RNZ: The Detail

A former chief ombudsman threatened to ask NZ's top law office to prosecute our health service. It's just one example of why he thinks the OIA needs to be reformed. A former chief ombudsman says many agencies are 'making a mountain out of a molehill' in their responses - or lack of response - to Official Information Act requests, and it's time the Act sees reformFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The 'less polished version' of Winston Peters could be the next Prime Minister of Australia, with One Nation topping the polls Love her or loathe her, political survivor Pauline Hanson is rising again, winning a new generation of voters and topping the pollsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A new report spells out just how serious a toll AI is taking on the environment, but some experts say actually, New Zealand could be the right place to develop AI infrastructure A damning UN report spells out the dire consequences of Artificial Intelligence on the environment, but it's not all bad newsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The US Secretary of War put NZ's defence spending in the spotlight last week, calling us 'freeloaders', and forcing a conversation about how much we spend and whether our government can justify it The New Zealand Defence Force was one of the big winners in this year's budget, but the US Secretary of War says it's still not cutting it, calling NZ 'freeloaders'Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Auckland's hidden threat: Scientist warns that an active fault line in our biggest city could generate a magnitude 6.8 earthquakeAuckland residents are told they should be "alert but not alarmed" after the discovery of faultlines beneath the city's streetsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A developing nation on the front line of climate change effects is being bashed with other major issues, including a fall off in tourism and the effects of the Iran warSharon Brettkelly goes to Sri Lanka for a holiday - and finds a nation struggling with the effects of multiple world events outside its controlFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The All Whites squad for this year's football World Cup is being described as our best ever - in spite of a horrendous loss for the first-up friendly The All Whites are in North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and their campaign is about more than just Tim PayneFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In spite of optimism that it can face down a raft of current headwinds, small breweries say the issues facing their businesses now are terrifying Hospitality-related headwinds aren't the only issue for craft breweries. They're facing uncertain futures in everything from CO2 supplies to keg leasing arrangements.Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The cars of the future are here, but an automotive expert is warning that giant touchscreens and confusing controls are putting drivers at risk There are growing safety concerns over modern car controls, prompting one car expert to request a specific dashboard change to avoid danger and harm on New Zealand roadsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The world is closely watching Ebola and Hantavirus, while fighting off pandemic fatigueThe threat never went away - why Ebola and Hantavirus are putting global health systems back under pressureFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The auditions for the next James Bond have started, firing up the speculation as to who will fill Daniel Craig's tux and togs There are certain requirements for an actor to play James Bond - some can be overlooked but others shouldn't be messed withFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Our women's cricket team are world champions at Twenty20, and there's a growing call to see them bowling a red ballThe White Ferns are a highly successful team, and have even received pay equity - but without multi-day matches, they still don't have play equityFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Greyhound industry in NZ is about to dissolve, but a last-minute plan could see some of the dogs continue racing across the ditch A charter flight full of greyhounds bound for a racing life in Australia is not illegal - and not confirmed yet - but critics say the plan doesn't match the spirit of an industry banFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The real cost of living in paradise: the Queenstown housing crisis is leaves locals priced out and strugglingQueenstown's million-dollar dream is turning into a housing nightmare as locals are priced out, homes sit empty, and homelessness growsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Until today, stalking wasn't exactly legal, but it also wasn't a crime. New legislation criminalises stalking, giving victims a path to get help - and police the power to intervene. Police have long had to shoehorn stalking into a variety of other criminal offences, risking only the most serious complaints being taken seriouslyFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

No action's been taken against Worldclear in spite of the Department of Internal Affairs expressing significant concerns The big story of a tiny New Zealand company that's made front page news on a website exposing international organised crime and corruptionFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The latest headline grabbing-story about the decline of Meta and the irrelevance of Facebook ignores the reality - the platform is still a marketing behemoth Maybe the excitement of Facebook has faded, but that doesn't mean Meta is in a downward spiralFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

From the new kids to grand finalists in two short years, Auckland FC's fairytale rise has sparked football fever across New Zealand Auckland FC's incredible rise from expansion club to grand finalists in just two seasons has sparked football fever across New Zealand - and now the city is preparing for one of the biggest sporting weekends it has seen in yearsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Government's announcement of massive public sector cuts has ramped up the election year battle - even between Coalition mates With less than a week until the Budget announcement, public service cuts of nearly 9000 jobs kicked off a political firestormFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Immigration as an issue is being dressed up for the election and called a major social problem that needs to be solved - but an expert says that's not the reality In a recent poll immigration didn't even make the top 10 list of issues - but politicians are raising concerns over its effectsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The praise for a new plan for green credit trading was quickly forgotten as two more announcements landed in the headlines  A trio of decisions from the Beehive made for a big week for climate and the environment, with environmentalists and the opposition looking at the plans with a critical eyeFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Te Tai Tokerau is becoming the new ground zero in a fierce battle for Māori political powerMāori politics has erupted as Mariameno Kapa-Kingi launched a rival party, Te Pāti Māori fractures deepen, and the battle for the Māori vote heats upFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Broadcaster Simon Barnett reflects on life after Jodi, opening up his heart again, changing careers - and being beaten by a Black Fern on TV this month Broadcaster Simon Barnett talks about finding purpose after losing his beloved wife Jodi, smiling through heartbreak, and returning to reality TV this monthFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

