If you want to develop your listening skills, try these tasks as you listen to the text. The answers are at the bottom of this page. Thanks to Natasha Groves for preparing the tasks.

If you want to listen and read, just scroll down to the News story.

Use the vocabulary list to check the meanings of some words before you listen.

Vocabulary

tourism – the business activity connected with services and entertainment for people on holiday

destination – the place that someone is going to

congestion – the problem of too much traffic in a place

traffic jam – a long line of cars and other vehicles that cannot move or can only move very slowly

peak – times that are busy, in this context, when people are going to and from work

warning – a statement that something bad might happen, so that you can be ready for it

hostility – strong or angry opposition to something

rating – a level on a scale that shows how good, important, or popular something is taskforce – a group formed for a short time to deal with a problem

skiing – the sport or activity of moving over snow on skis

Try these activities while listening

1. Listening for main ideas

First, just listen to the text, taking notes if you wish. What information can you catch during this first listening?

2. Now listen again and answer the following questions:

News story

Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations. It has beautiful scenery with a lake and mountains, and it offers many adventure activities such as bungy jumping, jetboating, and skiing. However, there are serious concerns about traffic congestion in Queenstown due to the number of tourists visiting the town.

The number of tourists in Queenstown is now more than two-thirds above that of the period before the Covid 19 pandemic. In the first six months of 2026, there were 247,820 international arrivals at Queenstown Airport, nearly 100,000 more than in the same period in 2019. The number of domestic arrivals also rose, with an extra 14,000 people arriving compared to the first six months of 2019. This number includes locals going away and then returning.

According to the local tourism organisation, there is enough space for visitors to walk around and enjoy the town. However, the problem is that the roads become very busy and there are traffic jams more often at peak times. The Mayor of Queenstown said that a trip that would probably take 10 minutes sometimes takes 90 minutes. Residents are becoming very unhappy with the situation, as it affects their daily life. There have been warnings since 2025 that tourism numbers are leading to some hostility towards tourism. Surveys have shown that residents’ approval ratings of tourism have been decreasing steadily since New Zealand’s borders reopened after the pandemic.

The Mayor is now setting up a taskforce on reducing congestion. The taskforce will bring together councils, government agencies, local Māori authorities, and transport experts who will try to find solutions over the next three to six months. The community is also being asked to contribute ideas to help deal with the problem in the short-term.

Answers – you don’t have to write a complete sentence as long as you have the key idea in your answer.

a. Why is Queenstown such a popular tourist destination?

 It has beautiful scenery with a lake and mountains; it offers many adventure activities such as bungy jumping, jetboating, and skiing

b. Why is there a problem with traffic congestion in Queenstown?

Because of the number of tourists visiting the town

c. Fill in the gaps: In the first six months of 2026, there were 247,820 international arrivals at Queenstown Airport, nearly 100,000 more than in the same period in 2019

d. What is there enough space for?

For visitors to walk around and enjoy the town

e. What is the problem?

The roads become very busy and there are traffic jams more often at peak times

f. What did the Mayor of Queenstown say?

A trip that would probably take 10 minutes sometimes takes 90 minutes

g. What have surveys shown about residents’ approval ratings of tourism?

They have been decreasing steadily since New Zealand’s borders reopened after the pandemic

h. What is the Mayor setting up?

A taskforce on reducing congestion

i. What will the taskforce try to do?

It will try to find solutions over the next three to six months.

If you want to develop your listening skills, try these tasks as you listen to the text. The answers are at the bottom of this page. Thanks to Natasha Groves for preparing the tasks.

If you want to listen and read, just scroll down to the News story.

Use the vocabulary list to check the meanings of some words before you listen.

Vocabulary

school leavers – someone who has just left school

literacy – the ability to read and write

numeracy – the ability to count and do simple maths

compulsory – if something is compulsory, you must do it because of a law or rule

principal – the head teacher, the person in charge of a school

wealthier – richer, having more money and possessions. Comparative form of wealthy

Try these activities while listening

1. Listening for main ideas

First, just listen to the text, taking notes if you wish. What information can you catch during this first listening?

2. Now listen again and answer the following questions:

3. Language focus – reference pronouns (these, they, their, them)

What do the words in bold refer back to?

