Radio New Zealand
Nick Smith suspended from Parliament
Long-serving National MP Nick Smith has been named in Parliament for the third time in his career - one of the most severe punishments a Speaker can hand out. Video, Audio
Posties win Employment case over overtime
An Employment Court ruling that posties who may be required to work overtime must be paid for keeping themselves available to do so could have implications for other employers. Audio
Greens support limited changes to benefits: 'This is the start'
Greens co-leader Marama Davidson says her party will support the limited changes announced to benefits, even though they fall short of the full welfare overhaul promised in its confidence and supply… Video, Audio
Govt rejects recommendation to raise benefits by up to 47%
Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni says any changes made in response to the government's welfare advisory group recommendations need to be long-lasting to be effective. Video, Audio
Star Wars chewbacca actor dies
The actor who played one of Star Wars' most memorable characters has died. Peter Mayhew who played the 200-year old Wookiee Chewbacca, died at his home in Texas. Eve Johnson reports. Video, Audio
Shooting continues despite court ruling – meditation centre
A meditation centre locked in a bitter dispute with a shooting club has no confidence Auckland Council will enforce a Court of Appeal decision banning the club from operating. Video, Audio
Queenstown mayor tells locals: Back bed tax or pick up the bill
Queenstown locals will be able to vote on whether they back a proposed five percent bed tax during a referendum in a fortnight. Video, Audio
Paula Bennett hits back at MPs’ ‘racist attack’
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appears to have reined in two of her ministers for getting personal about Paula Bennett's Māori heritage. Mrs Bennett described comments about her whakapapa as a "racist… Audio
Woman in mental health care was close to death, family says
A Christchurch woman who is under the care of the Canterbury DHB's mental health services, has been admitted to hospital is such an emaciated state that her family fear she was days away from dying. Audio
Evening business for Friday 3 May
News from the business sector, including a market report. Video, Audio
Old tubing likely cause of Pike River mine re-entry delay
As Pike River families gathered at the mine's entrance today, the recovery agency's boss revealed years-old tubing was likely responsible for the delay in re-entry. Logan Church reports from… Video, Audio
Christchurch mosque attacks: 'Where is Victim Support?'
People too traumatised by the Christchurch mosque attacks to work want to know why Victim Support is holding onto millions donated to Christchurch's Muslim community. Video, Audio
Phil O’Reilly: Welfare recommendations ‘transformational’
Former Business NZ chief executive Phil O'Reilly was one of 11 members in Welfare Expert Advisory Group. He told Lisa Owen the recommendations in the report are transformational - and should be… Video, Audio
Welfare changes - More rhetoric than action?
An expert advisory group has made 42 recommendations for welfare reform, including scrapping most sanctions, increasing benefits by up to 47 percent and increasing the amount of money beneficiaries… Video, Audio
Sport: Tonga's Pita Taufatofua targets third Olympic sport
Tonga's Pita Taufatofua has represented his country at the Olympics in taekwando and cross-country skiing, and how he's taking up kayaking - a decision he says is as much about the planet as it is… Audio
Teenager details teacher’s alleged sexual abuse
A teenage boy claims he woke up to find a former teacher touching his groin, in a closed room on their own. Benjamin Christopher Missi Swann, known as Benjy, is on trial at the High Court in Auckland… Audio
Firefighter denied residency despite strong local support
Volunteer firefighter Steve Webster, who helped battle the Nelson bush fires, has been denied residency - despite over 50,000 people signing a petition for him to stay. Audio
Could the parent category visa make a return?
There are hopes the moratorium on a visa that allows parents of migrants to live in New Zealand will be lifted, as Immigration New Zealand appears to dispel some misconceptions about its impact. Audio
Kiwibuild interviews not worth Housing Ministry CEO’s time – minister
Housing Minister Phil Twyford says he doubts it's worth the time of the Housing Ministry to front up and answer media questions about the beleaguered Kiwibuild programme, when it relates to "minor… Audio
Average Auckland house price drops $100,000 over three years
House prices have cooled off significantly in Auckland but are yet to drop to a level where homeowners could find themselves saddled with more debt than their properties are worth. Audio
