TXTRNZ

Watch live: 100-day plan starts with 'laser focus' on cost of living

The government is starting its 100-day plan with a laser focus on bringing down the cost of living and inflation, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says.

Cordons stood down after bomb squad clears packages found in central Wellington

Cordons are being/have been lifted in central Wellington after two suspicious packages were left outside buildings, nearby the US and Israeli embassies.

Barry Young, accused of stealing Te Whatu Ora Covid-19 data, denied bail

The man accused of stealing Te Whatu Ora Covid-19 data and using it to spread disinformation will stay behind bars after he was denied bail today.

Christchurch terror attack inquest: Chaotic St John leadership call played in court

The call shows St John still believed only four or five people had been injured more than 20 minutes after first shooting began.

Person dies in workplace incident after quad bike rolls in Tauranga

A person has died in a workplace incident where a quad bike rolled in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty.

Northland doctors say scrapping smokefree legislation 'ridiculous'

A plan to repeal parts of the smokefree legislation is anti-health, Northland emergency doctors say in a letter to Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. Audio

Women’s rugby in Aotearoa: The challenges that lie ahead

We've just had our first uninterrupted season of professional women's rugby in New Zealand, so how is it all looking asks Jamie Wall.

'Pretty over it' - Repeated SH2 closures disrupt food supply transport

The chief executive of vegetable supplier Leaderbrand wants a long-term fix to State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier.

Does NZ really need its defence force?

As wars continue in Gaza, Ukraine, and other parts of the world, a new book questions whether New Zealand ought to have a military force at all. Audio

Unknown Country: Listening for the Sound of Aotearoa New Zealand

Award-winning writer, musician, and broadcaster Nick Bollinger investigates what differentiates New Zealand pop music from its overseas cousins, and what that can tell us about our identity in the 2023 Lilburn Lecture. Video, Audio

Helping retired racehorses: 'I get tears in my eyes as they go down the driveway'

Chanelle Dickie helps working horses adjust to life off the track at the Selwyn Equestrian Centre. Audio

'Wetlands have got a real place on any farm'

A 7,500m2 wetland at the bottom of South Wairarapa's Kaiwaiwai Dairies is reducing nitrates drained from paddocks. Audio

Pining for the real thing - Christmas tree farms still thriving

While some use artificial Christmas trees, the market for real trees is still thriving. Audio

Kiwi climbers hit the high spot at Olympic qualifier

Climbing enthusiasts hope the latest Olympic sport will take off after two New Zealanders secured a spot in Paris in 2024.

RNZ Concert's picks of the best classical, jazz and contemporary Christmas tunes

RNZ Concert's resident music lovers pick their favourite Christmas music - from Mario Lanza and Bing Crosby to YoYo Ma and Gustav Holst (and quite a few other… Video

Is there anybody out there?

If there is life on other planets, what might it look like, and would they even bother coming to Earth? Audio

As news fades from social media platforms - where does that leave journalism?

Opinion - News organisations that work through social media will have limited control as terms of service are changed at will, leaving news companies to deal…

Is it right to call state-funded journalism 'bribery' - or is there a bigger threat to democracy?

Opinion - Winston Peters had only just been sworn in as deputy prime minister when his long-standing antipathy to the news media emerged in the form of a…

Legacy of colonisation driving decline in traditional Christian beliefs among Māori

Analysis - Religious beliefs among Māori have shifted significantly over the past two decades.

Read all about it: The 2023 Booker Prize Shortlist

Devoted reader Jeremy Rees read all the books in the 2023 Booker Prize shortlist (so you don't have to). Here's what he and the judges have to say about the six…

Unknown Country: Listening for the Sound of Aotearoa New Zealand

Award-winning writer, musician, and broadcaster Nick Bollinger investigates what differentiates New Zealand pop music from its overseas cousins, and what that can tell us about our identity in the 2023 Lilburn Lecture. Video, Audio

Wonderful classical, jazz and contemporary Christmas tunes

If Christmas pop tunes have a negative impact on your goodwill to all, then we have good news. RNZ Concert's resident music fans share favourite classical, contemporary and jazz pieces to restore your Christmas spirit. Video

Martinborough Music Festival 2023: Opening Night

Lunchtime Concert: Top classical musicians visit the small Wairarapa town to perform stellar chamber music, including Elgar's Romance for bassoon, Rachmaninov's cello sonata, and Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence.

Celebrating Togetherness - Ngū Kīoro, Harikoa Ake

LISTEN: An exuberant and diverse crowd packed the Michael Fowler Centre for this, the first concert to a live audience by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (or any large ensemble worldwide) following the first COVID lock downs.

What if political donations were reined in?

What would happen if only voters - not unions or businesses - could donate to political parties? A plan to do exactly that exists, if the government wants to…

The meaning of Tāmaki: The most fascinating election result

When ACT's Brooke van Velden won the Auckland seat of Tāmaki, it was a triumph of shrewd campaigning. But it was also a failure for Christian conservatism in…

The government's first press conference: Wilder than an episode of Love Island

Analysis - The three ring-masters of the coalition announcement had spectacularly different ideas about the point of the show.

Revolving door for lobbyists 'can result in unfair access'

Justice Ministry warns of 'misuse of privileged information' by ministers entering the lobbying industry.

Q+A on tropical cyclones

RNZ asks NIWA forecasting and media principal scientist Chris Brandolino to explain what a tropical cyclone actually is.

Bird of the Century: What you need to know about pūteketeke

New Zealand's Bird of the Century is the pūteketeke but what is it and why is it so special? Here's what you need to know. Audio

Coalitions, confidence and supply: What you need to know

Explainer - Election campaigns are often strewn with debate over potential coalition or other partnership arrangements - here's how it all works.

Covid-19 restrictions dropped: What you need to know

Explainer - The last remaining Covid-19 mandates have been dropped by the government, so what does this mean for Kiwis now? RNZ is here to clear it all up. Audio