Man pleads not guilty to murder of Nelson police officer
A 32-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming in Nelson. Appearing in the Blenheim High Court, the man also pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm, but admitted to two driving charges.
+15 outlets · Two young males arrested following assaults in Queenstown park
Two teenagers have been arrested and charged following two assaults in Queenstown's Jardine Park on 23 and 25 February. The victims required hospital treatment for their injuries. The arrests occurred after police searched a local address on Wednesday, with charges including aggravated burglary, threats to kill, and assault with a weapon.
+15 outlets · Three men arrested in nationwide cannabis cultivation investigation
Police have arrested three men, including two Vietnamese nationals and one Picton local, as part of an organised cannabis operation. The investigation, which spanned Auckland, Wellington, and Marlborough, involved the use of rental properties for cultivation. Officers seized vacuum-packed cannabis, cash, and a BB gun during the operation.
+15 outlets · Man pleads guilty to murdering Ariki Rigby over gang t-shirt
Jimmy Heremaia has pleaded guilty to the murder and arson of 18-year-old Ariki Rigby. The killing occurred in September 2022 after Rigby was seen wearing Heremaia's Mongrel Mob t-shirt. Heremaia will be sentenced in April alongside another gang member.
+15 outlets · Three people injured in Takanini neighbour altercation
Three people were taken to hospital with serious injuries following an apparent altercation between neighbours on Kutukutu Street in Takanini. Police responded to the scene on Friday evening and located a suspect via the police Eagle helicopter. A man has since been taken into police custody.
4 outlets · Court documents detail Caleb Clarke's dangerous motorbike ride
All Blacks and Blues winger Caleb Clarke pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to stop for police after a December incident in Auckland. Court documents reveal he reached speeds of 110km/h in a 50km/h residential zone while being tracked by a police helicopter. Sentencing is expected in June.
4 outlets · Teenager charged after woman critically injured in Christchurch park assault
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested following an assault at Richmond Village Green in early February. The victim was found injured on 5 February after an alleged attack on 4 February. The teenager faces charges including wounding with intent and is due to appear in the Christchurch Youth Court on Friday.
+15 outlets · Bluebridge ferry Strait Feronia to resume sailing after mechanical issues
The Bluebridge ferry Strait Feronia has been docked in Wellington due to mechanical problems, leaving some passengers stranded. After failing to sail on Thursday and Friday morning, the vessel is expected to resume service on Friday afternoon.
+37 outlets · Wellington salon owner ordered to pay $230,000 to migrant workers
The Employment Relations Authority has ordered Ngoc Tuyet Uyen Huynh, owner of Amy's Hair and Beauty, to pay seven migrant workers more than $230,000. The technicians were brought from Vietnam in 2023 and received compensation for lost wages and humiliation.
4 outlets · Twelve kapa haka finalists announced for Te Matatini 2025
Judges have announced the 12 groups progressing to the Te Matatini finals following 55 performances in New Plymouth. Defending champions Te Whānau a Apanui are among the finalists, which also includes three teams from Tāmaki Makaurau. The sold-out finals are expected to draw at least 15,000 people on Saturday.
3 outlets · Hauraki Plains College closed following two threats
Hauraki Plains College in Ngatea closed on Friday after receiving two threats within 24 hours. One threat involved an anonymous video making specific threats of harm. Police are currently speaking to a young person connected to the video.
4 outlets · Woman dead and man critically injured in Onerahi park shooting
A woman was killed and a man was left with serious injuries following a shooting at Beach Road Reserve in Whangārei on Thursday morning. Police and armed officers attended the Onerahi waterfront park after reports of gunshots. Authorities are currently speaking with witnesses to determine the events surrounding the incident.
3 outlets · Former undertaker pleads guilty to interfering with human remains
Fiona Bakulich, a former employee of Tipene Funerals, has pleaded guilty to 14 charges in the Auckland District Court. The charges include two counts of interfering with human remains and 12 counts of obtaining by deception. She is accused of deceiving clients to purchase vaccines for deceased relatives.
3 outlets · Conviction of Whakaari/White Island owners quashed
A High Court judge has quashed the conviction of Whakaari Management Ltd following the 2019 eruption that killed 22 people. The company, owned by brothers Andrew, James, and Peter Buttle, had previously been fined $1.045 million and ordered to pay $4.88 million in reparation.
