Taranaki Maunga granted legal personhood under Te Kāhui Tupua
Parliament has unanimously passed the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill, granting legal personhood to Taranaki Maunga and its companion peaks. The settlement includes an apology from the Crown for the confiscation of land and restores the maunga's original name. The area will now be jointly managed by iwi and the Department of Conservation.
+37 outlets · David Seymour defends new school lunch programme following early issues
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has apologised for late deliveries and quality concerns regarding the reworked school lunch programme. Some schools reportedly faced delays or had to pay for food, while some students compared the meals to prison food. Seymour described the initial difficulties as teething problems.
+37 outlets · Minister overrides Oranga Tamariki decision to cut helpline funding
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has intervened to restore funding for the Barnardos youth helpline. She has also ordered Oranga Tamariki to pause its current contract review process with community providers, citing concerns regarding how funding decisions and communications were handled.
4 outlets · Man charged after 19-year-old cyclist killed in Ōkaihau hit-and-run
A 27-year-old Kaikohe man has been charged with failing to stop or ascertain injury following a hit-and-run in Ōkaihau on Tuesday night. Police were alerted by residents after a 19-year-old cyclist was struck by a vehicle on Settlers Way. The teenager has since died.
4 outlets · Large vegetation fire burns through Tiwai Point
A vegetation fire near Bluff has grown significantly since breaking out shortly after midnight. Firefighters and aircraft are working to contain the blaze, which has burnt through between 100 and 1200 hectares depending on the report. No structures are currently at immediate risk.
+15 outlets · Teenager undergoes surgery after hammer attack in Dunedin road rage incident
A 16-year-old boy is in Dunedin Hospital undergoing surgery after being struck in the head with a hammer. The attack followed a vehicle collision on Wednesday afternoon in Mornington. Police have arrested another 16-year-old male in connection with the incident.
4 outlets · Winston Peters backs down after comments target immigrant MPs
New Zealand First ministers faced criticism for comments made towards immigrant MPs in Parliament this week. After the Mexican Ambassador raised concerns regarding Shane Jones' remarks, a spokesperson for Winston Peters said some comments may have been expressed poorly. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has urged all MPs to watch their rhetoric.
4 outlets · Crown observer expresses surprise at Wellington City Council resilience
Crown observer Lindsay McKenzie has released a report noting his surprise that Wellington City Council has not wilted under significant pressure. The report cites challenges including long-term plan changes, political ideologies, and an unnecessary extraordinary vote regarding airport share sales in October.
4 outlets · Kiri Allan opposes Treaty Principles Bill during select committee hearings
Former Justice Minister Kiri Allan has described the Treaty Principles Bill as an "abomination" during oral submissions to the Justice Committee. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice has advised the Government that a referendum on the bill carries "significant risk" and is not currently preparing for such a vote.
3 outlets · Police continue search for man after burnt-out vehicle found in Waikato
Police are searching for 24-year-old Travis, who has been missing since 17 January. He had travelled from Wellington to the Waikato region before his vehicle was found burnt out on a Tolley Road farm in Ngaroma on 18 January.
3 outlets · Person dies following water incident in Hicks Bay
A person has died following a water-related incident on Te Araroa Road in Hicks Bay. Emergency services were called to the scene just before 4pm on Thursday. The death will be referred to the coroner.
3 outlets · First stage of Queenstown arterial road opens despite budget blowout
The $130m first stage of a new arterial road in Queenstown has opened after four years of construction. Mayor Glyn Lewers has discussed introducing a congestion charge for tourists to help address funding issues for future project extensions.
3 outlets · Desley Simpson does not rule out Auckland mayoralty bid
Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson has not ruled out running for mayor in the upcoming local elections. Speculation follows the registration of the domain 'desleyformayor.co.nz' by her son last year. The elections are scheduled for later in 2025.
