New Zealand news
Check out what's currently happening in New Zealand politics and current affairs with the following interesting headlines and newsfeeds from Radio New Zealand and NZ Herald - our leading radio station and newspaper!
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'Incredibly disheartening': Airborne asbestos found in children's play sand
The Health Ministry of Health has reconvened its advisory group to rapidly assess the findings.
‘Incredibly disheartening’: Airborne asbestos found in children’s play sand
Tests found airborne asbestos in 90% of recalled craft sand samples.
Former All Blacks coach Scott Robertson to speak in Christchurch on performance under pressure
The former All Blacks coach left his role earlier this year after a NZ Rugby review.
Poor kids left behind in schools. Erica Stanford is looking at ECE to fix it
The minister says your means determines your destiny in this country - but it shouldn't.
Motorbike rider with critical injuries dies in hospital days after New Plymouth crash
The single-vehicle crash happened on June 26 in New Plymouth.
El Niño officially declared in New Zealand
Earth Sciences NZ has followed counterparts in Australia, Japan and the US in declaring an El Niño event.
Union warns of multibillion-dollar hit from National’s KiwiSaver pledge
The PSA says National’s KiwiSaver plan hides a $4.5b cost to services.
Falling house prices: $4800 gone in one city in a month
National property values dropped 0.2% in June, leaving prices 17.5% below the peak.
School holiday weather: Rain, wind and cool change for start of winter break
AA Travel survey shows Australia and the Pacific Islands top Kiwis’ holiday plans.
El Niño officially declared in New Zealand
El Niño will bring drier weather to much of the North Island this spring.
Junior Simolo sought by police in Auckland 'considered dangerous'
Police are urging members of the public not to approach him but to call them immediately.
Arrest warrant issued for ‘dangerous’ Junior Simolo after shots fired in botched Pt England, Auckland break-in
Police have urged the public not to approach Pt England man Junior Simolo.
New standards for building on whenua Māori come into force
The government hopes the changes will "unlock" papakāinga across Aotearoa - but one housing provider says it removes just one of the many barriers affecting Māori land.
Wellington community tired of brazen tyre thieves
Residents in the seaside suburb of Eastbourne say they're considering community patrols as the area is being repeatedly targeted.
Health NZ says repairs being made to leak-stricken Hutt Hospital
Earlier this week a nurse told RNZ this week staff were confronted by sodden and collapsed roofing panels, failing lights, and electrical sockets crackling with electricity.
Crash blocks State Highway One southbound lane near Tawa
A police spokesperson says one person is in a critical condition.
RNZ investigation finds uranium, lead in black-market tobacco
Lab testing has revealed the extent of the danger the illicit tobacco presents.
Man asked Hutt Valley child to get into his van, police investigating
Police say they are investigating after a parent reported a man asked their child to get into a van outside a school in the Hutt Valley.
Health NZ shelves major hospital restructure
The Public Service Association said it, alongside other unions, exposed fundamental flaws in the proposal.

