Finance Minister hints at merging govt departments
RNZ understands Nicola Willis will set out three proposals to create efficiencies in the public service.
Tears as guilty verdict for murdering officer delivered
Tears as guilty verdict for murdering officer delivered
Hayden Tasker was on trial for the murder of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming and seriously injuring another officer early on New Year's Day in 2025.
Owners warned to lock vehicles, stay vigilant
Owners warned to lock vehicles, stay vigilant
Police looking for a pair of youths on an alleged car-stealing spree are warning Dunedin residents to lock their vehicles and stay vigilant.
Dunedin council boss Sandy Graham stepping down
Dunedin council boss Sandy Graham stepping down
Dunedin City Council chief executive Sandy Graham is standing down after six years in the job.
Suspended further, but Ong digs in
Suspended further, but Ong digs in
An embattled Dunedin city councillor is suspended from further council roles, but says he won't consider quitting after a second code of conduct breach.
$131m boost to improve school fundamentals
$131m boost to improve school fundamentals
The government will spend $131 million on improving students' reading, writing and maths in this year's Budget, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
Sherpa smashes Everest record
Sherpa smashes Everest record
A renowned Nepali Sherpa guide has scaled Mount Everest for the 32nd time, smashing his own record set last year, an official says.
Hantavirus ship arrives in Rotterdam
Hantavirus ship arrives in Rotterdam
A luxury liner at the centre of an outbreak of hantavirus has reached the Dutch port of Rotterdam, with 23 crew and two medical staff who will now go into quarantine.
Jurors told to be certain of murderous intent for guilty verdict
Jurors told to be certain of murderous intent for guilty verdict
High Court jurors have been told they need to be sure the man who killed a Nelson police officer had murderous intent when he drove at her to find him guilty of murder.
Nazi uniform found in home of man who died in stand-off
Nazi uniform found in home of man who died in stand-off
Loaded weapons and a Nazi uniform were found by police at the home of a man who died following a police stand-off in Christchurch, an inquest has heard.
Tourists killed in Canterbury highway crash
Tourists killed in Canterbury highway crash
The two people who died after a three-vehicle crash south of Christchurch last week were reportedly tourists from Hong Kong.
Christchurch school launches independent investigation as former priest jailed
Christchurch school launches independent investigation as former priest jailed
St Bede's College is commissioning an independent investigation into whether the school had "appropriate systems in place for identifying and addressing abuse".
More than 900 arrests in NSW domestic violence blitz
More than 900 arrests in NSW domestic violence blitz
More than 900 people were arrested during a four-day blitz in New South Wales targeting those with a history of domestic violence.
At least 17 dead in suspected ISIS attack on military school
At least 17 dead in suspected ISIS attack on military school
At least 17 police officers were killed in Nigeria’s northeast Yobe state after suspected Islamist militants attacked a specialised military school that also trains police officers.
Ebola outbreak reaches international concern threshold, WHO says
Ebola outbreak reaches international concern threshold, WHO says
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has been declared a public health emergency of international concern.
Lower speed limit considered for road where boy was killed
Lower speed limit considered for road where boy was killed
Alex Bennett was killed while crossing Leeston Rd to check the mail in February, and the road where the 10-year-old died is now being considered for a lower speed limit.
Teachers disappointed NCEA feedback not listened to
Teachers disappointed NCEA feedback not listened to
Teachers say they are disappointed feedback for the sector on replacing NCEA was not listened to.
National sexual offenders policy discredited by Defence Lawyers' Association
National sexual offenders policy discredited by Defence Lawyers' Association
A National Party policy to prevent judges discounting sexual offenders' sentences due to good character is a solution for a non-existent problem, a defence lawyer says.
Sexual violence prevention organisation facing closure
Sexual violence prevention organisation facing closure
One of the country's few specialist sexual violence prevention organisations says it will be forced to close in August, unless the government steps in.
Low phonics pass rates in first year
Low phonics pass rates in first year
Less than half of five-year-olds passed new phonics tests after their first full year of schooling last year.