Coroner orders new investigation into death of Gore toddler
Coroner Alexander Ho has described previous investigations into the 2019 death of three-year-old Lachie Jones as a "shambles". While finding foul play unlikely, the coroner has ordered a third police reinvestigation by an experienced officer from outside Southland. The case has also been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
+15 outlets · Tingjun Cao sentenced to life for murder of Yanfei Bao
Tingjun Cao has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao. Cao, who continues to deny the crime, must serve at least 17.5 years. The sentencing hearing in the Christchurch High Court was disrupted by Cao's outbursts, leading to his removal from the courtroom.
+26 outlets · Prime Minister to visit China and Europe to meet leaders
Christopher Luxon will travel to China from 17 to 20 June to meet President Xi Jinping and a business delegation. The Prime Minister will then head to Europe to attend the NATO summit in the Netherlands.
+15 outlets · Evacuations occur after large fire damages homes in Lyttelton
A large fire broke out on Brittan Terrace in Lyttelton on Friday evening, engulfing two homes and spreading to a third. Emergency services rescued a person trapped in one of the buildings and evacuated nearby residents. Fire and Emergency NZ confirmed the fires were contained by 8.30pm.
+15 outlets · Police seize nearly 500 firearms from Gore property
Police recovered 478 firearms and significant amounts of ammunition during a raid on a Gore home on 6 June. The discovery, made after concerns were raised regarding a man's purchasing history, is considered one of the largest weaponry seizures in New Zealand history.
4 outlets · Air India plane crashes in Ahmedabad killing over 240 people
An Air India flight bound for London crashed near Ahmedabad airport shortly after takeoff, hitting a medical college hostel. Authorities report more than 240 people died, including five on the ground, while at least 50 others were injured. One passenger is the only known survivor of the disaster.
4 outlets · Judicial Conduct Panel to investigate Acting District Court Judge Ema Aitken
A Judicial Conduct Panel will investigate Acting District Court Judge Ema Aitken following an alleged verbal altercation with Winston Peters at Auckland's Northern Club. The inquiry will consider whether her conduct during the incident warrants her removal from the bench.
+15 outlets · Majority support extending alcohol ban area in Gisborne
Public consultation results show most submitters support extending alcohol bans to more of the Gisborne city centre and the Kaiti area. The proposal follows a growing trend of alcohol-fuelled incidents in these locations.
4 outlets · Person seriously injured in bus and wheelchair collision in Taradale
A person in a wheelchair or mobility scooter was seriously injured after colliding with a GoBay bus on Lee Road in Taradale. The accident occurred around 2:30pm on Friday. Emergency services and bus operators attended the scene following the incident.
3 outlets · Two men charged over Marton robbery and burglary incidents
Two men are facing court following alleged robberies at a commercial premises on Broadway in Marton. Police say one individual hid in a ceiling space before confronting an employee with a weapon on 10 May. The charges relate to both that incident and a previous burglary in April.
2 outlets · Two seriously injured in alleged assault at East Tamaki home
Two people were seriously injured during an alleged assault at a property on Lissleton Drive in East Tamaki on Thursday night. A 27-year-old man has been charged with wounding and is due to appear in the Manukau District Court.
3 outlets · Auckland City Hospital patients wrongly told they had STIs
Health New Zealand has apologised after 25 patients at Auckland City Hospital were incorrectly told they had a sexually transmitted infection. The error involved false positive results from an internal laboratory between 23 May and 4 June. Six patients remain unaware that the results were a mistake.
4 outlets · Three-vehicle crash causes traffic delays near Fieldays site
A three-vehicle crash in the southbound lane of State Highway 1 closed the Tamahere off-ramp on Thursday morning. The incident, which occurred just before 7am, caused significant congestion for motorists travelling towards Fieldays. Police reported that no significant injuries resulted from the accident.
3 outlets · Fieldays celebrates 57 years of agricultural innovation
More than 100,000 people attended the annual Fieldays event. The exhibition features over 1,000 exhibitors showcasing products ranging from drones to leather inventions.
3 outlets · Auckland couple among victims of Air India plane crash in India
An Air India flight crashed in an Ahmedabad residential neighbourhood shortly after takeoff, killing more than 240 people. An Auckland couple who lived in New Zealand for five years is among the victims. The local Indian community has held vigils in Auckland to pay their respects.
