DTNZ: NZ-India FTA clears Parliament

New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India has cleared its final hurdle in Parliament, passing its third reading by 93 votes to 29. Trade Minister Todd McClay said Parliament has “overwhelmingly backed” the deal which the Government argued would deliver major gains for Kiwi exporters.

DTNZ: Saudi oil output crashes to 35-year low

Saudi Arabia’s crude oil production has fallen to its lowest level since 1990 as escalating conflict across the Middle East disrupts the kingdom’s major export corridors, according to Bloomberg.

Riyadh informed OPEC that crude production dropped by approximately 1.9 million barrels per day (bpd) in August, bringing total output down to 6.238 million bpd, Bloomberg reported, citing OPEC’s latest monthly figures.

DTNZ: Milei vows to ‘recover’ Falklands

Argentine President Javier Milei has intensified Buenos Aires’ long-running claim to the Falkland Islands, declaring the British Overseas Territory to be Argentine and warning that his government will act against companies involved in a major offshore oil development.

In a nationally televised address, Milei opened with an unequivocal assertion of sovereignty over the islands, known in Argentina as Las Malvinas.

DTNZ: Vance warns of ‘rising interest in socialism’ in US

Republicans risk losing younger voters unless living standards improve, the vice president has said.

The US Republican Party must address the economic pressures facing Americans or risk driving more young people toward socialism, Vice President J.D. Vance has said.

Vance made the remarks in an interview with Fox News on Thursday, pointing to the cost of housing a

DTNZ: Police warn of sophisticated crypto scam impersonating Detectives

Police are aware of incidents where scammers are targeting people with cryptocurrency wallets and accounts, by impersonating police officers and cryptocurrency company representatives.

Over the last few weeks, a number of reports have shown scams of this nature, which has resulted in victims suffering millions of dollars in losses.

DTNZ: ‘Freedom’ launches - New political movement calls for historic shift to direct democracy

After 14 years of advocating for New Zealanders’ rights and “people power”, the NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party is entering a new era and has streamlined its name to a single, sharp, and unmistakable name: ‘freedom’.

The rebrand marks a strategic pivot toward a fundamental “paradigm upgrade” for New Zealand’s political system: the transition from a traditional parliamentary model to a system of Direct Democracy.

DTNZ: Iran declares Strait of Hormuz closed until US ends ‘illegal’ interventions

Tehran has defied President Donald Trump’s demands to fully reopen the strategic waterway to shipping.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to shipping until the US ends what it called its “illegal” interference in the region.

DTNZ: Wishart taking media to court over lazy climate reporting

Veteran journalist Ian Wishart is crowdfunding legal action against TVNZ, RNZ, TV3 and the Broadcasting Standards Authority, accusing them of “churnalism”, copying climate press releases without their own fact-checking.

Wishart, editor of Investigate Magazine, has set up a Givealittle Page to raise $35,000 for two High Court challenges. He said trust in the mainstream media is at an all-time low, and regulators like the BSA – which is now being disbanded – have contributed to a lack of standards in reporting. A recent Curia poll taken by RCR, showed 51% of people now trust the independent media more.

DTNZ: US-Iran deal ‘now complete’ – Trump

Mediator Pakistan says the sides will sign the agreement on Friday in Switzerland.

US President Donald Trump has announced that the peace deal with Iran is “now complete,” signaling the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

DTNZ: $55m released for first superhot geothermal well

The government’s push to unlock a new generation of geothermal energy has taken a major step forward, with Cabinet approving the release of the remaining $55 million allocated to the GeoShot NZ project.

Regional Development and Resources Minister Shane Jones announced the funding as the project moves toward drilling what is expected to be the country’s first superhot geothermal well at the Rotokawa Geothermal Field near Taupō.

DTNZ: IPCA calls for new police protocols on child placement decisions

The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) has found Police need clearer guidance and stronger procedures when dealing with children and young people who refuse to return home but do not meet the legal threshold for emergency intervention.

The watchdog investigated four complaints from parents and guardians whose children, aged between 11 and 15, were placed with friends or other caregivers by Police without parental consent. In each case, the young person either did not want to return home or had asked Police to take them elsewhere.

DTNZ: Arctic sea ice levels remain significantly above 2012 record low

New figures on Arctic sea ice have reignited debate over climate projections after the 2025 summer minimum measured 4.6 million square kilometres — around 35 per cent higher than the record low of 3.4 million square kilometres recorded in 2012.

DTNZ: Peters unveils KiwiSaver-from-birth scheme and BNZ buyback plan

NZ First leader Winston Peters has announced a pair of major economic policies, including compulsory KiwiSaver enrolment at birth with a $1000 Crown contribution and a proposal to buy back the Bank of New Zealand from Australian ownership.

Speaking at a campaign event in West Auckland today Peters said every New Zealand citizen would automatically become a KiwiSaver member at birth under what he called the “KiwiSaver Generation” policy.

DTNZ: Govt moves to scrap Broadcasting Standards Authority

The Government is moving to disestablish the Broadcasting Standards Authority, arguing the country’s media laws have failed to keep pace with the rise of online platforms, podcasts and on-demand content.

Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith said Cabinet had agreed to progress work on shutting down the regulator and exploring industry-led self-regulation instead.

DTNZ: Lest We Forget - ANZAC Day 2026

Each year on ANZAC Day New Zealanders and Australians pause to remember those who served and sacrificed in war, conflict, and peacekeeping missions.

Marked on April 25, the day commemorates the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) at Gallipoli in 1915—an event that, despite its hardship and loss, became central to the identity of both nations.

DTNZ: Trump thanks Iran for opening Strait of Hormuz as oil prices in freefall

The US president vowed, however, to continue to blockade Iranian ports.

Iran has announced that it will allow passage for “all commercial vessels” through the strategic Strait of Hormuz following the declaration of a 10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire. However, US President Donald Trump has vowed to maintain his blockade of Iranian ports.

DTNZ: Pharmacies set for expanded healthcare role

The Government has unveiled a proposal to expand the role of community pharmacies, allowing them to provide easier and more affordable treatment for a range of common conditions from June.

Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister David Seymour said the move aims to reduce pressure on GP services and improve access to care, particularly for families struggling with long wait times.

DTNZ: Trump orders blockade of Strait of Hormuz after failed Iran talks

The US president has said that he instructed the Navy to “interdict every vessel that has paid a toll to Iran,” accusing Tehran of extortion.

US President Donald Trump has declared that the US Navy will immediately begin a “blockade” of the Strait of Hormuz after talks with Iran in Islamabad ended without agreement. He accused Tehran of extortion, referring to the fees charged to vessels seeking to traverse the strategically vital waterway.

DTNZ: Wayne Brown to scrap council meeting lunches

Auckland’s mayor has ordered an end to ratepayer-funded lunches at full council meetings after scrutiny of a catering bill that reached $1.4 million in the past year and nearly $5 million over four years, though meeting lunches themselves accounted for a relatively small portion of that total.

DTNZ: Tamihere murder convictions quashed after 36 years

David Tamihere’s convictions for the 1989 murders of Swedish backpackers Urban Höglin and Heidi Paakkonen have been overturned by the Supreme Court, which ruled his original 1990 trial was fundamentally unfair due to perjured evidence and major changes in the Crown’s case.