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The Detail

RNZ

Join The Detail team six days a week as they make sense of the big stories with the country’s best journalists and experts.

Join The Detail team six days a week as they make sense of the big stories with the country’s best journalists and experts.

The brutal price of forestry in NZ

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Episodes

The brutal price of forestry in NZ 03 Nov 2026

The East Coast forestry saga continues with a new review that urges action from the Crown A bitter battle over forestry, slash and accountability has been unfolding in Tairāwhiti. A new independent review spells out what needs to change. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Kiwis caught up in French riots 02 Nov 2026

Why some do, and why some won't join the protests that have now spread through Europe Tear gas and trashed stores - these New Zealanders have found life in France has come with unexpected extras. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The rising toll of public life for Kiwi women 01 Nov 2026

What happens when the abuse becomes so relentless that high-profile women start asking themselves: Is this worth it? They put their hands up to lead. They didn't sign up to be abused. Yet the price of public life is getting higher and higher. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A lame duck Trump could focus his attention on the world 30 Oct 2026

If the Republican Party loses its grip on Congress after the mid-term elections, look for the eye of Trump to be turned on the world 'I think we're deeply lost' - a Republican expert in American strategy says his country has forgotten the importance of principles in foreign policy Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The 'student of stoic philosophy' on trying not to be dull 29 Oct 2026

Chris Hipkins says his challenge this election campaign is to be inspiring but also realistic - and those two things are difficult to balance The Leader of the Opposition says he's dropped the sweeping rhetoric for promises he can keep. How's that going for him? Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A generation of lost local voices 28 Oct 2026

While some Kiwi singing stars are shining on the world stage, the grass roots underneath them are withering, with small venues closing and global competition biting Subsidised big ticket events are performing on New Zealand stages at the expense of small live music venues and new acts Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

'Literally illiterate' - Luxon lashes Labour 27 Oct 2026

The Prime Minister says the country isn't divided, and Labour "sucked" in government. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sits down with The Detail to talk all things polls, policies, partners and his personal life, and he doesn't hold back. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The demonised couple who've finally been heard 26 Oct 2026

A rare referral by the Criminal Cases Review Commission raises hopes that a woman jailed for injuring her child can clear her name A development in a child abuse case highlights the near-impossibility of going up against medical professionals in New Zealand Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Everyone's hedging - why the world is working around the US 23 Oct 2026

The world outside America's being urged to build walls to keep mega companies under control, while breaking them down to form new connections Pulitzer prize winning historian Anne Applebaum says the process of the world restructuring itself around America has begun Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

GTA VI - the hype and the controversies 22 Oct 2026

The release next month of the latest in the Grand Theft Auto video game series is set to be the biggest media release in history Inside the record-breaking hype and fierce controversies surrounding the November release of GTA VI Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Polls, scandals and the shameless final battles for votes 21 Oct 2026

As we enter the final fortnight of the election campaign, NZ political parties are still struggling to get out of first gear. Desperation from both major party leaders sees them throwing everything at the election, 'because of how poorly they are both doing'. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Kiwi AI tech saving our native bush from pests 20 Oct 2026

Homegrown AI tech could propel the country towards our Predator-Free 2050 goal, but only if it becomes cheap enough for local groups to afford it. New smart devices can track that last sneaky possum, saving hours of time. But the price tag is too high for most conservation groups. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The surprising ecology of saving coral reefs 19 Oct 2026

The link between seabird droppings, eliminating invasive rats, and faster-growing coral reefs New Zealanders - from Ministers to pest control experts - are in the forefront of helping to save the world's coral reefs from bleaching Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The superannuation debate and the KiwiSaver election 18 Oct 2026

Politicians agree something has to be done about the economic burden of superannuation, but they all have a different spin on how New Zealand can cope The Detail unpacks election retirement policies as the reality of New Zealand's increasingly costly superannuation beast starts to hit us Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The voting power of the overseas electorate 16 Oct 2026

Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders living overseas are enrolled to vote. But many of them don't feel they've been invited to the party. Close to two electorates of NZ voters live overseas and are still enrolled at home. Some expat Kiwis want to change the conversation about their participation in our democracy. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The superyachts making waves in our boatbuilding industry 15 Oct 2026

The magnificent yachts parked up at the Auckland's viaduct are more than just nice to look at - they're also good for our boat-related trades Zen and Koru are two of the flashiest superyachts docked right now, but it's just the start of the season and New Zealand can expect more to come Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

