Max Towle

The Omicron Covid variant is spreading across the world, and with it fear of a major step-back in the pandemic.

More than a dozen people now have it in the Netherlands, eight in France, three in the… Audio

Dozens of Australian police and Defence force personnel have begun arriving in the capital Honiara - amid major political unrest.

A protest on Wednesday calling for the Prime Minister to stand down… Audio

Three men have been found guilty of murdering Ahmaud Arbery as he was jogging last year in Georgia.

The case sparked outrage in America after a video of his shooting went public.

Lawyers for the men… Audio

In Papua New Guinea, violent clashes have taken place between members of the country's army and police on the streets of the capital, Port Moresby.

It's prompted the Prime Minister James Marape to… Audio

Researchers say the recent loss of Antarctic ice is like a car going downhill, with no brakes.

A new study adds to evidence of a substantial global sea level rise, suggesting parts of the frozen… Audio

HEB Construction has confirmed it was notified by Ministry of Health last night of a weak positive result in a worker in Wellington. 

It says he is not symptomatic but is double vaccinated. Audio

Rents are soaring again - hitting record highs in Auckland and Wellington, and nationally as well.

The country's median weekly rent was $560 in October, a staggering $620 in Wellington, and $650 in… Audio

The government's putting $10 million towards the development of a vaccine to help prevent strep throat, and in turn, rheumatic fever and subsequent heart disease.

The University of Auckland will lead… Audio

Health professionals have told RNZ a suspected case of Covid-19 is being investigated in the Wellington region. 

And as the virus creeps South, health officials throughout the country are urging… Audio

It's election day in Tonga, with about 64,000 Tongans registered to vote.

They will be electing 17 People's Representatives for the 26 member legislature.

Tonga - a Pacific country of slightly more… Audio

A short circuit on a power pole sparked the devastating fire at Lake Ōhau last year.

Fire and Emergency has just released its investigation and response reports into the fire that destroyed dozens of… Audio

In Wellington's Shelly Bay police have been speaking to a small group of protesters who've been served with eviction notices.

The City Council last night said there were unsafe levels of asbestos… Audio

The spread of Covid-19 throughout the country continues - a new case has been detected in Palmerston North.

This follows someone testing positive in Christchurch yesterday after attending a tangi in… Audio

The Nurses' Organisation says the nearly 500 unvaccinated nurses stood down across the country yesterday, will worsen the impact of the 3,500 nursing vacancies that already existed.

1309 DHB staff -… Audio

Retirees say their rights are coming second to the interests of companies running retirement villages.

Residents are today meeting at Parliament to petition the government for better rules governing… Audio

There are long lines for the barber, and baristas are flat out making flat whites, as Hamilton welcomes back customers.

Today marks the first day that all of Waikato are back at level two after six… Audio

A Pacific climate leader is warning the region's lowest-lying island states will be under water before countries hit their carbon zero targets, because the world's biggest emitters don't keep their… Audio

There's excitement, and a little bit of shellshock, among the thousands of children who today have returned to Auckland classrooms for the first time in three months.

There are rules; that groups… Audio

Vaccine passes are now live and the government's website has this morning been swamped with requests.

This signals, hopefully, a summer with greater freedoms for people who are vaccinated against… Audio