Police investigate death of 15-year-old in Napier
Kaea Karauria died early Sunday morning following a violent disorder in Onekawa. Police have launched a homicide investigation and are searching properties on Alexander Avenue for clues. The teenager's family expects his body to be brought home on Tuesday.
+15 outlets · Luxon and Hipkins clash over pay equity regime changes
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Opposition leader Chris Hipkins are in a dispute regarding recent changes to the pay equity regime. The law change raises the threshold for workers to prove sex discrimination in pay. Labour has criticised the move, while National maintains the changes are not an attack on women.
4 outlets · Man found dead at Northland property identified as Geoffrey Wayne Ware
Police have identified 55-year-old Geoffrey Wayne Ware as the victim of a homicide investigation in Parakao. Ambulance staff found Mr Ware's body at a rural property off Mangakahia Road last Friday. A homicide investigation, named Operation Cossar, has been launched into the death.
4 outlets · Alleged objectionable material found on former deputy commissioner's work computer
Former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming has resigned following a four-month investigation by police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority. Alleged objectionable material, described as pornography, was reportedly found on his work computer. McSkimming had been suspended since December pending a criminal investigation into his conduct.
+26 outlets · Teen sentenced for manslaughter after 2020 Palmerston North house fire
A 17-year-old has been sentenced to 12 months' home detention for manslaughter following a house fire in late 2020. The fire, which was started by the boy when he was 12, resulted in the death of a woman in Palmerston North. The sentencing took place in the Palmerston North High Court on Tuesday.
4 outlets · Inland Revenue adopts tougher stance on unpaid student loans
Inland Revenue is taking a firmer approach to student loan debt, including using arrests at the border as a last resort. At the end of April, over 113,000 people with student loans were believed to be based overseas, with more than 70 per cent in default.
4 outlets · Stolen ambulance taken for joyride in Timaru
An ambulance was stolen from outside Timaru Hospital early Tuesday morning while staff prepared a patient for transfer to Christchurch. Dashcam footage shows the vehicle travelling up to 82km/h through thick fog before being abandoned at the port. The owner is now appealing for help to identify a man seen approaching the vehicle.
3 outlets · Christchurch teacher jailed for grooming and abusing student
Samuel Ramsay has been sentenced to more than two and a half years in prison for grooming and sexually abusing a student. The victim, who was 13 when the contact began, suffered significant trauma as a result of the relationship.
4 outlets · Hearing continues for Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray helipad application
Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray are seeking resource consent to land helicopters at their Westmere property. While a neighbour has expressed support for the application, a local group is opposing the proposal during the ongoing hearing.
3 outlets · Auckland War Memorial Museum closed after more asbestos is detected
The Auckland War Memorial Museum has closed entirely after further asbestos was discovered in the Grand Foyer and old building. Staff are currently working remotely while assessments continue to determine the extent of the contamination. Fire and Emergency is also urgently reviewing an application for an alternative fire exit.
3 outlets · Man in critical condition after serious assault in Lower Hutt
Police are investigating a serious assault at a residential property on Randwick Road in Lower Hutt. A 50-year-old man was found with critical injuries at approximately 8pm on Monday. Officers have indicated there will be a high police presence in the area over the coming days.
3 outlets · Wellington man under investigation following multiple assault complaints
Police are investigating a Wellington man after two women reported being assaulted in separate incidents years apart. The women connected via social media, which has led police to urge the public not to speculate on the man's identity. The complaints are understood to relate to sex crimes.
3 outlets · Onehunga resident claims Kāinga Ora ignored complaints about neglected dogs
An Onehunga resident says Kāinga Ora failed to act on years of complaints regarding neglected and aggressive dogs at neighbouring properties. The resident reported being bitten by an aggressive dog and attempting to save a starving animal. The dogs involved were eventually seized and euthanised.
2 outlets · Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming resigns amid conduct investigation
Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming has resigned following allegations that objectionable pornography was found on his work device. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said the resignation raises questions but noted a criminal investigation is ongoing. Former Police Minister Stuart Nash described McSkimming as a competent and respectful officer.
2 outlets · Health NZ to outsource elective surgeries to private hospitals
Health New Zealand plans to reduce elective surgery waitlists by outsourcing thousands of simple cases to private hospitals. Public hospital doctors will be asked to work longer hours on more complex cases. Surgeons have expressed confusion regarding the plan, noting they are already stretched.
2 outlets · Auditor-General report criticises Auckland Transport reliability and passenger communication
The Office of the Auditor-General has released a report examining the reliability of Auckland Transport's services. The findings highlight a need for better passenger communication regarding delays and more focus on passenger experiences. While some improvements have been made, the Deputy Auditor-General noted that further work is required.
2 outlets · Government will miss November target for 500 new police officers
Ministers have conceded they will not meet the goal of hiring 500 extra police officers by November. Police Minister Mark Mitchell stated the new target is to reach this figure before the 2026 election, citing changes to training and attrition as reasons for the delay.
2 outlets · Person in serious condition after being hit by car on Queen Street
A pedestrian was hit by a vehicle on Auckland's Queen Street on Tuesday afternoon. The person was transported to Auckland City Hospital in serious condition. Police were notified of the collision at approximately 1.30pm.
2 outlets · Man arrested after woman robbed of pizzas at knifepoint
A 28-year-old man has been arrested after threatening a woman with a knife in central Auckland. The incident occurred around 9pm on Mayoral Drive while the woman was walking to her accommodation. Police tracked the man after he fled on foot with the stolen pizzas.
2 outlets · Man charged after theft of railway sleepers from Glenbrook Vintage Railway
A 64-year-old man has been charged with theft and trespassing following the removal of railway sleepers in Auckland. Police are investigating the theft of materials worth thousands of dollars that occurred on 2 May. While one man has been arrested, another remains at large.
2 outlets · Principals criticise new maths testing for young children
The head of the Principals Federation has criticised the government's plan to introduce a new maths check for children in their first two years of schooling. The initiative, which includes $4 million for development, has been described by critics as testing children too much.
4 outlets · Ministers to receive pay increases following pay equity changes
Cabinet ministers are scheduled to receive pay rises in July despite recent changes to pay equity laws. The new legislation, passed under urgency, requires workers to meet a higher threshold for claims and will see 33 existing claims removed from the system.
2 outlets · US military holds talks to launch more satellites from New Zealand
The US Space Force is in discussions with New Zealand regarding the deployment of hundreds of additional satellites from the country. These satellites are intended to support various functions, including America's nuclear command-control-and-communications system. The specific types of satellites involved have not been confirmed.
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