Phil Goff removed as UK High Commissioner over Trump comments
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has declared Phil Goff's position as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom untenable. The decision follows remarks Goff made at a Chatham House event questioning US President Donald Trump's understanding of history. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been asked to manage the transition.
+26 outlets · Bowel cancer screening eligibility age lowered to 58
Health Minister Simeon Brown announced the eligibility age for free bowel cancer screening will drop from 60 to 58. The move will make an additional 122,000 New Zealanders eligible in the first year. Funding for the initiative will be redirected from money previously set aside to lower eligibility ages for Māori and Pacific people.
+48 outlets · Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr resigns unexpectedly
Adrian Orr has resigned from his position as Reserve Bank governor, effective immediately. Deputy governor Christian Hawkesby has been appointed to lead the bank in an acting capacity. While the reasons for the sudden departure remain unclear, the search for a permanent replacement has commenced.
4 outlets · Police search for man wanted for robbery and escaping custody
Police are searching for 25-year-old Rawiri Cave in Auckland and Counties Manukau. He is wanted in connection with several incidents, including aggravated robbery and escaping custody. Cave is described as having long hair, often worn in a top knot, and tā moko tattoos.
4 outlets · Man charged after five-month-old baby suffered head injuries in Dargaville
A 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The charge follows an investigation into serious head injuries sustained by a five-month-old baby in Dargaville on 28 December. The infant was treated at Dargaville, Whangārei, and Starship hospitals.
4 outlets · Police intensify search for woman missing from Dunedin
Police are searching for 65-year-old Penelope, who failed to board a flight to Taupō last Saturday. Inquiries suggest she may have travelled to the Otago Peninsula area. Authorities have released CCTV footage of her near Sandfly Bay as the search continues.
4 outlets · Magnitude 5.1 earthquake strikes north Canterbury
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck north Canterbury at 6.45am on Thursday. GeoNet reported the quake was centred 35km west of Culverden, with depths estimated between 5km and 7km. Shaking was felt as far as the West Coast and was described by GeoNet as light.
+15 outlets · New lead emerges in 1998 David Robinson murder investigation
Police are investigating a new eyewitness account regarding the 1998 murder of David Robinson on the West Coast. The lead involves a sighting of Robinson in Kakapotahi and a potential link to a green 4x4 vehicle. This development follows the reopening of the 26-year-old cold case last month.
+15 outlets · Teenager accused of Dunedin bus hub murder describes stabbing incident
A 14-year-old boy told the Dunedin High Court he was swinging a knife wildly to drive a victim away during a confrontation last May. The defendant, who has name suppression, claims he did not intend to hurt 16-year-old Enere Taana-McLaren. The Crown argues the teenager chose to confront the victim after being called names.
4 outlets · Billionaire seeks to replace NZME board after buying 9% stake
Canadian billionaire Jim Grenon has proposed removing all current directors at NZME. Grenon, who holds a 9.3% stake, intends to appoint four new directors, including himself. The union representing NZME journalists has expressed deep concern regarding the proposed board overhaul.
4 outlets · Millions brace for Tropical Cyclone Alfred on Australia's east coast
Millions of people in Queensland and New South Wales are preparing for category two Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The storm has stalled off the coast, with landfall expected near Brisbane by Friday evening. Authorities have closed airports, schools, and public transport as residents stockpile supplies.
3 outlets · Salvage crews finish removing fuel from sunken HMNZS Manawanui
The Defence Force has completed the removal of diesel fuel and other pollutants from the sunken HMNZS Manawanui off Samoa. Salvors extracted over 320,000 litres of diesel fuel and 45,000 litres of waste oils. A precautionary fishing zone has been lifted as crews shift focus to removing equipment and debris.
4 outlets · Minister considers intervention as calls grow for Wellington Water chair to resign
Local Government Minister Simon Watts is seeking advice on potential Government intervention in Wellington Water. Meanwhile, Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau and several councillors have requested that chairperson Nick Leggett resign following reports of high unplanned maintenance spending. Leggett stated he is currently considering his position.
+37 outlets · Customs seize over 36kg of methamphetamine at Auckland Airport
Customs officers discovered more than 36kg of methamphetamine inside two unaccompanied bags arriving from Los Angeles on Wednesday. The vacuum-sealed parcels were found during an inspection at Auckland International Airport. The drugs have an estimated street value of up to $13.5 million.
