Two-thirds of middle-aged adults delay eye tests despite problems - survey
More than two-thirds of middle-aged adults are delaying their eye tests despite having problems. Chair of Ophthalmology NZ Dr Sonya Bennett told RNZ it was "probably human nature" to avoid confronting health problems. "It's not uncommon for us to hear the story that they've put off getting seen until they've got quite significant issues." And YouGov's survey found one in five avoided wearing glasses despite needing them because of social perception. She said the only real danger of delaying getting help was if there were another underlying disease, such as glaucoma, where vision could not be regained once lost.
Source:RNZ
September 12, 2026 08:52 UTC
Man charged after election hoardings damaged in "vandalism spree", police say
Charges have been laid against a Tauranga man after what police called a "vandalism spree", damaging political hoardings in Papamoa. About 30 hoardings were attacked in a two hour period, from about 6:30am on Thursday, police said. The first damaged were in Parton Road, then more were damaged throughout the suburb of Papamoa. A 43-year-old man faces charges of wilful damage and is scheduled to appear in court again next month. Ahead of November's general election, the case was a warning that damaging political hoardings is not okay, Senior Sergeant Clifford said:"The damage in some cases is significant and unfortunately that's an unnecessary cost for the people who own them.
Source:RNZ
September 12, 2026 07:26 UTC
Fiji government announces death of a Cabinet Minister
Fiji's Government has annouced the death of its Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Agni Deo Singh. A government statement said that "It is with great sadness that the Office of the Prime Minister announces the passing of the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Agni Deo Singh." He died in Brisbane. Prime Minister and chair of the Coalition Cabinet Sitiveni Rabuka extends his deepest condolences to the family, loved ones, colleagues, and friends of the late Minister during this difficult time. Prime Minister Rabuka acknowledges Singh's dedicated service to the workers and people of Fiji and his invaluable contribution to the Government and the nation.
Source:RNZ
September 12, 2026 07:20 UTC
Medicine company bids to get pseudoephedrine out from behind pharmacy counters
A pharmaceutical company wants the cold and flu drug pseudoephedrine out from behind the counter and back on pharmacy shelves. Reckitt Benckiser has put in an application with drug regulator Medsafe to make the medicine easier to purchase. Currently, pseudoephedrine was available as a restricted medicine from pharmacies, meaning it was not stocked on open shelves. Heavily restricting pseudoephedrine in 2011 did not effectively control the supply and use of meth in New Zealand, it said. "The supply and manufacture of methamphetamine use in New Zealand has shifted from small scale production, where pharmacy sourced pseudoephedrine was the main precursor used," it said.
Source:RNZ
September 12, 2026 05:10 UTC
Wellington Airport evacuated after burnt cooking triggers smoke alarm
Wellington Airport has been evacuated after a smoke alarm went off. Fire and Emergency responded with one crew from Kilbirnie, and another from Newtown, at 4.19pm on Saturday. It found the alarm had been triggered by burnt cooking. Wellington Airport said the southwest pier had been briefly evacuated, with the area quickly cleared for re-entry.
Source:RNZ
September 12, 2026 03:48 UTC
Why officials are 'reasonably confident' of avoiding fuel supply shocks
"Reasonably confident" is how New Zealand's top fuel official rates the country's chances of avoiding fuel shortages. Treasury leads the price response, and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) leads the supply response. At the time, the world was producing about 106 million barrels of oil a year, and consumed about 104 million in 2025. A fine line between too much and not enoughCossar took over in early April as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's deputy secretary for the fuel supply response, which has drawn on expertise from 180 ministry staff and secondees. A graph of global fuel reserves.
Source:RNZ
September 12, 2026 02:24 UTC
Mistakes and lack of clear guidance led to millions being misspent, pokie trust says
A pokie trust believes mistakes and a lack of clear guidance from regulators led to millions of dollars being misspent. Pub Charity chief executive Martin Cheer said some trusts may have misunderstood the rules, but ignorance of the law was no excuse. "There's an element of hand in glove really; the industry is regulated and we need guidance from the regulator. Most trusts tried to comply with the rules, work closely with officials and operate transparently, he said. If there are any at that end of the scale, then they should be prosecuted," he told RNZ.
