Missing American aviation student found safe in Palmerston North
William Henry Johnson, a 24-year-old Massey University student from the United States, has been located safe and well. He had been missing in Palmerston North since between 30 May and 1 June. Private investigators had been searching for him after he lost contact with his family.
+26 outlets · Adrian Orr resigned as Reserve Bank governor over funding dispute
Documents released under the Official Information Act reveal Adrian Orr resigned abruptly in March following a disagreement over central bank funding. Orr reportedly found the dispute distressing and believed the proposed budget made his role unviable. The disagreement involved the bank's board and Finance Minister Nicola Willis.
+15 outlets · Police search for missing 79-year-old woman in Christchurch
Police have expressed grave concerns for Elisabeth Nicholls, who went missing from a Riccarton retirement village last Wednesday. The woman, who lives with dementia, was last seen on CCTV near the Chateau on the Park. Her family and authorities are now appealing for public assistance following extensive searches.
+26 outlets · Coroner finds drugs and cold water caused fatal crane jump
A coroner has ruled that Jarreth Colquhoun died from methamphetamine and cold water immersion after jumping from the SS Hikitia crane in Wellington. The 33-year-old leapt from the waterfront structure in January 2024. Recommendations include keeping the crane turned away from the water and installing motion-activated voice trespass notices.
+26 outlets · New Zealand bans two Israeli ministers from travelling to the country
New Zealand has imposed travel bans on Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich over comments regarding the war in Gaza. Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated the politicians actively undermine peace and security. The United States has criticised the sanctions, suggesting allies should focus on Hamas instead.
4 outlets · Air New Zealand to fly to new Western Sydney airport
Air New Zealand has signed an agreement to operate flights between Auckland and the new Western Sydney International Airport. The service is expected to begin in mid-2027, pending regulatory approvals and passenger demand.
4 outlets · Tornado-like weather hits coastal Taranaki
A resident in Warea reported seeing a tornado-like cloud mass near Cape Egmont lighthouse on Wednesday morning. The weather caused a shipping container to shift and brought down trees in rural Taranaki. MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the region.
4 outlets · New Te Ahu a Turanga highway opens to traffic
The 11.5-kilometre Te Ahu a Turanga highway officially opened to motorists on Wednesday morning. This new four-lane State Highway 3 connects Ashhurst to Woodville and replaces the former Manawatū Gorge Road. The project cost approximately $800 million.
4 outlets · More than 100,000 people expected at Fieldays at Mystery Creek
The Southern Hemisphere's largest agricultural event kicked off on Wednesday at Mystery Creek. More than 100,000 attendees are expected to visit the event, which features a record number of exhibitors. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon attended the opening, stating that New Zealand farmers are the best in the world.
3 outlets · Freight train and truck collide at Auckland level crossing
A truck and a freight train collided at the Kiwi Street level crossing in Favona on Wednesday evening. One train wagon derailed during the incident, and a KiwiRail staff member was taken to Middlemore Hospital as a precaution. The staff member has since been discharged from hospital.
3 outlets · Burst water main affects North Shore suburbs
A burst transmission main on Lake Road in Northcote has caused water supply issues for residents in Hillcrest, Northcote, Northcote Point and parts of Takapuna. Watercare technicians are performing emergency repairs at the site. There is currently no estimated time for when water service will be restored.
3 outlets · Muriwai house values rise 12 per cent amid Auckland decline
Property valuations in Muriwai have increased by 12 per cent, contrary to the average 9 per cent decline seen across Auckland. These new valuations, conducted by independent valuers, will influence residential rates which are expected to increase by an average of 5.8 per cent next year.
3 outlets · Māori children overrepresented in state care system report
A report from the Independent Children's Monitor shows Māori children are overrepresented at every level of the Oranga Tamariki care and protection system. More than 90% of Māori referred to youth justice had prior concerns reported to the agency. The findings suggest the current system is failing to perform effectively.
3 outlets · Terrace Tunnel reopens after armed police stop in Wellington
The Terrace Tunnel on State Highway 1 was reduced to one northbound lane on Wednesday morning following an armed police stop. The operation followed reports of a person pointing a firearm at another member of the public in Kilbirnie. Two arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
3 outlets · Storms cause power outages and flooding on State Highway 2
Heavy rain and thunderstorms in the Bay of Plenty have left over 200 homes without power. Significant flooding has closed a section of State Highway 2 at Paengaroa to light vehicles. Officials warned that high tides may delay water recession.
3 outlets · Soldier found guilty of taking intimate images without consent
Corporal Manu Smith of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment has been found guilty of making an intimate visual recording of a woman without her knowledge or consent. A three-person military panel delivered the verdict during a court martial held at Burnham Military Camp.
+15 outlets · Amberley Beach golfers call for new access road
Amberley Beach Golf Club members have urged the Hurunui District Council to construct a new access road. Sea level rise has destroyed the existing road, leaving some players to carry equipment through shingle. The club has been lobbying the council for two years to address the issue.
2 outlets · Homeless people trespassed from makeshift Rotorua CBD camp
Rotorua Lakes Council and police moved on rough sleepers from a makeshift camp on Amohia Street. The operation was conducted due to concerns regarding antisocial behaviour. A charity worker described the scene as heartbreaking.
4 outlets · Man pleads not guilty to murder of Kaikohe toddler
Drummond Augustine Leaf has pleaded not guilty to the murder of three-year-old Catalya Remana Tangimetua-Pepene. The 45-year-old appeared in the Whangārei High Court facing murder and assault charges. The toddler was found dead in her Kaikohe home on 21 May.
