Christchurch Hospital nurse assaulted while walking to work
A nurse was allegedly hit in the back by two people on an electric scooter on Hagley Avenue on Monday night. The incident occurred around 8.20pm while the woman was walking to her shift at Christchurch Hospital. Police are currently investigating the assault.
Lorde holds surprise pop-up performance in Auckland CBD
Singer Lorde performed a surprise, exclusive gig at the YMCA on Vincent Street in Auckland on Wednesday. The event followed cryptic social media posts that prompted fans to gather in the city centre. This comes ahead of her new album, Virgin, which is due for release on 27 June.
Man arrested after violent Papatoetoe assault leaves woman seriously injured
A 25-year-old man has been arrested following a violent assault on a woman in Papatoetoe on 9 May. The incident occurred on Sutton Crescent after an argument between the pair. The victim suffered a serious head injury, and the suspect is due to appear in Manukau District Court this Thursday.
Heavy rain and storms forecast across New Zealand
A low-pressure system is bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds to various regions. MetService has issued warnings for the Bay of Plenty, Northland, and the upper South Island, where up to 110mm of rain is expected. The weather may also cause potential closures for the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Cabinet agrees to scrap hairdressing and barbering regulations
The Government is set to remove separate hairdressing and barbering regulations following a regulatory review. Minister David Seymour stated the outdated rules are costly and do not improve public health. Instead, industry workers will follow broader health and safety regulations, a move expected to save the sector $1m annually in compliance costs.
Police appeal for help after motorcycle taken from fatal crash scene
Police are seeking witnesses after a motorcycle was allegedly taken from a crash site in Castlecliff on Sunday. A 25-year-old man died following the accident on Seafront Road, where his bike was removed before emergency services arrived. Authorities are asking residents to check CCTV or dashcam footage for information.
State Highway 5 closed after serious crash near Tarawera
A car and a truck collided on State Highway 5 near Tarawera around 8.50am. One person is in critical condition and another has sustained serious injuries. The highway is closed in both directions between Te Haroto and Pohokura, with Waka Kotahi stating the road will remain closed for most of the day.
Family of Palmerston North teen urges people to avoid viral tackle game
The family of 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite is warning others against participating in the social media trend known as 'Run It Straight'. Mr Satterthwaite died in hospital on Monday night following a catastrophic head injury sustained while playing the game in Palmerston North. His uncle has called for the events to be cancelled.
Environment Canterbury to lobby for Rangiora to Rolleston commuter train
Environment Canterbury has voted unanimously to approach KiwiRail regarding a potential passenger rail service. The proposed commuter link would connect Rangiora and Rolleston to Christchurch. The council intends to work with KiwiRail to prepare a business case for the service to support the region's growing population.
Luxon defends Stanford over comments regarding emails from India
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has defended Immigration Minister Erica Stanford after she likened unsolicited emails from people in India to "spam". While a community association described her remarks as inappropriate and biased, the Prime Minister stated he is relaxed about the comments and believes she meant no offence.
Automatic gates and security systems affected by 3G shutdown
The upcoming 3G mobile network shutdown at the end of the year is impacting household products, including security systems and automatic gates. A Christchurch woman faces a nearly $1000 upgrade cost for her gate, while alarm providers may face significant upgrade programmes to prevent systems from failing.
New funding for schools in Greater Christchurch and Selwyn
Education Minister Erica Stanford has announced a $161 million funding package for schools in the Canterbury region. The investment will deliver three new primary schools in Selwyn and Prebbleton, alongside additional classrooms for 16 schools across the wider area.
Tapanui man identified following fatal vehicle crash
Police have identified 71-year-old Kenneth David Falconer as the man who died in a crash on Station Road in Tapanui. Mr Falconer was the sole occupant of a ute that struck a garage and caught fire on 23 May. He died at the scene.
Coroner investigates drowning of seven-year-old boy at Whanganui pool
A coroner has questioned how lifeguards failed to notice seven-year-old Gerrard-Junior Raunga Williams-Bogileka when he drowned at a Whanganui aquatic centre in 2020. The boy reportedly lost his balance after spinning in a training pool before falling into the water. Two recommendations have been made to the local council.
Reserve Bank cuts official cash rate to 3.25 per cent
The Reserve Bank has lowered the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.25 per cent. This is the third OCR update of 2025 and the lowest level since October 2022. Some banks had already begun reducing their interest rates ahead of the announcement.
Invercargill Mayor delays new procurement policy over diversity concerns
Mayor Nobby Clark has stalled the adoption of a new procurement policy following concerns regarding a diversity question. The policy would ask businesses if they record diversity data during the tender process, though failure to do so would not result in exclusion. Clark intends to discuss the implications with council staff.
Selwyn district receives $108 million for new school and classrooms
The Selwyn district has been allocated $108 million for a new school, 52 additional classrooms and a future school site. Education Minister Erica Stanford made the announcement at Lincoln Primary School following advocacy from local leaders regarding the area's rapid growth.
Rugby league community distances itself from controversial collision trend
The rugby league community is distancing itself from the 'run it straight' collision trend following the death of 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite. The teenager died from a head injury while playing a version of the game, leading to calls to ban the trend.