One reason for the increase in these figures is the new online literacy and numeracy tests. These were introduced in 2024 and are compulsory. If students do not pass them, they do not get an NCEA qualification. Principals at several schools in lower socio-economic areas said that their students struggle with the pressure of exams. They said that they can read and write but the online tests are not a fair test of their abilities. If young people have no qualifications, it is very difficult for them to find work.

News story

A high percentage of secondary school students have left school in the last three years with no formal qualifications.

According to the Ministry of Education, in 2025 10,496 out of 70,786 school leavers had no NCEA certificate or equivalent qualifications. That was 15 percent of last year’s school leavers, the same percentage as the previous two years, whereas before the Covid pandemic it was 10 to 11 percent. However, the figure may in fact be higher, closer to 19 percent. This is because the Ministry counts students who are half-way to a level 2 or 3 NCEA certificate as if they had a qualification, even if they did not have level 1. In addition, the problem is even worse in poorer communities. More than 25 percent of school leavers from schools in those areas had no qualification.

One reason for the increase in these figures is the new online literacy and numeracy tests. These were introduced in 2024 and are compulsory. If students do not pass them, they do not get an NCEA qualification. Principals at several schools in lower socio-economic areas said that their students struggle with the pressure of exams. They said that they can read and write but the online tests are not a fair test of their abilities. If young people have no qualifications, it is very difficult for them to find work.

However, in 2025 there was a slight increase in the percentage of school leavers with higher level qualifications. 78 percent had at least NCEA level 2 (a one percentage point increase), and 59 percent had level 3 (a three percentage point increase).

There were also slight increases in the percentage of Māori and Pacific school leavers with these qualifications. 63 percent of Māori leavers had level 2 and 41 percent had level 3. 74 percent of Pacific leavers had level 2 and 53 percent had level 3. The main reason for the lower percentages for these students, compared with the overall figures, is that they are much more likely to live in poverty than other students. As a result, they may have fewer resources such as computers and books. Their parents may also have had negative experiences at school and may not have high qualifications. In New Zealand and in other countries, students from wealthier families tend to do better at school, because their parents are usually well-educated and can support their children’s education.

Answers – you don’t have to write a complete sentence as long as you have the key idea in your answer.

a. In 2025, how many school leavers had no NCEA certificate or equivalent qualifications?

10,496

b. What percentage of school leavers was this?

15 percent

c. Why may the figure be higher, closer to 19%?

Because the Ministry counts students who are half-way to a level 2 or 3 NCEA certificate as if they had a qualification, even if they did not have level 1

d. What percentage of school leavers in poorer communities had no qualification?

More than 25 percent

e. What is one reason for the increase in these figures?

Because of the new online literacy and numeracy tests. (These were introduced in 2024 and are compulsory.) If students do not pass them, they do not get an NCEA qualification

f. What did principals at several schools in lower socio-economic areas say?

Their students struggle with the pressure of exams. They said that they can read and write but the online tests are not a fair test of their abilities

g. What was there a slight increase in?

The percentage of school leavers with higher level qualifications

h. What is the main reason why the percentage of Māori and Pacific school leavers with qualifications is lower?

They are much more likely to live in poverty than other students. As a result, they may have fewer resources such as computers and books. Their parents may also have had negative experiences at school and may not have high qualifications

i. What does the speaker say about students from wealthier families?

In New Zealand and in other countries, students from wealthier families tend to do better at school, because their parents are usually well-educated and can support their children’s education.

3. Language focus – reference pronouns (these, they, their, them)

these figures – the percentages mentioned in the previous paragraph

These were introduced – the new online literacy and numeracy tests

If students do not pass them – the new online literacy and numeracy tests 

they do not get an NCEA qualification – students

their students struggle – principals at several schools in lower socio-economic areas

They said that they can read and write – principals said that the students…

but the online tests are not a fair test of their abilities – students’

If young people have no qualifications, it is very difficult for them to find work – young people

If you want to develop your listening skills, try these tasks as you listen to the text. The answers are at the bottom of this page. Thanks to Natasha Groves for preparing the tasks.

If you want to listen and read, just scroll down to the News story.

Use the vocabulary list to check the meanings of some words before you listen.

