The Detail
Join The Detail team six days a week as they make sense of the big stories with the country’s best journalists and experts.
When the mayor next door doesn't want to get in bed with you
Nelson Tasman is one region with two councils, with one mayor happy to follow the government's amalgamation mandate, and the other flatly refusing
As the deadline for council amalgamation looms, councils across the country are making plans - or steadfastly refusing to
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Utopian ideas to change the world
It's a global report painting a picture of a utopian future where climate change is tackled and we're all richer, written by respected economists and backed by 200 researchers. So why is being described as 'dreamland'?
Taxing billionaires, solving the energy crisis, working fewer hours and being happy with what we've got - it's the recipe for future success, according to a new report on global justice
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Election 2026 - The disproportionate staying power of the rural vote
Why politicians are still obsessed with winning over just four percent of New Zealanders
The rural vote has become one of the fiercest battlegrounds of Election 2026, despite farming no longer being the backbone of the country's economy
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Auckland's secret underground history
From World War II air raid shelters to a buried stream, Auckland's CBD has a fascinating underground history
Aucklanders are getting ready to head underground with the opening of the City Rail Link ... but trains aren't the first invisible infrastructure under the city
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Everest's dirty secret
A seasoned Kiwi guide says Nepal's fight for the bottom of the mountaineering market is one of the reasons why the bodies continue to pile up on Everest
The rise in influencer behaviour has stretched literally to the top of the world - with social media gurus looking for the cheapest, but not always the safest, ways up Everest
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Immigration's bungled tech upgrade - there could be more missing millions
More than $30 million was written off for the failed project, but that may not be the true cost of this saga
Millions of dollars have been wasted and the integrity of public servants called into question over an Immigration New Zealand tech upgrade that went badly wrong
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The political battle over Labour's transport policy
Fare Game: the policy that could save commuters hundreds and cost taxpayers millions
As Kiwis continue to wince at the petrol pump, Labour has swooped in, offering a cheaper ride. But the maths doesn't add up.
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A wing and a prayer for Air Chathams
A peace deal in the Middle East and a huge government loan on the horizon doesn't mean crisis over for our struggling airlines
There may well be hope today that fuel lines will flow again soon, but regional airlines say their tail of problems is longer than just a couple of weeks
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New mental health funding may not match the need
Psychiatrists say the lack of data on the most pressing shortages, and absence of comprehensive planning, make new funding look piecemeal
Any investment in mental health is welcome, say psychiatrists - but they're concerned the government's $100 million worth of solutions is unlikely to fix current problems, and may create new ones
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The new male beauty crisis capturing our kids
Millions of young men, including Kiwis, are chasing facial and body perfection. But some are paying a heavy price.
Boys as young as 10 are being drawn into a global social media trend promising the perfect face, body and life, but psychologists warn that looksmaxxing is leaving many trapped in a dangerous cycle of insecurity, obsession and impossible standards
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The 'toothless' law keeping us in the dark
A former chief ombudsman threatened to ask NZ's top law office to prosecute our health service. It's just one example of why he thinks the OIA needs to be reformed.
A former chief ombudsman says many agencies are 'making a mountain out of a molehill' in their responses - or lack of response - to Official Information Act requests, and it's time the Act sees reform
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Pauline Hanson's rise from political outcast to power player
The 'less polished version' of Winston Peters could be the next Prime Minister of Australia, with One Nation topping the polls
Love her or loathe her, political survivor Pauline Hanson is rising again, winning a new generation of voters and topping the polls
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A new AI report is shocking - but not to the experts
A new report spells out just how serious a toll AI is taking on the environment, but some experts say actually, New Zealand could be the right place to develop AI infrastructure
A damning UN report spells out the dire consequences of Artificial Intelligence on the environment, but it's not all bad news
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Attack on defence spending causes offense
The US Secretary of War put NZ's defence spending in the spotlight last week, calling us 'freeloaders', and forcing a conversation about how much we spend and whether our government can justify it
The New Zealand Defence Force was one of the big winners in this year's budget, but the US Secretary of War says it's still not cutting it, calling NZ 'freeloaders'
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An Auckland disaster threat from a different direction
Auckland's hidden threat: Scientist warns that an active fault line in our biggest city could generate a magnitude 6.8 earthquake
Auckland residents are told they should be "alert but not alarmed" after the discovery of faultlines beneath the city's streets
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Sri Lanka - where someone else's war is hitting hard
A developing nation on the front line of climate change effects is being bashed with other major issues, including a fall off in tourism and the effects of the Iran war
Sharon Brettkelly goes to Sri Lanka for a holiday - and finds a nation struggling with the effects of multiple world events outside its control
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Underdogs and overachievers - the All Whites at the World Cup
The All Whites squad for this year's football World Cup is being described as our best ever - in spite of a horrendous loss for the first-up friendly
The All Whites are in North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and their campaign is about more than just Tim Payne
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Tide going out on the craft brewing industry
In spite of optimism that it can face down a raft of current headwinds, small breweries say the issues facing their businesses now are terrifying
Hospitality-related headwinds aren't the only issue for craft breweries. They're facing uncertain futures in everything from CO2 supplies to keg leasing arrangements.
