The billowing dust cloud that gave away a toxic phosphate shipmentJun 03 23June 03, 2023Article at The Press
Fireworks imports slump as calls grow for sales banFireworks imports have dropped to one of the lowest levels in decades as public opinion mounts in favour of a ban. Oct 31 26October 31, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
21 schools found with elevated drinking water nitrate levelsMore than 20 schools have had drinking water with elevated nitrate levels above half the legal limit which has been linked to serious health outcomes. Oct 29 26October 29, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
Drinking water nitrate levels linked to serious health outcomesMinistry of Education data shows drinking water at more than 20 schools had nitrate levels of 5.6 milligrams a litre or more - that's at least half the legal limit - but a level that has been linked to serious health outcomes. A recent New Zealand student of more than 750,000 births found an increased risk of premature birth at levels well below 5.6 milligrams, and international research links colorectal cancer to levels as low as one milligram per litre. So why are some children drinking high n Oct 29 26October 29, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
‘We don’t drink our water’: Selwyn scientist couple say nitrates nearly killed their bottle-fed lambPoliticians from across the spectrum discussed Canterbury's freshwater challenges, as the region grapples with rising nitrate in drinking water amid tens of thousands more dairy cows consented this year alone. Oct 19 26October 19, 2026Article at The Press
Canterbury freshwater debate draws hundreds as region grapples with nitrate surgeHundreds came out in Christchurch last night to hear politicians from across the spectrum discuss Canterbury's freshwater challenges, as the region grapples with rising nitrate in drinking water amid tens of thousands more dairy cows consented this year alone. Oct 19 26October 19, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
Internal documents warn of food safety risk after MPI said none existedNew Zealand Food Safety assessments found health risks associated with a pesticide on food, despite telling the public there were none, documents obtained under the Official Information Act reveal. Oct 14 26October 14, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
High levels of toxic pesticides found on food samplesA year long battle for information has revealed NZ Food Safety knew there were high levels of toxic pesticides on food samples, despite saying there was no risk to the public. Internal documents released to Greenpeace under the Official Information Act said New Zealand Food Safety couldn't exclude health risks from the pesticide breach. Reporter Keiller MacDuff has been investigating and joins Lisa Owen. Oct 14 26October 14, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
Around the motu: RNZ's Christchurch reporter, Keiller MacDuffKeiller has the latest on suspicious deaths in Christchurch, including the homicide of two men in Phillipstown over the weekend and the discovery of missing man, Braydon Hepworth's body. She also has more details about the copper thieves hitting pivot irrigators and the city's hiphop summit comes to an end. Oct 11 26October 11, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
New Zealanders getting through close to 7kg of cocaine a weekCheaper, more readily available cocaine, and increased social acceptance has lead to a steep increase in use in less than a decade, new research shows, with New Zealanders getting through nearly 7 kilograms of cocaine a week in the second quarter of 2026. Oct 05 26October 05, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
Canterbury council may declare nitrate emergency overCanterbury regional councillors will vote on Wednesday on a proposal to declare the region's controversial nitrate emergency over. Sep 22 26September 22, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park could get $1 million grant from ratepayer fundsChristchurch's financially troubled Orana Wildlife Park looks set to receive more than $1 million of ratepayer money. Sep 18 26September 18, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
Water regulator tells Canterbury Regional Council long-term nitrate limits being consideredAlmost a year on from the previous Canterbury Regional Council declaring a nitrate emergency, a new report pointing to high nitrate levels across the region has been presented to councillors. Sep 09 26September 09, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
New report on high nitrate levels in CanterburyAlmost a year on from the previous Canterbury Regional Council declaring a 'nitrate emergency', a new report pointing to high nitrate levels across the region has been presented to councillors. The council also heard from Greenpeace, Health New Zealand and the water regulator, Taumata Arowai, who have proposed an additional limit on nitrate to protect people from possible long-term health effects. Keiller MacDuff reports. Sep 09 26September 09, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
Meth-using, speeding driver with baby in car killed two in head-on crashA unlicensed driver high on methamphetamine and speeding with her baby in the car crashed into another motorist, killing herself and the other driver, a coroner has found. Sep 06 26September 06, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
North Canterbury holiday camp connects to council water supply after E coli outbreaksA North Canterbury holiday camp that was at the centre of a serious E coli outbreak has hooked up to the council water supply. Sep 03 26September 03, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
Around the motu: Keiller MacDuff in ChristchurchThe Employment Relations case brought in Christchurch by Gloriavale leavers, celebrating a reduction in gravel truck numbers, the Big Sing and concerns about Air BnB's in Methven. Aug 30 26August 30, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
High school students battle it out at The Big SingTwenty-four choirs from around the country will perform, whittled down from more than 260 who took part in the regional competitions. Aug 27 26August 27, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
Camaradarie and choral talent at The Big Sing FinaleThe final of the national secondary school choir competition, The Big Sing, gets underway at the Christchurch Town Hall today with winners announced on Saturday night. Keiller MacDuff went along to rehearsals. Aug 26 26August 26, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
Auckland Hospital's near-constant overcrowding putting patients at risk, doctor says* This story has been updated to correct a hospital capacity figure. Aug 20 26August 20, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz
Health NZ data shows extent of overcrowding at Auckland Hospital emergency departmentNew figures from Health NZ show the full scale of wait times at one of the country's busiest emergency departments. Last year on average Auckland Hospital ED breached its own thresholds for some patient wait-times 77 per cent of the time. Keiller MacDuff reports. Aug 20 26August 20, 2026Article at rnz.co.nz