'Severe' magnitude 5.9 quake hits North Island
Published: July 24, 2026 19:31
The quake, centred near Taumaranui, was reportedly felt across much of the North Island, including Auckland, and the top of the South.
š¦ RNZ New Zealand Headlines
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The Latest New Zealand headlines from RNZ News
Site URL: www.rnz.co.nz/news/national
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New US tariffs likely to face court challenges
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/792275/new-us-tariffs-likely-to-face-court-challenges
Published: July 24, 2026 19:02
New Zealand's special agricultural trade envoy Nathan Guy says exporters across the board are bracing for more uncertainty.
The battle for Southland's hills: Trans-Tasman soldiers train for combat
Published: July 24, 2026 18:51
Exercise Tauwharenīkau is the largest Reserve Force-led warfighting exercise conducted in the South Island in decades.
Respected public servant Dame Helene Quilter dies
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/community/789103/respected-public-servant-dame-helene-quilter-dies
Published: July 24, 2026 08:02
Dame Helene was honoured for her work in the public service over 45 years.
Battle lines drawn over proposed LNG facility
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/regions_taranaki/788995/battle-lines-drawn-over-proposed-lng-facility
Published: July 24, 2026 07:32
Port Taranaki has reassured nearby residents that initial assessments of a proposed LNG import terminal indicate it is unlikely "risk management zones" will impact on the community or popular nearby recreational areas.
No bridge too far for man behind new Aoraki Mt Cook bridge
Published: July 24, 2026 07:06
Bridge designer and builder Dan Crocker says creating the country's longest suspension bridge involved unique challenges.
Installation features 'forbidden' medicines denied to New Zealanders
Published: July 24, 2026 06:42
Patients waiting for life-changing medicines to be funded say people should not have to fundraise, go into debt, or travel overseas for treatments and therapies that could be administered here.
Police execute search warrants in relation to Wellington homicide investigation
Published: July 24, 2026 06:33
Police investigating a homicide in the Wellington region want information about sightings of two cars.
Some students in Dunedin asked to self-isolate amid increase in winter illness
Published: July 24, 2026 05:07
Students at University of Otago accommodation who are experiencing flu-like symptoms have been asked to self-isolate whenever possible.
Chance Voight companies placed in liquidation
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/787052/chance-voight-companies-placed-in-liquidation
Published: July 24, 2026 05:03
The High Court has placed six firms associated with Rangiora investment company Chance Voight in liquidation after finding the group was insolvent and operating an unsustainable business
Police rescue team phones in local farmer, who saves elderly man and dog
Published: July 24, 2026 04:51
Rescuers had grave concerns for an elderly fisherman stranded at night in the cold by a South Island river, until they called in a farmer with local knowledge who was able to locate the man in the dark.
Fiji's former chief prosecutor claims govt conspiracy to remove him
Published: July 24, 2026 04:46
A former Fiji chief prosecutor claims there was a racist, government-led conspiracy to get rid of him.
Cat stuck inside Wellington Uber's engine bay for several trips
Published: July 24, 2026 04:39
Norton the burmese cat travelled all the way from Hataitai to Johnsonville hidden inside the unsuspecting driver's bonnet.
Outdoor education subject saved from government overhaul
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/education/786125/outdoor-education-subject-saved-from-government-overhaul
Published: July 24, 2026 04:10
Education Outdoors says the government has dropped outdoor education from its list of subjects that will be re-developed.
Some students in Dunedin asked to self-isolate amid flu outbreak
Published: July 24, 2026 03:59
Students at University of Otago accommodation who are experiencing flu-like symptoms have been asked to self-isolate whenever possible.
Searching for clues to the appeal of China's scripted murder-mystery games
Published: July 24, 2026 03:55
Chinese scripted role-playing games are drawing a following in Auckland as participants look to build social connections.
Body found in West Auckland's Swanson believed to be missing woman Wolvnie Ding
Published: July 24, 2026 03:53
Police had been appealing for information about the 20-year-old since she disappeared last week.
Man arrested after Wellington railway signalling cables damaged
Published: July 24, 2026 03:31
The incident in the suburb of Tawa earlier this month caused multiple signal issues and disrupted rail services.
Son of man allegedly murdered by US hitman, on the run in Tonga
Published: July 24, 2026 03:03
The son of a man allegedly murdered by a US-based hitman is on the run after escaping police custody in Tonga.