+37 outlets · Luxon leaves Vietnam without discussing extradition of two officials
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon did not raise the issue of extraditing two Vietnamese officials during his visit to Hanoi. The officials are suspected of indecently assaulting two women at a Wellington restaurant last year, but police cannot charge them as no extradition treaty exists.
4 outlets · Gisborne residents to vote on CBD alcohol licensing rule changes
Gisborne District Council is seeking public input on whether to relax alcohol licensing rules within the CBD. Proposed changes include excluding the CBD from sensitive sites restrictions or allowing exemptions for certain premises. Mayor Rehette Stoltz noted the Local Alcohol Policy remains a significant issue for the community.
3 outlets · One person seriously injured in Auckland bus collision
A person sustained serious injuries after two buses collided at a roundabout in Westmere, Auckland, on Friday afternoon. The crash occurred at the intersection of Garnet and Meola roads, causing significant traffic delays during rush hour.
3 outlets · Drug-resistant ringworm fungus detected in New Zealand
A new strain of drug-resistant fungus, T. indotineae, has been identified in New Zealand. Researchers are alerting doctors to watch for suspicious ringworm infections, as this species is known to be difficult to treat and has spread globally.
3 outlets · Pharmac chief executive Sarah Fitt resigns
Sarah Fitt has resigned as Pharmac chief executive after seven years in the role. The board confirmed her resignation will take effect on 30 May. The decision follows months of pressure and a lack of confidence from the board and Associate Health Minister David Seymour.
+37 outlets · Rachel Haydon appointed as new Orana Wildlife Park chief executive
Orana Wildlife Park has appointed Rachel Haydon, formerly of the National Aquarium of New Zealand, as its new chief executive. She succeeds Lynn Anderson, who resigned last November following investigations into animal welfare and workplace culture. Haydon is expected to begin her role in two months.
3 outlets · Taupō District councillor Anna Park admits to drink driving
Long-serving councillor Anna Park appeared in Auckland District Court on Friday after admitting to drink driving. The charge follows a failed compulsory breath test on Taupō's Control Gate Bridge in November. Through her lawyer, Park stated she takes full responsibility and is deeply sorry for her lapse in judgement.
3 outlets · Firefighters battle Waipoua forest blaze as wind shift is expected
Firefighters are working to contain a fire in Waipoua Forest that has reached approximately 96 hectares. While the blaze is 50 per cent contained, a total fire ban is being imposed across much of Northland. Residents remain evacuated as crews use helicopters and heavy machinery to fight the flames.
2 outlets · Bishop announces changes to council infrastructure funding
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has revealed new rules to help councils finance infrastructure for housing growth. The measures aim to make developments and transport corridors more financially attractive by addressing the costs of sewage lines and local streets.
3 outlets · Dolphin leaps into fishing boat in the Bay of Islands
A 300kg dolphin leapt into a boat near Cape Brett during lunchtime. The encounter knocked one of the three fishermen over, resulting in bruising to his arm.
3 outlets · Woman who gave birth on plane reaches Te Matatini
A woman believed to have given birth on an Air New Zealand flight has arrived at Te Matatini with her newborn daughter. Relatives claim the woman was in labour for 12 hours before boarding and did not inform the crew. The airline has not confirmed the birth but stated a customer received medical attention on board.
2 outlets · Highlanders defeat Moana Pasifika 31-29 in Albany
The Highlanders secured a narrow 31-29 victory over Moana Pasifika at North Harbour Stadium. Despite holding a 31-10 halftime lead, the Highlanders faced a late surge from Moana Pasifika to secure the win.
2 outlets · Department of Conservation searches for shark with rope around tail
A three-metre juvenile great white shark was spotted in Kāwhia Harbour on Wednesday with a rope around its tail. The Department of Conservation has been unable to locate the shark but has a team on standby. Authorities have advised the public not to attempt to remove the rope themselves.
2 outlets · Tāme Iti makes submission on Treaty Principles Bill
Tūhoe activist Tāme Iti joined select committee hearings to submit on the Treaty Principles Bill. He described the government's approach as playing chess with Māori and warned that the legislation causes confusion. Act leader David Seymour stated he has not seen any compelling arguments for the bill's proposed changes.
2 outlets · Man jailed for three years for exploiting elderly woman with dementia
Walter Tamamasui was sentenced at the Christchurch District Court for sexually exploiting a 78-year-old woman. After meeting the woman at a dairy, Tamamasui drove her home and followed her inside to assault her. A victim impact statement was read to the court during the sentencing.
