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The Detail

RNZ·300 episodes

NewsNZ current affairsReporter-led20-25 minDailyStandalone episodesNews explainers

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

Why listen

The Detail gives you a compact, reporter-led explainer on one New Zealand story at a time, usually in about 20 to 25 minutes. Instead of skimming headlines, you hear RNZ and Newsroom journalists unpack the policy, politics, history, and human stakes behind the issue. It is a strong fit for listeners who want to stay across Aotearoa current affairs without committing to long panel shows or rolling news.

Episodes

25 min
Jul 21, 2026Episode 1645
Our disappearing tidal marine life

Two experts say both education and legislation would help a situation which is rapidly coming to a racist and threatening head around Auckland's shorelines Conservation, anger, and racism converge on Auckland beaches as rockpools are stripped of marine lifeFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

23 min
Jul 20, 2026Episode 1644
The deadly opponent no athlete can outrun

'The human body just can't' - as the world heats up, so does sport, and athletes, fans, and workers are being pushed beyond their limits For some athletes, it's become simply too hot to compete, as climate change forces sport to rethink the rulesFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

23 min
Jul 19, 2026Episode 1642
The deadly battle New Zealand forgot

Inside the story of Waerenga-a-Hika - a forgotten war, generations of trauma, and a history finally being toldThe six-day battle changed Gisborne forever, but many New Zealanders are only now learning its story - and the cost of forgettingFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

23 min
Jul 17, 2026Episode 1643
Why India wants NZ on its side

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wrapped up a short but historic visit to cement our free trade deal. Here's a look at the ways he's changing India, and what he might want from NZ. New Zealanders may have caught a brief glimpse of him during his 48-hour visit last week, but Modi's visit has longer lasting implicationsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

23 min
Jul 16, 2026Episode 1641
The Fallon verdict on the Football World Cup so far

All Whites legend Rory Fallon gives his verdict on the best, worst and biggest talking points of the World Cup ahead of Monday's finalFootball royalty Rory Fallon reflects on the World Cup, the All Whites and why football needs less VAR, drinks breaks and on-field divingFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

24 min
Jul 15, 2026Episode 1640
The decay of our cool capital

Wellington has become a city of gold-plated report writing, and very little action With a new tunnel at the bottom of the priority list, cancellation of the main street's beautification programme, and costly reports seeking answers, Wellington's not movingFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

23 min
Jul 14, 2026Episode 1639
Domestic abuse, with pets as a weapon

Animal lovers welcome plans for a law that criminalises coercive control using pets, but an expert in domestic abuse law isn't so sure it will work The Act party wants to criminalise coercive control using pets, but one expert questions why only this type of abuse is being singled out for attentionFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

23 min
Jul 13, 2026Episode 1636
A clear direction for councils on tourism

The government's made a sport of bashing councils for overspending, but a new tourism plan acknowledges that they're about more than just rubbish, roads, and waterLocal bodies welcome a substantial plan for tourism that clearly lays out whose job it is to do what, including attracting visitors into towns through eventsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

21 min
Jul 12, 2026Episode 1638
The life and crimes of James Henry Wilson

The 'callous, cruel, ultra-violent' man linked to one of New Zealand's most infamous murders has now had his conviction overturned James Wilson was convicted of the Red Fox Tavern murder, but has now had his conviction quashedFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
Jul 8, 2026Episode 1637
Killer bird flu now just a short flight away from NZ

With H5N1 now in Australia, New Zealand's biosecurity systems, poultry producers and conservation teams are preparing for its arrival on our shores The bird flu has landed in Australia, and there are fears it's now ready for take-off to New ZealandFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

24 min
Jul 7, 2026Episode 1635
Beating back the illicit tobacco trade

There's an unpalatable solution proposed to combat illicit tobacco and the violent behaviour that comes with it - reduce the tax on legal cigarettes Some experts are blaming excessive excise tax for making legal cigarettes so expensive that it's opened the door for illicit tobaccoFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
Jul 6, 2026Episode 1634
Netball's domestic future in question for third year

The ball is in Netball New Zealand's court as players and staff wait for word on the future of the ANZ PremiershipLast year's Silver Ferns coaching saga and recent board changes may have been another roadblock to locking in the ANZ PremiershipFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

21 min
Jul 5, 2026Episode 1633
Disability bill sparks backlash

The Government says it's protecting the future of disability support, while critics say it's taking away workers' rights and letting itself off the hookThe disability community has largely reacted to the bill with outrage, with one advocate saying the Government is shutting people down 'in the cruellest and most perverse way'Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

23 min
Jul 3, 2026Episode 1632
The deathly heart disease that creeps up on you

Doctors would rather you walk through their door with a niggle about chest pains than not be seen and have a worse outcomeWhen you hear of apparently fit and healthy people dropping dead from a medical event, that's often the first symptom they've had of cardiac diseaseFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

24 min
Jul 2, 2026Episode 1631
Fixing our ad hoc, inconsistent refugee rules

New Zealand has exemptions and special conditions for refugees depending on the political mood and what country they're fleeing. NGOs says it's time for some consistency. Nations are pulling up the drawbridge to refugees at a time when their needs are more urgent than everFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