Vocabulary

announce – to officially tell people something, especially a plan or decision

re-develop – to make something more modern

platform – in this context, the raised place beside a railway track where you get on and off a train in a station

peak – times that are busy, in this context, for public transport

off-peak – times that are less busy. Off-peak times for public transport are weekdays 9am-3pm and after 6.30pm, and all day on weekends and public holidays

mayor – the leader of a city or town

re-introduce – to start using something again or bring something back

session – a period of time used for a particular activity, especially by a group of people

Try these activities while listening

1. Listening for main ideas

First, just listen to the text, taking notes if you wish. What information can you catch during this first listening?

2. Now listen again and answer the following questions:

News story

It was announced last week that the City Rail Link in Auckland will officially open on Sunday 13 September.

The City Rail Link is New Zealand’s largest ever transport infrastructure project. Construction began in 2016 and finished at the end of June 2026. It cost $5.493 billion and was funded by the Government and Auckland Council. The City Rail Link is a 3.4 kilometre underground railway which connects all of Auckland’s train lines into one network. There are twin tunnels which have been built up to 42 metres below the city and two new underground stations, Te Waihorotiu and Karanga-a-Hape. Waitematā Station has been redeveloped into a two-way through station instead of a ‘dead-end’ station, and Maungawhau Station (formerly Mt Eden Station) has been redeveloped. The stations have been designed for future growth in passenger numbers, so the platforms will accommodate trains with nine carriages in the future.

According to Auckland Transport, the City Rail Link will give Aucklanders more trains more often. Services will be faster, more reliable and more direct. For example, travelling from Henderson to Te Waihorotiu will take 35 minutes, 24 minutes less than now. At peak times, trains will run every five minutes through the city centre and on average around 10 minutes elsewhere on the network. At off-peak times the new lines will operate every 15 minutes throughout the day, including weekends, compared with every 20 minutes now.

The idea for an underground railway was first suggested in 1923, but it was never built. Instead motorways were built. However, from the 1960s various mayors tried to reintroduce plans for underground rail. These were unsuccessful until 2003 when Britomart station was opened and plans to connect it to the Western line were developed. In 2013, the Government announced that they would support the project. Britomart Station is now called Waitematā Station.

There are open days at the new stations so that the public can have a ‘First Look’ at them. These are free sessions, but people need a ticket and numbers are limited. The first open day was on Saturday 8 August, at Maungawhau. The next one is Saturday 15 August at Karanga-a-Hape, and the last one is on Saturday, 22 August, at Te Waihorotiu. The free tickets are available one week ahead of each event.

Answers – you don’t have to write a complete sentence as long as you have the key idea in your answer.

a. How long did construction take?

Ten years (started in 2016 and finished at the end of June 2026)

b. How much did it cost?

$5.493 billion

c. Who funded the project?

The Government and Auckland Council

d. What is the City Rail Link?

A 3.4 kilometre underground railway which connects all of Auckland’s train lines into one network

e. How has Waitematā Station been redeveloped?

It’s now a two-way through station instead of a ‘dead-end’ station

f. How have the stations been designed for future growth in passenger numbers?

The platforms will accommodate trains with nine carriages in the future

g. According to Auckland Transport, what benefits will the City Rail Link provide?

It’ll give Aucklanders more trains more often. Services will be faster, more reliable and more direct

h. How often will trains run at peak times?

Every five minutes through the city centre and on average around 10 minutes elsewhere on the network

i. When was the idea for an underground railway first suggested?

1923

j. What happened in 2003?

Britomart station was opened and plans to connect it to the Western line were developed

k. In 2013, what did the Government announce?

They would support the project

l. How can people see the new stations before they open?

At open days: These are free sessions, but people need a ticket and numbers are limited. The free tickets are available one week ahead of each event.

If you want to develop your listening skills, try these tasks as you listen to the text. The answers are at the bottom of this page. Thanks to Natasha Groves for preparing the tasks.

If you want to listen and read, just scroll down to the News story.

Use the vocabulary list to check the meanings of some words before you listen.

Vocabulary

ban – (noun) an official order that stops something being done or used

come into effect – if a law or rule comes into effect, it officially starts

skinny – very thin

bet – (verb) to risk money on the result of a race

euthanasia – (noun) the act of ending an animal’s life in a painless way to stop it suffering

euthanise – to kill an animal in a painless way to stop it suffering

wind down – to gradually reduce the work of a business or organisation, so that it can close down completely

rehome – to find a new owner for a pet, usually a dog or cat

affectionate – showing love  

Try these activities while listening

1. Listening for main ideas

First, just listen to the text, taking notes if you wish. What information can you catch during this first listening?

