Max Towle

The final leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev - a pivotal figure in ending the Cold War - has died aged 91 after a long illness.

Otago University associate professor Jim Headley spoke to… Audio

Vanuatu's president has taken the extraordinary step of dissolving the country's parliament - on the advice of a prime minister who was almost certain to lose a no confidence vote today.

It's only… Audio

The prime minister of Vanuatu Bob Loughman has seemingly held off a challenge to his leadership today.

A group of 27 MPs led by Opposition leader Ralph Regenvanu had signed a motion of no confidence… Audio

There's fury in Italy, after a Nigerian street seller was beaten to death in broad daylight.

The attack was filmed, and the video shows bystanders failing to intervene. It's also raised questions… Audio

Voting in the general election in Cook Islands is drawing to a close.

The race involves the Democratic Party led by Tina Browne, the Cook Islands Party led by the current Prime Minister Mark Brown… Audio

New research has found there is not enough rain and river water in Canterbury to dilute nitrate pollution to acceptable drinking water standards. 

Environment Canterbury's science director Dr Tim… Audio

The heavy rain Aucklanders experienced this morning is moving on, now heading east to some of the already waterlogged parts of the country.

There are Severe Weather Warnings in place for, Northland… Audio

China is trying to woo Pacific Island countries into signing a new multilateral deal that would have massive consequences for the region.

Foreign minister Wang Yi has been island-hopping, meeting… Audio

After being confronted with chants of 'Do Something' on a visit to a grieving city in Texas, the US president Joe Biden has vowed he will.

He's been in Uvalde to grieve with some of the families of… Audio

Christchurch City councillors will soon vote on how to compensate people in Bromley worst-affected by the overwhelming stench coming from the city's wastewater treatment plant.

Thousands of… Audio

The government wants to delay the introduction of new insulation standards for homes by another six months, due to concerns raised by the construction sector.

The improved standards were meant to be… Audio

With leaked documents showing China is seeking a region-wide policing and security deal with 10 Pacific countries, the prime minister Jacinda Ardern is urging a unified response.

The issue of Chinese… Audio

Small businesses should be able to tap into a government fund to help them put up bollards or other measures to protect their stores from ram-raids.

There's been a spike reaching about 40 a month of… Audio

The latest devastating school shooting in the US has led to renewed calls for gun control.

At least 19 children and two adults have been killed after a gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary school in… Audio

Hundreds continue to flow through Ōrākei marae in Tāmaki Makaurau to pay tribute to the late Joe Hawke.

He led the 506 day Takaparawhau Bastion Point occupation in the late '70s.

On this day 44… Audio

The cost of renting keeps surging, with median rents for April hitting a record-breaking $580 a week. 

The latest figures from TradeMe shows tenants are now paying, on average, $40 a week more than… Audio

In Tāmaki Makaurau, the police responded to seven firearms incidents overnight.

No injuries have been reported, but the message RNZ is hearing from people in Ōtara, Papatoetoe, Flat Bush, Papakura… Audio