Politics
Will NZ follow UK ban on wet wipes?
The UK is banning the sale and supply of wet wipes containing plastics, a huge cause of pollution and sewer blockages.
'Believe we can win': Labour rallies party faithful
Labour Party faithful are upbeat, as they rally in Auckland, roughly one year out from the next election.
Leaving treaty out of geothermal strategy a breach - Waitangi Tribunal
The Crown strategy aims to double New Zealand's geothermal energy by 2040.
Vanuatu opposition leader accuses govt of being lazy
Vanuatu's opposition leader is fighting the speaker's ruling denying a no confidence motion his bloc filed against the Prime Minister. Audio
I Am Hope's ministry contract for Gumboot Friday gets thumbs-up
The Auditor-General now says the contract is being managed properly and in line with good practice.
Firefighters, health workers walk off job in more strike action
Another day, another public service strike, with 2000 firefighters and 17,000 health workers walking off the job nationwide. For both members of the Professional Firefighters Union and the PSA, it was… Audio
E-scooter rules 'outdated and dangerous' - National MP
E-scooters could be on the move into the bike lane if the government has its way. At the moment low powered e-scooters can be ridden on the footpath and also on the road, but not in dedicated cycle… Audio
Midday Report Essentials for 28 November 2025
The Secondary Principals' Council of Aotearoa is the latest education organisation to criticise the government for deleting an Education and Training Act clause that required schools to give effect to… Audio
Secondary principals criticise government clause change
The Secondary Principals' Council of Aotearoa is the latest education organisation to criticise the government for deleting an Education and Training Act clause that required schools to give effect to… Audio
US diplomats yet to warn NZ about immigration, as Trump demanded
US diplomats have yet to raise the matter of migration with MFAT after being directed to do so by the Trump administration.
Labour turns eyes to Māori seats
As the party gets into campaign mode, Chris Hipkins says they're out to win every one of the Māori electorates next year.
World News Wrap for 28 November 2025
Let's catch up with what's been going on around the world with RNZ's Alice Wilkins. Audio
Justice Committee recommends passing Electoral Amendment Bill
The bill would prevent same-day enrolments, ban prisoners from voting, and tighten up the rules around treating.
Finance Minister urges banks to slash home loan rates
Banks began dropping their floating rates on Wednesday after the Reserve Bank cut the OCR by 25 basis points to 2.25 percent.
Overseas counterparts never raised concerns over climate policies - Trade Minister
The Trade Minister said no one had raised concerns with him directly about New Zealand's oil and gas developments.
Regional councils demise: The plans, timeline and thorny issues
Explainer - The government is intent on reform, however, many questions on the "reset' remain unanswered. Audio
Labour calls for retailers who sold asbestos sand to be held to account
Retailers who have sold children's coloured play sand potentially laced with asbestos need to be held to account, according to Labour's consumer Affairs spokesperson. The contamination scare has… Audio
Proposed Waikato housing subdivision sparks land occupation
A proposed 66 house subdivision near the shores of Lake Whakamaru in Waikato has sparked a land occupation by a local hapu. But the issues Ngati Te Kohera are fighting for go much deeper than the one… Audio
Christchurch reserve chosen as Erebus plane crash memorial
Almost 46 years to the day that 257 people died in the Mt Erebus plane crash, a Christchurch reserve has now been chosen as the preferred location for a national memorial. The Ministry for Culture and… Audio
