CoveragePost
March 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Thieves are stealing copper wiring from North Canterbury power lines. 123RF Canterbury lines company MainPower is offering a $5000 reward for significant information relating to the tampering with or theft of copper earthing wires. There have been more instances of copper theft in North Canterbury since January, compared to the whole ... <a title="Lines company offers reward to help reduce copper theft" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/17/lines-company-offers-reward-to-help-reduce-copper-theft/" aria-label="Read more about Lines company offers reward to help reduce copper theft">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand More than 70 beds will be added to hospitals ahead of the colder months, which the government says will reduce wait times. File photo. Supplied/ Waikato Hospital Millions in new government funding to meet winter demand is a drop in the bucket, healthcare unions say. The $25 million funding will see ... <a title="New health funding for winter a drop in the bucket – unions" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/17/new-health-funding-for-winter-a-drop-in-the-bucket-unions/" aria-label="Read more about New health funding for winter a drop in the bucket – unions">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Nate McKinnon A man who claims he was sexually assaulted as a teen by an older man decades ago has been accused of making up the allegation to get a prison sentence reduced. The accused, who has name suppression, has pleaded not guilty to one charge of sexual violation ... <a title="Man accused of making up sexual assault allegations to get reduced prison sentence" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/17/man-accused-of-making-up-sexual-assault-allegations-to-get-reduced-prison-sentence/" aria-label="Read more about Man accused of making up sexual assault allegations to get reduced prison sentence">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand South Africa’s top scorer Tazmin Brits. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz White Ferns captain Amelia Kerr brought up a T20 milestone in a 19-run loss to South Africa in Hamilton. South Africa have levelled the five match series at 1-1. South Africa won the toss and opted to bat at Seddon Park with openers ... <a title="White Ferns lose to South Africa Proteas Women in second T20" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/17/white-ferns-lose-to-south-africa-proteas-women-in-second-t20/" aria-label="Read more about White Ferns lose to South Africa Proteas Women in second T20">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand A damaged car was seen after police cars swarmed central Auckland. Kim Baker Wilson/RNZ Police have chased a stolen car across Auckland as it hit other vehicles following a home invasion in the east of the city. The burglary in Howick was reported just after 3pm on Tuesday, with offenders reportedly ... <a title="Home invasion in Howick leads to police chase across Auckland" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/17/home-invasion-in-howick-leads-to-police-chase-across-auckland/" aria-label="Read more about Home invasion in Howick leads to police chase across Auckland">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Donna Moon vaccinating a child. Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (PHO) A Bay of Plenty health team has had a big boost in childhood vaccination rates, saying “pressure free kōrero” and giving people space are the keys to success. Over about 18 months, the Western Bay of Plenty Primary ... <a title="Western Bay of Plenty sees boost in childhood vaccination rates" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/17/western-bay-of-plenty-sees-boost-in-childhood-vaccination-rates/" aria-label="Read more about Western Bay of Plenty sees boost in childhood vaccination rates">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Food prices are up 4.5 percent, one of several economic indicators that household budgets are being squeezed. RNZ New Zealand could experience a real fuel choke point in a fortnight, and Treasury’s worst-case scenario for inflation is too optimistic, says a leading economist. War in the Middle East has effectively closed ... <a title="NZ economy to face crunch point over next two weeks – economist" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/17/nz-economy-to-face-crunch-point-over-next-two-weeks-economist/" aria-label="Read more about NZ economy to face crunch point over next two weeks – economist">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Fruit and vegetables are up 9.4 percent on last year, with meat, poultry and fish rising 7.5 percent. 123RF New Zealand would benefit from a regime banning “excessive” supermarket prices, Consumer NZ says. The organisation says some supermarket shoppers are questioning how quickly food prices have risen, as conflict in the ... <a title="Supermarket price warning issued by Consumer NZ" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/17/supermarket-price-warning-issued-by-consumer-nz/" aria-label="Read more about Supermarket price warning issued by Consumer NZ">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Labour leader Chris Hipkins is expected to respond to allegations made by his ex-wife at a media conference at 4.45pm today. He arrived back in the country from Australia on Tuesday. The claims – which do not relate to any unlawful activity – were posted on Jade Paul’s private Facebook page ... <a title="Watch: Labour leader Chris Hipkins holds media conference over ex-wife’s allegations" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/17/watch-labour-leader-chris-hipkins-holds-media-conference-over-ex-wifes-allegations/" aria-label="Read more about Watch: Labour leader Chris Hipkins holds media conference over ex-wife’s allegations">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand TradeMe said Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Kona were the most searched electric vehicles. 123RF TradeMe says rising petrol prices are prompting more people to consider electric vehicles. The site said it experienced a 142 percent spike in searches for electric vehicles in March compared to February. The average price of 91 ... <a title="Rising petrol prices sees spike in Trade Me searches for electric vehicles" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/17/rising-petrol-prices-sees-spike-in-trade-me-searches-for-electric-vehicles/" aria-label="Read more about Rising petrol prices sees spike in Trade Me searches for electric vehicles">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Paul Canton served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1991-1998. Military.com/Facebook/Supplied A New Zealander who has lived in the US for 25 years and even served in the US Marine Corps now faces deportation from the country. Paul Canton was in Marines for seven years and had built a life for ... <a title="New Zealand born US Marine denied citizenship says system is flawed" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/17/new-zealand-born-us-marine-denied-citizenship-says-system-is-flawed/" aria-label="Read more about New Zealand born US Marine denied citizenship says system is flawed">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Whakaari / White Island on 17 March. Geonet Volcanic alert levels for Whakaari / White Island have been lowered. There was a minor eruption last week, raising warning levels and leaving flights at Tauranga Airport cancelled. Earth Sciences New Zealand says new satellite data shows ash emissions could have started as ... <a title="Whakaari / White Island volcanic alert level lowered" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/17/whakaari-white-island-volcanic-alert-level-lowered/" aria-label="Read more about Whakaari / White Island volcanic alert level lowered">Read more</a>
