Parliament adjourns debate on Te Pāti Māori MP suspensions
A debate regarding proposed suspensions for three Te Pāti Māori MPs has been adjourned until early June. The Privileges Committee recommended 21-day suspensions for Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and a seven-day suspension for Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, following a haka in the House.
+26 outlets · Two IT contractors jailed for $4m Spark corruption scheme
Australian citizens Sean Bryan and Mark Lester have been sentenced to three years in prison for their roles in a bribery and corruption case involving Spark New Zealand. The scheme involved more than $4 million in kickbacks and is described as the country's largest private sector corruption case involving a publicly listed company.
+15 outlets · Missing Russian stuntman identified after 22 years at Lake Taupō
Artour Melikov, a Russian stuntman who went missing in 2002, has been formally identified. Police say public information and photos helped identify remains found near Bulli Point at Lake Taupō.
+26 outlets · Government announces $604.6 million for rail network upgrades
The Government has committed over $600 million in Budget 2025 to upgrade and renew New Zealand's rail services. The funding includes $461 million for freight rail maintenance and more than $140 million to improve Auckland and Wellington metropolitan networks.
+26 outlets · Man jailed for role in computer-generated child abuse website
Donald James Sarratt has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison for his role as a facilitator for a website hosting computer-generated child sexual abuse material. The 35-year-old assisted with website upkeep and member access for nine years. The case was part of a joint operation between New Zealand and US authorities.
4 outlets · Man jailed for taking thousands of intimate recordings in Christchurch
Moana Tekawa has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for secretly filming and photographing women in their homes. The 57-year-old was arrested following complaints from women in the Riccarton area. He has a previous conviction for similar offending in Auckland.
4 outlets · Christchurch council staff relocated due to seismic concerns
Up to 400 Christchurch City Council staff are being moved from part of the Te Hononga Civic Offices following engineering concerns regarding seismic performance. The relocation affects the mayor's office and the council meeting chamber. An engineering assessment of the building's annex is expected to be completed within three weeks.
4 outlets · Man charged after glass bottles thrown at Hawke’s Bay cyclists
An 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged with assault with a weapon following an incident in Poukawa last month. Occupants of a black ute allegedly threw glass bottles at cyclists during a sanctioned race on Mutiny Road, causing one rider to fall from their bike.
4 outlets · Widespread internet outages reported across New Zealand
Users in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin reported broadband internet outages on Tuesday evening. Contact Energy is investigating the cause of the service disruption, which affected several areas across both islands. Connectivity has since been restored.
+15 outlets · Douglas Roake denied parole for third time
The Parole Board has refused to release Douglas Roake from prison. The 30-year-old carried out six armed robberies at Canterbury pubs and shot a mother and daughter during a 2017 home invasion in Rolleston. Officials stated they still do not understand the reasons behind his offending.
4 outlets · Three men charged following separate incidents in Wairoa over weekend
Three men face court following unrelated incidents in Wairoa this weekend. These include a fatal vehicle crash on Kopu Road on Sunday, a suspicious house fire in Frasertown on Saturday, and a man presenting a firearm on Ruataniwha Road. One passenger from the crash has been charged with firearms offences.
3 outlets · Safety improvements planned for Matamata rail corridor after student's death
KiwiRail and the Matamata-Piako District Council will remove trees and install fencing near Matamata College. These safety measures follow the death of 13-year-old Sarie Morton earlier this year. KiwiRail has declined requests to alter train schedules or speeds through the area.
3 outlets · Parliament debates proposed suspensions for Te Pāti Māori MPs
The House is debating whether to suspend three Te Pāti Māori MPs following a haka performed during the Treaty Principles Bill debate last year. The Privileges Committee has recommended suspensions for Rawiri Waititi, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke. The debate was postponed after the Government voted to delay the discussion.
3 outlets · Protesters demand lower eligibility age for free bowel cancer screening
Dozens of protesters gathered at Parliament to call for the free bowel cancer screening age to be lowered to 45. The group included cancer survivors advocating for earlier intervention to prevent advanced disease.
