Police appeal to find Christchurch man missing since December
Police are seeking public assistance to locate 54-year-old Joshua, who has been missing for nearly three months. He was last seen in central Dunedin on 11 December 2024, and his vehicle was later discovered at Larnach Castle. Family members and authorities have expressed serious concerns for his wellbeing.
+15 outlets · One person critically injured in Ruapuna Speedway crash
A person was taken to Christchurch Hospital in critical condition following a single-vehicle sprint car crash at Ruapuna Speedway on Saturday night. The incident occurred at approximately 7pm, resulting in the cancellation of the remainder of the race meeting. Emergency services attended the scene on Hasketts Road.
+15 outlets · Moderate magnitude 4.3 earthquake strikes southwest of Wellington
A magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck approximately 5km southwest of Wellington at around 7.24am on Saturday. The quake occurred at a depth of 27km and was felt across the lower North Island. More than 10,000 people have reported feeling the moderate shaking.
4 outlets · Ex-tropical cyclone Alfred downgraded to tropical low
Tropical cyclone Alfred has been downgraded to a tropical low as it approaches Australia's eastern coast. The system has caused power outages for almost 250,000 homes and businesses in southeast Queensland, with severe weather warnings remaining for parts of Queensland and New South Wales.
3 outlets · Hope residents petition against new industrial zoning plans
A petition with 400 signatures has been presented to the Tasman District Council to oppose proposed light industrial and mixed business zones in Hope. Resident and urban planner Timo Neubauer presented the document on Wednesday to protect the rural community's character.
4 outlets · Man Up protesters disrupt Wellington Pride parade
Between 30 and 40 members of Man Up disrupted the start of the Wellington Pride parade by performing a haka. Police formed a line on Taranaki Street to move the protesters away as the crowd responded by shouting at them. Mayor Tory Whanau praised the quick police response to the disruption.
3 outlets · Moana Pasifika defeat Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific upset
Moana Pasifika secured a 40-31 victory against the Hurricanes at North Harbour Stadium in Albany. Led by captain Ardie Savea, the team achieved an upset win during the fourth round of the competition. The match featured a standout performance from Faiilagi, who scored three tries.
2 outlets · Auckland pushes for increased female representation in governance
A movement to increase female leadership in Auckland is underway to coincide with International Women's Day. While women make up 51 per cent of the population, they hold only 37 per cent of elected positions in Tāmaki Makaurau.
3 outlets · Green Party petitions for visa-free travel for Pacific Island nations
The Green Party is launching a petition to request visa-free travel for visitors from Pacific Island nations. Spokesperson Teanau Tuiono described current entry barriers as unfair and a legacy of racism. The party aims to remove these obstacles for Pacific whānau.
2 outlets · National HPV vaccination programme has significantly reduced cancer rates
A study led by University of Otago associate professor Peter Sykes found that the national HPV vaccination programme has reduced cervical cancer by more than two-thirds. Researchers concluded that the programme's cost and effort have had a marked effect on reducing HPV-related cancer rates.
3 outlets · Christchurch Hospital lacks 120 nurses for safe staffing levels
An internal system shows Christchurch Hospital is short 120 nurses required for safe staffing levels. The Care Capacity Demand Management system indicates the emergency department is missing 25 full-time equivalents, while neurology and neurosurgery wards are short 11 full-time equivalents.
3 outlets · Firefighters to return to Northland scrub fire on Saturday morning
A wildfire in Awarua, south of Kaikohe, destroyed one building and spread across 10 hectares of scrub on Friday. Fire crews established a containment line along Tokowhero Rd, and twenty firefighters are scheduled to return to the scene on Saturday morning.
3 outlets · Motorcyclist dies in Auckland crash at Dairy Flat
A motorcyclist died at the scene following a collision with a vehicle on Postman Rd in Dairy Flat on Saturday evening. Emergency services were called to the incident around 5.30pm. The police serious crash unit is currently investigating the cause of the accident.
2 outlets · Fijian Drua defeat unbeaten Chiefs in Lautoka upset
The Fijian Drua secured a 28-24 victory over the Chiefs at Churchill Park in Lautoka. After trailing 12-6 at halftime, the Drua staged a second-half rally to end the Chiefs' unbeaten start to the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
2 outlets · Neil Gaiman asks US court to move sexual assault lawsuit to New Zealand
British author Neil Gaiman has requested a US court to dismiss a lawsuit alleging rape and sexual assault. Gaiman denies the claims, which involve allegations from Scarlett Pavlovich regarding incidents on Waiheke Island in 2022. He argues that New Zealand is the appropriate forum for the case.
2 outlets · Christchurch teenager sentenced for threatening infant with kitchen knife
A 19-year-old man has been sentenced after threatening a five-month-old baby with a 30-centimetre kitchen knife. The incident occurred during a Snapchat call with the infant's mother at the man's address last June.
2 outlets · Auckland's Pasifika Festival begins at Western Springs Park
The 33rd annual Pasifika Festival is currently underway at Western Springs. Despite damp weather on the first day, the event features eight villages showcasing various cultures through performances, workshops, and poetry.
2 outlets · Petition launched for mandatory police body cameras following death in custody
Family and friends of Faasala Sam Matue are calling for mandatory police body cameras after the 45-year-old died following an incident at Ōrere Point. Relatives allege Matue was subjected to extensive assault, including being tasered and pepper sprayed, during a confrontation with officers in south Auckland.
2 outlets · One person dies in single-vehicle crash in the Far North
A person died at the scene following a single-vehicle crash on SH10 near Waipapa on Friday night. Emergency services were called to the incident around 9.40pm. The Serious Crash Unit has examined the scene and inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.
2 outlets · Northland farmers welcome government drought declaration
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has declared droughts in Northland, Waikato, Horizons, and Marlborough-Tasman. Some Northland farmers describe local conditions as dire and are responding by milking stock once a day or sending them to works early.
2 outlets · Blues face injury concerns after loss to Brumbies
The Blues suffered their third loss of the Super Rugby Pacific season during a narrow 21-20 defeat to the Brumbies in Auckland. Beauden Barrett was forced from the field due to a hand injury and will undergo an X-ray. The team has now won only one of its first four matches.
2 outlets · Government announces plan to grow aquaculture industry to $3b a year
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has launched the New Zealand Aquaculture Development Plan 2025–2030. Announced at a festival in Marlborough, the initiative aims to expand the marine industry and create regional jobs to reach a $3 billion annual value.
2 outlets · Chris Stapleton performs to sold-out crowd at Auckland's Spark Arena
US country music singer Chris Stapleton performed at a sold-out Spark Arena in Auckland. This performance marks the first of two scheduled concerts for the artist in the city.
2 outlets · Labour preparing for potential snap election
Chris Hipkins says the Labour Party is working on contingency plans for a snap election. The party is currently setting up campaign operations and searching for a new campaign manager to prepare for the 2026 election.
2 outlets · International firms to attend Auckland investment summit
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will host an investment summit in Auckland next week. The event aims to attract capital for government projects and encourage partnerships between New Zealand firms and international investors. Representatives from major global banks and investment firms are expected to attend.
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