RNZ declines request to assist Education Ministry leaks investigation
The Education Ministry has launched an external investigation into recent unauthorised disclosures. The ministry invited RNZ to meet with investigator Michael Heron KC to discuss potential shared information, but the broadcaster has declined the request to assist.
Woman vows to pick up controversial flag at Nelson art exhibition
Ruth Tipu has pledged to pick up a New Zealand flag from the floor of the Suter Art Gallery every day. The artwork, which features the words "Please walk on me", has sparked public debate. Deputy Mayor Rohan O’Neill-Stevens has defended the installation's role in challenging perspectives.
Milford Track bookings sell out in approximately 30 minutes
The Milford Track sold out in roughly 30 minutes on Wednesday morning as bookings opened for the 2025/26 season. Approximately 11,800 people were in the queue for 7,100 available spots. The Department of Conservation stated that the new booking system worked well for the Milford Track and other Great Walks.
Gold Coast charity offers one-way flights home for struggling Kiwis
The Nerang Neighbourhood Centre is providing repatriation flights to New Zealanders living on the Gold Coast who have fallen on hard times. These one-way tickets are being offered because New Zealanders are ineligible for certain government support regarding general homelessness.
Father and son recovering after fatal ATV crash in Cambridge
Rodney Schick and his son Oli are making progress following an ATV accident on a property in Karapiro on 11 May. The crash resulted in the death of 10-year-old Jimmy Schick. Rodney Schick was critically injured in the incident.
Former Otago Boys' High School teacher found guilty of indecent assault
David Bond, a 73-year-old former maths teacher, has been convicted of indecently assaulting a student during a school camp. Following a judge-alone trial in the Dunedin District Court, Judge David Robinson found the complainant's evidence to be credible and dismissed Bond's claims of innocence.
Millar named in Highlanders squad for final regular season match
The Highlanders will host the Chiefs at home this Friday night to conclude their Super Rugby Pacific campaign. Coach Jamie Joseph has made only one change to the side, with Millar set to start as the team attempts to avoid finishing in last place.
Trailer released for Pike River film ahead of October release
A trailer has been released for the upcoming film Pike River, which follows the aftermath of the 2010 mine explosion that killed 29 men. Director Rob Sarkies says the film focuses on the experiences of the families affected by the disaster.
Wellington car dealer ordered to pay compensation for lending breaches
El Cheapo Cars has been ordered to pay more than $340,000 in compensation to hundreds of borrowers after failing to disclose key loan information between 2015 and 2021. The Wellington-based firm also received a $115,000 fine after pleading guilty to seven charges brought by the Commerce Commission.
Rugby games may be cancelled following threat against referee
The Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Football Union is considering cancelling matches after a referee was threatened with being stabbed. The union expressed deep concern regarding escalating abuse and threats of physical harm directed at match officials.
Mayor Tory Whanau criticises Prime Minister over Wellington comments
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has accused Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of "punching down" on the city. The mayor rejected recent comments made by the Prime Minister regarding local government and Wellington. Whanau suggested the remarks were an attempt to distract from the Prime Minister's own failings.
Milton Haig resigns as New Zealand Under-20 head coach
Milton Haig has stepped down as the New Zealand Under-20 head coach after one month in the role. He cited a lack of alignment with the rest of the coaching staff as the reason for his departure. Haig recently led the team to an Under-20 Rugby Championship title.
Details revealed for Wellington Regional Hospital emergency department upgrade
Health Minister Simeon Brown and Finance Minister Nicola Willis have shared further details regarding a major overhaul of Wellington Regional Hospital. The stage one upgrades will include new treatment spaces, additional beds, and a revamped intensive care unit to better serve patients.
Comancheros member pleads guilty to shooting at former member's family homes
Patrick Langi has admitted to participating in a revenge plot targeting the family of former Comancheros member Khalid Slaimankhel. Langi and co-defendant Elijah Meyer carried out back-to-back shootings at two homes after Slaimankhel attempted to leave the gang.
Luxon calls for personal responsibility after teenager dies in online game
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has described the death of 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite as an absolute tragedy. Mr Luxon said the government cannot ban online trends like the 'run it straight' game, but urged individuals to take personal responsibility. The teenager died from critical injuries following a game played after a 21st birthday party.
New private building consent authority launches in New Zealand
Building Consent Approvals Ltd has launched as the country's first independent residential building consent authority. The company will initially operate in Canterbury before expanding nationwide, focusing on low-risk projects such as single-storey homes. The service aims to provide approvals in as little as two days.
Ruapehu District Council seeks feedback on water services supergroup proposal
Ruapehu District Council is inviting public feedback on a proposal to form a water services supergroup with neighbouring councils. Mayor Weston Kirton suggests that increasing the scale of the group could lead to a better deal for the district. The council is launching a two-week consultation period regarding the plan.
New Zealander injured after winning UK cheese rolling race
Byron Smith won the men's downhill race at Cooper's Hill in England but suffered a broken rib, a collapsed lung, and internal bleeding. Despite his victory, Smith has stated he will not compete in the event again.






















