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!
Shared cycle path set to connect Waipawa and Waipukurau
A shared pathway for cyclists and walkers between Waipawa and Waipukurau will soon be a reality. The path aims to connect the two towns and make walking and cycling easier for the public. "While we are strongly focused on safety,...
Herald afternoon quiz: December 18
Test your brains with the Herald's afternoon quiz. Be sure to check on nzherald.co.nz tomorrow for another trivia fix. To challenge yourself with more quizzes, CLICK HERE.
Whaakari / White Island: Nurse who helped victims, Sheila Cheng, killed in car crash
A Whakatāne intensive care nurse who looked after patients following the Whakaari / White Island eruption has been killed in a car crash.
Historic moa numbers uncovered
Up to 2.5 million moa may have once roamed the country, according to new research.
Whakatāne Hospital ICU nurse who cared for White Island victims dies in crash
An intensive care nurse who worked tirelessly for days to help White Island burns victims has died in a road crash in the Bay of Plenty.Sheila Cheng, 50, was killed after the vehicle she was a passenger in and another vehicle collided...
No parole for recidivist trans-Tasman sex offender
The Parole Board will not be releasing one of the country's worst sex offenders who subjected other males to horrific attacks here and in Australia - and will not see him again for three years. And it has been revealed that behind...
Dump of rain brings short-term relief for struggling farmers in Hawke's Bay
Farmers rejoiced, a little bit at least, as some much needed rain finally fell on a parched Hawke's Bay region on Tuesday.MetService meteorologist Rob Kerr said a strong low pressure system making its way over the country hit Hawke's...
Trio get lengthy jail sentences for South Island's biggest-ever meth bust
Three men caught smuggling nearly 40kg of methamphetamine worth $24 million from Mexico, in what was the South Island's biggest-ever P bust, have today each been jailed for at least 12 years. Jonathan Seal, 27, Michael Harrison...
White Island eruption: Two missing bodies likely washed out to sea
The two remaining bodies missing since the White Island eruption are likely to have been washed out to sea, police say. Tour guide Hayden Marshall-Inman, 40, and Australian tourist Winona Langford, 17, are the two people who have...
Labour Party sexual assault review: Maria Dew's findings can't substantiate allegation
A review into allegations of sexual assault by a Labour Party staffer has been unable to substantiate the claims, but did identify "overbearing and aggressive" behaviour.New Labour Party president Claire Szabo said the report could...
Minimum wage to be increased to $18.90 an hour
The $1.20 an hour lift will mean an extra $48 a week for those minimum wage earners who work 40 hours a week, Workplace Relations Minister Iain Lees-Galloway said.
No plan to tackle environmental degradation by increased tourism - Commissioner
Large volumes of tourists could overwhelm rural wastewater plants, polluting lakes and rivers, the Environment Commissioner is warning.
How tourism is 'eroding' NZ's world-famous environment
New Zealand is risking "killing the goose that laid the golden egg" as tourists heap unsustainable strain on our world-famous backyard, environment watchdog Simon Upton says.The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's ...
New cannabis regulations to come into effect in April 2020
Regulations announced today, which set out the quality and licensing requirements for manufacturing and distributing medicinal cannabis, will come into effect next April.
Sir Ron Brierley charged with possession of child abuse material - Australia media
The prominent New Zealand businessman has been arrested and charged with possession of child abuse material, according to Australian media reports.
Whakaari / White Island: Police to scale down search for bodies
Police have confirmed they will scale down the search operation for two Whakaari /White Island eruption victims in the next few days.
Flaxmere school shooting: Man shot by police was carrying imitation pistol
A man shot by police in Flaxmere Primary School on Tuesday was armed with an imitation pistol. The 31-year-old remains in hospital in a stable condition suffering injuries to his arm and torso after being shot once and will be formally...
'Just the beginning': Mahia's time in the sun at Tuia 250 conclusion
"This is not the end, it's just the end of the beginning," Labour deputy leader Kelvin Davis said at Tuahuru Marae in Mahia.He chose to paraphrase the immortal words of Winston Churchill for the official closing ceremony for Tuia...
Shortland Street actor Pua Magasiva named as man who assaulted wife
The well-known entertainer who assaulted his wife by spitting in her face and holding her in a headlock can now be named.
Fatal house fire turns into homicide investigation in Tokomaru Bay
A fatal house fire has turned into a homicide investigation after a man's body was found inside the burning lounge. The circumstances of the 48-year-old's death have not been released but police say they are treating it as a homicide....
