New Zealand news

New Zealand news

New Zealand newsCheck out what's currently happening in New Zealand politics and current affairs with the following interesting headlines and newsfeeds from Radio New Zealand and NZ Herald - our leading radio station and newspaper!

 

Two people injured in Christmas Eve Ngāruawāhia stabbing

Police inquiries are ongoing after violence leaves two in hospital.

One critical, one serious after Christmas morning crash in Tolaga Bay

It comes just hours after five were injured in a crash on State Highway 1 in Waipu.

TV glitch: Pixelation and audio issues continue across Freeview channels for second day

A separate Canterbury transmission fault left some channels glitching for days.

Real Life: Peter Janssen on why he loves small-town NZ and a Sunday afternoon drive

'You just take an interest in everything without being fixed on getting somewhere.'

How one Bay of Plenty family blends Polish and Kiwi Christmas traditions

Christmas Eve is for dumplings and soup, Christmas Day for cricket and beach swims.

Inside Hawke’s Bay’s 155-member Lady Riders motorbike group

'My life two years ago was completely different. I never ever expected it.'

Rotorua Christmas Day Community Lunch: Doors open to hundreds

Hundreds choose community company at annual Christmas lunch.

Christmas Day brings wet and windy weather for some

MetService said a front was moving northwards over the South Island into early Christmas morning.

Northland Christmas Day weather: Far North rain turns to localised showers

MetService says Far North rain in the morning will clear to localised showers today.

All alight: Final train departs Melling Station ahead of RiverLink upgrades

Melling train station has seen its last service for about three years, ahead of major infrastructure works.

What makes Chris Knox's Seizure an essential album

Nick Bollinger explores the work of one-of-a-kind musician Chris Knox, with a particular focus on his 1989 solo album Seizure.

Why it's rare to give birth on Christmas

Christmas is a rare day to be born in New Zealand. Let alone to be having twins, as was the case for Lee Scanlon in Westport.

What to watch on Christmas Day

Belly full? Christmas cheer all spent? Need the kids to flop? Here's what's on the box on Christmas Day.

Year in Review: Tom and Fiona Langford - life after winning 2025 Share Farmers of the Year

This look into farming life with the Langfords was one of the most popular reads of 2025.

Pastures Past: A very merry rural Christmas from the 1930s and 40s

Kerikeri mum’s best gift in 1941: a card from POW son in Germany, once thought missing.

Three youths arrested after Christmas Eve robbery in Hamilton

The trio are due to appear in Youth Court in the coming days.

Uncovering the mysteries behind eel migration and spawning

Dr Amandine Sabadel said tracking technology has helped find the first clues as to how and where eels spawn but there is still more to do.

Far North town, Kāeo, gets running water for first time in more than two months

Residents of Kāeo have lived under a boil-water notice for more than 10 years, but in October the water stopped completely.

Nitrates in water: ECan's rule-making fell short of law over allowing discharges, High Court rules

The High Court stopped short of ordering the regional council to change the rule relating to the discharge of nitrates because of the amount of time that has lapsed.

Warning after multiple people hospitalised after using synthetic cannabis

High Alert is warning people to use "extreme caution" if using synthetic drugs.