New Zealand pauses funding to Cook Islands over China agreements
New Zealand has paused between $18.2 million and nearly $20 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands. The decision follows the Cook Islands government signing partnership agreements with China without consulting New Zealand. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has downplayed the move while on an official visit to China.
+48 outlets · Man arrested after violent brawl in Tahuna leaves six injured
A 22-year-old man has been arrested following a violent confrontation on Tahuna-Ohinewai Road on Wednesday night. The incident began when a person confronted three men performing burnouts, resulting in six injuries. Police are currently searching for two other individuals involved in the brawl.
+15 outlets · Man sentenced for role in Oranga Tamariki fraud
Amandeep Sharma has been sentenced to 12 months of home detention for his part in defrauding Oranga Tamariki of over $2 million. He pleaded guilty to money laundering and obtaining by deception after working with his wife, a former public servant, to obtain the funds.
+37 outlets · Matariki celebrations held across Aotearoa
Aotearoa is marking the Māori New Year with various events, including a live broadcast from Tirorangi Marae in Ohakune. This year's public holiday falls on June 20, with Ngāti Rangi hosting the national hautapu ceremony.
+15 outlets · Man arrested after armed police respond to Mt Roskill incident
Armed police cordoned off White Swan Road in Mt Roskill on Thursday following a family harm incident. After a standoff where officers used distraction tactics, a man was taken into custody. Police confirmed that no one was injured during the operation.
4 outlets · Second person charged over alleged interference in Napier teen murder case
A 21-year-old woman has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice following the death of 15-year-old Kaea Karauria in Napier last month. Police allege she instructed another person to destroy evidence related to the homicide investigation. A teenage girl has also been charged in relation to the case.
4 outlets · Pedestrian dies after alleged hit-and-run in Rotorua
A 24-year-old sight and hearing-impaired man has died in hospital following a hit-and-run on Edmund Road in Rotorua. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when a motorcyclist allegedly overtook a stationary vehicle and struck the pedestrian at a crossing. Police have released images of the rider and motorcycle to assist their investigation.
4 outlets · New Zealand joins China's Southern Link Belt and Road project
The Government has signed on to the Southern Link project, allowing flights from Shanghai to South America to transit through Auckland. China Eastern Airlines plans to launch services to Buenos Aires by the end of the year. The deal includes a new electronic transit authority to replace expensive visas.
4 outlets · NZTA reinstates features for Ōtaki to north of Levin highway
The NZTA Board has confirmed it will reinstate several critical features for the Ōtaki to north of Levin highway project. This decision follows public concern regarding proposed design changes intended to cut costs. Additional funding has also been approved to proceed with construction and abandon plans to downgrade the highway.
+15 outlets · New World Victoria Park fire believed to be accidental
Fire investigators believe the fire at the New World Victoria Park supermarket was accidental. Foodstuffs North Island has confirmed that all stock and food inside the building will be removed and disposed of following the blaze.
4 outlets · Coroner criticises Runit competitions following death of league player
Coroner Bruce Hesketh has released findings into the 2023 death of 32-year-old Pāpāmoa man Tere Livingstone. Livingstone died following head injuries sustained during rugby league games. The coroner stated that Runit competitions should not be recognised as an official sport due to the lack of head injury mitigation.
4 outlets · Public meetings held to oppose proposed Central Otago gold mine
Opponents of a proposed gold mine between Bendigo and Ophir have held public meetings in Dunedin and Wānaka. The lobby group Sustainable Tarras and local residents expressed concerns regarding landscape impacts and local industry. Australian company Santana Minerals intends to seek fast-track approval for the project.
3 outlets · Information regarding the Matariki and Puanga public holiday celebrations
The Matariki holiday celebrates the Māori New Year through gathering and honouring the dead. This year's theme, Matariki mā Puanga, recognises regional differences in marking the occasion. Weather conditions may affect stargazing opportunities for the Matariki and Puanga clusters this weekend.
4 outlets · Weather and events expected during the Matariki long weekend
Heavy rain and thunderstorms may affect western parts of the country on Thursday and Friday. While cloud cover is expected, meteorologists suggest early morning may offer opportunities to view the Matariki star cluster. Various celebrations, including film projections in Wellington, are scheduled for the holiday period.
