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Budget-conscious travellers will need to think twice before rolling their carry-on case to the airport - from next year. From February next year, Jetstar customers will have to pay to use the overhead lockeer, with prices starting at $23, depending on availability. Consumer NZ Chief Executive Jon Duffy spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Smashed cars and crumpled bicycles were left on a main road in Central Auckland after a man allegedly went on a violent rampage during this morning's busy commute. A 49-year-old has been arrested. He's alleged to have assaulted a jogger before stealing the car of a concerned passer-by and driving it into a group of schoolboys. Police say he then strangled a dog to death, all within a matter of min...

Netball New Zealand is understood to be in talks with a private investor to secure the future of the domestic competition. It comes amid a period of uncertainty for the sport, which is facing losses of up to $6 million. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

 RNZ Money Correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about what the cold snap could mean for household power bills as energy use soars. 

A cold snap has people reaching for the heater switch, with a record for the country's highest electricity use recorded this morning and another peak approaching. The electricity grid operator has issued what's called a Customer Advice Notice to power companies advising that there will be a potential shortfall of energy at peak times over the next couple of days. Transpower's Executive General Man...

The cold snap gripping the country is set to intensify tonight - with MetService warning of double-digit negative temperatures in parts of the south. The icy conditions are already straining the power grid - and prompting welfare agencies to step up support for vulnerable people. Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd has the story.

Christopher Luxon is digging in over his use of an Air Force flight after attending a National Party fundraiser, saying he has a "busy job". Labour's Chris Hipkins says it's unjustifiable for the Prime Minister to use the Defence Force as a "personal taxi service" for campaigning purposes. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Frustrated dentists say it's not fair that rates of tooth decay in the country's smallest kids have not improved in 25 years. The dental association has released a report card that brings together many dental health statistics in a bid to drive change. It shows 43 percent of children have had tooth decay by the time they're five. Rowan Quinn was at the launch.

A former All Blacks captain is doing his part to combat concussion in community rugby. Same Cane has become an ambassador for 'Hit Kit', an education and first aid tool to help recovery from head knocks. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A Kiwi apprentice is set to appear on the world stage in a competition showcasing trade skills. The WorldSkills competition in Shanghai tests the world's best in a range of skills from banking to cyber security and retail sales. 22 year old Campbell Brown from Papamoa will be competing to be crowned the world's best refrigeration and air conditioning specialist. Campbell Brown spoke to Melissa Cha...

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about American officials being optimistic that a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be reached as soon as tomorrow. The prospect of an agreement that could allow more vessels to pass through the crucial shipping route saw oil prices tumble to three-week lows. It follows days of contradictions between the US and Iran around...

The Salvation Army is seeing greater numbers of young people turn to them for help - as today's unemployment figures show nearly 96,000 aren't in jobs, education or training. The NEET rate for 15 to 24 year olds is now at 13.8 percent. Unemployment has risen to an 11 year high of 5.6 percent. Salvation Army Principal Policy Analyst, Paul Barber spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about Australians being warned to brace for mass wildlife death as the H5 bird flu outbreak takes hold in the country.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The All Blacks' tour of South Africa hasn't even kicked off yet, but one player is already headed home injured. Hooker George Bell has suffered a calf strain and will be replaced in the 44-man squad before the weekend's first game. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest from sea level 12 times sounds beyond human possibility in itself - let alone doing it in 29 days. But that is what Christchurch-born Sophie Woods has done over in Europe, becoming the fastest person ever to run the 2000km Via Alpina. To break the record, Woods was up at 3am daily and running up to 19 hours a day. Sophie Woods spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

An inquest into the death of Auckland health manager Pauline Hanna came to a temporary halt today after her husband Philip Polkinghorne broke down in tears. The inquest got underway this week, two years after a jury found Dr Polkinghorne not guilty of murdering her. At the Coroner's Court in Auckland, Coroner Tania Tetitaha is trying to determine how Ms Hanna died and the circumstances surrounding...

It has been an uncharacteristically white day in Wellington as snow dusted the capital. Further south the polar blast touched down too, with snow and ice causing treacherous road conditions and closing schools in Dunedin. The cold snap is set to continue over the next few days, with police warning drivers about black ice in sub-zero temperatures. Samantha Gee reports.

Snow on the road across Canterbury might further deepen a problem residents have been reporting to local councils. Christchurch City Council has received reports of more than 3,500 potholes over the last year. Selwyn District recorded over 7000. It comes after earlier this year, Transport Minister Chris Bishop said 98 percent of potholes across the country's state highways were being fixed within...

Winston Peters is not apologising for his comments towards a Green MP last week - comments that politicians across the House, including the Prime Minister, have said are racist. Christopher Luxon says there's an election coming, and people can have their say then. Labour's response? Fire him, and let's go to the polls now. Political reporter Giles Dexter has more. RNZ deputy political editor Craig...

A long-time Breakers fan is the club's latest addition to their coaching staff. Josiah Maama has had a rapid rise through the basketball coaching ranks and after a stint in the NBA Summer League he's back in Auckland. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

AA Research suggests the majority of drivers wouldn't score more than 70 percent in a basic road rules test. The survey of 535 licenced drivers also found that people who had been driving for more than four decades scored the same as those who had their licence for just a year. It's prompted the association to call for optional knowledge refreshers when licenses are renewed. AA Research and Road S...

US correspondent, Zach Montellaro spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about the US President saying it's "the last chance" as new negotiations with Iran get underway. It comes after a round of US military strikes were called off over the weekend to help reach a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Despite claims of fresh talks, doubt continues to be cast over whether they're actually happening.

The University of Otago wants to increase the number of students attending its lectures, and it's trialling special attendance tracking technology. The University doesn't have an over-arching policy on lecture attendance, however class numbers are under the spotlight after failing to return to pre-covid levels. Other Universities have tried in the past to set mandatory attendance levels for specif...

The polar blast is hitting much of the country - brining a rare flurry of snow for the capital this afternoon and MetService says there's more to come, with even Northland in line for frost. Widespread snow further south has closed roads and schools in Dunedin, while temperatures are still yet to drop. John Law from MetService spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.