Source:RNZ
September 12, 2026 02:05 UTC
Hundreds turn up to see Dunedin Hospital's new outpatient building
But about 1300 people jumped at the chance to explore the new Dunedin Hospital outpatient building as part of a free community open day on 12 September. Part of the foyer at the new Dunedin Hospital outpatient building, September 2026. Dunedin resident Elena Calvert was excited to explore the new Dunedin Hospital outpatient building, Tess Brunton / RNZDunedin resident Elena Calvert was eager to check it out. A new X-ray machine at the new Dunedin Hospital outpatient building, September 2026. Tess Brunton / RNZThe outpatient building was expected to be opened to patients next month but an official date has yet to be announced.
Source:RNZ
September 12, 2026 01:43 UTC
Trump welcomed to Ireland with trash-covered double
Donald Trump's satirical double has beaten him to Dublin, as Ireland prepares to welcome the US president. 'The Trash Talker' by Wexford artist TinKicker depicts Trump emerging from a wheelie rubbish bin, covered in trash. Images of the artwork went viral when it first appeared at CAN-AL Fest in St Mullins last month. The US president's visit this weekend has sparked one of the biggest security and policing operations ever undertaken by the Republic of Ireland. He is expected to touch down on Air Force One at Dublin Airport on Saturday night (NZ time).
Source:RNZ
September 12, 2026 00:19 UTC
Why am I paying to withdraw my KiwiSaver? - Ask Susan
You can also sign up to RNZ's new money newsletter, 'Money with Susan Edmunds'. I recently found out that it can cost $300 per person in lawyer fees to withdraw KiwiSaver funds for a deposit on a house. But if you have a jointly held portfolio investment entity (PIE) investment, you'll be taxed on that one at the higher of your two PIR rates. I am presently with an active manager KiwiSaver provider, paying high fees. I was at an event this week where someone asked me the same question - is it better to be in a cheaper KiwiSaver fund, when you're retired and potentially not making contributions to KiwiSaver any more?
Source:RNZ
September 11, 2026 23:21 UTC
Explainer: Why is this flu season so bad?
Explainer - A sharp spike in flu cases has come late in the season this year, adding to the pressure the health system is under already. What's making this flu season so bad? Officially, flu season in New Zealand runs from May to October. How bad is this flu season? Afternoons Download MP3 9mIt peaked late, causing an extended flu season that means people have retained some immunity from last year's infection further into this year.
Source:RNZ
September 11, 2026 23:20 UTC
Thousands of households and businesses lose internet in West Auckland
More than 3000 households and businesses in West Auckland lost internet on Saturday morning. A Chorus spokesperson confirmed a network outage was affecting 3100 customers in and around Swanson and Massey. They said technicians were on site, investigating the cause and working to resolve the issue. According to updates on Chorus's outages map, technicians had identified a fibre cut location.
Source:RNZ
September 11, 2026 23:13 UTC
One dead after house fire on Matakana Island in Bay of Plenty
One person has died in a house fire on Matakana Island in the Bay of Plenty. Fire and Emergency Northern Shift Manager Garreth Lewis said crews from Matakana Island, Omokoroa, Greerton, and Te Puke were called to the fire at about 4am on Saturday morning. He said the fire was well involved upon arrival, about 10 metres by 15 metres in size. A police spokesperson confirmed they were at the scene on Saturday morningThey said one person was being treated for burns, but wouldn't confirm if there had been any fatalities.
Source:RNZ
September 11, 2026 22:13 UTC
House fire on Matakana Island in Bay of Plenty
At least one person is injured after a house fire on Matakana Island north of Tauranga and Mt Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty. Fire and Emergency Northern Shift Manager Garreth Lewis said crews from Matakana Island, Omokoroa, Greerton, and Te Puke had been battling the fire since about 4am on Saturday morning. He said the fire was well involved upon arrival, about 10 metres by 15 metres in size, and they were still working to extinguish it. A police spokesperson confirmed they were at the scene. They said one person was being treated for burns, but wouldn't confirm if there had been any fatalities.
Source:RNZ
September 11, 2026 22:13 UTC