More Top Stories
[Officials may be underestimating damage New Zealand volcanoes can make, expert says](/news/national/481977/officials-may-be-underestimating-damage-new-zealand-volcanoes-can-make-expert-says)
Civil Defence should consider updating its evacuation plan in the wake of an international study’s findings, the author says.
[Officials may be underestimating damage New Zealand volcanoes can make, expert says](/news/national/481977/officials-may-be-underestimating-damage-new-zealand-volcanoes-can-make-expert-says)
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[Funeral of former Pope Benedict begins](/news/world/481979/funeral-of-former-pope-benedict-presided-over-by-his-successor-begins)
Benedict was a hero to Catholic conservatives who shocked the world by resigning.
[Funeral of former Pope Benedict, presided over by his successor, begins](/news/world/481979/funeral-of-former-pope-benedict-presided-over-by-his-successor-begins)
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[Sea temperatures rising rapidly as marine heatwave hits lower South Island](/news/national/481970/sea-temperatures-rising-rapidly-as-marine-heatwave-hits-lower-south-island)
A severe marine heatwave is affecting areas including Fiordland, around Stewart Island, and towards the Otago Peninsula, with sea temperatures expected to peak in the coming days.
[Sea temperatures rising rapidly as marine heatwave hits lower South Island](/news/national/481970/sea-temperatures-rising-rapidly-as-marine-heatwave-hits-lower-south-island)
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[New heavy rain warnings for Coromandel, BOP, top of South Island](/news/national/481935/new-heavy-rain-warnings-for-coromandel-bop-top-of-south-island-westland)
Wild weather has closed roads, cutting power and bringing down slips.Audio
[New heavy rain warnings for Coromandel, BOP, top of South Island, Westland](/news/national/481935/new-heavy-rain-warnings-for-coromandel-bop-top-of-south-island-westland)
More Top Stories
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[Ukraine to get more armoured vehicles but presses for tanks to fight Russia](/news/world/481978/ukraine-to-get-more-armoured-vehicles-but-presses-for-tanks-to-fight-russia)
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[What’s stopping tiny houses from helping solve housing crisis?](/news/business/481959/what-s-stopping-tiny-houses-from-helping-solve-housing-crisis)
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[‘Use it or lose it’: Gift card holders urged to check expiry dates](/news/national/481968/use-it-or-lose-it-gift-card-holders-urged-to-check-expiry-dates)
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[ASB Classic loses Venus Williams after veteran’s late wobble](/news/national/481975/asb-classic-loses-venus-williams-after-veteran-s-late-wobble) [ASB Classic loses Venus Williams after veteran’s late wobble](/news/national/481975/asb-classic-loses-venus-williams-after-veteran-s-late-wobble)
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[Infant dead in ‘tragic accident’, reportedly fell into septic tank](/news/national/481973/infant-dead-in-tragic-accident-reportedly-fell-into-septic-tank)
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[Former Mongrel Mob boss’ body found in burnt-out car](/news/national/481964/former-mongrel-mob-boss-body-found-in-burnt-out-car)
The Briefing
[New Zealand](/news/national)
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[‘A fugitive from justice’: Karel Šroubek to be deported](/news/national/481957/drug-smuggler-and-kickboxing-champ-karel-sroubek-to-be-deported-back-to-the-czech-republic)5 Jan 2023
The former world kickboxing champion and convicted drug smuggler will be sent back to the Czech Republic in March.
[Drug smuggler and kickboxing champ Karel Šroubek to be deported back to the Czech Republic](/news/national/481957/drug-smuggler-and-kickboxing-champ-karel-sroubek-to-be-deported-back-to-the-czech-republic) [Ute hit fallen tree leading to deaths of two passengers](/news/national/481954/ute-hit-fallen-tree-leading-to-deaths-of-two-passengers) [Person found critically injured on rural road south of Auckland](/news/national/481966/person-found-critically-injured-on-rural-road-south-of-auckland)
[Covid-19](/news/covid-19)
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[Covid-19: Health experts, politicians back govt’s decision on travellers from China](/news/national/481938/covid-19-decision-not-to-test-travellers-from-china-backed-by-health-experts-politicians)5 Jan 2023
Health experts are backing the government’s decision not to impose pre-departure Covid-19 testing on travellers from China – saying it would be a case of “xenophobia”.
