Employer investigates man who heckled Winston Peters in Wellington
Tonkin + Taylor is investigating an employee who heckled Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters during a rail funding announcement at Wellington Railway Station. While the company apologised for the behaviour, the Free Speech Union has criticised the decision to launch an inquiry. Mr Peters described the incident as disgraceful.
+15 outlets · Auckland department store Smith & Caughey's to close after 145 years
Smith & Caughey's will close its Queen Street store and online business on 31 July. The decision follows consultation regarding the business's viability and will result in 98 redundancies. The retailer previously closed its Newmarket location last year.
4 outlets · Police search for man who fled while handcuffed near Gisborne
Police are urgently searching for 36-year-old Sonny Kennedy after he escaped on foot from a rural Whakarau Road property on Wednesday morning. Kennedy was arrested and handcuffed around 9.30am before fleeing towards a nearby bush area. Authorities have expressed concerns for his welfare.
4 outlets · Student hospitalised after alleged assault at Oxford Area School
A student was taken to Christchurch Hospital with moderate injuries following an alleged assault by another student at Oxford Area School on Wednesday. Emergency services were called to the rural Canterbury school around 2pm to attend the incident.
+15 outlets · Run It Straight event cancelled in Māngere due to safety concerns
A planned 'Run It Straight' event at Williams Park has been cancelled after organisers failed to obtain a permit. The Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board opposed the social media trend due to health and safety risks involving full-contact collisions without protective gear.
4 outlets · Auckland woman sentenced for stabbing Christchurch taxi driver
Rangimaria Sellars, 46, has been sentenced to 40 months' imprisonment at Manukau District Court. The Auckland woman pleaded guilty to stabbing a taxi driver in Christchurch last October, leaving the driver with six wounds and critical injuries.
+26 outlets · Winston Peters heckled during Wellington Railway Station press conference
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters was heckled by a Tonkin + Taylor employee during a policy announcement at Wellington Railway Station on Tuesday. The employer has apologised to Peters and is investigating the individual. The incident has sparked debate regarding whether employees can face disciplinary action for public behaviour outside of work hours.
3 outlets · Kāinga Ora to cut 620 roles in restructure
Kāinga Ora has confirmed it will cut 620 roles, including 194 vacancies, as part of a restructure. Most affected positions are in back-office and corporate functions, while frontline tenancy management roles remain unaffected.
+15 outlets · One person dead in Northland single-vehicle crash
A person died following a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 12 near Matakohe on Wednesday afternoon. The accident occurred west of Gallie Road at approximately 1.30pm. Police closed the road to allow the Serious Crash Unit to examine the scene.
3 outlets · Off-duty lifeguards rescue swimmer at Piha Beach
Two off-duty lifeguards rescued a 26-year-old man from the water at Piha Beach on Wednesday morning. After spotting the swimmer in trouble, the lifeguards alerted others and activated a search and rescue squad. The man was taken to hospital following the rescue.
3 outlets · Two arrested and firearm seized after Manurewa incident
Police arrested two people and seized a pistol and ammunition following a reported break-in attempt on Great South Road in Manurewa on Tuesday. A 38-year-old man faces charges for unlawful possession of the firearm, while a 42-year-old woman was arrested after methamphetamine was found in a vehicle.
3 outlets · Security increased at Christchurch Hospital birthing unit after midwife attack
Health officials have boosted security at Christchurch Hospital's birthing unit following an assault on a student midwife. The staff member was targeted on Antigua Street while walking to their car after a shift, though the incident did not occur on hospital grounds.
3 outlets · Two arrested after attempted burglary at rural Hunua property
Police arrested a 48-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man following an attempted burglary on Ponga Road in Hunua on Tuesday night. An Eagle helicopter and a dog handler assisted in apprehending the pair. The two individuals have been charged with burglary and are due to appear in the Papakura District Court.
2 outlets · ACT sought advice on punishments for Te Pāti Māori MPs
The ACT party requested advice on the range of potential penalties for Te Pāti Māori MPs following a haka during the Treaty Principles Bill reading. This request included the possibility of imprisonment. The Privileges Committee has recommended a 21-day suspension for co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
3 outlets · Man urged to drop complaint after losing $2000 in bank transfer
A man has been told to drop a complaint after losing $2000 due to a bank transfer error. The loss occurred when he entered the incorrect suffix in the recipient's account number. Financial Services Complaints Ltd has responded to the complaint.
