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What 'continuous vetting' means for Kiwis in the US
Explainer - If you're thinking about going over to the United States as more than a tourist, be ready for an ever-changing reality.
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What is the sovereign citizen movement?
27 Aug 2025Explainer - A man accused of killing two police officers in Australia has been called a "sovereign citizen". But what is the movement about? Audio
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What can you do if you're publicly shamed?
24 Aug 2025Explainer : Naming and shaming, false rumours or a photo that upends your life - is there anything you can do about it?
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How much do teachers actually earn, anyway?
19 Aug 2025Explainer - Claims by Judith Collins on teachers' pay fired up the debate recently. How much do teachers earn, and what's the current offer to change that?
What you need to know headlines with summaries.
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'Build back better' - How the road to Piha was finally restored
19 Aug 2025Explainer - More than two years after Cyclone Gabrielle, the popular main road to Auckland's Piha is opening again. Here's how they did it. Audio
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'Justice' or 'vengeance'? Why sex offender name suppression is changing
11 Aug 2025Explainer - A recently passed law aims to give victims of sexual offences more control over name suppression orders. Audio
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What we know so far about new road user charges
7 Aug 2025Explainer - The government calls it the biggest change to road funding in 50 years. But what are these RUCs that will replace the petrol tax? Audio
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Our hottest destinations are set to start charging foreign tourists - here's why
Explainer - If you're coming to New Zealand as a tourist to check out some of our most famous attractions, get ready to pay a little more for the privilege.
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What's replacing NCEA and how to have your say
4 Aug 2025Explainer - The system is going away - but what's taking its place? Here's what we know so far. Audio
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What would New Zealand recognising Palestinian statehood mean?
Explainer - World leaders are moving toward accepting the idea of Palestinian statehood. What does it mean if New Zealand does? Audio
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What you need to know about why nurses are striking
29 Jul 2025Explainer - Nurses and midwives held a strike for 24 hours in protests over staffing levels and pay. Here's what you need to know. Audio
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How the government wants to change how we vote
30 Jul 2025Explainer - The Electoral Amendment Bill has had its first reading in Parliament. But what does it actually say? Audio
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AI and public submissions - What you need to know
25 Jul 2025Explainer - Submissions have been soaring for legislation, and AI is being used more and more. But what does that mean?
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All the changes to schools so far this year - and what's coming next
22 Jul 2025Explainer - It's been a busy year so far for education policy, with a series of announcements by the government and curriculum changes.
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Why New Zealand First wants to require businesses to accept cash
Explainer - A member's bill put forward by New Zealand First would require businesses to accept cash as payment. Here's what you need to know. Audio
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What is a flash flood and why are they so dangerous?
15 Jul 2025Explainer - Hundreds are dead or missing in Texas flash floods. The Tasman District has been hit hard. Why is flash flooding so hard to predict? Video
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Birth trauma - what is it and how do people heal?
14 Jul 2025Explainer - It's Birth Trauma Awareness Week - but what is it exactly and why should you know what it is?
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Why KFC went after a teen's business logo
Explainer: Why does a giant global corporation care so much about the logo being used by a young Christchurch entrepreneur?
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How New Zealand decides who is and isn't a 'terrorist'
8 Jul 2025Explainer - The Proud Boys are no longer a terrorist entity in New Zealand. But how does a group get designated as terrorists in the first place?
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Nobody's buying carbon anymore - and it's costing the government millions
5 Jul 2025Explainer - Seven failed auctions and counting. How did the government lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue from big polluters?
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Want to be a mayor? How to stand in local body elections
3 Jul 2025Explainer - Have you ever wanted to stand for local office? Now's your chance, as the nomination period for this year's local body elections opens Friday.
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Can US Customs search your phone? What you need to know
1 Jul 2025Explainer - When travelling to America as a tourist or on a visa, US Customs have the right to search your devices - as do many other countries. Audio
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Healthy Homes, KiwiSaver, Jobseeker and more - What's changing on 1 July?
30 Jun 2025Explainer - From Tuesday, new rules are affecting everything from Healthy Homes to ACC to Jobseeker and KiwiSaver. Here's a roundup. Audio
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Melatonin, ADHD meds and magic mushrooms - what are the changes?
26 Jun 2025Explainer - The government has changed regulations on several medications. Here's what you need to know about melatonin, ADHD medicine and psilocybin access. Audio
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Ozempic is just days away in New Zealand: what to know
26 Jun 2025Explainer - The celebrity weight loss and diabetes drug should be on shelves within days.
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Is it real or is it AI? How to tell fake from real
24 Jun 2025Explainer - AI-generated images are unavoidable these days. If you're not a computer expert, how do you even know what's real anymore?
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How the govt plans to tackle 'stubbornly high' suicide rates
18 Jun 2025Explainer - The government announced a new five-year Suicide Prevention Action Plan this week. But what does it include? Audio
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Why disposable vapes will vanish from stores this week
16 Jun 2025Explainer - What exactly is being banned? What are the new rules? And what does it mean for the industry and vapers? Audio
Top News stories
- Auckland man Daniel William Baker convicted after laser hits cockpit of descending cargo plane
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- Who is going to be our new supermarket competitor?
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