Policy
US airlines drop mask mandates after Florida court ruling
Many passengers on flights in the US have breathed a deep sigh of relief - without a mask - after mandates on public transport were dropped.
The dismissal comes after a federal judge in Florida… Audio
Auckland councillor says govt rules restrictive
An Auckland councillor says the government's new rules to intensify housing development give council little room to maneuver.
Chris Darby believes the council will now have to significantly change… Audio
Heat on Immigration NZ to process applications
The heat is on the understaffed immigration service to process thousands of residency applications as employers cry out for labour.
Immigration New Zealand is being blamed for students and migrants… Audio
Newmarket bus lane cameras dishing out $12k in fines a day
A 160 metre stretch of road in Auckland generated $12,000 of fines every day last year.
It added up to $4.3 million - but Auckland Transport denies that the Newmarket bus lane is a revenue gatherer.
…Drunk drivers missing out on interlock sentences
Hundreds of drunk drivers who are eligible, are not getting an alcohol interlock sentence - and even if they did, they'd probably get away with never having the device fitted to their vehicle.
Once… Audio
Border reopening: What next for our immigration settings?
With the borders reopening, will immigration return to pre-pandemic levels, or does New Zealand need to re-think its reliance on migrant labour? Audio
National pledges to repeal three waters legislation if elected
National is stepping up its campaign against the government's contentious three waters legislation, as people fed up with a Canterbury town's dirty drinking water plead for a quick fix.
The urgent need for more GPs
New Zealand is facing a serious shortage of GPs - many family doctors will be hitting retirement age over the next decade and we're not training enough to replace them. Audio
Wairarapa mayors hope three waters recommendations will be accepted
A working group, comprising of local government leaders, presented their three waters reforms recommendations to the government this week.
Lending rules that hit credit approvals to be eased
The changes to ease CCCFA lending rules include lenders not having to use current spending as an indicator of future spending. Audio
Farmers opting out due to rising cost of energy, rates, wages, audits
Increasing costs are putting a huge strain on vegetable growers, with some considering hanging up their tools.
ACC staffer breached client privacy after snooping in sensitive claim - ICRA
ACC has apologised to an abuse survivor after an employee breached her privacy by looking at her sensitive claim while investigating her husband for suspected fraud.
National's Luxon doubles down on tax cuts
Opposition leader Christopher Luxon is continuing to flag tax cuts and government spending as two of the battleground subjects for the next election. Audio
Three waters working group stymied by government bottom lines
Three waters feedback going to the minister on Monday seems unlikely to sway the government, whose latest model appears to fall short of its own demands.
07 Patrick Gower | The price of a miracle
Cystic fibrosis is a death sentence for those who suffer with it. Encountering their experience, and the miracle drug that’s just out of reach, changed Paddy Gower. Audio
Can lessons be learned from Moutoa Gardens protest in 1995?
In 1995 local iwi occupied Moutoa Gardens, also called Pakaitore, in central Whanganui. Their protest lasted for 79 days and ended peacefully. Alec Waugh was the Whanganui district police commander at… Audio
'Mild' Omicron strain still needs to be taken seriously
For a country where just a handful of Covid-19 cases once sparked nation-wide lockdowns, the number of daily infections in the current Omicron outbreak can seem more than a little unnerving. There are… Audio
Children's Commissioner role under threat
Alarm bells are ringing over new legislation that could strip the power of the independent Children's Commissioner. Audio
'Self-isolation won't be something that we ask people to do forever' - Hipkins
There could be significant rates of Covid-19 in the community once overseas New Zealanders can self-isolate at the end of the month, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. Audio
Growing calls for more support for menopause in the workplace
Experts say women should not be expected to soldier on in silence and should speak up when symptoms like insomnia and anxiety are affecting their work and their lives.
