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What you need to know
What you need to know headlines with summaries.
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Choosing a sunscreen: What you need to know
13 Feb 2024Explainer - Every summer, misinformation about sunscreen seems to grow. A bit like cancer. RNZ asks the experts for help.
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Fees free changes: What you need to know
8 Feb 2024Explainer - The new government plans to pay for students' final year of tertiary study, rather than their first. RNZ analyses the impact of the current settings and the proposed change.
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Why are trains being cancelled because of heat?
12 Jan 2024Explainer - Rail services are struggling to cope with middling temperatures in Wellington. What's going on?
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Do claims about infant swim lessons stack up?
10 Jan 2024Explainer - Some swim schools make big claims about baby and toddler classes. Here's what the evidence says.
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Bumper year for pōhutukawa: What you need to know
24 Dec 2023Explainer - No, you're not imagining things. The pōhutukawa really are bigger and brighter this year. RNZ asks an expert what's going on.
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Covid variants, vaccines, and Christmas: What you need to know
22 Dec 2023Explainer: The virus is making headlines again in the lead up to Christmas. Here's what's going on, and what you need to know.
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What English being an 'official language' would mean
14 Dec 2023The coalition deal between NZ First and National refers to giving English official status. But what would that involve?
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Getting posted presents from A to B: What you need to know
7 Dec 2023Explainer - NZ Post's Christmas cut-off dates are flying by. Why does it take a month for a parcel to get from Auckland to London? RNZ asks NZ Post to explain how items get from A to B.
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Christmas conundrums, from gifts to parties to avoiding Covid: What you need to know
6 Dec 2023Explainer - The approaching holiday season is a time of joy. But it also involves a few tricky questions. From family gatherings to avoiding Covid and even navigating grief, RNZ is here to help. Audio
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Q+A on tropical cyclones
20 Nov 2023RNZ asks NIWA forecasting and media principal scientist Chris Brandolino to explain what a tropical cyclone actually is.
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Bird of the Century: What you need to know about pūteketeke
15 Nov 2023New Zealand's Bird of the Century is the pūteketeke but what is it and why is it so special? Here's what you need to know. Audio
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Coalitions, confidence and supply: What you need to know
31 Aug 2023Explainer - Election campaigns are often strewn with debate over potential coalition or other partnership arrangements - here's how it all works.
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Covid-19 restrictions dropped: What you need to know
15 Aug 2023Explainer - The last remaining Covid-19 mandates have been dropped by the government, so what does this mean for Kiwis now? RNZ is here to clear it all up. Audio
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Whakaari / White Island trial: What you need to know
11 Jul 2023It has been more than three years since the Whakaari disaster. Here's what you need to know as the trial begins into health and safety failings leading up to the deadly eruption.
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Price hikes and cut costs: What you need to know
1 Jul 2023Explainer - The cost of living is set to rise for NZers after today, as several tax cuts and subsidies end, but other changes have a more positive impact. RNZ is here with what you need to know.
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Next step of the single-use plastics ban: What you need to know
29 Jun 2023Explainer - The next phase of the government's single use plastics ban begins 1 July, and may change some of the ways you shop. RNZ is here with what you need to know.
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Future for Local Government review: What you need to know
21 Jun 2023Explainer - Radical overhaul is needed - that is the conclusion reached by a panel which spent two years reviewing the state of local government. RNZ has all you need to know.
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Sale of Auckland Airport shares: What you need to know
10 Jun 2023Auckland Council has voted to sell 7 percent of its shares in Auckland Airport to reduce its debt and limit rate rises. So what happens now? RNZ has all you need to know.
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Budget 2023: What you need to know before the big day
17 May 2023Explainer - The government has made it clear Budget 2023 will have "no frills" but what will be in it? RNZ has all you need to know ahead of Thursday's announcement.
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Wellington hostel fire: What you need to know
16 May 2023Up to 10 people are dead after a devastating fire ripped through Loafers Lodge in Wellington in the early hours. Here is what we know so far.
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King Charles' coronation: What you need to know
2 May 2023Eight months after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles' coronation is soon to take place. RNZ has all you need to know about the event.
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What's wrong with the Emissions Trading Scheme?
29 Apr 2023The Climate Change Commission this week got stuck into the current settings of the Emissions Trading Scheme. Here's what you need to know.
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Latching, hatching and scratching: All you need to know about scabies (but were definitely afraid to ask)
14 Apr 2023Explainer: News of increased scabies cases is enough to make anyone a bit scratchy. So how do you know if you've got the little mites and what can you do? Lucy Corry gets under the skin of the issue.
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Flood-damaged cars: What you need to know
1 Mar 2023With thousands of vehicles water damaged from the Auckland January floods and Cyclone Gabrielle combined, insurance companies are swamped with claims. Drivers face many pitfalls and dilemmas. Here's…
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