Lack of awareness over law banning sale of meth pipes
Published: July 24, 2026 02:55
A newly released briefing paper has highlighted a lack of awareness among police, retailers and the public about the law.
How concerned should we be about the new US tariffs?
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/784934/how-concerned-should-we-be-about-the-new-us-tariffs
Published: July 24, 2026 02:53
Analysis - The US government is unlikely to budge on the new round of trade tariffs they have slapped on most imports from New Zealand, writes Corin Dann.
Former cop steps down from charitable trust following damning review
Published: July 24, 2026 02:47
RNZ earlier revealed an internal police review found an investigation by former Detective Senior Sergeant Darren Folau was "poor", that the complainant was "not listened to and not believed".
Son of man allegedly murdered by US hitman, on the run in Tonga
Published: July 24, 2026 02:37
The son of a man allegedly murdered by a US-based hitman is on the run after escaping police custody in Tonga.
Son of man allegedly murdered by US hitman, on the run in Tonga
Published: July 24, 2026 02:27
Kokohu Vi escaped from custody at the Central Police Station in Nuku'alofa on Sunday.
Mixed results for Pacific bolwers as Glasgow Commonwealth Games opens
Published: July 24, 2026 02:24
There were mix results for the Pacific contingents of the first day of competition as the 2026 Commonwealth Games got underway in Glasgow, Scotland, early on Friday morning.
Former tertiary education staff pleads not guilty to sexual violence charges
Published: July 24, 2026 02:22
He faces four charges - assault, indecent assault, and two counts of sexual violation.
Fijian national recaptured, high-risk NZ citizen still at large - Tonga Police
Published: July 24, 2026 01:14
Liuaki Kokohu VI, a 35-year-old New Zealand citizen of Tongan descent, who is considered a high-risk escapee due to his criminal history, remains on the run.
Police Sergeant Lyn Fleming's husband confronts killer as life sentence handed down
Published: July 24, 2026 01:13
The Police Sergeant's family gave powerful statements, saying while he took her life, she will never be forgotten.
Tonga Police put up bounty for New Zealander and Fijian who escaped custody
Published: July 24, 2026 01:05
Tonga Police are offering a reward of up to 5,000 Pa'anga (approx. NZ$3400) each for information leading to the capture of two escaped foreign remandees.
Kiwi's experiment shows need for new UK passport 'pointless'
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/781555/kiwi-s-experiment-shows-need-for-new-uk-passport-pointless
Published: July 24, 2026 01:05
UK Home Office figures show overseas passport applications almost tripled to more than 300,000 in the first quarter of 2026.
NZ rejects US claims of 'forced labour', as tariffs hiked
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/783238/nz-rejects-us-claims-of-forced-labour-as-tariffs-hiked
Published: July 24, 2026 00:58
"They're looking for any way to put a tariff rate back on," the trade minister said, adding that Trump was "going to do" what he was going to do.
Mayor says 'Hallelujah' to fire chiefs getting back their jetskis
Published: July 24, 2026 00:46
The community and two "outstanding" fire chiefs have "led the charge" to challenge a Fire and Emergency ban, a mayor says.
Cabinet faces 'no-brainer' decision on ancient migration waka
Published: July 24, 2026 00:42
It's regarded as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries ever made in Aotearoa and the wider Pacific.
Police search home owned by well-known Wellington landlord Matthew Ryan
Published: July 24, 2026 00:37
Eight of Matthew Ryan's companies were placed into interim receivership by the High Court it was revealed earlier this week.
Fijian Drua primed to make history in first-ever Super Rugby Women's home final
Published: July 24, 2026 00:26
The Fijian Drua Women will be aiming to secure their third Super Rugby Women's title when they host the defending champion NSW Waratahs in Ba.
Ballooning burial costs spurs call for government to increase funeral subsidy
Published: July 24, 2026 00:17
In Tauranga, burial costs rose 50 percent and ash burial 200 percent.
'Incredibly lucky': Climbers recall dramatic Mt Taranaki rescue after 300m fall
Published: July 24, 2026 00:14
Injured climbers recovering after sliding into 'dangerous little gully' that doesn't get any sun in winter.
MÄori father's fight for dedicated citizenship pathway continues after personal success
Published: July 23, 2026 23:59
But the minister in charge, Brooke van Velden, says she has no plans to review the law.
Watch: 'Cloud burst' hits Grey District, flooding homes and causing a slip
Published: July 23, 2026 23:59
A Cobden resident says he's never seen rainfall so "quick and furious" in his time on the West Coast.