New research from Auckland University reveals why it's not entirely our own fault for loving junk foodThe marketers of ultra-processed foods have taken a leaf out of the tobacco industry's playbook to make their foods more addictiveFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Trades trainers hope the shifting of government money from free university fees to vocational pathways will give students a better start in their work life University entrance has long been the gold standard result from our schools - but there's hope that planned changes will improve life for those who want to tread a different pathFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Political pressure, public distrust and a media in meltdown - the country is witnessing a reckoning for journalism New Zealand media is in the firing line, with political attacks, public distrust and a controversial high-profile resignation - so can newsrooms get back on track to regain public trust?Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Parliamentary Petitions Committee has taken the unusual step of recommending the government overhaul our fireworks laws by banning their sale to the public The days of yahooing, serious injury accidents, fires, and tragic animal deaths around November 5 may be numberedFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

An underage teenager was able to buy alcohol from three different places without being asked for ID, before he drove drunk to his death. His parents are asking for a simple change. A grieving New Zealand couple are fighting for justice and for laws to be enforced after their underage teenage son was served alcohol in three different places, then drove drunk, killing himselfFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Pens are poised, pages are turning, and egos are trembling; it's time for the biggest night in books at the Ockham Awards - but Dame Jacinda Ardern won't be there The biggest night in the book trade will celebrate 'the best of the best' in Auckland next week, but one notable finalist will now be a no-show at the Ockham AwardsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

There's a new opportunity this election for the party started by economist Gareth Morgan to have a break-out year The new-look Opportunity Party is leaving a cat-related debacle behind, and has a new leader, new investors, and a new purposeFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

An American doctor in Palmerston North says he can't think of a single ED doctor in his team who was born here. With about 70 percent of new registrations each year being overseas doctors, perhaps that shouldn't be surprising. Anti-immigration sentiment is in the news again, but without foreign doctors, New Zealand's healthcare system 'would be more on our knees than we already are'Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Firefighters are battling bosses under pressure to cut costs, but FENZ's failures have seen the organisation face Parliamentary scrutinyFirefighters appear to be in an endless standoff with the body that funds them, with neither side willing to budgeFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Thousands of eels have been found dead after a Manawatū lagoon dried out, raising urgent environmental questions Thousands of eels are found dead in dried up Manawatū lagoon as questions mount over water use and a vanishing ecosystemFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The digital health revolution is here, and so are serious questions about privacy and cybersecurityData is the new gold - but many health organisations, under pressure on the front line, are leaving the door to the safe openFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

New Zealand's lack of investment in blood cancer drugs and treatments is forcing patients to seek care in countries like Australia and ChinaThe Oz/NZ great divide when it comes to treating blood cancerFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A Bill to trace modern slavery in the supply lines of businesses has the near complete approval of Parliament - here's what it does, and doesn't doAn expert in modern slavery says the Bill going through Parliament now will have to be carefully framed to avoid it becoming a box-ticking exerciseFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Slightly more than six months before voting day, two of the country's astute political journalists give us their opinions on the lie of the land Guyon Espiner and Thomas Coughlan on coalition partnerships, economic headwinds and burying a leadership crisisFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The sale of state assets is shaping up to be an election-year battle as the country struggles to cope with rising costs and debtSome disastrous state asset sales in the past have coloured the move in the eyes of many New Zealanders - but we don't have to sell the family silverFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The unique, remote island that's a financial basket case, bankrolled by the New Zealand taxpayerThe Government has handed out millions, and is now asking questions over how the Chathams can help itself get out of the dire financial shortfall it's inFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A bond more than a century old is stronger than ever thanks to a French town that will never forget the sacrifice made by New Zealand soldiers at Le QuesnoyThe French town of Le Quesnoy marks ANZAC Day with us, thanks to the New Zealand soldiers who saved them over a century agoFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A large bust earlier this week and a separate conviction earlier this month highlight the growing threat to legitimate pounamu collecting and tradeDespite being the legal owners of the stone, Ngāi Tahu say people are consistently stealing the precious taonga - as two high-profile cases this month showFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

As Shane Jones talks of a 'butter chicken tsunami', new data shows Kiwis hardening on immigration and deeper fractures in trust, identity, and belonging A new report on the state of social cohesion in our country shows rising opposition to immigration, falling trust in government, and rising lonelinessFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details