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What you need to know
What you need to know headlines with summaries.
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The Covid inquiry: What you need to know as it lands
28 Nov 2024Explainer - The first phase of the Covid inquiry concludes today. We don't know when it will be made public. But here's what we do know.
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What you need to know about the whooping cough epidemic
26 Nov 2024New Zealand has declared a whooping cough epidemic, the fourth since it became a notifiable disease in 1996.
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The Gangs Act 2024: What you need to know
21 Nov 2024Explainer - How will new gang laws, inspired by Australia's, likely play out in New Zealand?
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Inquiry into abuse in care: What you need to know
14 Nov 2024The public inquiry into abuse in care was a long time coming. RNZ charts its timeline, and asks what happens next.
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What does a 'community work' sentence mean?
8 Nov 2024Philip Polkinghorne must do 150 hours of community work for drug possession. But what does that mean? Audio
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What to know about firework sales, bans and pets this Guy Fawkes
31 Oct 2024Explainer - When do fireworks go on sale? Where are they banned? And how do I protect my stressed-out pets? Here's what you need to know.
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NZ Post's Christmas rush: What you need to know
31 Oct 2024Explainer - Santa can deliver presents to the entire world in one night, but when do you have to get your gifts to NZ Post?
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When will we know the US election result?
29 Oct 2024Explainer - The United States is finally nearly ready to choose its next president. Here's what you need to know about how to watch from New Zealand.
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Productivity: What you need to know
24 Oct 2024We've heard a lot about productivity recently. But what is it, and why does it matter?
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Job cuts barely make a dent in public service bill
17 Oct 2024Explainer - Thousands of jobs have been cut but it's a drop in the bucket of the overall expenses.
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Can the govt step in to take control over Wellington City Council?
16 Oct 2024Explainer - The government says it's prepared to intervene if needed, but what is allowed under law, and how bad is it?
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The rise of remote work: What you need to know
10 Oct 2024The number of people working mostly from home is up 60 percent on 2018 according to the latest census.
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What is hurricane season and why is it so dangerous?
10 Oct 2024Milton is the latest hurricane to strike Florida, coming just weeks after deadly Helene. But why now? Here's what you need to know.
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What is the 'Electoral College' and why will it decide the US election?
9 Oct 2024Explainer - You're probably hearing an awful lot about the Electoral College. But what is it? RNZ is here with a handy guide.
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Social Investment: What you need to know
1 Oct 2024It's Nicola Willis' passion project, set to be led by a former top cop. Here's what the Social Investment Agency is meant to do.
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The long and complicated history of the Dunedin Hospital rebuild
30 Sep 2024Dunedin Hospital has been a political football - arguably a hospital pass - for years. RNZ charts its history.
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End of Life Choice Act review: What you need to know
26 Sep 2024Explainer - The Health Ministry is reviewing New Zealand's assisted dying system. What do we know about how it's working so far?
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Explainer: What is a gang patch and what will happen when they are banned?
17 Sep 2024Police say gang patches are a license to print money. But what counts as gang insignia, and what will police be able to about them under the new law?
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What changes to homes' rateable values mean
18 Feb 2025Explainer - Many councils are in the process of updating rateable values. How is this done and what does it mean?
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Mpox: What you need to know
10 Sep 2024An infectious diseases specialist says the spread of mpox in New Zealand can be limited - if people are vigilant and follow public health measures.
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What gay and bisexual men need to know about mpox
8 Sep 2024A new outbreak of mpox is threatening New Zealand's queer community. Here's how to best protect yourself. Audio
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Should a five-year-old be able to count to 10 and accurately describe shapes?
6 Sep 2024This is what you need to know about the draft English and maths curriculums out for consultation.
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Covid vaccines and new variants: What you need to know
7 Sep 2024Different countries are using slightly different Covid vaccine - some newer than the ones available in NZ. Does that matter? Audio
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The power of school boards: What you need to know
5 Sep 2024Explainer - New Zealand has one of the most devolved education systems in the world. So what's the role of school boards?
