Wet and windy weather forecast for South Island this weekend
An active low pressure system from the Tasman Sea is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to much of the South Island starting Saturday. MetService has issued several weather watches, though Otago and Southland may avoid the worst conditions. The unsettled weather is forecast to move towards the North Island on Sunday.
+26 outlets · Waitangi Tribunal recommends immediate halt to Regulatory Standards Bill
The Waitangi Tribunal has recommended the Government immediately halt the Regulatory Standards Bill to allow for meaningful consultation with Māori. An interim report found the Crown breached Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles by failing to consult. Act leader David Seymour has responded by stating he has no intent to stop the bill.
+26 outlets · US Navy flagship USS Blue Ridge arrives in Wellington
The USS Blue Ridge, the command ship for the US 7th Fleet, has arrived in Wellington for its first visit to New Zealand. The vessel is expected to remain in the harbour until next Thursday. Authorities have advised boaties to keep clear of the ship while it is moving.
+15 outlets · Tauranga mayor buys Pāpāmoa home but will not move immediately
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale has purchased a house in Pāpāmoa. He and his family will remain in Cambridge until the end of the school year to avoid disrupting their primary school-aged children.
+15 outlets · Stuff and Herald on Sunday win major Voyager Media Awards
The Stuff Group won 11 prizes at the 2025 Voyager Media Awards, including Digital News Provider of the Year. The Herald on Sunday was named Newspaper of the Year and Weekly Newspaper of the Year. Other winners included RNZ's Anusha Bradley and TVNZ's Indira Stewart.
+37 outlets · Seventy-eight people in quarantine following Auckland measles case
Health New Zealand has contacted 286 close contacts of an Auckland measles case linked to overseas travel. Currently, 78 people are in quarantine and 19 are awaiting blood test results regarding their immunity. Public health teams are working to contain the virus's spread in the city.
+15 outlets · Government announces $577m boost for film and television production
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has pledged $577 million for the screen production grant over the next four years. The funding, provided as rebates, aims to help New Zealand compete with international incentives. The announcement was made during a visit to Stone Street Studios in Wellington.
+26 outlets · Police Commissioner launches independent review into technology misuse
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has ordered an independent review to ensure robust controls are in place to prevent the misuse of police devices. The move follows the resignation of former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming after objectionable material was allegedly found on his work computer.
+15 outlets · Wellington man arrested in FBI cryptocurrency laundering investigation
A man from Wellington was arrested in Auckland as part of an FBI investigation into an alleged US$265 million (NZ$450m) cryptocurrency fraud ring. Police allege the group manipulated seven victims between March and August 2024 to steal funds for luxury purchases. The man appeared in the Auckland District Court on Friday.
4 outlets · Onslow College deputy principal on leave during investigation
Onslow College deputy principal Connor Baird is on leave while the Teaching Council investigates allegations of potentially serious misconduct. Police have also confirmed they are making inquiries following a complaint regarding a staff member. The school is currently undertaking a process concerning the matter.
+15 outlets · Couple defrauded Oranga Tamariki of more than $2 million
Amandeep and Neha Sharma used a secret marriage to defraud Oranga Tamariki of over $2 million. After the fraud, the couple transferred funds to overseas accounts and fled to India. Amandeep Sharma has pleaded guilty in the Christchurch High Court.
+48 outlets · Fourteen people rescued after boat takes on water near Motiti Island
Fourteen people were rescued after an 18.2m vessel began taking on water near Motiti Island on Friday afternoon. Coastguard volunteers from Maketū, Tauranga, and Whakatāne responded to the emergency. All passengers were accounted for and transported to shore in Tauranga.
3 outlets · Rotorua tourism sector sees growth following Trenz trade show
Rotorua is experiencing a transformation through investment and planned growth. Following the Trenz tourism trade show, officials noted the city is rebuilding after the impacts of closed borders and emergency housing issues.
4 outlets · Ministers face protesters at Dunedin Hillside Workshops reopening
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Minister Shane Jones were met by protesters chanting "shame" during the reopening of the Hillside Railway Workshops in Dunedin. The $127.97 million KiwiRail facility has been rebuilt to support heavy maintenance and wagon assembly for the South Island rail industry.
