School lunch provider Libelle Group enters liquidation
Libelle Group, a provider for the Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches programme, has been placed into liquidation. The company was contracted to deliver approximately 125,000 meals daily via Compass Group. Associate Education Minister David Seymour stated that the liquidation should not materially impact the provision of school lunches.
+15 outlets · Chris Seed to replace Phil Goff as acting High Commissioner in London
Retired diplomat Chris Seed will travel to London next week to serve as acting High Commissioner. He replaces Phil Goff, who was sacked by Foreign Minister Winston Peters following remarks made about Donald Trump at a London event.
+48 outlets · Police investigate Frankton industrial building fire as arson
Police are investigating an arson after a large fire broke out at Frankton Motor WOF and Car Repair Panel Beater on Ellis Street. Emergency services responded to the Monday morning blaze, which required 35 firefighters and 12 appliances to extinguish. No injuries were reported.
+15 outlets · Man arrested after electric vehicles vandalised in Auckland suburbs
A man is in police custody following reports of multiple electric vehicles being vandalised with spray paint. The targeted Teslas and Polestars were located in suburbs including Ponsonby, Grey Lynn, and Mt Eden. Police have received six reports of wilful damage related to the incidents.
4 outlets · Commerce Commission files criminal charges against HelloFresh New Zealand
The Commerce Commission has filed criminal charges against HelloFresh New Zealand for allegedly breaching the Fair Trading Act. The regulator claims the company misled former customers during cold calls by failing to clarify that accepting discount vouchers would reactivate their subscriptions.
+15 outlets · Businessman Ron Brierley faces new child abuse material charges
The 87-year-old former knight has been arrested by New South Wales Police and charged with three counts of possessing child abuse material. Following his appearance at Waverley Local Court in Sydney, Brierley was granted bail.
4 outlets · Police investigate December death in Pukekohe as homicide
Police are investigating the death of 48-year-old Donnie Houben as a homicide. Mr Houben was found dead at a gang-associated property on Times Place in Pukekohe on 30 December 2024. Authorities had previously been treating the circumstances as suspicious.
4 outlets · Homicide investigation launched after man dies following Palmerston North assault
Police have launched a homicide investigation after a man died following an assault in Hokowhitu, Palmerston North, on Tuesday morning. Emergency services were called to Te Awe Awe Street just after 8am, where the man was found critically injured. One person has been arrested in connection with the incident.
4 outlets · Prime Minister criticises Wellington councils over missed regional deal proposal
Christopher Luxon described Wellington councils as "pretty lame-o" after they failed to submit a proposal for a 10-year regional deal. Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau responded by calling the Prime Minister's comments "poor form" and stated the councils remain determined to get the process right.
3 outlets · Police name man killed at Mairehau social housing complex
Tyrone Munns, 39, died on Sunday night after being found with critical injuries at an Innes Road address in Mairehau. Police have launched a homicide investigation into the incident. Authorities are now appealing for information to help determine the events leading up to his death.
3 outlets · Police investigate video of youths attacking man outside West Auckland mall
Police are investigating a violent incident outside a West Auckland shopping mall where a man was allegedly beaten. Viral footage shows at least 10 youths kicking the man while he lay on the ground. The assault reportedly occurred around 8pm on 7 March.
3 outlets · Privileges Committee to hold hearing over haka in Parliament
Parliament's Privileges Committee is preparing a public hearing regarding a haka performed during the Treaty Principles Bill reading. The committee is considering whether Labour MP Peeni Henare and three Te Pāti Māori MPs breached parliamentary rules. Henare is scheduled to appear for a 30-minute hearing on Wednesday evening.
3 outlets · Coroner finds Sandy Calkin's drowning may have been preventable
A coroner has ruled that inadequate safety measures on Wellington's waterfront may have contributed to the drowning of 30-year-old Sandy Calkin. The report suggests the death could have been avoided if the Wellington City Council had investigated previous accidents and followed expert advice. Calkin's body was found in the harbour after he fell from Queens Wharf.
4 outlets · Prominent Dunedin man pleads not guilty to six sexual charges
A man in his 30s appeared in Dunedin District Court on Tuesday, pleading not guilty to one charge of rape and five of unlawful sexual connections. The alleged incidents occurred on 8 December. The man was granted interim suppression of his name, occupation, and employer.