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The car upgrades putting NZers at risk
The cars of the future are here, but an automotive expert is warning that giant touchscreens and confusing controls are putting drivers at risk
There are growing safety concerns over modern car controls, prompting one car expert to request a specific dashboard change to avoid danger and harm on New Zealand roads
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Why the world is on virus watch again
The world is closely watching Ebola and Hantavirus, while fighting off pandemic fatigue
The threat never went away - why Ebola and Hantavirus are putting global health systems back under pressure
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Continuing 007's substantial legacy
The auditions for the next James Bond have started, firing up the speculation as to who will fill Daniel Craig's tux and togs
There are certain requirements for an actor to play James Bond - some can be overlooked but others shouldn't be messed with
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For White Ferns, pay equity, but no play equity
Our women's cricket team are world champions at Twenty20, and there's a growing call to see them bowling a red ball
The White Ferns are a highly successful team, and have even received pay equity - but without multi-day matches, they still don't have play equity
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Last ditch flight for greyhound trainers
The Greyhound industry in NZ is about to dissolve, but a last-minute plan could see some of the dogs continue racing across the ditch
A charter flight full of greyhounds bound for a racing life in Australia is not illegal - and not confirmed yet - but critics say the plan doesn't match the spirit of an industry ban
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Fears of 'zombie' town as Queenstown reaches breaking point
The real cost of living in paradise: the Queenstown housing crisis is leaves locals priced out and struggling
Queenstown's million-dollar dream is turning into a housing nightmare as locals are priced out, homes sit empty, and homelessness grows
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The new crime of stalking
Until today, stalking wasn't exactly legal, but it also wasn't a crime. New legislation criminalises stalking, giving victims a path to get help - and police the power to intervene.
Police have long had to shoehorn stalking into a variety of other criminal offences, risking only the most serious complaints being taken seriously
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The NZ firm that helped high-risk clients move millions
No action's been taken against Worldclear in spite of the Department of Internal Affairs expressing significant concerns
The big story of a tiny New Zealand company that's made front page news on a website exposing international organised crime and corruption
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Facebook's recurring premature death announcement
The latest headline grabbing-story about the decline of Meta and the irrelevance of Facebook ignores the reality - the platform is still a marketing behemoth
Maybe the excitement of Facebook has faded, but that doesn't mean Meta is in a downward spiral
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Auckland FC's dream run results in a surprise grand final
From the new kids to grand finalists in two short years, Auckland FC's fairytale rise has sparked football fever across New Zealand
Auckland FC's incredible rise from expansion club to grand finalists in just two seasons has sparked football fever across New Zealand - and now the city is preparing for one of the biggest sporting weekends it has seen in years
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Public sector cuts ignite election fight
The Government's announcement of massive public sector cuts has ramped up the election year battle - even between Coalition mates
With less than a week until the Budget announcement, public service cuts of nearly 9000 jobs kicked off a political firestorm
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The social issue that's more of a moral panic
Immigration as an issue is being dressed up for the election and called a major social problem that needs to be solved - but an expert says that's not the reality
In a recent poll immigration didn't even make the top 10 list of issues - but politicians are raising concerns over its effects
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Nature and climate in the spotlight
The praise for a new plan for green credit trading was quickly forgotten as two more announcements landed in the headlines
A trio of decisions from the Beehive made for a big week for climate and the environment, with environmentalists and the opposition looking at the plans with a critical eye
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The fight for the Māori vote
Te Tai Tokerau is becoming the new ground zero in a fierce battle for Māori political power
Māori politics has erupted as Mariameno Kapa-Kingi launched a rival party, Te Pāti Māori fractures deepen, and the battle for the Māori vote heats up
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Simon Barnett on grief, healing, and hope
Broadcaster Simon Barnett reflects on life after Jodi, opening up his heart again, changing careers - and being beaten by a Black Fern on TV this month
Broadcaster Simon Barnett talks about finding purpose after losing his beloved wife Jodi, smiling through heartbreak, and returning to reality TV this month
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Why ultra-processed foods are so addictive
New research from Auckland University reveals why it's not entirely our own fault for loving junk food
The marketers of ultra-processed foods have taken a leaf out of the tobacco industry's playbook to make their foods more addictive
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A path to employability
Trades trainers hope the shifting of government money from free university fees to vocational pathways will give students a better start in their work life
University entrance has long been the gold standard result from our schools - but there's hope that planned changes will improve life for those who want to tread a different path
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Media under fire from all angles
Political pressure, public distrust and a media in meltdown - the country is witnessing a reckoning for journalism
New Zealand media is in the firing line, with political attacks, public distrust and a controversial high-profile resignation - so can newsrooms get back on track to regain public trust?
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An anti-fireworks tipping point
The Parliamentary Petitions Committee has taken the unusual step of recommending the government overhaul our fireworks laws by banning their sale to the public
The days of yahooing, serious injury accidents, fires, and tragic animal deaths around November 5 may be numbered
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Bereaved parents fight banks to stop alcohol sales to kids
An underage teenager was able to buy alcohol from three different places without being asked for ID, before he drove drunk to his death. His parents are asking for a simple change.
A grieving New Zealand couple are fighting for justice and for laws to be enforced after their underage teenage son was served alcohol in three different places, then drove drunk, killing himself
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The noticeably absent finalist at the Ockham Awards
Pens are poised, pages are turning, and egos are trembling; it's time for the biggest night in books at the Ockham Awards - but Dame Jacinda Ardern won't be there
The biggest night in the book trade will celebrate 'the best of the best' in Auckland next week, but one notable finalist will now be a no-show at the Ockham Awards
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The dark horse party of opportunities
There's a new opportunity this election for the party started by economist Gareth Morgan to have a break-out year
The new-look Opportunity Party is leaving a cat-related debacle behind, and has a new leader, new investors, and a new purpose
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