3 outlets · Residents unhappy with new traffic calming measures in Tamahere
Residents of Birchwood Lane in Tamahere are protesting the sudden installation of traffic calming measures by the Waikato District Council. The new layout includes four chicanes on the 50kph road, which create one-lane sections at certain points.
4 outlets · New pacemaker mimicking natural heart rhythm trialled in New Zealand
A new pacemaker designed to synchronise with a patient's breathing is being trialled at Waikato Hospital. The device aims to help people with heart failure move and exercise more easily by mimicking the heart's natural rhythm. The first human trial patient received the device just before Christmas.
3 outlets · Advocates oppose government funding for octopus aquaculture research
Animal rights groups are calling for an end to taxpayer funding for octopus farming research. Advocates argue that farming these solitary creatures would be cruel. In 2022, the University of Auckland received $1 million for a three-year project regarding octopus rearing and feeding.
3 outlets · Jazmin Paget-Knebel wins 2025 Kīngi Tūheitia Portraiture Award
Photographer Jazmin Paget-Knebel has won the 2025 Kīngi Tūheitia Portraiture Award and a $20,000 prize. Her winning photograph, Taniwha Chasers, documents the connection between rangatahi and wild horses in Ōpōtiki.
2 outlets · Sherryn Erikson sentenced for role in Christchurch drug operation
Sherryn Erikson has been sentenced for her involvement in a multi-million-dollar methamphetamine and cocaine operation based in Christchurch. The investigation, known as Operation Italian Sky, led to the arrest of Erikson and 10 co-defendants. Police discovered approximately 2kg of methamphetamine being delivered to her home in Blockhouse Bay.
2 outlets · Invercargill council moves to increase te reo Māori street names
The Invercargill City Council is updating its policy to make te reo Māori street names more available. This follows a March meeting where confusion regarding naming policies was revealed after a developer failed to provide a Māori language option.
3 outlets · Napier City Council staff morale drops amid proposed restructure
Napier City Council is reviewing its organisational structure, which could result in the loss of more than 100 positions. The proposed changes include roles such as street cleaners and gardeners. Some staff members report that morale has declined significantly during the review process.
2 outlets · Dunedin man appeals life sentence for killing mother with dumbbell
Jordan Taylor is appealing his life sentence for the 2023 murder of his mother, Anita Jane Taylor. Lawyers for the Dunedin man argue he should not face life imprisonment for the attack involving a 10kg dumbbell. He was previously ordered to serve a minimum of 10 years in prison.
3 outlets · Lake Hāwea community objects to first stand-alone liquor store
Queenstown Lakes District Council has approved a resource consent for a Super Liquor store in the Longview subdivision. Local residents are objecting to the development, noting that the community was not consulted. The retailer has now applied for a liquor licence.
2 outlets · Comancheros nominee pleads guilty to shooting at Auckland homes
Elijah Meyer, a Comancheros nominee, has pleaded guilty to shooting at two Auckland houses connected to former gang member Khalid Slaimankhel. Court documents suggest the attack was intended as retribution because Slaimankhel failed to pay to leave the gang. Meyer faces potential prison time when he is sentenced in August.
2 outlets · Regulatory Standards Bill could cost up to $20m annually
Government officials estimate the Regulatory Standards Bill will cost at least $20 million per year over approximately 20 years. David Seymour has defended the expenditure, noting that the cost represents about 2 per cent of total annual government policy work costs.
2 outlets · Three people plead guilty to kidnapping and torturing Auckland man
Harmon Marcellus Unasa, Sefilino Fuli Lama, and Samuel Lama have pleaded guilty at Auckland High Court for the kidnapping and torture of a man. The incident followed an allegation that the man slapped a gang member's girlfriend at a bar. Seven men in total have now admitted their roles in the incident.
2 outlets · Highlanders make one change for upcoming match against Crusaders
The Highlanders have made a single forced change to their starting lineup for Friday's game against the Crusaders. Taniela Filimone will replace Jona Nareki on the wing after Nareki sustained a knee injury during a recent loss to the Hurricanes.
