Government increases FamilyBoost rebates and income thresholds
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced changes to the FamilyBoost scheme to increase the early childhood education rebate from 25% to 40%. The government is also widening eligible income thresholds. These adjustments follow a review after only 245 families were reported to have fully utilised the scheme.
+26 outlets · Tapanui man believed to have been shot while hunting on Stewart Island
Jock Davies, a 21-year-old from Tapanui, was reportedly shot and killed while hunting near Lords River on Saturday. Police are investigating the incident, which was reported around midday. Davies was a childhood cancer survivor.
+37 outlets · Police investigate nine fractures sustained by three-month-old baby in Hutt Valley
Police are investigating how a three-month-old girl sustained nine fractures, including injuries to her ribcage, ankle and arm. The infant was taken to Hutt Hospital by her family on 14 June. Authorities believe the fractures occurred at different stages of healing and are continuing to appeal for information.
+15 outlets · Police investigate significant damage to Lindis Pass cell tower
Police are investigating after a rural cellular tower was significantly damaged on State Highway 8 near Lindis Pass on Saturday. The incident occurred between Forest Range Station and Goodger Road, causing a temporary service outage. Authorities are now seeking dashcam footage and information regarding any suspicious behaviour in the area.
+15 outlets · Search continues for missing man after vehicle found in Whanganui River
Police are searching for Kahukura Dilpreet Wati Woods Gill, who has been missing since 27 June. His white 2002 Mazda Atenza was located in the Whanganui River. Gill was last seen in the Matahiwi area wearing a black hoodie and camo cargo pants.
+15 outlets · Oriini Kaipara seeks Te Pāti Māori candidacy for Tāmaki Makaurau by-election
Former broadcaster and journalist Oriini Kaipara has announced her bid to be the Te Pāti Māori candidate for the Tāmaki Makaurau seat. The by-election was triggered following the death of MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp.
4 outlets · Scott Barrett ruled out of France series with calf tear
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett will miss the remainder of the test series against France due to a calf tear. The injury occurred during the first Test in Dunedin. Ardie Savea is expected to take over the captaincy for the upcoming match in Wellington.
3 outlets · Fishing club leader warns of seabed mining risks in South Taranaki
Jamie Newell, the commodore of the Wanganui-Manawatu Sea Fishing Club, has expressed concern regarding a seabed mining bid off South Taranaki. He warned that the project could destroy significant areas of an important fishery. Newell noted his surprise that the proposal has progressed despite a Supreme Court decision and a court-ordered environmental hearing.
4 outlets · Police renew appeal to find missing Māngere woman Ella Davenport
Authorities are seeking public assistance to locate 57-year-old Ella Davenport, who has been missing from her Māngere home since 20 June. Police believe she may still be within the local community.
3 outlets · Review finds weaknesses in police IT systems and internet controls
A rapid review into New Zealand Police IT systems has identified governance gaps, unmanaged devices, and insufficient internet access controls. Commissioned during an investigation into former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming, the findings prompted Commissioner Richard Chambers to call for urgent improvements to strengthen system security.
4 outlets · Lower Hutt teenager dies from influenza B complications
Fifteen-year-old drag racer Katie Iti died in Hutt Hospital on Saturday after complications from influenza B. Her father stated she had only been unwell for a few days before passing away. The family is now encouraging people to receive their flu vaccinations.
+26 outlets · Car found submerged in Christchurch's Avon River
Emergency services responded to a car submerged in the Avon River near Pages Rd in New Brighton. A member of the public spotted the vehicle on Monday evening. Fire and Emergency NZ confirmed that no one was found inside the car or in the surrounding water.
4 outlets · Landslide damages well-known Island Bay house
A major landslide caused by torrential rain has hit a property on The Esplanade in Island Bay. The resident sustained a broken foot during the event, and the house may be unusable due to the weight of fallen rocks and trees.
4 outlets · Woman charged with arson after Christchurch church fire
A 35-year-old woman has appeared in court following an alleged arson at Life Church QE2 in New Brighton. The fire reportedly started in the children's area after the woman allegedly used a kettlebell to break into the building. She has been granted interim name suppression and remains in custody.
