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'Justice' or 'vengeance'? Why sex offender name suppression is changing
Explainer - A recently passed law aims to give victims of sexual offences more control over name suppression orders. Audio
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What we know so far about new road user charges
7 Aug 2025Explainer - The government calls it the biggest change to road funding in 50 years. But what are these RUCs that will replace the petrol tax? Audio
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Our hottest destinations are set to start charging foreign tourists - here's why
7 Aug 2025Explainer - If you're coming to New Zealand as a tourist to check out some of our most famous attractions, get ready to pay a little more for the privilege.
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What's replacing NCEA and how to have your say
4 Aug 2025Explainer - The system is going away - but what's taking its place? Here's what we know so far. Audio
What you need to know headlines with summaries.
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What would New Zealand recognising Palestinian statehood mean?
Explainer - World leaders are moving toward accepting the idea of Palestinian statehood. What does it mean if New Zealand does? Audio
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What you need to know about why nurses are striking
29 Jul 2025Explainer - Nurses and midwives held a strike for 24 hours in protests over staffing levels and pay. Here's what you need to know. Audio
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How the government wants to change how we vote
30 Jul 2025Explainer - The Electoral Amendment Bill has had its first reading in Parliament. But what does it actually say? Audio
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AI and public submissions - What you need to know
25 Jul 2025Explainer - Submissions have been soaring for legislation, and AI is being used more and more. But what does that mean?
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All the changes to schools so far this year - and what's coming next
22 Jul 2025Explainer - It's been a busy year so far for education policy, with a series of announcements by the government and curriculum changes.
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Why New Zealand First wants to require businesses to accept cash
Explainer - A member's bill put forward by New Zealand First would require businesses to accept cash as payment. Here's what you need to know. Audio
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What is a flash flood and why are they so dangerous?
15 Jul 2025Explainer - Hundreds are dead or missing in Texas flash floods. The Tasman District has been hit hard. Why is flash flooding so hard to predict? Video
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Birth trauma - what is it and how do people heal?
14 Jul 2025Explainer - It's Birth Trauma Awareness Week - but what is it exactly and why should you know what it is?
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Why KFC went after a teen's business logo
Explainer: Why does a giant global corporation care so much about the logo being used by a young Christchurch entrepreneur?
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How New Zealand decides who is and isn't a 'terrorist'
8 Jul 2025Explainer - The Proud Boys are no longer a terrorist entity in New Zealand. But how does a group get designated as terrorists in the first place?
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Nobody's buying carbon anymore - and it's costing the government millions
5 Jul 2025Explainer - Seven failed auctions and counting. How did the government lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue from big polluters?
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Want to be a mayor? How to stand in local body elections
3 Jul 2025Explainer - Have you ever wanted to stand for local office? Now's your chance, as the nomination period for this year's local body elections opens Friday.
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Can US Customs search your phone? What you need to know
1 Jul 2025Explainer - When travelling to America as a tourist or on a visa, US Customs have the right to search your devices - as do many other countries. Audio
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Healthy Homes, KiwiSaver, Jobseeker and more - What's changing on 1 July?
30 Jun 2025Explainer - From Tuesday, new rules are affecting everything from Healthy Homes to ACC to Jobseeker and KiwiSaver. Here's a roundup. Audio
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Melatonin, ADHD meds and magic mushrooms - what are the changes?
26 Jun 2025Explainer - The government has changed regulations on several medications. Here's what you need to know about melatonin, ADHD medicine and psilocybin access. Audio
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Ozempic is just days away in New Zealand: what to know
26 Jun 2025Explainer - The celebrity weight loss and diabetes drug should be on shelves within days.
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Is it real or is it AI? How to tell fake from real
24 Jun 2025Explainer - AI-generated images are unavoidable these days. If you're not a computer expert, how do you even know what's real anymore?
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How the govt plans to tackle 'stubbornly high' suicide rates
18 Jun 2025Explainer - The government announced a new five-year Suicide Prevention Action Plan this week. But what does it include? Audio
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Why disposable vapes will vanish from stores this week
16 Jun 2025Explainer - What exactly is being banned? What are the new rules? And what does it mean for the industry and vapers? Audio
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Covid is still around - so what are the isolation rules now?
13 Jun 2025Explainer - Do you still have to isolate if you get Covid? Can you get free RAT tests? Here's what you need to know.
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Could California actually leave the US?
Explainer - After the US military was called in over anti-Trump protests in LA, perennial talk of California seceding sparked up again. Could it really happen? Audio
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Regulatory Standards Bill: What is it and why the controversy?
10 Jun 2025Explainer - The public has been asked to give feedback on David Seymour's new bill this month. Here's what it would do, and some of the concerns.
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Twelve-month prescription renewals: What you need to know
7 Jun 2025Explainer - The government announced in the Budget a plan to allow 12-month prescription renewals. But how will it work?
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What will the changes to Sport New Zealand actually mean?
6 Jun 2025Explainer - A government-ordered independent review of the sports agency recommended an overhaul of its institutional set-up. What will the overhaul mean for people on the ground?
Top News stories
- Protesters confront Resources Minister Shane Jones in Whangārei over fast-track projects
- Air traffic control outage disrupts multiple flights, forcing diversions back to New Zealand
- Spring Hill Prison lockdown ends after inmates start riot, light fires
- New Zealand mother Sarah Shaw and six-year-old son detained by US immigration return home
- Trump says Ukraine needs to make a deal after summit with Putin ends without ceasefire
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