3 outlets · First phase of inquest into LynnMall attack concludes
The first phase of a coronial inquest into the 2021 New Lynn supermarket attack has ended. Ahamed Samsudeen was shot dead by undercover police after stabbing five people with a kitchen knife. Police counsel stated that officers had no other option during the incident.
2 outlets · Crusaders beat Blues to secure home Super Rugby Pacific final
The Crusaders defeated the Blues 21-14 at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch to book a home final. Will Jordan scored two tries to help the team overcome a 14-point deficit. The semi-final match was held in Christchurch.
2 outlets · One person dead and three injured in Te Aroha crash
A two-vehicle crash on Stanley Road South near Te Aroha resulted in one fatality on Friday afternoon. Police confirmed one person died at the scene, while another person sustained serious injuries.
2 outlets · Young child seriously injured after being hit by car in Henderson
A young child was taken to hospital in serious condition after being struck by a car on Newington Road in Henderson on Friday afternoon. Police say the child sustained a broken leg and foot injuries. Motorists have been advised to expect traffic delays in the area.
2 outlets · State Highway 3 remains closed at Awakino following mudslide
State Highway 3 south of Awakau Road remains closed after a large mudslide hit the road on Thursday evening. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says contractors are working to clear the debris. The highway is expected to reopen to single-lane traffic under stop/go controls by the end of Friday.
2 outlets · French tourist convicted after biting police officers near Nelson
Ulysse Felician, a 30-year-old French tourist, has been convicted for resisting arrest following a roadside altercation. After performing an illegal U-turn, Felician bit two officers and attempted to grab a Taser. While he failed to avoid convictions for these actions, he was let off for a cannabis possession charge.
2 outlets · Invercargill man sentenced for stealing $50,000 from his mother
Robert James Mills was sentenced to 29 months in prison for unlawfully using documents to steal more than $50,000 from his mother. The theft occurred over a three-year period and left her accounts empty. During sentencing at Dunedin District Court, his mother told him she did not recognise the person he had become.
2 outlets · Hawke’s Bay man jailed for brutal violence against pregnant partner
Joel Leef has been sentenced to over eight years in prison following a three-week period of assaults on his partner. The Napier District Court heard that the victim, who was six months pregnant, suffered a miscarriage during the violence. Leef also forced the woman into a dog kennel during the attacks.
2 outlets · Queues form at Mt Hutt despite opening day cancellation
Skiers were seen queuing at Canterbury's Mt Hutt on Friday despite the resort cancelling its scheduled opening day. Officials postponed the season start because rainfall warmed the snowpack, making it unstable. This marks the second time the resort has delayed its opening this year.
2 outlets · Police implement new limits on mental health crisis callouts
A new 60-minute limit on patient handovers at emergency departments takes effect nationwide on Monday. This milestone marks a further stage in the police's planned retreat from responding to mental health crisis callouts, with Northland being one of the final districts to implement these changes.
2 outlets · Stormy weather expected to continue across the North Island
The North Island has experienced tens of thousands of lightning strikes this week, with stormy conditions expected to persist through the weekend. In contrast, the South Island is set to have fine weather, providing good conditions for the opening of southern ski fields.
2 outlets · Whakatāne mayor seeks government support for Air Chathams service
Mayor Victor Luca has appealed to the central government for assistance to maintain Air Chathams' flights from Whakatāne. The airline has indicated it may discontinue its route to Auckland without financial support. Associate Transport Minister James Meager has responded to the request without making firm promises.
2 outlets · Firefighters union raises concerns over ageing equipment and vehicles
The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union says ageing tools are a growing issue. A power converter recently ignited in the cab of a 28-year-old fire truck while returning from a factory fire, causing an evacuation.
2 outlets · One person dies in Waihi house fire
A person has died following a house fire on Montrose Road in Waihi on Friday morning. Fire and Emergency NZ responded to the blaze at 7:52am and reported that the fire was well involved upon their arrival.
2 outlets · Otago University hall halts special dietary meals following labelling error
Caterers at an Otago University hall have stopped providing meals for students with special dietary requirements. This follows an incident on 6 June where a resident with an egg allergy consumed cake that was incorrectly labelled. An investigation by the Ministry for Primary Industries is currently underway.
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