Peeni Henare apologises for breaking rules during Parliament haka
Labour MP Peeni Henare appeared before the Privileges Committee on Wednesday regarding a haka performed during the Treaty Principles Bill debate. While Henare apologised for leaving his seat and breaking House rules, he stated he stands by the performance and would do it again.
+26 outlets · Police launch new search for Tom Phillips and three children
Police have initiated a new operation to search for fugitive Tom Phillips and his children, Ember, Maverick, and Jayda, who have been missing since 2021. Officers will increase their presence north of Marokopa, including in Te Waitere and Te Maika. Detective Inspector Andy Saunders stated the move was not prompted by a specific sighting.
+26 outlets · Man arrested after alleged indecent assault of student on Auckland bus
A man has been arrested following the alleged indecent assault of a high school student on a bus in Grey Lynn. The incident occurred just after 8am on a number 18 bus travelling along Great North Road. Another passenger intervened to assist the victim during the encounter.
+15 outlets · Four charged following protest at Auckland Pride Festival event
Police have arrested four people and filed assault charges following a protest at the Te Atatū Community Centre on 15 February. The incident involved protesters linked to Destiny Church entering a children's event during the Auckland Pride Festival. Superintendent Naila Hassan stated that further arrests may occur as the investigation continues.
+15 outlets · Body of New Zealand soldier killed in Ukraine returns home
Dominic Abelen, the first New Zealander killed in the Ukraine war, is being returned home. He died in August 2022 while fighting in the eastern Vuhledar region while on unpaid leave from the New Zealand Defence Force. A farewell ceremony involving a haka was held for him in Kyiv.
+26 outlets · Cook Strait ferry sailings cancelled due to large swells
Interislander and Bluebridge have cancelled multiple Cook Strait ferry sailings due to large swells and gale warnings. Forecasted swells of approximately four metres and high winds have affected Wednesday services, with Bluebridge also cancelling some early Thursday sailings.
4 outlets · Matamata College student dies after being hit by a train
A female high school student has died after being struck by a train in Matamata on Wednesday afternoon. The collision occurred around 3.15pm near the intersection of College and Firth Streets. Police and emergency services attended the scene near the college.
4 outlets · Crown rejects self-defence claim in Dunedin bus hub murder trial
Prosecutors have argued that a 14-year-old boy was not acting in self-defence when he allegedly stabbed 16-year-old Enere Taana-McLaren to death in May 2024. The trial is currently taking place in the Dunedin High Court, where the defendant has pleaded not guilty to murder.
+15 outlets · Man charged with murder after fatal assault in Hokowhitu
A 24-year-old man has been charged with murder following a fatal assault in Palmerston North. Police were called to a Te Awe Awe Street address on Tuesday morning, where they located a critically injured man who died shortly after.
+15 outlets · Search suspended for New Zealander killed in Western Australia shark attack
Police have suspended the search for 37-year-old Steven Payne after he was fatally mauled by a shark at Wharton Beach on Monday. The New Zealand-born surfer was attacked while on a caravan trip. A large coastal and sea search failed to locate his remains.
3 outlets · School lunch provider sources meals from Australia after manufacturer liquidation
The School Lunch Collective has turned to Australia for food supplies following the liquidation of its main manufacturer, Libelle. The provider cited a manufacturing shortfall for the change. The Government maintains that the 466 schools under contract will continue to receive their meals on time and in full.
4 outlets · Winston Peters defends NZ First candidate ranking policy
Winston Peters has rejected claims that the NZ First constitution contains diversity requirements similar to public service targets. The party's constitution allows a committee to consider gender, age, and ethnicity when ranking candidates. Peters has previously campaigned against diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in the public sector.
3 outlets · Education ministers meet to discuss school lunch programme issues
Education Minister Erica Stanford and Associate Education Minister David Seymour met to discuss challenges facing the school lunch programme. The meeting followed previous scheduling conflicts and comes as issues intensified following the liquidation of key provider Libelle Group.
3 outlets · South Island schools face uncertainty as lunch provider enters liquidation
Three South Island schools report receiving no communication from Libelle Group following the company's liquidation. Associate education minister David Seymour stated the government had known about the provider's financial difficulties for weeks, though he noted they were unaware of the full extent of the situation.
3 outlets · State Highway 1 Desert Road to reopen after two-month closure
State Highway 1 between Tūrangi and Waiouru will reopen at 1pm on Friday following a two-month closure for major roadworks. While restoration and resealing work is nearly complete, further work is expected to be required later this year.
2 outlets · Gisborne residents oppose potential speed limit increases on State Highway 35
Residents are expressing frustration over a New Zealand Transport Agency proposal to increase speed limits on a 10.5km stretch of State Highway 35. While some sections may automatically revert to higher speeds, the Makorori area is subject to public consultation. Feedback on the changes is being accepted until this Thursday.
3 outlets · Whanganui High School teacher Jason Shepherd can now be named
Jason Shepherd, a Whanganui High School teacher, has lost his bid for name suppression in the High Court at Wellington. He was sentenced to 10.5 months of home detention in October 2024 after pleading guilty to grooming two students. The offending occurred over a four-year period.
3 outlets · Health experts warn proposed digital budget cuts will harm patients
A survey by Health Informatics NZ shows nearly 98 per cent of health workers and IT experts believe proposed budget cuts to Health NZ's digital services will negatively impact patients. Respondents indicated that inefficient IT systems already increase administrative workloads, and many believe the cuts will delay or worsen patient care.
