Newsable

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Transport Minister Chris Bishop have announced a total of 38 sections of the state highway network will have their higher speed limits reversed back to their previous levels. The reversals will be completed by July 1st, with State Highway 2 between Featherston and Masterton in the Wairarapa the first section to have its limit increased again. Learn more about y...

ACT Party leader David Seymour has given his State of the Nation speech, saying New Zealand needs to move past the “squeamishness” of privatisation and have more honest conversations about what the government spends, owns, and regulates. He raised the issues of asset sales, questioning whether New Zealand was making the best use of the Government’s $0.5 trillion plus worth of assets, and allowing...

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has given the annual State of the Nation address while speaking to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. He began by saying his speech will focus on the economy and "almost nothing else". He was true to his word, using the speech to take aim at New Zealand's “culture of saying no”, saying it held back economic growth. Luxon went on to announce the government is setting...

Donald Trump has been sworn in as US president for the second time. The 47th president delivered his inauguration speech from inside the US Capitol where he outlined his immediate priorities whilst also criticising the previous Biden administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Outgoing US President Joe Biden has given his farewell speech to the American people from the Oval Office. As well as hailing his administrations accomplishments over the past four years, he also warned of a “dangerous concentration of power”, saying an “oligarchy” of ultra-wealthy is “taking shape in America”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming died after being struck by a vehicle in central Nelson just after 2am on New Year’s Day. She has been farewelled in a ceremony in Nelson with heartfelt tributes from family and colleagues, including Police Commissioner Richard Chambers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erica Stanford, the Minister in charge Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into Historical Abuse in State Care, has confirmed survivors of torture at Lake Alice will receive a $150,000 redress payment, or can request an independent arbiter make an individual assessment. Stanford said the government has set aside up to $22.68 million for the redress scheme. Learn more about your...

Six60 frontman Matiu Walters says he no longer cares about topping the charts and the band’s “legacy” as much as he once did, saying he now prefers to focus on being “creatively brave" instead. The reason for the change? Fatherhood. Walters spoke openly and honestly about how being a dad has changed him on Paddy Gower's "The F#$%ing News" show this week. Click here to watch the full episode, or se...

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addressed questions put to him by media on a number of issues currently under the spotlight, including the Government's plan for the Cook Strait ferries, the changes to ACC levies, and an indecent assault of two women by visiting members of the Vietnamese Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finance Minister Nicola Willis and newly-appointed Minister for Rail Winston Peters have announced it is establishing a new company to procure two new ferries for the Cook Strait.  The ferries are expected to begin operation in 2029 as the existing ferries reach the end of their operating lives. Willis would not disclose what the project will cost, saying that information is commercially confident...

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts has released details of the Government's blueprint for emissions reduction over the next five years. The second Emissions Reduction Plan sets the foundation to meet the net zero 2050 target as early as 2044, and will focus on eight key policies that have the greatest potential emissions savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greyhound racing is to be phased out in New Zealand over the next 20 months Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced. The decision was driven by multiple reviews and high injury rates, and has cross-party support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis have outlined plans to improve competition in New Zealand's banking sector. The government will accelerate moves to provide Kiwibank with access to more capital, and take steps to ensure the Reserve Bank places greater importance on banking competition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former All Black Ali Williams is now football-mad. He is not only a member of the Auckland FC ownership group, but, as he tells Paddy Gower, he is on a mission to make football bigger than rugby in New Zealand's largest city. ### This conversation featured as part of Paddy's "The F#$%ing News" podcast. Click here to listen to the full episode, or search for "Paddy Gower's TFN" on your favourite po...

The large Canterbury wildfire in the Bridge Hill area that caused multiple evacuations is still not contained, according to Fire and Emergency New Zealand. The fire doubled in size overnight and is now nearly 1000 hectares, with one structure, Holloway Lodge, so far lost to the blaze. It's believed to be an old New Zealand forest service hutt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...

In a wide-ranging conversation, Stuff's senior political correspondent Jenna Lynch sat down with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to talk about the state of New Zealand's health system, the coalition government, military academies, guns, cost of living, the treaty principles debate, and what 2025 could have in store. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a nearly 7 week trial, Chinese national Tingjun Cao has been found guilty of murdering Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao. Bao went missing in July 2023, with her body being found in a shallow grave just over a year later. Jake Kenny from The Press looks back on what was an extraordinary trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown have announced major changes to Auckland's transport policy decision making structure. This includes returning regional and transport planning to Auckland Council, and establishing a new Auckland Regional Transport Committee that will be tasked with developing a 30 year transport plan for Auckland, to be agreed upon by both Cabinet and...

Paddy Gower sits down with Shortland Street actor Bella Kalolo-Suraj to talk about the hurtful messages she receives about her weight and the effect they have on her. Kalolo-Suraj, who was recently named New Zealand’s Television Personality of the Year for her role as Selina To'a, told Paddy she’s been fat-shamed with online messages that often start with “I don't want to offend, but...”. This con...

Defence Minister Judith Collins and Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding speak after an interim Court of Inquiry report found the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui off the coast of Samoa in October was the result of a "series of human errors". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who was the former Covid-19 response minister, reacts to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into New Zealand's Covid-19 response releasing it's Phase One report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christopher Luxon has said a crash between his limo and a police car was “a bit of a shock” but luckily no-one was hurt. He also fielded questions on the Royal Commission of Inquiry's imminent report into New Zealand's Covid-19 response, and Winston Peter's recent comments suggesting he may be "struggling" in the role of Prime Minister. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...

There have been 76 reports or inquiries into various elements of the Covid-19 pandemic in New Zealand. The latest will be the biggest so far: a Royal Commission of Inquiry. But it’s only ‘Phase One’. Stuff's Explainer Editor Lloyd Burr sat down with the Inquiry Chair, Professor Tony Blakely, who talked about Voices For Freedom, Jacinda Ardern, and why Winston Peters has beef with him. Learn more a...

As expected the Reserve Bank has dropped the official cash rate by 50 basis points to 4.25%, the lowest level since November 2022. Once again we've enlisted the services of Brad Olsen from Infometrics to tell us what this means in real terms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins have paid tribute to former National Party minister Nikki Kaye, who has passed away aged 44 following a long battle with breast cancer. Sir John Key, who was Prime Minister when Kaye was a minister, also spoke about her political and personal legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices