said the requirement for two million zoned sites was always an unrealistic and unnecessary target.
Promises to ban paywave surcharges 'going nowhere'
Mining company withdraws application for fast-track approval to mine Taranaki seabed
Sport
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Boxing NZ appoints new leadership as investigation into head coach drags on
19 Feb 2026Josh Wharehinga has been appointed new president of Boxing New Zealand as the sport grapples with complaints about its head coach.
Black Foils begin physical, emotional repairs after horror SailGP crash with France
Fast and fur-ious: Dog makes unexpected Olympic debut during cross-country ski finish
Business
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Sky TV lifts prices again
The prices of Sky Sport and Sky Sport Now packages are going up again.
OCR: Why no move was probably good news for home loans
Controversial high-rise development approved in Wellington
More News & Current Affairs
In Case You Missed It
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How do you know when Ramadan begins? A night with the NZ moon sighters
19 Feb 2026As the month of fasting approaches, many Muslims continue to uphold the centuries-old practice of moon sighting - a ritual that carries deep spiritual meaning.
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Controversial high-rise development approved in Wellington
19 Feb 2026It has been approved despite strong opposition from neighbours.
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What to do when grief throws a 'wrecking ball' through your life
19 Feb 2026Lucy Hone lost her 12-year-old daughter Abi in a car crash. Here's what she learnt.
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'It doesn't make sense': Flood victims question why lake wasn't opened
19 Feb 2026Locals of a town flooded twice this year are asking why the council didn't act sooner.
RNZ Music
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Dancing on the lawn
Rachael Griffiths-Hughes is the music director of a Hamilton Arts Festival outdoor dance performance, Garden of Returning Souls. Audio
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Hymns on Sunday, 15 February 2026
"Next to the Word of God", wrote German theologian Martin Luther, "the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." Hymns in this week's programme include settings of Psalm 150, and a hymn by 20th century minister Fred Pratt Green: When in our music God is glorified. Audio
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At the limits of Artificial Intelligence
Composer Sophie Burbery is doing a PhD on AI creativity and feminism. Audio
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Lorde shows NZ her slick, new superstar era
Lorde's Auckland homecoming is a big 'screw you' to those who ever (wrongly) called the Kiwi a 'one hit wonder'.
In Depth
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Youth motocross in focus as Coroner orders joint inquest
The deaths of four young riders over two years will be examined together, with the inquest expected to place the safety of the sport under scrutiny.
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What went wrong at New Zealand Cricket?
In a flurry of open dispute, NZ Cricket lost its chief executive. But still, none of the disagreements have been resolved.
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Are we stuck in a 'crisis and response' pattern?
Experts say the bill for disasters will only continue to rise unless we make changes.
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How poo-detecting dogs can help native birds flourish
Kiwi have started to hatch on Waiheke Island and may thrive with the help of special detection dogs helping eliminate the last of the island's pests.
What You Need to Know
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Why are cicadas so darned loud this time of year?
Explainer - It's the season, and you can't miss the buzzy chorus. So how do these insects make so much noise, and is it dangerous?
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What can you do if the weather terrifies you?
Explainer - We've already had more weather emergencies in 2026 than all of last year. How do you cope with the stress and anxiety?
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What happens next for NZ Post?
Explainer - It's closing service counters and cutting delivery days. What does the future of mail look like? Audio
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How fake NZ news pages are swamping Facebook with AI slop
Analysis - "Fake NZ news" pages are bombarding social media with misleading slop, including using AI to animate photos of a teenage landslide victim. Audio
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Comment & Analysis
Why racing enjoys special treatment under NZ gambling laws
Analysis: Despite the harm it is known to cause to a significant number of New Zealanders, the gambling industry as a whole is commonly defended for its…
Wired for power: The geopolitics of subsea cables in the South China Sea
Analysis: Control of undersea fibre-optic cables, the arteries of the global internet, has become the new frontline in the battle for digital power.
Is is time NZ had an anti-corruption agency?
New Zealand's score has been falling for a decade, even as its position near the top holds, Matevz Raskovic writes.
Wellington's catastrophic sewage spill could be bad news for coastal ecosystems
Public concern over the total failure of the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant on Wellington's south coast has been growing, despite this week's announcement… Video