CoveragePost
March 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Economists were split on whether the conflict in the Middle East would mean lower or higher interest rates. Stuff/Kathryn George Banks are moving interest rates higher, but the right term to pick depends a lot on how you think the economy will fare through the rest of this year. BNZ on ... <a title="Interest rates rise, so what’s the best strategy now?" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/18/interest-rates-rise-so-whats-the-best-strategy-now/" aria-label="Read more about Interest rates rise, so what’s the best strategy now?">Read more</a>
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March 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Associate Education Minister David Seymour RNZ / Mark Papalii An iwi-led charter school will open in Porirua later this year. Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced the Ngati Toa-run secondary school for children in Y7-13, Kura Toa, would open in the third school term. Seymour said Ngāti Toa’s education organisation, Puna ... <a title="David Seymour announces new iwi-led charter school for Wellington region" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/18/david-seymour-announces-new-iwi-led-charter-school-for-wellington-region/" aria-label="Read more about David Seymour announces new iwi-led charter school for Wellington region">Read more</a>
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March 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Auckland firefighters protest for better pay and work conditions on November 2025. RNZ/Lucy Xia Fire and Emergency (FENZ) has once again postponed its final decisions about restructuring. Originally, FENZ said it would decide before Christmas on a proposal made last November to cut 140 positions and make changes to 700 roles ... <a title="Fire and Emergency postpones decision on cutting 140 jobs" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/18/fire-and-emergency-postpones-decision-on-cutting-140-jobs/" aria-label="Read more about Fire and Emergency postpones decision on cutting 140 jobs">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Quin Tauetau Consumer confidence slipped in the March quarter as global uncertainty made households more nervous about the economic outlook. The Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence Index fell 1.8 points to 94.7. A level below 100 indicates pessimists outweigh optimists. Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod said the survey was ... <a title="Consumers ‘nervous’ about economic outlook amid war in Middle East" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/18/consumers-nervous-about-economic-outlook-amid-war-in-middle-east/" aria-label="Read more about Consumers ‘nervous’ about economic outlook amid war in Middle East">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Police at the scene. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson Four teenagers have been charged over an Auckland home invasion that resulted in a high-speed chase across the city, ending on Karangahape Road with a forced stop. The accused – aged between 15 and 17 – are due to appear in the ... <a title="Four teens charged charged burglary and high-speed chase in Auckland" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/18/four-teens-charged-charged-burglary-and-high-speed-chase-in-auckland/" aria-label="Read more about Four teens charged charged burglary and high-speed chase in Auckland">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Moana Pasifika halfback Augustine Pulu tackles Blues opposite Sam Nock. Alan Lee / www.photosport.nz Moana Pasifika halfback Augustine Pulu has been suspended for three weeks for a dangerous tackle during his side’s 43-7 defeat to the Blues last weekend. It’s a blow for Moana who have three tough games on the ... <a title="Moana Pasifika’s Augustine Pulu gets three week ban for dangerous tackle" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/18/moana-pasifikas-augustine-pulu-gets-three-week-ban-for-dangerous-tackle/" aria-label="Read more about Moana Pasifika’s Augustine Pulu gets three week ban for dangerous tackle">Read more</a>
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March 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Thieves stole 13 artworks by masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Manet, and Degas from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990. Screeenshot / FBI Thirty-six years on, mystery still lingers at Boston’s Gardner Museum. In the early morning hours of 18 March 1990, two men dressed as police officers talked their ... <a title="‘Trail went cold’: The hunt for masterpieces stolen in the Gardner Museum heist" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/18/trail-went-cold-the-hunt-for-masterpieces-stolen-in-the-gardner-museum-heist/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Trail went cold’: The hunt for masterpieces stolen in the Gardner Museum heist">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he did consider his future in politics after his ex-wife levelled claims at him on social media, but he remains “absolutely committed” to staying on. Hipkins appeared on a suite of morning media on Wednesday – including Morning Report – where he again flatly denied all ... <a title="‘Morning Report: Chris Hipkins Hipkins says he considered his future in politics after ex-wife’s claims" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/18/morning-report-chris-hipkins-hipkins-says-he-considered-his-future-in-politics-after-ex-wifes-claims/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Morning Report: Chris Hipkins Hipkins says he considered his future in politics after ex-wife’s claims">Read more</a>
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March 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Global popstar Robbie Williams will play Christchurch’s new stadium later this year. Williams will be one of the first international acts at the One New Zealand Stadium when he brings his BRITPOP World Tour to the city on 28 November – the singer’s first concert in Christchurch in 25 years. He ... <a title="Popstar Robbie Williams announces New Zealand tour" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/18/popstar-robbie-williams-announces-new-zealand-tour/" aria-label="Read more about Popstar Robbie Williams announces New Zealand tour">Read more</a>
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March 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand If more Kiwis make the switch to an EV, could the electricity network handle the extra demand? ABC News / Brendan Esposito With interest in electric vehicles increasing due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, questions have been raised over the reliability of New Zealand’s power grid, should there ... <a title="‘Batteries on wheels’: EV expert says power grid well-equipped for rise in use" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/18/batteries-on-wheels-ev-expert-says-power-grid-well-equipped-for-rise-in-use/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Batteries on wheels’: EV expert says power grid well-equipped for rise in use">Read more</a>
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March 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ Property investors say new research shows that they contribute significant amounts to the country’s economy – but not everyone is convinced. Work by Infometrics, commissioned by the New Zealand Property Investors Federation, showed that private residential property investors contributed $24.8 billion to gross domestic product, or 5.9 percent of GDP, ... <a title="Investment property report sparks questions" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/18/investment-property-report-sparks-questions/" aria-label="Read more about Investment property report sparks questions">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Jess Thirlby former head coach of England. © Photosport Ltd 2021 www.photosport.nz England netball coach Jess Thirlby has stepped down just four months out from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She steps down with immediate effect in a decision she said was “best for me and my family”. Thirlby had been ... <a title="England netball coach Jess Thirlby steps down to focus on family" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/18/england-netball-coach-jess-thirlby-steps-down-to-focus-on-family/" aria-label="Read more about England netball coach Jess Thirlby steps down to focus on family">Read more</a>