3 outlets · Kāinga Ora halts hundreds of housing developments and sells vacant land
The state housing agency is stopping over 200 housing projects and selling 36 hectares of vacant land as part of a reset plan. These decisions, made because some projects no longer offer value for money, will result in accounting write-downs of between $190 million and $220 million.
4 outlets · Two New Zealand embassy staff and families evacuated from Tehran
Two New Zealand embassy staff and their families were evacuated by land to Azerbaijan overnight. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters confirmed the embassy in Tehran has been temporarily closed. The government is also seeking ways to evacuate remaining New Zealanders in Iran and Israel as conditions become safe.
+26 outlets · Police Commissioner supports exemptions for two recruits failing physical tests
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has backed Assistant Commissioner Jill Rogers' decision to grant recruitment standard exemptions to at least two recruits. The exemptions follow revelations that the Assistant Commissioner personally signed off on the recruits after they failed physical tests.
3 outlets · Luxon reports commercial agreements signed during Shanghai visit
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has concluded his visit to Shanghai, where he reported that commercial agreements worth up to $871 million were signed. He is now travelling to Beijing to meet with President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders.
3 outlets · Labour leads National on cost of living trust in new poll
The Labour Party has overtaken National as the party New Zealanders believe is most capable of managing the cost of living. According to the latest Ipsos Issues Monitor survey, this issue has been the country's primary concern since February 2022.
3 outlets · Takapō celebrates 20 years of astrotourism during Matariki
The Dark Sky Project is marking two decades of astrotourism in Takapō with a celebration during Matariki. The event will include a documentary screening about the project's history. Currently, more than 45,000 people visit Ōtehīwai annually for star-gazing tours.
2 outlets · Blenheim dump shop project provides furniture to families in need
Staff at The Dump Shop in Blenheim are using the Unwanted Goods Project to provide furniture and appliances to struggling households. The initiative, run by JBL Environmental, rescues items that were originally destined for disposal to help kit out homes.
4 outlets · Police seek witnesses after two-vehicle crash in Tasman
Police are appealing for witnesses and footage following a two-vehicle crash near Mapua Drive on Thursday afternoon. Two people were taken to hospital with injuries, including one person in critical condition. The incident occurred on State Highway 60 in Tasman.
3 outlets · King Charles delivers Matariki message to New Zealand
King Charles III has issued a message to Aotearoa New Zealand ahead of the Matariki public holiday this Friday. The monarch, alongside Queen Camilla, shared greetings that encouraged reflection on the past and preparation for the future.
3 outlets · Six-year-old boy and stepmother die in Pātea bar boating accident
Six-year-old Zane Milham and his stepmother died after their boat was swamped by a wave and capsized off the South Taranaki coast. The boy's father was also on board during the incident. Rescuers stated that all three occupants were wearing life jackets and following correct protocols at the time.
3 outlets · Shane Jones vows to restart oil and gas industry
Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones has pledged to restart the oil and gas industry during a parliamentary scrutiny hearing. He described the previous ban on gas exploration as a destructive decision. A $200 million contingency fund has been proposed to support fossil fuel development at gas fields.
2 outlets · One person dies following family-harm incident in Halswell
One person died and another sustained minor injuries after a family-harm incident in Christchurch on Wednesday morning. Police responded to a property on Rosamund Place in Halswell at approximately 8.40am, where armed officers found the deceased. The injured person left the scene to seek medical treatment.
3 outlets · Police seize drugs and weapons during Waihi search warrants
Waikato Police uncovered methamphetamine, cannabis, ammunition, and a firearm during a coordinated operation in Waihi on Wednesday morning. The search, which involved the Armed Offenders Squad and drug detector dogs, targeted two properties and also resulted in the seizure of a homemade taser.
2 outlets · State Highway 1 reopened after 11-hour closure due to asbestos spill
A truck crash spilled asbestos-contaminated concrete across the Waikato Expressway, forcing an 11-hour closure. Emergency responders required decontamination showers after being unaware the debris contained asbestos. Authorities have stated there is no ongoing asbestos risk.
