Some shoplifters blaming cost of living: police
The head of a specialist Christchurch crime unit says some first-time shop lifters are blaming the cost of living for their crimes.
National
NZ 'as prepared as we can be' for bird flu
H5 bird flu case confirmed in New Zealand
Updated 7.15 pm
The Biosecurity Minister says New Zealand is "as prepared as we can possibly be" to deal with bird flu, after a case of the H5 strain was confirmed today.
SH1 south of Kaikōura reopens after flood damage
SH1 south of Kaikōura reopens after flood damage
SH1 south of Kaikōura has reopened after the road was badly eroded in severe flooding. However, care is needed and motorists should expect some congestion and delays.
Review after concerns over officer's handling of cases
Review after concerns over officer's handling of cases
Police will review their systems used to manage child protection and sexual assault cases after concerns relating to a senior officer's handling of more than 50 cases, RNZ can reveal.
Hipkins insists Labour hasn't lost momentum
Hipkins insists Labour hasn't lost momentum
Chris Hipkins insists Labour hasn't lost its momentum, despite dropping in support since January.
Mayor defends post urging visitors to stay away from Tekapo
Mayor defends post urging visitors to stay away from Tekapo
Mackenzie's mayor is standing by a social media post urging visitors to reconsider visiting Tekapo over the long and snowy Matariki weekend.
Call for change in focus on healthcare decisions
Call for change in focus on healthcare decisions
A prominent Christchurch doctor says decisions about public healthcare should be made in the communities they serve.
Pledge to take some building consents off councils
Pledge to take some building consents off councils
National says it will eliminate the need for local councils to sign off certain building work if re-elected in November.
Bird flu: 'Inevitable it will get here'
Bird flu: 'Inevitable it will get here'
It is inevitable bird flu will come to New Zealand, given its presence in Australia, the biosecurity minister says.
Fire chief warns of more crashes at intersections
Fire chief warns of more crashes at intersections
A Canterbury fire chief believes the number of crashes at the Selwyn district’s intersections will increase.
Wary Kaikōura residents get stuck into clean-up work
Wary Kaikōura residents get stuck into clean-up work
Residents around Kaikōura are in clean-up mode after torrential rain led the Kowhai River to burst its banks, causing widespread flooding across the district.
Z Energy boss on missing paper: We 'followed the instructions of government'
Z Energy boss on missing paper: We 'followed the instructions of government'
The boss of Z Energy says his team "followed the instructions of government" when handing over a document to a former Beehive staffer with suggestions for a law change.
Net population loss to Australia shrinks, slightly
Net population loss to Australia shrinks, slightly
Slightly more arrivals from Australia indicates fewer New Zealanders moved across the Tasman last year than the year before.
Sibling 'neighbours' sell homes for more than $4m
Sibling 'neighbours' sell homes for more than $4m
A brother and sister who lived next door to each other for over 50 years sold their homes for more than $4 million at a heated auction.
Major NZ study links nitrate in water to premature births
Major NZ study links nitrate in water to premature births
A massive new study of more than 750,000 births nationwide has found an average of 120 premature births each year could be attributed to nitrate in drinking water.
Man paralysed during dental treatment still waiting for answers
Man paralysed during dental treatment still waiting for answers
Clyde MacLean walked into a clinic for his third and final dental treatment – but he was taken out in an ambulance and didn’t walk again.
National sinks to lowest level under Luxon
National sinks to lowest level under Luxon
National has slumped to its lowest level of support since Christopher Luxon became leader, while the fledgling Opportunity Party has surged to within a whisker of Parliament.
Kiwi screen great Sam Neill dead at 78
Kiwi screen great Sam Neill dead at 78
New Zealand actor Sir Sam Neill has died at the age of 78, his family has announced in a statement.
Highway reopens after critical-injury crash near Blenheim
Highway reopens after critical-injury crash near Blenheim
State Highway 1 has reopened near Blenheim after a closure of several hours following a serious crash this afternoon.
Veteran broadcaster Paul Henry to stand for ACT Party
Veteran broadcaster Paul Henry to stand for ACT Party
Veteran broadcaster Paul Henry will run as an ACT Party candidate this election, leader David Seymour announced in Auckland this morning.