Thousands of teenagers could have their Jobseeker benefit cut next year, as the Government restricts payments.

Eighteen and 19-year-olds without children must pass a Parental Assistance Test to qualify from November 2026.

The threshold will be set at just over $65,000.

Social Development Minister Louise Upston told Tim Beveridge it's the same as the Supported Living Payment, and similar to the Student Allowance test.

She says those on very low incomes below that would not be able to support these teenagers.

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Bowel cancer is New Zealand’s second biggest cancer killer.

Yesterday, the Health Minister confirmed changes to the free bowel screening criteria.

From Monday, the starting age for screenings will be lowered from 60 to 58 in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island.

The rest of the North Island will follow in March 2026.

Health Minister Simeon Brown speaks to Tim Beveridge.

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The Government has decided against recognising a Palestinian state at this stage.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters made the announcement in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, grouping New Zealand with a small handful of countries who have also decided not to make the move.

He said as long as Hamas is the Gaza Strip's de facto government, there is no legitimate State of Palestine for New Zealand to recognise.

Peters also laid out a list of conditions that would need to be met before New Zealand makes the move - like the release of all hostages, the renouncement of terrorism, and movement toward an actual democracy - among others.

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