3 outlets · Kathmandu to design New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games uniforms
Christchurch-based clothing brand Kathmandu has signed a four-year partnership with the New Zealand Team. The company will design and produce training, village, and ceremony kit for future Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes.
+15 outlets · Christchurch rhythmic gymnastics coach receives six-week suspension
Elena Mesheryakova has been suspended from coaching for six weeks following a complaint made in June last year. The Gymnastics New Zealand Sport Integrity Unit issued the suspension, which is expected to end in April.
3 outlets · NZTA to consult on speed limit increases in Nelson suburb
The New Zealand Transport Agency has confirmed it will consult the community regarding proposed speed limit increases on State Highway 6. The plan to return certain sections near Marybank to 80km/h has faced opposition from residents who wish to maintain the current 60km/h limit.
4 outlets · Marlborough bus fares could increase by 20 per cent
A proposal to raise bus fares in Marlborough has been approved by the council's assets and services committee. The suggested 20 per cent increase aims to address rising maintenance costs, inflation, and fuel price fluctuations. This would be the first fare hike since the Blenheim service began 20 years ago.
3 outlets · Kaikōura tourism sector booming despite economic uncertainty
Kaikōura's tourism industry is experiencing growth despite economic uncertainty and average summer weather, according to Destination Kaikōura chairperson Lynette Buurman. New business opportunities are emerging following the district's international dark sky sanctuary status, while the Whale Trail pathway continues development.
3 outlets · Union says private health plan faces surgeon shortages
The senior doctors' union says the Health Minister is unlikely to meet his goal of completing 10,000 extra elective surgeries by June. This follows a plan to partner with the private sector to address public health system issues.
2 outlets · Police investigate suspected homicide in Christchurch
Police have launched a homicide investigation after 39-year-old Tyrone Munns died from critical injuries on Sunday evening. Emergency services attended the scene at a block of flats on Innes Road in Mairehau. Authorities are now appealing for information from the public regarding the incident.
3 outlets · Man attacked during violent robbery at his East Auckland home
Ray Chen, 43, was assaulted by a group of six people while pulling into his driveway in Flatbush last Wednesday night. The victim, who recently moved to New Zealand, was punched and chased with a baseball bat. CCTV footage captured the incident occurring around 10pm.
2 outlets · Couple on trial for Stokes Valley birthday party shootings
A couple is facing trial in the Wellington High Court for the murder and attempted murder of two men at a 50th birthday party in 2023. The defendants, who have name suppression, deny all charges. The Crown alleges the pair fled Wellington, leaving their child behind, following the incident in Stokes Valley.
2 outlets · Auckland school lunch provider Libelle Group enters liquidation
Liquidators have taken control of Libelle Group after the school lunch provider failed. The company has been struggling financially for months and owes money to various suppliers and 500 staff members. However, wages for employees will be paid in the interim.
2 outlets · Police seek witnesses after aggravated robbery in Raglan
Waikato Police are investigating an aggravated robbery that occurred on Bow Street in Raglan in the early hours of 28 February. Authorities are searching for a man in a grey hoodie who was picked up by a dark-coloured sedan following the incident.
2 outlets · Offshore companies expected to lead new online gambling market
Foreign firms are predicted to dominate New Zealand's internet gambling market as the government begins auctioning online casino licences. Local operators expressed concerns that these companies will capture market share and reduce the community grants typically distributed from gambling profits.
4 outlets · Manslaughter trial begins for man after partner jumped from moving car
A man is facing manslaughter charges after his partner fatally jumped from a moving vehicle in Māngere. The Crown alleges the woman jumped due to fear of a sustained beating, while the defendant claims a disagreement over spilled fried rice led to the incident.
2 outlets · Man charged after police raid Levin property
A 22-year-old man faces multiple drug and firearms charges following a police raid on a Levin property on Wednesday. Officers seized 30 grams of methamphetamine, 200 rounds of ammunition, and $23,000 in cash. The individual is charged with selling and supplying methamphetamine and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
3 outlets · Police search for missing 15-year-old boy in South Auckland
Police are seeking public assistance to find Giovanni, a 15-year-old boy missing from the Manukau area. He was last seen in Māngere on Sunday evening. He is described as being approximately 180cm tall with black hair and green eyes.