2. Now listen again and answer the following questions:

News story

On Saturday, 1 August, a ban on greyhound racing came into effect. 1500 greyhounds need new homes now.

Greyhounds are skinny dogs with long thin legs that can run very fast. They have been used for racing in New Zealand since about the 1950s. People would bet on which dog would win the race. New Zealand is one of just seven countries in the world which allowed commercial greyhound racing.

However, since around 2012 there have been growing concerns about the welfare of racing greyhounds. These included unacceptably high rates of injuries, euthanasia, and high numbers of dogs being kept together in trainers’ properties. For example, a report in 2017 found that between 2014 and 2017, at least 1300 dogs were euthanised. In addition, there was no information about where over 1200 dogs were. After other reports found that the greyhound racing industry had not made enough improvements to dog welfare, the Government passed legislation in April 2026 to ban it from the beginning of August. An agency was established to wind down the industry, support people who worked in it, and rehome the dogs.

There are now around 1500 race dogs which need to be rehomed. Former greyhound trainers and owners are being paid to look after the dogs until new owners are found. According to the Greyhound Rehoming Project, greyhounds are very good pets, as they are generally calm, gentle, and affectionate. They only need a couple of short walks a day and a bit of play. They enjoy lying around and they sleep a lot.

Answers – you don’t have to write a complete sentence as long as you have the key idea in your answer.

a. When did a ban on greyhound racing come into effect?

On Saturday, 1 August

b. How many greyhounds need new homes now?

1500

c. When did greyhound racing start in New Zealand?

About the 1950s

d. How many countries in the world allowed greyhound racing?

Seven

e. Which three concerns about the welfare of racing greyhounds does the speaker mention?

Unacceptably high rates of injuries, euthanasia, and high numbers of dogs being kept together in trainers’ properties

f. What happened in April 2026?

The Government passed legislation to ban greyhound racing from the beginning of August

g. What are former greyhound trainers and owners being paid to do?

To look after the dogs until new owners are found

h. What does the speaker say about greyhounds as pets?

They are very good pets, as they are generally calm, gentle, and affectionate. They only need a couple of short walks a day and a bit of play. They enjoy lying around and they sleep a lot.

If you want to develop your listening skills, try these tasks as you listen to the text. The answers are at the bottom of this page. Thanks to Natasha Groves for preparing the tasks.

If you want to listen and read, just scroll down to the News story.

Use the vocabulary list to check the meanings of some words before you listen.

Vocabulary

enrol – to officially arrange to join a school, university – or here, to vote

eligible – if you are eligible for something, you are able or allowed to do it

update – to add the most recent information to something

Try these activities while listening

1. Listening for main ideas

First, just listen to the text, taking notes if you wish. What information can you catch during this first listening?

2. Now listen again and answer the following questions:

News story

New Zealand holds a general election every three years. The next election will take place on Saturday 7 November this year. People who are eligible to vote need to enrol by Sunday 25 October.

If you are 18 years or older and are a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident, you can vote in an election. If you are 17, you can enrol so that you are automatically enrolled and ready to vote when you turn 18. For elections, a permanent resident is anyone who is lawfully in New Zealand and who is not required to leave within a specific time. In contrast, people who are on work or study visas that require them to leave New Zealand by a certain date are not eligible to enrol and vote.

If you want to vote in the 2026 general election, you must be enrolled by midnight, 25 October. However, the Electoral Commission is recommending that people enrol by 4 October, so that their name is on the printed roll. This will make it easier to vote when they go to a voting place. Advance voting starts on 26 October. Voting closes on election day at 7pm.

For the last two elections, in 2023 and 2020, it was possible to enrol up to and on election day, but the Government has changed the law. Now, people must be enrolled before advance voting starts. The Government made this change because counting of votes took three weeks after the 2023 general election, in comparison to two weeks in earlier elections. However, the Electoral Commission says it will still take around 20 days to count votes this election, because of the increase in special votes, such as votes from people overseas. Some political parties and other organisations are not happy about this change. They say that it will make it more difficult for everyone to vote. In 2023, 450,000 people enrolled or updated their enrolment during the 12 days of voting, including 110,000 on election day itself.

