More storms and heavy rain forecast for top of South Island
MetService has warned that a new front will bring thunderstorms, wind, and heavy rain to the Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, and Buller regions later this week. This follows recent severe weather that prompted States of Emergency in parts of Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough. Communities are currently undertaking clean-up efforts following previous flooding.
+26 outlets · New offences introduced for one-punch attacks
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced new criminal offences for "coward punches" that cause grievous bodily harm. The government intends to legislate these specific offences to ensure penalties reflect the gravity of such attacks. The announcement was made in Auckland on Monday.
+37 outlets · Helipad approved for Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray's Westmere property
Auckland Council-appointed commissioners have approved a controversial resource consent for a helipad at the Westmere home of Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams. The decision allows for a maximum of two flights per day and 10 flights per month. Local community opposition expressed concerns that the approval sets a worrying precedent.
+15 outlets · Missing Auckland teenager found safe and well
Whetu Bennett, 17, has been found safe after being missing for nearly a week. The teenager was last seen on CCTV at LynnMall in New Lynn on Tuesday, 24 June. Police confirmed she is safe and well following concerns raised by her family.
4 outlets · Christchurch employer sentenced for exploiting migrant worker
Ava Young has been sentenced to four months' home detention after pleading guilty to immigration offences. She falsely claimed a Thai national was a visiting relative to facilitate her entry into New Zealand. Young then directed the worker to perform massage and sex services to pay off visa and job costs.
+15 outlets · Teenager removed from government bootcamp pilot after court appearance
A participant in the Government's military-style youth bootcamp pilot has been withdrawn and transferred to Corrections' custody following a court appearance. Oranga Tamariki expressed disappointment with the outcome as the pilot nears its end in a few weeks. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon defended the programme, noting that challenges in community transition were expected.
4 outlets · Auditor-General finds NZDF staff accepted over $418,000 in gifts
An inquiry by the Auditor-General found the New Zealand Defence Force accepted more than 2,500 gifts and hospitality offers from suppliers between 2016 and 2025. Items included smart watches, fishing charters, and America's Cup yacht hosting. The probe warned these practices risk undermining public and Parliamentary confidence in contracting decisions.
4 outlets · Jury begins deliberations in Australian mushroom triple-murder trial
A jury has retired to consider the verdict in the trial of Erin Patterson. She is accused of murdering three relatives and attempting to murder a fourth by serving them poisonous mushrooms during a lunch in south-east Melbourne.
4 outlets · Government proposes tougher sentences for assaults on first responders
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has backed a plan to increase prison sentences for those who assault police, paramedics, firefighters, and corrections officers. While the Government says the measures are necessary for worker safety, Labour argues that harsher penalties will not act as an effective deterrent.
4 outlets · Person in custody after man dies in Ōtāhuhu incident
A homicide investigation is underway after a man died from serious injuries following an incident on Beatty Street in Ōtāhuhu on Sunday night. Emergency services were called to the property around 8.30pm. A 31-year-old man is currently in police custody.
3 outlets · Search continues for missing 17-year-old from Red Beach
Police are searching for Myah, a teenager who has been missing from her Red Beach home since Friday. Authorities believe she may be in the North Shore area and noted she has the mental capacity of a 12-year-old. The search for the girl has now entered its fifth day.
3 outlets · Greymouth dentist struck off following multiple misconduct findings
Former Greymouth dentist Bharath Raja Subramani has been deregistered following findings of misconduct. The Health and Disability Commissioner identified several issues, including piercing a patient's cheek with a polisher and failing to maintain adequate records. Other reported incidents involved leaving tooth fragments in a patient's gum and instances of supervised neglect.
3 outlets · Toddler injured by metal straw in South Island bike accident
A 21-month-old toddler had a 16cm metal straw embedded through the roof of her mouth following a bike accident in a rural South Island town. After undergoing surgery to remove the straw, the child is making a full recovery.
3 outlets · Wairoa woman finds permanent home after moving 14 times
Lucky Watkins has secured a permanent residence in the Te Rauā residential development in Wairoa. She was forced from her previous home after Cyclone Gabrielle floodwaters mixed with chemicals, leading to 14 moves over two years.
4 outlets · Kinleith pulp and paper mill shuts down after 71 years
The last functional paper-making machine at the Kinleith mill in South Waikato was turned off on Monday. The closure marks the end of an era for the facility and results in the loss of approximately 150 jobs.
+15 outlets · Burst water pipe floods street in central Wellington
A burst drinking water main has flooded Johnston Street in central Wellington with murky brown water. The incident has cut off water supply to several local businesses and residences. Wellington Water is currently working to address the broken pipe.
3 outlets · Former Kiwis player Kevin Proctor suffers head injury in Dubai
Former NRL and Kiwis forward Kevin Proctor sustained a serious brain injury and an apparent seizure during a Runit Championship League event in Dubai. Footage shows Proctor colliding with another individual before falling to the ground. A sports injury expert suggested the seizure indicated a severe concussion.
3 outlets · Government considers electronic monitoring for some asylum seekers and migrants
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says the government is considering electronic monitoring for certain migrants and asylum seekers. Officials are also preparing for mass arrivals by plane and proposing new rules regarding dawn raids and overseas charges for migrant jobs.
4 outlets · Former financial adviser pleads guilty to $1.7m theft from elderly clients
Murray McClune has pleaded guilty to two charges of theft by a person in a special relationship. Following a Financial Markets Authority investigation, it was revealed he misappropriated approximately $1.7 million from two sets of elderly clients for personal use and issued false statements to hide the fraud.
3 outlets · Speed limit increased to 110km/h on Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway
A 15km section of motorway north of Auckland will have its speed limit increased to 110km/h starting Tuesday morning. Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced the change for the stretch between Pūhoi and Warkworth, stating the route has been assessed as safe.