3 outlets · Whangārei bus route changed after repeated rock-throwing incidents
A bus route in the Whangārei suburb of Ōtangarei has been temporarily rerouted following several incidents of rocks being thrown at vehicles. Northland Regional Council says the rock-throwing has smashed bus windows on Matai Street, causing damage and putting drivers and passengers at risk.
3 outlets · Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran to resign
Greg Foran has announced his resignation as Air New Zealand chief executive. He has held the position for five years and is expected to leave the airline on 20 October.
3 outlets · Police investigate death of man at Wairoa property
Police are investigating the unexplained death of a man at a Lucknow Street address in Wairoa. Emergency services were called to the scene around 4pm on Wednesday after the man was found unresponsive. A scene investigation and post-mortem examination were scheduled to begin on Thursday.
3 outlets · Wellington property values see slight increase after months of decline
Wellington region property values rose by 0.1% in February, marking the first increase in 11 months. This follows a period of consistent monthly declines. Nationally, property values grew by 0.3% during the same period, according to CoreLogic data.
3 outlets · Simeon Brown appointed gas lobbyist to energy board against official advice
Former Energy Minister Simeon Brown appointed John Carnegie to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority board in December. Documents show Brown personally added the fossil fuel lobbyist to the candidate shortlist and overrode official advice to appoint him, despite officials twice attempting to exclude him from the process.
4 outlets · Auckland councillor Alf Filipaina to step down from council
Manukau Ward councillor Alf Filipaina has announced he will not seek re-election to Auckland Council. Having served in local government since 2003, he intends to pursue a local board seat in Māngere-Ōtāhuhu. His future role depends on selection and election processes.
3 outlets · Wellington Pride festival to proceed despite potential protests
Organisers of the Wellington Pride festival plan to proceed with celebrations this month despite previous disruptions at events in Auckland and Christchurch. The upcoming parade on March 8 is expected to be the largest yet, featuring over 1,360 participants and 58 floats.
3 outlets · Cyclone Alfred expected to make landfall in Queensland on Saturday morning
Tropical Cyclone Alfred has stalled off the Queensland coast and is now forecast to make landfall in the early hours of Saturday. The Bureau of Meteorology warns of potential 150km/h winds and life-threatening flash floods. Some supermarkets in south-east Queensland have already closed as the storm approaches.
2 outlets · Tongan family fights deportation order to remain in New Zealand
An Auckland family is pleading with the associate immigration minister to allow them to stay in the country. Tina Vea'ila remains in New Zealand with her two sons after her husband was deported, while her eldest son is seriously ill and unable to travel.
3 outlets · Surgeries and appointments deferred at Greenlane Clinical Centre after power outage
A water leak damaged circuit boards in Building 4 of Auckland's Greenlane Clinical Centre, causing a widespread power outage. Approximately 50 surgeries and 85 outpatient appointments were deferred on Wednesday. Health New Zealand is contacting affected patients to arrange reappointments.
+26 outlets · Five Vietnamese nationals jailed for Kaipara cannabis cultivation
Five Vietnamese men have been sentenced in the Whangārei District Court for their roles in a cannabis grow operation in Kaipara. The operation had an estimated yield of $3 million. The defendants claimed they were deceived into participating in the cultivation.
3 outlets · Police investigating unexplained death of 73-year-old Wairoa man
Christopher Durdy was found unresponsive at a Lucknow Street address in Wairoa on Wednesday afternoon. Police are treating the death as unexplained. He was described by family as a kind and generous man.
2 outlets · New Zealanders spent 24 million hours on hold last year
A new customer service report found that New Zealanders collectively spent 24 million hours waiting on hold last year. ServiceNow reported that customers are dealing with outdated technology and old ways of thinking.
2 outlets · Gisborne student hospitalised after hot school lunch burns leg
A student at Ilminster Intermediate School in Gisborne suffered second-degree burns on Thursday. The injury occurred when hot lunch packaging broke, causing the contents to splatter onto the student's leg. The school principal stated the lunches arrived hot and had burnt the packaging.
2 outlets · Singaporean military vehicles spotted on Wellington waterfront
A row of Singapore Armed Forces tanks and trucks was seen at the Port of Wellington. The vehicles are waiting to board a ship following an annual training exercise at the Waiouru military camp.
