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What you need to know
What you need to know headlines with summaries.
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Covid vaccines and new variants: What you need to know
7 Sep 2024Different countries are using slightly different Covid vaccine - some newer than the ones available in NZ. Does that matter? Audio
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The power of school boards: What you need to know
5 Sep 2024Explainer - New Zealand has one of the most devolved education systems in the world. So what's the role of school boards?
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What happens now after Kiingi Tuheitia's death
30 Aug 2024The next week will be massive for Māoridom after the death of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. Audio
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Who are the Comancheros?
30 Aug 2024The gang is a big deal in Australia, and has quickly grown in New Zealand with the arrival of 501 deportees.
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How Meta is using social media content to train AI
29 Aug 2024Explainer - Meta has been using New Zealanders' social media content to train its AI models since last year, at least. Is there any way to opt out?
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New rules 'tightening the gateway' into emergency housing
29 Aug 2024Explainer - The changes making it harder to get into emergency housing, and harder to stay in.
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Can New Zealand deal with the bird flu?
29 Aug 2024As cases mount overseas, NZ officials are bolstering their avian influenza plan. Here's what you need to know.
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Fast Track bill changes and how it will work: What you need to know
26 Aug 2024The government has back-tracked on contentious parts of legislation aimed at getting NZ "back on track". Here's what you need to know.
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Should we be concerned about Whakaari/White Island?
23 Aug 2024The volcano is going through an "extended active period". What does that mean?
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Mpox isn't the 'new Covid': What you need to know
22 Aug 2024Explainer - How would New Zealand respond to an mpox outbreak, and how dangerous is the virus? Here are all the details.
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What you need to know about a looming electricity crisis
22 Aug 2024Generators are being given access to more water as New Zealand creeps towards electricity shortage. So how is power generated, what's the problem, and how do we fix it?
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What to do if you have found a pill disguised as a lolly
14 Aug 2024Here's what you need to know if you have received a food parcel from the Auckland City Mission recently.
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Project 2025: What you need to know about America's most controversial document
13 Aug 2024Explainer - A plan called "Project 2025" has been making waves in the US presidential race. But what does it really say? RNZ is here to explain it all.
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What you need to know about a surge in influenza A
12 Aug 2024Otherwise fit and healthy people have been hospitalised or died from influenza A this year. So what is it and why is it so bad?
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Breaking, climbing and more: The unfamiliar sports of the Olympics
10 Aug 2024Explainer - Breaking is the one new sport at the Paris Games. Sport climbing, surfing, and skateboarding made their debuts at the Tokyo Games, and remain on the programme. What can we expect to see?
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Life at the Olympic Village: Athletes give us a sneak peek
Try a baguette making workshop. Get yourself a Parisian Pony at the hair salon. And what are those cardboard beds really like?
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How well are NZ politicians protected?
19 Jul 2024Explainer - The recent assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump sent shock waves around the globe. What kind of protection do Kiwi politicians get?
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What's gone wrong with local government?
19 Jul 2024Mayors are missing, rates are rising at record levels - RNZ asks what's going on with our councils. Audio
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Have Tenacious D been political in the past?
Fans have criticised Jack Black for throwing Kyle Gass "under the bus" with his statement, speculating he is prioritising his acting career prospects over their friendship. Video
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All you need to know about time of use charging
11 Jul 2024Explainer - The schemes aim to get traffic off roads at peak times while raising money for transport infrastructure. Here's how they could work in Auckland.
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What to know as Alec Baldwin's Rust shooting trial begins
Baldwin faces involuntary manslaughter charges, which he denies. The trial will determine whether he should be held criminally liable in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
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Gulf Harbour body discovery: What we know so far
8 Jul 2024The remains of a woman were found inside a bag fished out of the sea in Gulf Harbour. Here's what we know so far.
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What are Mayoral Relief Funds and do they actually help?
5 Jul 2024We often see mayoral relief funds set up after a natural disaster. But the amount of financial assistance they provide pales in comparison to clean-up costs. What is the role of these funds, and are…
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What a plan to 'flood the market' could mean for house prices
Here's what the Housing Minister is planning - and how it might work.
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