Five injured after car mounts footpath near University of Auckland
A vehicle collided with a tree and pedestrians on Symonds Street in central Auckland just after midday on Monday. One person was hospitalised in critical condition and others suffered moderate to minor injuries. Police are investigating the crash and suggest drugs or alcohol may have been a factor.
+37 outlets · Man in custody after threats in Sydenham
A 70-year-old man is in custody after making threats at a Percival Street property in Sydenham on Monday. The incident led to a 100-metre police cordon and the evacuation of nearby homes and businesses. The man is due in court on Tuesday, facing a charge of threatening an act towards a dwelling.
+15 outlets · Coroner urges improved supervision after eight children drowned one summer
Coroner Michael Robb has released findings following the drownings of eight children, aged nine months to five years, during the 2021-2022 summer. The report emphasises the need for close adult supervision near water. Water safety advocates are now calling for a ban on the sale of small portable pools.
+26 outlets · Two men charged with murder after South Wairarapa shooting
Two men, aged 23 and 25, are due to appear in Wellington District Court following a fatal shooting in Featherston on Saturday. Doreion Hard, 23, died after a vehicle was fired upon as it left a supermarket car park. Family members were reportedly removed from the courtroom during the legal proceedings.
+15 outlets · Police seek witnesses in investigation of Miramar man's death
Police are appealing for a runner and a pedestrian to provide information regarding the unexplained death of Abdul Nabizadah in Miramar. The 63-year-old was found with serious head injuries at the intersection of Camperdown and Totara Roads on March 17. His family is seeking answers regarding the circumstances of his death.
4 outlets · Bangladeshi couple convicted of 20-year immigration and identity fraud
Jahangir Alam and Taj Parvin Shilpi have been found guilty of 40 charges of immigration and identity fraud at the Auckland District Court. Following a six-year investigation, the couple was convicted of using a family member's identity to obtain documents to live and work in New Zealand for two decades.
4 outlets · Midwife breached code during rural home birth resulting in stillbirth
The Health and Disability Commissioner found a midwife breached care standards during a 2020 rural home birth. The midwife left a mother in labour unattended for lunch and coffee, while the baby later died from hypovolemic shock following a cord rupture. The home had no electricity, phone, or internet coverage.
+26 outlets · Driver charged after crash injures 12 Canadian hockey players
A 57-year-old driver has been charged with careless driving causing injury following a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 5 near Taupō on Sunday. Twelve people, including members of touring Canadian youth hockey teams, were injured in the incident. Nine patients were airlifted to Waikato Hospital, with four reported to be in serious condition.
+15 outlets · Man charged with manslaughter after hunting death in Minginui
A 46-year-old man faces manslaughter and unlawful hunting charges following the death of 72-year-old Stuart Maxwell Stobie. Mr Stobie died during a hunting trip in Minginui, Bay of Plenty, on Friday, 21 March. The suspect is due to appear in Rotorua District Court.
3 outlets · Hunger-striking prisoner Dean Wickliffe hospitalised with declining health
Dean Wickliffe has been transferred to Waikato Hospital due to declining health and suspected kidney issues after refusing food for 14 days. Police are investigating Wickliffe's claims that he was assaulted by guards at Springhill Prison. His parole board hearing has been moved forward to Wednesday.
3 outlets · Government unveils new system to replace Resource Management Act
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister Chris Bishop have announced plans to replace the Resource Management Act with two new Acts. The reforms aim to simplify planning and reduce administrative and compliance costs by 45 per cent. The government intends to introduce the new legislation by the end of 2025.
4 outlets · Northland fisher fined for under-reporting green mussel spat sales
Daniel John Lovell has been ordered to pay more than $104,000 after pleading guilty to breaching the Fisheries Act. The 48-year-old commercial fisher failed to report the sale of green mussel spat collected from Ninety Mile Beach during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 fishing years. He was sentenced in the Kaitaia District Court.
3 outlets · Peters and Hipkins exchange insults during political speeches
Winston Peters accused the Labour Party of abandoning workers during his Christchurch speech on Sunday. In response, Chris Hipkins referred to Peters as a chaotic Donald Trump impersonator. The leaders' recent exchange of insults comes amid discussions regarding potential future coalition negotiations.
