RNZ 
The man responsible for the murder of 51 people in a Christchurch mosque has been sentenced to life with no possibility of parole – the first sentence of its kind in New Zealand. Tim Brown reports for RNZ. Warning: This story includes descriptions of the March 15 Christchurch mosque shootings. The man who carried out … Read more
The victims and families of those who died in the Christchurch mosque shootings tell their stories. Compiled by Tim Brown for RNZ. Warning: This story includes eye-witness accounts of the March 15 Christchurch mosque shootings. On March 15 2019, evil entered two mosques in Christchurch and in just 15 minutes, 51 people lay dead or dying. … Read more
Occupiers of the disputed land at Ihumātao have been shut out of talks with the government about finding a resolution, saying they haven’t had any direct contact with ministers in more than a month, write RNZ’s Te Aniwa Hurihanganu and Meriana Johnsen. The Māori King announced in September mana whenua had reached a consensus that they … Read more
A massive cleanup effort has saved the West Coast from total disaster, after flooding broke open an old dump next to the Fox River. But have we actually learned anything from it? This piece was first published on Radio NZ. While the first phase in Operation Tidy Fox draws to a close this Sunday, there are still … Read more
Earlier this morning, reports emerged that the beloved Tapu Te Ranga Marae in Wellington had burnt to the ground. Here is the incredible story of how it was built, told by Tess McClure and Daniela Maoate-Cox for Radio NZ. This piece was originally published in 2016. Bruce Stewart spends his days in this reclining sofa chair, spread … Read more
People too traumatised by the Christchurch mosque attacks to work want to know why Victim Support is holding onto millions donated to the city’s Muslim community while they struggle, write Veronica Schmidt and Max Towle for RNZ. Yama Nabi is a butcher, but these days he struggles with the sight of animal blood. It sends … Read more
Reports broke this morning that a New Zealand Red Cross nurse had been captured by ISIS militants in Syria in 2013, and she had been held in captivity ever since. So who is Louisa Akavi? Kim Griggs reports in this piece first published by Radio NZ. A New Zealand nurse kidnapped by Islamic State devoted her … Read more
The Tax Working Group’s recommendations on changes to the New Zealand tax system have just been released. These are the main recommendations, according to RNZ. Tax the capital gain on sale of land, shares, business assets, intangible assets such as intellectual property. Tax to be imposed when the asset is sold, and levied at the … Read more
It’s supposed to be a shared path, but Auckland’s Northwestern Cycleway has been deemed too dangerous for a local school’s walking bus, reports Rowan Quinn for Radio NZ. Auckland primary school children have been verbally abused and almost hit by high speed cyclists on one of the city’s most popular cycleways. A primary school in … Read more
First published on RNZ, ethnomusicologist Kirsten Zemke weighs in what fans should do with the music of alleged bad men. American rapper R Kelly has been the subject of sexual abuse allegations for a number of years, for Michael Jackson it’s been decades. Both have remained popular and celebrated artists. Two new documentaries, Surviving R Kelly and Leaving Neverland feature the … Read more
Here are the six designs being considered to memorialise the Erebus plane crash, courtesy of RNZ. Six designs are being considered for a new memorial to mark the Erebus plane crash in Parnell, central Auckland. Ministry for Culture and Heritage chief executive Bernadette Cavanagh said six anonymous design teams were selected in December to submit … Read more
An ex-colleague of Linda Astor, who tricked her way to becoming the head of clinical psychiatry at Nelson-Marlborough Health, has spoken out for the first time about working with the fake psychiatrist. Tracy Neal of RNZ reports. The Medical Council says the chances of a pretend doctor working in New Zealand are not impossible, as … Read more
Here’s the latest on Auckland’s City Rail Link developments, courtesy of RNZ. The Australian parent company of a key firm involved in the City Rail Link has announced it is in administration. Here’s what we know so far about what that means for New Zealand’s largest ever transport infrastructure project. Perth-based RCR Tomlinson had gained $A100 … Read more
This week British PM Theresa May thought she’d finally come up with a Brexit deal that her own MPs would accept. Things didn’t quite turn out that way, writes RNZ. After two years of discussions and negotiations with the European Union (EU), British Prime Minister Theresa May announced three days ago that her Cabinet supported … Read more
School’s out in Auckland today as primary school teachers take to the streets and march in an effort to secure pay rises, smaller class sizes and more resources. Via RNZ, the essential FAQ It’s the first day of a rolling nationwide strike set for this week, and it’s estimated around 320 schools will be closed in … Read more
Skeletons in the Cupboard, a documentary that includes the claim seven foot tall, red-headed Celts built complex astrological stone monuments before Māori arrived in Aotearoa, has been removed from TVNZ OnDemand, but not before it received thousands of views. Jeremy Rose from RNZ’s Mediawatch reports TVNZ has removed a documentary that claims Celts settled New Zealand thousands … Read more
A 24-hour strike is under way after last-ditch talks failed yesterday. What it’s all about and what does it mean for patients? Via RNZ Who’s on strike? Up to 29,500 nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants working for district health boards have begun a 24-hour strike after the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) rejected the latest … Read more
The debate over the danger of methamphetamine contamination was settled once and for all last week when the country’s top scientist revealed it was nothing more than hysteria. RNZ’s Benedict Collins explains how it all unfolded Sir Peter Gluckman’s report found New Zealand that has been in the grips of a moral meth panic – and … Read more
This week the government announced a mass cull in an attempt to rid New Zealand of Mycoplasma bovis. Via RNZ, an explainer on how we ended up here On Monday, the government announced a 10-year plan to eradicate the disease, saying about 150,000 cows would have to be slaughtered. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the … Read more
The role of the speaker and the schoolyard scrap of Question Time are in the news as Paula Bennett and Gerry Brownlee square up against Trevor Mallard. What’s it all about? Chris Bramwell of RNZ explains From the outside, Parliamentary Question Time probably looks like a scrappy playground at times. Sometimes dubbed the “snakepit”, parliament’s debating … Read more
Chris Bramwell of RNZ sets the stage for Grant Robertson’s big day Finance Minister Grant Robertson is pitching today’s Budget as one that will set the foundations for the government’s plan to make the economy more sustainable. Robertson said the government can’t fix everything in one Budget, but health, education, and housing will finally get … Read more
Reggae musician Carl Perkins has died, aged 59, after a battle with bowel cancer. He was a member of pioneering Aotearoa reggae group Herbs in the early ’80s, starting on percussion with the band when they were recording their second album Light of the Pacific. He had a hand in writing the hit ‘Long Ago’ … Read more
Studies show high levels of racial bias and discrimination in schools continues to disadvantage Māori and Pasifika children. Some say a new initiative has already yielded results but isn’t getting the support it needs. The Ministry of Education has told the government it could achieve a “step change” in Māori children’s achievement by tackling their … Read more
Whether to report on the false rumours about the prime minister’s partner created a quandary for the media. Could they report on slurs designed to do damage without amplifying the effect of them and playing into the hands of the rumour-mongers? Colin Peacock of RNZ’s Mediawatch programme looks at how they responded. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern responding to … Read more
With 120,00 Auckland homes still without power after last night’s monster storm, and many expected to be waiting days for its restoration, here are some tips for carrying on without wattage. Instead of breaking down the couch for firewood and conceding that bugs might be an efficient source of protein after all, there are ways … Read more