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A Selwyn councillor says water charges could reach a point where people simply cannot afford to pay, as thousands call for the Canterbury district's pricing system to be reviewed. An 18 percent water bill hike took effect in July when council-owned organisation Selwyn Water issued its first invoices, a year after the entity was first established. Anna Sargent reports.

Scott Watson's defence lawyers say police "primed" and "pressured" a key eyewitness to identify Watson in a photo montage. Watson is appealing his convictions in the Supreme Court for the murders of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope after a New Years' party in the Marlborough Sounds in 1998. Reporter Ellen O'Dwyer was at the appeal and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Some of Rotorua's homeless are busing out of the central city in the evenings to avoid being moved on, according to the Salvation Army. Emergency housing in the city is now down to just one motel with 12 families. At its peak 62 motels and hotels housed 600 people. Salvation Army Community Ministries manager in Rotorua, Darnielle Hoods spoke to Lisa Owen.

All the top stories and other headlines from the day

Chris Hipkins has challenged Christopher Luxon to talk health ahead of the final leaders' debate this evening. It has emerged as one of the campaign's big talking points, as Labour releases its plan to fix wait times at emergency departments. But National says things have improved - and is challenging Labour on its law and order record instead. Political reporter Giles Dexter has more.

An Australian politician has lost her leg after a violent attack left her pinned between two cars. Independent MP Helen Haines was allegedly rammed by an SUV in front of her electorate office. She remains in a critical condition and a 43 year old man is in police custody. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called it a "deliberate act". The ABC's Ben Knight is in Wangaratta, where the attack happe...

A teenage witness has described the bloody scene at a bus stop following the attack that killed an American PhD student in Auckland. The teenager, who cannot be identified, gave evidence in the High Court in Auckland where four other teenagers are on trial - accused of robbing and murdering Kyle Whorral in Meadowbank in April last year. Finn Blackwell was in court, and a warning this story contain...

The Silver Ferns are not going to let Australian netball take all the credit for their recent success. The Silver Ferns opened the Constellation Cup with a victory over the Diamonds on Sunday, and will meet them for test two in Christchurch tomorrow. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe reports.

Act call to stop rail roading children into university and treating trades like a second best option. It's plans to shift what it says is an obsession with university; launching a policy to boost the standing of and access to trade training. ACT candidate Paul Henry joins LIsa Owen with further details.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a US Air Force member who has died after a stunt ahead of a sports game in Texas went tragically wrong.

An Australian MP is in a critical condition after allegedly being rammed twice with an SUV in what appears to be a targetted attack. Back home, Speaker Gerry Brownlee says there has been an astronomical rise in threats against MPs. Mona Kewel from Victoria University's Internet, Social Media and Politics Research Lab spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Rotorua-based singing competition is marking the occasion with a four-day 'Festival of Song' this November. RNZ Concert talks with NZ Aria Trust president Liz Carrington.

The latest RNZ Pacific news.

Ask any New Zealand sheep farmer and they'll tell you, there's always that one sheep that will not follow the flock. That impulse may not be great for the farmer, but it can be good for people. Far too often our values and priorities are shaped by what the flock is doing... what we see on social media. The great crisis of our time goes beyond polarisation and loneliness. It's the struggle to think...

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.

Every Tuesday we play You're the Judge - your chance to weigh in on someone else's dilemma. This week we're looking at whether a couple should share who they are planning to vote for in the election.

Tim Batt joins Jesse with an update on Sony's PlayStation 5 nightmare and how the same problem is now happening with other software.

The latest RNZ Pacific news.

Writer and Afternoons book critic Kate Langdon joins Jesse to discuss: Ordinary People Like Us by Kelly Ana Morey John of John by Douglas Stuart Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

It's time for Mayoral minutes 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 Matamata-Piako District, in Waikato. Home to Hobbiton, Matamata is one of the country's leading thoroughbred towns and it's from there that Jesse is joined by Mayor Ash Tanner.

The latest RNZ Pacific news.

Each year on average New Zealand dog owners spend between $1500 to $6000 a year on their pooch, while cats cost between $650 and $1500 annually. Generally the money is spent on food, vet care and boarding fees, but a growing amount is going towards treats, clothing, bedding and pet specific events. This weekend the 'NZ Weiner Derby' caused traffic jams in Auckland, while earlier in the month the '...

The first ever Aotearoa Festival of Design is happening this week in Whanganui. And in case you're asking yourself why Whanganui... it is a UNESCO City of Design, the only place in New Zealand to have the honour. The festival celebrates the role that good design plays in shaping our lives, with events for professional designers, students, and the public. The keynote speech was given by Tom Eslinge...

If you've been walking around Wellington city this week you might have noticed orange posters advertising "IndieProper". It's a new initiative happening right now to help support independent retailers. The eventual goal is to become the retail equivalent of the capital city's popular Welly On A Plate festival. Jesse spoke to its co-founder - and owner of Wellington store/barbershop 'That Was Then,...