Max Towle
Sydney begins recovery from devastating floods
Rain has abated in Sydney and floodwaters are slowly receding, but many residents are still struggling, as a giant cleanup begins. Emergency services are still needed to get supplies to stranded… Audio
Police intend to keep clearing protesters from parliament
Outside Parliament police are still clashing with protesters as they try to clear them off the surrounding streets.
RNZ reporter Charlie Dreaver spoke to Max Towle. Audio
Covid-19: computer system woes affecting patient care
As Omicron surges - the country's Covid Care Management system is down.
The computer system is used by Covid-19 patients, general practices, and other healthcare providers.
Te Whānau o Waipareira… Audio
Ukraine pleads for more support amid its darkest hour
To Russia's invasion of a sovereign country - European leaders say this is Ukraine's darkest hour.
Russia continues to attack cities in Ukraine -- raining rockets on the city of Kharkiv -- and… Audio
Police clearing protesters from streets around parliament
There've been rough scenes outside parliament this morning, after the police began a concerted push to clear surrounding streets.
Officers carried riot shields while protesters held sheets of… Audio
"Russia is losing" - Kiwi-Ukrainian
Talks were held between Ukrainian and Russian delegates overnight, but not much seems to have come from those - they will continue in a matter of days, though.
But the most significant update is… Audio
NZ response to Ukraine invasion must remain strong - Professor
The global community is condemning Russian leader Vladimir Putin for ordering his country's nuclear arms to be placed on high alert.
He says this is in response to NATO aggression.
But, the US says… Audio
NZ threatens Russia with sanctions over Ukraine invasion
The government has called the Russian Ambassador in, amid growing tensions in Ukraine. Western allies are cracking down on Moscow - and have been quick to impose sanctions.
But few believe it will… Audio
Covid-19 spreads through Kiribati and Solomons
Covid-19 is spreading through the Pacific, with fears that some health systems won't be able to cope if case numbers continue to surge.
The Cook Islands, for instance, recorded its first positive… Audio
Hospo says it can't hold on any longer
The hospitality industry is facing an unprecedented crisis - as more than half of Hospitality New Zealand members are warning they'll be bankrupt within three months due to Omicron.
A survey revealed… Audio
Tonga still in need of help
The UN is urging countries to keep up the support to Tonga - which is still struggling following the volcanic eruption and tsunami a month ago.
Two massive Chinese naval vessels will arrive in the… Audio
Peace and conflict on Parliament's lawn
Protesters at parliament are heading into their second week of occupation.
At the end of last week, Police arrested some of the group, but this didn't permanently clear the area - nor did ticketing… Audio
Phase 2 with Omicron active in the community.
From midnight, the motu once again dives into a new Covid-19 setting.
And despite nearly 5,000 active cases, under Phase 2 of the Omicron response, schools and businesses remain open.
In phase two… Audio
Tonga heads into lockdown
The Kingdom of Tonga is going into a nationwide lockdown from Wednesday evening, after two Covid cases were detected in routine testing at the wharf in Nuku'alofa.
Worldwatch's Max Towle speaks with… Audio
Medicinal cannabis still difficult and expensive to get - study
The rollout of the medicinal cannabis scheme, which aims to provide quality access to products for patients, has made little progress, a Massey University study found.
Delays in approving products… Audio
Who to watch at the Australian Tennis Open
Australia's Nick Kyrgios put yesterday on a show against the tournament favourite Daniil Medvedev, but it was the Russian who managed to clinch the win.
There were also two major shocks in the… Audio
Tonga eruption: remarkable stories of survival emerge
Tonga's recovery is making progress, but the future remains unclear as assessments still take place.
Aid flights have arrived from New Zealand and Australia; and NZDF ships are helping clear the way… Audio
Tourism group not hopeful for influx of overseas tourists
It's been another summer without international visitors - the lifeblood for five tourist hotspots.
For weeks, operators in Fiordland, South Westland, Queenstown, Mackenzie and Kaikōura geared up to… Audio
Covid-19: Auckland hospitals urgently plan for Omicron outbreak
Urgent planning is underway to ensure Auckland's hospitals can cope with double the number of Covid-19 patients when Omicron starts spreading in the community.
This morning they've revealed modelling… Audio
Russia warned of severe response if it invades Ukraine
Urgent diplomatic talks are continuing in Europe, as world leaders try to stop a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The US secretary of State Antony Blinken warned again today that if Russian forces… Audio