Max Towle

The contact-tracing system missed most of its targets over the first two months of the Delta outbreak.

That's according to an interim report released by the Ministry of Health.

Ideally, at least 80… Audio

Young New Zealanders will never be able to legally buy cigarettes.

That is a cornerstone of the latest Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 action plan, launched by the government this morning.

RNZ's deputy… Audio

The race to become the next Tongan prime minister is down to two, after the caretaker prime minister pulled out of the race.

Nominations close next Tuesday, before a vote happens at a special meeting… Audio

Think of enduring New Zealand sporting success, and you might come up with rugby, sailing and rowing amongst others.

But what about scrabble? Nigel Richards is a six-time world champion and regarded… Audio

Thames Coromandel district councillors and staff are staying tight-lipped about the mayor's controversial take on the pandemic and Covid vaccines.

A code of conduct complaint was laid about the mayor… Audio

Now, you can't beat Wellington on a good day, but what about a dreadful day?

The region has been inundated by rain since yesterday, and 350 properties at the beachside community of Te Horo on the… Audio

Anti-violence advocates say a new plan to end family and sexual violence within 25 years won't work without cross-party support.

The strategy details 43 steps to eliminate household violence, which… Audio

Special government advisors have told the Waitangi Tribunal they don't know why ethnicity hasn't been a greater focus of the vaccine rollout.

Covid-19 modeller Shaun Hendy says his advice showed a… Audio

New Caledonia's referendum on independence from France is happening Sunday - but the campaign is likely to be one-sided and the outcome obvious.

Because of the pandemic, the pro-independence parties… Audio

Health authorities in Fiji are urgently testing recent arrivals to see whether the new Covid variant Omicron is in the country.

The country reopened its borders to tourists yesterday.

Sources from… Audio

Housing analysts say there's been big fall away in first home buyers.

Agents are reporting fewer people showing up to open homes and auctions.

And investors are still backing off, too.

Max Towle… Audio

Auckland's mayor wants the council to adopt a $1 billion climate change package - largely paid for by a targeted levy. 

It comes as the council received a report saying it was not on track to halve… Audio

In Australia, Sydney and the Central Coast are on edge, waiting to discover just how far and wide the Omicron Covid variant has spread.

Exposure sites are increasing, after at least five positive… Audio

Te Tai Tokerau Border Control founder Hone Harawira is welcoming the high-powered call for unvaccinated people to be blocked from entering the north this summer.

The Northern Region DHBs and Te Kahu… Audio

The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a $37.5 million reactivation package for Auckland - it includes vouchers, discounts, and food parcels.

She says it's to bring people back to businesses… Audio

Summer is upon us - well officially from tomorrow - and it's not long until New Zealanders will be free to travel to their favourite holiday destinations under the traffic light system.

Max Towle… Audio

In an unfortunate stroke of irony, international negotiations to waive the intellectual property, or IP, rights for Covid-19 vaccines and treatments have been suspended, due to concerns about the new… Audio

At 1-o'clock today, a new case in Nelson will be officially added to the tally. 

There are 13 published locations of interest for the area extending as far back as Friday November the 19th.

It comes… Audio

Three police officers shot yesterday in West Auckland and another hit by a fleeing car.

Violence in parts of the city seems to be rising - the police union is raising concerns about gang violence… Audio

National Party MPs will this afternoon seal the doors on a caucus meeting to select a new leader after Judith Collins was rolled last week.

RNZ's political editor Jane Patterson talks to Max Towle. Audio