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'Vague threat' - Trump tariff talk takes aim at NZ film industry
Explainer - Donald Trump wants a 100 percent tariff on "foreign movies" made outside the US. What would that do to NZ's film industry? Audio
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Digital driver licences are coming - how will they work?
30 Sep 2025Explainer - The government aims to introduce digital driver licences by the end of the year. But are they safe - and will everyone have to use them? Video
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What sick leave and holiday changes could mean for you
24 Sep 2025Explainer - The government has announced sweeping plans to change leave rules. How will it work?
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Is paracetamol safe? What New Zealand says about Trump's claims
23 Sep 2025Explainer - Donald Trump claims paracetamol causes autism, while the US has also made cuts to vaccine access and research. What could it all mean for NZ? Audio
What you need to know headlines with summaries.
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Why are New Zealand musicians leaving Spotify?
17 Sep 2025Explainer - Top New Zealand bands like Tiki Taane and The Bats are leaving Spotify behind. Why?
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How does the RNZ-Reid Research political polling work?
16 Sep 2025Explainer - RNZ-Reid Research's latest political poll is out today. But what goes into taking a poll? Here's what you need to know.
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Why our police don't wear body cameras, and if that will change
9 Sep 2025Explainer - Officers around the world wear body cameras to record incidents. But why not here?
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The great methane debate explained
4 Sep 2025Explainer - A major decision is about to be announced by the PM, but what does it mean and why does it matter?
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Will we get four-year Parliamentary terms soon?
3 Sep 2025Explainer - Parliament will soon take up whether to put longer terms to a referendum. Here's where it stands so far.
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What's going on with the Reserve Bank?
Explainer - What on Earth is going on with the Reserve Bank and who is involved in the saga? Audio
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What 'continuous vetting' means for Kiwis in the US
28 Aug 2025Explainer - If you're thinking about going over to the United States as more than a tourist, be ready for an ever-changing reality.
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What is the sovereign citizen movement?
Explainer - A man accused of killing two police officers in Australia has been called a "sovereign citizen". But what is the movement about? Audio
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What can you do if you're publicly shamed?
24 Aug 2025Explainer : Naming and shaming, false rumours or a photo that upends your life - is there anything you can do about it?
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How much do teachers actually earn, anyway?
19 Aug 2025Explainer - Claims by Judith Collins on teachers' pay fired up the debate recently. How much do teachers earn, and what's the current offer to change that?
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'Build back better' - How the road to Piha was finally restored
19 Aug 2025Explainer - More than two years after Cyclone Gabrielle, the popular main road to Auckland's Piha is opening again. Here's how they did it. Audio
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'Justice' or 'vengeance'? Why sex offender name suppression is changing
11 Aug 2025Explainer - A recently passed law aims to give victims of sexual offences more control over name suppression orders. Audio
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What we know so far about new road user charges
7 Aug 2025Explainer - The government calls it the biggest change to road funding in 50 years. But what are these RUCs that will replace the petrol tax? Audio
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Our hottest destinations are set to start charging foreign tourists - here's why
Explainer - If you're coming to New Zealand as a tourist to check out some of our most famous attractions, get ready to pay a little more for the privilege.
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What's replacing NCEA and how to have your say
4 Aug 2025Explainer - The system is going away - but what's taking its place? Here's what we know so far. Audio
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What would New Zealand recognising Palestinian statehood mean?
Explainer - World leaders are moving toward accepting the idea of Palestinian statehood. What does it mean if New Zealand does? Audio
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What you need to know about why nurses are striking
29 Jul 2025Explainer - Nurses and midwives held a strike for 24 hours in protests over staffing levels and pay. Here's what you need to know. Audio
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How the government wants to change how we vote
30 Jul 2025Explainer - The Electoral Amendment Bill has had its first reading in Parliament. But what does it actually say? Audio
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AI and public submissions - What you need to know
25 Jul 2025Explainer - Submissions have been soaring for legislation, and AI is being used more and more. But what does that mean?
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All the changes to schools so far this year - and what's coming next
22 Jul 2025Explainer - It's been a busy year so far for education policy, with a series of announcements by the government and curriculum changes.
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Why New Zealand First wants to require businesses to accept cash
Explainer - A member's bill put forward by New Zealand First would require businesses to accept cash as payment. Here's what you need to know. Audio
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What is a flash flood and why are they so dangerous?
15 Jul 2025Explainer - Hundreds are dead or missing in Texas flash floods. The Tasman District has been hit hard. Why is flash flooding so hard to predict? Video
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Birth trauma - what is it and how do people heal?
14 Jul 2025Explainer - It's Birth Trauma Awareness Week - but what is it exactly and why should you know what it is?
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Why KFC went after a teen's business logo
Explainer: Why does a giant global corporation care so much about the logo being used by a young Christchurch entrepreneur?
Top News stories
- How Trump's '100 percent tariff' on foreign films might affect New Zealand
- Family and friends 'surprised' by Nigel Latta's death
- Almost 30 cars damaged in fire at Canvastown property linked to cold case
- Permanent name suppression for accused in toddler in bus luggage compartment case
- Flickering fortunes: National's energy plan unlikely to light up polls
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