English standards for visas tightened
English standards for visas tightened
The government is extending the minimum English language requirements under the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
National
'She shouldn't have been there': Coroner rules on Ruapehu fall
'She shouldn't have been there': Coroner rules on Ruapehu fall
A first-time mountaineer had a deadly fall on Mt Ruapehu, after her group pressed on in dangerous conditions that nobody questioned, a coroner has found.
Person dies on beach after boat capsizes in Kaikōura
Person dies on beach after boat capsizes in Kaikōura
One person is dead after a boat capsized in Kaikōura.
Raglan surf comp photographer injured in suspected shark attack
Raglan surf comp photographer injured in suspected shark attack
A photographer shooting a World Surf League event in NZ has been injured by what organisers suspect is a sea lion or shark bite, forcing the event to be delayed several hours.
Sexual abuse survivor support services funding to be redirected
Sexual abuse survivor support services funding to be redirected
Hundreds of sexual abuse survivors could soon lose access to counselling.
Person dies after crash near Lake Tekapo
Person dies after crash near Lake Tekapo
A person has died following a serious crash near Lake Tekapo.
Labour apology for 'duck faced horse' comment
Labour apology for 'duck faced horse' comment
Labour's finance spokesperson has apologised to the Finance Minister after audio of her calling Nicola Willis a "duck-faced horse" was leaked to media.
Stuart Nash now a NZ First candidate
Stuart Nash now a NZ First candidate
Former Labour Minister Stuart Nash is switching allegiances to New Zealand First.
Formal complaint made about school curriculum rewrite
Formal complaint made about school curriculum rewrite
A former Education Ministry staffer has asked a Parliamentary committee to rein in the government's curriculum changes.
Entertainer Dame Jools Topp dies
Entertainer Dame Jools Topp dies
Dame Jools Topp has died after a battle with breast cancer. As one half of the Topp Twins with sister Lynda, she brought joy to generations of Kiwis.
Anti-Muslim extremism 'worst in 20 years'
'Hate soup': Anti-Muslim extremism worst in 20 years, leaders say
Muslim community leaders are warning that New Zealand is facing the most dangerous environment with the worst anti-Muslim extremism in two decades.
Green Party bill to ban mining drawn in Parliament
Green Party bill to ban mining drawn in Parliament
A Green Party bill aimed at banning mining activity on public conservation land has been drawn from Parliament's ballot.
Medical costs outpace inflation; pressure on public system grows
Medical costs outpace inflation; pressure on public system grows
People with health insurance are using it earlier and more often, as pressure on the public system grows and the cost of care increases.
Police get independent advice on Baby Ru killing
'Very complex case': Police get independent advice on Baby Ru killing
Police say they're assessing independent legal advice in relation to the unsolved killing of Lower Hutt toddler Baby Ru.
Govt doubles funding for wilding pine control
Govt doubles funding for wilding pine control
Funding for wilding pine control efforts, including around Queenstown and the Whakatipu Basin, will more than double under a Budget 2026 boost.
Govt announces $1.5b investment in maritime security
Govt announces $1.5b investment in maritime security
The government has announced a $1.58 billion investment in maritime security, ahead of the Budget.
Giant sunfish found on Canterbury beach
Giant sunfish found on Canterbury beach
Finding a 2.5m sunfish washed up on the shore at Lake Ellesmere was an "unbelievable experience" for two Canterbury fishermen.
More 'irregular' police breath tests than first thought, data shows
More 'irregular' police breath tests than first thought, data shows
An independent analysis of police breath testing data found more than 42,000 "irregular" breath tests — 12,000 more than initially believed.
Barriers high to hiring overseas teachers, principal says
Barriers high to hiring overseas teachers, principal says
The principal of a West Coast secondary school says there are too many barriers to hiring teachers who were trained or born overseas.
Man pleads guilty to manslaughter as charge downgraded from murder
Man pleads guilty to manslaughter as charge downgraded from murder
An Auckland man strangled his partner in her home before going outside for a cigarette.