3 outlets · Jury deliberating on climate protesters' highway disruption in Wellington
Four members of Restore Passenger Rail are on trial in the Wellington District Court for endangering transport. The jury must decide if the group's actions, which involved stopping rush-hour highway traffic, were a reasonable response to the climate crisis.
2 outlets · Health NZ apologises to survivor over ignored sculpture complaint
Health New Zealand has apologised to a woman who was sexually abused by the late artist John Middleditch. The apology follows the discovery that her 2012 complaint regarding his sculpture at Dunedin Hospital was ignored. A recent complaint has led to the artwork's removal.
2 outlets · Hamilton mother sentenced to home detention after toddler found wandering
A 33-year-old Hamilton woman has been sentenced to one year of home detention. The sentence follows the discovery of her two-year-old child wandering alone and partially naked in a cold Hamilton street. The toddler was found by a member of the public and was in a soiled and unkempt state.
3 outlets · Child dies following driveway incident in Northland
A child has died following an incident on a driveway in the Whangaroa area on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred around 4.20pm on Pupuke-Mangapa Road. Although the child was taken to a nearby medical centre, they could not be saved, according to police.
2 outlets · Rubbish fire caused 100ha Waipoua River blaze
An out-of-control rubbish fire caused a blaze that burned through 100 hectares of scrub and pine in Northland. The fire threatened over 20 homes in the Waipoua settlement, forcing residents to evacuate last week.
2 outlets · Police seek help identifying man linked to Auckland City investigation
Auckland City CIB detectives are asking for the public's assistance to identify a man featured in footage. The man is wanted for questioning regarding a sensitive incident that took place in Auckland City last year. Police are encouraging the individual to contact investigators directly.
2 outlets · Lyttelton Port workers warn job cuts could lead to more deaths
Union representatives are warning that a proposal to disestablish 35 positions at Lyttelton Port could result in more fatalities. While workers have urged the city council to intervene, the Lyttelton Port Company claims the changes will improve health and safety.
2 outlets · Inland Revenue to continue security calls despite scam concerns
Inland Revenue will continue calling customers to discuss improving myIR account security. The department began making these calls in January regarding two-step verification. Some customers have expressed concerns that the calls resemble scams.
2 outlets · Judge criticises Ministry of Health over care for autistic man
An autistic man detained under the Intellectual Disability Compulsory Care Act has spent four years mostly in seclusion at Auckland's Mason Clinic. A judge criticised the Ministry of Health as the man recently had to use paper to block distressing construction noise from his unit.
+26 outlets · One source of Ōpōtiki odour fixed but complaints continue
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has identified and rectified an odour source at a mussel factory's wastewater treatment tank. Despite this, residents continue to report bad smells, with 32 complaints filed since December 18.
+15 outlets · Police investigate threatening emails sent to Rolleston College
Police are investigating a series of threatening emails sent to Rolleston College in the Selwyn District on Wednesday. While the messages included threats of violence, police have stated there is no current threat to the school, which remained open on Thursday.
3 outlets · OceanaGold lodges fast-track application for Waihī North Project
OceanaGold has submitted a fast-track application for the Wharekirauponga underground mine. The company expects to be fully permitted by the end of 2025, with underground mining work potentially starting early next year.
2 outlets · Hawke’s Bay Regional Council proposes $225 million water storage facility
The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has announced plans for a 27 million cubic metre water storage facility on a Ngāruroro River tributary. Known as the Tukituki Water Security Project, the proposed development is estimated to cost $225 million, though council chairwoman Hinewai Ormsby noted these figures are preliminary.
3 outlets · Motorists asked to be patient with new Bombay interchange traffic lights
New traffic lights were activated on 27 February at the Bombay interchange on Mill Road. The installation follows five months of work aimed at addressing safety concerns near the BP service centre. Drivers have reported traffic congestion as they adjust to the new road layout.
2 outlets · University of Waikato secures 99-year lease for Tauranga marine facility
The University of Waikato will pay nearly $1.4 million for a 99-year lease on part of a Tauranga reserve. The university plans to build a marine research and education facility at Sulphur Point. The lease agreement was signed in July last year.
3 outlets · Man admits to fatal bus stop attack in Māngere
Jayden Antonio Cook has admitted to a drunken attack at a Māngere bus stop in October 2023. Cook allegedly used boxing-style punches against a group after consuming alcohol and cannabis. The attack resulted in the death of a 60-year-old man in hospital and injuries to two others.
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