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What the law says about dog attacks - and how it could change
Explainer - A woman was killed by a dog this week, the latest in a series of fatalities. What exactly are the laws? Audio
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Why are cicadas so darned loud this time of year?
19 Feb 2026Explainer - It's the season, and you can't miss the buzzy chorus. So how do these insects make so much noise, and is it dangerous?
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What can you do if the weather terrifies you?
18 Feb 2026Explainer - We've already had more weather emergencies in 2026 than all of last year. How do you cope with the stress and anxiety?
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What happens next for NZ Post?
11 Feb 2026Explainer - It's closing service counters and cutting delivery days. What does the future of mail look like? Audio
What you need to know headlines with summaries.
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How fake NZ news pages are swamping Facebook with AI slop
9 Feb 2026Analysis - "Fake NZ news" pages are bombarding social media with misleading slop, including using AI to animate photos of a teenage landslide victim. Audio
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What to know about the entity replacing Wellington Water
3 Feb 2026Explainer- Ratepayers in the Wellington metropolitan area will have two bills from 1 July as new water entity Tiaki Wai steps up.
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What Kiwis should know about the Nipah virus
3 Feb 2026Explainer - What is the Nipah virus, and why is it raising concerns about travel from parts of Asia? Here's what you need to know. Audio
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What are the rules for ads in election year?
30 Jan 2026Explainer - Soon politicians will blanket the internet and airwaves with pleas for your vote. What are they allowed to do? Video
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Is violence on buses getting worse, and what's being done?
28 Jan 2026Explainer - A series of attacks - including a fatal stabbing - have raised concerns about the safety of riders. Video
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When will Election Day be and how is it decided?
20 Jan 2026Explainer : The PM has announced 7 November is Election Day. But how is it picked, and what goes into the decision? Audio
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What exactly will New Zealand's free-trade deal with India mean?
19 Jan 2026Explainer: Just before Christmas, Christopher Luxon announced a deal for a long-awaited free trade agreement with India. But what happens next?
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X marks the spot: Has Elon Musk's Grok gone too far?
Explainer - The billionaire has been under fire over AI deepfakes - with Christopher Luxon's office calling them "concerning." What's going on?
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Who are ICE agents and what exactly can they do?
Explainer - America has been in an uproar the past week over the actions of ICE agents after the shooting of a Minneapolis woman. But who exactly are they?
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Who are the hackers behind Manage My Health's cyber attack?
7 Jan 2026Explainer - Kazu have a track record of targeting other institutions - from the Nepali police to a US medical records company.
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Ten things RNZ explained in 2025
30 Dec 2025What were some of the biggest topics RNZ's journalists explained this year? Here's a look back.
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How changes to the foreign buyers ban will work
Explainer - New Zealand's ban on overseas buyers of real estate has been softened - but there's one rather large catch. Audio
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Why you might suddenly stop drinking milk
15 Dec 2025Explainer - Lactose intolerance affects most of us as we get older. Why does this happen?
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The 3G shutdown has begun - will your phone work?
15 Dec 2025Explainer - Over the weekend, 3G networks started to shut down. What does this mean for you and your phone? Audio
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How can I cool down my house in summer?
12 Dec 2025Explainer - If you're starting to swelter as temperatures around the country rise, you might be wondering how best to cool your house.
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Why does New Zealand take such a long summer holiday break?
9 Dec 2025Are our summer breaks too long? And how did they become a Kiwi institution?
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'24-7 every day of the year' - Who runs Auckland's traffic?
3 Dec 2025Explainer - It looks like Mission Control, but it's actually where traffic for Auckland and much of the North Island is managed. Video, Audio
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What is open banking, and how does it work?
3 Dec 2025Explainer - It's often touted as a way New Zealanders could get a better deal on their banking - but how?
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'Incredibly Shakespearean': How political leaders get rolled
2 Dec 2025Explainer - What happens if National or Labour MPs decide to turn on their party's leaders?
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Regional councils demise: The plans, timeline and thorny issues
27 Nov 2025Explainer - The government is intent on reform, however, many questions on the "reset" remain unanswered. Audio
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Why has Black Friday become such a big deal?
Explainer - You can't turn around without seeing a Black Friday advert this week. But where did it come from? Audio
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Why you may pay more for parking on your summer holiday
22 Nov 2025Explainer - Whether you're a local or a tourist, you'll need to pay for parking at three top visitor destinations starting next month.
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How dangerous is asbestos in coloured sand?
19 Nov 2025Explainer - Why is asbestos such a worry, and what's the risk after coloured play sand has been revealed to be contaminated? Audio
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What gun reform proposals will change - and what they won't
17 Nov 2025Explainer - How will firearms proposals change access to guns in New Zealand? Here's what you need to know. Audio
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