+26 outlets · Winston Peters clashes with heckler during rail funding announcement
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters engaged in a verbal exchange with a heckler at Wellington Railway Station on Tuesday. The interruption occurred following a government announcement regarding more than $600 million in rail funding. Peters was joined at the event by Transport Minister Chris Bishop.
3 outlets · Parliament adjourns debate on Te Pāti Māori suspension
Parliament has voted to delay a debate regarding the potential suspension of three Te Pāti Māori MPs. The members performed a haka during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill last November. The privileges committee has recommended the suspensions following the disruption caused during the proceedings.
2 outlets · KiwiRail denies price gouging following Aratere ferry retirement
KiwiRail has stated there will be no considerable ticket price increases after the Aratere ferry retires at the end of August. The operator warned that the loss of the vessel will affect capacity, meaning passengers may need to be more flexible with travel dates. Transport lobby groups have raised concerns regarding fleet resiliency.
3 outlets · U-GO Waikaraka becomes New Zealand's cheapest petrol provider
U-GO Waikaraka in Auckland has overtaken Gull Ātiamuri as the provider of the cheapest petrol in New Zealand. Fuel monitoring site Gaspy reported that U-GO was selling 91 petrol for $229.7 on Monday. Experts suggest the previously significant impact of Gull's low pricing has recently diminished.
4 outlets · Former partner blames mental health system for double killer's actions
The former partner of a man who committed two killings over two decades says the mental health system failed to protect the public. She claims the man should not have been released from a mental health facility five days before his second killing.
+15 outlets · Boxing association president criticises Dan Hooker's fight event
Billy Meehan, president of the New Zealand Boxing Coaches Association, has described the upcoming 'King of the Streets' tournament as thuggery. The event features 32 amateur fighters competing for a $50,000 prize. Promoted by Dan Hooker, the tournament has been linked to an online gambling site and social media influencers.
2 outlets · Wellington father jailed for causing multiple fractures to infant son
A man has been sentenced to two years and two months in prison for inflicting non-accidental injuries on his son. The baby, who was under four months old at the time, suffered fractures to his arms, leg, ribs, and skull. The court heard the injuries were caused by blunt force trauma or shaking.
2 outlets · Ngāti Tamaoho to lead Auckland Matariki Festival celebrations
The 2025 Matariki Festival programme has been launched, focusing on the theme of wai (water). In partnership with Auckland Council, Ngāti Tamaoho will host cultural activities across Tāmaki Makaurau. The celebrations are scheduled to run for five weeks from 7 June to 13 July.
2 outlets · Scammers targeting hospitality businesses in Wellington and Christchurch
Fraudsters are targeting cafes, restaurants, and bars in Wellington and Christchurch. In the capital, one scam involves a man claiming his partner became severely ill after eating. Another reported scam involves a customer claiming they were wrongly served onions.
3 outlets · Wellington lawyer suspended for two years after office theft
Chris Tennet has been suspended from practicing law for nearly two years. The disciplinary action follows the theft of over $330,000 from the Ministry of Justice legal aid scheme by a convicted criminal employed at Tennet's firm.
2 outlets · Auckland oyster farm closes following sewage contamination
Oyster farmer Tom Walters has closed his Matakana Oysters business due to sewage overflows in the Mahurangi River. Walters blames Watercare and poor urban planning for the wastewater entering the Mahurangi Harbour after heavy rain earlier this month. The contamination has reportedly spoiled harvests and threatened local farming.
2 outlets · TVNZ director takes leave to represent former police official
TVNZ board director Linda Clark is taking temporary leave to maintain independence while acting as a lawyer for former Deputy Commissioner of Police Jevon McSkimming. Clark is seeking an injunction to prevent the media from publishing information regarding a criminal inquiry into McSkimming, who resigned from his police role last week.
2 outlets · Tributes for teenager killed in Waipawa vehicle crash
Rhys Kawana, a rugby player from Otane Sports, died on Sunday morning following a vehicle crash in Waipawa. The community is paying tribute to the teenager, who was a student at Hastings Boys’ High School. Reports differ on whether the incident involved one or two vehicles.
