Wellington Phoenix captain Alex Rufer faces fitness test after knee injury
Alex Rufer has been ruled out of the inaugural New Zealand derby against Auckland FC due to a knee injury sustained against Perth Glory. Despite the initial setback, the Wellington Phoenix captain will undergo a last-minute fitness test on Saturday morning to determine if he can play at Sky Stadium.
2 outlets · Ethan de Groot dropped from All Blacks for breaching team standards
All Blacks loosehead prop Ethan de Groot has been omitted from the squad for the upcoming test against England in London. Coach Scott Robertson confirmed the decision was due to de Groot failing to meet internal team standards rather than his on-field performance.
2 outlets · Prime Minister supports Mike King's charity despite controversial alcohol comments
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has reaffirmed his support for Gumboot Friday despite founder Mike King's claims that alcohol can be a solution for mental health issues. While the Mental Health Foundation chief executive noted some validity in King's points, he stated that King was wrong to suggest alcohol is not a risk factor for suicide.
2 outlets · Fuel removal from sunken HMNZS Manawanui to begin this month
The New Zealand Defence Force expects to start extracting diesel from the HMNZS Manawanui this month. The vessel sank on a coral reef off Samoa's south coast in October. Officials are finalising details with a salvage contractor for the operation, which could take several months.
2 outlets · Shaun Johnson returns to Auckland for Kiwis versus Tonga test
Shaun Johnson has returned to Mt Smart Stadium for the Kiwis' Pacific Championships match against Tonga. The Saturday night game will determine which team advances to the tournament final. Captain James Fisher-Harris has described the upcoming clash as a grand final.
2 outlets · Firefighters contain large factory fire in Ōtāhuhu
A large fire broke out at a commercial building on McGee Street in Ōtāhuhu on Friday afternoon. Fire and Emergency NZ crews contained the blaze, which began near a lumber storage area. Trains were briefly held between Ōtāhuhu and Middlemore stations, but the smoke alert has since been lifted.
2 outlets · Philip Polkinghorne sentenced to community work for methamphetamine possession
Retired eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne has been ordered to complete 150 hours of community work for possessing methamphetamine and a pipe. The drugs were discovered in his Remuera home during an investigation into the death of his wife, Pauline Hanna. Polkinghorne was previously acquitted of her murder.
2 outlets · Christchurch director sentenced for invoice fraud
Colin Fitzgibbon, director of ACK Contractors Limited, has been sentenced to nine months of home detention. He was ordered to pay approximately $83,564 in reparations after fraudulently producing invoices totalling $668,393 to address cash flow issues. The sentencing took place at the Christchurch District Court.
2 outlets · Liquor licence granted for fashion fundraiser for suicide prevention charity
A fashion show at Dunedin's Wall St mall will raise funds for the Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust. Despite initial opposition from police and a licensing inspector, the District Licensing Committee granted a special liquor licence for the event.
2 outlets · Wellington Phoenix women begin A-League season with new squad
The Wellington Phoenix women's team will begin their fourth A-League Women season tonight. Following the departure of 11 players from last year, the squad is relying on new visa players to help end their finals drought.
2 outlets · Southland charity faces closure after losing school lunch contract
Koha Kai, a charitable trust supporting vulnerable people in Southland, may close after losing its Ministry of Education school lunch contract. The loss follows a government decision to move to a centralised system led by Compass Group. This change to the funding model could potentially affect up to 2,000 jobs.
2 outlets · Grass fire contained on Auckland's Mount Wellington
Fire and Emergency NZ crews contained a 60 square metre grass fire atop Mount Wellington on Friday afternoon. Emergency services, including six fire trucks and a helicopter, responded to the blaze after it was reported around 12.39pm. Crews remained on site to monitor hotspots after the fire was brought under control.
2 outlets · Yanfei Bao murder trial adjourned due to defendant's health
The Christchurch High Court trial of Tingjun Cao has been adjourned because of his poor physical health. Cao is accused of murdering real estate agent Yanfei Bao, who disappeared in July 2023. Justice Lisa Preston informed the jury that it was not appropriate to continue the proceedings at this time.
2 outlets · One person dead and two injured in Palmerston North crash
A 16-year-old girl has died and two others were injured after a car crashed into a suburban home on John F Kennedy Drive. Emergency services were called to the single-vehicle accident shortly before 2am on Friday. One person was taken to hospital in critical condition and another in serious condition.
2 outlets · Man arrested after alleged indecent assault on girl in Auckland park
A person has been arrested following an alleged indecent assault on a girl in Aronia Park, Manukau. The incident occurred last Friday evening while the child was playing in the park's bushes. Police are currently considering charges.
2 outlets · Scott Robertson defends haka following criticism from Joe Marler
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and Sam Cane have defended the haka after England prop Joe Marler described it as ridiculous. Marler has since stated his social media comments were poorly articulated and lacked malice. The All Blacks are scheduled to play England in London this Sunday.
2 outlets · Beauden Barrett to start at first-five against England
Beauden Barrett has been selected at first-five for the All Blacks' test against England at Twickenham. He will be joined by Cortez Ratima at halfback in a team featuring several changes. Damian McKenzie has been moved to the bench for the match.
2 outlets · New Zealand property values fall for eighth consecutive month
National property values decreased by 0.5% in October, marking the eighth straight monthly decline. The median home value across the country is now $805,984. CoreLogic noted that while values have fallen 5.1% this year, there may be signs of an approaching floor for the market.
2 outlets · Over 31,000 people and pets sign petition to ban private fireworks
A petition launched by pet retailer Animates is calling for an end to private fireworks sales in New Zealand. The Pawprint Petition has gained more than 31,000 signatures, including pet paw prints, to highlight the impact of fireworks on animals.
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