[Covid-19: Decision not to test travellers from China backed by health experts, politicians](/news/national/481938/covid-19-decision-not-to-test-travellers-from-china-backed-by-health-experts-politicians) [New Omicron XBB.1.5 variant surging in US, no indication it causes more severe disease](/news/national/481915/new-omicron-xbb-1-point-5-variant-surging-in-us-no-indication-it-causes-more-severe-disease) [WHO says China data underrepresents Covid-19 surge and deaths](/news/world/481939/who-says-china-data-underrepresents-covid-19-surge-and-deaths)
[Business](/news/business)
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[Further declines in property value predicted for this year](/news/national/481946/expect-to-see-further-declines-in-property-value-this-year-property-analyst-says)5 Jan 2023
“Ongoing weakness” is predicted for the property market in 2023, despite what appears to be a slowing down of the market downturn over the final months of 2022.Audio
[Expect to see further declines in property value this year, property analyst says](/news/national/481946/expect-to-see-further-declines-in-property-value-this-year-property-analyst-says) [Bakeries begin to crack under pressure of egg shortage](/news/business/481936/bakeries-begin-to-crack-under-pressure-of-egg-shortage) [Amazon to cut 18,000 jobs, citing ‘uncertain economy’](/news/business/481969/amazon-to-cut-18-000-jobs-citing-uncertain-economy)
[Pacific](/news/pacific)
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[More heavy rain expected in Fiji says weather office](/international/pacific-news/481951/more-heavy-rain-expected-in-fiji-says-weather-office)
The Fiji meteorological service has warned that heavy rain is expected to continue throughout the week in Fiji.
[More heavy rain expected in Fiji says weather office](/international/pacific-news/481951/more-heavy-rain-expected-in-fiji-says-weather-office) [American Samoa House of Representatives elect officers](/international/pacific-news/481972/american-samoa-house-of-representatives-elect-officers) [Pacific news in brief for January 5](/international/pacific-news/481961/pacific-news-in-brief-for-january-5)
More News & Current Affairs
[Featured stories](/features)
[Nashville Babylon: New Year special](/national/programmes/nashville-babylon/audio/2018872392/nashville-babylon-31-december-2022-part-1)
Mark Rogers kicks off the New Year with music from Mavis Staples, T-Rex, Jimmy Cliff, the Ramones, Dr John, Aretha Franklin, David Bowie, The Ronettes and much, much more.Audio
[Nashville Babylon: New Year special](/national/programmes/nashville-babylon/audio/2018872392/nashville-babylon-31-december-2022-part-1)
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[How ships meet NZ’s strict biofoul thresholds](/news/business/481893/cleaning-ships-what-s-involved-in-meeting-new-zealand-s-strict-biofoul-thresholds)
There has been an increase in demand for the work due to a shortage of cleaning facilities and stricter biofoul thresholds.
[How ships meet NZ’s strict biofoul thresholds](/news/business/481893/cleaning-ships-what-s-involved-in-meeting-new-zealand-s-strict-biofoul-thresholds)
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[What happens to pop stars after the hits dry up?](/national/programmes/saturday/audio/2018843790/nick-duerden-what-happens-to-pop-stars-after-the-hits-dry-up)
UK journalist Nick Duerden spoke to Kim Hill last May about why famous musicians are at their most interesting when they’ve peaked and the spotlight has faded.Video, Audio
[What happens to pop stars after the hits dry up?](/national/programmes/saturday/audio/2018843790/nick-duerden-what-happens-to-pop-stars-after-the-hits-dry-up)
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[Tips for keeping New Year resolutions](/national/programmes/summer-days/audio/2018873057/tips-for-keeping-new-year-resolutions)
More than 80 percent of us set at least one New Year’s resolution, but our good intentions often don’t last until March.
So what’s the history of New Year’s resolutions, why do we make them and why can they be so hard to keep? Audio
[Tips for keeping New Year resolutions](/national/programmes/summer-days/audio/2018873057/tips-for-keeping-new-year-resolutions) [More featured stories](/features)
[In Case You Missed It](/news/icymi)
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[NZ survivors of helicopter collision say ‘joy ride turned into nightmare’](/news/national/481927/gold-coast-helicopter-collision-new-zealand-survivors-heartbroken-for-families-of-deceased)5 Jan 2023
Two New Zealand couples who survived the deadly helicopter crash on Australia’s Gold Coast have described how the ride turned into a nightmare and praised their…
[NZ survivors of helicopter collision say ‘joy ride turned into nightmare’](/news/national/481927/gold-coast-helicopter-collision-new-zealand-survivors-heartbroken-for-families-of-deceased)
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[NZ will not impose entry restrictions on travellers from China](/news/political/481906/new-zealand-will-not-impose-entry-restrictions-on-travellers-from-china)5 Jan 2023
New Zealand will not require travellers from China to be tested for Covid-19, the government has announced.
