Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming farewelled with full police honours in Nelson
A funeral service was held in Nelson on Thursday for Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, who was killed after being struck by a vehicle on New Year's Day. The 38-year police veteran was honoured with full police honours and attended by dignitaries. A 32-year-old man has been charged with her murder.
+26 outlets · Man arrested after medical supplies stolen from Otago rescue helicopter
A 31-year-old Dunedin man has been arrested following the theft of a bag containing critical medical equipment and life-saving drugs. The items were taken from a Queenstown rescue helicopter at the North Taieri base in the early hours of 12 January. The accused faces multiple burglary charges and is due in Dunedin District Court.
+26 outlets · Police investigate new shoplifting allegation against former Green MP
Police are investigating a new shoplifting complaint against former Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman. The incident allegedly occurred late last year at a Pak'nSave in Auckland, where she was reportedly seen placing groceries into a tote bag. Ghahraman has previously pleaded guilty to four shoplifting charges.
4 outlets · Justice Committee to hear 80 hours of Treaty Principles Bill submissions
The Justice Committee met on Thursday to discuss oral submissions regarding the Treaty Principles Bill. The committee must hear 80 hours of testimony over one month, with the first full day of hearings scheduled for 27 January. MPs have debated how to select speakers and manage time for different groups.
4 outlets · Thieves steal $75,000 worth of safety fencing on Auckland's North Shore
Approximately 76 safety fence panels have been stolen from various sites on Auckland's North Shore, including 60 panels from a retaining wall in Albany. The thefts, which began in November and continued as recently as last week, are estimated to cost ratepayers $75,000 to replace.
+15 outlets · First fatality recorded during New Zealand whooping cough epidemic
An infant has died from whooping cough over the Christmas period, marking the first death since a national epidemic was declared in November. Health officials have notified 1,232 cases of the infectious disease, with 101 people hospitalised.
+15 outlets · Israel and Hamas reach ceasefire and hostage release deal
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release deal following 15 months of conflict. The agreement includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Despite celebrations in the Palestinian territories, residents reported that Israel intensified airstrikes shortly after the announcement.
3 outlets · Two people critically injured in State Highway 2 crash near Waihi
Two people were left in critical condition and a third sustained moderate injuries following a crash on State Highway 2 near Kelly Road on Thursday night. Emergency services responded to the incident south of Waihi shortly after 8pm. Three people were taken to Waikato Hospital as a result of the crash.
4 outlets · Brown Town defends tiered ticket pricing for Tangata Moana event
The Christchurch-based collective Brown Town has responded to criticism regarding racially tiered ticket pricing for an upcoming music event. The Human Rights Commission confirmed it has received a small number of complaints concerning the ticketing structure used to celebrate Tangata Moana.
3 outlets · Vandalism causes $2000 damage to Far North public toilets
Vandals have caused approximately $2000 worth of damage to several public toilet blocks across the Far North district. Recent incidents include racist graffiti and the filling of urinals and toilets with soil or potting mix, specifically at Te Tii Beach in Paihia.
3 outlets · Firefighters battle scrub fire near Kaikohe
Fire and Emergency crews are fighting a vegetation fire in Taheke, west of Kaikohe, which has spread to approximately 10 hectares. The blaze is threatening a building and people have been asked to avoid Horeke Rd. Three helicopters are assisting with the response.
3 outlets · ACC receives over 300 cockroach-related claims in five years
ACC has received 326 new claims involving cockroaches over the last five years. These active claims have cost taxpayers nearly $520,000 since 2019.
4 outlets · Vivienne Westwood fashion and jewellery exhibition opens at Te Papa
A retrospective exhibition showcasing the work of punk fashion pioneer Vivienne Westwood has opened at Te Papa in Wellington. The display features fifteen complete ensembles and over 550 pieces of jewellery. This exhibition marks the first stop of a global tour for the British fashion house.
2 outlets · Missing Australian tourist found safe in Waikato
An Australian tourist named Katherine has been located safe and well. She was previously reported missing and believed to be in the Waitomo or Te Kūiti areas. Police had been searching for the woman after she lost contact with her family.
2 outlets · Principals fear new NCEA literacy and numeracy requirements
North Canterbury principals are concerned that new literacy and numeracy standards could result in students leaving school without any qualifications. Under the new rules, students must pass reading, writing, and numeracy tests to receive NCEA at all levels. While students can resit these tests, educators worry about the impact on those who fail.
2 outlets · Influencer David Pegler named after suppression order lapses
David Pegler, known on social media as David Grr, can now be identified following the end of a suppression order. He is currently serving a nine-year sentence after being found guilty in 2022 of sexually abusing two teenage boys.
2 outlets · Ngāti Porou and government partner for Gisborne affordable housing project
A partnership between Ngāti Porou and the government will build 48 affordable rental homes in Kaiti, Gisborne. The $16.6 million development includes flats, duplexes, and apartments, with rents capped at 80% of market rates. Construction is expected to be finished by August 2026.
2 outlets · Food prices rose 1.5 percent in the year to December
Stats NZ reports that food prices increased by 1.5 percent annually in December 2024. The rise was driven by higher costs for ready-to-eat food, restaurant meals, and grocery items such as olive oil, milk, and butter.
2 outlets · Bluebridge ferry sways heavily during Cook Strait crossing
Video footage has emerged showing a Bluebridge ferry swaying heavily while travelling from Picton to Wellington this week. Passengers reported many people feeling unwell and sitting near doors for fresh air during the crossing. The footage shows the vessel being rocked by waves while vehicles were stationed on its sides.
2 outlets · Midges plague eastern Christchurch suburbs following wet weather
Swarms of midges are affecting residents near wastewater oxidation ponds in eastern Christchurch. Local community board members report that the insect infestation has caused some people to temporarily leave their homes. The council attributes the higher numbers to recent wet weather.
2 outlets · Former All Black Campbell Johnstone marries partner Ben Thomson
Former All Black Campbell Johnstone and Ben Thomson held a wedding celebration for 165 guests in Oxford, north Canterbury. The couple revealed the event was their second wedding, following a private ceremony held in October. Richie McCaw reportedly transported the pair to the ceremony by helicopter.
3 outlets · Kiwi-owned West Hollywood cafe offers free coffee to wildfire evacuees
Ponsonby Road Cafe in West Hollywood is providing free coffee to frontline workers and people evacuating due to the Palisades wildfires. Owner Jaime Choi noted that the blaze has affected an area with a high population of New Zealand expats.
2 outlets · Fire investigators return to Parewānui bush fire scene
Fire investigators are returning to Parewānui, near Bulls, to examine a large fire that broke out among pine trees on Wednesday. The blaze, which reached approximately one hectare at its peak, required around 11 rural fire crews to battle the flames.
2 outlets · NZ Post directive to return mail without private bag addresses
The Postal Workers Union has raised concerns regarding a new NZ Post directive. Under the new rule, letters addressed to a physical location when a PO box is available will be returned to sender. Workers are no longer permitted to look up and add missing box numbers to envelopes.
3 outlets · Wellington property demand sees massive drop over the last year
Property demand in Wellington has fallen by 39% over the past year. This decline follows a period of underperformance in the local market, which has been influenced by concerns regarding job security.
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