Government confirms scaled-back plan for new Dunedin Hospital
Health Minister Simeon Brown announced that a new $1.88 billion inpatient building will be constructed at the Cadbury factory site. The facility will feature 351 beds, which is 59 fewer than originally planned, though officials say there is capacity for future expansion. The announcement followed significant public outcry and protests in Dunedin.
+37 outlets · Government launches mining strategy to double mineral exports by 2035
Resources Minister Shane Jones has unveiled a national minerals strategy in Waihi, aiming to increase mineral exports to $3 billion by 2035. The plan includes a Critical Minerals List featuring 37 minerals, including gold and coal. Protesters gathered outside an OceanaGold mine and attempted to disrupt the announcement.
+37 outlets · Former ACT Party president Tim Jago named after name suppression lifted
Tim Jago, a former ACT Party president, can now be identified as the individual who sexually abused two teenage boys in the 1990s. Jago had been under name suppression since being charged in January 2023. He maintains his innocence following the lifting of the court order.
+26 outlets · Police seize large drug haul in Southland after intercepted crockery
Customs officials intercepted MDMA disguised as dining plates in Auckland, leading police to an Invercargill property. Authorities seized more than 30kg of cannabis, MDMA, ketamine, and $60,000 in cash. Two men have been arrested and charged with possession and supply.
+37 outlets · More than 50 small earthquakes recorded near Taupō overnight
Over 50 small, shallow earthquakes occurred just north of Taupō between Thursday evening and Friday morning. GeoNet reported a higher than normal frequency of activity, including a 2.8 magnitude quake. GNS Science noted that such swarms are common in geothermal areas.
4 outlets · Five injured after bus hits power pole in Wainuiomata
Five people sustained moderate injuries after a bus crashed into a power pole at a roundabout in Wainuiomata on Friday morning. The accident, which occurred near the intersection of Coast and Hine roads, caused power outages for approximately 50 nearby homes.
4 outlets · Power restored after major outage affects Rotorua suburbs
A fault at a Rotorua substation caused a widespread power outage affecting over 22,000 customers across multiple suburbs. Transpower reported the interruption occurred shortly before 2pm due to a switching error during routine work. Electricity supply has since been restored.
4 outlets · Auckland school lunches delayed due to oven issues
Auckland schools participating in the school lunch programme faced delivery delays on Friday following technical problems with ovens at a central production kitchen. The School Lunch Collective stated that while the issue has been resolved, meals are unlikely to arrive on time.
4 outlets · Three people injured in bus and car collision on State Highway 6
Three people were taken to hospital following a collision between a bus and a vehicle near Kakapōtahi on Friday evening. One person is reported to have critical injuries. The crash occurred on State Highway 6, approximately 40km south of Hokitika, resulting in the road being blocked.
4 outlets · Specialist criticises revised plans for new Dunedin Hospital
The government has confirmed the new Dunedin Hospital will be built at the former Cadbury site. Associate professor of psychiatry Dr Yoram Barak says the scaled-back plans ignore the needs of an ageing population, noting that psycho-geriatric beds have been reduced by 50%.
3 outlets · Woman charged after 11-year-old girl killed in Flaxmere crash
A 34-year-old woman has been charged with dangerous driving following a crash on Chatham Road in Flaxmere on Thursday evening. An 11-year-old girl was killed at the scene when she was hit by a car around 6pm. Police have not ruled out further charges.
3 outlets · Large vegetation fire on Tiwai Peninsula brought under control
Firefighters and helicopters have contained a 1200-hectare scrub and wetland fire on the Tiwai Peninsula near Bluff. The blaze began early Thursday in hot, windy conditions, affecting valuable conservation land. Crews remain at the scene to damp down hotspots while an investigator looks for the cause.
+26 outlets · Coroner finds no smoke alarm in fatal West Coast house bus fire
The remains of artist Patrick Gamble were discovered following a fire in his house bus located in a remote part of the South Island. Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale noted that Gamble had no smoke alarm installed. The fire likely began when combustible materials fell from an open fireplace door.
3 outlets · Coroner says pedestrian death was highly preventable
Christopher Connell was killed by a utility vehicle while hitch-hiking in the early hours of 15 April 2024. Coroner Ian Telford found the accident was highly preventable, noting a police officer had warned Connell not to walk on the highway at night less than two hours before the incident.
2 outlets · Armed police attend burglary on Ghuznee Street in Wellington
Armed police responded to a burglary at a building in central Wellington on Friday evening. While initial reports suggested an armed robbery might be occurring, a spokesperson confirmed that no firearms were found at the scene.
2 outlets · Bottlenose dolphin dies from blood poisoning after being freed from net
A juvenile bottlenose dolphin has died from blood poisoning caused by an infected wound. The dolphin was disentangled from a fishing net near Riverhead on 8 January and was later found stranded.