2 outlets · Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams exchange words before boxing match
Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams are preparing to face each other in a boxing bout in Sydney on 16 July. The athletes have engaged in a war of words, with Gallen making personal comments ahead of the scheduled match.
2 outlets · Sir Peter Jackson seeks consent for Shelly Bay museum
Sir Peter Jackson is planning to create a museum and exhibition at Shelly Bay in Wellington. The project involves renovating and extending the old submariners barracks, which currently houses the Chocolate Fish Cafe.
2 outlets · Four New Zealand universities improve in international rankings
The University of Otago has returned to the top 200 in the QS World University Ranking, placing 197th. It is one of four New Zealand universities to see an improvement in its standing among more than 1,500 global institutions.
2 outlets · Doctors warn private use of public cancer drugs will increase inequities
Senior doctors warn that allowing private patients to access publicly-funded cancer drugs could increase wait times for public system patients. The new transitional access rules are set to take effect on 1 July.
2 outlets · Three students injured by car outside Nelson College for Girls
Three students were injured by a vehicle outside Nelson College for Girls yesterday afternoon. One student is in Christchurch Hospital with serious injuries, while two others were also injured in the accident.
2 outlets · Senior first responder charged with possessing and exporting child exploitation material
A senior first responder appeared in the Christchurch District Court facing charges of possessing and exporting material depicting the sexual exploitation of children. The man, whose identity remains suppressed, has been remanded on bail and is due to reappear in court on 7 August.
3 outlets · Two defendants plead not guilty to manslaughter in Loafers Lodge fire case
Four people appeared in the Wellington High Court facing manslaughter charges following the 2023 Loafers Lodge hostel fire. Gregory Bruce Mein pleaded not guilty, while name suppression remains in place for the three other accused. All defendants have been remanded on bail.
2 outlets · New Zealand GDP grew 0.8% in the March 2025 quarter
Stats NZ reports that the New Zealand economy grew by 0.8% during the first quarter of 2025. This follows a revised 0.5% increase in the previous quarter. Economic activity increased across primary, goods-producing, and services industries.
2 outlets · Two arrested and one hospitalised after driver fails to stop for police
Two people have been arrested and one person is in hospital following a vehicle pursuit in Auckland. The incident occurred on Wellesley Street in the central city around 4am on Thursday after a driver failed to stop for officers.
2 outlets · Southern highways closed due to ice
State highways in the Mackenzie and Central Otago districts have been closed because of ice. Affected routes include State Highway 8 between Fairlie and Twizel, State Highway 80, and the Lindis Pass. Authorities are advising drivers to avoid these areas and delay their journeys.
2 outlets · South Island principals oppose proposed boys-only rugby competition
More than 40 co-educational school principals have written to rugby officials to challenge plans for a breakaway first XV competition. The group describes the proposed boys-only tournament as discriminatory and unlawful. The competition would involve South Island schools, including Christ's College and Christchurch Boys' High.
2 outlets · One person dead after single-vehicle crash near Seddon
A person died following a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 1 near Seddon on Wednesday night. Police were notified of the incident at approximately 9.30pm. The driver was alone in the vehicle, and investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
3 outlets · Government plans to scrap five-yearly Census in New Zealand
Statistics Minister Dr Shane Reti has announced plans to replace the traditional five-yearly Census with alternative data collection methods. While 2023 was the final year for the mandatory survey, some demographers have expressed concerns regarding the impact of this change on population data.
2 outlets · Dispute erupts over housing intensification in Christchurch
Housing Minister Chris Bishop has criticised the Christchurch City Council for delays in housing intensification. A senior city councillor has responded to the criticism following a speech in Wellington. The Government is also introducing new powers that would allow the minister to overrule local council planning decisions.
2 outlets · Wellington property values fall while Canterbury home values rise
Wellington's median property values decreased by 0.2% in the three months to May, despite an increase in national sales. Conversely, Canterbury home values have risen due to a strong rural economy, while Christchurch rents have dropped to become the cheapest among main centres.
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