3 outlets · Lewis Capaldi announces 2025 New Zealand arena tour dates
Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi will perform in Auckland and Christchurch in late 2025. The tour includes shows at Spark Arena and Wolfbrook Arena during November and December. This marks the artist's return to New Zealand following a musical hiatus to focus on his health.
+15 outlets · Long Covid sufferers disappointed by exclusion from inquiry hearings
People with Long Covid have expressed disappointment that their voices will not be prioritised during public hearings regarding the government's pandemic response. Phase two of the Royal Commission of Inquiry begins in Auckland this Monday and is scheduled to run until Thursday.
3 outlets · Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei wins Environment Court appeal regarding Westhaven Marina
The Environment Court has recognised Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei's dominant relationship with the land and water around Westhaven Marina. The iwi's connection was found to outweigh that of 18 other iwi in Auckland. Auckland Council is currently reviewing the decision.
2 outlets · Business leaders tell Covid-19 inquiry about impact of mandates
Business leaders from Auckland and Northland have described the profound impacts that public health restrictions had on small to medium businesses. Speaking at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the government's Covid-19 response, one leader suggested that future vaccine mandates would not be effective.
+37 outlets · Select committee hearings begin for Regulatory Standards Bill
The Finance and Expenditure select committee has begun hearing public submissions regarding the Regulatory Standards Bill. Acting Prime Minister David Seymour faces scrutiny over the legislation, which has drawn criticism from opponents during the proceedings.
2 outlets · Fire causes extensive damage to new Napier cocktail bar
A fire broke out in the early hours of Monday at Mix’d Cocktail Bar in Ahuriri. The blaze was largely contained to the kitchen of the remodelled waterfront building, but the business will remain closed for as long as necessary to rebuild.
2 outlets · Pedestrian seriously injured in Howick vehicle collision
A pedestrian was taken to hospital in serious condition after being hit by a car in East Auckland. The accident occurred near the intersection of Patons and Bleakhouse Roads on Monday afternoon.
2 outlets · Finance Minister reviews tax settings for New Zealand banks
Finance Minister Nicola Willis is reviewing how income tax laws apply to major New Zealand banks, specifically in comparison to Australia. Act leader David Seymour believes the banks are already fairly taxed. The government is currently awaiting further advice from the Inland Revenue Department regarding the review.
2 outlets · Butlers Chocolate Café stores close after company enters liquidation
Chocolate Cafes (New Zealand) Limited has been placed into liquidation. Four of the company's five New Zealand stores have already closed, while the Queensgate location will remain open for one week to sell remaining stock.
2 outlets · Youth arrested following two aggravated robberies in Invercargill
A youth has been arrested and charged after two commercial properties in Invercargill were robbed on Saturday morning. The robberies occurred at premises on Tay Street and Dee Street. The individual is expected to appear in Youth Court on Monday.
2 outlets · Man charged after allegedly stealing copper from old Horowhenua Hospital
A man is due to appear in court following an alleged attempt to steal copper piping from the former Horowhenua Hospital site. A caretaker spotted the individual at the Liverpool Street complex on Saturday morning and alerted police. The man reportedly fled the scene after the incident.
2 outlets · Children’s theatre pioneer Tim Bray dies aged 61
New Zealand children’s theatre pioneer Tim Bray has died at age 61 following a battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Bray, who founded the Tim Bray Theatre Company, passed away on Saturday.
2 outlets · Woman seriously injured after falling into water in Henderson
A woman was hospitalised in serious condition after falling down a bank and into water in West Auckland. Emergency services responded to the incident on Edsel Street in Henderson shortly after 1pm on Monday.
2 outlets · Changes to anti-money laundering laws to ease bank account opening
Acting Prime Minister David Seymour and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced reforms to anti-money laundering regulations on Monday. The changes will allow parents to open bank accounts for their children using only a birth certificate.
2 outlets · Support worker ordered to apologise after filming taunts of disabled woman
A support worker has been told to formally apologise after filming herself taunting and threatening an intellectually disabled woman. The worker allegedly shared the footage without consent. The Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner described the complaint regarding the verbal maltreatment of the vulnerable consumer as serious.
