Bed, Bath and Beyond fined for selling products without safety information
Bed, Bath and Beyond has been fined $230,000 for breaching the Fair Trading Act. Between March and October 2023, the retailer sold 27,374 products, including children's pyjamas and hot water bottles, that lacked required safety information.
+15 outlets · Ashburton Intermediate apologises after labelling pounamu as incorrect uniform
Ashburton Intermediate School has apologised after issuing uniform passes that labelled pounamu as an incorrect uniform item. The school described the practice as culturally inappropriate and has since dropped the rule. The school board now plans to review the school's uniform code.
+15 outlets · Person critically injured after incident at Lower Hutt shopping centre
Police were called to Queens Drive at 6.30am on Monday following an incident at Queensgate Shopping Centre. A person suffered critical injuries, and cordons were established at the scene. Authorities stated they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the matter.
+15 outlets · Government introduces new non-financial sanctions for benefit recipients
The Government is adding two new non-financial sanctions to its beneficiary traffic light scheme following select committee hearings. Job-seekers may be required to attend weekly five-hour training courses or perform three weekly job-search activities for a month. While Minister Louise Upston says these will help people return to work, critics have described the measures as punitive.
4 outlets · Christopher Luxon to spend Waitangi Day at Ōnuku Marae
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will be hosted by Ngāi Tahu at Ōnuku Marae in Akaroa this Waitangi Day. While the Prime Minister and Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro attend the Akaroa event, approximately 50,000 people are expected at Waitangi, where other party leaders will be present.
3 outlets · Marama Davidson returns to politics at Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson has made her first public appearance in more than six months at Waitangi. Following a journey with breast cancer, Davidson criticised Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for his absence from the celebrations and drew inspiration from the late MP Efeso Collins.
3 outlets · Proposal for lifestyle community at Hastings Golf Club out for consultation
Golf Sport Development Limited Partnership has requested to rezone land in Bridge Pā to develop the Heretaunga Golf and Leisure Precinct. The proposed tourist destination would include 170 residential dwellings, short-stay visitor accommodation, and new recreational and commercial facilities alongside the golf course fairways.
3 outlets · Vegetation fire extinguished on Remuera residential property
Firefighters responded to a vegetation fire on a residential property in Remuera on Monday afternoon. The blaze, which was reported at 2.26pm, produced large plumes of smoke across the Auckland suburb. Fire and Emergency NZ confirmed the fire has been extinguished and no injuries were reported.
3 outlets · State Highway 1 closed north of Auckland after truck rolls
A truck rollover near Topuni has blocked State Highway 1 in both directions. The closure is expected to last until Monday evening, forcing motorists to use a 33km detour via narrow rural roads.
3 outlets · David Seymour denies wrongdoing regarding Tim Jago abuse allegations
ACT leader David Seymour has defended his handling of sexual abuse allegations involving former party president Tim Jago. Seymour stated the party acted professionally by referring a survivor to a lawyer rather than the police. Jago was previously convicted of indecent assault against two teenage boys in the 1990s.
+15 outlets · Unexplained death of 19-year-old woman in Hamilton
Police are investigating the unexplained death of a 19-year-old woman found unresponsive at a Forest Lake address early Sunday morning. A neighbour reported hearing arguing between at least two people prior to emergency services arriving. A postmortem examination is scheduled for Monday.
3 outlets · Auckland man found guilty of three charges involving a 13-year-old
Luca Fairgray has been found guilty of three charges of sexual connection with a young person in the Auckland District Court. The 22-year-old was involved in a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl in 2023. Fairgray also pleaded guilty to a charge of supplying cannabis to the girl.
3 outlets · Trump warns of pain following new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China
President Donald Trump has signed steep tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, acknowledging the move may cause some pain for Americans. An economist warns that a potential retaliatory trade war could negatively impact New Zealand exports and keep local interest rates higher.
