Treaty Principles Bill submissions reopened after website technical issues
The justice select committee has extended the submission deadline for the Treaty Principles Bill following technical problems with the Parliamentary website. After an estimated 300,000 submissions were lodged, the process will reopen from 1pm Thursday until 1pm Tuesday, 14 January.
+37 outlets · Name suppression extended for man accused of murdering Nelson police officer
The 32-year-old accused of murdering Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming has had his name suppression extended until his High Court appearance in February. He faces eight charges, including murder, attempted murder, and using a vehicle as a weapon following the New Year's Day incident in Nelson.
+15 outlets · Search underway for missing fisherman at Piha Beach
Emergency services are searching for a man who fell into the water while fishing off rocks at the southern end of Piha Beach on Thursday. Police were notified of the incident around 1.50pm. The missing man is described as being of Asian descent and was wearing a lifejacket.
4 outlets · One person dies following water incident at Pilot Bay Beach
A person has died after being pulled unresponsive from the water at Pilot Bay Beach in Mount Maunganui on Thursday morning. Emergency services were notified of the incident just before 8.20am. Despite efforts to revive the individual, they died at the scene and police inquiries are ongoing.
4 outlets · Auckland beachgoers cautioned after reports of sea lice rashes
Swimmers at various Auckland beaches have reported developing itchy red rashes and spots after entering the water. The Auckland Council has urged caution, noting the symptoms may be seabather's eruption caused by stinging cells from sea anemones or thimble jellyfish.
4 outlets · Water bottlers face no restrictions during Hawke's Bay water conservation
While Napier and Hastings residents are under Level 2 water restrictions, water bottling operations in Hawke's Bay are unlikely to be disrupted. Nine consents in the region allow for the extraction of approximately 4 million cubic metres of water for bottling and other uses.
3 outlets · Tauranga beaches evacuated following shark sightings
Tay Street, Ōmanu, and Papamoa beaches have been evacuated after a shark was spotted in the water. Safeswim has issued red flag warnings for the area, advising people to stay out of the water. It remains unclear how many sharks were seen or what species they were.
3 outlets · Emergency services battle large vegetation fire in Whangārei Heads
Firefighters and four helicopters are responding to a large scrub fire on Whangārei Heads Road. The blaze, which began shortly after 2pm, has prompted the evacuation of several nearby homes. Emergency crews including multiple fire engines are currently on the scene.
3 outlets · Soldier identified as victim of fatal South Taranaki vehicle crash
Private Rohaan Thomas, a 20-year-old soldier from Palmerston North, died following a two-vehicle accident on State Highway 3 near Mokoia on Sunday, 5 January. The New Zealand Army has paid tribute to Thomas, who served in the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
3 outlets · New Zealanders evacuate as wildfires hit Los Angeles
New Zealand's consul-general in Los Angeles and a Football Fern are among those fleeing wildfires in the region. The fires have caused at least two deaths and destroyed over 1,000 buildings. Officials have ordered approximately 70,000 people to evacuate as the situation develops.
3 outlets · Motorists advised to avoid Mt Wellington after water main bursts
A burst water main near Sylvia Park in Mt Wellington has caused traffic disruptions. Police were notified of the incident at 11.13am on Thursday. Drivers are being asked to avoid Carbine Road between Clemow Drive and Te Ahoterangi Rise.
3 outlets · Evacuations underway as vegetation fire threatens houses near Whangārei
Firefighters and helicopters are battling a large vegetation fire on Whangārei Heads Road between Onerahi and Tamaterau. Evacuations are underway for houses threatened by the blaze, which was reported shortly after midday. Multiple trucks and helicopters are currently on the scene to contain the fire.
2 outlets · Warriors captain Tohu Harris announces immediate retirement from NRL
Warriors captain Tohu Harris has retired from the NRL with immediate effect. Harris informed the club and his teammates that he will not play again following a wrist injury that ended his 2024 season. The announcement comes ahead of the 2025 NRL season.
