Kate Newton of RNZ

RNZ

Kate Newton is climate change correspondent at RNZ.

Image: Tina Tiller

Government changing climate law to prevent lawsuits a 'kneejerk reaction', critics say

The move, announced this morning, will stop a high court case against Fonterra and six other major emitters in its tracks.

By Kate Newton of RNZ | 12th May, 2026

Climate change minister Simon Watts (left) and parliamentary commissioner for the environment Simon Upton

Methane-busting tools are being developed for NZ – what if they don't use them?

Agri-tech leaders say incentives would be required to ensure uptake of any new technologies, with current projections labelled as 'ambitious'.

By Kate Newton of RNZ | 4th May, 2026

Image: Ricky Wilson/Kathryn George/Stuff

Why do we still build homes on flood plains?

Brand new state houses built on flood plains were among those destroyed in Auckland's January deluge. Everyone agrees it's a bad idea to build there – so why does it keep happening?

By Kate Newton of RNZ | 17th February, 2023

Auckland’s Eagle helicopter can’t be everywhere at once – so where is it? (Image: Ella Bates-Hermans / Ricky Wilson / Stuff)

Where, and who, is getting buzzed by the Eagle police helicopter?

Auckland's 'eye in the sky' can't be everywhere at once. Here's where it is most often.

By Kate Newton of RNZ | 28th November, 2022

Image: Tina Tiller

What’s going to stop the rocketing cost of living?

Economists differ on solutions, but many agree a 'big mistake' by the government in 2020 has made things worse.

By Kate Newton of RNZ | 8th September, 2022

Birkdale, Auckland (Photo: RNZ / Claire Eastham-Farrelly)

The Auckland polling booth with a knack for predicting how the country will vote

A handful of polling stations throughout New Zealand have an uncanny ability with picking general election winners. RNZ's Kate Newton visits Birkdale on Auckland's North Shore to meet the voters at one such bellwether.

By Kate Newton of RNZ | 8th October, 2020

Image: Tina Tiller

How – and when – will New Zealand come out of lockdown?

The experts explain the basis for exiting alert level four, and what comes next.

By Kate Newton of RNZ | 8th April, 2020

Photo: Getty

Why the most popular dog in the country is a labrador called Bella

Why do so many dogs in New Zealand end up with the same name? And is there anything that explains the remarkable continued popularity of big bounding labradors?

By Kate Newton of RNZ | 24th December, 2019

Kim Dotcom at his 2014 ‘Moment of Truth’ event in Auckland featuring video-link appearances by Edward Snowden, Glenn Greenwald and Julian Assange. (Photo: Getty Images)

Kim Dotcom and the seven-year itch

Seven years on from his arrest, the extradition battle between Kim Dotcom and the United States reached New Zealand's Supreme Court this week. Kate Newton went to court to find out whether anyone seems to be winning.

By Kate Newton of RNZ | 16th June, 2019

Photo: Christophe Suarez / Biosphoto / AFP

What does it feel like to be struck by lightning?

Lightning strikes about 190,000 times a year in New Zealand – one strike every 167 seconds, on average. So what does it feel like to get hit?

By Kate Newton of RNZ | 5th June, 2019