2 outlets · Engine fire report at Queenstown Airport turns out to be false alarm
Fire and Emergency crews from Queenstown, Frankton, and Arrowtown responded to reports of a possible aeroplane engine fire at Queenstown Airport on Monday morning. The incident was a false alarm, though flights experienced delays following the engineering issue.
2 outlets · Three new charter schools open for term 1
Three new charter schools have opened in Christchurch, Auckland, and Doubtless Bay for the first term. The Government stated these institutions aim to provide families with more educational choice. Four additional schools are expected to open within the next week.
2 outlets · Inquest begins into death of 10-year-old in Taupō motocross accident
A coroner's inquest has commenced into the 2023 death of Jack Willson. The 10-year-old was killed during a motocross accident at Digger McEwen Motocross Park in Taupō.
3 outlets · Richie McCaw joins team to relaunch Godzone adventure race
Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is part of a group working to bring back the Godzone adventure race. Alongside Rob Nichol and Sophie Hart, McCaw is part of the Pure Adventure Charitable Trust, which plans to host the next event within 12 months.
+15 outlets · Te Tii Waitangi Marae prepares hāngī for 10,000 people
Te Tii Waitangi Marae in Te Tai Tokerau has prepared hāngī to feed 10,000 people for Waitangi Day. Under the guidance of chef Joe McLeod, hundreds of volunteers worked over several days to manage the logistical challenges of the large-scale catering effort.
2 outlets · Te Kāhui Auaha creative campus faces potential closure
Whitireia and WelTec are considering closing their central Wellington campus, Te Kāhui Auaha. The decision comes as Te Pūkenga divisions review their properties and programmes to ensure financial viability following the government's decision to disestablish the mega polytechnic.
2 outlets · New AI technology to help prevent drownings at Rolleston pool
The Selwyn Aquatic Centre in Rolleston is installing an artificial intelligence system to reduce drowning risks. The technology will use 27 cameras to track and analyse the movements of swimmers to assist lifeguards.
2 outlets · Wayne Brown denies claims he would ask deputy to step down
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has denied reports that he intends to ask Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson to resign from her position. Simpson described the claims that the mayor would seek her departure following her interest in his role as "beyond bizarre".
2 outlets · Te Tii Marae wharenui reopens after first phase of restoration
The whare tupuna, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, has reopened at Te Tii Marae in Waitangi following restoration work. A dawn ceremony was held by mana whenua Ngāti Rāhiri and Ngāti Kawa to mark the completion of the first stage of repairs.
2 outlets · Ashburton District Council pays influencers to promote Mid Canterbury tourism
The Ashburton District Council's tourism arm, Experience Mid Canterbury, funded a week-long trip for travel content creator Lilia Alexander in early December. The influencer visited 19 different operators, a move costing ratepayers approximately $7,000 that the council claims is generating profit for local businesses.
+15 outlets · Proposed KiwiSaver changes could increase risks for private asset investments
The government has proposed changes to allow KiwiSaver to invest more easily in private assets. While research suggests retirees need significant savings to live comfortably, experts warn these changes may impact transparency and carry risks that could outweigh potential rewards.
2 outlets · Main roads into Wellington to close for maintenance work
Motorists in Wellington are advised to plan ahead as several maintenance-related road closures are scheduled for this week and next. NZTA says drivers may need to use alternative routes, including State Highway 1 between Wellington and Johnsonville, which will face closures over two nights.
2 outlets · RNZAF retires C-130H Hercules transport aircraft fleet
The Royal New Zealand Air Force has retired its fleet of five C-130H Hercules transport aircraft after 60 years of service. The aircraft have been performing final flypasts across the country this week following their official retirement on Friday.
2 outlets · Rotorua Girls’ High School placed in lockdown after alleged student assault
Rotorua Girls’ High School went into lockdown on Monday after two members of the public allegedly entered the grounds and assaulted two students. Police have arrested a 20-year-old woman on charges of serious assault, while efforts continue to locate another person involved in the incident.