3 outlets · Car crashes through Nelson security systems business garage door
A vehicle travelling at high speed crashed through a roller door at Nelson Alarms Security Systems in Tāhunanui on Thursday night. CCTV footage shows the driver attempting to reverse out of the building amidst debris. Police attended the scene on Parkers Road following the incident.
4 outlets · Kitten rescued from car engine bay on Auckland motorway
A woman driving home from Sylvia Park mall heard unusual noises coming from her car engine. A police officer discovered a kitten inside the engine bay and temporarily kept it in a lunch bag for safekeeping.
3 outlets · Schools in lockdown following serious assault in Papakura
Papakura High School and Papakura Intermediate were placed in lockdown on Friday following an assault on Settlement Road. One person was transported to Middlemore Hospital in serious condition. Police are currently conducting a manhunt in the area.
3 outlets · State Highway 25 closed near Kopu following police incident
A section of State Highway 25 between Kopu and Thames has been closed after a person with serious injuries was found on the road. Police were called to Kopu Road around 5.50am. Waka Kotahi advised that no detour is currently available.
3 outlets · One person dead after dirtbike and vehicle crash in Takanini
A person died at the scene following a collision between a vehicle and a dirtbike in South Auckland on Thursday night. Emergency services responded to the crash at the intersection of Mill Road and Airfield Road shortly before 8.30pm. The Serious Crash Unit is investigating the circumstances of the incident.
3 outlets · Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to perform in Auckland in 2026
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will visit Auckland for the first time in February 2026. Two shows will be held at Eden Park to celebrate the event's 75th anniversary. The performances will feature over 1,000 musicians and dancers performing the show titled The Heroes Who Made Us.
3 outlets · Toxoplasmosis may have caused vision loss for 10,000 New Zealanders
Otago University researchers estimate that 40,000 New Zealanders are affected by ocular toxoplasmosis, a parasite infection spread by cats. Approximately 10,000 people may have lost their sight due to the condition. However, a lack of funding is currently hindering efforts to create new treatments.
3 outlets · Timaru man sentenced to prison for child sexual exploitation
A 49-year-old Timaru man has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison by the Christchurch District Court. Customs officials arrested the man following an overseas trip after discovering a collection of at least 33 hours of severe child abuse video footage.
3 outlets · Peninsula Primary School in Te Atatū placed in lockdown
Peninsula Primary School in Te Atatū was placed in lockdown on Friday morning following reports of a suspicious man on the grounds. Police attended the scene after being called around 10am. The school has since confirmed that all students and staff are safe.
3 outlets · Hurricanes defeat Highlanders with late try in Wellington
The Hurricanes secured a 24-20 victory against the Highlanders at Sky Stadium. Cam Roigard scored a decisive try two minutes into stoppage time to clinch the win. The match took place in Wellington during a Super Rugby Pacific fixture.
2 outlets · Christchurch companies fined after baker loses arm in machine accident
Baker Boys and Pye Electrical have been fined following an incident where a baker lost half his arm. The worker became stuck in a blocked crumbing machine that lacked a working shut-off sensor while working a night shift in Christchurch.
3 outlets · New Zealand Secondary Schools rugby team restored to top status
New Zealand Rugby has dropped plans to create a separate under-18 side following opposition from school principals. The New Zealand Secondary Schools XV will remain the top side after agreeing to updated eligibility criteria. Both parties will continue discussing ways to improve governance and collaboration.
2 outlets · Newtown boarding house remains unrepaired two years after fatal fire
The Loafers Lodge building in Newtown remains scorched and unrepaired two years after a fire killed five residents. The Wellington City Missioner noted that survivors continue to struggle with the trauma of the May 2023 event.
3 outlets · Taiawa Harawira found guilty of historical sexual abuse charges
Taiawa Harawira has been found guilty of six charges of historical sexual abuse following a retrial in Auckland District Court. The 68-year-old man was arrested in 2020 after a woman alleged she was repeatedly abused during the late 1970s and 1980s. He was found not guilty of three other charges.
