Firefighters battle large industrial blaze in Frankton, Hamilton
Fire and Emergency crews responded to a large fire at a commercial building on Ellis Street in Frankton around 11.30am on Monday. Approximately 35 firefighters and 12 trucks attended the scene, which is believed to be a mechanic's workshop. Witnesses reported hearing loud bangs as the blaze sent black smoke over the city.
+15 outlets · Mother in critical condition after being trapped in car wreck
Hope Hoyland was found trapped in her car for approximately 36 hours after crashing down a bank near Murchison. She was airlifted to Wellington Hospital with critical injuries and has been placed into an induced coma.
+26 outlets · Homicide investigation launched after man dies in Mairehau
Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of a man in Christchurch on Sunday night. Emergency services were called to an address on Innes Road in Mairehau around 9.15pm, where a man was found with critical injuries. Despite receiving urgent treatment, the man died at the scene.
+26 outlets · Wellington Water board chair unlikely to resign after extraordinary meeting
Wellington Water board chairperson Nick Leggett is expected to remain in his role following an extraordinary meeting with shareholding councils. The meeting addressed two recent reports regarding the entity's organisational structure and spending. Leggett's position was supported by the chief executive during the discussions.
4 outlets · Permit to kill protected species at Mt Messenger ruled unlawful
The High Court has ruled that a Department of Conservation permit allowing NZTA Waka Kotahi to kill protected wildlife was unlawful. The permit covered species including kiwi, bats, and Archey's frog at the Mt Messenger bypass site in Taranaki. The ruling will not stop the construction of the bypass.
+26 outlets · Three people hospitalised in Wairarapa after taking suspected cocaine
Three people were hospitalised in Tinui over the weekend after ingesting a substance they believed was cocaine. Police are investigating the incident, and the substance is believed to have been an opioid. The individuals received treatment and are expected to make a full recovery.
4 outlets · Andrew Bayly takes leave from Parliament to trek Mount Everest
Former minister Andrew Bayly has taken two weeks of leave to trek to Mount Everest's base camp in Nepal. Bayly recently stepped down from his ministerial portfolios following an incident where he grabbed a staffer's arm. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon approved the absence to allow the MP to clear his head.
+15 outlets · Greyhound dies after winning race at Addington Raceway
Homebush Milo collapsed and died after winning a race at Christchurch's Addington Raceway on Friday. This is the fourth greyhound to die at a race since the government announced a ban on the industry in December.
4 outlets · Rangitikei farmer jailed for neglect of sheep and lambs
Peter James Valentine has been sentenced to 28 months in prison and banned indefinitely from owning animals. The Taihape District Court ruling follows inspectors finding dead lambs and others suffering from parasites, emaciation, and flystrike on his property.
4 outlets · Methamphetamine and $100,000 cash seized in Hawke's Bay
Police arrested a 56-year-old man following an armed vehicle stop on State Highway 50 near Tikokino last Friday. A subsequent search of an address led to the seizure of 680g of methamphetamine, approximately $100,000 in cash, and a stolen e-bike. The man is now in custody facing several charges.
4 outlets · Auckland landlords ordered to pay compensation after unlawful evictions
Two landlords have been ordered to pay $25,900 to tenants in Māngere after they were unlawfully evicted for complaining about poor housing conditions. The Tenancy Tribunal found the properties had issues including sewage drainage problems and faulty smoke alarms. The landlords were also issued a six-year restraining order.
4 outlets · Winston Peters to visit United States for high-level talks
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters will travel to New York and Washington DC this week. He is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, members of the Trump administration, and senior United Nations representatives to discuss international affairs.
4 outlets · Health warning issued after spike in legionnaires' disease cases
Health New Zealand has issued a warning to spa pool owners following a rise in legionnaires' disease cases. There were 10 cases recorded in the year to March 2025, with eight strongly linked to contaminated spa pool water. This is an increase from three cases during the same period last year.
+48 outlets · Over 300 people sign up for Whanganui citizens’ assembly
More than 300 residents have applied to join Whanganui District Council's first citizens' assembly. The paid volunteers will debate the future of outdoor swimming in the district. Registrations remain open until midnight on Sunday, 16 March.