3 outlets · Southland Hospital missed man's lung cancer for five years
The Health and Disability Commissioner found that a man's lung cancer went undiagnosed for over five years despite multiple scans and x-rays at Southland Hospital. The delay meant the cancer, which doubled in size, eventually became terminal. The investigation followed concerns raised by the patient's sister regarding missed abnormalities.
4 outlets · Police investigate two linked jewellery store robberies in Auckland
Police are investigating two aggravated robberies that occurred on Sunday afternoon at jewellery stores in Papatoetoe and the Manawa Bay shopping centre. The first incident took place at Krishna Jewellers on Great South Road, followed by a second robbery near Auckland Airport. Authorities believe the two events may be connected.
3 outlets · Bystander struck by car during Hawke's Bay boy racer gathering
A bystander was hit by a vehicle performing skids at a boy racer event in Hawke's Bay over the weekend. Police conducted an operation targeting antisocial road users, resulting in several charges, fines, and vehicles being removed from the road.
4 outlets · Concerns grow over paediatric palliative care as sole specialist takes leave
New Zealand faces a potential crisis in end-of-life care for children while the country's only publicly funded paediatric palliative care specialist is on leave. Starship Hospital informed doctors the specialist would be unavailable for two months. The Children’s Commissioner has described the current situation as untenable and inadequate.
4 outlets · IKEA aims to open first New Zealand store by Christmas
The Swedish homeware retailer plans to open its first New Zealand store at Sylvia Park in Auckland before Christmas. The new location is expected to feature sustainable initiatives, such as solar panels and natural cooling methods, and may include a garage in its showroom.
3 outlets · All Whites face New Caledonia in FIFA World Cup qualifier
The All Whites are one victory away from qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. New Zealand will face New Caledonia at Eden Park in Auckland to determine if they will make their third appearance at the tournament.
2 outlets · Pegasus township playground proposals to be consulted on
The Waimakariri District Council plans to consult on creating new spaces for children and young people in Pegasus. One proposal includes a double flying fox, with a proposed budget of $192,515 in the Long Term Plan.
4 outlets · Winston Peters rejects immigration changes in India trade talks
Foreign Minister Winston Peters says there is no need to relax New Zealand's immigration settings as part of trade negotiations with India. He stated that liberalising immigration settings would provide an unnecessary incentive.
3 outlets · Oranga Tamariki privacy breaches put people at risk of harm
A review has revealed grievous privacy breaches at Oranga Tamariki, including a staff member sharing a mother's file with her abusive partner. Investigations found 35 serious breaches notified to the Privacy Commissioner between 2022 and 2023. The Privacy Commissioner says the agency still has considerable work to do to fix these systems.
2 outlets · Man accused of killing 8-year-old boy in Hamilton can be named
Charles Edward Wharton, 37, can now be named following the lapse of name suppression. He is accused of murdering 8-year-old Zahquiel Taipeti with a hammer while the child was sleeping in Hamilton in September 2024.
4 outlets · ACT Party questions mandatory history course at University of Auckland
The ACT Party has challenged a compulsory first-year course at the University of Auckland that covers New Zealand history, the Treaty of Waitangi and indigenous culture. More than 7,000 students are expected to take the course this year. The university says the curriculum is designed to provide core knowledge and academic transition skills.
2 outlets · Cryptosporidiosis cases increase in Wellington following public pool visits
Te Whatu Ora reports rising numbers of cryptosporidiosis cases in Wellington. Following reports of a child experiencing severe gastric pain after swimming, two public pools have been drained and treated as a precaution. Health officials are monitoring the situation and may consider further measures if necessary.
2 outlets · Advocates concerned nicotine pouches could replace vaping among young people
Anti-smoking advocates fear that the rise of highly addictive oral nicotine pouches could undermine efforts to reduce youth vaping. These pouches, which are absorbed through the mouth, are being described by campaigners as a potentially worse alternative.
2 outlets · Hamilton man sentenced for threatening to kill school children
Abdul Shamil Javed has been sentenced to five months in court after making threatening phone calls to Parliament House. The 36-year-old man reportedly made the threats after becoming angry about his car being towed. He claimed he was simply having a bad day during the proceedings.
