CoveragePost
May 15, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The solar farm will be in Bunnythorpe. (File photo) Unsplash Meridian Energy has won consent to build a large solar farm near Palmerston North. The 120 megawatt solar farm in Bunnythorpe would be alongside an already consented battery energy storage system. The solar farm would have about 250,000 solar panels, and ... <a title="Meridian Energy to build large solar farm near Palmerston North" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/15/meridian-energy-to-build-large-solar-farm-near-palmerston-north/" aria-label="Read more about Meridian Energy to build large solar farm near Palmerston North">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 15, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The 2026 World Cup kicks off on 11 June in Mexico City, with matches to be played in multiple locations across the US, Canada and Mexico. The World Cup Final is expected to draw millions of viewers worldwide, on top of its attendees. The halftime show, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, ... <a title="Shakira, Madonna and BTS to headline 2026 World Cup Final halftime show" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/15/shakira-madonna-and-bts-to-headline-2026-world-cup-final-halftime-show/" aria-label="Read more about Shakira, Madonna and BTS to headline 2026 World Cup Final halftime show">Read more</a>
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May 15, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The Blues and Hurricanes do battle at Eden Park this Saturday. Photosport The Aussies have well and truly fallen off the Super Rugby Pacific pace. After threatening to emulate the glory days of ACT Brumbies in the early rounds, the men from Canberra have collapsed dramatically, leaving the top four firmly ... <a title="Super Rugby Pacific preview: Defining duo of derbies, Beauden Barrett back at 10" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/15/super-rugby-pacific-preview-defining-duo-of-derbies-beauden-barrett-back-at-10/" aria-label="Read more about Super Rugby Pacific preview: Defining duo of derbies, Beauden Barrett back at 10">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 15, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Several unique South Island sites are in the spotlight following the release of a new Netflix series trailer filmed in the region. The film, starring Florence Pugh and Kieran Heinz, was also shot around the Scottish Hall and the historic rail area near Friendly Bay. The trailer for the limited series ... <a title="South Island spots star in new East of Eden trailer" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/15/south-island-spots-star-in-new-east-of-eden-trailer/" aria-label="Read more about South Island spots star in new East of Eden trailer">Read more</a>
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May 15, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Hamilton’s new “peanut roundabout” is about to open. HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL / SUPPLIED A new style of roundabout, dubbed a “peanut-about” is about to open in a high-crash area near Hamilton. New Zealand had a couple of the peanut-shaped roundabouts, and the latest one would open on Friday night on Morrinsville ... <a title="Hamilton City Council ready to open new ‘peanut roundabout’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/15/hamilton-city-council-ready-to-open-new-peanut-roundabout/" aria-label="Read more about Hamilton City Council ready to open new ‘peanut roundabout’">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 15, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand We count what’s easy, but not what really matters, philosopher C. Thi Nguyen says. The gap between what institutions measure and more meaningful metrics is something he frequently encounters. “I constantly have to metrify learning outcomes and report to higher ups in distant state legislatures about how well we are doing ... <a title="Are you ruled by numbers? Why, how and what we count matters" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/15/are-you-ruled-by-numbers-why-how-and-what-we-count-matters/" aria-label="Read more about Are you ruled by numbers? Why, how and what we count matters">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 15, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The house in Mairehau on Friday morning. RNZ / Louis Dunham A child has died and six people have been injured, one critically, after a house fire in Christchurch. Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand have started inquiries after the child died at the scene of the fire in Mairehau. ... <a title="Child dies, six in hospital after fire tears through Christchurch home" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/15/child-dies-six-in-hospital-after-fire-tears-through-christchurch-home/" aria-label="Read more about Child dies, six in hospital after fire tears through Christchurch home">Read more</a>
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May 15, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Rotorua Canopy Tours general manager Paul Button. (File photo) Andrew Warner Tourists arrivals were the highest they’d been this March since before Covid-19, but as the fuel crisis continues tourism may take a hit. Fuel prices have soared this year due to the conflict in the Middle East, making travel, both ... <a title="‘Bit of a hit’: Tourist arrivals hit new high since pre-Covid-19 this year, but fuel crisis may bite" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/15/bit-of-a-hit-tourist-arrivals-hit-new-high-since-pre-covid-19-this-year-but-fuel-crisis-may-bite/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Bit of a hit’: Tourist arrivals hit new high since pre-Covid-19 this year, but fuel crisis may bite">Read more</a>
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May 15, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The Matai Medical Research Team. Matai Medical Research / SUPPLIED A Māori-led methamphetamine recovery programme in Gisborne is being hailed as a global leader in addiction research and recovery. He Haerenga ki te Whakaora, run by Mātai Medical Research, combined clinical science with mātauranga Māori to support people recovering from methamphetamine ... <a title="Māori-led meth recovery model in Gisborne drawing global attention" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/15/maori-led-meth-recovery-model-in-gisborne-drawing-global-attention/" aria-label="Read more about Māori-led meth recovery model in Gisborne drawing global attention">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 15, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand A long-awaited coastal Wellington cycleway in the Hutt Valley has come up short for some cyclists, after leaving “strings of kids on bikes heading into traffic” near Eastbourne. The $80 million Tupua Horo Nuku – a 4km seawall, and shared cycle and walking path along Marine Drive – opened in April. ... <a title="Long-awaited Hutt Valley cycleway falls short of expectations through Days Bay" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/15/long-awaited-hutt-valley-cycleway-falls-short-of-expectations-through-days-bay/" aria-label="Read more about Long-awaited Hutt Valley cycleway falls short of expectations through Days Bay">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 15, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Three-time world champion Gabriel Medina of Brazil after Thursday’s practice session. Rambo Estrada/WSL For the next 11 days, Raglan is set to shift from laid-back surf town to the centre stage of world surfing. The World Surf League arrives at Manu Bay on Friday, marking the first time New Zealand has ... <a title="World Surf League: A beginner’s guide to the event in Raglan" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/15/world-surf-league-a-beginners-guide-to-the-event-in-raglan/" aria-label="Read more about World Surf League: A beginner’s guide to the event in Raglan">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 15, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand International students see Masters degrees as a means to become NZ residents. Supplied Immigration advisers say residency rules are driving an unprecedented surge in the number of foreign students paying $30,000-50,000 a year to study masters degrees. Education Ministry figures showed 14,840 full-time equivalent international students were enrolled in masters programmes ... <a title="Foreign masters degree enrolments soar as August rule change looms" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/15/foreign-masters-degree-enrolments-soar-as-august-rule-change-looms/" aria-label="Read more about Foreign masters degree enrolments soar as August rule change looms">Read more</a>
