Strong earthquake strikes off the lower South Island
A magnitude earthquake between 6.7 and 6.9 struck at 2.43pm on Tuesday, located near Tuatapere and the Snares Islands. While the National Emergency Management Agency said there is no threat to land, coastal areas were warned of strong, unusual currents and a small 10cm tsunami in Fiordland.
+26 outlets · Representation Commission proposes scrapping three Wellington electorates
The Representation Commission has proposed removing the Ōhāriu, Mana, and Ōtaki electorates to create two new seats, Kenepuru and Kapiti. These changes would result in the lower North Island losing one electorate due to population data. The proposal is part of a five-year reassessment of New Zealand's electoral boundaries.
+15 outlets · Man charged after Sydenham lockdown and alleged bomb threat
A 70-year-old man appeared in court today charged with threatening a dwelling following an incident in Sydenham on Monday. Police say the man allegedly threatened to detonate three gas bottles, resulting in a seven-hour standoff and the evacuation of nearby homes and businesses. The man remains in custody and has interim name suppression.
+15 outlets · Police increase presence in Gisborne due to rising gang tensions
Police have launched a significant operation in Tairāwhiti following eight incidents involving firearms and assaults between 16 and 23 March. Authorities say rival gang tensions pose a real threat to the public. Officers are now using special powers under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act to manage the situation.
+15 outlets · Police misidentify 11-year-old girl as adult mental health patient
An 11-year-old girl was handcuffed and taken to a Waikato mental health facility after being mistaken for a woman in her 20s. Following the incident on 9 March, Health NZ apologised and launched an investigation. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described the event as incredibly distressing.
+26 outlets · Explosive activity recorded at Whakaari/White Island
Recent monitoring flights have observed intermittent explosive activity at Whakaari/White Island, with ballistic blocks ejected up to 600 metres from the vent. Temperatures at the active vent reached 360C, and the volcanic alert level remains at 2. Gas and steam plumes continue to be recorded by webcams.
+15 outlets · Five teenagers charged after stolen vehicles driven in convoy through Dargaville
Five teenagers, aged between 14 and 16, face burglary and vehicle theft charges following an incident on Sunday. Police say three vehicles were stolen from a rural property near Mamaranui before travelling in a convoy towards Dargaville. During the pursuit, one of the stolen vehicles collided with a house.
4 outlets · Police failed duty of care in Lynne Martin death inquiry
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that Gisborne officers failed in their duty of care regarding Lynne Martin. The 63-year-old was found dead in a police cell on 23 November 2023, one day after being convicted of murdering her father.
4 outlets · Man charged after car hits five pedestrians outside Auckland University
A 20-year-old driver has been arrested and charged following a crash on Symonds Street where a car mounted a footpath. Five pedestrians were injured in the incident, with one man remaining in serious but stable condition in hospital. The driver faces charges including dangerous driving causing injury.
4 outlets · Māori Development Minister unaware Treaty clause removed from RMA reform
Tama Potaka stated he was unaware the Cabinet had decided to exclude the Treaty principles clause from proposed Resource Management Act reforms. RMA Minister Chris Bishop confirmed the decision to omit the clause, which currently requires Treaty principles to be upheld.
4 outlets · Sentencing for Mongrel Mob members involved in fatal Tauranga home siege
Several Mongrel Mob members have been sentenced in the Hamilton High Court following a 2022 attack on a Tauranga home. Bodine Umuroa received a 13-year and three-month sentence for the manslaughter of Mitchell Te Kani. Other participants received jail terms or convictions for serious assault charges.
4 outlets · Vandalism to public toilets in Ōtaki costs ratepayers $80,000
Vandals have caused $80,000 worth of damage to public toilet facilities in Ōtaki over a single month. The Kāpiti Coast District Council warned that rising repair costs may force the council to scale back maintenance or close some facilities. Mayor Janet Holborow stated that the community cannot sustain these costs.
3 outlets · Tyre specialist reports extensive car damage from Napier roadworks
A tyre specialist says roadworks in Napier have caused unprecedented damage to dozens of vehicles. Affected drivers report debris coating tyres and paint chips on bonnets. The specialist stated there is no solution for those caught in the situation.
4 outlets · Boil water notice issued for Woodville due to rodent droppings
Woodville residents must boil tap water after rodent faeces were found on rafters above the treated water at the Woodville Water East Treated Reservoir. Tararua District Council stated this is the first time an animal has entered this reservoir.
3 outlets · Homicide investigation launched into death of man in Miramar
Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of 63-year-old Abdul Nabizadah in Wellington. Mr Nabizadah was found with serious head injuries in Miramar on 17 March, and a post-mortem revealed he died from a blunt force assault. Authorities are urgently seeking witnesses, pedestrians, and dashcam footage from the area.
3 outlets · One person dead in Horotiu two-vehicle crash
A person died at the scene following a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 1C near Hamilton on Tuesday. The collision, involving a box truck and a heavy truck with a tandem trailer, occurred near the Te Rapa Road off-ramp. The incident caused the closure of the expressway at Horotiu.
