ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on August 20, 2026.
Thriving Kids will start in October. But will the new support system be ready when families need it?
Parents are worried they’re about to lose a system that works and are wondering what will actually be there when their child needs help.
The ancients also worried about the risks of gambling. But even Roman emperors played dice
Authorities in Greek and Roman times tried hard to put limits on gambling. They weren’t particularly successful.
AI bias isn’t just an error in the algorithm. It’s a chain of human decisions
Technical fixes to AI systems aren’t enough. What’s needed is an overhaul of AI eco-systems to ensure they’re more inclusive.
When an overloaded ED gets it wrong, who should be accountable?
A recent case involving a patient harmed in an overcrowded ED highlights the need for a fresh look at how NZ investigates clinical errors.
Question Time has been televised for 35 years. We tracked how it has changed, and what it means for Australian democracy
New research shows Question Time has increasingly focused on the prime minister, raising questions about the ‘presidentialisation’ of Australian politics.
Some parents want to see primary schools go ‘device free’. There could be unintended consequences
The current debate risks turning into a zero-sum choice between screens and pen and paper.
Fertiliser prices and shortages are hamstringing our farmers. But we have other options
Compost, manure and food waste can be turned into biofertilisers made from natural materials.
Why is NZ spending far more on responding to climate disasters than on reducing future risk?
Only 3% of spending on natural hazards focuses on reducing risk, allowing governments to shift liability but leaving communities unprepared.
New research shows how psychedelics reorganise the patterns in your brain
Brains scans show a signature linked to a dissolved separation between the self and the world.
When can you access your super early? A finance and a legal expert explain
There are lessons from the COVID pandemic about why withdrawal rules are so strict.
After Supreme Court setback, Trump again targets immigration by expanding definition of birthright citizenship
Two new executive orders take aim at aspects of birthright citizenship the high court did not address in its June 2026 ruling.
Homebuyers are choosing homes with much higher carbon footprints than they realize
Clearer information about energy costs could help home buyers make lower-carbon choices without requiring them to compromise on affordability, space or location.
How we found a new transmissible cancer in bullhead catfish
Researchers found that tumours on different catfish were genetically similar, indicating the fish were catching the cancer from each other.
Zero-hours contracts are about to change in the UK – how managers respond will be crucial
Changes to zero hours contracts are designed to improve employment terms for workers. Will the cost to employers undermine the plan?
Why does salmonella cause serious illness in some people but not others?
Most people recover within a week. A UK outbreak involving 207 confirmed cases offers a window into the rare route from gut illness to bloodstream infection.
Could robots help tackle loneliness? BBC’s Ann Droid raises questions about the future of care
As robots enter social care, Ann Droid raises a bigger question: can machines ease loneliness without replacing human connection?
Wildfires and a summer of extreme heat mean Andy Burnham can’t stay quiet on climate any longer
The new prime minister may find that UK-China relations hold some answers to the climate challenge.
Ulez linked with better lung growth in children, research finds
Even modest differences in lung function and growth across childhood can matter for long-term health.
Were Denisovans tall compared to other ancient humans? We should be sceptical
Two Denisovan leg bones from Taiwan came from tall individuals. But we can’t generalise to a whole species just yet.
Extreme drought is changing Britain’s wildlife – and some effects won’t be seen until next year
Britain’s native species are adapted to a cool, wet climate. This summer is putting them under strain.