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What you need to know
What you need to know headlines with summaries.
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What is the 'Electoral College' and why will it decide the US election?
9 Oct 2024Explainer - You're probably hearing an awful lot about the Electoral College. But what is it? RNZ is here with a handy guide.
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Social Investment: What you need to know
1 Oct 2024It's Nicola Willis' passion project, set to be led by a former top cop. Here's what the Social Investment Agency is meant to do.
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The long and complicated history of the Dunedin Hospital rebuild
30 Sep 2024Dunedin Hospital has been a political football - arguably a hospital pass - for years. RNZ charts its history.
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End of Life Choice Act review: What you need to know
26 Sep 2024Explainer - The Health Ministry is reviewing New Zealand's assisted dying system. What do we know about how it's working so far?
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Explainer: What is a gang patch and what will happen when they are banned?
17 Sep 2024Police say gang patches are a license to print money. But what counts as gang insignia, and what will police be able to about them under the new law?
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What changes to homes' rateable values mean
18 Feb 2025Explainer - Many councils are in the process of updating rateable values. How is this done and what does it mean?
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Mpox: What you need to know
10 Sep 2024An infectious diseases specialist says the spread of mpox in New Zealand can be limited - if people are vigilant and follow public health measures.
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What gay and bisexual men need to know about mpox
8 Sep 2024A new outbreak of mpox is threatening New Zealand's queer community. Here's how to best protect yourself. Audio
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Should a five-year-old be able to count to 10 and accurately describe shapes?
6 Sep 2024This is what you need to know about the draft English and maths curriculums out for consultation.
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Covid vaccines and new variants: What you need to know
7 Sep 2024Different countries are using slightly different Covid vaccine - some newer than the ones available in NZ. Does that matter? Audio
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The power of school boards: What you need to know
5 Sep 2024Explainer - New Zealand has one of the most devolved education systems in the world. So what's the role of school boards?
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What happens now after Kiingi Tuheitia's death
30 Aug 2024The next week will be massive for Māoridom after the death of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. Audio
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Who are the Comancheros?
30 Aug 2024The gang is a big deal in Australia, and has quickly grown in New Zealand with the arrival of 501 deportees.
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How Meta is using social media content to train AI
29 Aug 2024Explainer - Meta has been using New Zealanders' social media content to train its AI models since last year, at least. Is there any way to opt out?
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New rules 'tightening the gateway' into emergency housing
29 Aug 2024Explainer - The changes making it harder to get into emergency housing, and harder to stay in.
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Can New Zealand deal with the bird flu?
29 Aug 2024As cases mount overseas, NZ officials are bolstering their avian influenza plan. Here's what you need to know.
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Fast Track bill changes and how it will work: What you need to know
26 Aug 2024The government has back-tracked on contentious parts of legislation aimed at getting NZ "back on track". Here's what you need to know.
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Should we be concerned about Whakaari/White Island?
23 Aug 2024The volcano is going through an "extended active period". What does that mean?
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Mpox isn't the 'new Covid': What you need to know
22 Aug 2024Explainer - How would New Zealand respond to an mpox outbreak, and how dangerous is the virus? Here are all the details.
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What you need to know about a looming electricity crisis
22 Aug 2024Generators are being given access to more water as New Zealand creeps towards electricity shortage. So how is power generated, what's the problem, and how do we fix it?
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What to do if you have found a pill disguised as a lolly
14 Aug 2024Here's what you need to know if you have received a food parcel from the Auckland City Mission recently.
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Project 2025: What you need to know about America's most controversial document
13 Aug 2024Explainer - A plan called "Project 2025" has been making waves in the US presidential race. But what does it really say? RNZ is here to explain it all.
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What you need to know about a surge in influenza A
12 Aug 2024Otherwise fit and healthy people have been hospitalised or died from influenza A this year. So what is it and why is it so bad?
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Breaking, climbing and more: The unfamiliar sports of the Olympics
10 Aug 2024Explainer - Breaking is the one new sport at the Paris Games. Sport climbing, surfing, and skateboarding made their debuts at the Tokyo Games, and remain on the programme. What can we expect to see?
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