+15 outlets · Man jailed for campaign of violence against woman and child
A man has been sentenced in a Christchurch court for a six-month campaign of violence and terror targeting a woman and her daughter. Judge Raoul Neave described the offending as a campaign of terror during the proceedings.
2 outlets · New Plymouth woman convicted after dog attacks man at her home
Natasha Kahu has been convicted after her dog, Boogi, attacked a man fixing her car in New Plymouth. The victim suffered a severe leg wound and faces possible amputation. A lawyer noted the dog had previously bitten a Kāinga Ora property manager.
2 outlets · Auckland's first electric ferry launched for testing in the Hauraki Gulf
Auckland Transport's first all-electric ferry has been launched into the Tamaki River for technical testing. The locally made vessel can carry up to 200 passengers, though the installation of pier chargers is currently behind schedule.
2 outlets · Thousands move from North Island to South Island since 2018
Stats NZ figures show more than 85,000 people relocated from the North Island to the South Island between 2018 and 2023. Over 40,000 of these migrants moved specifically to Canterbury. The trend is attributed to factors such as affordability, lifestyle, and opportunity.
4 outlets · Christchurch indoor sports centre nears completion after decade of development
The $500m Metro Sports Facility – Parakiore in Christchurch is approaching the end of an 11-year journey. The new complex will feature various amenities, including a large community pool and 10m diving platforms.
2 outlets · Auckland Transport says speed limit increase near beach was inappropriate
Auckland Transport has stated that increasing the speed limit from 50 km/h to 70 km/h near Hatfields Beach was not desirable. While the agency described the change as illogical due to limited pedestrian space, it noted they were legally required to implement the increase.
2 outlets · Man identified after fatal house fire in Upper Hutt
Police have identified 69-year-old John Louis as the man who died in a house fire on Tararua Street in Trentham early Tuesday morning. Emergency services attended the blaze, which police do not believe was suspicious.
2 outlets · Smith & Caughey’s brings forward final closing date
The Auckland department store will close this Sunday, six weeks earlier than its original July 31 deadline. Following a closing-down sale, most remaining stock has been sold and shelves are now empty. The retailer announced in May that it was no longer viable.
2 outlets · Police did not investigate report of axe attack due to limited information
Christchurch police failed to respond to a report from Hillmorton Hospital nurses regarding a mental health patient attacking a woman with an axe. Authorities stated they did not send officers because they were provided with an inaccurate address and very little information.
4 outlets · Wellington Free Store to close after 15 years of operation
The Wellington Free Store on Willis Street will permanently close in July. The organisation has redistributed surplus food from over 60 eateries to hundreds of people every weekday since 2010. Organisers cited a difficult financial environment for charities as a reason for the closure.
2 outlets · Quinn Tupaea returns to Chiefs lineup for Super Rugby Pacific semifinal
Chiefs second-five Quinn Tupaea will return to the squad for Saturday night's semifinal against the Brumbies following an eye injury. The match is part of the Super Rugby Pacific semifinals, which also include a clash between the Crusaders and the Blues.
2 outlets · Wellington landlord charged with strangulation and other offences
Matthew Ryan, a prominent Wellington landlord, faces charges including strangulation, threatening to kill, and the distribution of an intimate recording. His lawyer appeared in the Wellington District Court on Tuesday, where Ryan's attendance was excused.
3 outlets · Whakatāne resident to stand for council in upcoming local elections
Alexander “Sandy” Milne plans to run for council in this year's local elections. The Whakatāne resident, who is nearly 91 years old, intends to challenge council spending.
2 outlets · Qantas to close Jetstar Asia within months
Qantas Group will shut down its Singapore-based budget airline, Jetstar Asia, by 31 July. The decision, driven by high costs and regional competition, will result in up to 500 job losses. Thirteen Airbus A320 aircraft from the fleet will be redeployed to serve Australian and New Zealand markets.
2 outlets · Police seek help to find missing Taranaki woman
Police are searching for a woman named Jan who has been missing since Tuesday morning. She was last seen walking north along State Highway 3 near the Thomason Road intersection. Jan was reportedly wearing a green jacket and long pants.
2 outlets · Auckland resident criticises council choice of berm tree
A Papakura resident has expressed concern regarding a liquid amber tree planted on a street berm outside her home. Sarah Thompson believes the council has not considered the potential impact of the tree's large size and root system on underground utility lines.
2 outlets · Stolen car hits school bus in Lower Hutt after evading spikes
A stolen vehicle driven erratically through Eastbourne collided with a school bus in Lower Hutt on Wednesday morning. The driver reportedly swerved towards police officers and avoided road spikes before the collision. No injuries have been reported following the incident.
2 outlets · Bus driver appears in court on manslaughter charge
Mikaele Ah Fook has appeared in the High Court at Auckland facing a manslaughter charge. He is accused of punching Peter Te Kira in the head at a Papatoetoe bus stop, three days before the 61-year-old man died.
2 outlets · Review launched into death of young man at Nelson respite facility
A review is underway following the death of 24-year-old Riley Brown at a Nelson mental health respite facility. Brown died of cardiac arrest on 1 June after experiencing what his mother believes was an allergic reaction. The facility is run by Pathways, a provider contracted by Health New Zealand.
4 outlets · Howden and Lasaqa extend contracts with the Highlanders
Loose forwards Te Kemaka Howden and Veveni Lasaqa have signed contract extensions with the Highlanders. Both players joined the club from the Hurricanes this season and will remain in the south until at least the end of 2026 and 2027.
2 outlets · Willis considers allowing KiwiSaver withdrawals for farm purchases
Finance Minister Nicola Willis is investigating whether KiwiSaver members should be permitted to withdraw funds to purchase farms. She is currently awaiting advice on the matter before presenting it to Cabinet.
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