Therefore, this year, it is important to enrol early. If you have changed address, you should update your details. You can enrol or update at vote.nz or call 0800 36 76 56.

Answers – you don’t have to write a complete sentence as long as you have the key idea in your answer.

a. How often does New Zealand hold a general election?

Every three years

b. When will the next election take place?

Saturday 7 November this year

c. Who can vote in an election?

People who are 18 years or older and are a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident

d. What is a permanent resident?

Anyone who is lawfully in New Zealand and who is not required to leave within a specific time

e. Which people are not eligible to vote?

People who are on work or study visas (that require them to leave New Zealand by a certain date)

f. What does the speaker say about these dates: 25 October; 4 October; 26 October?

25 October – you must be enrolled to vote by midnight; 4 October – the Electoral Commission is recommending that people enrol by this date, so that their name is on the printed roll; 26 October – advance voting starts

g. What is the new law?

People must be enrolled before advance voting starts

h. Why are some groups not happy about this change?

They say that it will make it more difficult for everyone to vote

i. In 2023, how many people voted on election day?

110,000

If you want to develop your listening skills, try these tasks as you listen to the text. The answers are at the bottom of this page. Thanks to Natasha Groves for preparing the tasks.

If you want to listen and read, just scroll down to the News story.

Use the vocabulary list to check the meanings of some words before you listen.

Vocabulary

cancel – to stop something, or to decide that something official that was planned will not happen

athlete – someone who competes in sports competitions

descent – a person’s family origins

gymnast – a person who performs gymnastics, especially in a competition

gymnastics – physical exercises, often using special equipment, which develop and show the body’s strength and ability to bend and move easily

lawn bowls – a game played on an area of very smooth grass, in which players take turns to roll bowls as near as possible to a small ball

athletics – sports such as running, high jump, and long jump

Try these activities while listening

1. Listening for main ideas

First, just listen to the text, taking notes if you wish. What information can you catch during this first listening?

2. Now listen again and answer the following questions:

News story

If you’re a sports fan, you may be wondering what to watch now that the FIFA World Cup is over. One option is the Commonwealth Games, which start on Thursday 23 July and finish on Sunday 2 August.

The Commonwealth Games are similar to the Olympic Games but are only for countries which are members of The Commonwealth. This is an association of countries and has its roots in the British Empire. Some countries in the Commonwealth used to be ruled by Britain and still have the King as head of state. However, republics and other independent countries have joined the Commonwealth.

The 2026 Games were going to be in Melbourne, but the Victoria State Government cancelled the plans to host them because of increasing costs. Glasgow offered to host instead, but with only ten sports. Six Para sports are integrated in the Games, which means that there is not a separate Para Games or separate tickets.

New Zealand is sending a team of 116 athletes to the Glasgow Games. There are 65 women and 51 men. They have a wide range of cultural backgrounds, including Cook Islands, Samoan, and Tongan. 13.5 percent are of Māori descent. The average age is 27.7. The youngest is gymnast Sienna Shields who has just turned 18. The oldest is lawn bowls athlete Julie O’Connell who is 67. One third of the team are from the Auckland region, with Waikato and Canterbury the next highest represented regions, at 11.5% and 10.6% respectively.

New Zealand athletes will compete in artistic gymnastics, athletics, 3×3 basketball, boxing, lawn bowls, judo, netball, swimming, track cycling, and weightlifting. New Zealand Para athletes will compete in para athletics, para bowls, para swimming, and para track cycling.

If you want to watch the 2026 Commonwealth Games, there will be live coverage on Three and ThreeNow as well as on Sky Sport.  

Answers – you don’t have to write a complete sentence as long as you have the key idea in your answer.

a. When are the Commonwealth Games?

Thursday 23 July to Sunday 2 August

b. What are the Commonwealth Games similar to?

The Olympic Games

c. What information does the speaker give about the Commonwealth?

It is an association of countries; it has its roots in the British Empire. Some countries in the Commonwealth used to be ruled by Britain and still have the King as head of state; republics and other independent countries have joined the Commonwealth.

d. Why did Glasgow offer to host the 2026 Games?

The Victoria state government cancelled the plans to host them in Melbourne because of increasing costs

e. How many sports will be represented? And how many Para sports?

