Independent Analysis and Reportage
Source: Radio New Zealand Stephen Colbert’s final Late Show broadcast on Thursday in the US (Friday NZ time) will close out his run in the storied CBS late-night chair once occupied by David Letterman. What comes next remains an open question for one of television’s most prominent entertainers. In the months leading up to his…
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 Replacing public servants with artificial intelligence could come with more costs, critics say. 123RF Replacing public servants with artificial intelligence could come with more costs that will eat into any savings, say critics. The government says the plan to cut another 8700 people sector jobs in about 40 core agencies will…
Source: Radio New Zealand Health economists say the government will need to spend an additional $1.405 billion on health in Budget 2026 to maintain the country’s current level of service. Unsplash / RNZ Health economists say the government will need to spend an additional $1.405 billion on health in Budget 2026 if it is to…
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 A century ago diphtheria was the biggest killer of children in New Zealand. AUBERT / BSIP / BSIP via AFP A disease which was once the biggest killer of children in New Zealand is having a resurgence in Australia. ABC News is reporting more than 220 cases of diphtheria in 2026,…
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ Explainer – Everybody knows what a stalker is. But until this month, stalking wasn’t officially a crime. The Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Bill creates a new offence for stalking and will take effect on Tuesday 26 May, after a years-long battle by anti-stalking advocates pushing for change. “This…
Source: Radio New Zealand Kirsten Saunders, the co-owner of Smith the Grocer, says the announcement of more job cuts is tough for the city’s morale. RNZ / Ellen O’Dwyer An economist says more than 3500 jobs could be cut in Wellington, and the capital is set to “bear the brunt” of a major shake-up to…
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…
Source: Radio New Zealand Getting the kids out the door for school can feel like herding cats in the rain. Just when one child is ready, another can’t find a shoe, someone remembers homework, and someone else starts crying because they want more breakfast. Is there a calmer way to get through the mornings with…
Source: Radio New Zealand Supplied / Te Ara Scientists are once-again raising concerns about de-extinction as a US biotech company promotes a “major breakthrough” in artificial egg technology. Colossal Biosciences on Wednesday announced the development of an artificial egg that it says is a crucial step toward resurrecting the South Island giant moa – a…