Luxon and Modi pledge closer military and economic ties in India
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met with Narendra Modi in New Delhi to discuss increased military and economic cooperation. During the meeting, Modi alleged that illegal elements in New Zealand are engaging in anti-India activities. The leaders also signed agreements covering sectors such as education, forestry, and horticulture.
+37 outlets · New Zealand and India launch free trade negotiations
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has arrived in New Delhi to announce the formal start of negotiations for a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with India. This development follows a decade since previous efforts stalled. The move aims to improve market access and enhance supply chain integration between the two nations.
+37 outlets · Man charged after fatal Penrose crash involving alleged fleeing driver
A 22-year-old man has been charged with reckless driving causing death and injury following a crash in Penrose on Sunday. The incident occurred after a vehicle allegedly fled from police and struck two cars near Great South Road. One person died and another remains in critical condition.
+15 outlets · Delayed surgery linked to death of 74-year-old woman
A Health and Disability Commissioner inquiry found that surgery delays caused the death of a 74-year-old woman at Dunedin Hospital. The patient suffered a fractured femur after being knocked over by a dog and waited over 90 hours for surgery. The commissioner has instructed Health NZ to apologise to the family.
+37 outlets · Police investigate two serious incidents in Miramar
Police are investigating whether a home break-in on Darlington Road and the discovery of a critically injured man nearby are linked. An intruder entered a Miramar home at approximately 2am Monday, resulting in an injury to a resident. A police dog unit tracked a suspect for several hundred metres before losing the trail.
+15 outlets · Former Destiny Church youth leader jailed for abusing young men
Kiwa Hamiora-Te Hira has been sentenced to six years and four months' imprisonment for sexual violations and indecent assault. The offences occurred over five years at a south Auckland home while he was working with youth programmes. The victims, aged between 13 and 24, had previously viewed him as a mentor and father figure.
+15 outlets · Teenager found guilty of manslaughter in Dunedin bus hub stabbing
A 14-year-old boy has been found guilty of manslaughter following the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Enere Taana-McLaren at the Dunedin bus hub in May 2024. The teenager was acquitted of murder after a trial in the Dunedin High Court.
+26 outlets · Person dies after being hit by freight train in Invercargill
A person died after being struck by a freight train at a level crossing on Elles Road in Invercargill. Emergency services responded to the scene near Turnbull Thomson Park at 5.20pm. Police have conducted a scene examination, and the road remains closed between Tweed and Forth Streets.
+15 outlets · School lunch packaging not designed for commercial reheating caused student burns
A student in Gisborne suffered second-degree burns after a cottage pie spilled during reheating. Food Safety NZ found that the meal, supplied by Heinz Watties, was in packaging intended for domestic use rather than commercial reheating. Compass Group NZ was found at fault for failing to ensure the meal's suitability.
4 outlets · Former employee pleads guilty to stealing $1m from Porirua trust
Iesha Warren has pleaded guilty to defrauding Te Roopu Āwhina Ki Porirua Trust of over $1 million. While working for the social services organisation, Warren used false invoices and company cards for online gambling. The Serious Fraud Office reports the total loss to the trust was between $1.06 million and $1.1 million.
+15 outlets · Whangārei District Council votes to add fluoride to drinking water
The Whangārei District Council has voted almost unanimously to comply with government orders to fluoridate the city's water supply. The process is scheduled to begin on Wednesday morning, though the decision remains subject to the outcome of a High Court hearing in Wellington.
3 outlets · Tauranga runner Sam Ruthe aims to break four-minute mile record
Fifteen-year-old middle-distance runner Sam Ruthe is attempting to break the four-minute mile barrier this week. The Tauranga athlete aims to become the first 15-year-old in history to achieve the mark and the youngest person ever to do so.
3 outlets · Filipino father identified as victim in fatal Penrose crash
Jesan Tampus, 48, was killed on Sunday when a vehicle allegedly fleeing police crashed into two cars on Great South Road in Penrose. Mr Tampus had moved to New Zealand for work to support his family in the Philippines. A Critical Incident Investigation and an Independent Police Conduct Authority review have been launched.
