RNZ: The Detail

New Zealand is running out of gas and prices are rising - but that hasn't stopped some households from hooking upNatural gas is a dwindling resource, and exploration isn't turning up much. So what happens when New Zealand runs out - and why are some new users still hooking up?…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Information about Iran's nuclear programme is highly secretive, but experts say the bombings may not have been a huge setback US President Trump said his bombs 'obliterated' nuclear facilities in Iran, but a nuclear scientist here in New Zealand says 'you can't destroy knowledge'It's a long time since we've been on the edge of our seats wondering if a full-blown nuclear war is about to happen.But many had that sensation when the US President said last weekend that Iran's nuclear facilities had been "completely and totally obliterated".Trump's bullseye claim is now in question but the bombing had many experts talking about the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 at the height of the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union."They were very real fears and there were some very close calls, in particular during the Cuban Missile Crisis we now know the world came incredibly close to nuclear conflict," international law and nuclear weapons expert Anna Hood of Auckland University says.People feared then that the "Cold War would turn hot". Since then we have had volatile moments and right now the risk is heightened, she says."There were higher numbers of weapons during the Cold War. We have seen some level of disarmament since then but we haven't seen enough movement in the last few years. The numbers are still very high."Not only have the numbers stayed high, but countries are trying to upgrade and enhance the weapons they do have, she says."I would like to hope that most states, all states, wouldn't go there [nuclear war] or even if they've got nuclear weapons that that's not what they'll use but I think there are very serious risks in terms of what happens in the heat of a conflict, in terms of accidents."Hood focuses much of her time on the numerous nuclear issues afflicting the world today and how to work towards a nuclear-free world."We are a long way unfortunately from that," she admits, pointing to the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists' annual Doomsday Clock showing we are closer than ever – 89 seconds to midnight, and catastrophe.Hood tells The Detail why the US strike on Iran is a violation of international law and the possible consequences.While the impact of the B2 stealth bomber attacks is still not clear, senior physics lecturer at Auckland University David Krofcheck says it does not end Iran's nuclear amibitions…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

As far as New Zealand's economic recovery goes, we're still crawling out of our deep recessionary hole - and we've just hit a global glitch Quarterly figures are supposed to point to where our economy is heading, but any hopeful messages in them last week have just been blown out of the water…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sir Graham Henry beamed into the world's most prestigious ad awards to congratulate New Zealand on being 'the best place in the world to have herpes'Of a pool of more than 26,000 entries at the Cannes Lions, a New Zealand ad came out on top. Turns out, Kiwis are good at ads - and having herpes.…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Unaffordable housing, the high cost of living, and 'very intentional decisions' by the government see a spike in homelessness.An advocate for people sleeping rough says homelessness is reaching 'crisis levels' and he's seeing children as young as nine turn up for emergency accommodation. What's gone wrong in Aotearoa?…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Innovation in warfare features in Ukraine's David and Goliath fight with Russia …Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Even funeral directors believe death could be done better, but how to achieve that is up for debateA funeral bill is one you never want to have to pay, but there's a push to make the whole ordeal cheaper and better…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dozens of innovators showed off their wares at Fieldays, offering solutions to problems - and a bit of hope From waterway-mapping robots to leather made from kiwifruit, Kiwi innovation on display at the southern hemisphere's biggest rural expo…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A decade after major overhauls to health and safety in New Zealand, WorkSafe is getting a reboot. Critics aren't convinced it will save lives. With more that 70 workplace deaths in New Zealand every year, a WorkSafe reboot isn't surprising. But critics say the changes aren't likely to save lives.…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Lepidopterists fear our butterfly and moth numbers are on the wane They're not just beautiful, they help pollinate our flowers and grasses. But are moths and butterflies starting to disappear?…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

At Fieldays, exhibitors from around the country - and the world - come to show off the latest farming innovations…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Predator Free 2050 was hit by a budget blow, and now the 'moonshot' goal is under threat The environmental sector worries that the future of a predator-free Aotearoa is in jeopardy after the Government swung the axe in the latest budget…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

New Zealand universities are being urged to seize the day when it comes to America's turmoil over foreign studentsWhile Donald Trump is busy burning down foreign student income, New Zealand is quietly looking at how we could cash in…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It may seem that as an ordinary person, cutting emissions is too big a job. But homeowners have a large part to play…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The issue on how to save on superannuation is a political no-go, with one gallery editor describing the debate as 'uranium wrapped in barbed wire'Means testing is being introduced on a wide range of benefits. Questions are being asked over how long it will be before superannuation is targeted.…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A marriage of bass drops and bow strings, Synthony strikes a chord from Christchurch to Calgary Lights, strings, action: Sythony started as small, one-off show in Auckland nearly a decade ago. Today, it's selling out venues around the world.…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Researchers brace for an uncertain future and warn of lasting damage after a funding shake-upScience has been sidelined by the Budget, despite the Government saying they back the sector, and insiders expect a deep impact of funding cuts…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

For the undocumented, NZ-born children of overstayers, life ends when they turn 18Two decades after a change to citizenship laws, the NZ-born children of overstayers are finding themselves undocumented and without a path forward…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The push to get under-16 year olds off social media is a cause that's united some high-powered women from all walks of lifeSocial media is already off limits for under 13 year olds - but it isn't enforced. A new campaign aims to not only change that but to life the age to 16…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