2 outlets · Air New Zealand flight from New York cancelled after medical emergency
An Air New Zealand flight scheduled to fly from New York to Auckland on Friday has been cancelled. This follows an inbound flight to New York that was diverted to Honolulu due to a medical emergency. The airline has apologised to travellers via email.
2 outlets · Police sergeant intercepts youths fleeing with stolen goods in Manukau
A police sergeant intercepted a group of youths running from Westfield Manukau with stolen items on Wednesday afternoon. The group, aged between 10 and 15, were apprehended after the officer chased them to a nearby bus. Police recovered approximately $2,800 in clothing and cosmetics, and the youths were referred to Youth Aid.
2 outlets · Teenage girl allegedly assaulted in Dunedin park
A 14-year-old girl was allegedly punched and kicked in the head by a 13-year-old girl at Bathgate Park in Dunedin. The confrontation reportedly began after the older girl took issue with the younger girl taking a photo. A member of the public intervened to stop the attack.
2 outlets · Driver flees police after reaching 180kmh on Dunedin motorway
A driver fled from police on Dunedin's Southern Motorway early Friday morning after being clocked at 152kmh. The motorist reportedly increased their speed to approximately 180kmh while attempting to evade officers. Police are expected to visit the driver today.
2 outlets · Fire crews monitor site after large hay bale blaze near Ashburton
Two hay sheds containing between 12,000 and 14,000 bales were destroyed in a fire at Andrew Quigley Contracting in Winslow on Wednesday night. Although the blaze was brought under control by midday Thursday, fire crews remained on site to monitor the area.
2 outlets · West Auckland tenant ordered to pay for fire damage
A tenant has been ordered to pay for damage caused by a rubbish fire at a Kelston rental property. The blaze damaged windows and weatherboards during an incident around 4pm. The tenant suggested the fire was related to local gang activity in the area.
2 outlets · Truck driver dies after hitting parked car in Putāruru
A truck driver has died after hitting a parked car on State Highway 1 in Putāruru. Emergency services were called to the scene near the Sholson Street intersection just after 7am Friday. Police report the driver was unresponsive and could not be revived.
2 outlets · Pharmacist's registration cancelled after selling stolen medication on Trade Me
Jayant Patel has had his registration cancelled after stealing medication from his employer. Over a four-year period, Patel ordered extra stock and edited purchase orders to sell the items on Trade Me, earning approximately $126,000 through 6,000 listings.
3 outlets · Transpower warns of increased blackout risk from winter 2026
Transpower's draft Security of Supply Assessment predicts an elevated risk of electricity shortages starting in winter 2026. This risk is expected to arrive four years earlier than previously estimated. The assessment suggests solar, wind, and battery storage are not coming online fast enough.
2 outlets · Police investigate surge in Wairarapa car thefts
Wairarapa police are investigating a rise in vehicle thefts, with 29 cars stolen in the region over the last two weeks. This includes 25 thefts in Masterton alone. Police believe groups of criminals are responsible for the surge.
2 outlets · One person killed in two-vehicle crash near Pahīatua
A driver died at the scene following a two-vehicle collision on State Highway 2 on Thursday afternoon. Emergency services responded to the crash south of Pahīatua at approximately 3pm. Police say no one else was seriously injured, and the Serious Crash Unit has examined the scene.
3 outlets · Three Chinese nationals jailed for blessing scam in New Zealand
Baodi Wu, Huanyan Chen, and Guoli Liang have been sentenced for a blessing scam targeting residents in Auckland and Christchurch. The trio, who arrived on visitor visas, stole more than $100,000 in cash and jewellery. They were arrested at an airport while attempting to leave the country.
2 outlets · Budget 2025 figures may not reflect real increases due to inflation
Budget 2025 is expected to include significant funding increases for health and education. However, analysts suggest these figures may not result in actual growth for these sectors as inflation may offset the additional spending.
2 outlets ·