Young woman missing from West Auckland
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/chinese-english/768796/young-woman-missing-from-west-auckland
Published: July 23, 2026 23:58
Twenty-year-old Wolvedi Ding was last seen in the western suburb of Swanson on Friday morning.
US hits New Zealand with higher 12.5 percent tariff
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/782170/us-hits-new-zealand-with-higher-12-point-5-percent-tariff
Published: July 23, 2026 23:26
The US says it's to combat imports made with forced labour - a claim previously rejected by New Zealand.
Eight bodies recovered after PNG boating disaster, more missing from separate incidents
Published: July 23, 2026 23:25
Three boating incidents have been reported in Papua New Guinea waters, resulting in several confirmed deaths and dozens still missing.
Solomon Islands leaders balance China and US ties
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/782459/solomon-islands-leaders-balance-china-and-us-ties
Published: July 23, 2026 23:16
Two recent official trips by Solomon Islands' leaders leave no clues as to where its preference currently leans: China or the West.
'I just feel used': Woman speaks after damning review into investigation into sportsman
Published: July 23, 2026 22:49
"I'd spent half my life feeling like what happened to me wasn't bad enough for the police to do anything, felt shame and blame."
Schools weigh in on open-plan versus traditional classrooms amid changes
Published: July 23, 2026 22:43
Two principals have opposing views on why classrooms without walls do or don't work for them.
One seriously injured in Waikato crash,
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/emergencies_local/782333/one-seriously-injured-in-waikato-crash
Published: July 23, 2026 22:34
Emergency services are at the scene at the State Highway 1 on-off ramps near Te Oko Horoi Bridge in Cambridge.
Doctors issue warning to treat scabies more seriously
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/781837/doctors-issue-warning-to-treat-scabies-more-seriously
Published: July 23, 2026 20:36
The highly infectious skin condition is caused by a parasitic mite that burrows into human skin to lay its eggs.
Weather: 'Cloud burst' hits Grey District, flooding homes and causing a slip
Published: July 23, 2026 19:32
And more heavy rain was expected to come.
Transpower pylon collapse: High Court hears call for class action after Northland power outage
Published: July 23, 2026 19:10
The court heard losses from the outage were estimated at $37.5m to $80m.
Tornadoes, cold snaps, heavy rain and some sun: 'Every type of weather' forecast this weekend
Published: July 23, 2026 19:06
It is shaping up to be a wintry weekend with a blast of polar air, storms and the risk of tornadoes.
Rescue jetskis parked by FENZ last year to be allowed back
Published: July 23, 2026 19:00
FENZ chief executive Kerry Gregory was grilled by MPs earlier this year about taking a hard line on motorised water rescues, which he defended.
Long-time Wellington party flat shut down by council
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/community/781441/long-time-wellington-party-flat-shut-down-by-council
Published: July 23, 2026 18:29
All 16 tenants will be exiting, making way for redevelopment.
Woman who almost died in Auckland swimming pool returns to thank her saviours
Published: July 23, 2026 18:29
Lorraine Moser was halfway through her usual three kilometre swim when her heart gave out, and she started drowning in the middle of the pool.
Universities feel out of favour over 'shambolic' teacher training funding
Published: July 23, 2026 17:42
Government funding for in-school teacher training heavily favoured a newcomer to teacher education that was headed at the time by the chair of the Teaching Council.
Police reviewing additional adult sexual assault and child protection investigations
Published: July 23, 2026 17:38
They are separate to the dozens of child protection complaints and adult sexual assault cases re-opened in May after concerns were raised.
Beehive bunker laptops malfunctioned during destructive storm
Published: July 23, 2026 17:17
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says now that it didn't matter, because staff had other devices that did work.
'Oozing pain': Plea for politicians to tackle hate speech
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/781240/oozing-pain-plea-for-politicians-to-tackle-hate-speech
Published: July 23, 2026 17:14
The Law Commission this week released the final report from its review on hate crime laws.
Explainer: What is RSV and why is it making so many people sick this winter?
Published: July 23, 2026 16:43
Explainer: RSV may not quite have the name recognition that influenza and Covid do, but it's actually causing more winter illness.
Hayden Tasker to be sentenced for the murder of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming
Published: July 23, 2026 16:43
Tasker, 33, was found guilty of murdering Lyn Fleming and seriously injuring her colleague Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay after a two week trial at the Christchurch High Court in May.
