Independent Analysis and Reportage
Source: Radio New Zealand A military drone operated by the NZDF. NZDF / supplied A retired major general says New Zealand is “tinkering” with military drones while other countries forge ahead. Australia and the US last month ramped up their drone rollout plans. But observers and industry players doubt that next week’s Budget will deliver…
Source: Radio New Zealand Climate activists gathered outside the International Court of Justice in July last year after the court issued its opinion finding countries could be held legally responsible for their greenhouse gas emissions. Jamie Tahana A United Nations resolution backing the findings of a landmark climate change ruling has been passed with the…
Source: Radio New Zealand If you scroll through social media for long enough, you’ll probably find videos claiming that listening to songs tuned to “A 432Hz” can provide an amazing sense of calmness or healing. It’s even claimed that listening to music tuned to this frequency can align your internal frequencies to those of the…
Source: Radio New Zealand Board member of Diabetes Aotearoa, Graham King RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly A once-controversial decision to prioritise access to type 2 diabetes medication for Māori and Pacific people is showing life-saving benefits, just as Pharmac proposes removing that access. Pharmac is proposing to widen access to three type 2 diabetes medicines from…
Source: Radio New Zealand Iron and iodine deficiencies are among the world’s most common nutrient deficiencies. Several local nutrition experts say iron, zinc, and potentially selenium, iodine, and vitamin D are worth highlighting. University of Auckland nutrition associate professor Andrea Braakhuis said New Zealand’s last adult nutrition survey in 2009, along with subsequent research, suggests…
Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF A massive, co-ordinated effort to help more people into electric vehicles could reshape the country’s entire energy system, a new report says. EV advocacy group Drive Electric launched its ‘State of the Nation’ report at Parliament today, calling for consistent, cross-party policies to get more battery EVs and charging infrastructure…
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / REECE BAKER Leaders from Wellington’s tech sector remain bullish about the city’s prospects, despite looming public sector jobs cuts. Co-founder of Wellington based online investment platform Sharesies, Leighton Roberts, said his company was continuing to expand in the city and this year had hired another 30 to 35 staff.…
Source: Radio New Zealand If you’re a Kiwi Kirsty, Kirsty Waugh from the UK wants to hear from you. Twelve-year-old Kirsty, from Kent, England, was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour in 2024, she told RNZ’s Afternoons. While undergoing treatment she launched a global fundraising campaign to help raise money for paediatric brain tumours. Kirsty…
Source: Radio New Zealand Popular American content creator Jeff Guenther (aka Therapy Jeff) recently shared some science-backed reasons why it’s so hard to end a long-term relationship. The reluctance to lose your investment was one, along with identity fusion and anticipated grief. We asked experts about some of them, and why being aware of these…
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Samuel Rillstone David Seymour has unveiled a report from his Ministry of Regulation showing there are 267 regulators across New Zealand, but offering no specific solution. The regulations minister says the analysis shows a “twisted spaghetti of regulators who don’t just cost money to fund, but suck up people’s…
Source: Radio New Zealand Modern housing is needed to attract and keep personnel in Waiouru, the NZDF says. New Zealand Defence Force An advocacy group for military personnel is concerned there is too much focus on buying “shiny things”, not enough on the people needed to staff them. Mission Homefront was co-founded by retired Lieutenant…
Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF A national study has found New Zealand children’s enjoyment of reading, writing and maths has dropped, in some cases significantly. The number of older primary school children who do not enjoy the subjects has doubled since 2018/19, as has the percentage who believe they are not good at them. The…