National
Advocates want more money for prisoners after release
The lump sum given to people newly released from prison to help them start a new life hasn't changed in 30 years and advocates say the rising cost of living is even more reason to bring it up to… Audio
Kāpiti mayor excited for Transmission Gully opening
After years of waiting, regional Wellington mayors are thrilled Transmission Gully will be ready to use in two weeks.
Mayor K Gurunathan of Kāpiti says the new highway stretching from Tawa to… Audio
Top Stories for Friday 18 March 2022
Today on RNZ National... Thousands of MIQ rooms and 23 entire hotels - are now sitting empty as the system winds down. Ukrainians are emerging from a bombed Mariupol theatre, and their survival is… Audio
20th anniversary of Nicholas Pike disappearance
Twenty years ago this week Nicholas Pike is believed to have been led to a remote location off the Desert Road in the central North Island and killed.
His body hasn't been found, and the man… Audio
Apple growers still searching for staff
A campaign to attract seasonal workers to Nelson-Tasman orchards has recruited several hundred people.
But, while the apple harvest is in full swing, many growers are still searching for staff.
… Audio
Trimmed down Polyfest dance festival goes ahead
The world's biggest Pacific dance festival is getting ready to take the stage in Auckland next week - but for the first time the show will go on without any crowds.
Because of Omicron the festival… Audio
Suspicions 700kg cocaine shipment was 'in transit' through NZ
Illicit drug experts suspect 700 kilograms of cocaine seized on a ship docked in Tauranga was destined for another country.
Customs announced the bust yesterday - New Zealand's biggest ever.
It tops… Audio
Covid-19: Pensioner told to repay $11,000 to MSD after getting stuck in Australia
A 77-year-old woman has been told to repay $11,300 in pension money because Government border restrictions stopped her returning to New Zealand.
Rae, who asked for her surname to not be used, flew to… Audio
Top Stoires for Thursday 17 March 2022
Today on RNZ National... Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenksy makes a public plea to US President Joe Biden to help his country. The tourism industry welcomes the news our borders are opening, we… Audio
Work and Income phone queue causing trouble for beneficiaries
Beneficiaries calling Work and Income for help say they are enduring long waits - often of more than an hour - to talk to someone.
Work and Income comes under the Ministry of Social Development -… Audio
Financial uncertainty not stopping some West Coasters from opening businesses
Financial uncertainty hasn't stopped some West Coasters who have taken the plunge and set up shop in the midst of the pandemic.
There was nearly a 70 per cent drop in spending by visitors to Franz… Audio
Top Stories for Wednesday 16 March 2022
Today on RNZ National... The National Party has a gap to fill after the shock resignation of former leader Simon Bridges. Four people were killed in an air strike in Kyiv overnight as the invasion… Audio
Covid-19: Parliament gates reopened after protest destruction
A ceremony has officially reopened the grounds of Parliament two weeks after the violent scenes that ended the occupation by protestors.
Political editor Jane Patterson was there. Audio
Christopher Luxon tried to stop Simon Bridges from leaving
National Party leader Christopher Luxon says losing MP Simon Bridges will be a big loss for the party.
The frontbench MP and former leader announced his retirement yesterday, triggering a by-election… Audio
Parliament protest's online platforms spread violent rhetoric from the start - researcher
A disinformation and conspiracy researcher says it would have been hard for anyone to predict the Parliamentary protests turning violent.
New documents show New Zealand's intelligence agencies… Audio
Midday News for Tuesday 15 March 2022
Midday News update for Tuesday 15 March 2022 Audio
Too much photography at train tracks - safety group
The pursuit of a perfect photo backdrop is pushing more people to seek out the apparent allure of railway tracks.
It's a trend that has disturbed safety advocacy group TrackSafe, which says amateur… Audio
Mosque attacks survivor nears end of remembrance walk
A survivor of the March 15 mosque attacks is on the last stage of a walk to reclaim peace from a terrorist whose actions put him in hospital with nine bullets.
To mark the three year anniversary… Audio