2 outlets · Car loses all four wheels during drive in Dunedin
A 16-year-old driver was involved in a crash on Brighton Road on Friday night after all four wheels detached from the vehicle. The car had been fitted with new tyres by a 29-year-old man earlier that day. Both occupants were uninjured in the incident.
2 outlets · Canoe Racing NZ high performance centre remains empty seven years later
A $2.3 million purpose-built facility opened by Canoe Racing NZ at Lake Karāpiro in 2018 is currently unused. The 550sq m centre, intended for elite paddlers, remains locked and deserted. Instead, athletes are reportedly staying in Auckland.
+15 outlets · Judge challenges referral to Judicial Conduct Panel over club incident
District Court judge Ema Aitken has filed a High Court proceeding challenging her referral to the Judicial Conduct Panel. Aitken admitted her behaviour at the Northern Club was rude and inappropriate but stated she did not recognise Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters' voice.
+15 outlets · Man charged after car crashes into Rolleston home
A 35-year-old man has been charged after a vehicle ploughed through a house in Rolleston during the early hours of Saturday. The car entered a bedroom and landed on a couple's bed while they were sleeping. Despite being trapped under the wreckage, the occupants were cleared by a doctor of any serious injuries.
2 outlets · Australian shelter worker pleads guilty to selling human remains
Joanna Kathlyn Kinman, a 48-year-old former animal shelter ranger, has pleaded guilty to offensive conduct involving human remains. Kinman allegedly planned to sell human toes, which were vomited up by dogs in February 2024, on an online black market for A$400.
2 outlets · Woman in custody after man seriously injured in Onehunga incident
A 26-year-old woman is in police custody following an altercation on Mount Smart Road on Monday afternoon. A man sustained serious injuries during the incident and was taken to Auckland City Hospital. Police received reports of the dispute just after 5pm.
2 outlets · Canterbury temperatures expected to drop after high heat
After temperatures soared above 30C in Canterbury on Monday, much colder weather is forecast for Tuesday. Christchurch is expected to see rain and an 8C temperature drop, while parts of the South Island could see temperatures fall by as much as 15C.
2 outlets · Masked men rob Kaysons jewellery store in New Lynn
Four masked men armed with a hammer and machete raided the Kaysons fashion and jewellery store in New Lynn on Sunday afternoon. During the robbery, a male family member was allegedly struck in the face with a hammer and threatened with death. Police are currently investigating the theft of several trays of gold jewellery.
2 outlets · Police issue more than 30 infringements during Feilding road crackdown
Manawatū police conducted a weekend operation targeting anti-social drivers in Feilding using checkpoints and dog units. Officers issued over 30 infringements for offences including speeding and mobile phone use, while one driver was charged with aggravated failing to stop and a vehicle was impounded.
4 outlets · Wellington officials remove mysterious fake signs from city parks
Wellington City Council is removing fake signs from the Botanic Gardens and Te Aro Park to prevent confusion. The signs, which warned of crocodiles and advertised free scuba diving, are believed to be an art project by local artist Cameron Hunt.
2 outlets · Christchurch school seeks exemption from school lunch programme contract
Haeata Community Campus is requesting to exit its contract with provider Compass Group. School leaders cited disappointing service, including a recent delivery of 600 frozen meals. The school intends to seek permission from David Seymour to leave the government programme.
4 outlets · Clarus removes advertisement following greenwashing complaints
Gas company Clarus has withdrawn an advert claiming renewable gas was flowing through its pipelines. The advertisement, which appeared on Stuff and The New Zealand Herald, faced accusations of greenwashing after critics claimed it misled people into thinking they were purchasing renewable gas when most was fossil fuel.
3 outlets · Hamilton celebrates 100th mural during Boon Street Art Festival
The Boon Street Art Festival marked its 10th anniversary this weekend as Hamilton received its 100th mural. The milestone mural involved a community collaboration where more than 80 children helped paint a community wall.
