Matamata student killed after being struck by train
Sarie Morton, a 13-year-old Matamata College student, died on Wednesday afternoon after being hit by a freight train. The incident occurred near the school at the intersection of College and Firth Streets. Police and WorkSafe have launched an investigation into the tragedy.
+26 outlets · Great white shark captured on camera in Fiordland
A great white shark was filmed approaching research equipment in Tamatea/Dusky Sound last month. Department of Conservation staff and Sea Through Science researchers captured the rare footage during an underwater video survey.
+15 outlets · Fourth person hospitalised after ingesting unknown white powder in Wairarapa
A person was taken to hospital in critical condition after consuming an unknown white powder at a Masterton home on Wednesday night. This follows an incident over the weekend where three other people were hospitalised in the region. Police are investigating the substance, and experts are urging people to test drugs.
4 outlets · Phil Goff farewelled in London after being sacked as High Commissioner
Former High Commissioner to the UK Phil Goff has been farewelled in London following his dismissal by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters. The dismissal followed undiplomatic comments made by Goff regarding US President Donald Trump. His send-off included a message from King Charles and was attended by the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps.
+15 outlets · Police seek man suspected of burning Masterton churches
Police are searching for 44-year-old Michael Kane McRae in connection with seven suspicious fires at Masterton churches in February. Authorities believe McRae is likely receiving help to evade arrest and is believed to still be in the Wairarapa area.
4 outlets · Rare blood moon visible across New Zealand this Friday
A rare blood moon lunar eclipse will be visible throughout New Zealand on Friday night. The eclipse is expected to reach totality between 8pm and 8.30pm. While the event can be seen without a telescope, cloud cover may potentially obscure the view in Northland.
+15 outlets · Man charged following threatening emails sent to Auckland schools
A 20-year-old man has been charged after threatening emails were sent to Waiuku College and Rutherford College. Police traced the emails to Māngere East and have taken two people into custody as investigations continue.
3 outlets · Twenty people fined for walking on Auckland motorway during protest
Police have fined 20 individuals who entered State Highway 1 on foot during a Destiny Church protest last November. The group, part of a convoy organised by Brian Tamaki, blocked northbound lanes near Bombay to perform a haka. Authorities described the unannounced actions as reckless and unlawful.
4 outlets · Government proposes reducing contract rules and removing Living Wage requirement
The coalition government plans to scale back rules for government contract tendering to assist businesses. Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis aims to remove one third of existing rules, which includes the requirement to pay the Living Wage. This proposal has drawn concern from workers who rely on the wage to afford basic necessities.
4 outlets · Councils propose replacing postal voting with in-person ballot boxes
Local Government New Zealand has issued a draft position paper proposing a switch from postal voting to in-person voting booths. The advocacy group suggests this reform to address low voter turnout and declining postal services. Leaders argue the change is necessary to protect the future integrity of local elections.
3 outlets · Auckland police issue first dispersal notices under new gang laws
Police have issued dispersal notices to three Head Hunters gang members and their associates on Auckland's North Shore. The action follows an incident involving a firearm on 7 March. Since the new legislation was implemented, more than 400 arrests have been made.
3 outlets · Scott Watson makes another bid for parole in Christchurch
Convicted double murderer Scott Watson appeared for a six-hour parole hearing in the High Court at Christchurch. The hearing included expert testimony regarding his risk and personality traits. It was also revealed that Watson was involved in a prison misconduct incident last year.
+26 outlets · Former tax agent sentenced to home detention for decade of fraud
Chafic Georges, 71, has been sentenced to 12 months of home detention at the Manukau District Court. The former Inland Revenue tax agent faced 19 charges for sustained tax fraud committed over more than a decade. The investigation began after a risk review identified unaccounted wealth within his family.
3 outlets · Three women compete to be first female national excavator operator
Three women are competing to become the first female national excavator operator at this weekend's annual competition. Waipukurau's Tanya Claxton is among the competitors after winning the Hawke's Bay East Coast regional title. No woman has reached the finals in the event's 31-year history.
3 outlets · Italian firm confirms bid to build Northland Expressway
Webuild has confirmed it will bid to build and operate the first 26km stretch of the Northland Expressway. The interest follows the government's Infrastructure Investment Summit in Auckland, where representatives from over 100 companies gathered to discuss potential public private partnerships.
3 outlets · Seaview plant operator threatened with penalties over sewage stench
Wellington Water has warned Veolia of potential financial penalties following ongoing odour issues at the Seaview Wastewater Treatment Plant. Despite a multimillion-dollar clean-up, residents in Lower Hutt have complained about a recurrent stench since 2023, prompting new investigations.