2 outlets · Comedian Dai Henwood cancels tour dates due to cancer treatment
Dai Henwood has cancelled the remainder of his Dai Hard comedy tour while undergoing treatment for incurable bowel cancer. The 47-year-old comedian, who was diagnosed in 2020, expressed disappointment over the decision. Ticket holders will be contacted regarding refunds for the cancelled and rescheduled shows.
2 outlets · Invercargill bakery seeks cheaper butter from global markets
Kaye's Bakery in Southland is sourcing butter from overseas due to rising domestic costs. The commercial bakery, which produces biscuits and slices for supermarkets and dairies, has used Australian brokers to find more affordable alternatives.
2 outlets · Man sentenced for manslaughter after fatal 2005 house bus fire
Frederick Matene King has been sentenced to home detention at the New Plymouth High Court for manslaughter. King set fire to a house bus in South Taranaki 20 years ago, resulting in the death of a sleeping victim. The victim's family expressed anger following the sentencing.
2 outlets · Ingrid Leary accuses Casey Costello of neglecting seniors portfolio
Labour MP Ingrid Leary has claimed Minister for Seniors Casey Costello is not performing her duties. Costello responded by stating that Leary has a shallow understanding of the portfolio. The dispute follows information from parliamentary questions and official requests regarding the Minister's actions.
2 outlets · Warriors re-sign Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban until 2029
The Warriors have secured rising stars Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban on long-term contracts. Both players have committed to the Auckland-based club until the conclusion of the 2029 NRL season.
2 outlets · Officer suffers asthma attack after being sprayed with deodorant
A female police officer suffered an asthma attack after a 32-year-old man sprayed deodorant into her face during a detention. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning at a property on Wynyard Street in South Dunedin following a report of family harm.
2 outlets · Former real estate agent's appeal against prison sentence is rejected
A High Court judge has dismissed an appeal by convicted fraudster Aaron Drever to serve his sentence under home detention. Drever sought the change following a previous assault while in prison, but the judge cited a lack of remorse and insight.
2 outlets · Coroner releases findings into Hemi Rapaea's death in Hawke's Bay crash
A coroner has released findings regarding the 2016 death of Hemi Rapaea, who was found in an upturned car on State Highway 2. Mr Rapaea died at the scene after being picked up while hitchhiking. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene following the crash.
3 outlets · Financial losses unknown following failed Whakatāne harbour project
The Whakatāne District Council, central Government, and Te Rāhui Herenga Waka board cannot determine the total cost of a failed boat harbour project. The project previously received $19.6 million in government funding. The Te Rāhui Herenga Waka Whakatāne Board is currently developing a wind-down plan.
2 outlets · Southland Hospital staff reportedly restricted to five minutes of daily conversation
Staff at Southland Hospital's Southern Clinical Records and Coding department have reportedly been told they can only speak to one another for five minutes per day. Union complaints also suggest employees were instructed not to take their breaks together.
+37 outlets · Debate on Te Pāti Māori punishments postponed by government
Leader of the House Chris Bishop postponed a planned debate regarding unprecedented punishments for Te Pāti Māori MPs. The decision surprised the opposition, who had prepared for a potential filibuster. The delay provides all parties two weeks to prepare for the upcoming discussion.
2 outlets · Schools lodge 171 formal complaints about revamped lunch programme
Ninety-three schools have submitted 171 formal complaints to the Ministry of Education regarding the government's cheaper school lunch scheme. The complaints follow the programme's first month of operation. The School Lunch Collective is now aiming to improve the delivery of the service.
2 outlets · Truck breakdown causes delays on Rakaia River bridge
Motorists on State Highway One are facing delays in Canterbury after a truck broke down on the Rakaia River bridge. Police were notified of the incident shortly before 6am, which has blocked the southbound lane.
3 outlets · Protests held over proposed exclusion of Te Pāti Māori MPs
Approximately 1,000 people gathered outside Parliament on Tuesday to protest the potential exclusion of Te Pāti Māori MPs. This follows a failure to reach a compromise regarding punishments for the party's representatives. A lawyer stated that the MPs' use of haka in Parliament was an expression of frustration with the Treaty Principles Bill.
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