Max Towle
National Party not impressed with Omicron preparations
The National Party is not impressed with the Government's plans to manage an outbreak of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Yesterday, the government urged New Zealanders to prepare for potentially… Audio
Beware 'summer ice' on wet roads says Waka Kotahi
Hazardous "summer ice" is hampering travel on South Island roads.
The phenomenon occurs after extended hot days, followed by rain, which causes ice-like surfaces as the water loosens road dust and… Audio
Tonga eruption: science behind 15metre high tsunami waves
Almost five days on from one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the past 30 years, more details are emerging about the impacts of Tonga's Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano blast and subsequent… Audio
Asian New Zealanders' mental health needs more support
The Government is being urged to make the mental health of Asian New Zealanders more of a priority, with the number of suspected suicides among that population more than doubling in recent years.
… Audio
Tonga eruption: undersea cable repair could take a month
Limited communications have been restored to Tonga, with the local telecommunications provider Digicel saying international calls are now possible.
But they warn full services won't be up and running… Audio
Tory MP defects amid pressure on Boris Johnson to resign
The pressure on the United Kingdom's prime minister Boris Johnson to resign keeps intensifying - over his handling of allegations of rule-breaking parties at Downing Street.
Johnson is under massive… Audio
Covid-19: govt to update traffic light settings today
The Labour Party caucus is meeting today in New Plymouth for its annual get-together.
And midway through the retreat, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will also announce if Northland will move to… Audio
Tonga eruption: airport runway cleared of ash, aid flights start
It's now been five days since Tonga's major volcanic eruption and tsunami - and as more information comes to light, aid is beginning to reach the island nation.
The World Health Organisation says… Audio
Vending machines help farmers moooove raw milk
This summer, cars and utes are pouring into a roadside stall off State Highway 1 on the Kapiti Coast. They're coming to pick up raw milk from a self-service vending machine operated by the Faith… Audio
Wellington Council wins design contest for 3D climate model
A 3D simulation that shows how climate change will transform the lay of the land in Wellington has won big in a global city design contest.
The capital is one of 15 winning cities in the Bloomberg… Audio
Business costs increase amid pandemic and rising inflation
Businesses are putting off investment decisions, as uncertainty about the pandemic sours economic expectations.
The latest Institute of Economic Research Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows a… Audio
Australia records deadliest day of pandemic
Australia has recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic.
77 people around the country have died with Covid-19, with nearly half of those deaths from New South Wales.
While overall COVID cases… Audio
UK prime minister apologises again over staff lockdown parties
The British prime minister Boris Johnson is again apologising for staff lockdown parties - while categorically denying he was warned a drinks party in the garden at 10 Downing Street risked breaking… Audio
Tonga eruption: three dead, evacuations underway
Evacuations are underway in Tonga's hardest hit areas, with every home destroyed on Mango island and extensive damage elsewhere.
Aerial photos are beginning to show the extent of the devastation… Audio
Māori health experts worried NZ not ready for Omicron
The Ministry of Health has admitted the traffic light system may need to be strengthened in the face of an Omicron Covid-19 outbreak.
The Government's due to share its plans for how it will deal… Audio
Devastation in Tonga revealed in aerial photos
The extent of the devastation in Tonga is becoming clearer, with aerial photographs taken by the New Zealand Defence Force showing some of the utter devastation on islands.
The Tongan government has… Audio
Govt reviewing covid settings at first Cabinet meeting of 2021
Cabinet ministers meet this afternoon to review the traffic light settings across the country, and decide whether Northland should drop from red to orange.
This meeting - Cabinet's first of the year… Audio
Tonga's Parliamentary speaker stuck in NZ awaiting news
Tongans in New Zealand are anxiously waiting for news from the islands following Saturday's volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Communication links are still down and could remain that way for weeks.
… Audio
Monster 7.9kg potato getting DNA test in world record attempt
Waikato's contender for the world's largest potato is heading to Scotland for a DNA test to prove it is, in fact, a real spud.
The monster 7.9 kilogram potato named Doug the Spud was unearthed by the… Audio
Northland businesses call for financial help
After a relatively quiet summer, Northlanders are calling for regional financial support to keep businesses open and people employed.
The region remains under the red traffic light, and some don't… Audio