Police reopen sexual assault case after review finds sportsman's career prioritised over complainant
Published: July 23, 2026 16:43
An internal police review said the complainant was "not listened to and not believed".
Police searching for missing woman recover body in West Auckland
Published: July 23, 2026 10:00
Officers have been searching for 20-year-old Wolvedi Ding who was last seen in the suburb of Swanson on 17 July.
Arthur Easton murder: Lawyers give closing arguments against former police officers
Published: July 23, 2026 06:45
A judge has reserved his decision in the case against two former police officers accused of perverting the course of justice in the 1985 trial of Alan Hall.
Religious artwork stolen from Wellington church
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/crime-and-justice/777982/religious-artwork-stolen-from-wellington-church
Published: July 23, 2026 05:28
The church says it will close for a day to mourn if the religious artworks are not returned by Tuesday.
Body found in search for missing Dargaville man Saxzin Steedman
Published: July 23, 2026 05:02
The 22-year-old had not been seen or heard from for three weeks.
Hospital IT problems the result of years of under-investment, experts say
Published: July 23, 2026 03:25
The latest in a series of outages took five hospitals across the Waikato region - Waikato, Thames, Te KÅ«iti, Tokoroa, and Taumarunui - offline for 11 hours on Wednesday, caused by a connection problem with the data centre.
'Most likely' feral cat sighted near albatross nest
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/environment/776101/most-likely-feral-cat-sighted-near-albatross-nest
Published: July 23, 2026 03:20
The cat appeared on the Department of Conservation's Northern Royal Albatross cam at Taiaroa Head on Wednesday.
High-profile Wellington landlord Matthew Ryan charged with strangulation, threatening to kill, distributing intimate recording
Published: July 23, 2026 02:44
They include strangulation, threatening to kill, and making and distributing an intimate recording.
Wellington landlord admits making and publishing intimate recordings
Published: July 23, 2026 02:42
Matthew Ryan has owned more than 100 properties, and regularly spoken to the media about the housing market and property investment.
Farming sector buoyed by EU's new take on sustainable farming
Published: July 23, 2026 02:24
The European Union's new strategy shows an approach which values livestock while trying to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, but it comes amid fresh climate warnings for agriculture.
Vanuatu government blasts chiefs' demand to replace first female MSG head with a man
Published: July 23, 2026 01:32
Vanuatu's government has condemned the country's customary leaders who have reportedly called for revoking the appointment of the first woman to lead the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
'Not ready': Clutha District to ask for more time for merger plans
Published: July 23, 2026 01:10
Mayor Jock Martin says there is still a lot of work ahead to decide on the best path and their biggest concern is losing rural voices.
Bullets in wool bales in Hawke's Bay 'deeply shocking'
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/775842/bullets-in-wool-bales-in-hawke-s-bay-deeply-shocking
Published: July 23, 2026 00:30
The discovery of live ammunition at a wool processing plant is prompting an urgent safety warning to the wool industry.
Pacific Island teams set for Glasgow Commonwealth Games
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/775791/pacific-island-teams-set-for-glasgow-commonwealth-games
Published: July 23, 2026 00:11
Eleven Pacific Island nations will be represented at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games scheduled to officially open on Friday (New Zealand time).
Increased police presence in Northland town as search for missing man Saxzin Steedman continues
Published: July 23, 2026 00:09
The 22-year-old has not been seen or heard from for three weeks.
School students successfully launch high-altitude balloon into the atmosphere
Published: July 23, 2026 00:06
Teacher Ashton Stuart says the goal is to get students excited about science - and hopefully spark an interest in a STEM career.
Final search for Jeremy Robertson, sought over his mother's death, completed
Published: July 22, 2026 23:02
Jeremy Robertson is the sole person of interest in relation to the police investigation into the death of his mother Karen Gilbert-Palmer.
Aotearoa's criminalisation of stalking: why the workplace is the next focus
Published: July 22, 2026 22:48
Minister for Women Nicola Grigg said the guide builds on the recent law change.
Explainer: Why fog is worse in winter and why it keeps causing flight delays
Published: July 22, 2026 22:20
Explainer - Have you had a flight delayed by fog recently? You're not alone. What is fog, and will there ever be a way to beat it?
Flights in and out of Auckland Airport cancelled due to fog
Published: July 22, 2026 21:51
There have also been delays to some flights as fog envelops the airport again.