2 outlets · Advice for KiwiSaver investors following NZX market decline
The NZX opened lower on Tuesday following global market volatility linked to US President Donald Trump. Investors concerned about their KiwiSaver balances are advised to check their risk profiles against their specific fund types.
2 outlets · Falling insurance cover could impact the wider economy
Industry leaders at a conference warned that more homes could become uninsurable as companies move towards individual risk ratings. This trend could cause property values to drop, potentially harming the entire economy.
2 outlets · Luxon denies stricter emergency housing rules caused more homelessness
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has rejected claims that tighter emergency housing criteria have increased homelessness. This follows a letter from Auckland Council's Community Committee, which reported a 53 per cent rise in people sleeping rough in the city over a four-month period.
+15 outlets · Michael Bracewell to captain Black Caps in T20 series against Pakistan
Michael Bracewell will lead the Black Caps for the upcoming five-match T20 series against Pakistan. Several frontline players, including Mitchell Santner, Devon Conway, and Rachin Ravindra, are unavailable due to IPL commitments. The squad also sees the return of Finn Allen, Jimmy Neesham, and Tim Seifert.
2 outlets · Coroner highlights driving risks after Riverton crash kills mother
A coroner has ruled that Raeann Cynthia Cook should not have been driving after she suffered a seizure behind the wheel. The 2021 crash in Riverton killed the young mother and prompted warnings regarding the dangers of driving without epilepsy medication.
2 outlets · Whangārei fluoridation meeting postponed after failed vote for closed session
An emergency Whangārei District Council meeting regarding water fluoridation failed to proceed on Tuesday. The council voted 7 to 6 against holding the discussion behind closed doors. The meeting to discuss a legal challenge against fluoridation has been rescheduled for next week in public.
3 outlets · Retrials ordered for Wellington rail protesters after jury deadlock
A Wellington jury has failed to reach verdicts on remaining charges against three members of the Restore Passenger Rail group. The activists were charged with endangering transport following climate protests in October 2022. One of the four defendants was previously found not guilty.
2 outlets · Man arrested after allegedly attacking goat with hammer and knife
A 24-year-old man was arrested in North East Valley, Dunedin, following reports of an animal attack on Monday. Police say the man admitted to hitting a goat with a hammer and stabbing it. Officers located the individual at his property after being called to the scene.
2 outlets · More than 227,000 New Zealanders now have access to safer water
Taumata Arowai reports that over 227,000 people have gained access to safer drinking water. The regulator stated that most councils should have critical water treatment barriers installed by the end of the year to reduce the risk of waterborne illness.
2 outlets · Street art festival highlights the changing identity of Christchurch
The FLARE Ōtautahi Street Art Festival concluded on Sunday, showcasing how Christchurch has evolved since the February 2011 earthquake. Creative director Dr Reuben Woods noted that the city's identity has shifted significantly from its former reputation.
2 outlets · One person dies in single-vehicle crash near Cromwell
A person died at the scene following a single-vehicle crash in Northburn on Monday night. The incident occurred just before midnight near the intersection of State Highways 8 and 8B. Police confirmed the deceased was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
2 outlets · Cancer patient lacked hot water at Auckland City Hospital ward
A man undergoing cancer treatment at Auckland City Hospital had to boil water in a kettle to wash himself due to a lack of running hot water. Health New Zealand confirmed there are water heating and pressure issues within the ward, which is part of an ageing facility.
2 outlets · Whangārei councillors to discuss legal implications of refusing water fluoridation
Whangārei councillors are meeting privately to discuss the legal consequences of refusing to fluoridate the city's drinking water. The decision comes amid resistance to a government directive and calls from dental professionals for the measure.
2 outlets · Coroner finds Wellington council failed to act on drowning risks
A coroner has found that Wellington City Council knew of the risk of people falling into the harbour for six years before Sandy Calkin drowned in 2021. The findings recommend that the council urgently implements safety measures, such as permanent fencing, along the waterfront.
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