3 outlets · Takapuna Golf Club to partially redevelop into wetland
Auckland Council plans to convert at least half of the Takapuna Golf Club into a permanent recreational wetland for flood mitigation. The club is set to close next year to allow for the redevelopment, though the future of golf on the remaining land remains uncertain.
2 outlets · Second Samoan national sentenced for migrant exploitation in Auckland
A second Samoan national has been sentenced at the Auckland District Court for involvement in a long-running migrant exploitation scheme. The individual assisted in an illegal employment operation that paid workers below the minimum wage and denied them basic rights. The investigation into the case began in 2020 following a tip-off.
2 outlets · Murder trial begins for man accused of killing Joeli Rankin
Chrishan Natan Raju is on trial for the murder of Joeli Rankin, who died following a disorder at a Mt Albert Kāinga Ora housing complex in February 2024. The Crown alleges Raju stabbed Rankin with a kitchen knife. The jury must now determine if the death was murder or self-defence.
2 outlets · Public hearings begin for Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19 response
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into New Zealand's Covid-19 response has commenced its first public hearings. Submissions have focused on the impacts of lockdowns and vaccines, with families and businesses detailing financial losses and disruptions to schooling.
2 outlets · State Highway 5 closed near Te Pohue due to diesel spill
State Highway 5 between Napier and Taupō has been closed near Te Pohue following a diesel spill. Police reported that northbound lanes were shut due to dangerous conditions. Road cleaning crews have been called to the scene to manage the spillage.
2 outlets · Wellington man jailed for sexually exploiting girls online
Benjamin Woods has been sentenced to prison for grooming and sexually exploiting young girls. The Wellington man gained the trust of his victims by masquerading as an 11-year-old girl online.
2 outlets · Auckland Council confirms flood prevention proposal for Takapuna Golf Course
Auckland Council has chosen a design concept for AF Thomas Park to provide flood resilience for the Milford-Wairau Valley. The proposal includes a flood-detention sink that could also accommodate a nine-hole golf course and driving range. Construction is expected to begin in 2027.
3 outlets · Father alleges missed drug test preceded mental health patient's second killing
A father claims a mental health patient was not drug tested on the day he committed his second killing. He alleges a staff member skipped the test because the man was acting cagey. The incident has prompted a review of the mental health system.
4 outlets · Motorsport figure Tim Miles dies in Sydney cycling accident
Tim Miles, a well-known Supercars figure born in Ashburton, has died following a collision with a bus near Taronga Zoo in Sydney on Sunday. The former team owner and corporate adviser was cycling when the accident occurred.
3 outlets · Early childhood centres say free lunch scheme reaches children in poverty
More than 8,000 children aged two to five at over 300 early childhood centres are receiving free meals through a government scheme. Participating centres report that the meals are reaching those in need and that children are enjoying the food despite initial resistance to vegetables.
3 outlets · Wellington Hospital to reduce maternity and gynaecology beds for ED trial
Wellington Hospital is reducing beds in its maternity and gynaecology wards to accommodate patients from an overcrowded Emergency Department. While hospital officials claim maternity beds are often vacant, midwives and obstetricians have expressed concerns regarding early discharges and existing staffing constraints.
4 outlets · Motueka locals recover from severe flooding
Residents in Motueka are working to rebuild and support neighbours following severe flooding. Civil Defence has described the event as the worst flood in nearly 150 years, and a state of emergency remains in place for the Nelson Tasman region.
4 outlets · Serious crash closes State Highway 2 intersection in Lower Hutt
A person has sustained serious injuries following a crash at the Kennedy Good Bridge intersection on State Highway 2. Emergency services are on the scene, and police have advised motorists to avoid the area. Access to the highway may be restricted until at least 8.30am.
3 outlets · All Blacks secure narrow win against France in first test
The All Blacks defeated a depleted French side by four points at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday. A late penalty from Beauden Barrett secured the victory. Coach Scott Robertson noted an impressive second-half performance, though the team faces potential changes for their upcoming rematch in Wellington.
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