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What you need to know as ex-tropical Cyclone Tam arrives
The storm is expected to bring sustained downpours and severe gales to parts of the North and upper South Islands
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Putting the new Defence Capability Plan in context
12 Apr 2025Explainer - $12 billion sounds like a lot to spend on the military. But is it, really? Audio
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Deadline for comments on copper access: What you need to know
9 Apr 2025The Commerce Commission is calling for views on its recommendation that would see the copper network switched off sooner
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Aluminium, jeans, and whisky? What tariffs mean for New Zealand
27 Mar 2025Explainer - We've heard a lot about tariffs recently. But how do they work, and where does NZ fit in?
What you need to know headlines with summaries.
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Gene technology changes: What you need to know
18 Mar 2025Explainer - The current GMO regime is out of date, experts agree. But proposed changes sideline Māori, some say. Audio
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The US TikTok ban and security concerns: What you need to know
8 Feb 2025Explainer - Why is TikTok seen as a bigger security risk than other social media platforms? Audio
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Was the Mangawhai storm a tornado? Here's what science tells us
27 Jan 2025Explainer: The wind speed of the Mangawhai tornado is similar to one that's occurred before - RNZ has been looking at what we know so far.
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January's Auckland rail shutdown: What you need to know
26 Dec 2024The January shutdown was to allow for KiwiRail to complete rail rebuild works that are crucial to the successful opening of City Rail Link in 2026.
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The tikanga dos and don'ts of pounamu
16 Dec 2024Want to gift someone pounamu - or buy it for yourself? Here's what master carvers and other kaitiaki would like you to know.
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What we know about the man accused of shooting a CEO
10 Dec 2024Luigi Mangione, 26, is an Ivy League graduate from a prominent family, who once favourably reviewed the manifesto of the Unabomber.
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Is it 10,000 or 40,000? How to count a big crowd
5 Dec 2024Explainer - Estimates of hīkoi attendees ranged from more than 100,000 to fewer than 30,000. We look at the challenges and controversies of crowd counting.
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Bird flu in NZ: What you need to know
3 Dec 2024Explainer - Can we still eat NZ eggs? And are our native birds safe? As 80,000 birds are to be killed on an Otago farm, here's what we know so far.
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The Covid inquiry: What you need to know as it lands
28 Nov 2024Explainer - The first phase of the Covid inquiry concludes today. We don't know when it will be made public. But here's what we do know.
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What you need to know about the whooping cough epidemic
26 Nov 2024New Zealand has declared a whooping cough epidemic, the fourth since it became a notifiable disease in 1996.
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The Gangs Act 2024: What you need to know
21 Nov 2024Explainer - How will new gang laws, inspired by Australia's, likely play out in New Zealand?
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Inquiry into abuse in care: What you need to know
14 Nov 2024The public inquiry into abuse in care was a long time coming. RNZ charts its timeline, and asks what happens next.
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What does a 'community work' sentence mean?
8 Nov 2024Philip Polkinghorne must do 150 hours of community work for drug possession. But what does that mean? Audio
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What to know about firework sales, bans and pets this Guy Fawkes
31 Oct 2024Explainer - When do fireworks go on sale? Where are they banned? And how do I protect my stressed-out pets? Here's what you need to know.
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NZ Post's Christmas rush: What you need to know
31 Oct 2024Explainer - Santa can deliver presents to the entire world in one night, but when do you have to get your gifts to NZ Post?
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When will we know the US election result?
29 Oct 2024Explainer - The United States is finally nearly ready to choose its next president. Here's what you need to know about how to watch from New Zealand.
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Productivity: What you need to know
24 Oct 2024We've heard a lot about productivity recently. But what is it, and why does it matter?
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Job cuts barely make a dent in public service bill
17 Oct 2024Explainer - Thousands of jobs have been cut but it's a drop in the bucket of the overall expenses.
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Can the govt step in to take control over Wellington City Council?
16 Oct 2024Explainer - The government says it's prepared to intervene if needed, but what is allowed under law, and how bad is it?
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The rise of remote work: What you need to know
10 Oct 2024The number of people working mostly from home is up 60 percent on 2018 according to the latest census.
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What is hurricane season and why is it so dangerous?
10 Oct 2024Milton is the latest hurricane to strike Florida, coming just weeks after deadly Helene. But why now? Here's what you need to know.
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What is the 'Electoral College' and why will it decide the US election?
9 Oct 2024Explainer - You're probably hearing an awful lot about the Electoral College. But what is it? RNZ is here with a handy guide.
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Social Investment: What you need to know
1 Oct 2024It's Nicola Willis' passion project, set to be led by a former top cop. Here's what the Social Investment Agency is meant to do.
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The long and complicated history of the Dunedin Hospital rebuild
30 Sep 2024Dunedin Hospital has been a political football - arguably a hospital pass - for years. RNZ charts its history.
Top News stories
- Cyclone Tam warnings: More heavy rain, strong winds to sweep south, with Northland first in line
- Callaghan Innovation confirms 67 more potential job cuts as it disestablishes
- Employee survey finds majority believe those who WFH are less likely to be promoted
- Dunedin Gasworks Museum closes after possible earthquake damage found
- Patient left with PTSD after doctor fails to insert contraceptive
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