New Zealand (NZ) Stories - Page 2

Kiwi Stories

New Zealand (NZ) stories

Government quietly selects liquefied natural gas provider

Concerns over safety and secrecy are growing as officials move ahead with a preferred supplier for Taranaki's LNG import facility, without a contract yet signed.

By Kate Newton • 5 min read • Yesterday

Commerce Commission

Commerce Commission confirms it will not step in to keep Wellington water bills down

Residents face higher Wellington water bills after the Commerce Commission said Tiaki Wai's costs still justify rises and no cap is needed now.

By Ellen O'Dwyer and Nine to Noon • 3 min read • Yesterday

Water infrastructure

Fate of rural Canterbury water supply on boil notice could be in community hands

Residents in Montalto have six months to devise a takeover plan for their ageing water scheme, after the council delayed some upgrade work.

By Jonathan Leask • 5 min read • Yesterday

Climate change

Boost for flood-prone Greymouth suburb

Vegetation clearance has started as Cobden's floodbank is raised to better protect homes from a one-in-150-year flood, at a cost of $410,000.

By Vihan Dalal • 2 min read • Yesterday

Civil Defence

Kaikōura flood repairs progressing - but who will pay?

The council faces an $8m to $30m bill for urgent flood repairs, with a funding request still awaiting NZTA approval.

By David Hill • 3 min read • Yesterday

Local Government

Rangiora community hub project seeks go ahead from council

Rangiora's ageing Southbrook Pavilion could be replaced after the council earmarked $1.3m, with community fundraising set to match it.

By David Hill • 3 min read • Yesterday

Real estate

Mackenzie house values soar as demand continues

Residential and commercial owners face higher rates bills after the district's rateable value climbed to NZD $8.353 billion on strong demand.

By Claire Taylor • 3 min read • Yesterday

Funding

Whangamatā pool, surf life saving club thrown $220k lifeline

Council approval now decides whether the community pool can keep running until June 2027 after a $220,000 board grant package was recommended.

By Jordan Smith • 3 min read • Yesterday

Civil Defence

North Canterbury switches to single tsunami zone for easier evacuation

About 10,000 residents are now in a new blue evacuation zone, with council saying the simpler map could speed up escapes if a tsunami strikes.

By David Hill • 3 min read • Yesterday

Renewable energy

Canterbury solar farm approved at reduced scale

Opponents' concerns over glare, views and property values were eased after consent for the Waipara project was trimmed by 25 percent.

By David Hill • 3 min read • Yesterday

Spark

Spark Upgrader lets users stack phone trade-in offers

Many New Zealanders could be sitting on valuable handsets, with Spark saying 70% of households have at least one unused mobile phone.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Yesterday

Disaster Recovery

Sovereignty by design: Building New Zealand's digital resilience

A mix of local and global systems could shield New Zealand services from cyberattacks and natural hazards while preserving control over critical data.

By Lewis Mills • 6 min read • Yesterday

YouTube

NZ On Air joins trans-Tasman kids content incubator

New Zealand creators could win production backing as the scheme opens access to workshops, mentorship and up to NZD $748,000 in support.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Yesterday

Emergency services

Zetron named finalist for NZ emergency console project

Emergency crews are already using the new system, which replaces ageing platforms and will be rolled out to more agencies next year.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Yesterday

Digital Transformation

New Zealand tech group urges cross-party digital strategy

One in 10 households still lacks internet access, underscoring TUANZ's warning that policy resets are slowing New Zealand's digital growth.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Yesterday

Local Government

Infrastructure New Zealand survey flags staff losses

Worker shortages and weaker finances are threatening New Zealand's ability to deliver future infrastructure projects, a survey found.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Yesterday

Global Stories

New Zealand (NZ) stories

Risk & Compliance

AI adoption in advice sector still stuck at pilot stage

Only 7% of advice practices have embedded AI across most workflows, leaving productivity gains trapped in pilot projects rather than business-wide change.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 6 min read • Yesterday