4 outlets · All Whites qualify for FIFA World Cup after win over New Caledonia
New Zealand has secured a place at the FIFA World Cup following a 3-0 victory against New Caledonia. This win marks the team's third appearance at the tournament and their first in 16 years. Michael Boxall scored during the match, which was led by coach Darren Bazeley.
3 outlets · Waikato lawyer filmed yelling at protesters in Cambridge
Lawyer Paul Fisher was captured on video shouting at pro-Palestine protesters in Cambridge on Saturday. Following the incident, a separate video surfaced showing Fisher yelling at climate change protesters several years ago. Neither Fisher nor his law firm have responded to requests for comment.
2 outlets · Doctors claim outsourcing to private hospitals masks hospital wait times
Senior doctors argue that directing millions of dollars toward private hospitals for elective operations creates a false impression of improving wait times. The Health Minister has directed hospitals to outsource 10,579 procedures by the end of June at a cost of $50 million.
3 outlets · Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to be sidelined for eight weeks
Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is expected to miss up to two months due to a hamstring strain. The injury occurred during the club's recent victory over the Sydney Roosters. The Warriors will adjust their squad as they seek a third consecutive win.
2 outlets · NZ-led taskforce seizes $87.8 million in drugs off Oman coast
A New Zealand-led naval taskforce intercepted a boat off the coast of Oman, seizing 50kg of heroin and 210kg of methamphetamine. The narcotics are estimated to be worth NZ$87.8 million. This marks the third drug seizure by Combined Maritime Task Force 150 this year.
2 outlets · Over 1000 people enter ballot for Christchurch stadium tour
More than 1000 people have entered a ballot for one of 20 spots on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Te Kaha stadium currently under construction. The $683 million indoor stadium is expected to open in April 2026.
2 outlets · Two youths arrested following armed robbery in Invercargill
Two youths have been arrested and charged with aggravated robbery following an incident at a Collingwood Foodcentre dairy. Police executed search warrants at two Invercargill properties during the investigation. The youths are due to appear in Invercargill Youth Court today.
2 outlets · Man killed in Invercargill train incident identified by police
Police have identified 54-year-old Geoffrey Francis McIver as the man killed in an Invercargill train incident on 17 March. Mr McIver was struck by a freight train at a pedestrian crossing near Elles Road. KiwiRail stated that the train driver is being offered support.
2 outlets · Dunedin couple discovers $5.5m Lotto win while grocery shopping
A Dunedin couple discovered they won a $5.5 million Lotto prize while checking their ticket during a shopping trip. The pair, who wish to remain anonymous, nearly missed claiming the jackpot because they believed the ticket had been purchased elsewhere. The winning ticket was sold at New World Gardens.
3 outlets · Asian disputes increasing pressure on Auckland court system
New Zealand Asian Lawyers president Mai Chen says cultural and language differences are causing more disputes to go to trial. This trend is adding pressure to Auckland's overloaded court system, where nearly one-third of the population claims Asian heritage.
2 outlets · Two men arrested after police car rammed in Onerahi
Two men were arrested in Onerahi after a patrol vehicle was rammed during an attempt to evade officers. One man was taken to Whangārei Hospital for treatment after suffering dog bites during his arrest. Police had been deployed to the suburb following a sighting of a wanted vehicle.
2 outlets · Meridian Energy to build $227m solar farm in Ruakākā
Meridian Energy has confirmed plans to construct a 130 megawatt solar farm south of Whangārei. The $227 million project will feature 250,000 solar panels and is expected to produce up to 230 gigawatt hours of electricity. This marks the company's first solar farm in New Zealand.
2 outlets · Prime Minister criticises Health NZ over mistaken identity incident
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has called the case of an 11-year-old girl being mistaken for a 20-year-old woman and placed in a mental health unit "extremely distressing". Luxon is seeking answers regarding why it took two weeks for the minister to be informed of the incident.
2 outlets · Neither new stadium nor Eden Park upgrade viable without public funding
Auckland Council advisory staff have reported that neither the Eden Park upgrade nor the Te Tōangaroa proposal is feasible without public funding. Councillors are scheduled to vote on Thursday regarding whether to endorse one of the two competing stadium proposals.
2 outlets · Employment confidence falls to post-Covid lows
The Westpac-McDermott-Miller survey shows employment confidence has dropped to its lowest level since September 2020. This decline is driven by concerns regarding job security, fewer job opportunities, and slowing wage growth. While national sentiment has soured, results varied across regions, with only four of 11 regions recording a fall.
3 outlets · Government proposes Resource Management Act overhaul to streamline planning rules
The coalition government plans to replace the Resource Management Act with two new laws to reduce land use zones from 1,175 to approximately 13. Ministers aim to streamline resource management plans and reduce administrative costs, with economic analysis suggesting a potential $14.8 billion benefit.
2 outlets ·