2 outlets · New travel authorisation required for New Zealanders visiting the UK
New Zealanders travelling to or through the United Kingdom must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The authorisation costs £10 and is valid for two years, permitting multiple entries for stays of up to six months. This requirement applies to all travellers except British and Irish citizens.
3 outlets · Descendants of Treaty of Waitangi translators oppose Treaty Principles Bill
A group of 165 descendants of the Williams brothers have submitted against the Treaty Principles Bill. One descendant of an original translator stated that the guarantees of the Treaty have not been honoured. The group expressed concern regarding the bill's implications for the nation's future.
2 outlets · Kim Dotcom reveals health issues following life-threatening stroke
Internet mogul Kim Dotcom has shared that he is using a wheelchair and experiencing memory loss after suffering a serious stroke in November. He disclosed these health challenges via social media while his legal battle against extradition to the United States continues.
2 outlets · Gael Monfils reaches ASB Classic semifinals after defeating Facundo Diaz Acosta
The 38-year-old Frenchman advanced to the Auckland ATP semifinals following a victory over Facundo Diaz Acosta. Monfils is scheduled to play 19-year-old American Nishesh Basavareddy in the next round of the tournament.
2 outlets · DOC seeks information after injured and dead whales found in Kaikōura
The Department of Conservation is appealing for public assistance following reports of an injured sperm whale and a dead whale in Kaikōura. Officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incidents, which were first reported by members of the public and a whale watch tourism company.
2 outlets · Eight pilot whales refloated at Farewell Spit
Eight pilot whales were successfully refloated and seen heading into deeper water at Farewell Spit in Golden Bay. While two whales died during the rescue efforts, the Department of Conservation clarified that five other dead whales found on Thursday were from a separate, earlier stranding.
2 outlets · Department of Conservation seeks information after seabirds drown near Slipper Island
The Department of Conservation is investigating reports of seabirds being captured in fishing nets and drowning from a boat. The incident reportedly occurred around midday on Friday, 3 January, near Slipper Island in the Coromandel. Officials are now appealing to the public for any information regarding the matter.
2 outlets · Restricted fire season declared for Waikato and Coromandel districts
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a restricted fire season for all Waikato and Coromandel districts. The restrictions begin at 9am on Friday, 10 January, and will remain in place until further notice.
2 outlets · Northland fibre outage disrupts businesses and homes for 13 hours
A fibre outage in Northland's Kaipara District left thousands of residents and businesses without internet for at least 12 to 13 hours. In Dargaville, the disruption forced some shops to close or operate with cash-only transactions as access to databases and eftpos was lost.
4 outlets · North Canterbury schools support NCEA level 1 qualification
Schools in North Canterbury are backing NCEA level 1 despite suggestions from Education Minister Erica Stanford to scrap the certificate. Rangiora High School's board of trustees presiding member Simon Green described the qualification as a robust benchmark for student achievement.
2 outlets · Christchurch suburbs among New Zealand's driest locations in 2024
A NIWA analysis shows Christchurch was one of the country's driest areas last year, with the suburb of Bromley recording some of the lowest rainfall. Meanwhile, Marlborough was named the sunniest region in New Zealand, recording 2,769 hours of sunshine.
2 outlets · Uncertainty grows over future of new Dunedin Hospital as costs rise
The future of the new Dunedin Hospital remains unclear following a government announcement of budget blowouts in September. While local leaders expected a decision by Christmas, they have received no updates. Health New Zealand has been asked to provide urgent advice on managing the increasing costs.
2 outlets · Mortgage expert predicts home loan rates will fall below 5 per cent
Home loan borrowers may soon see interest rates drop below 5 per cent. A mortgage expert expects the official cash rate to decrease by 50 basis points in February, with further cuts anticipated later this year as wholesale rates continue to fall.
2 outlets · Matamata company investigates truck overtaking on Kaimai Range
A Matamata-based company is investigating after dashcam footage showed one of its trucks performing a double overtake on the wrong side of the road. The video, which was shared anonymously on social media, appears to show the truck and trailer passing two vehicles on the Kaimai Range.
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