2 outlets · Government proposes changes to foreign investment tax rules
The Government is considering tweaks to the Foreign Investment Fund regime to encourage wealthy, highly skilled migrants to stay and invest in New Zealand. The proposed changes aim to address criticisms regarding tax on unrealised capital gains.
2 outlets · Funding lifeline granted to some Callaghan Innovation scientists
The government has provided last-minute funding to two groups of scientists at Callaghan Innovation. This reprieve comes as the agency is being wound down during a science system overhaul. While some roles have been secured, other staff members within the organisation still face uncertainty.
2 outlets · Former real estate agent Aaron Drever jailed for 15 months
Aaron Drever has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after admitting to insolvency charges and impersonating a wealthy businessman. The former real estate agent and former Speedway commentator returned to jail on Tuesday following his sentencing.
2 outlets · Winston Peters opposes MFAT tikanga lead job advertisement
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will not appoint a tikanga lead. The decision follows the advertisement of the role, which carries a salary of up to $170,000. Peters indicated he expects the ministry to honour the coalition agreement.
2 outlets · Nūhaka School reports new government lunch deliveries are inedible
Nūhaka School says most of the new government-provided school lunches are inedible. The school reports that the food is being given to a local pig instead. This follows changes to the school lunches programme overseen by Associate Education Minister David Seymour.
3 outlets · Emergency services respond to separate fires in Christchurch suburbs
Firefighters are attending a residential blaze in Kaiapoi that is spreading to a neighbouring property. Separately, emergency services are responding to a garage fire in Aranui following multiple 111 calls.
2 outlets · New Zealand bank sector profits reach record $7.2 billion
Collective profits for New Zealand's major banks rose to a record $7.22 billion in 2024. Despite facing regulatory pressures, rising costs, and flat margins, the sector saw a 0.25 per cent increase in profits driven by higher net-interest income.
2 outlets · Auckland Writers Festival announces 2025 programme
The 2025 Auckland Writers Festival will feature international and local authors from 14 to 19 May. The lineup includes Sir Ian Rankin, Samantha Harvey, and Colm Tóibín, with an opening night gala scheduled for 15 May at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre.
2 outlets · Whakatāne resident frustrated by misuse of dog poo bags
Julie Meekel, who lives next to the Warren Cole Walkway, says children are taking council-provided doggy poo bags and attaching them to her fence. She has requested that the Whakatāne District Council relocate the dispenser to a position that is less tempting for children.
3 outlets · Firefighters battle large forestry skid site blaze in Wairau Valley
Emergency services are responding to a large fire at a forestry skid site near State Highway 63 in Marlborough. While twenty firefighters and a helicopter have been working to extinguish the blaze, Fire and Emergency New Zealand says the fire is currently contained but not yet controlled.
2 outlets · Briscoe Group reports flat revenue and reduced profit for full year
Briscoe Group, owner of Briscoes Homeware and Rebel Sport, reported $791.5 million in revenue for the year ended January 26, 2025. While both brands saw positive sales growth, tight profit margins impacted the company's overall bottom line.
2 outlets · Hipkins and Peters clash over public sector diversity
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has criticised the use of diversity targets in the public sector, claiming they are being prioritised over merit. Peters is campaigning against what he describes as woke social engineering and has proposed new legislation to address the issue. Chris Hipkins has responded to these claims.
3 outlets · Taumatamākuku community expresses frustration over speed limit reversal
Residents in the Far North community of Taumatamākuku are angry following a reversal of local speed limits. Community representative Roddy Hapati Pihema stated that locals are frustrated by having to undergo repeated consultations and reviews for a change they believed was already settled.
4 outlets · Hoka sneaker brand uses Māori name without attribution
The US-based sneaker brand Hoka uses a Māori word meaning "to fly" for its name. While the company once acknowledged the origin on Facebook, it has not adopted the correct pronunciation in current marketing videos.
3 outlets · Whanganui council cancels rates-funded food scrap collection service
Whanganui district councillors have voted to scrap a planned kerbside food scrap collection service following community backlash. The decision will prevent a 1.5 per cent targeted rate increase for approximately 18,000 households, though the council faces sunk costs and thousands of existing kitchen bins.
3 outlets · Police investigate threatening emails sent to schools and organisations
Police are investigating a wave of concerning emails sent to schools, Parliament, news organisations, and police stations. The messages were sent in the early hours of Tuesday and have been forwarded to various individuals. One school, Waiuku College, was placed in lockdown following the incident.
2 outlets · Auckland Transport proposes removing all parking from Onewa Road
Auckland Transport has proposed making Onewa Road on the North Shore a full clearway with no parking allowed. The plan aims to reduce congestion and improve safety following 140 reported crashes over four years. Proposed changes also include a shared path and adjusted traffic light phasing.
2 outlets · Sri Lankan politician granted refugee status in New Zealand
A 32-year-old aspiring Sri Lankan politician has been granted refugee status in New Zealand. She fled to the country after facing death threats, sextortion, and having her home surrounded by gunmen.
3 outlets · Nicola Willis proposes changes to government procurement rules
Finance Minister Nicola Willis wants to introduce an economic benefit test to help local businesses win government contracts. The proposed changes would remove requirements to purchase electric vehicles, build high energy-rated buildings, and pay the living wage to certain staff.
2 outlets · Repair costs for hole under Tūranga library reach $113,000
The cost to fix a malfunctioning water well under Christchurch's Tūranga library has risen to $113,000. The issue, which created a hole the size of two cars under the loading dock, has remained unresolved for nearly four years.
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