Radio New Zealand - All Programmes

The latest news from Melanesia.

The Japanese anaerobic composting system, which ferments organic matter, is helping to maintain healthy soils on a sheep and dairy grazing farm in North Canterbury.

News that government this month said is looking to support a market system to help fund the huge cost of restoring nature could be music to the ears of farmers and iwi wanting to do their bit for biodiversity but facing the large expense of planting native forests or recreating wetlands. So what are biodiversity credits and how do they work?

A wrap from RNZ's rural news desk.

This week Country Life dives underground to take a closer look at soils, from Canterbury farmers using the Japanese Bokashi system to a market gardener making garden beds as rich as chocolate cake in Taranaki. The team also unpacks biodiversity credits and what they mean for Aotearoa.

The latest RNZ Pacific news.

In Focus on politics, the New Zealand government's response this week to the United States entering the war with Iran.

This half hour the panel hears from Tasman mayor Tim King for the latest on the flooding in the region and they discuss the pull of the "mushroom cook: Erin Patterson and how the Australian murder trial is attracting an ecosystem of true crime podcasters.

Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Anna Dean and Alan McElroy. The Panel talks to hotelier Vince who ahs decided to open the doors of Hotel Motueka to anyone who needs a bed and hot soup during the flooding in Marlbourgh. They also talk to Liz Koh, Kapiti Coast Dristrict councillor about their decision to knock back proposals for some Maori street names.

Next time a vintage aircraft flies overhead there's a good chance it's being propelled by the handiwork of a man from Manakau, an hour north of Wellington. For over 25 years Jeff Fox has created wooden propellers for classic aircraft like tiger moths and sopwith camels. He can put up to 300 hours of work into each handcrafted propeller for clients including First World War aviation buff Sir Peter Jackson. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

United Kingdom correspondent Edward O'Driscoll spoke to Lisa Owen about the UK's medicine regulators warning that popular weight-loss jabs could be linked to hundreds of people getting sick and 10 deaths, as well as the latest Scottish words added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Cristiano Ronaldo has landed a two year deal with a Saudi Arabia club worth over a billion dollars. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The watchdog that settles disputes about essential services like electricity and gas believes it should be mandatory for water suppliers to sign up to the scheme. Utilities Disputes is an independent disputes resolution service; its compulsory for gas and electricity companies and broadband installers to be part of the scheme. But it's voluntary for water suppliers. It comes after Checkpoint revealed 13,000 Watercare smart meters are not working properly, leaving some customers struggling to pay big catch-up bills and frustrated by Watercare's service. Watercare is a voluntary member of Utilities Disputes, which means it has to refer any complaints to the service, customers can't make complaints directly. Utilities Disputes Commissioner Neil Mallon spoke to Lisa Owen.

Nelson Tasman Civil Defence Controller Andrew White spoke to Lisa Owen about the evacuations and state of emergency in place for residents at the top of the South Island as wild weather and flooding battered the country. 

A state of emergency remains in place for Nelson and Tasman and part of Marlborough, after heavy rain pelted the top of the south, causing widespread flooding, forcing evacuations, and closing roads. Residents in Spring Creek were evacuated this morning, with further evacuations called for in Renwick, Tadmor and Tapawera this afternoon. In Auckland, thunderstorms downed trees and lifted roofs in Auckland. Samantha Gee reports. 

The father of a boy using ADHD medication is rationing his sons medication because of drug shortages and is worried things will get worse when new prescribing rules are introduced. From next year GPs and specialist nurses will be able to diagnose and prescribe medication for ADHD. But there is a world-wide shortage of the drugs. Pharmac's website shows there's no stock for nine types of the drugs and low stock for two others. Half a dozen others have no supply issues. Auckland dad Craig has a ten year old son who takes one of the ADHD medications that has supply problems, he spoke to Lisa Owen.

Economists having been telling us survive til 2025', but so far this year things don't seem to have improved that much, particularly for those out of work. The job market is sluggish, with people looking for jobs facing a huge amount of competition. At last count the unemployment rate was 5.1% or 156,000 people at the March quarter. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Lisa Owen.

Across the ditch the British and Irish Lions tour is set to kick off in Perth while the Barbarians super squad head to Cape Town with a number of All Blacks in tow for a game with the Springboks. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

Asia Correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about confusion over whether a trade deal has been struck between the US and China, as well as a massive beach resort set to open in North Korea, that leader Kim Jong-un hopes will boost tourism.