Whangārei Heads vegetation fire reported as under control
Firefighters and helicopters are working to contain a scrub fire near Whangārei Heads that destroyed between 14 and 20 hectares of vegetation. Residents of two evacuated homes have been allowed to return to their properties. Crews plan to return on Saturday morning to extinguish remaining hotspots.
4 outlets · Man charged after unprovoked attack on Middlemore Hospital nurse
A 23-year-old man has been charged with attempted strangulation following an unprovoked attack on a nurse at Middlemore Hospital on Monday. The nurse was reportedly left unconscious after being punched and strangled. The patient had been dropped off at the emergency department by police prior to the incident.
4 outlets · Man arrested after knifepoint carjacking and police car ramming
A 35-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a vehicle at knifepoint in Henderson. Following a dangerous chase through northern Auckland and a police car ramming, the man was found hiding in a tree. Officers used pepper spray and dogs to subdue him.
+15 outlets · Gael Monfils reaches ASB Classic final after defeating Nishesh Basavareddy
The 38-year-old Frenchman defeated 19-year-old American Nishesh Basavareddy to reach his 35th ATP Tour final in Auckland. Monfils will face Belgium's Zizou Bergs in the final. The victory makes Monfils the second-oldest man to reach an ATP final since 1990.
3 outlets · Prisoner seriously injured in Spring Hill Corrections Facility cell fire
A man is in serious condition in hospital following a fire in his cell at the Spring Hill Corrections Facility in the Waikato. The fire occurred at 4.45pm on Friday and was extinguished by the facility's sprinkler system. The prisoner was taken to hospital due to smoke inhalation.
3 outlets · Motorcyclist dies in hospital following Palmerston North crash
A motorcyclist who sustained critical injuries in a two-vehicle collision has died in hospital. The crash involving a car and a motorcycle occurred on 6 January at the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Manapouri Crescent in Hokowhitu.
3 outlets · Investigation launched into algal bloom and fish deaths in Doubtful Sound
Environment Southland is investigating reports of an algal bloom in Crooked Arm, Doubtful Sound. Officials are looking into whether the bloom is linked to an unusual number of jack mackerel deaths reported by commercial operators. Samples are currently being analysed.
3 outlets · Man charged after alleged dangerous driving in Whangārei
A man appeared in Whangārei District Court on Friday following reports of dangerous driving on Western Hills Drive. Police say the driver was tailgating motorists and overtaking on blind corners before fleeing from officers. The individual was taken into custody after police used road spikes to stop the vehicle.
3 outlets · Kāinga Ora eviction notices increase following government crackdown
The government reports that 553 eviction notices have been issued by Kāinga Ora since July 2024. This is a significant increase from the 41 notices issued during the same period last year. Housing Minister Chris Bishop stated that the rise in notices and shorter complaint wait times indicate the crackdown is working.
4 outlets · Poll shows many New Zealanders want rail-enabled Interislander ferries
A Horizon Research poll indicates that nearly half of New Zealanders want new Interislander ferries to be rail-enabled. The government is currently considering replacement options after abandoning the iRex project due to significant cost increases.
3 outlets · Man identified following fatal Coromandel Peninsula road crash
Jason David Taana, 33, has been named as the victim of a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 25 near Te Puru. The incident occurred on 27 December between Thames and Coromandel. Police say four other people sustained minor injuries during the crash.
4 outlets · New Zealand property listings hit record December low
New property listings reached their lowest December level since tracking began 17 years ago. Nine of the 19 regions also recorded their lowest-ever December levels, including Auckland. Data from realestate.co.nz described the end of 2024 as exceptionally lukewarm.
3 outlets · Michael Venus and Nikola Mektic reach ASB Classic doubles semifinals
New Zealand's Michael Venus and Croatia's Nikola Mektic have advanced to the ASB Classic doubles semifinals after winning a super tiebreaker. The pair will face Yuki Bhambri and Albano Olivetti in their next match on Friday.
