Man charged with murder after Hamilton woman killed by vehicle
A 38-year-old man has been charged with the murder of 30-year-old Jayde Gilbert. The incident occurred in May when a vehicle allegedly struck a power pole that Ms Gilbert was standing next to at a Hamilton intersection. The man appeared in Hamilton District Court.
+26 outlets · Human error caused widespread internet outage in lower North Island
A Chorus core ethernet router fault caused a massive internet outage across the lower North Island on Friday morning. The outage, caused by human error during planned works, affected regions including Wellington, Kapiti, Hutt Valley, Palmerston North and Napier. All impacted services were reported back online after the incident lasted more than an hour.
+26 outlets · Twelve-year-old charged with arson over Pakuranga McDonald’s fire
A 12-year-old has been charged with arson following a suspicious fire at a McDonald’s restaurant on Pakuranga Road last month. The young person has appeared in the Manukau Youth Court and is currently on bail. Police have not ruled out further arrests regarding the blaze.
+15 outlets · One person dies in Waitara house fire
A person has died following a house fire on Browne Street in Waitara on Friday morning. Emergency services were alerted to the blaze at approximately 7.30am. Police believe the deceased was the sole occupant of the home, and investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
4 outlets · Pedestrian dies after being struck by truck in Kaikōura
A pedestrian has died after being struck by a commercial truck at Peketā, south of Kaikōura. Emergency services were called to the scene between Inland Kaikōura Road and Rakanui Road on Friday morning. State Highway 1 was closed for several hours before reopening.
4 outlets · Teenager arrested at Auckland Airport with 15kg of drugs
A 19-year-old New Zealander has been arrested after Customs found 15kg of methamphetamine and cocaine in his luggage. The drugs, arriving from Los Angeles, have an estimated street value of $4.67 million. The packages were discovered during a baggage search at Auckland International Airport.
4 outlets · Five arrested after stolen cars cornered in Pegasus
Police arrested five people, aged between 13 and 23, after tracking two stolen vehicles to Pegasus on Wednesday morning. The vehicles had been taken from the Christchurch suburbs of Bishopdale and St Albans. Officers used road spikes to stop the group at the town's single access road.
4 outlets · South Island braces for heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures
A cold southerly is bringing heavy snow and freezing temperatures to the South Island. Snow has already fallen in Lake Tekapo and parts of Canterbury, with warnings issued for potential travel disruptions and power cuts. Authorities are advising caution due to slippery road conditions.
4 outlets · David Seymour participates in Oxford Union debate on stolen land
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour recently spoke at the Oxford Union in England regarding the moot "This House Believes No One Can Be Illegal on Stolen Land". Seymour's side lost the debate, which he described as great fun despite his initial nerves.
4 outlets · SkyCity sues Fletcher Building for $330m over convention centre delays
SkyCity Entertainment Group has launched legal proceedings against Fletcher Building and Fletcher Construction, seeking $330 million in damages. The claim relates to delays in completing Auckland's International Convention Centre, which was intended to open in 2020. SkyCity alleges negligence caused a 2019 fire that contributed to the project taking ten years instead of three.
3 outlets · Crusaders defeat Reds to secure Super Rugby Pacific semi-final spot
The Crusaders won 32-12 against the Reds at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch. Five tries, including one from Noah Hotham, helped secure the victory. The result ensures the Crusaders advance to next weekend's semi-finals while the Reds are eliminated from the play-offs.
3 outlets · Bronze sculpture stolen from Mt Pleasant Community Centre
A 2.2-tonne bronze sculpture by Llew Summers was stolen from the Mt Pleasant Community Centre in Christchurch between Thursday night and Friday morning. Local residents fear the $95,000 artwork may be sold for scrap metal.
3 outlets · Formal search abandoned for missing Christchurch woman
Police have called off the formal search for 79-year-old Elisabeth Nicholls, who has been missing since Wednesday evening. She was last seen leaving a Riccarton rest home during sub-zero temperatures. Authorities are still appealing for public information and asking residents to check security footage and outbuildings.