Ten sports; six Para sports

f. How many women and how many men are in the New Zealand team?

65 women; 51 men

g. Who is Sienna Shields?

A gymnast; the youngest member of the New Zealand team at 18

h. Where are one third of the team from?

The Auckland region

i. Name four of the sports that New Zealand athletes will compete in.

Any four of the following: artistic gymnastics, athletics, 3×3 basketball, boxing, lawn bowls, judo, netball, swimming, track cycling, and weightlifting

j. How many events will the New Zealand Para athletes compete in?

Four

k. How can you watch the Commonwealth Games?

There will be live coverage on Three and ThreeNow as well as on Sky Sport. 

If you want to develop your listening skills, try these tasks as you listen to the text. The answers are at the bottom of this page. Thanks to Natasha Groves for preparing the tasks.

If you want to listen and read, just scroll down to the News story.

Use the vocabulary list to check the meanings of some words before you listen.

Vocabulary

density – the degree to which an area is filled with people or things

sparse – existing only in small amounts

urban – relating to towns and cities

lifestyle – the way in which a person or group of people live and work

Try these activities while listening

1. Listening for main ideas

First, just listen to the text, taking notes if you wish. What information can you catch during this first listening?

2. Now listen again and answer the following questions:

News story

New Zealand’s population density is 20 people per square kilometre. By comparison, Australia has a population density of 3 people per square kilometre, Japan 342, South Korea 530, the US  37, and the UK 283, according to World Bank figures from 2023.

However, population density does not give a complete picture of where people live in a country. Some countries have more flat land, while others, like New Zealand, have more hilly land which is not so suitable for housing.

We have a sparse population in many regional areas. One reason is that we have many big farms. The largest is Molesworth Station which is more than 1,800 square kilometres. It is owned by the government.

According to Statistics New Zealand estimates at the end of June 2025, New Zealand’s population was around 5.3 million. About one quarter of the population lives in the South Island, and three quarters live in the North Island. Nearly 2 in 3 people live in a city in New Zealand. Of those people, 53 percent live in Auckland. A further 12 percent live in Christchurch, while 6 percent live in Wellington and another 6 percent live in Hamilton.

Like many other countries, more people are choosing to live in urban areas. It is difficult for regional areas to provide enough jobs. Do young people move to the city for jobs or because they enjoy the lifestyle? Does it matter if cities grow bigger and small towns get smaller?

Pat Syme wrote a story on this topic in 2017. You can listen to that story here and compare the figures from then with now.

Answers – you don’t have to write a complete sentence as long as you have the key idea in your answer.

a. What is New Zealand’s population density?

20 people per square kilometre

b. What are the figures for Australia, Japan, South Korea, the US, and the UK?

Australia has 3 people per square kilometre, Japan 342, South Korea 530, the US  37, and the UK 283

c. What sort of land does New Zealand have?

More hilly land which is not so suitable for housing

d. What does the speaker say about New Zealand’s largest farm?

It is called Molesworth Station; more than 1,800 square kilometres; owned by the government

e. What was New Zealand’s population at the end of June 2025?

Around 5.3 million

f. What proportion of the population lives in the North Island?

Three quarters

g. How many people live in a city in New Zealand?

Nearly 2 in 3 people

h. What percentage of the population lives in Auckland? And in Wellington?

53 percent of those people who live in a city live in Auckland, and 6 percent live in Wellington

i. What are more people choosing to do?

They are choosing to live in urban areas.

If you want to develop your listening skills, try these tasks as you listen to the text. The answers are at the bottom of this page. Thanks to Natasha Groves for preparing the tasks.

If you want to listen and read, just scroll down to the News story.

Use the vocabulary list to check the meanings of some words before you listen.

Vocabulary

audit – to officially examine a company’s financial records in order to check that they are correct

nutritional – if food is nutritional, it helps people grow and be healthy

nutrition – the process of getting the right type of food for good health and growth

comply with – to meet particular standards, or to obey a rule or an order

surplus – an amount that is extra or more than needed or used

packaging – materials used to wrap or protect goods

landfill – a place where rubbish is buried under the ground

recycle – to put used things through a special process so that they can be used again

backup plan – a plan that you can use to replace one that did not work

spokesperson – a person who speaks on behalf of a group or organisation

Try these activities while listening

1. Listening for main ideas

First, just listen to the text, taking notes if you wish. What information can you catch during this first listening?

