One pedestrian killed and another seriously injured in Leeston crash
A pedestrian has died and another was seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle near Leeston on Friday night. The incident occurred at the intersection of Harts Road, Leeston Road, and Lake Road around 7.40pm.
Six youths arrested following series of arsons in Rolleston
Police have arrested six young people in connection with three separate arson incidents in the Rolleston Reserve area. The fires involving buildings were reported over the past week. Authorities used investigations, including CCTV footage, to locate and take the youths into custody.
New World Pt Chevalier to open early following Victoria Park fire
Foodstuffs North Island is bringing forward the opening of its new Pt Chevalier supermarket by three weeks. This move follows a devastating fire at the New World Victoria Park store, which is expected to remain closed for two years. Dozens of workers at the damaged Victoria Park site may face redundancy.
New Zealand woman killed by elephant during Zambian safari
A 67-year-old New Zealander, Alison Jean Taylor, was killed by a charging elephant during a walking safari in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. A 68-year-old British woman, Easton Janet Taylor, was also killed in the incident near Big Lagoon Camp on 3 June 2025.
State Highway 1 closed after serious two-vehicle crash near Motutere
State Highway 1 is closed between Taupō and Tūrangi following a collision between a car and a truck on Friday evening. One person has been taken to Rotorua Hospital in critical condition, while another sustained minor injuries. The crash occurred near Jellicoe Pt at approximately 7.45pm.
West Coast companies fined after workers exposed to toxic fumes
Taylorville Resource Park Ltd and Paul Smith Earthmoving 2002 Ltd have been ordered to pay over $680,000 following an incident near Greymouth. Two workers were overcome by toxic gas in a landfill pit after being sent to work without warnings regarding the risks. One worker continues to suffer from post-traumatic stress after rescuing a colleague.
Vegan cafe Sweet Release to close in Wellington next week
The Manners Street vegan cafe Sweet Release will close its doors on Sunday, 13 July. Owner Kris Bartley is shutting the business to focus on her health and a new pregnancy following a miscarriage last year. The cafe has been operating in Te Aro for more than a decade.
Waikato pair arrested for allegedly importing drugs via online orders
A 40-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman have been arrested following a joint operation between Police and Customs. Authorities allege the pair imported substances including cannabis, pills, and litres of fantasy from international sources to sell locally. Raids also resulted in the seizure of ammunition.
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark returns to hospital after stroke
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark has returned to hospital after being discharged earlier this week. He is recovering from a minor stroke suffered on Sunday, which reportedly left him unable to pick himself up after a fall.
Pedestrian dies after being struck by car near Feilding
A pedestrian died at the scene after being hit by a car on State Highway 54 near the Feilding Golf Club on Friday morning. The incident occurred around 7.50am in the Manawatū District. State Highway 54 remains closed near Waughs Road as investigations continue.
One person dies in two-vehicle crash near Roxburgh
A person died at the scene following a collision between a car and a truck on State Highway 8 on Thursday morning. The crash occurred near Westcott Road, leaving one person trapped in the vehicle and blocking the highway between Roxburgh and Millers Flat.
Four youths arrested after joyriding in stolen car in Dunedin
Police arrested four youths, aged 11 to 16, after they were spotted driving a stolen Mazda Demio the wrong way on Dunedin's Southern Motorway. The group allegedly spent nearly 12 hours joyriding and committing petrol drive-offs. One individual was charged with drink driving.
Nominations open for local body elections
Candidate nominations have officially opened for mayoral and council positions across the Wellington and Auckland regions. Prospective nominees must be New Zealand citizens aged 18 or older. In Auckland, 171 council and local board positions are up for election in October.
Gisborne resident challenges council decision to red-sticker beachside property
A resident is contesting the Gisborne District Council's decision to deem her family's Makorori Beach Road bach uninhabitable. The council cited landslide risks for the red-stickered property, but the owner disputes that the building poses a danger. The council stated red-stickers will be removed once owners prove damage has been repaired.
Zig Zag walking track in Waitākere Ranges reopens after storm damage
The Zig Zag track in Titirangi has reopened following its closure after extreme weather events in early 2023. Auckland Council has completed upgrades to the path, which connects Titirangi Beach Road to the beach. Three additional walking tracks in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park are expected to reopen in the coming months.
Kaiwaka farmer admits to animal neglect at Northland deer farm
Niven Lowrie has admitted to animal neglect after 14 deer were found dead at a farm in Kaiwaka. One emaciated stag had to be euthanised after becoming trapped in mud and a fence. The animals were reportedly left to fend for themselves during the winter.
Kiwis struggle with rising electricity costs this winter
A Consumer New Zealand survey shows 20 per cent of Kiwis are struggling to pay power bills. This comes as electricity prices have increased by almost 9 per cent over the past year. Some people are reportedly cutting back on heating to manage costs.
Daughter on trial for alleged murder of mother in Khandallah
Julia DeLuney is facing murder charges in the Wellington High Court for the death of her 79-year-old mother, Helen Gregory. The trial has heard allegations that large sums of money, including up to $85,000, were taken from the victim's home to be invested in cryptocurrency.