When dirty money meets the building industry 14 Oct 2026

From drug money to building sites, how criminals are trying to turn dirty cash into legitimate wealth How organised crime and dodgy building contractors formed a profitable marriage of convenience. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The painful birthing of big changes in cricket 13 Oct 2026

'Open conflict and institutional paralysis' - behind the scenes at New Zealand Cricket it's civil war There's an ambitious plan to revitalise the game, but the decision making has been excruciating, the timeline dubious and the fallout, furious Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The risks of reaching for the stars 12 Oct 2026

New Zealand's space race is on the verge of stepping up another notch, but with big opportunities come growing risks A potential new spaceport could bring investment and opportunity, but as our dependence on satellites grows, so do the risks of cyberattacks, collisions and conflict in orbit. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The consequences of pulling the plug on foreign aid 11 Oct 2026

New Zealand's aid contributions outside of the Pacific aren't massive but they're still significant - and the money saves lives The drop of aid New Zealand sends to Ethiopia is small but significant. Slashing it in order to boost Pharmac's budget will cost lives. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Balancing a path between giants in a changing world order 09 Oct 2026

How Australia and New Zealand face the same issues in a challenging international scene, and where they differ in their approaches Australia is balancing a path between attracting ire from the Trump regime and retaliation from China - but not saying anything is a risky strategy Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Preparing for a Godzilla El Niño 08 Oct 2026

From checking the water pipes to spraying sunscreen on apples, Hawke's Bay farmers are getting ready for a super hot, dry, windy summer The region that's been through catastrophe after catastrophe is gearing up for what could be months of horribly dry weather Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Cornell, consent and the women saying "that could be me" 07 Oct 2026

The Cornell rape allegations - why the case has gone viral and why women worldwide are saying "I'm Jane Doe" From alleged sexual violence at an American university to a global conversation about consent, masculinity and why women still don't feel safe Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The bad science polluting our media landscape 06 Oct 2026

You can find scientific research to back up almost any idea, but telling the difference between fact and fiction is a real art This is not like the movies where a lone scientist is about to save the world with an idea only they have Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Auckland's not-so-great housing correction 05 Oct 2026

The housing market is all over the place - neither buyers nor sellers seem to be getting anywhere fast It's supposed to be a buyers' market when it comes to property sales, but buyers are just as unhappy as sellers right now, and investors are taking losses Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The price of backsliding on climate deals 04 Oct 2026

The EU is looking at a landmark complaint over New Zealand's alleged climate deal violations. New Zealand faces its first climate complaint under EU trade rules, but the government rejects claims climate promises have been broken. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

New Zealand's place in the New World Order 02 Oct 2026

We're living through an extraordinary moment of geopolitical volatility. New Zealand politicians and businesses need to adapt. Is New Zealand doing enough to make its economy resilient and its businesses competitive as we dodge the bullets of international turmoil? Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Young kiwis stuck in the nicotine cycle 01 Oct 2026

With young people making up about a fifth of our daily vaping rates, one expert is worried there hasn't been enough focus on how addictive vapes are. There are concerns oral nicotine pouches like Zyns will bring the same problems as vaping, as young people look at alternatives for their nicotine hit. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

"Very, very tight race" puts election on a knife-edge 30 Sep 2026

Five weeks out and nobody can call this election, with the declining major parties tied and minor parties surging. It's proving a "very, very tight race" for Parliament, so five weeks out, The Detail sits down with two political journalists to look at who is safe, who is vulnerable, and who is set to lose their job. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

NZ Rugby's financial reckoning 29 Sep 2026

As rugby bosses confront a financial crisis, the biggest changes in NZ rugby could be just around the corner. New Zealand Rugby is facing a financial reckoning - with millions in losses forcing tough decisions about the future of the game. So what gets cut, who pays the price, and can rugby afford to keep doing things the same way? Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The two new laws that will rule our land 28 Sep 2026

The dreaded RMA has finally gone, but its replacement Acts have come in for a slew of criticism, especially from environmentalists. We've gone from 'you can't' to 'you can' when it comes to development, but the new law changes mean environmental protection is the loser. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Zombie Towns: Everything I Missed 27 Sep 2026

Economist Shamubeel Eaqub recounts how the term 'zombie towns' created an outcry in rural New Zealand. Now, a decade on, he wants to understand if anything has changed in the provinces. Economist Shamubeel Eaqub finds out what's really going on in heartland New Zealand. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Israel pushes illegal settlements as tough elections approach 25 Sep 2026