[NZ will not impose entry restrictions on travellers from China](/news/political/481906/new-zealand-will-not-impose-entry-restrictions-on-travellers-from-china)
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[Water quality making Canterbury beaches not suitable for swimming](/news/national/481923/water-quality-making-canterbury-beaches-not-suitable-for-swimming)5 Jan 2023
Water quality at the beaches has consistently failed to meet Ministry of Health guidelines.
[Water quality making Canterbury beaches not suitable for swimming](/news/national/481923/water-quality-making-canterbury-beaches-not-suitable-for-swimming)
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[Should we be worried about new Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5?](/news/national/481915/new-omicron-xbb-1-point-5-variant-surging-in-us-no-indication-it-causes-more-severe-disease)5 Jan 2023
A new variant is surging in the US, with the Centers for Disease Control projecting it accounted for about 40 percent of US Covid cases in the last week of…
[Should we be worried about new Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5?](/news/national/481915/new-omicron-xbb-1-point-5-variant-surging-in-us-no-indication-it-causes-more-severe-disease) [More from ICYMI](/news/icymi)
[Comment & Analysis](/news/on-the-inside)
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[MMP in New Zealand turns 30 at this year’s election](/news/on-the-inside/481874/mmp-turns-30-at-this-year-s-election-a-work-in-progress-but-still-worth-celebrating)
Analysis – This year’s general election will mark the 30th anniversary of the binding referendum that ushered in the MMP system of voting, as well as the 10th…
[MMP turns 30 at this year’s election – a work in progress, but still worth celebrating](/news/on-the-inside/481874/mmp-turns-30-at-this-year-s-election-a-work-in-progress-but-still-worth-celebrating)
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[Why do people tailgate? One theory may be too close for comfort](/news/on-the-inside/481872/why-do-people-tailgate-one-theory-may-be-too-close-for-comfort)
Analysis – Aggressive tailgating may be a reprimand for going slow, or to make someone move out of the way.
Either way, it’s a dangerous aspect of human…
[Why do people tailgate? One theory may be too close for comfort](/news/on-the-inside/481872/why-do-people-tailgate-one-theory-may-be-too-close-for-comfort)
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[‘They control through fear’: A cult member talks about leaving her old life behind](/news/on-the-inside/481840/serafina-tane-speaks-about-leaving-the-new-zealand-camp-david-religious-cult)
Serafina Tane was born into a religious cult on New Zealand’s South Island.When she left, she discovered a life without religious rules was more complicated… Video
[Serafina Tane speaks about leaving the New Zealand Camp David religious cult](/news/on-the-inside/481840/serafina-tane-speaks-about-leaving-the-new-zealand-camp-david-religious-cult)
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[Start small with new year’s exercise resolutions](/news/national/481810/just-minutes-of-exercise-can-still-give-results-so-start-now)
Opinion – Plans to exercise more in the new year are often broken within a month.So how can we exercise more regularly in the new year? Sports scientist Ken…
[Just minutes of exercise can still give results – so start now](/news/national/481810/just-minutes-of-exercise-can-still-give-results-so-start-now) [More comment & analysis](/news/on-the-inside)
[RNZ Music](/music)
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[NZSO 75th Jubilee concert](/concert/programmes/musicalive/audio/2018862771/nzso-75th-jubilee-concert)
hear music chosen by NZSO fans from across Aotearoa, together with works showcasing the superb soloists from within the NZSO and music by NZ Composers, conducted by Gemma New.
[NZSO 75th Jubilee concert](/concert/programmes/musicalive/audio/2018862771/nzso-75th-jubilee-concert)
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[New Zealand’s favorite classical music for 2022](/concert/programmes/settlingthescore/audio/2018863930/the-top-30-classical-music-pieces-in-settling-the-score-2022)
Here are the Top 30 favourite classical music pieces as voted for by RNZ Concert listeners in Settling The Score 2022, and what people love about them.