2 outlets · Māori leaders meet to discuss proposed pan-Māori assembly
Approximately 200 to 300 Māori leaders met at Omāhu near Hastings to debate the creation of a new pan-Māori assembly. The proposed entity would aim to promote a collective response to government challenges. Speakers noted the new group should not simply replicate the structure of Parliament.
2 outlets · Family swims in New Plymouth river polluted by sewage
A family swam in and swallowed water from a river in New Plymouth that had been contaminated by sewage from a shopping centre. The warning sign at the Te Rewa Rewa bridge carpark was described as small and positioned at knee-height. The New Plymouth District Council stated its signs matched the risk.
4 outlets · Giant wasp nest containing over 200,000 wasps destroyed in Karaka
Exterminators have destroyed a multi-generational wasp nest on a farm in Karaka, South Auckland. The nest measured 1.6 metres high and 1.5 metres wide. Two technicians required two days and two trips to treat the nest, which contained over 200,000 wasps.
3 outlets · Man in stable condition after being tasered in Khandallah
A man is in serious but stable condition after being tasered by police in Wellington on Thursday. Officers responded to reports of a man with a bladed object threatening a woman and child at a Khandallah bus stop. The man reportedly hit his head during the incident.
2 outlets · Council CCTV footage helps Hawke’s Bay woman avoid car repair costs
A woman in Havelock North used council CCTV footage to identify a vehicle that crashed into her parked car. The footage helped her avoid paying $500 for repairs to the damaged vehicle.
2 outlets · Man allegedly chased woman and child with blade in Khandallah
Police are investigating a family harm incident at a Cockayne Road bus stop in Wellington. A man allegedly threatened a woman and her small child with a blade before being tasered by officers. The man has been hospitalised and police are seeking public assistance with information.
3 outlets · Police name victim in suspicious Pukekohe death investigation
Donnie Jacobus Anthony Houben, 48, has been identified as the man found dead at a Pukekohe home on 30 December. Police are treating the death as suspicious following post-mortem results. The victim's family is seeking answers as investigations continue.
2 outlets · Pacific Edge shares halted following new information from US Medicare
Dunedin-based cancer diagnostics company Pacific Edge has halted trading of its shares. The company is reviewing new information from the United States federal health insurer, Medicare, regarding coverage for its bladder cancer tests.
2 outlets · Flags to fly at half-mast for senior sergeant Lyn Fleming
The New Zealand flag will be lowered on public and government buildings to mark the funeral of senior sergeant Lyn Fleming. The Nelson police officer died on New Year's Day after being struck by a vehicle while on patrol.
2 outlets · Council to return to Maraetotara Falls after jumper defies removal
After branches and a swing rope were cut from a tree at Maraetotara Falls, a local man jumped from the remaining stump to demonstrate it was still usable. The Hastings District Council has now instructed contractors to return to the site to remove the tree stub.
3 outlets · Journalist describes apocalyptic scenes as wildfires ravage Los Angeles
Wildfires in Los Angeles have killed at least five people and destroyed over 1,000 buildings. A New Zealand journalist described the city as a ghost town amidst the devastation. Evacuation orders have been issued for nearly 200,000 residents.
2 outlets · Wellington couple wins $7 million Powerball prize
A Wellington couple has become New Zealand's first Lotto millionaires of 2025 after winning $7 million in the Wednesday night Powerball draw. The pair discovered the news via email while driving to work. They stated they need time to process the win before deciding how to use the money.
2 outlets · Swimmers warned after shark sightings at Tauranga beaches
Safeswim issued red flag warnings for Ōmanu Beach, Papamoa Beach, and Tay Street on Thursday following shark sightings. A marine scientist has advised swimmers to avoid entering the water in areas where people are fishing to reduce the risk of encounters.
2 outlets · Pipers and drummers gather for annual summer school in Wellington
Approximately 120 pipers and drummers from across New Zealand and overseas are attending the Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands' Association annual summer school. The event is being held at Scots College in the capital this week.
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