3 outlets · Christchurch man jailed for animal cruelty and burglary
Thomas Simon has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for burglary and animal cruelty. He killed a lamb by throwing a rock at its head and attempted to poison his ex-partner's horses.
3 outlets · Tauranga mayor criticised over marine precinct land sale
Mayor Mahé Drysdale has described the sale of the Sulphur Point marine precinct as a bad deal that the current council inherited. However, local users and residents say the mayor is failing to take action to cancel the agreement, which intends to develop the area into a super yacht destination.
3 outlets · Government plans $800m overhaul for Christchurch Men’s Prison
The Government intends to redevelop Christchurch Men’s Prison through a public private partnership to address security issues and a growing prison population. The initial $800 million phase will include a new health centre and 240 high security beds.
2 outlets · Firearms and ammunition seized during Glendene search
Police discovered a cache of firearms and ammunition while investigating a stolen motorbike in Glendene on Wednesday morning. The Waitematā Gang Disruption Unit located a man and a woman at the property. A man has been charged with unlawful possession of guns, ammunition and drug paraphernalia.
2 outlets · Luxon promotes New Zealand stability to attract infrastructure investment
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon opened the Government's Infrastructure Investment Summit in Auckland on Thursday. He spoke to potential investors about New Zealand's stability to secure funding for projects such as roads and prisons. The summit also included the announcement of several public-private partnership projects, including the Northland Expressway.
2 outlets · NZME union members request meeting with billionaire investor Jim Grenon
E tū union members at NZME have sent an open letter to the company's board and billionaire Jim Grenon. The union is seeking a public commitment to editorial independence following Grenon's purchase of a 9.3 percent stake in the publisher. Members have also requested a meeting with Grenon regarding his efforts to replace the board.
2 outlets · Banks may require notice for large cash withdrawals
New Zealanders wishing to withdraw large amounts of cash may be asked to phone ahead. Banks may also ask questions regarding the purpose of the withdrawal to comply with anti-money laundering obligations.
2 outlets · Renters in Auckland and Wellington paying less according to new data
New data from realestate.co.nz indicates that average rents in Auckland and Wellington may have decreased compared to last year. In Wellington, weekly rents fell by 8% to an average of $673 in February.
2 outlets · New Plymouth woman wins $1.5 million in Lotto Strike draw
A New Plymouth woman won $1.5 million in the Strike Four draw after using the MyLotto app. The winner, who requested anonymity, reportedly felt sick upon realising she had won the prize while watching television.
2 outlets · Jury continues deliberations in Dunedin bus hub murder trial
A jury has failed to reach a verdict in the trial of a 14-year-old accused of murdering 16-year-old Enere Taana-McLaren. The defendant, who is under interim name suppression, pleaded not guilty to the stabbing that occurred in May last year. Deliberations are expected to continue tomorrow.
2 outlets · Rotorua police commander responds to opposition of Operation Trolley
Inspector Herby Ngawika has commended the controversy surrounding Operation Trolley, stating that opposition helped raise awareness of the homeless community. The three-day police operation in January resulted in 13 arrests following complaints about individuals using trolleys in the CBD. The matter was discussed during a Rotorua Lakes Council committee meeting on Wednesday.
3 outlets · Winston Peters denies his party has diversity requirements
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has rejected claims that his party's constitution includes diversity quotas or targets. While Peters argued that diversity, equity, and inclusion policies create such requirements in the public sector, Public Service Minister Judith Collins stated she was unaware of such quotas.
2 outlets · Nearly 10 per cent of school lunches delivered late
The School Lunch Collective reported that 9.96 per cent of meals delivered to 450 schools on Wednesday arrived late. This follows a significant increase in late deliveries compared to previous days. The delay follows the liquidation of the collective's main food provider, Libelle.
2 outlets · Tory Whanau considered resigning as Wellington mayor
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has revealed she once considered quitting her role after feeling humiliated on a national scale. Speaking at an International Women’s Day event, Whanau discussed building resilience against public scrutiny and confirmed she intends to run for re-election in the upcoming local body elections.
3 outlets · Coroner holds pre-inquest conference into Pauline Hanna death
A pre-inquest conference was held at Auckland District Court to prepare for an inquiry into Pauline Hanna's 2021 death. Philip Polkinghorne, the police, and Hanna's siblings have been identified as interested parties. The inquest will examine the circumstances of her death in Remuera.
2 outlets · Wellington woman celebrates 90th birthday attending regular dance classes
Rona Glover is celebrating her 90th birthday by continuing to attend regular aerobics-style dance workouts. She attends classes at Peeled Banana Fitness Dance in Wellington, which she describes as a lifesaver.