4 outlets · Two people seriously injured in Taihape highway crash
Two people sustained serious injuries following a single-vehicle crash near Spooners Hill Road on State Highway 1. Emergency services were called to the scene on Monday afternoon. Earlier reports indicated a person with moderate injuries was airlifted to Whanganui Hospital following a crash in the area on Sunday.
2 outlets · Air New Zealand employees challenge Covid-19 vaccination policy in court
Thirty-three Air New Zealand employees are challenging the company's Covid-19 vaccination policy in the employment court. A six-day hearing commenced in Auckland on Monday, featuring evidence from pilot Captain Leif Fredricsen.
3 outlets · Whangārei man charged after three-year-old boy dies in driveway accident
A 35-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter following the February death of three-year-old Reign Matamaru Tuhirangi Puriri in a Whangārei driveway accident. The man, who has interim name suppression, appeared in the Whangārei District Court on Monday and is due back in court on 11 April.
2 outlets · Driver faces 11 charges after serious State Highway 5 crash
A 57-year-old woman appeared in Tauranga court facing 11 charges following a serious crash on State Highway 5 in Rangataiki. The collision involved an SUV and a van carrying Canadian junior hockey players, resulting in 12 injuries.
2 outlets · Unlicensed asbestos remover ordered to pay reparations for fraud
Barrie John Crockett has been sentenced to community work and ordered to pay reparations after misrepresenting his employer. Between December 2021 and June 2022, the man used his employer's name and letterhead to invoice customers for unlicensed asbestos removal work.
2 outlets · Three high schools blocked from fielding year 14 rowers
An independent panel has declined exemption applications from three high schools regarding new eligibility rules. These schools are now unable to field year 14 rowers at this week's Maadi Regatta held at Lake Karapiro.
3 outlets · Police seek witnesses after fatal Whakatāne crash involving motorbike and car
Police are appealing for information following a fatal collision between a car and a motorbike on Ōhope Rd in Whakatāne. The incident occurred around 4.55pm on Sunday, when the motorbike reportedly slid into the opposite lane. A motorcyclist died as a result of the crash.
2 outlets · Dozens of cars damaged by loose chips in Napier roadworks
Dozens of vehicles sustained damage, including paint, windscreens and tyres, after driving through roadworks on Meeanee Road in Napier on Sunday. Napier City Council has acknowledged there was an issue with the loose chips at the site.
3 outlets · Tenancy tribunal rehearing denied in Auckland rental dispute
A request for a rehearing has been denied following a dispute over an Auckland rental property. A UK family was previously awarded more than $18,000 in damages after claiming the home was unliveable. The landlord, Richard Pretious, believes the initial outcome could have been different if he had defended the hearing himself.
3 outlets · Rotorua councillor Lani Kereopa will not seek re-election
Māori ward councillor Lani Kereopa has announced she will not stand for re-election in the upcoming Rotorua local elections. She stated she feels she has failed to achieve anything meaningful for her people during her term and believes her efforts are better suited elsewhere.
2 outlets · Craig Little seeks fifth term as Wairoa mayor
Incumbent Wairoa mayor Craig Little is standing for re-election in this year's local government elections. Little stated he wants to address unfinished business and help the community recover following recent challenges including COVID-19, a cyclone, and flooding.
2 outlets · Top medical graduate struggles to secure hospital internship
Marley Joseph, an Auckland University top GP prize winner, is unable to find a hospital job despite applying nationwide. He says Health NZ must do more to retain locally trained doctors, noting that his previous internship experience has made him ineligible for certain re-entry policies.
3 outlets · Du Val Property Group debt increases to $306m
The debt owed by the Auckland-based Du Val Property Group has risen to $306 million, according to a new report from PwC. This figure is approximately 30% higher than the $238 million estimated in a previous report. The group, which consists of 70 entities, requires further forensic investigation.
3 outlets · Man hospitalised after stabbing during Auckland street fight
A man was taken to hospital with serious injuries following a stabbing on Dominion Road in Mt Eden on Sunday evening. The incident occurred around 6.30pm when two groups became involved in an altercation after one group disembarked from a bus.
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