3 outlets · Vehicles impounded and fines issued during Auckland beach police patrol
Police issued several fines and impounded multiple vehicles during a patrol at Karioitahi Beach in south Auckland. The beach, which is classified as a public road, recently had its speed limit reduced from 60km/h to 20km/h. The enforcement was part of Operation Beaches conducted at Karioitahi and Muriwai.
4 outlets · Green MP Benjamin Doyle apologises for not wearing a seatbelt
Green Party List MP Benjamin Doyle has taken full responsibility after video footage showed them not wearing a seatbelt in a taxi on Thursday morning. The footage was shared on Instagram while promoting a speech for the Taranaki Maunga Bill. Doyle stated the error will not happen again.
3 outlets · Police launch homicide investigation after motorcyclist found dead in Whangārei creek
A man's body was discovered in a creek near Ōtaika Valley Road after 5am on Wednesday. Police believe the motorcyclist was killed in a nearby layby between 7pm and 11pm on Thursday, 28 January.
3 outlets · Dame Sophie Pascoe announces retirement from competitive swimming
New Zealand's most successful Paralympian, Dame Sophie Pascoe, has announced she is retiring from competitive swimming. The 32-year-old athlete, who competed in four Paralympics and won 11 gold, seven silver and one bronze medals, made the announcement in Christchurch.
3 outlets · Multi-million dollar Route 52 road upgrade completed in Tararua District
A 26-kilometre stretch of Route 52 between Weber and Wimbledon has been upgraded to provide a more resilient link for isolated communities. The project, which took four years to complete, involved costs reported between $14.6 million and $16.6 million. The Tararua District Council celebrated the completion of the works at the Wimbledon Tavern.
3 outlets · Four men arrested following violent incidents in Palmerston North
Police have arrested four men following a series of violent incidents in Palmerston North this month. The incidents included three stabbings and a vehicle strike that left five people hospitalised. The arrests involve men aged between 22 and 26.
3 outlets · Announcement expected regarding the future of the new Dunedin Hospital
Health Minister Simeon Brown is expected to make an announcement on Friday regarding the new Dunedin Hospital project. The decision follows previous concerns that halted work on the inpatient building. The minister will be in Dunedin to share details about the coalition government's plans.
4 outlets · North Island brown kiwi found dead in Northland pest trap
A North Island brown kiwi was found dead after its bill became caught in a pest trap in the Puketi-Omahuta Forest. The Department of Conservation is now considering whether to revise trap standards following the incident. This marks the 17th recorded kiwi death or serious injury involving such traps since 2008.
3 outlets · Man arrested after police pursuit in Onehunga
A man was taken into custody after a police pursuit through several Auckland suburbs on Tuesday. The chase involved a blue Subaru, which police say was stolen, before the vehicle was cornered in a Onehunga shopping centre car park.
2 outlets · Dargaville Hospital had overnight doctor for only five of 55 nights
Official documents reveal that an after-hours doctor was rostered at Dargaville Hospital for just five nights between 10 October and 1 December last year. Te Tai Tokerau chief medical officer Jennifer Walker expressed concerns that the lack of medical staff posed a significant clinical risk to the facility.
3 outlets · Royal New Zealand Air Force to retire C-130H Hercules fleet
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is retiring its fleet of five C-130H Hercules aircraft after 60 years of service. The retirement was marked by a flyover of Christchurch Airport. Since 1965, the fleet has completed 100,000 landings and 155,000 hours of flight time.
2 outlets · Man cleared of filming sex without consent in Hamilton court
A man has been cleared of filming Snapchat videos during sex with a woman he met on Tinder. While the defence argued the woman was too intoxicated to recall giving consent, the man was found guilty of showing a video to a mutual friend. He is currently under interim name suppression.
2 outlets · Over 150 predator traps tampered with in Mt Aspiring National Park
The Department of Conservation says more than 150 predator traps have been systematically tampered with in a South Island national park. Volunteers and staff discovered traps between Dart Valley and west Matukituki Valley had been disarmed or blocked by rocks. Officials warned the vandalism could lead to increased predator numbers and native species deaths.