Four people arrested for retail thefts in Counties Manukau
Police have arrested four prolific shoplifters linked to thefts exceeding $17,000 in Counties Manukau. The group includes a family facing 36 charges and a 54-year-old Manurewa man charged with 12 counts.
WWII squadron reactivated as New Zealand's first dedicated space unit
Defence Minister Judith Collins has announced that the Royal New Zealand Air Force will reactivate No. 62 Squadron. The unit, which was last active during World War II, will focus on space domain awareness. Its new mission involves monitoring, analysing, and understanding activity in space.
Mangakino farmer survives after being crushed under a tractor
Farmer Peter Pembroke survived after being trapped under a tractor for several hours on his remote Mangakino farm. He reportedly had only a 20 per cent chance of survival following the incident, which occurred in late 2023.
Police investigate early morning assault in central Whangārei
Whangārei police are investigating an alleged assault that occurred on Walton Street around 1.30am on Friday. One person was taken to hospital with a range of injuries following the incident. The investigation is currently in its early stages.
Dunedin prepares for sold-out All Blacks test against France
Dunedin is preparing for a sold-out All Blacks test match against France at Forsyth Barr Stadium. The event will feature various transport options for fans and food offerings. Both teams are expected to test new talent, with France resting several top players.
Driver blames cyclist after leaving them injured following minor collision
Callum Anderson left a cyclist injured on the roadside after a minor collision involving his vehicle. During court proceedings, Anderson claimed the incident would not have occurred if the cyclist could ride properly. The cyclist, who uses a bike for transport, suffered a concussion and a broken hand.
Police investigate armed robbery at Hamilton bar
Two men armed with a gun threatened a lone worker and demanded cash at a Liverpool Street bar in Hamilton on 28 June. The suspects fled the scene in a stolen vehicle. Police say they are currently following strong lines of inquiry regarding the robbery.
Councils assess damage after heavy rain hits Taranaki
Torrential rain and thunderstorms have caused flooding across Taranaki, with some areas receiving up to 280mm of rainfall. Road closures have isolated parts of South Taranaki, while sewage spills have been reported in North Taranaki. Council staff are currently monitoring the ongoing damage to infrastructure and properties.
Medical conferences to be held at new Auckland convention centre
The New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland will host two major medical conferences starting next February. Approximately 3,300 anaesthetists and ophthalmologists are expected to attend the gatherings. The venue is opening following a delay of nearly six years after a fire.
Civil emergency extended in Nelson Tasman following heavy rain
The state of civil emergency in the Nelson Tasman region has been extended for one week. While recent rainfall caused less widespread damage than the previous week, orchards have been hit and heavy rain is expected again within 36 hours.
Microchip tags used to study elusive shortjaw kōkopu fish
A Department of Conservation ranger has inserted microchip tags into 41 shortjaw kōkopu in a Kaniere River tributary. This research aims to uncover details about the life cycles of the nationally vulnerable native fish.
Heavy rain causes road closures and damage in Waikato and Taranaki
Significant rainfall has led to road closures and a downed tree in Waikato, affecting areas from Awakino Gorge to Cambridge. In Taranaki, high-intensity storms caused surface flooding, with some areas near Taranaki Maunga receiving 280mm of rain. Work is expected to continue for several days to clear the affected roads.
State Highway 3 and State Highway 6 closed due to slips
State Highway 3 at Awakino Gorge remains closed following heavy rain. Additionally, Rocks Road along the Nelson waterfront has been shut to traffic after a slip occurred on Friday morning.
Hair found on victim did not match accused in murder trial
A forensic scientist testified that a hair found on the hand of Helen Gregory did not belong to Julia DeLuney. DeLuney is currently on trial for the January 2024 murder of her mother in Khandallah, a charge she denies.
New average-speed cameras to be installed on Bay of Plenty highways
Two sets of point-to-point average-speed safety cameras are due to be installed on highways in the Bay of Plenty. The new cameras aim to improve road safety in areas where speeding is frequent.
David Seymour criticises Rawiri Waititi over views on African leader
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour has called Te Pāti Māori a threat to democracy. This follows co-leader Rawiri Waititi describing Burkina Faso's military ruler, Ibrahim Traoré, as his modern-day hero.
Crash on Auckland Harbour Bridge causes major traffic delays
A crash in the northbound lanes just after the Curran Street on-ramp has caused significant traffic delays on Auckland's Harbour Bridge. Police reported an extensive backlog for morning commuters on Friday and have urged drivers to exercise caution.
The challenges of extracting New Zealanders from war zones
Rescuing New Zealand citizens trapped in conflict zones is a dangerous, expensive, and diplomatically sensitive process. Costs for extracting an injured person can reach $1 million, often requiring high-level negotiations to ensure their safe return home.
One in four New Zealanders have bought a house on a whim
A survey of 1,045 people by Realestate.co.nz found that 24% of respondents became property owners unexpectedly. While 8% described their purchase as accidental, many others bought homes after realising they were in a stronger financial position than previously thought.
























