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A senior pathologist is warning there's a traffic jam of tests in labs needing analysis, and the specialists who do the job are overwhelmed with work. The government is expanding some testing and screening, or making it more accessible for the likes of bowel and cervical cancer. But Associate Professor Diane Kenwright says the government has done nothing to bolster the workforce to deal with incre...

Wellingtonians may pay more for their electricity network in the coming years - as necessary infrastructure upgrades threaten to push them up significantly. The provider, Wellington Electricity wants to increase lines charges by up to $168 more for a year from 2028. But a consumer group says that'll be tough for many, who are already struggling with "astronomically high" power bills. Wellington is...

While the government's books were poured over in parliament today, Labour leader Chris Hipkins visited blue heartland - trying to win over the Employers and Manufacturers Association in a late-morning meet and greet. Meanwhile, National leader Christopher Luxon was visiting industry, and an old people's home in Wellington. Political reporters Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira and Lauren Crimp spoke to Lisa O...

The NRL judiciary will tonight decide the fate of Kiwi Rugby league player Phoenix Crossland. The Newcastle Knights hooker was sent off in Sunday's NRL preliminary final after a tackle on Penrith Panthers' star Nathan Cleary left him with a horrific ankle break. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

To some, election billboards might seem a bit old fashion, a symbol of a bygone political era, to others, a platform to vent their frustrations with politicians. A man has been arrested for allegedly defacing and removing election hoardings in Auckland's Takanini. So are billboards still an effective way to reach voters? Political marketing expert at the University of Auckland, Dr Edward Elder spo...

United States correspondent, Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a series of taxpayer funded ads lauding the US president, which have copped criticism from both sides of the political aisle. As well as a female prisoner who is set to be executed in Tennessee, which will be the first time a woman has been executed in Tennessee in more than 200 years.

As the election looms closer, only about 60 percent of young people eligible to vote are actually enrolled. So Checkpoint took the streets today to ask those aged 18 to 24 if they'll be voting, or why they're chosing not to. Bella Craig reports.

The Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update has forecast a deficit of $6.8 billion in 2026/27, down from May budget's $11.4 billion prediction. The improved forecasts meant the government intended to borrow $15 billion less over the next four years. Economist Cameron Bagrie spoke to Lisa Owen and broke down what the numbers mean. 

The latest RNZ Pacific news.

Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina forced him to leave, playing in the Rebirth Brass Band keeps Keith Frazier in touch with his home town, New Orleans.

Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan star in the shortest show on radio, where they show they really can make something out of nothing, join them to be part of their delight, or to simply despair. Wallace will also preview what's on The Panel tonight.

Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan star in the shortest show on radio, where they show they really can make something out of nothing, join them to be part of their delight, or to simply despair. Wallace will also preview what's on The Panel tonight.

Seven minutes and 40 seconds. That's all it took for a father and son to commit Australia's most devastating terror attack. It took place at the Jewish Chanukah Festival of lights celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach 9 months ago. 55 people were shot, 15 were killed. Alongside the horror were extraordinary acts of courage with strangers helping strangers, people confronting the attackers and first...

We're playing You're the Judge today and it's a really interesting dilemma we're asking you to weigh in on. Should your wishes be respected after death? Mary* has sent us a conundrum she has and wants your feedback. Message us on 2101 or email us afternoons@rnz.co.nz

A good podcast is like good radio .. you can't stop listening! Joining Jesse to share what she's been listening to is our Podcast Critic Jemima Huston. This week she's looking at: Where is Austin Tice? by Josh Baker (BBC and NPR) and All in the Mind with Sana Qadar (ABC)

The latest RNZ Pacific news.

Tuesdays is our chance to chat books! Our critic Anna Rankin joins Jesse to share what she's been reading. U.X.O by Brannvan Gnanalingam Paradiso 17 by Hannah Lillith Assidi

Mayoral minutes is where we speak with a local mayor about the challenges they're facing - how they're working to solve them - and what makes their community special. Today we're heading to the Waitaki District in the Canterbury and Otago regions of the South Island ...where you'll find Oamaru .... Mayor Mel Tavendale joins Jesse.

The latest RNZ Pacific news.

We're going to turn our attention to parenting now and making the call to get help when our children need something we're struggling to provide. Kristin Ward - mum of three and parent coach manager from The Parenting Place - is with Jesse to discuss when counselling should be considered.

Several big announcements this year have left vegetable growers around the country wondering what comes next. Heinz Wattie's is closing four sites, including its frozen packing operation in Hastings, while McCain is shutting its Hastings vegetable processing plant. For crop farmers, that means finding new buyers, rethinking what they plant, and asking whether New Zealand can support a local frozen...

For many children, seeing where their food comes from and understanding life on a working farm is a bit of an unknown. That's why Patoka-based farmer and vet Dr Sally Newall developed a new learning facility to help change this. Sally joins Jesse from her farm in Patoka near Napier.

Treasury has today opened the country's financial books to reveal the state of the government accounts. It's what's known as PREFU - or the Pre-Election Fiscal Update. As well as a financial snapshot, it also provides forecasts on key areas like inflation, wages, the housing market and unemployment for the next few years. RNZ Business Editor Corin Dann talks it through with Jesse.

Today: Opportunity lays out coalition bottom lines on the environment, economic competition and lobbying regulation ... What happened to the land tax and the universal basic income? Leader Qiulae Wong joined us. With diesel prices spiking and concerns about supply Transporting New Zealand says we should double our diesel reserves. We'll hear their plans for a fuel resilience fund and how to pay fo...

An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.