3 outlets · Liam Lawson achieves career-best sixth place finish at Austrian Grand Prix
New Zealand driver Liam Lawson finished sixth at the Austrian Grand Prix, marking his best result in Formula 1. Lawson avoided a first-lap collision involving Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli that forced both drivers out of the race. Lando Norris won the event.
3 outlets · Food prices rise 4.4 per cent over the last year
Latest Stats NZ figures show food prices have increased by 4.4 per cent in the past 12 months. This represents the highest rate of increase since December 2023. RNZ's Checkpoint has been tracking the cost of a weekly shop at Woolworths and PAK'nSAVE supermarkets for three years.
3 outlets · Blood splatter found at Khandallah murder trial
A forensic scientist testified that blood was found around a kitchen sink, suggesting an attempt to clean it up. The trial in Wellington concerns the murder of 79-year-old Helen Gregory at her home in January last year.
4 outlets · One person dies after head-on crash in Karaka
A 79-year-old woman has died in hospital following a head-on collision on Karaka Road. The crash, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, left another person in critical condition and two others injured.
2 outlets · Ngāti Toa launches new agency to distribute Whānau Ora funds
Ngāti Toa has launched Māhutonga, one of four new commissioning agencies responsible for distributing Whānau Ora resources. The agency began commissioning services from providers on Tuesday following a launch at Hongoeka Marae.
2 outlets · Ways councils can cool New Zealand cities as temperatures rise
University of Auckland Senior Lecturer Timothy Welch suggests practical, science-backed steps councils can take to mitigate rising urban temperatures. These measures aim to keep New Zealanders cooler during increasingly hot summer months driven by climate change.
2 outlets · MetService chief questioned on weather warnings during coronial inquest
MetService's chief meteorologist has been questioned regarding the agency's colour-coded weather warnings. The questioning occurred during a coronial inquest into the deaths of 18 people during Cyclone Gabrielle and the preceding Auckland floods.
2 outlets · Commissioner finds breaches in investigation of struck-off dentist
The Health and Disability Commissioner has found breaches regarding the dentistry work of Bharath Subramani. Investigations into the struck-off dentist included complaints of a patient suffering extreme pain and another being hospitalised after a cheek was pierced by a polisher.
2 outlets · Inquest begins into deaths from Cyclone Gabrielle and Auckland floods
A coroner's inquest has commenced to examine 18 weather-related deaths from the early 2023 floods. The proceedings will scrutinise the effectiveness of emergency responses and the timeliness of weather warnings during Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary floods.
2 outlets · Christopher Luxon holds press conference after overseas trips
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has returned to Parliament for a post-cabinet press conference. The meeting follows his recent travels to China and a Nato leaders meeting in Brussels.
2 outlets · Taranaki club rugby player banned for 36 matches after referee attack
A 17-year-old Southern rugby player has received a 36-match ban for deliberately shoulder-charging a referee. The incident occurred during a premier match against the New Plymouth Old Boys in Hāwera.
2 outlets · Finn Butcher wins first World Cup kayak cross gold in Czechia
Olympic champion Finn Butcher has secured his first World Cup title by winning the men's kayak cross final in the Czech Republic. The Alexandra-based paddler finished ahead of Martin Rudorfer and Manuel Ochoa to claim the gold medal.
2 outlets · One person trapped after serious two-vehicle crash in Waipā
Emergency services are attending a serious crash involving a car and a truck on Cambridge Road in the Waipā District. Police say the incident occurred at 11.25am on Monday, leaving one person trapped and the road closed.
2 outlets · Kaylee Bell announces Cowboy Up tour of New Zealand in November
Country-pop artist Kaylee Bell has announced her Cowboy Up Tour, which will feature five dates across New Zealand this November. The tour includes performances at major theatre venues in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch and Invercargill.
2 outlets · Drinking water at 71 schools contaminated with E coli
More than 70 New Zealand schools were found to have drinking water contaminated by faecal matter last year. The Water Services Authority, Taumata Arowai, has told the Ministry of Education that it must improve its capability to ensure children are supplied with safe water.
4 outlets · Proud Boys terrorist designation has expired in New Zealand
The American far-right group the Proud Boys is no longer considered a terrorist entity in New Zealand. The group's designation, which was applied in 2022, expired earlier this month. New Zealand police had previously described the group as cryptofascist.
2 outlets · Auckland Council adopts new regional dog walking rules
Auckland Council has approved new regional dog rules covering leash requirements and where dogs can be walked. The changes include limitations on the number of dogs one person can walk at a single time. These new regulations are expected to take effect from January 1, 2026.
4 outlets · Man charged after allegedly scratching police officers in Dunedin restaurant
A man faces multiple charges following an incident at a Princes Street restaurant in central Dunedin on Friday night. Police say the individual acted aggressively and allegedly assaulted members of the public before scratching two officers on their faces and arms.
2 outlets · Moana Pasifika owners deny Super Rugby team received public funding
Owners of Moana Pasifika have denied allegations that public funding was used for the Super Rugby side. Te Puni Kōkiri has launched an independent review into claims regarding the inappropriate use of funds allocated for Whānau Ora commissioning services.
2 outlets · New rules for health officials dealing with alcohol industry lobbyists
New engagement rules are being developed for health officials following concerns about interactions with the alcohol industry. The move follows a senior staffer's complaint that a public health manager was too friendly with lobbyists.
3 outlets · Journalists working to address declining public trust and disinformation
Media executive Richard Sutherland and RNZ's Tim Watkin are working to address declining public trust in media and institutions. The two journalists are part of an effort to tackle the growing issues of disinformation and institutional distrust in New Zealand.
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