2 outlets · Wellington median house price falls below $800,000
The median house price in the Wellington region has decreased by 0.5% over the last year to $795,000. According to the Real Estate Institute of NZ, properties in the capital are also taking longer to sell.
2 outlets · Police seize more than 70 bags of drugs in Beachlands car search
Police arrested a 20-year-old man after discovering cannabis, cocaine, and MDMA in a vehicle in Auckland's Beachlands early Monday morning. Officers responded to reports of a suspicious car on Wakelin Road with its engine running. More than 70 bags of drugs were seized during the search.
2 outlets · Dead wallaby thrown onto couch fire during Dunedin celebrations
Visiting students brought a shot wallaby to St Patrick's Day celebrations in Dunedin, where it was thrown into a couch fire. The festivities in the student quarter included fireworks, alcohol, and couch burning.
2 outlets · New World to replace Countdown at Te Atatū Peninsula
Foodstuffs North Island has purchased the Te Atatū Peninsula Countdown site. The existing supermarket is scheduled to close on 24 April, with a larger New World store expected to open in winter 2026 following expansion works.
2 outlets · Murder accused faces abuse during Hamilton court appearance
A 41-year-old man charged with murdering a 26-year-old and critically injuring another was heckled by victims' families in the Hamilton District Court on Monday. The accused, who has interim name suppression, faced a barrage of verbal abuse from a crowd in the public gallery during his initial appearance.
4 outlets · Mau rākau workshops offered at Womad in New Plymouth
Festivalgoers at Womad in New Plymouth were able to participate in workshops for the ancient Māori martial art of mau rākau. The activity was used to help young people connect with their cultural identity and express themselves freely.
3 outlets · Rotorua deputy mayor criticises proposed rates swap scheme
Deputy mayor Sandra Kai Fong has labelled a suggested rates swap as unfair and a misnomer. The $31 million to $32 million scheme follows new regional council rules regarding effluent treatment. While total rates would remain the same, Kai Fong expressed concern that the proposal makes the district council appear to be raising rates.
3 outlets · Heavy rain and gales expected across South Island and Wellington
An active weather front is forecast to bring heavy rain and northwest gales to the South Island and lower North Island. MetService has issued an orange heavy rain warning for Westland, with some areas expecting up to 200mm of rain. The storm is also causing disruptions to Air New Zealand flights.
2 outlets · Median house prices fall as sales increase in February
New Zealand's national median house price decreased by 2.4% year-on-year to $772,000 in February. While prices dropped, property sales rose according to REINZ data. In the Waikato region, the average house price fell 2.7% to $730,000, though more homes were sold compared to the previous year.
2 outlets · Golfer Ben Campbell earns $2.6m after third place finish in Singapore
Queenstown golfer Ben Campbell finished third at the LIV Golf Singapore tournament. The 33-year-old shot rounds of 67, 68 and 68 to finish 11-under par. This performance earned him a $2.6 million payday and moved him to 11th in the LIV individual standings.
2 outlets · Former Christchurch car dealer owes creditors more than $620,000
Christopher Schwartz, the bankrupt former head of ISeeCars Ltd, owes creditors approximately $620,000. The Christchurch car dealer has faced numerous complaints to the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal and has reportedly failed to pay for vehicle repairs provided by local businesses.
2 outlets · Winston Peters urges US to monitor Chinese activity in the Pacific
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is visiting the United States to meet with government officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During his trip, Peters stated that the movement of Chinese warships into the Pacific should be a priority for the Washington administration.
2 outlets · Logging truck catches fire near Geraldine
Firefighters were alerted to a logging truck blaze in Orari, near Geraldine, around 5.40am. Fire and Emergency stated the fire likely started from a tyre and spread to the logs. The driver was reported to be unharmed.
2 outlets · Wellington to host documentary film festival focused on fraud
The Wellington Fraud Film Festival will showcase documentaries about various forms of deception at the Roxy Cinema next Monday. The event is expected to attract approximately 150 attendees, including professionals such as lawyers, police officers, and bankers.
2 outlets ·