3 outlets · Christopher Luxon to visit India with large delegation next week
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Delhi and Mumbai on 15 March to meet Narendra Modi. The trip aims to strengthen trade and security ties, including a commitment to secure a free-trade deal. Luxon will be accompanied by a large delegation and will address the Raisina Dialogue forum.
3 outlets · Water restored in Mt Cook after major outage
Water has been restored to the Wellington suburb of Mt Cook following a major outage on Monday afternoon. Wellington Water suspects a burst pipe caused a large amount of water to drain from a reservoir. The outage, which began around 12.30pm, affected many residents in the area.
3 outlets · Former High Court judge and Pike River lawyer Nicholas Davidson dies
Nicholas Davidson, KC, has died peacefully at home aged 76. His 50-year legal career included work on the Winebox Inquiry, Gloriavale, and representing Pike River families. He was a former High Court judge and Queen's Counsel.
3 outlets · Teen accused of Dunedin bus hub murder adopted gangster persona
A 14-year-old boy is on trial in the Dunedin High Court for the murder of 16-year-old Enere Taana-McLaren. A forensic psychologist testified that the defendant adopted "gangster ways" and referenced the Mongrel Mob while in a youth justice facility due to fear.
3 outlets · Labour overtakes National in latest Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll
The Labour Party has moved ahead of National in a new poll conducted in early March. Chris Hipkins has also overtaken Christopher Luxon as the preferred prime minister. The results suggest the centre-left bloc would have enough support to form a government if an election were held today.
4 outlets · Hutt Road blocked after bus and vehicle crash near Petone
A two-vehicle crash involving a bus occurred on the southbound lanes of the Petone overbridge on Monday morning. The incident, reported at approximately 10.20am, caused lanes heading into the city to be blocked. No injuries were reported and the road has since been cleared.
3 outlets · Sprint car driver in stable condition after Christchurch speedway crash
A driver is in serious but stable condition after a sprint car crashed and caught fire at Ruapuna Speedway on Saturday. The individual underwent surgery for critical injuries and burns before being flown to Middlemore Hospital in Auckland. An investigation into the incident has been launched.
3 outlets · Student arrested after alleged assault near Napier high school
A student has been taken into custody following an alleged assault on Morris Spence Ave in Onekawa on Monday morning. Another student was hospitalised in serious condition after the incident occurred near William Colenso College. Emergency services were called to the scene around 8:20am.
3 outlets · Frankton School lockdown during police operation in Hamilton
Frankton School and a nearby early childhood centre were placed in lockdown on Monday morning. Police conducted a pre-planned operation at a local address, which included an Armed Offenders Squad and street cordons. Authorities have since arrested one person following the incident.
3 outlets · Christchurch man sentenced for sending explicit messages to undercover officer
Hamish Campbell-Stenning, a 25-year-old registered sex offender, has been sentenced for sending explicit photos and messages via Snapchat. He believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl, but the individual was actually an undercover police officer. The messages were sent over a period of four days.
3 outlets · Ex-cyclone Alfred causes heavy rain and flooding in Queensland and NSW
Ex-tropical cyclone Alfred has brought heavy rainfall to Queensland and New South Wales, resulting in power outages for approximately 240,000 homes and businesses. One person has died in northern NSW, and thirteen people were injured in a military truck crash near Lismore.
3 outlets · Family fundraising to return Sam Matue's body to Australia
Relatives of Fa'asala Sam Matue are working to bring his body from Auckland to Brisbane for burial. Matue died after being Tasered and pepper-sprayed during a confrontation with police at Ōrere Point. The family is currently waiting for official documents, including the cause of death, to facilitate travel.
3 outlets · Chris Hipkins overtakes Christopher Luxon in latest preferred prime minister poll
The latest Taxpayers Union-Curia poll shows Labour at 34.1% and National at 33.6%, with Chris Hipkins leading Christopher Luxon as preferred prime minister. The Prime Minister stated he is focused on New Zealanders rather than the polling results.
2 outlets · Whānau Ora contract changes spark fears of job losses
Agencies say up to 1,000 jobs are at risk following the renegotiation of Whānau Ora commissioning contracts. While providers describe the changes as a destruction of the programme, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has denied the move is a political hit job.
