RNZ New Zealand Headlines

Tauranga City Council has set a budget of $100,000 for the process of appointing a new chief executive.

There are now five kākāpō at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari in Waikato, as part of a mainland habitat trial that began in 2023.

ACT wants it to be mandatory for all health and disability benefits to be independently issued by MSD approved doctors.

A man told his estranged wife to move their toddler from her arms and yell for help before he stabbed her to death in front of their children.

An independent technical advisory group is calling for councils to urgently secure central government funding and prepare for a managed retreat before disaster strikes.

A Waikato asparagus grower says it "nigh on impossible" to pass extra freight costs growers are facing on to cash-strapped consumers.

Emotional debate has taken place in Papua New Guinea's parliament as it debates whether to approve independence for the autonomous region.

It comes as wastewater flowing into the Mahurangi Harbour near Warkworth has been plaguing oyster farmers' ability to harvest.

The Destiny Church leader took to social media saying he had flown to Brisbane for a church conference and was detained by the border force.

Great powers spur concern when their actions are perceived as threatening, rule-breaking or harmful to New Zealand's interests.

A Fijian deputy prime minister says the "entire Pacific Islands" identifies with Israel in response to it being accepted into the Pacific Islands Forum as a development partner.

Brooklyn Jenkins claimed his brother asked to be shot and he did it with no further thought.

A person has died in a car crash in the South Island's Lewis Pass.

Prime Minister Jotham Napat has voiced serious concern over claims of a "second republic" by a group in the small northern province of Torba.

Hepworth's body was found at a Christchurch address earlier this month.

Stretching from Porirua to Putāruru and from Ōpunake to Ohakune, Te Tai Hauāuru covers the rohe of a diverse number of iwi as well as the home of the influential Rātana movement.

The sale deadline on the Wellington public housing property passed yesterday.

But there's a twist, with an atmospheric river expected to bring heavy rain for some parts.

The former Labour MP has been sworn in as a councillor.

Trains will be replaced by buses on all lines from Saturday to Monday to allow Kiwirail crews to carry out infrastructure upgrades.

Police said negotiators tried to talk to the man, but that he didn't comply.

Warning comes amid reports of individuals handing over goods in a private sale after being presented with a screenshot as evidence that a bank transaction has been completed.

World Rugby chairman is expected to have direct talks with Samoan Prime Minister La'auli as two rival unions battle for control of the sport.

Police say the infant was found with moderate injuries and taken to hospital.

Toby Behan admits he's "100 percent not stage fit" but the 52-year-old Anglican vicar will comeback returns to the stage as the King The Sleeping Beauty.

Pacific Island countries have responded keenly to a proposal by Malaysia for a procurement pool for access to some essential medicines.

A binding poll will be held on 23 March 2027, the city council decided this week.

Fijians are being reassured by the country's prime minister and his senior government ministers that they will head to the polls before the 6 February 2027 deadline.

The 33-year-old's car was found at the Mercer Bay Loop car park near Piha but there was no sign of him.

There are fewer than 1000 matuku-hūrepo, Australasian bittern's left in the wild and a conservation group is asking New Zealanders to listen out for the bird, and record what they hear.

Tech firms are warning that some hackers were already exploiting the flaws.

The group working to clean up the largest and most polluted lake in Northland says it is now optimistic about the lake's recovery from an ecological collapse in the 1980s which wiped out most of its aquatic life.

There is little comfort in listening to politicians at the moment, a Northland doctor says.

Candidate Mahesh Muralidhar has the history of the stronghold blue seat on his side, but will a confident ACT rival and redrawn electoral boundaries prevent him from becoming the party's first Indian-origin MP in six years?

"Pulling a sickie" to play GTA6 could result in disciplinary action - or even dismissal if your employer finds out.

The second round of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup will determine which Pacific Island teams will stay in the race for a top-two finishes in both the men's and women's competitions.

Commuters rush around Waitematā train station, headphones on, eyes on phones.

Ōtepoti Dunedin Whānau Refuge triaged close to 150 referrals in September alone - usually it was closer to 90 and even that figure had jumped in recent years.

150,000 hectares of the forest has been poisoned with 1080 as part of a project to save the forest, and the creatures living in it, from pests.

Indonesia says human rights issues in Papua are being dealt with, but civil society says access for the UN rights office and dialogue is needed.

Investigators say they are determined to get justice for the Lower Hutt toddler who was killed in October 2023.

Pacific police chiefs have established a new regional policing organisation aimed at combating transnational crime, including drug trafficking, human smuggling, child sexual exploitation, money laundering, and firearms trafficking.

A property data firm says $78.1 billion worth of residential property has changed hands over the past year.

The ACT Party wants to remove the government contribution to KiwiSaver accounts, and instead, make investment earnings in superannuation schemes tax-free.

Financial mentors are worried some people may be taking on commitments with Christmas goods companies without proper consideration of whether it is affordable.

The lab has worked with a Meta translation tool, an AI forensic data analyser called BelkaGPT and with implementing an AI transcription app.

The officer faces one charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one of wounding with intent to injure.

Staffing levels are leading to issues like children not getting their medication on time and even dosing errors, the nurse said.

Kiko can sense changes in Joanne Marshall's blood pressure but the organisation that can certify him says he isn't ready.

"Nearly half of New Zealand adults have unmet need for dental care due to cost," Dental for All campaigner Hana Pilkinton-Ching said.