2 outlets · Small plane and US Army helicopter crash into Potomac River
An American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair near Reagan National Airport before crashing into the Potomac River. Officials reported that multiple bodies have been recovered from the water. Reagan National Airport has closed and all flights are currently delayed.
2 outlets · Scrub fires contained near State Highway 2 in Western Bay of Plenty
Multiple vegetation fires were reported burning near Wainui South Road in Whakamarama. While the blaze continues to burn along the railway line, emergency services have contained the fire.
2 outlets · Couple fails in complaint against insurer after being trapped in Noumea
A couple was unsuccessful in their complaint to the Financial Services Complaints ombudsman regarding travel insurance. The pair sought coverage for trip costs after being forced to stay in their accommodation for ten days due to political unrest and protests in Noumea.
2 outlets · TVNZ and Whakaata Māori to broadcast Te Matatini festival
TVNZ and Whakaata Māori will provide live, free-to-air coverage of the Te Matatini kapa haka competition in New Plymouth. The festival is scheduled to run from 25 February to 1 March. Meanwhile, a group of 20 cyclists will ride from Auckland to Taranaki to honour the late Talei Morrison.
2 outlets · Police officer acquitted of perjury charges
Constable James Cox has been found not guilty of perjury by an Auckland jury. The charge related to claims that he was certified to use a radar speeding device while giving evidence at the North Shore District Court.
2 outlets · Auckland man denies sexual connection charges involving 13-year-old girl
Luca Fairgray is on trial at the Auckland District Court facing charges of sexual connection with a person under 16. Fairgray admitted to visiting the girl's home and calling her 'darling', but he denies having sexual contact with her after learning her true age.
2 outlets · New Zealand Blood Service to end blanket ban on gay donors
New Zealand Blood Service will introduce individualised donor assessments in early 2026. This change follows Medsafe approval and aims to allow more men who have sex with men to donate blood and plasma.
2 outlets · Covid-19 brain fog likely caused South Island train near miss
An investigation found a KiwiRail engineer was likely cognitively impaired by Covid-19 brain fog during a near miss near Arthur's Pass. The engineer reportedly passed a red signal at 44km/h, narrowly avoiding a collision with another train.
2 outlets · Rules for blood donation eligibility to change for men
Medsafe has approved a change to blood and plasma donation rules. Instead of a blanket policy, donors will undergo an individual, evidence-based assessment regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. This update aims to allow more gay, bisexual, and takatāpui men to donate.
2 outlets · Tauranga issued nearly $444 million in commercial building consents in 2024
Tauranga issued 274 commercial building consents valued at $443.8 million during 2024. Council records also show 1,067 residential consents worth $287.7 million were granted. Building services manager Steve Pearce noted significant development in the CBD and Tauriko suburb despite the economic downturn.
2 outlets · New $130m road opens in Queenstown amid funding concerns
A new $130 million arterial route into Queenstown town centre opened on Thursday to provide an alternative to the existing Frankton route. While the road aims to assist the growth-challenged area, there is currently no funding available to complete the two planned stages intended to reduce congestion in the main shopping street.
2 outlets · New Zealand's first 3D printed show home opens in Hamilton
The country's first 3D printed show home has opened in Hamilton, featuring curved concrete walls. The build was completed in 99 days, which is less than half the time required for a traditional construction. Developers claim the structure could last at least 200 years.
2 outlets · Northland speed limit increases raise safety and governance concerns
The lifting of speed limits on six Northland state highway sections has sparked safety concerns due to poor road conditions. Additionally, new government rules regarding school zone speed limits have been criticised for undermining local decision-making and community preferences.
2 outlets · Events and food celebrations mark the Year of the Snake
Towns and cities across New Zealand are preparing various events to celebrate the Lunar New Year. In Wellington, several bakeries and restaurants are offering special food items to mark the start of the Year of the Snake.
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