23 min
Jul 1, 2026Episode 1630
Bad cop, bad cop - a string of scandals at NZ Police

After months of allegations, from the top down, trust in New Zealand Police is beginning to crack With scandal after scandal, senior officers under scrutiny, and more police before the courts, The Detail looks at what's happening inside the forceFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

23 min
Jun 30, 2026Episode 1629
Ski field operators on a spending spree

It's July, school holidays are around the corner, and the slopes are brown - but ski field operators are optimisticGlobal warming has long threatened the ski industry, but operators around the country are pumping big money into their fieldsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

23 min
Jun 29, 2026Episode 1628
At Rockquest, 'bad jazz' and 'experimental hip hop' reign

Today's contestants in the 38-year-old competition are not only creating original songs, they're coming up with new genres of music While live music venues call crisis, teenage musicians are finding ways to reach international audiencesFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
Jun 28, 2026Episode 1627
Fair or victim-blaming - the fight over rising ACC levies

Motorcycles make up a disproportionate number of ACC's injury costs, but motorcyclists say that's because cars are hitting them - so they shouldn't have to pay the price Without the injunction, ACC levies are set to rise for motorcycle riders from Wednesday. Bikers are angry, calling it 'victim blaming' and at odds with the purpose of the scheme.Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

21 min
Jun 26, 2026Episode 1626
The new audience generator

How film productions by YouTubers are out-performing Hollywood blockbusters Megastars and big budgets are no longer necessarily the recipe for film success, with YouTube creators building up huge audiences and moving into cinemasFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
Jun 25, 2026Episode 1625
The high price of loyalty

With the cost of living climbing, loyalty programmes are one way we're trying to save money - but they come at a cost In a cost of living crisis, loyalty programmes are a welcome way to save a few dollars. But there's no such thing as a free lunch.Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
Jun 24, 2026Episode 1624
New Zealand's game of political chess

It will be a numbers game this election, which could be decided by strategy, not just votes Strategic deals, tactical votes and coalition maths shape political elections, and Kiwi MPs are playing a game of political chess after the ultimate manoeuvre in the UKFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

24 min
Jun 23, 2026Episode 1623
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 refusingAs the deadline for council amalgamation looms, councils across the country are making plans - or steadfastly refusing toFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

23 min
Jun 22, 2026Episode 1622
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 justiceFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
Jun 21, 2026Episode 1621
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 economyFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

23 min
Jun 19, 2026Episode 1620
Auckland's secret underground history

From World War II air raid shelters to a buried stream, Auckland's CBD has a fascinating underground historyAucklanders are getting ready to head underground with the opening of the City Rail Link ... but trains aren't the first invisible infrastructure under the cityFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

23 min
Jun 18, 2026Episode 1619
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 EverestFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

19 min
Jun 17, 2026Episode 1618
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 sagaMillions of dollars have been wasted and the integrity of public servants called into question over an Immigration New Zealand tech upgrade that went badly wrongFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
Jun 16, 2026Episode 1617
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.Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

24 min
Jun 15, 2026Episode 1616
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 airlinesThere 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 weeksFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

23 min
Jun 14, 2026Episode 1614
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 piecemealAny 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 onesFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
Jun 12, 2026Episode 1615
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 standardsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

25 min
Jun 11, 2026Episode 1613
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 reformFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
Jun 10, 2026Episode 1612
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 pollsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

24 min
Jun 9, 2026Episode 1611
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 newsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

24 min
Jun 8, 2026Episode 1610
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'Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
Jun 7, 2026Episode 1609
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 earthquakeAuckland residents are told they should be "alert but not alarmed" after the discovery of faultlines beneath the city's streetsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

23 min
Jun 5, 2026Episode 1608
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 warSharon Brettkelly goes to Sri Lanka for a holiday - and finds a nation struggling with the effects of multiple world events outside its controlFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
Jun 4, 2026Episode 1607
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 PayneFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
Jun 3, 2026Episode 1606
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.Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
Jun 2, 2026Episode 1605
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 roadsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
Jun 1, 2026Episode 1604
Why the world is on virus watch again

The world is closely watching Ebola and Hantavirus, while fighting off pandemic fatigueThe threat never went away - why Ebola and Hantavirus are putting global health systems back under pressureFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

23 min
May 29, 2026Episode 1603
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 withFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
May 28, 2026Episode 1602
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 ballThe White Ferns are a highly successful team, and have even received pay equity - but without multi-day matches, they still don't have play equityFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
May 27, 2026Episode 1601
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 banFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
May 26, 2026Episode 1600
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 strugglingQueenstown's million-dollar dream is turning into a housing nightmare as locals are priced out, homes sit empty, and homelessness growsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
May 25, 2026Episode 1599
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 seriouslyFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

25 min
May 24, 2026Episode 1598
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 corruptionFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

21 min
May 22, 2026Episode 1597
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 spiralFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

22 min
May 21, 2026Episode 1595
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 yearsFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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Listening context

Casual listening
Best for: commutes, morning routines, lunch breaks, short walks, housework
Tone: clear, informative, analytical, topical

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