While New Zealand condemns expansion of settlements on West Bank, it does not join international sanctions. Israel's ruling coalition faces a tough return to power in October general elections. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

LEGO defies the market odds, builds a profit 24 Sep 2026

LEGO is making a comeback in New Zealand - just as National makes a push to get Kiwi kids spending less time on screens. The humble LEGO brick is having a moment, its resurgence coinciding with a government push to get children off their devices. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Veterans' Affairs in the firing line 23 Sep 2026

They offered their lives for their country, now veterans say they are fighting for support. They offered their lives for their country - now Kiwi veterans are fighting for support, with one retired soldier saying he nearly took his own life. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The killer robots on our doorstep 22 Sep 2026

Even the heads of big tech companies are warning we must slow down on rapidly developing AI, before we lose control of it. An expert says there's a naive and embarrassing lack of political attention being paid to the acceleration of unregulated artificial intelligence. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Confusion and fear over National Music Library threat 21 Sep 2026

The ministry insists the National Library Music Hire service is not being discontinued - but the PSA says change proposals show it's very much under threat. Musicians from bands, choirs and orchestras are worried a fresh round of public service cuts will mean the disappearance of a much-loved sheet music hire service. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Supermarket showdown - the battle of the election policy 20 Sep 2026

The supermarket checkout is where the cost-of-living crisis hits hardest, and now it's the target of political parties. The election fight over your grocery bill. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Europe's far-right surge poses risks for small nations 18 Sep 2026

An analyst warns a fraying rules-based order threatens countries like NZ. Political trends a hemisphere away could affect us here. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A spotlight on the invisible children 17 Sep 2026

It's hoped a new district court role to help children of prisoners, as well as a research project aimed at highlighting their needs, will help change their lives. The attention on the issue comes in the wake of the Malachi Subecz inquiry, which has been a lightning rod for change. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Vested interests and the power of lobbying in NZ 16 Sep 2026

What happens when lobbying goes from transparent and legitimate to crossing the line in the corridors of power. A new report released this morning highlights the pros and cons of vested-interest lobbying and spotlights the lobbied, including current and former ministers, MPs and ministerial staffers. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Getting youth to the polls - a perennial problem 15 Sep 2026

This year's election is shaping up to be the sixth consecutive election that fewer young people are enrolling to vote. Changes to enrolment rules may mean potential voters are left without a voice. Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Decades of building industry research at risk 14 Sep 2026

Construction industry leaders say the government is breaking the chain of trust when it comes to the rigorous testing of building materials The future of our world-respected building research association is looking shaky with a government move to cut the dedicated levy that funds it Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

MSD's failure fest 13 Sep 2026

From wrongly suspended benefits to thousands denied food grants, a string of failures at the Ministry of Social Development proves damaging MSD's made a litany of mistakes over botched benefit decisions and more, but apologies in contrast are thin on the ground Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Clash of the world's titans in the Pacific 11 Sep 2026

As the geopolitical jockeying in the Pacific continues, and America voices concern again over China's influence, the US is being told to step up The US is being nudged to improve its standing in the Pacific as China muscles in - starting with turning up Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

New Zealand's antibiotic overuse 10 Sep 2026

A new study highlights the high use of antibiotics in young children in New Zealand, but one expert points out it's not just an issue in kids New Zealand ranks fourth in the OECD when it comes to antibiotic prescriptions, but that's not a good thing Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The most unpredictable yet most dull election campaign in recent history 09 Sep 2026

With less than two months to go until the election, The Detail sits down with two political journalists to talk polls, policies and whether the leaders of the big parties will survive Polls, policies and political pokes - with less than two months to go, the election battle heats up Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The price of motorway art and the cost of not having it 08 Sep 2026

A small part of big road project budgets is spent on something beautiful - but under Act, it would take a back seat Act wants to cut motorway art from road project budgets. Advocates say the effort to save us money will make us poorer Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A health system on life support 07 Sep 2026

New Zealand is facing the biggest flu outbreak in a decade putting pressure on our health system New Zealand is in the grip of Influenza A, and for our most vulnerable it's proving deadly Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The manufactured authenticity of the successful TikToker 06 Sep 2026

Some politicians have managed to weaponise social media for electoral purposes, but experts say if you don't have the deft touch, just stay away Politicians who think TikTok is an advertising platform for their party are wasting their time on the platform, say experts Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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