2 outlets · Man pleads guilty to arson in Ariki Rigby case
Ropine Paul, 29, has pleaded guilty to setting fire to a car near Havelock North where the body of 18-year-old Ariki Rigby was discovered in 2022. Jimmy Heremaia, 32, remains in custody facing murder and arson charges related to the incident.
2 outlets · Health NZ and GP asked to apologise for skin cancer diagnosis delays
A man has been advised to receive an apology from Health NZ and a GP following delays in diagnosing a skin cancer lesion. The man claims the delay resulted in the loss of his finger, lymph nodes, and the need for radiation therapy.
2 outlets · Frankton man identified as victim of Southland crash
Thomas George Murdoch, 29, of Frankton has been named as the man who died in a single-vehicle crash. The incident occurred on Fairlight Road in rural Southland at approximately 10pm on Thursday, 30 January.
3 outlets · Christchurch experiences coldest January this century
Christchurch recorded its coldest start to a year this century during January. Average temperatures dropped to 15C, which is almost 2C lower than the usual 16.9C. Meteorologists attribute the cool conditions to a sustained chain of southerly winds.
2 outlets · Person critically injured in North Canterbury workplace accident
A person was critically injured during a work-related incident on Chapmans Boundary Road in West Eyreton on Monday afternoon. Emergency services responded to the scene, and the individual was airlifted to hospital. WorkSafe has been notified and is making inquiries into the matter.
3 outlets · New Zealander faces life sentence for alleged cocaine import in Sydney
A 21-year-old New Zealand man is facing a life sentence after allegedly importing 20kg of cocaine into Australia. The drugs were reportedly found concealed in his luggage during a baggage examination at Sydney Airport following a flight from the United States.
2 outlets · Brougham Street closed after two-vehicle crash in Christchurch
A crash involving a car and a truck occurred at the intersection of Brougham and Selwyn streets on Monday morning. One person sustained serious injuries in the incident, and the major thoroughfare was blocked for approximately one hour.
3 outlets · Two-vehicle crash blocks State Highway 1 in Rakaia
A collision involving a truck and a campervan occurred near the intersection of State Highway 1 and Bridge Street in Rakaia on Monday morning. Police were notified of the crash just before 10.30am. Three people sustained moderate injuries in the incident.
2 outlets · Multi-vehicle crash causes traffic delays on Wellington waterfront
A crash involving several vehicles occurred on Waterloo Quay at 8.45am on Monday. The incident has significantly impacted traffic on Wellington's waterfront, and police have advised motorists to avoid the area.
2 outlets · Dunedin driver crashes into wall while avoiding duck
A 38-year-old man crashed his vehicle into a wall on Allandale Road in St Clair on Saturday evening. Police say the accident occurred when the driver attempted to avoid a duck, which was subsequently run over during the crash.
2 outlets · State Highway 1 blocked in Waikato after truck breaks down
Northbound lanes of State Highway 1 near Fergusson Gully Road in Waikato are blocked following a truck breakdown on Monday. Police stated the road would be closed for some time, and diversions have been put in place.
2 outlets · Sri Lankan man denied New Zealand refugee status
An Immigration and Protection Tribunal has refused refugee status to a Sri Lankan man who claimed he was coerced into a second marriage. His account was rejected after his second wife stated he married her to obtain a New Zealand visa for himself and his family.
2 outlets · Hiker attempts to set record for Te Araroa trail traversal
Billy Meredith, known as "Wahoo", is attempting to complete the Te Araroa trail in a record-breaking 45 days. After previously setting a speed record while hiking over 12,500 kilometres across America, he aims to average 67.5km per day across New Zealand.
2 outlets · Summer weather expected for Waitangi Day across New Zealand
A high-pressure system is forecast to bring warmer temperatures and mostly sunny skies for Waitangi Day. While some areas have experienced grey conditions and thunderstorms, February is expected to bring more settled weather to much of the country.
2 outlets · Driver dies after car crashes into creek in Pukehina
A person died at the scene after their vehicle left the road and rolled into a creek in Pukehina. Emergency services were called to the single-vehicle crash on Pukehina Parade early Monday morning.
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