2. Now listen again and answer the following questions:

News story

Last week the Auditor-General released a report into the Government’s school lunch programme. The Auditor-General is independent of government and is responsible for auditing public organisations. The report found that the programme is saving money compared to the previous Government’s one, but that there are several problems with it.

The first problem is that not all meals are meeting nutritional requirements. On average, only 50.5 percent of the meals that were checked complied with nutrition standards in 2025, although this was slightly higher in terms 3 and 4 (69 percent and 75 percent respectively). Furthermore, there was not frequent checking of the meals, as only a small sample of meals were collected each week.

Another significant problem is surplus meals and waste. Surplus meals means the number of unopened, uneaten meals. In 2025 there were more surplus meals than agreed in the government contract with the supplier, at 10.39 percent on average. The report noted that this rate has increased to 17 percent in 2026.  Waste means the number of opened meals which are uneaten or partially eaten. The report found that there has not been enough monitoring of waste. It was only measured once through a survey in term 3 of 2025. That showed that lunches had 8.82 kilograms of waste for every 100 lunches. In addition, all packaging is sent to landfill apart from in Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty, where only the lunch trays are recycled.

The report also found there were concerns around the planning and arrangements for the new programme. For example, Cabinet agreed to the price of $3 per meal, despite warnings from the Ministry of Education. It warned that $3 may not be enough to meet nutrition standards, which could affect students’ health and increase the cost-of-living pressure for families. The report stated that the programme was also implemented quickly, which led to inadequate backup plans.

David Seymour, the Associate Minister of Education, is responsible for the new school lunch programme. He was critical of the Auditor-General’s report because it did not assess the previous programme which the Labour Government started. He also said that he knew there were issues at the start of the programme but that they were addressed. However, Labour’s Education spokesperson, Ginny Anderson, said that it was shocking that 50 percent of school lunches do not meet nutritional standards. She said if elected, Labour would bring back fresh, locally made school lunches. It would be more expensive, but it would be better for children. She said that the purpose of the programme is to ensure children are full and can learn at school.

If you want to learn more about this topic, listen to The new school lunch programme from March 2025, Update on free school lunches from December 2024, and Free school lunches from March 2024.

Answers – you don’t have to write a complete sentence as long as you have the key idea in your answer.

a. What is the role of the Auditor General?

The Auditor-General is independent of government and is responsible for auditing public organisations

b. What did the report find?

The programme is saving money compared to the previous Government’s one, but that there are several problems with it

c. What is the first problem?

Not all meals are meeting nutritional requirements

d. What is another significant problem?

Surplus meals and waste

e. How many surplus meals were there in 2025? And in 2026?

10.39 percent on average in 2025; 17 percent in 2026

f. What did a survey in term 3 of 2025 show about waste?

Lunches had 8.82 kilograms of waste for every 100 lunches

g. How much does each meal cost the government?

$3

h. What did the Ministry of Education warn?

$3 may not be enough to meet nutrition standards, which could affect students’ health and increase the cost-of-living pressure for families

i. What is David Seymour responsible for?

The new school lunch programme

j. Take notes on David Seymour’s response to the report.

He was critical of the Auditor-General’s report because it did not assess the previous programme which the Labour Government started. He also said that he knew there were issues at the start of the programme but that they were addressed

k. What did Labour’s Education spokesperson say that Labour would do?

It would bring back fresh, locally made school lunches

l. According to Ginny Anderson, what is the purpose of the programme?

To ensure children are full and can learn at school.

News story

This Friday is Matariki, the Māori New Year. The theme this year is Matariki herenga waka, or Matariki for everyone. It is about inclusion and encouraging all people to celebrate Matariki together.

If you want to learn more about Matariki, listen to the stories from 2025 and 2024.

If you want to develop your listening skills, try these tasks as you listen to the text. The answers are at the bottom of this page. Thanks to Natasha Groves for preparing the tasks.

If you want to listen and read, just scroll down to the News story.

Use the vocabulary list to check the meanings of some words before you listen.