2 outlets · Man arrested for allegedly assaulting a firefighter in Dunedin
A 43-year-old man was arrested at a Dunedin workplace following an incident on 11 February. Police say the man allegedly became irate during a road closure in Caversham and pulled an on-duty firefighter from a truck cab. He has been charged with assault.
2 outlets · Judge orders pause to Tarawera sewerage scheme works
An Environment Court judge has ordered a halt to the Tarawera Sewerage Scheme ahead of an urgent hearing. The pause follows an application by a group protesting the pipeline path near Lake Rotokākahi. The works involve a final 1.3km section of pipeline being constructed by the Rotorua Lakes Council.
2 outlets · Violent crime victimisation rates remain mostly steady according to new data
New Ministry of Justice data shows that victimisation rates for violent offences have remained largely unchanged. This release follows government claims that violent crime had decreased, though the Ministry of Justice uses a different counting method than police and justice ministers.
2 outlets · Mako shark dies after washing up on Sumner Beach
A live mako shark washed up at Scarborough Beach in Sumner on Thursday night. Police were called to the scene, but the Department of Conservation did not respond as the species is not protected. A local resident later found the shark dead.
2 outlets · Dunedin man jailed for posing as child to solicit sexualised content
A 23-year-old Dunedin man has been sentenced to three years in prison for posing as a young person to solicit explicit sexualised content from children. Police are now urging parents and caregivers to remain vigilant and educate themselves to help keep young people safe online.
2 outlets · One person dead after single-vehicle crash near Nuhaka
A person died after their car rolled on Nuhaka Opoutama Road in the Wairoa District on Friday morning. Emergency services responded to the crash near Wai Station Road at approximately 8:50am. Nuhaka Opoutama Road remains closed while police conduct a scene examination.
2 outlets · Police investigate suspicious house fire in Naenae
Police are investigating a house fire on Sladden Street in Naenae that occurred early Tuesday morning. An occupant discovered the front porch ablaze shortly after 3am, and authorities believe the fire was deliberately lit. Police are currently seeking witnesses to assist with their enquiries.
3 outlets · Mission Bay man swims 150km of the Waikato River
Brian Gray completed a 150km swim from Karāpiro to Port Waikato over a single weekend. The swim took 30 hours without breaks, during which Gray experienced navigation issues after mistakenly turning around halfway through the journey.
2 outlets · New Zealand ceases monitoring of Chinese warships near Australia
Defence Minister Judith Collins confirmed that New Zealand has finished monitoring Chinese warships as they travel west through the Great Australian Bight. The vessels are now being tracked by the Australian Defence Force. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has also noted a global shift towards security and increased defence spending.
2 outlets · Meta apologises for Instagram Reels glitch showing graphic content
A technical error on Instagram's Reels page briefly exposed users to violent and graphic videos, including animal attacks and drug overdoses. Meta has apologised for the incident and confirmed that the glitch has been fixed.
2 outlets · Motorcyclist critically injured in South Auckland road crash
A motorcyclist is in critical condition following a collision with a vehicle on Bairds Road in Ōtara. Police were alerted to the incident at 7.28am, resulting in a section of the road being closed. Emergency services remain at the scene.
2 outlets · Two seriously injured in Lower Hutt single-vehicle crash
Two people were taken to hospital with serious injuries following a single-vehicle crash in Lower Hutt early Friday morning. Waiwhetu Road is closed between Naenae Road and Norton Park Avenue while police investigate the incident.
3 outlets · Businessman airlifted to hospital after injury at Great Barrier Island
An award-winning businessman was airlifted to Middlemore Hospital in serious condition after an injury at Medlands Beach over the weekend. The man, who is a contributor to an upcoming Sky TV series, was pulled from the water following the conclusion of filming.
2 outlets · Whanganui prepares to mark 30 years since Pākaitore land reclamation
Hundreds are expected to gather in Whanganui to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Pākaitore land reclamation. Leader Ken Mair says the city's residents and leaders have gained greater awareness of historical actions that harmed hapū and iwi since the 79-day occupation in 1995.
2 outlets · Half a million disabled New Zealanders have unmet needs
New Stats NZ data reveals that one in six New Zealanders live with a disability. The Household Disability Survey found that nearly 500,000 people have at least one unmet need, prompting advocates to call for increased support for those requiring assistance.
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