News
Ardern's Auckland visit: 'I'll be able to talk to the workforce'
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will meet with workers, businesspeople and frontline health workers on her visit to Auckland tomorrow, but is not expected to be out and about in public.
Time traveller's diary: Covid-19 restrictions in March 2022
Explainer - Sometime soon, the alert level system which is becoming increasingly complex, will be replaced with traffic lights. Join RNZ for a journey into the future to see what that means.
Disability sector on new ministry: Time to 'really start to test big ideas'
Disability communities have largely welcomed the establishment of a new Ministry for Disabled People, saying it has the potential to improve disabled lives.
Government announces new Ministry for Disabled People
A new Ministry for Disabled People will be set up as the government rolls out a different approach to support services and brings in a new law to make Aotearoa more accessible.
Vaccine requirements for travel: 'You can see the complexity'
The government is considering requiring some travellers to be vaccinated to fly between regions, but warns there are complications to account for.
National, ACT promise to return water assets to councils
Opposition parties would return water infrastructure to councils, they say, and they doubt the proposed working groups will address concerns about governance, ownership and accountability.
Ardern rejects need to visit Auckland: 'I have a duty to run the country'
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she does not need to travel to Auckland to understand the impact of the lockdown there.
Collins denounces 'two-class system', but won't rule out vaccine certificates
National Party leader Judith Collins has come out firmly against creating a "two-class system" by bringing in vaccine certificates, but she also wants to bring in vaccine certificates.
More MIQ capacity for travellers and community cases 'within weeks' - Hipkins
MIQ changes being announced this week will free up facilities to accommodate demand from New Zealanders overseas and from the Delta outbreak, the Covid-19 Response Minister says.
Traffic light system 'confusing', 'slow', 'rushed', 'risky' - politicians
National and ACT say the government's planned move from alert levels to a traffic light system is confusing and slow, as the Māori Party and Greens urge more protection for the vulnerable.
'New era of market': UK free trade deal to eliminate tariffs for all New Zealand exports
New Zealand has agreed in principle to the United Kingdom's second free trade deal since Brexit, eventually eliminating tariffs on all New Zealand exports to the country.
National's plan risks vulnerable communities, critics warn
The government says the National Party's Covid-19 business plan is economically illiterate, while others say it puts Māori, Pacific people and other vulnerable communities at risk. Audio
Three waters: What you need to know
Explainer - Councils and the government seem at odds over massive water infrastructure reforms - but is your water system in the drink? RNZ is here to clear it all up.
Immigration Minister set to expedite residence visa applications
The government is set to expedite thousands of residence visa applications, RNZ understands.
National's plan calls for vaccination targets to end lockdowns, open borders
The National Party is calling for New Zealand to first end lockdowns then reopen to the world based on two vaccination targets.
'Asset grab' - entrenched local opposition to Three Waters plan
Mayors around the country are lining up for a fight as the controversial Three Waters reforms approach another deadline.
Shaw says COP26 conference most important since Paris Agreement
The climate minister's trip to the COP26 conference and his delegation's use of MIQ spaces upon their return is again being criticised by the opposition.
NZ a winner in AUKUS agreement, but risks remain - experts
New Zealand needs to be careful not to be left behind as some of its close partners agree to share defence resources, but politically and on trade the move is good for Aotearoa, politicians and…
Conversion therapy ban bill: Submitters call for stronger law
The proposed law banning conversion therapy practices is not strong enough, some submitters have argued, and needs work to ensure it will do what it aims to.
Churches at odds over conversion therapy in oral submissions
Church groups making oral submissions on the bill banning conversion therapy have offered a range of views about it, some calling for it to be scrapped outright and others in firm support.
Covid-19: No reason to delay 'overall' plan for reconnecting - Ardern
The plan to reopen New Zealand to the world with a risk-based border has not changed in light of the Delta variant, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says, but there may be some delays.
Shaw rejects claims of hypocrisy over climate trip to Scotland
Travelling to Glasgow after criticising Parliament sitting at alert level 4 is breathtaking hypocrisy, ACT's David Seymour says, but Shaw's office says he is following all health advice.
Elimination possible in coming weeks - Hendy
Te Pūnaha Matatini Covid-19 data modelling expert Shaun Hendy says alert level 4 in Auckland is working nearly as well against Delta as it did last year.
'Delta thrives on inequality' - experts warn politicians
Experts say the government needs to prioritise more funding and health resources for South Auckland, which will remain New Zealand's ongoing front line in the battle against Covid-19.
Greens, ACT urge caution over counter-terrorism laws
Rushed counter-terrorism laws could risk stigmatising refugees, which would only reinforce the false justifications of the New Lynn terrorist, the parties say.