Andrew Bayly resigns as minister after incident with staffer
National MP Andrew Bayly has resigned from his ministerial portfolios, including ACC and Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The resignation follows an incident where Bayly placed his hand on a staff member's arm during an animated discussion. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has accepted the resignation, stating the behaviour fell short of expectations.
+26 outlets · Police lay over 3000 charges since Gangs Act introduction
Since the Gangs Act came into effect in late November, police have laid more than 3000 charges against gang members for various offences. During the first three months, authorities also seized 76 patches and 67 firearms, while filing 337 charges specifically for insignia breaches.
+26 outlets · Chinese warships conduct live firing exercises in the Tasman Sea
Chinese naval vessels have been performing live firing drills in the Tasman Sea, currently located 520km east of Tasmania. Defence Minister Judith Collins criticised the short notice provided for the exercises, though she stated the activity is unusual but not a cause for worry. New Zealand and Australian authorities are monitoring the task force.
+15 outlets · Pedestrian critically injured in Wellington Courtenay Place crash
A woman in her 60s was critically injured after being hit by a car on Courtenay Place on Monday night. Witnesses reportedly stopped the driver from leaving the scene. The road has since reopened following investigations by the Serious Crash Unit.
4 outlets · Seven arrested during Lake Rotokākahi sewerage pipeline protest
Seven people were arrested for trespass after refusing to leave a worksite near Lake Rotokākahi. Approximately 80 police officers attended the protest, which was directed at the Tarawera Sewerage Scheme. Local hapū oppose the pipeline, citing concerns that the project runs through a sacred site.
+15 outlets · Scrub fire near Ngunguru settlement has been extinguished
Firefighters responded to a large scrub and grass fire in the Northland coastal settlement of Ngunguru on Monday afternoon. The blaze, which reportedly endangered properties, required dozens of firefighters and multiple helicopters to control. The fire has since been extinguished.
4 outlets · Caleb Clarke pleads guilty to dangerous driving and fleeing police
All Blacks and Blues winger Caleb Clarke has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to stop for police. The charges relate to a motorbike incident on State Highway 16 in Auckland last December. Clarke expressed that he is extremely apologetic and embarrassed by his error of judgement.
+15 outlets · Te Matatini kapa haka festival begins in New Plymouth
The world's largest kapa haka competition officially commenced in Taranaki with a pōwhiri for competitors. Held at the Bowl of Brooklands, the festival runs from 25 February to 1 March. This marks the first time the event has been held in the region in over 30 years.
2 outlets · Dai Henwood postpones shows due to lung tumour activity
Comedian Dai Henwood has postponed two shows after his breathing deteriorated due to tumour activity in his lungs. The 47-year-old shared on social media that he will begin chemotherapy earlier than expected this Wednesday. Henwood had previously taken a break from treatment over the summer.
+15 outlets · First look inside the new Latter-day Saints temple in Manukau
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has offered a limited preview of its new temple in Goodwood Heights. Located near State Highway 1, the 4,223sq m building features greenstone and koru motifs. The construction of the Manukau complex has taken approximately five years.
3 outlets · Osteopath found to have crossed professional boundaries with patient
The Health and Disability Commissioner found an osteopath acted unprofessionally by sending explicit messages and conducting a home visit for a patient in 2023. The patient had previously accused the practitioner of indecent assault, though the osteopath has denied the allegations.
3 outlets · Ukraine's ambassador says Russia must be held accountable for invasion
Ukraine's ambassador to New Zealand, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, stated that Russia must be held to account to achieve a lasting peace. The comments come as the Ukrainian community in New Zealand rallies to mark the third anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion.
3 outlets · Former Auckland Council building inspector sentenced for accepting bribes
Nicholas Bright has been sentenced to 11 months of home detention after pleading guilty to 21 bribery charges. The former building inspector received over $35,000 in cash and various home renovations, including gasfitting and heat pump installations, following a Serious Fraud Office investigation.
4 outlets · Advocacy group challenges Wellington council over character housing changes
LIVE WELLington has taken Wellington City Council and the Minister for RMA reform to court regarding district plan changes. The group argues that the council and the minister were wrong to reject recommendations to increase character housing precincts. The hearing focused on whether the council's provisions for character housing are fundamentally flawed.
2 outlets · Kiwa Pools implements measures to reduce frequent code brown closures
Gisborne’s Kiwa Pools has introduced new hygiene rules and structural measures to address frequent
3 outlets · Mural unveiled in Manukau to honour Fa’anānā Efeso Collins
A mural of former Green Party MP Fa’anānā Efeso Collins has been unveiled at the Ronwood carpark in Manukau. The artwork honours the Samoan-born politician one year after he died while participating in a charity run. His wife described the mural as a precious taonga.
2 outlets · Chinese naval exercises in Tasman Sea may strengthen NZ-AUKUS ties
Three Chinese naval vessels recently conducted live-fire exercises in international waters off the Australian coast. Professor Alexander Gillespie suggests these war games in the Tasman Sea could prompt New Zealand to deepen its relationships with traditional allies and move closer to AUKUS.
