Thursday 20 February 2025
40 stories first reported this day, covered by two or more outlets
New Zealand-born teenager offered residency after deportation threat
Eighteen-year-old Daman Kumar has been offered a resident visa following an intervention by Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk. Although Kumar has lived in New Zealand his entire life, his parents have not been granted visas and have been told they must leave the country.
+15 outlets · Eight people hospitalised after ammonia leak at Timaru factory
About eight people were taken to hospital following an ammonia leak at a factory on Meadows Road in Washdyke on Thursday night. Fire and Emergency crews responded to the scene around 9.35pm to manage the leak and provide oxygen to those affected.
+15 outlets · Environment Southland found guilty of failing to protect wetlands
The High Court has ruled that Environment Southland breached resource management laws by failing to monitor and protect regional wetlands. A judgement stated the area's wetlands have been significantly degraded in recent decades. The legal proceedings were initiated following issues including a failure to investigate or act against wetland drainage.
+15 outlets · Watchdog criticises police over officer who hit children with belt
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has described the sanction for a senior officer as grossly inadequate. While the officer admitted to using a webbed belt to discipline his children, police decided not to lay criminal charges due to insufficient evidence. The officer was instead censured for serious misconduct following an employment investigation.
+15 outlets · Biosecurity operation launched after Oriental fruit fly found in Birkdale
A single male Oriental fruit fly was discovered in a surveillance trap in a Birkdale backyard on Thursday. Biosecurity New Zealand has deployed extra field teams to the North Shore suburb and is increasing trapping efforts. Legal restrictions on moving fruit and vegetables have been implemented in the affected area.
4 outlets · Emergency services respond to incident in Papanui
Emergency services are responding to an incident at an address on Grassmere Street in Papanui. The situation is understood to be a sudden death. Hato Hone St John and police were called to the scene shortly after 1.00pm on Thursday.
+15 outlets · Five injured in Te Pōhue veranda collapse
Five people, including two volunteer firefighters, were injured when a veranda collapsed on Ohurakura Road in Te Pōhue on Thursday morning. The incident occurred while the group was helping to erect a portable home. One person is in serious condition, while three others are in moderate condition.
4 outlets · Police search for driver after vehicle crashes into Massey houses
A manhunt is underway for a driver who fled on foot after crashing into two houses in Massey, West Auckland. The incident occurred on Don Buck Road around 4.20am on Thursday when a vehicle entered a driveway and crashed through a fence. No injuries were reported.
4 outlets · New Zealand monitors three Chinese navy ships sailing east of Sydney
The New Zealand Defence Force is monitoring a Chinese naval task group sailing in international waters off the Australian coast. Defence Minister Judith Collins stated that China provided no prior notice regarding the deployment of the three ships into the Tasman Sea.
3 outlets · Singh is the most common family name for New Zealand newborns
Singh was the most frequently registered family name for babies born in New Zealand in 2024. Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden revealed that Singh has topped the list for seven consecutive years. Kaur and Smith were the second and third most common names, respectively.
3 outlets · Judith Collins questioned over Mark Mitchell's comments about women
Labour spokesperson Jan Tinetti challenged Judith Collins in Parliament regarding comments made by Police Minister Mark Mitchell about perimenopausal women. Collins defended Mitchell as an advocate against gang violence but noted she would address the matter later.
3 outlets · Destiny Church protesters storm Te Atatū library during children's event
Groups linked to Destiny Church protested a drag event at the Te Atatū Community Centre and Library over the weekend. An Auckland councillor reported that an 11-year-old felt terror during the demonstration, leading to calls for increased security at future library events.
3 outlets · Man sentenced for manslaughter of South African man in Wellington
Siale Siale, 30, has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison for the manslaughter of 21-year-old Luke Smith. Smith died in hospital following an assault outside a cinema complex on Courtenay Place in October 2024. Siale pleaded guilty to the charge at the High Court in Wellington.
3 outlets · One person critically injured after van hits tree in Waikato
A person was thrown from a van after it left State Highway 3 and hit a tree near Te Mapara on Thursday morning. One person is in critical condition and another is moderately injured. Police say the highway was expected to remain closed for several hours following the incident.
3 outlets · Driver dies in single-vehicle crash on State Highway 10 in Kaingaroa
A driver was pronounced dead at the scene following a crash on State Highway 10 in Kaingaroa on Wednesday night. Police were notified of the incident at approximately 10.40pm. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
3 outlets · Inquest hears claims man planned mass shooting before police shootout
During an inquest in Hamilton, the estranged wife of Joel Buckley claimed he intended to carry out a mass shooting to achieve a higher death count than the Christchurch mosque attack. However, counsel for the Coroner criticised the woman for failing to inform police of the risks he posed.
3 outlets · Man arrested after car crashes into truck following burnouts
A 19-year-old man has been arrested following a crash at the intersection of Massey and Robertson roads in South Auckland. Video footage shows a silver Altezza performing burnouts on a wet road before losing control and hitting a truck. The driver reportedly fled the scene immediately after the incident.
2 outlets · Final rates remission for storm-damaged Marlborough properties
The Marlborough District Council will provide one last rates remission for homes that received red or yellow stickers following the August 2022 flooding. This decision marks the end of the council's rates remission programme for these specific properties.
3 outlets · Metal Yoda sculpture stolen from Wellington property
A 1.2-metre tall steel sculpture of Yoda was stolen from a backyard on Madras Street in Khandallah on Tuesday night. Police are seeking public assistance to locate the artwork, which took its creator hundreds of hours to make. The stolen item is not considered to have high scrap metal value.
2 outlets · Muslim students' school lunches reportedly contained ham
Principals have reported that government school lunches for Muslim students have contained ham, despite pig products being forbidden in Islam. Some schools have also described the revamped programme as unreliable or unsuitable.