3 outlets · Enrolments increase at Kaiapoi college for young parents
The Karanga Mai Young Parents’ College in Kaiapoi has seen its student roll increase by 17 over the past year. Director Whitney Misiuata says the centre supports students, such as those pursuing NCEA, as they balance studying with raising children and working.
3 outlets · Police search remote Waikato settlements for missing father and children
Police are searching the wider Marokopa area to locate fugitive Tom Phillips and his three children. Officers are speaking with residents in two small settlements, including one accessible only by boat. The search includes areas north of Marokopa and the Te Maika peninsula.
3 outlets · Council staffer warned after failing to report dead possum in water
A Tararua District Council employee has received a written warning from Taumata Arowai. The warning follows a failure to report a dead possum found in Woodville's drinking water supply. This marks the third time a dead possum has been discovered in the town's water supply.
2 outlets · Five endangered green turtles released into Northland waters
Five rescued green turtles were returned to the wild at Rangiputa on Wednesday. The release marks the beginning of a major research project to study how these turtles use New Zealand coastlines and harbours.
3 outlets · Te Puni Kōkiri to replace Whānau Ora commissioning agencies
Te Puni Kōkiri will replace the three current Whānau Ora commissioning agencies in July to localise services. The decision involves $155 million in service contracts and may affect approximately 1,000 jobs. The commissioning agency chair warned that these changes could jeopardise a decade of relationship building.
2 outlets · State Highway 1 closed near Tīrau after truck rolls over
State Highway 1 in Waikato has been partially closed following a truck rollover south of Tīrau on Thursday morning. Police were called to the scene near the SH5 roundabout around 10am. No serious injuries were reported, and the closure remains in place while emergency services clear the area.
2 outlets · Man arrested after pistol found in Tikipunga couch
Police searched a property on Papa Totara Loop in Tikipunga on Wednesday afternoon. During the search, officers allegedly found a pistol capable of firing .22 rounds down the side of a couch. A man was arrested for several offences, including failing to stop.
2 outlets · Trump threatens more tariffs as global trade tensions escalate
United States President Donald Trump has threatened additional duties on European Union goods following the implementation of 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. Major trading partners have signalled intentions to retaliate, while an economist warns that New Zealand could also be affected by the escalating trade war.
2 outlets · Jacinda Ardern to release children's book in September
Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern has written a children's book titled 'Mum's Busy Work'. The book, which celebrates the bond between working mothers and their children, is based on comments made by her daughter, Neve, during Ardern's time in office.
2 outlets · Toughest water restrictions introduced in Dargaville and Baylys Beach
Level 4 water restrictions have been implemented in Dargaville and Baylys Beach due to worsening drought conditions. Residents may only use town water for essential purposes, such as drinking, cooking, showering, and washing clothes. All outdoor water use is currently banned.
2 outlets · Tauranga councillor calls for inquiry into commission decisions
Councillor Steve Morris has requested an independent inquiry into the transparency and decisions of the Government-appointed commission. Morris, who was replaced by the commission, sought support during a council meeting on Monday. Recent survey results indicated that 29% of residents were satisfied with the council's reputation.
2 outlets · Rotorua residents petition to maintain 80km/h limit on state highway
More than 540 people have signed a petition to keep the speed limit at 80km/h at the intersection of Waipā State Mill Rd and State Highway 5. The petition creator is calling for support from the city's mayor and MP to prevent the limit from reverting to 100km/h.
2 outlets · Drought conditions impact Far North water and Waikato grazing agreements
Worsening drought conditions are causing falling river and soil moisture levels in the Far North, potentially leading to more water restrictions. In the Waikato, scarce grass is making grazing contracts a significant concern for farmers as no major rain is forecast until late March.
2 outlets · Man man pleads guilty to reduced charge after Manurewa crash
Joseph Booker, 24, has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge following an August 2024 incident in Manurewa. After an argument with his partner, Booker drove at speed into a stationary truck, causing her serious injuries. He also pleaded guilty to drink driving during the incident.
2 outlets · Investors attend government infrastructure summit in Auckland
More than 100 organisations from 14 countries are meeting in Auckland for an infrastructure investment summit. Attendees managing approximately $6 trillion in funds will hear from government ministers regarding potential public-private partnerships. The government says the oversubscribed event represents a vote of confidence in the economy.
2 outlets · Master Electricians warns of dangers in Right to Repair Bill
The Master Electricians group has issued a warning to the Green Party regarding the Right to Repair Bill. While the bill aims to address e-waste, the trade group expressed concerns that allowing untrained individuals to fix electrical appliances could be dangerous.
2 outlets · Hamilton house prices rise despite Waikato-wide decline
Hamilton's average house price increased by 0.6% to $788,171 during the February quarter. This growth contrasts with a general decline in property values across the wider Waikato region.
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