3 outlets · Groove Armada's Andy Cato sells music rights to pursue farming
Andy Cato, one half of the British electronic duo Groove Armada, has sold his music rights to fund a passion for regenerative farming. Cato described the decision as driven by "pure madness" and noted that changing farming systems is more difficult than DJing.
2 outlets · Mid Canterbury SPCA supports tougher cat management policy investigation
The Mid Canterbury SPCA is backing the Ashburton District Council's decision to investigate a new cat management policy. The proposed rules would focus on stricter requirements for microchipping and desexing to help manage stray and feral cat populations.
2 outlets · Man arrested after allegedly discharging shotgun in Christchurch
A 36-year-old Spreydon man has been arrested following reports of a shotgun being discharged in Shirley on Friday afternoon. Police were called to an Emmett Street address around 4.40pm after a man allegedly fired the weapon and fled in a car. A vehicle of interest was located, but the driver escaped.
3 outlets · Expanded clinical trial for blood cancer patients in Auckland and Christchurch
The Malaghan Institute is extending its phase 2 clinical trial for CAR T-cell therapy to Auckland and Christchurch. This treatment involves modifying a patient's own immune cells in a laboratory to target and destroy cancer cells.
+15 outlets · NZ First supports Labour bill to criminalise intentional wage theft
New Zealand First has voted in support of a Labour member's bill that seeks to add intentional wage theft to the Crimes Act. The proposed legislation could lead to prison sentences for employers and fines for companies. The bill is expected to pass despite opposition from the National Party.
2 outlets · Wellington wine bar Plonk to close in March
The Customhouse Quay wine bar and live music venue, Plonk, will close its doors in early March. The business announced the closure on social media, with reports suggesting a stagnant inner-city population as a factor.
2 outlets · Man seen passing car keys to passenger after fatal crash
Thomas May was observed by police handing his car keys to a passenger following a fatal crash in Gordonton. The incident, which involved a vehicle rolling into a field, resulted in the death of Te Awamutu man Kyle Ross.
3 outlets · More than 70,000 people attend Electric Avenue festival in Christchurch
The tenth annual Electric Avenue music festival drew over 70,000 attendees to North Hagley Park. For the first time, the event was extended to two days, running across Friday and Saturday.
2 outlets · Large steam plumes observed at Whakaari/White Island
GeoNet has observed large, white, steam-rich plumes and small ash emissions at Whakaari/White Island over the past week. While the Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2, the Aviation Colour Code has been changed to orange.
2 outlets · Housing confidence returns to 2020 levels according to ASB survey
The ASB Housing Confidence Survey shows that net expectations for rising house prices have returned to 2020 levels. For the three months ending in December, a net 33% of respondents expected prices to increase, while a net 23% believed it was a good time to buy.
4 outlets · Hamilton woman arrested for multiple parcel thefts
A 35-year-old Hamilton woman has been arrested following reports of parcels being stolen from doorsteps across the Waikato region. She faces five charges of burglary and is scheduled to appear in the Hamilton District Court this Thursday.
2 outlets · Fiji issues warnings as Tropical Cyclone Rae strengthens to Category 2
Tropical Cyclone Rae has intensified to Category 2, prompting multiple warnings in Fiji. Schools in the Lau Group, Lomaiviti, and Vanua Levu have closed, and flights have been impacted. Tonga has also issued warnings for Niuafo'ou and Niuatoputapu due to heavy rain and flash flood risks.
2 outlets · Oranga Tamariki staff to begin strike action this week
Nearly 3,000 Oranga Tamariki employees will begin a series of industrial actions lasting until 18 April. The Public Service Association is leading the move in response to workloads and a pay offer. The action includes bans on overtime, double-shifts, and on-call work.
3 outlets · School Sport NZ considers ban on year 14 participants
School Sport NZ is reviewing eligibility rules following calls from principals to ban year 14 students from all national secondary school sporting events. This follows a recent decision by schools to change eligibility rules for the Maadi Regatta rowing competition.
3 outlets · Winston Peters announces new sanctions on Russian entities
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has introduced additional sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector and military-industrial complex. The announcement, made on the third anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, also includes further support for the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine.
3 outlets · Domestic abuse agencies criticise Destiny Church Man Up programme
Domestic abuse agencies have described the Man Up course run by Destiny Church as dangerous. While the programme claims to offer anti-violence classes, critics say it promotes male dominance and ultra-traditional family values. Police and courts continue to use the programme despite these long-standing concerns.
3 outlets · Community rallies after arson attacks target Masterton churches
Four churches in Masterton sustained moderate to significant damage following suspicious fires on Saturday morning. While three other churches were targeted, they did not catch fire. Masterton's mayor noted a significant outpouring of community support as police continue to patrol the area.
3 outlets · Western Bay of Plenty proposes regional deal for homes and jobs
Local councils, tangata whenua, and Priority One are submitting a proposal for a government regional deal this month. The plan aims to deliver 46,000 new homes and 35,000 jobs across the Western Bay of Plenty sub-region.
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