CoveragePost
March 26, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand We’ll be livestreaming the announcement above. This story will be updated. The Education Minister is set to reveal details about the process to replace NCEA in secondary schools. The announcement is confirmation of a government proposal to abolish all levels of NCEA, as it looks to replace it with a new ... <a title="Minister announces details of process to replace NCEA" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/26/minister-announces-details-of-process-to-replace-ncea/" aria-label="Read more about Minister announces details of process to replace NCEA">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 26, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Asbestos removal is carried out. Kim Baker Wilson / RNZ Tucked above an unassuming safety store in Auckland, a small team is making big inroads into understanding the asbestos contamination of children’s play sand. Testing for any airborne particles from the products, it is thought to be the first research of ... <a title="Testing for asbestos in kids’ play sand no game" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/26/testing-for-asbestos-in-kids-play-sand-no-game/" aria-label="Read more about Testing for asbestos in kids’ play sand no game">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 26, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Education Minister Erica Stanford RNZ / Nick Monro The Education Minister is set to reveal the education system that will replace NCEA in secondary schools. The announcement is confirmation of a government proposal to abolish all levels of NCEA, as it looks to replcae it with a new three tier qualification ... <a title="Three-tier system to replace NCEA unveiled" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/26/three-tier-system-to-replace-ncea-unveiled/" aria-label="Read more about Three-tier system to replace NCEA unveiled">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 26, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Commercial fishing in the Hauraki Gulf Simon Mark-Brown Advocacy groups are supporting the government’s U-turn on minimum size limits for commercial fishers, but still want the government to consider killing the Fisheries Amendment Bill entirely. Meanwhile, Seafood New Zealand says it is ironic the change has resulted in an outcome that ... <a title="U-turn on fish sizes not enough for some" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/26/u-turn-on-fish-sizes-not-enough-for-some/" aria-label="Read more about U-turn on fish sizes not enough for some">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 26, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Quin Tauetau New Zealanders living in rural areas say they’re being left out of the government’s fuel support package, warning it excludes people already under pressure from rising costs. Almost 150,000 families with children will receive an extra $50 a week to help offset soaring petrol prices created by ... <a title="Rural-based carer, job applicant despair over lack of fuel support" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/26/rural-based-carer-job-applicant-despair-over-lack-of-fuel-support/" aria-label="Read more about Rural-based carer, job applicant despair over lack of fuel support">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 26, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand By law South Australian politicians aren’t allowed to lie in their election ads. Here, we have the Advertising Standards Authority and the Media Council, but neither have the force of a criminal penalty behind them. RNZ Does New Zealand have robust enough checks and balances to stop politicians lying in election ... <a title="It’s election year – let the lies, damn lies, and dodgy statistics flow" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/26/its-election-year-let-the-lies-damn-lies-and-dodgy-statistics-flow/" aria-label="Read more about It’s election year – let the lies, damn lies, and dodgy statistics flow">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 26, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Briscoes Group is halfway through a year-long trial which began in September 2025. RNZ Facial recognition technology (FRT) trials are underway in 18 Briscoes and Rebel Sports stores across the North Island, the country’s fourth big retailer to have announced a move to adopt or test it. Foodstuffs’ separate chains in ... <a title="Briscoes Group trialling facial recognition tech" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/26/briscoes-group-trialling-facial-recognition-tech/" aria-label="Read more about Briscoes Group trialling facial recognition tech">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 26, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF Advocates fear hepatitis C and HIV cases may rise in the South Island as some users are reluctant about a new needle exchange service. A new provider of needle exchange services – Te Waipounamu Collective – took over from the DISC Trust last October. DISC Trust national harm reduction lead ... <a title="New needle exchange provider denies drug users are avoiding it" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/26/new-needle-exchange-provider-denies-drug-users-are-avoiding-it/" aria-label="Read more about New needle exchange provider denies drug users are avoiding it">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 26, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Fire and Emergency is urging residents in storm-affected areas to be ready to evacuate if necessary, following a night of heavy rain. A red weather warning remains in place for Northland east of Kaikohe from Doubtless Bay to Whangārei, with the worst of the downpours expected to hit on Thursday afternoon. ... <a title="Live: Heavy rain lashes upper North Island, rescue crews prepare" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/26/live-heavy-rain-lashes-upper-north-island-rescue-crews-prepare/" aria-label="Read more about Live: Heavy rain lashes upper North Island, rescue crews prepare">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 26, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson is looking after the bill. RNZ / Mark Papalii The ACT Party is claiming the government’s proposed ban on surcharges for contactless and credit card payments is dead, but the minister responsible insists it is still being worked on. The Commerce and Consumer Affairs ... <a title="ACT and Retail NZ claim paywave surcharge ban ‘dead’, but National says that’s wrong" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/26/act-and-retail-nz-claim-paywave-surcharge-ban-dead-but-national-says-thats-wrong/" aria-label="Read more about ACT and Retail NZ claim paywave surcharge ban ‘dead’, but National says that’s wrong">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 26, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ Health NZ (HNZ) says staff have been caught using free AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to write clinical notes, a move it says could result in formal disciplinary action. A memo seen by RNZ was sent this week from a senior manager to all Mental Health and Addiction Services ... <a title="Health NZ staff told to stop using ChatGPT to write clinical notes" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/26/health-nz-staff-told-to-stop-using-chatgpt-to-write-clinical-notes/" aria-label="Read more about Health NZ staff told to stop using ChatGPT to write clinical notes">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 26, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Pia Vlok of the Wellington Phoenix shoots. photosport The Wellington Phoenix women have suffered a blow in their A-League Premiership hopes. The Phoenix have been beaten 2-1 by the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford. The reigning champion Mariners scored both of their goals before Phoenix midfielder Macey Fraser scored a spectacular ... <a title="Phoenix suffer blow in Premiership hopes" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/26/phoenix-suffer-blow-in-premiership-hopes/" aria-label="Read more about Phoenix suffer blow in Premiership hopes">Read more</a>
