The Briefing
New Zealand
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Why did it take so long for an emergency alert to be issued during Auckland's Easter floods?
10:21 am todayHealthy Waters received its first alert of heavy rain around 10.29pm Friday, but Emergency Management didn't alert the public until 12.42am Saturday.
Abuse toward Wellington City Council staff up 323 percent
Top awards for RNZ journalists at 2025 Voyager Media Awards
Politics
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'Read the room': Andrew Little to ask council not to sign more Golden Mile contracts
16 May 2025Wellington mayor says project has been given the green-light, and it appears Little did not understand council process. Audio
Budget 2025: Nicola Willis announces half-billion-dollar boost for film industry
Pasifika leaders, influencers weigh in on proposed social media ban for under-16s
Sport
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Sinner fights back to set up Italian Open final showdown with Alcaraz
10:53 am todayWorld number one Jannik Sinner has set up a riveting Italian Open final showdown with Carlos Alcaraz.
‘The boys didn't drop our heads’ – Canes bringing the belief back
McLaren dominates Imola F1 practice, Lawson 15th fastest
Business
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'Trump bump' expected to lift inflation
16 May 2025Reserve Bank survey had 41 responses from business leaders and professional forecasters.
Woolworths says NZ groceries cheaper than UK, Australia if you take off GST
Is it actually a good time to buy a house?
More News & Current Affairs
Featured stories
Why weight loss drugs are not a 'miracle' cure for obesity
Are drugs like Ozempic effective at helping with food addiction in the long term?
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Lorde talks about eating disorder in Rolling Stone interview
The 28-year-old Kiwi singer bared her soul in an interview with the magazine, which she will feature on the cover of for the June edition.
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The ugly plush toy having its moment, even in NZ
Seen swinging from the luxury handbags of trendy A-listers, the collectible Labubu plush is everywhere.
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What makes Hamilton's $98 'glorified pie’ so special?
It costs about the same price as 14 local bakery pies.
In Case You Missed It
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10,000 New Zealanders may have lost vision due to toxoplasmosis
9:24 am todayOtago University researchers estimate 40,000 people are affected by ocular toxoplasmosis.
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Frustrated by your dog since having a baby? It's called 'pet resentment'
16 May 2025While our furry friends can make beautiful family members, in the throes of early parenthood, they can also be a source of frustration.
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Harvard Law School bought a copy of Magna Carta for $27. Turns out, it's an original
16 May 2025British historians were able to verify the document's true authenticity after an academic stumbled across the item.
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Collins defiant over survey: 'The Greens are, frankly, bonkers'
16 May 2025The Public Service Minister claims questions she removed about religion, te reo Māori and rainbow identities because they infringed on people's privacy.
RNZ Music
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Levi Patel's Chinese love affair
Composer Levi Patel fell in love with a woman from Liuzhou. It didn't last, but his relationship with the Chinese city continues to blossom. Video, Audio
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Cultural life inside the Loop
Tongan Kiwi Jack Bourke trained as a tenor. These days his work is focused on maximising the benefit Auckland's art scene gets from the city's underground rail link. Video, Audio
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Tim Dodd: 35 years of bringing the music to you
On the eve of his retirement, RNZ Concert Producer Tim Dodd talks about his career, and why Aotearoa needs a dedicated commercial-free music station. Audio
In Depth
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Health NZ to outsource thousands of cases to private hospitals
And it also plans to ask surgeons to work longer hours in a bid to cut the waitlist. Audio
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Ministers make decisions on fast-track projects despite donations
One political scientist believes such donations to political parties could be perceived as creating a conflict of interest but official advice disagrees.
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The small regulatory shift that could have big impacts on mokopuna Māori
Teachers say removing requirements to recognise cultural identity in early childhood centres is recolonisation, and a backward step.
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Booze lobbyists shape alcohol policy, documents reveal
Industry groups helped develop several initiatives about alcohol harm - including one on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Audio
What You Need to Know
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Australia's social media ban will go ahead regardless of election outcome
Explainer - Why is YouTube exempt from the ban, and does this undermine its intended aim?
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New Zealand's shifting seasons, explained
Our weather is getting 'increasingly muddled'. What does that mean, and when does winter even start now?
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What to know about getting a flu shot this year
Explainer - Flu season is almost here. Here's what you need to know about the different vaccine options.
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What you need to know as Cyclone Tam brings heavy wind and rain
As Cyclone Tam continues to pummel the upper North Island tens of thousands of homes and businesses are without power.
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Comment & Analysis
Ukraine peace process going exactly how Moscow wants it
Analysis: In the end, it's the Kremlin's plan playing out, and there appears to be little the White House will do.
Liam Lawson needs to show progress at Imola
Analysis - The pressure continues to mount for the Kiwi heading into the sixth round of the F1 World Championship.
Analysis: NZ wars should be included in law change to expand Anzac day remembrance
The Anzac Day Amendment Bill is currently before Parliament.
What we learnt from an unredacted government file
Analysis: What official documents should be shown to the public? It might depend on which part of government you ask.