2 outlets · Tauranga councillor Mikaere Sydney resigns due to ill health
Mikaere Sydney has resigned from the Tauranga City Council representing the Te Awanui Ward. He has been unable to perform his duties due to a rare form of encephalitis. A by-election will be held to fill the vacant seat.
4 outlets · Forest and Bird chief raises concerns over stewardship land representation
Forest and Bird chief executive Nicola Toki has expressed concern that politicians are misrepresenting the value of stewardship land. She stated that, under the law, stewardship land is considered public conservation land. This follows comments made by Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis regarding mining plans.
2 outlets · Lush and Whanganui councillor oppose Treaty Principles Bill
Cosmetics company Lush Aotearoa has launched a campaign against the Treaty Principles Bill, calling it a threat to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Meanwhile, Whanganui councillor Josh Chandulal-Mackay has described the bill as dangerous and requested an apology from the Prime Minister.
3 outlets · One third of public servants work from home weekly
New Public Service Commission data shows approximately 33 per cent of public servants work from home at least one day a week. While one ministry reports 95 per cent of staff working remotely, 55 per cent of the public service do so infrequently or not at all.
2 outlets · New 2035 climate target described as shockingly unambitious by expert
The government's new 2035 climate target has drawn criticism for its small promised emissions reductions. A climate expert described the new goals as shockingly unambitious. The target follows an international agreement to aim for the highest possible ambition to prevent severe weather disasters.
2 outlets · Two toddlers escape from Auckland daycare after door left open
Two toddlers, aged 18 months and two years, escaped from the BestStart Mt Eden centre after a teacher left a door open. The children were found in the car park by a former parent. BestStart is investigating the incident and has notified the Ministry of Education.
2 outlets · Shane Jones expresses desire to meet with Mexican Ambassador
Minister Shane Jones says he hopes to meet with Mexico's Ambassador to New Zealand. This follows the ambassador raising Jones' previous comments about sending Mexicans home with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Prime Minister Winston Peters has acknowledged the comments could have been expressed differently.
2 outlets · Auckland pair sentenced for illegal slaughter and sale of pigs
Suli Rachael Rejoice Adimim and Bruce Baru Luke Vunipola have been sentenced for operating an unregistered homekill business. Following an investigation, it was found that 222 pigs were illegally sold. Adimim was fined over $25,000, while Vunipola was ordered to complete 300 hours of community service.
2 outlets · Academics urge government to halt early childhood education reforms
A group of leading early childhood academics has called on the government to stop planned changes to ECE regulations. The experts warn that the proposed reforms are not in the best interests of children. This follows a finding by the Ministry of Regulation that excessive rules in the sector required trimming.
2 outlets · Beer industry contributes $3.58 billion to New Zealand GDP
A new industry report shows the brewing sector contributes $3.58 billion to the national GDP. The findings, released by the Brewers Association and Brewers Guild of New Zealand, also state the industry generates $1.7 billion in annual tax revenue.
2 outlets · Auckland police officers discharged without conviction after assaulting teenagers
Three police officers have been discharged without conviction following an incident in early 2022 where they assaulted three teenagers aged 13, 14 and 17. The assault occurred in Mt Roskill after officers pursued a stolen vehicle believed to be involved in a Pt Chevalier ram raid.
2 outlets · Whangamarino wetland fire ruled accidental after investigation
An investigation has concluded that the fire which destroyed approximately 1,000 hectares of the Whangamarino wetland was accidental. The blaze started on 21 October 2024 and took nine days to control. Signs of recovery are now appearing in the vegetation following the incident.
2 outlets · Auckland cyclist seeks damages after collision with SUV
A Wellington-based engineer is seeking $12,805 through the Disputes Tribunal following a collision in Clover Park, Auckland. Video footage shows the cyclist flipping over his handlebars after a driver pulled out of a parking spot. The cyclist claims the incident damaged his custom-built road bike.
2 outlets · Free concerts and commemorations planned for Waitangi Day 2025
Waitangi Day celebrations will include free concerts in West and South Auckland. In Paihia, thousands are expected to gather for formal commemorations of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The events aim to honour the 185th anniversary of the founding document.
2 outlets · Whirinaki flood resilience project in jeopardy as costs rise
A plan to raise a Hawke’s Bay state highway to mitigate flood risks is facing uncertainty due to increasing costs. The project aims to move Cyclone Gabrielle-hit homes from Category 2C to Category 1, but residents expressed frustration over the delay.
2 outlets · Property market could be nearing a rebound, says CoreLogic
CoreLogic reports that New Zealand's property market may be approaching a trough. National values fell by 0.1 percent in January, marking the fifth consecutive month of minimal movement following a period of decline.
2 outlets · Property values remain steady or decline in Christchurch and Wellington
Property values in Christchurch and Wellington remained cool during January. Christchurch median house values fell by 0.1%, while values across the Wellington region also experienced declines.
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