There are pros and cons ethically with mined and lab diamonds, but one certainly gives you more sparkle for your dollarDiamonds may be forever but at the moment they're not holding up in value. Prices are sinking as a major disruptor floods the market.…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Boots, banjos, and big crowds - country music finds its voice in New ZealandHeartfelt and homegrown, country music is enjoying a Kiwi revival, with two dedicated stations and a boom in artists…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Gambling regulation is moving to take online operators into account, but doubts are being expressed as to how effective it will beThe Problem Gambling Foundation fears the details we don't know about when it comes to licencing online casinos will be the devil that trips up addicts…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The small plan routes that keep our country connected are becoming increasingly fragile links…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Climate fix, or fossil fuel lifeline - the truth behind the country's first carbon capture and storage projectThe country's first carbon capture and storage project raises hard questions - like whether it's over before it begins…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Donald Trump's claims of a white genocide in South Africa betray the influence of his billionaire expat friends, including Elon Musk The US President was at his undiplomatic worst when his South African counterpart turned up at the Oval Office, but the ambush did swing the spotlight on what's happening there…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Local councils have more effect on our daily lives than policies from the Beehive. But more than half of eligible voters fail to have their say on who represents them.Freed from the shackles of a re-election campaign, Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry talks honestly about rates, funding, and the balance of power between central and local government…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The end to spin off stories from 1977's first Star Wars movie looks like being a galaxy far, far away…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A global report ranking New Zealand as the worst for youth suicide rates grabbed headlines. But two researchers say the numbers are wrong…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A precedent-setting High Court case could be the key to a better attitude towards cleaning up our waterways…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

With meth use on the rise, one former addict shares her brutal story and remarkable recovery.Kiwis from every background are now smoking meth, and the fallout is devastating. One former addict shares her story, in hopes of stopping others from picking up the pipe.…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Why trial and error isn't the best way to learn financial literacy, and how a new curriculum could help A new curriculum will teach financial literacy to students starting in Year 1. Experts say it could save people learning their lessons the hard - and expensive - way.…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Detail's Amanda Gillies talks to NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson about crowds, international fixtures, financial turmoil and personal strainNZ Rugby's boss Mark Robinson is one of those 'up' people, something that shines through in spite of all the 'down' news surrounding the sport…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

When it comes to studying how bots affect human behaviour, there are other ways to do it than pretending to be one of those bots…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The language of the Budget sometimes takes a professional to decode. A look at what's real, and what's nominal. Even if the government throws more than a billion extra dollars into health and education, those sectors will be standing still - the money eaten up by inflation…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The government's lightning blitz on pay equity claims has left whole sectors devastated, and the public confused about what just happened The opposition, unions and media have all been accused of scaremongering on the pay equity legislation. But the issue's been clouded by the government's actions, which left no time for debate.…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

On top of a turbine in the windy city, The Detail learns why too much wind isn't a good thingAfter a year of drought, heavy rainfall has brought relief to the energy sector. Whether that carries over to consumers is a different story.…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

More than 80,000 Kiwi smokers need to quit their habit before the end of the year to meet the Smokefree 2025 goal, but a public health professor says there's no chanceOur world-leading Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 legislation barely survived to see this year, and the reality of addressing tobacco use is "like whack-a-mole"More than 80,000 Kiwis must quit smoking before the end of the year to meet the goal of Smokefree 2025, which was launched 14 years ago.But Professor of Public Health Chris Bullen tells The Detail that it is unlikely to happen - "I don't believe so, sadly"."The evidence suggests we are not heading in the right direction fast enough," says Bullen, who is also the director of the National Institute for Health Innovation."We have got more work to do in 2026 and beyond."The smokefree goal aims to have less than 5 percent of the population smoking by December, but the latest data reveals there are still about 300,000 daily smokers across the country.Bullen says part of the issue is, last year, the Coalition government repealed three areas of the Smokefree law, most importantly the denicotinisation of tobacco products (where the nicotine is basically taken out of cigarettes) and banning the sale of tobacco products to those born after January 1, 2009."I think we could have gotten to the goal under the previous legislation, but that was repealed by the current government."The lack of policies to support and motivate more people to think about quitting means there's an awful lot of effort on the ground that's got to go on to get 84-, 85-thousand people to quit smoking between now and the end of the year and I just don't see it happening fast enough."He says the denicotinisation strategy needs to be revisited, and a smoke-free generation approach needs to be adopted to encourage young people not to start smoking."Other countries picked up the baton when we dropped it, and I think that would lock in the very low levels of smoking in our young people, forever, and this would be a real boost for their future prospects."The Detail also speaks to Bullen about illegal tobacco and vaping, and the role they play in Smokefree Aotearoa.A tobacco industry-funded report has just revealed that 25 percent of cigarettes sold in New Zealand are from the black market, smuggled into the country, largely from China and South Korea, and available on Facebook Marketplace, at construction sites, and in some dairies…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Changes made in haste in vocational education are being met with dismay by sectors that feel left out of it Years-long disruption in the vocational education sector is risking the loss of experienced trainers, and students who should be driving the country's future growthIt's been called 'change fatigue' and the tertiary sector covering vocational education is exhausted by the meddling of successive governments.Since 2020 there have been major upheavals with vocational training and polytechnics, and the key word for those in the industry is uncertainty.There's also frustration at the amount of money spent rearranging the deckchairs for ideological reasons instead of just getting on with the job of equipping students for work…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

There's a mysterious yellow vessel in the Waitematā Harbour. The Detail investigates. …Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

As a new announcement on compensation for Abuse in Care victims looms, one expert says the waiting has been another form of psychological abuseAbuse in Care victims have had different responses to compensation offers, from those who've taken the money and moved on, to those who feel they're being seriously shortchangedA warning, this story references abuse…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

There's buoyancy and optimism in the tourism industry in spite of New Zealand's long slow slog when it comes to the post-Covid airline bounce-back…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Online violence, against high-profile women in particular, has prompted the government to look at ways to help them deal with it The price of having a public face, especially for women, is having to deal with a rising tide of abuse. It could have a chilling effect on local body election candidates this year…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details