Vocabulary

announce – to officially tell people something, especially a plan or decision

policy – a plan of action agreed or chosen by a political party

compulsory – if something is compulsory, you must do it because of a law or rule

enrol – to officially arrange to join a school, university – or here, to join KiwiSaver

inheritance – the money or property that you receive from someone who has died

asset – a thing of value, e.g. property, that a person or company owns

turnover – in this context, the total amount of goods or services sold by a company during a particular period of time

apprentice – someone who works for an employer for a fixed period of time, in order to learn the skills for a job

deputy – someone who is below a leader or manager in an organisation and who is officially in charge when the leader or manager is away

pledge – to make a formal promise, usually in public

Try these activities while listening

1. Listening for main ideas

First, just listen to the text, taking notes if you wish. What information can you catch during this first listening?

2. Now listen again and answer the following questions:

News story

New Zealand holds a general election every three years. The next election will take place on Saturday 7 November this year. The political parties are now preparing for it by holding meetings and announcing policies.

The National Party held its annual conference in Lower Hutt in the weekend of 20-21 June. At the conference, its leader, Christopher Luxon, announced that if National is re-elected, they would make KiwiSaver compulsory for every New Zealand worker from July 2028. In addition, every child born from July 2027 would be automatically enrolled in KiwiSaver and receive a payment of $1500. Parents on paid parental leave would also receive a government contribution. The proposal would also make employer contributions compulsory for people over 65 who are still working. Currently, employers do not have to make contributions for these people.

The Green Party hasn’t had their annual meeting yet, but the co-leaders, Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick, announced their party’s tax policy on Sunday 21 June. They would introduce taxes on wealth, inheritance, and corporations, and reduce income tax. The wealth tax would be 2.5 percent annually on net assets over $10 million, but this would not include the family home. The inheritance tax would be 33 percent on assets or gifts over $1 million. The corporate tax would increase from 28 percent to 33 percent for companies with an annual turnover of more than $30 million. The revenue from these new taxes would mean that there would be no tax on income below $10,000. Tax on other income would be lower than it is currently, apart from that on income of $160,000 and over, which would be taxed at 45 percent.

The Labour Party held its annual meeting in Wellington in the weekend of 27-28 June. Labour leader Chris Hipkins announced that if elected, they would extend the Apprenticeship Boost scheme to two years from 2028. He said that this policy would help to get more people into work and keep them in New Zealand, rather than moving overseas. Labour introduced the scheme in 2020 when in government. Then it was for two years, but in 2025 the current Government reduced it to one year. The scheme pays employers $500 a month to take on apprentices.

The ACT Party held its annual meeting in Auckland on Sunday, 28 June. It was announced that Nicole McKee is their new deputy leader. She is replacing Brooke van Velden who is retiring from politics at the election. Nicole McKee is currently Minister for Courts and Associate Minister of Justice. The ACT Party leader, David Seymour, announced proposals to tighten requirements for health-related and Jobseeker benefits. He also pledged to push for a reduction in the number of government departments, from 43 to 19.

New Zealand First will hold its 2026 convention on 18-19 July.

Answers – you don’t have to write a complete sentence as long as you have the key idea in your answer.

a. When will the next election take place?

Saturday 7 November this year

b. What was held in the weekend of 20-21 June?

The National Party’s annual conference

c. If National is re-elected, they will make the following four changes to Kiwisaver. Fill in the gaps:

d. What would the Greens introduce tax on?

Wealth, inheritance, and corporations

e. Note some details about the Greens’ proposed new taxes.

The wealth tax would be 2.5 percent annually on net assets over $10 million, but this would not include the family home. The inheritance tax would be 33 percent on assets or gifts over $1 million. The corporate tax would increase from 28 percent to 33 percent for companies with an annual turnover of more than $30 million.

f. What changes would the Greens make to income tax?

There would be no tax on income below $10,000. Tax on other income would be lower than it is currently, apart from that on income of $160,000 and over, which would be taxed at 45 percent.

g. What change would Labour make to the Apprenticeship Boost scheme?

They would extend the scheme to two years from 2028

h. What did Labour leader Chris Hipkins say the scheme would help?

It would help to get more people into work and keep them in New Zealand

i. How does the scheme work?

It pays employers $500 a month to take on apprentices

j. What is Nicole McKee’s new role?

The new deputy leader of the ACT Party

k. What did the ACT Party leader, David Seymour, pledge to reduce?

The number of government departments, from 43 to 19.