It has been a wild start to the year in Aotearoa. Honestly, if you blinked, you probably missed three major policy shifts and a weather event that felt like the end of the world. Between the literal lightning strikes and the political musical chairs in Wellington, the latest news of New Zealand is a lot to digest.
Let's just get into it.
The North Island basically turned into a strobe light show on Thursday. MetService recorded almost 18,000 lightning strikes in just 19 hours. That isn't a typo. From Northland down to Manawatū, the sky was just constant electricity. It caused slips and flooding that shut down State Highway 2 near Ōpōtiki. If you were trying to get through Gisborne, you were basically out of luck.
The All Blacks Shocker and the Beehive Shakeup
You’ve probably heard the rumors, but the reality is even weirder. Scott Robertson is out. The All Blacks coach being cut loose two years before his contract was up has sent a massive jolt through the rugby world. People are stunned. It’s one of those moments where everyone has a theory—was it the results, the culture, or just a messy boardroom breakup? Whatever it was, the "Razor" era ended way sooner than anyone expected.
Meanwhile, in Wellington, the Beehive is moving at breakneck speed.
As of January 15, the government’s massive overhaul of the Resource Management Act (RMA) officially started taking effect. This is a big deal for anyone who cares about housing or the environment. They’ve essentially swapped out the old, clunky rules for new "National Direction" instruments.
The goal?
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Make it way easier to build houses and dig mines. Chris Bishop and Shane Jones have been pushing this hard. They argue that the old system was just a wall of red tape strangling the economy. But, and it’s a big but, environmental groups are nervous. They worry that "fast-tracking" infrastructure might mean we’re cutting corners on protecting our land and water.
Why the economy feels weird right now
If you feel like your bank account is shrinking, you aren't alone. The news of New Zealand economy is a bit of a mixed bag. Treasury released a report calling the outlook "subdued." That’s a polite way of saying it’s tough out there.
- Real GDP per capita is down significantly compared to two years ago.
- Unemployment hit a nine-year high of 5.3% in late 2025.
- Wages are struggling to keep up with the 4.4% rise in food prices.
But there is a silver lining if you look for it. Small Business Minister Chris Penk pointed out that manufacturing is actually at its highest activity level since 2021. And with the Reserve Bank expected to keep trimming interest rates—some economists think we’ll hit 2% by the end of the year—there’s a feeling that we might finally be "bottoming out."
Privacy Scares and Cyber Attacks
We need to talk about ManageMyHealth.
Just as the year started, a massive data breach hit the headlines. We’re talking about over 120,000 Kiwis having their health data compromised. It’s terrifying. The High Court actually had to step in with an injunction to try and stop the data from spreading on the dark web. If you use ManageMyHealth or Neighbourly, you’ve probably already changed your password, but the anxiety is still there.
It highlights a growing problem: New Zealand is a target. Our systems aren't as bulletproof as we’d like to think.
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The Weird and the Wonderful
It's not all doom and gloom in the news of New Zealand.
Down at Farewell Spit, it’s been a heartbreaking week with 55 pilot whales stranding themselves. Local volunteers and DOC staff have been working around the clock, but as of the latest reports, several have died. It's a grim reminder of how raw and unpredictable our coastline can be.
On the flip side, the kākāpō are having a bit of a moment!
For the first time in four years, these chunky, flightless parrots have started breeding again. It’s all thanks to a "bumper fruit crop" (masting) that gives them the energy they need. It’s a tiny bit of hope for one of the world’s rarest birds. Plus, if you’re into the ocean, NASA satellites just caught a massive phytoplankton bloom encircling the Chatham Islands. It looks like giant swirls of neon blue and green from space.
International Tensions Hitting Home
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is currently heading to Kiribati and Palau, trying to keep our Pacific relationships solid. But the real headache is coming from the US.
The Trump administration just slapped massive restrictions on Pacific travel. Some countries now have to pay bonds of up to $15,000 just to get a temporary visa. Tongan citizens are facing a complete freeze on applications. Fijian PM Sitiveni Rabuka basically told his people "we brought it on ourselves" because of illegal immigration issues, but it’s a massive blow for families across the Pacific who rely on that travel.
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Closer to home, we’ve even vacated our embassy in Iran. The security situation there has gotten so bad that staff were evacuated to Türkiye. It’s a stark reminder that even way down here at the bottom of the world, we aren't isolated from global chaos.
What’s Next for New Zealanders?
It’s an election year. That means the noise in the news of New Zealand is only going to get louder.
Expect more debates about Treaty principles and more "fast-track" approvals for mines and quarries. If you’re a renter or looking to buy, keep a close eye on those interest rate announcements from the Reserve Bank. The shift from "inflation control" to "growth stimulation" is going to be the defining story of 2026.
Actionable Steps to Stay Ahead
To navigate the coming months, you should focus on a few key areas:
- Audit Your Digital Footprint: Given the ManageMyHealth and Neighbourly breaches, ensure you aren't reusing passwords across different government or health services. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) wherever possible.
- Monitor Interest Rates: If you have a mortgage coming up for renewal, don't just take the first offer. The downward trend is real, and banks are becoming more competitive as they look to kickstart lending.
- Prepare for Extreme Weather: The 18,000 lightning strikes and recent floods aren't anomalies; they are the new summer norm. Check your insurance coverage for "natural hazard" updates, especially with the new National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards now in effect.
- Watch the Election Cycle: With a general election looming, the government will likely announce more "Regional Tourism Boosts" and infrastructure projects. If you're in the trades or tourism, these are prime opportunities for contracts or grants.
The pace of change isn't slowing down. Stay informed, keep your passwords secure, and maybe keep an umbrella (or a lightning rod) handy.