+15 outlets · Drivers urged to take caution after beef tallow spill on SH29
Motorists travelling through the Kaimāi Ranges have been warned of a very slippery road surface on the Waikato side of State Highway 29. The hazard was caused by beef tallow spilling from a truck approximately 3km from the SH28 intersection. Waka Kotahi NZTA has advised drivers to proceed with caution.
3 outlets · Police seek driver after woman seriously injured in Rotorua hit-and-run
A woman was seriously injured in a hit-and-run incident near the intersection of Haupapa and Tutanekai streets in central Rotorua on Thursday night. Police are searching for the driver of a red ute that allegedly fled the scene. Authorities stated the crash could have been fatal.
4 outlets · Sinkhole opens on Fendalton Road after water main bursts
A burst water main caused a sinkhole to open on Fendalton Road in Christchurch on Friday morning. The incident damaged a taxi and left approximately 50 properties without water. Workers have closed off the road following the disruption to rush hour traffic.
4 outlets · Te Pāti Māori MPs suspended following haka in Parliament
Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, along with MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, face suspensions after performing a haka in Parliament to protest the Treaty Principles Bill. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters described the behaviour as unprecedented, while ministers called the subsequent debate disturbing.
3 outlets · Rising sports field vandalism reported in Rotorua
Hundreds of children have been unable to play rugby at Westbrook Reserve after vandals performed burnouts on the field. Rotorua Lakes Council was informed that incidents of sports field damage and vandalism are increasing in the area.
4 outlets · Air New Zealand flight returns to Auckland after lightning strike
An Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Queenstown was forced to return to Auckland for engineering checks after being struck by lightning shortly after departure. Passengers reported hearing and seeing a loud bang during the incident. The aircraft returned to Auckland as a precaution.
4 outlets · Rob Walter appointed as new Black Caps head coach
South African Rob Walter has been named the new head coach of the New Zealand men's cricket team. Replacing Gary Stead, Walter will lead the Black Caps across all three formats. His contract is set to run until the conclusion of the 2028 T20 World Cup.
2 outlets · Inquest hears police knew of risk before LynnMall attack
An inquest into the death of Ahamed Samsudeen heard that police were aware of the risk he posed before an immigration tribunal hearing. The 2021 attack at a New Lynn supermarket resulted in eight injuries before Samsudeen was shot by police.
2 outlets · Queenstown restaurant Amisfield ranked in world top 100 list
Amisfield Restaurant, located at a Lake Hayes winery, has been ranked 99th in the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. It is the first New Zealand establishment to be included in the extended 51-100 rankings.
2 outlets · Winter weather system brings freezing temperatures to South Island
A polar blast has brought sub-zero temperatures and snow to parts of the South Island. Heavy snowfall warnings have been issued for the Desert Road and Lewis Pass, while coastal swells are expected as the winter system moves through the region.
2 outlets · Man charged after passenger dies in unreported Pongakawa crash
A driver faces charges following a single-vehicle crash on Maniatutu Road in Pongakawa last Tuesday. The accident, which occurred at 8:45pm, was not reported to police at the time. One person died as a result of the incident.
2 outlets · Rise in Covid-19 and respiratory infections reported across New Zealand
Data from Environmental Science and Research shows an increase in flu and Covid-19 infections. Auckland has seen a 50% jump in hospitalisations for severe respiratory infections, while five outbreaks have been reported in Wellington aged care and early childhood centres.
2 outlets · Police hunt pair after aggravated robbery at Pukekohe jewellery store
Two people are being sought by police following an aggravated robbery at a Michael Hill jewellery store in Pukekohe. The incident occurred around 4.45pm, with offenders allegedly using an axe and a hammer to smash glass counters. Police are currently investigating the robbery.
2 outlets · Property developer Aaron Coupe sentenced to additional prison time
Auckland builder Aaron Coupe has been sentenced to an additional three years and nine months in prison. The property developer, who is already serving a prison sentence, caused millions of dollars in losses to families, banks, and creditors over nearly a decade.
4 outlets · KiwiSaver members have until 30 June to claim government contribution
KiwiSaver members have until 30 June to ensure they receive the maximum $521 government contribution. To receive this full amount, individuals must contribute at least $1042 into their accounts. This is reported to be the final time this specific amount will be available.
