Crews tackling a major vegetation fire in Otago are “aiming to hit it hard today” before conditions take a turn for the worse.The fire near Tokarahi, Waitaki has burnt through more than 800 hectares of farmland, tussock and scrub.It broke out at about midday on Friday. Firefighters said yesterday afternoon…

New Zealand’s ongoing housing crisis is fuelling high rates of rheumatic fever among Māori and Pacific peoples, says epidemiologist Dr Jason Gurney.Gurney has intensively studied the disease’s causes and has woven his family history with his research in The Twisted Chain, a new book out Wednesday. His father contracted the…

A barge that was grounded on a Westport beach for close to a week has berthed in Nelson after being successfully refloated and towed 315km around the top of the South Island.The Westland Mineral Sands barge Manahau ran aground at Carters Beach last Saturday with 11 crew members on board.Teams…

The average New Zealand household could save nearly $1500 a year by installing rooftop solar and batteries, and switching out gas and fuel for electric appliances and cars, according to a high-powered report.Renewable energy advocate Saul Griffith has published a report that finds New Zealand can save $95 billion by…

A homicide investigation has been launched in Northland after a seriously injured man was dropped off at a hospital and later died overnight.Officers were called to Kaitaia Hospital at about 11.40pm after the man was dropped off by a driver. He died a short time later, according to police. Detective…

By Corin Dann and Anusha Bradley of RNZ One of the richest people in the country supports paying more tax, but says the super wealthy worry the government will “squander” the money raised. Bruce Plested, the billionaire co-founder of Mainfreight, said he supported the idea of a wealth tax to…

One person has been seriously injured and two others arrested following a “large group of people fighting” in Porirua this afternoon.Police officers responded to a “disorder incident” at a premises on Kenepuru Dr at around 1pm.A spokesperson said it involved a “large group of people fighting”.”An increased police presence will…

All but a few parents have removed their children from a preschool in the wealthy Auckland suburb of Ponsonby.A spokesperson for roughly 40 parents said as of this week, they believed only two children, down from 26, were still enrolled at the $9.50 an hour preschool.In July, the board of…

While New Zealand’s electric vehicle (EV) market is slowing down due to policy changes, Australia’s EV sector is accelerating with several Kiwi tech companies jumping on the opportunity. A growing number of Kiwi companies have capitalised on Australia’s government incentives and increased demand for sustainable transport solutions.From Tauranga-based electric motorbike…

Kendrick Lamar will pop out on the NFL’s biggest stage next year: The Grammy winner will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans.The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Sunday that Lamar would lead the halftime festivities from the Caesars Superdome on February 9. The…