2 outlets · Otago campus officer remains undefeated in annual push-up challenge
Senior Constable John Woodhouse has maintained his winning streak in an annual push-up competition against students at the University of Otago. During the recent challenge at UniCol in Dunedin, the 64-year-old officer completed 75 push-ups on his knuckles.
2 outlets · Pak’nSave Highland Park to open this Tuesday
The $100 million Pak’nSave Highland Park is scheduled to open at 7.30am on Tuesday, 25 February. The project, which has been in development since 2017, follows a settlement between Foodstuffs and Watercare. The new supermarket will be located next to a Woolworths.
2 outlets · Winstone Aggregates seeks to expand Belmont quarry into regional park
Winstone Aggregates is attempting to acquire 29 hectares of Crown-owned land in Belmont Regional Park through the Fast-track Approvals Act. The proposed expansion into the hills between Lower Hutt and Porirua could potentially bypass regional council authority.
2 outlets · Avondale community group to meet Winston Peters regarding racecourse redevelopment
The I Love Avondale group is seeking to discuss the future of the Avondale Racecourse with Winston Peters. Local organisations have raised concerns regarding the social, cultural, and environmental impacts of rezoning the 35-hectare site for housing and apartments. The racecourse is scheduled to close next year.
2 outlets · Napier City Council supports Hawke’s Bay Tourism with funding
Napier City Council has voted to contribute to a $1 million lifeline for the Hawke’s Bay Tourism agency. Three local councils are providing the funds to maintain the agency while it seeks alternative funding options, following the planned removal of Hawke's Bay Regional Council funding in June.
2 outlets · Armed police arrest people following incident on Karangahape Road
Armed police descended on Karangahape Road in central Auckland on Tuesday afternoon. Witnesses described officers pointing firearms at a vehicle during the incident. Police have arrested between three and four people following the event.
2 outlets · Iwi leaders and former PM criticise Treaty Principles Bill
Iwi leaders, legal experts, and former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley have provided oral submissions against the Treaty Principles Bill. During select committee hearings at Parliament, critics described the legislation as a waste of time that spreads misinformed views regarding Māori.
2 outlets · Cooler winds and clearer skies expected to end muggy weather
A weather front is expected to bring a break from hot and muggy conditions across New Zealand. The front is forecast to hit the South Island on Thursday and move into the North Island on Friday, leading to a sunny weekend with fresh winds.
2 outlets · Dame Jenny Shipley criticises Treaty Principles Bill at committee hearing
Former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley described the Treaty Principles Bill as unconscionable during a select committee hearing. While iwi leaders performed a haka and a karakia, Shipley argued the bill threatens a visionary relationship. An advocacy group organiser also called for the size of recent protests to be considered in submissions.
2 outlets · Nelson courthouse to close for four months due to earthquake risk
The Nelson courthouse will be vacated from Sunday for up to four months following a seismic report. While engineers deemed the building safe to occupy, the connection between the original structure and a 2007 extension was identified as a safety concern. Some parts of the building may meet only 15 per cent of the national building standard.
2 outlets · Rainbow Six Siege character birthdate changed after Christchurch massacre link
Ubisoft has updated the birthdate of its new Māori character, Hāpai 'Rauora' Iwini, following public backlash. The character was originally assigned a March 15 birthdate, which coincided with the Christchurch mosque attacks. The new birthdate has been set to May 11.
3 outlets · Police name man who died following Hastings assault
Keith Pati, 33, has been identified as the man who died in Hawke's Bay Hospital on Sunday night. Police launched a homicide investigation after he was dropped off at the hospital following an assault on Kiwi Lane.
2 outlets · Ngāti Hāua iwi votes to accept $26.4m Treaty settlement
Members of the upper Whanganui River iwi Ngāti Hāua have voted to accept a Deed of Settlement for historical Treaty of Waitangi claims. The ratification process followed seven years of negotiations with the Crown.
2 outlets · Government fails to meet all child poverty reduction targets
Stats NZ reports that the Government has failed to meet all three of its child poverty reduction targets. An estimated 156,000 children are currently living in material hardship, with no statistically significant change in certain measures since 2021.
3 outlets · Research project investigates DNA of New Zealand working dogs
A three-year study led by Massey University is examining the genetics of New Zealand's working dogs. The project, titled Right Dog for the Job, focuses on understanding diseases within the country's unique huntaway and heading breeds.
3 outlets · Two people seriously injured after boat capsizes in Lyttelton Harbour
A man and a woman in their 60s were rescued after their dinghy overturned near Ripapa Island on Thursday morning. The pair managed to reach nearby rocks before emergency services arrived. Both individuals are reported to be in serious condition.
2 outlets · New Zealand glaciers have shrunk by 29% since 2000
A new study shows that New Zealand's glaciers have decreased in size by 29% since 2000. This research highlights rapid glacier shrinkage, noting that global glacier mass loss has exceeded the ice loss from both the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets.
+15 outlets · Air New Zealand regional flights delayed by IT glitch
An IT issue affecting take-off performance calculation software caused delays for Air New Zealand's nationwide fleet of ATR 72 aircraft on Thursday. The airline reported that regional flights across the country experienced slight delays due to the glitch.
2 outlets · Police warn of traffic disruptions during Te Puke funeral
Police are warning motorists about potential traffic delays in the Tauranga region this Friday. Officers will monitor a gang-related tangi and procession taking place in Waitangi, Te Puke. Authorities have stated that any unlawful behaviour during the event will be met with action.
2 outlets · Reserve Bank cuts official cash rate amid economic optimism
Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr announced a cut to the Official Cash Rate on Tuesday. While expressing optimism for the economy, Orr warned that longer-term mortgage rates may not decrease significantly by the end of the year.
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