[New Zealand’s favorite classical music for 2022](/concert/programmes/settlingthescore/audio/2018863930/the-top-30-classical-music-pieces-in-settling-the-score-2022)
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[Hymns on Sunday, 1 January 2023](/concert/programmes/hymns/audio/2018872252/hymns-on-sunday-1-january-2023)
Summer Hymn Requests programmes begin today, with listener choices including All creatures of our God and king and In Christ alone.Audio
[Hymns on Sunday, 1 January 2023](/concert/programmes/hymns/audio/2018872252/hymns-on-sunday-1-january-2023)
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[Science Fiction from the NZSO](/concert/programmes/musicalive/audio/2018683397/nzso-comic-con)
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra plays some of the greatest music written for sci fi video games, movies and television.Audio
[Science Fiction from the NZSO](/concert/programmes/musicalive/audio/2018683397/nzso-comic-con) [More from RNZ Music](/music)
[In Depth](/news/in-depth)
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[The best of RNZ’s In Depth stories in 2022](/news/in-depth/481664/the-best-of-rnz-s-in-depth-stories-in-2022)
RNZ’s In Depth team has published some of the most significant investigative stories and profile pieces of 2022 – here’s some that you might have missed.
[The best of RNZ’s In Depth stories in 2022](/news/in-depth/481664/the-best-of-rnz-s-in-depth-stories-in-2022)
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[Covid-19 data visualisations: NZ in numbers](/news/in-depth/450874/covid-19-data-visualisations-nz-in-numbers)
Track the very latest Covid-19 data in New Zealand, with new charts on the current trends from RNZ data journalist Farah Hancock.
[Covid-19 data visualisations: NZ in numbers](/news/in-depth/450874/covid-19-data-visualisations-nz-in-numbers)
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[Cleaners’ social media posts ‘morally repugnant’ – but no charges](/news/in-depth/481319/crime-scene-cleaners-broke-the-law-but-dodged-prosecution-with-morally-repugnant-social-media-posts)
Crime Scene Cleaners broke the law when it posted graphic scenes of sudden deaths and suspected suicides to its social media accounts.But it will not be…
[Crime Scene Cleaners broke the law – but dodged prosecution – with ‘morally repugnant’ social media posts](/news/in-depth/481319/crime-scene-cleaners-broke-the-law-but-dodged-prosecution-with-morally-repugnant-social-media-posts)
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[Covid campaign boss investigated over several alleged conflicts of interest](/news/in-depth/480877/covid-vaccination-campaign-head-resigned-after-allegations-of-conflicts-of-interest)
Colleagues were so alarmed they wrote an open letter and left it lying around the office.
[Covid vaccination campaign head resigned after allegations of conflicts of interest](/news/in-depth/480877/covid-vaccination-campaign-head-resigned-after-allegations-of-conflicts-of-interest) [More from In Depth](/news/in-depth)
[What You Need to Know](/news/what-you-need-to-know)
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[Replacing the RMA: What you need to know](/news/what-you-need-to-know/481228/natural-and-built-environment-replaces-the-resource-management-act-what-you-need-to-know)
Explainer – Back from the dead, cobbled together from old parts and handed to the NBA: It’s not Frankenstein’s monster playing basketball, it’s the government’s…
[Natural and Built Environment replaces the Resource Management Act: What you need to know](/news/what-you-need-to-know/481228/natural-and-built-environment-replaces-the-resource-management-act-what-you-need-to-know)
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[Fuel tax cuts: What you need to know](/news/business/480760/fuel-tax-cuts-what-you-need-to-know)
Explainer – Fuel and public transport subsidies have been rolled over, again, for now – but for most of us the days of cheaper transport are coming to an end…
[Fuel tax cuts: What you need to know](/news/business/480760/fuel-tax-cuts-what-you-need-to-know)
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[House prices: What you need to know](/news/what-you-need-to-know/480714/house-prices-what-you-need-to-know)
Explainer – House prices are continuing to drop at the same time interest rates are climbing – but what does that mean for sellers and buyers?
[House prices: What you need to know](/news/what-you-need-to-know/480714/house-prices-what-you-need-to-know)
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[Qatar FIFA World Cup controversy: What you need to know](/news/what-you-need-to-know/480588/qatar-fifa-world-cup-controversy-what-you-need-to-know)
Explainer – The Qatar FIFA World Cup has been surrounded by controversy around worker’s rights, same-sex relationships and allegations of corruption.
RNZ is…
[Qatar FIFA World Cup controversy: What you need to know](/news/what-you-need-to-know/480588/qatar-fifa-world-cup-controversy-what-you-need-to-know) [More from WYNTK](/news/what-you-need-to-know) [Sam’s Take – Avatar: The Way of Water](/news/national/481089/sam-s-take-avatar-the-way-of-water)
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