New Zealand on track for deadliest year in the water in almost 25 years
Published: July 22, 2026 21:26
The number of deaths so far is equivalent to one every 3.5 days, with Water Safety NZ predicting more than 100 drowning deaths for the year.
Connectivity failure behind Waikato Hospital IT outage
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/773457/connectivity-failure-behind-waikato-hospital-it-outage
Published: July 22, 2026 20:44
The outage meant longer ED wait times, delayed surgeries, and forced staff to revert to paper systems.
Calls for next government to fund lung cancer screening
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/774421/calls-for-next-government-to-fund-lung-cancer-screening
Published: July 22, 2026 20:08
It comes as four cardiac and respiratory charities merge to have a single voice for heart and lung health challenges.
Four injured in crash on State Highway 1 north of Wellington
Published: July 22, 2026 19:21
The southbound off ramp at Mackay's Crossing on the KÄpiti Coast north of the city has now reopened after being closed for over an hour.
Toxic gas from rotting fish waste nearly killed two workers aboard fishing boat
Published: July 22, 2026 18:05
A further three were injured after rotten fish and water was accidentally pumped into a machinery space on the vessel in February 2025.
Two years until 'one of most majestic sights' in Dunedin
Published: July 22, 2026 17:35
The region has marked exactly two years until a total solar eclipse, when the moon's shadow will pass directly over parts of Otago.
LynnMall terrorist Ahamed Samsudeen threatened prison guards before attack, coroner told
Published: July 22, 2026 17:30
There was no programme to deradicalise a man who stabbed six shoppers at a West Auckland supermarket while they had him in prison before the attack.
WhakatÄne's loss, Masterton's gain: The musical chairs of medical scanning
Published: July 22, 2026 17:11
Residents from the eastern end of Bay of Plenty must still travel to Tauranga for an MRI scan.
AI is changing the way consumers shop, and businesses need to get ready
Published: July 22, 2026 16:39
For years, consumers have discovered products and made purchase decisions by using search engines, websites, or recommendations from family and friends.
Universal RSV vaccination programme could free up thousands of hospital beds
Published: July 22, 2026 16:39
International evidence has shown immunisation programmes reduces hospitalisations from respiratory syncytial virus by up to 90 percent.
Cause of major IT outage across Waikato's hospitals remains unclear
Published: July 22, 2026 16:39
The 12-hour outage caused longer ED wait times, delayed surgeries, and forced staff to revert to paper systems.
Southland man's kidney cancer surgery delayed for weeks amid urologist staffing woes
Published: July 22, 2026 06:44
David Evans is bracing for the possibility his kidney cancer has spread when he eventually returns to the operating theatre on Thursday.
Public toilets in Mackenzie District to get $2.5 million investment
Published: July 22, 2026 06:31
The money will come from the International Visitor Levy and be used to introduce user-pays systems at some public toilet facilities in the district.
Auckland school forced to cancel school camp as families unable to afford it
Published: July 22, 2026 06:12
Papatoetoe Intermediate School says despite attempts to keep the price down, only 160 out of 750 students confirmed they could go to this year's camp.
Waikato hospitals revert to paperwork after major IT outage
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/771868/waikato-hospitals-revert-to-paperwork-after-major-it-outage
Published: July 22, 2026 05:54
Hospitals in the Waikato district have been forced to do everything manually after a major IT outage.
Mum who suffered MRSA superbug warns against overusing antibiotics
Published: July 22, 2026 05:26
A global study has found New Zealand doctors are using too many antibiotics, risking the growth of superbugs.
Opponents of plan to bulldoze Canterbury golf course rally outside Parliament
Published: July 22, 2026 04:48
Developer Wolfbrook bought Pegasus Golf Course in May and plans to redevelop the land into housing using the government's fast-track process.
Law Commission urges stronger hate crime laws, not new offences
Published: July 22, 2026 04:31
Hate speech, and making behaviour that is not already considered an offence illegal, were out of scope of the review.
'Thousands of lives can be saved': Politicians urged to put public health ahead of industry profits
Published: July 22, 2026 04:25
Stronger laws are need to target tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food to ease pressure on the healthcare system, say experts.
Eight editorial jobs on the line at news website Stuff
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/766229/eight-editorial-jobs-on-the-line-at-news-website-stuff
Published: July 22, 2026 03:29
The company says it is pursuing a "simplified structure" in its editorial team.
Wait times for young people seeking mental health support to be made public
Published: July 22, 2026 02:01
Matt Doocey said the next quarterly report on mental health targets would include youth wait times
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