CoveragePost
March 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The puppies were taken out of a pillowcase and thrown into the Whakatāne River. File photo. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King Two young men allegedly filmed themselves drowning young puppies in the Whakatāne River and posted the video to social media last night. A 19-year-old man has been charged with cruelty to ... <a title="Whakatāne puppy drowning video streamed to social media" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/whakatane-puppy-drowning-video-streamed-to-social-media/" aria-label="Read more about Whakatāne puppy drowning video streamed to social media">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The government’s mega-ministry is backing down from work from home policy a day before the matter was scheduled for court, the Public Service Association (PSA) says. The union filed legal action last year after a Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) ... <a title="Government backs down from work from home policy day before court hearing – PSA" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/government-backs-down-from-work-from-home-policy-day-before-court-hearing-psa/" aria-label="Read more about Government backs down from work from home policy day before court hearing – PSA">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Covid boosters would no longer be routinely recommended for many people. (File photo) AFP Health NZ has changed its advice on Covid-19 vaccinations, saying most healthy people aged 30-64 no longer need regular boosters. But there were exceptions and anyone who wanted or needed a booster could still have a free ... <a title="Health NZ changes advice on Covid-19 vaccinations" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/health-nz-changes-advice-on-covid-19-vaccinations/" aria-label="Read more about Health NZ changes advice on Covid-19 vaccinations">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Kaiārahi ferry. File photo. Supplied / Regan Ingley Crew on the Kaiārahi did not know a passenger was missing until they found his car. A search is underway for a person that went overboard from an Interislander ferry on the Cook Strait overnight. A KiwiRail spokesperson said the incident happened from ... <a title="Car left on Interislander ferry first clue person went overboard in Cook Strait" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/car-left-on-interislander-ferry-first-clue-person-went-overboard-in-cook-strait/" aria-label="Read more about Car left on Interislander ferry first clue person went overboard in Cook Strait">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Palmerston North Hospital. (File photo) Last remaining doctors at Palmerston North Hospital gastroenterology department to leave Concerns expressed about post code lottery for patient care Health NZ says it’s filling gaps at the department using staff from around the country, and recruiting new specialists Doctors at a regional hospital are warning ... <a title="Last doctors at Palmerston North Hospital’s gastroenterology service to leave" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/last-doctors-at-palmerston-north-hospitals-gastroenterology-service-to-leave/" aria-label="Read more about Last doctors at Palmerston North Hospital’s gastroenterology service to leave">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Everybody’s Theatre in Ōpunake, with trust chair Kim Gatenby under the awning. RNZ / Robin Martin When Everybody’s Theatre in Ōpunake put out an emergency call after its projector broke down, it appears “everyone” wanted to help out. With a repair bill of $18,000, the coastal Taranaki cinema faced months out ... <a title="Everyone pitches in to rescue Everybody’s Theatre in Taranaki" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/everyone-pitches-in-to-rescue-everybodys-theatre-in-taranaki/" aria-label="Read more about Everyone pitches in to rescue Everybody’s Theatre in Taranaki">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand A new whare for whānau and residents has opened at Barnardos’ Christchurch care residence. Te Poutama Ārahi Rangatahi offers therapeutic care for up to eight boys aged between 12 and 17 who are in state care. But now residents and their families will have a place to meet, learn and heal ... <a title="New whare opens at Barnardos’ Christchurch care residence" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/new-whare-opens-at-barnardos-christchurch-care-residence/" aria-label="Read more about New whare opens at Barnardos’ Christchurch care residence">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 31, 2026
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kerry Brown, Professor of Employment and Industry, School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University On Tuesday, the Fair Work Commission handed down a landmark ruling that will phase out “junior” rates of pay for adults aged 18, 19 and 20 in key sectors. The commission ruled ... <a title="The Fair Work Commission has abolished junior rates of pay for most over 18s. It’s a positive step" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/the-fair-work-commission-has-abolished-junior-rates-of-pay-for-most-over-18s-its-a-positive-step-275439/" aria-label="Read more about The Fair Work Commission has abolished junior rates of pay for most over 18s. It’s a positive step">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 31, 2026
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has quashed a push by his Special Minister of State Don Farrell to increase the size of the federal parliament. Albanese was blunt in response to questioning from Opposition Leader Angus Taylor asking him to rule ... <a title="Albanese rejects push from Special Minister of State Don Farrell to expand size of parliament" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/albanese-rejects-push-from-special-minister-of-state-don-farrell-to-expand-size-of-parliament-278791/" aria-label="Read more about Albanese rejects push from Special Minister of State Don Farrell to expand size of parliament">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Luke Metcalf returned from his ruptured anterior cruciate ligament against Tigers. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport NRL: NZ Warriors v Cronulla Sharks Kickoff 4pm, Sunday, 5 April Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney Live blog updates on RNZ website NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster has stuck with an unchanged starting line-up to face Cronulla Sharks in ... <a title="NRL: NZ Warriors keep faith with starters that lost to Wests Tigers" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/nrl-nz-warriors-keep-faith-with-starters-that-lost-to-wests-tigers/" aria-label="Read more about NRL: NZ Warriors keep faith with starters that lost to Wests Tigers">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Torty the tortoise sits next to a story about her at Te Papa. TE PAPA / SUPPLIED A grand old dame who survived World War I and emigrated from Europe to New Zealand with a Kiwi solider has made a surprise visit to Te Papa to see an exhibition which tells ... <a title="Torty the tortoise, who survived World War I, sees Te Papa exhibit which tells her story" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/torty-the-tortoise-who-survived-world-war-i-sees-te-papa-exhibit-which-tells-her-story/" aria-label="Read more about Torty the tortoise, who survived World War I, sees Te Papa exhibit which tells her story">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Health NZ had a $315m discrepancy between forecast and actual capital spending in the first quarter of 2025-26. RNZ / Samantha Gee Health New Zealand (HNZ) is struggling to build new hospital projects, partly because staffing cuts have slowed down procurement activities, according to a newly-released report. HNZ is headed into ... <a title="Hospital builds: Health NZ ‘significantly underspending its capital expenditure’ – report" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/hospital-builds-health-nz-significantly-underspending-its-capital-expenditure-report/" aria-label="Read more about Hospital builds: Health NZ ‘significantly underspending its capital expenditure’ – report">Read more</a>