2 outlets · Defibrillator donated by late All Blacks doctor stolen from North Shore
A life-saving defibrillator donated by the late former All Blacks team doctor John Mayhew has been stolen from a North Shore shopping strip. Mayhew's family expressed disappointment following the theft of the equipment, which was originally provided to the community to assist in medical emergencies.
2 outlets · Mataura Catchment Liaison Committee chair refuses to apologise for behaviour
Hugh Gardyne, chair of the Mataura Catchment Liaison Committee, has declined to apologise for conduct described as disrespectful by a council leader. He also rejected the use of 'kia ora' in a reprimand email, requesting to be addressed as 'hello' or 'dear' instead.
2 outlets · Broadcaster Daniel Faitaua mourns death of his father
TVNZ broadcaster Daniel Faitaua has shared that his 78-year-old father passed away at Christchurch Hospital over the King’s Birthday weekend. His father had been battling Parkinson's disease for decades and had recently suffered a stroke and pneumonia.
2 outlets · Electrical fault likely caused fire that destroyed historic ship Tui
An investigation has determined that an electrical fault in a cable was the most likely cause of the fire that destroyed the historic vessel Tui. The ship, which was once owned by Kelly Tarlton, was docked in Paihia when the non-suspicious blaze occurred.
2 outlets · Auckland Council email error reveals private addresses of many people
Auckland Council's West Wave Swim School accidentally exposed private email addresses after sending a group email with visible recipient details on Friday. The council attempted to recall the email approximately 30 minutes later. Reports indicate the breach affected hundreds or thousands of individuals.
4 outlets · Napier man wins $1 million Lotto jackpot with last-minute ticket
A man from Napier won $1 million in the Lotto First Division after purchasing a ticket on his MyLotto account just minutes before the draw closed. He decided to buy the ticket after seeing an advertisement for the jackpot while he was out on Wednesday.
2 outlets · Whooping cough cases rise in Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts
More than 300 cases of whooping cough have been reported across the region since late last year. Paediatricians are urging people to prioritise immunisations as some patients require hospitalisation. Doctors noted that children in communities with low immunisation rates are most at risk.
2 outlets · Truck fire closes northbound SH20 in Auckland during morning rush
A truck fire caused the northbound closure of Auckland’s Southwestern Motorway (SH20) on Friday morning. The closure occurred just after 8am between the Cavendish Drive off-ramp near Manukau and caused traffic to build up during the rush hour period.
2 outlets · Impounded cars from Levin street race listed for sale on Facebook
Vehicles involved in a recent boy racer meet in Levin have appeared on Facebook Marketplace. The event, described as a violent street race, resulted in seven injuries and 10 arrests. Local mayors have condemned the gathering, and potential buyers must wait 28 days for the cars.
2 outlets · Investigators call for powers to ban substandard ships from New Zealand waters
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission recommends changing maritime law to allow authorities to block substandard vessels from entering New Zealand. This follows a final report into the container ship Shiling, which required two rescues near Wellington in 2023 after losing power.
3 outlets · Manslaughter charges laid against three people following Loafers Lodge fire
Three people face manslaughter charges in relation to the May 2023 fire at Loafers Lodge in central Wellington. The blaze resulted in five deaths. Survivors and advocates say the legal developments may provide closure for those affected by the tragedy.
2 outlets · First water cremation service to open in Christchurch
A new water cremation facility, also known as resomation, is set to open in Christchurch. This service provides an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial and flame cremation. The process is described as a more sustainable end-of-life option that produces no carbon emissions.
2 outlets · Police pressured over failure to report investigation into press secretary
Police are facing scrutiny after failing to inform Beehive officials that they investigated and seized the work phone of Michael Forbes. The former deputy chief press secretary to the Prime Minister is being investigated for allegedly secretly recording women. The Department of Internal Affairs is also reviewing staff vetting procedures.
2 outlets · Former deputy press secretary resigns following failure to disclose information
Michael Forbes, the prime minister’s acting deputy press secretary, resigned on Wednesday. The resignation follows reports that he failed to disclose an incident that should have been identified during security vetting. The situation has raised questions regarding flaws in the New Zealand security clearance system.
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