2 outlets · Fifteen pukupuku kiwi moved from Wellington to Hawke's Bay
Fifteen threatened pukupuku kiwi have been translocated from Zealandia in Wellington to Cape Sanctuary in Hawke's Bay. This marks the first time these small kiwi have been moved between sanctuaries since their reintroduction to the mainland. The move aims to help increase the national population.
2 outlets · Hamilton community to farewell woman killed in vehicle crash
Jayde Gilbert, 30, will be farewelled tomorrow following her death last Thursday. She died after a gold-coloured ute struck a power pole she was standing next to at a Hamilton intersection. A homicide inquiry into the incident is ongoing.
2 outlets · Auckland Council to release new property valuations in June
Auckland Council expects to issue new valuations for approximately 630,000 properties during the week of 9 June. These figures will be used to determine rates, which are proposed to increase by 5.8%. Property owners will have the opportunity to object to their new valuations.
2 outlets · Owner applies to demolish historic Ngāpipi boatshed
Malcolm Dick has applied to demolish a protected 1930s boatshed in Ōrākei due to flooding. The historic structure, which is valued at $1.5 million, would be replaced by a new building. The property was purchased by The Malcolm Dick Trust in June 2023.
2 outlets · Government to focus on supermarket competition after Budget
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the government will look into the supermarket sector following this week's Budget. After hearing from smaller operators and major chains like Woolworths and Foodstuffs, officials are considering various options to increase competition in the industry.
3 outlets · Napier City Council proposes restructure affecting more than 100 jobs
Napier City Council is consulting with staff regarding a proposal to reshape its four directorates. Chief executive Louise Miller confirmed the organisational review is underway, with one staff member suggesting the changes could impact over 100 roles, including gardeners and street cleaners.
4 outlets · Taupō dinosaur sculpture sparks debate over public spending
A mirror-finish dinosaur sculpture in Taupō has drawn criticism from locals who describe it as a waste of public funds. The nearly 10m-tall artwork was funded by a $100,000 grant from the Taupō District Council as part of the city's sculpture trail.
4 outlets · Man arrested in Paihia after being seen with suspicious object
A gang member was arrested in Paihia early Tuesday morning after a CCTV operator in Kaitāia observed him pulling what appeared to be a gun from his trousers. While the man was seen holding the object on camera, police reported finding methamphetamine paraphernalia instead.
2 outlets · Auckland Council forms alliance to boost local tech sector
Mayor Wayne Brown has launched the Auckland Innovation and Technology Alliance to strengthen the city's tech ecosystem. The initiative aims to foster public-private collaboration, attract investment, and create high-paying jobs. The goal is to establish Auckland as New Zealand's premier tech city.
2 outlets · New Zealand joins international call for full aid resumption to Gaza
New Zealand and the European Union have joined 22 other countries in calling for Israel to allow the immediate resumption of aid into Gaza. The joint statement warns that food and medicine are exhausted, leaving the population facing starvation. The partners are urging Israel to let humanitarian organisations work independently to save lives.
2 outlets · Calculating how much coffee savings contribute to a house deposit
RNZ has analysed whether cutting out small expenses like takeaway coffee and brunching is sufficient to save for a house. The investigation examines if these lifestyle changes are enough to help people reach their financial goals.
2 outlets · Brain injury group criticises Run it Straight collision sport events
A brain injury support group has expressed disapproval over Run it Straight sporting events being held in Auckland. The activity involves a ball runner and a defender colliding at full speed within a 20-metre zone. The group described the controversial collision sport as appalling.
2 outlets · New curriculum to introduce financial literacy from Year 1
A new financial literacy programme will be integrated into the Social Sciences Curriculum for students starting in Year 1. Experts suggest these classroom lessons could prevent people from having to learn expensive financial mistakes through trial and error.
2 outlets · High-risk sex offender avoids rare sentence at Auckland High Court
John Lindsay Ellis, aged 78 or 79, was living in an emergency housing motel when he indecently assaulted a four-year-old boy. Justice David Johnstone declined a request for a rare sentence, citing the defendant's physical infirmity.
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