2 outlets · Investors invited to register interest for first Northland Expressway stage
Transport Minister Chris Bishop has announced that registrations of interest for the first stage of the Northland Expressway will open this week. The 26km project between Warkworth and Te Hana will feature a four-lane road and an 850m twin-bore tunnel through Dome Valley.
2 outlets · Rosey Heurea faces multiple charges including theft and aggravated assault
Rosey Heurea appeared in Hamilton District Court facing 22 theft charges and several other offences. The charges include aggravated assault and possession of an offensive weapon. During one incident, Heurea allegedly threatened to stab a staff member while stealing clothing from a Hamilton store.
2 outlets · ANZ defends $2.1 billion profit during parliamentary inquiry
ANZ chief executive Antonia Watson has defended the bank's $2.1 billion annual profit as a fair return for shareholders. The bank's leadership appeared before MPs as a parliamentary inquiry into banking competition continues.
2 outlets · Hamilton bar House on Hood reinstates age restriction for Saturday nights
House on Hood in Hamilton has banned patrons under the age of 20 on Saturday nights. Lawrenson Group chief executive John Lawrenson said the decision follows thousands of dollars in damage and behaviour that affects older customers. The venue had previously lowered its entry age to 18 last year.
2 outlets · School lunch provider must provide daily evidence of food quality
Food Safety New Zealand is investigating the government's school lunch programme following an incident where a Gisborne student suffered second-degree burns from a Wattie's cottage pie. As a result, the provider must now meet new performance measures, including submitting daily visual proof of the meals being served.
2 outlets · One Restore Passenger Rail protester found not guilty
A jury has acquitted Andrew Sutherland of endangering transport during 2022 Wellington traffic protests. Deliberations are ongoing to determine the verdicts for the three other men involved in the Restore Passenger Rail demonstrations.
2 outlets · Health NZ breached patient rights after man died of sepsis
A man in his 50s died at Auckland City Hospital following delays in his treatment for sepsis. Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Vanessa Caldwell found that Health NZ failed to recognise and escalate his care, even after his daughter raised concerns. Health NZ has apologised to the family.
3 outlets · Fonterra increases forecast earnings by up to 25 per cent
The dairy cooperative has raised its earnings guidance for the year ending in July. Full year earnings are now expected to be between 55 and 75 cents per share, compared to the previous forecast of 40 to 60 cents. High milk prices may also lead to record profits for dairy farmers.
2 outlets · Auckland Council urges government action as homelessness rises
Auckland Council's Community Committee has sent a letter to the Government following a 53 per cent increase in people sleeping rough over four months. Support agencies report significantly higher demand for services, with staff noting increased pressure and vulnerability among those experiencing homelessness.
4 outlets · Cancer patient seeks lung transplant after botched surgery
Ian Tollemache is seeking a lung transplant after a surgeon removed the wrong part of his lung during surgery. The 65-year-old believes the health system owes him a transplant but says he cannot get on the transplant list.
2 outlets · Rare white weka spotted at West Coast campground
A rare white weka was discovered at the Gentle Annie Seaside Accommodation and Camping Ground in Mokihinui. The bird was spotted by a man mowing the lawn and has since been confirmed as a weka by the Department of Conservation.
2 outlets · Parent outraged by optional $10,000 fee at Whanganui Collegiate
A Waikato man has expressed frustration over an optional $10,000 charge at Whanganui Collegiate, one of New Zealand's most expensive integrated state schools. The fee covers the use of boarding and other facilities owned by the school's proprietor. This charge is separate from the compulsory attendance dues required by integrated schools.
3 outlets · Nearly 30 European countries to introduce electronic travel authorities
Almost 30 European nations will require travellers to complete online electronic travel authority applications starting next year. An aviation commentator has expressed concerns regarding the increasing administrative burden and the sharing of private information with foreign governments.
2 outlets · Dispute over proposal to turn Takapuna Golf Course into catchment area
Auckland Council plans to convert the public Takapuna Golf Course into a multi-purpose green space to act as a floodwater catchment. Current leaseholders are opposing the proposal, suggesting there are better ways to manage the city's increasing flood risks.
2 outlets · Large wasp nests increasing due to warm weather
Warm weather has caused a significant increase in the size of wasp nests. One nest removed from a Nelson property was reported to contain thousands of workers.
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