At least 68 people have died and dozens more have been hurt after two high-speed trains crashed in central Spain...

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An Otago man has finished planting 14,000 kauri trees by hand on his farmland, creating what is likely to be...

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India have thrashed the Black Caps by six wickets in Wellington to win their Twenty20 cricket series, after opener Abhishek...

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England captain Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, the award for the best men’s footballer in the world....

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SMART Prep | Choose your quiz

Did You Know?

What was the highest temperature recorded in New Zealand this winter?
The highest temperature recorded was 26°C in Christchurch's Bromley suburb!
What special blocks were installed at Wellington Airport for safety?
Wellington Airport installed special energy-absorbing blocks called EMAS to keep planes safe.
What special day marks the beginning of Lent?
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which falls on February 18, 2026.
How far has Jono already swum on his journey?
Jono has swum more than 545 kilometres on his journey!
What did astronauts do during the air leak scare on the ISS?
The astronauts sheltered in a docked spacecraft to stay safe.
What caused the rare bloom of wildflowers in Death Valley?
A wetter autumn and winter allowed seeds to grow into flowers.
How many times has Finland been named the happiest country?
Finland has been named the happiest country in the world for a record nine times!
What is a fun way to learn about news stories?
You can take quizzes to test your knowledge about news stories!
What type of whale stranded on St Heliers Beach?
A rare Shepherd's beaked whale was found stranded on the beach!
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Did You Know?

Who was the first woman to lead the Kīngitanga movement in New Zealand?
Dame Te Atairangikaahu was the first woman to lead the Kīngitanga movement, uniting Māori tribes for 40 years!
What special feature does the Dunedin Kmart have for quiet shopping?
Dunedin Kmart has quiet shopping hours every Wednesday to help autistic people and others who find busy stores overwhelming.
What exciting event took place in Auckland with big splashes and jumps?
The Z Manu World Champs featured amazing splash-making competitions for all ages!
What record did Danni Wyatt-Hodge break during the match?
Danni Wyatt-Hodge became the tournament's leading run-scorer and set a record for most runs in a single Women's T20 World Cup!
How many fans cheered for the Warriors during their season opener?
More than 24,000 fans cheered for the Warriors at their home game!
What does the fees-free tertiary education scheme help students with?
The fees-free scheme helps students by paying their tuition fees for the final year of study.
What was the highest score made by a White Ferns player?
Brooke Halliday scored the highest for the White Ferns with 40 runs!
How many kākāpō are being vaccinated against bird flu?
Around ninety kākāpō are being vaccinated to protect them from bird flu!
What new rules did the Academy announce for the Oscars?
The Academy announced that AI tools won't automatically help or hurt a film's chances for nominations.

Vocabulary

  • festivities Fun activities and celebrations. The New Year festivities include parades and fireworks.
  • prosperity Having wealth and success. Dumplings are eaten for prosperity in the New Year.
  • zodiac A system that assigns animals to years. 2026 is the Year of the Horse in the zodiac.