Erin Patterson found guilty of three mushroom poisonings
Erin Patterson has been found guilty of murdering three relatives by serving them poisonous mushrooms in a beef Wellington in July 2023. The 50-year-old woman also faced an attempted murder charge. Evidence released by the Supreme Court of Victoria includes photos of the meal and other trial exhibits.
4 outlets · Four hospitalised after tourist bus crashes on Southland highway
Four people were taken to Southland Hospital following a tourist bus crash on the Athol Five Rivers Highway near Lowther. Emergency services attended the scene at 8.30am amid reports of fog and black ice. The southbound lane remains closed, and police are advising motorists to avoid the area.
+15 outlets · Health NZ cancels trial to repurpose Wellington maternity beds
Health New Zealand has decided not to proceed with a trial at Wellington Regional Hospital that would have used 12 maternity and gynaecology beds for overflow medical patients. The plan, intended to ease pressure on the emergency department, was abandoned following backlash and concerns from staff.
+15 outlets · Five military-style firearms found in children's bedrooms during Napier raid
Police discovered five unsecured military-style semi-automatic firearms in children's bedrooms during a search of a Napier home. The raid was conducted after concerns were raised regarding a 42-year-old firearms licence holder. The man has been arrested and faces multiple charges.
4 outlets · Magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes off the lower South Island coast
A moderate magnitude 6.0 earthquake occurred at 12.53am, centred 115km northwest of the Snares Islands. More than 1,190 people reported feeling the tremor, which was felt from Southland and Otago to Nelson and Wellington. No tsunami warning has been issued.
+26 outlets · CCTV footage shown in Khandallah murder trial
A Wellington High Court jury has seen security camera footage related to the alleged murder of Helen Gregory in Khandallah. The footage shows Julia DeLuney changing clothes and disposing of a black bin bag in a rubbish truck. DeLuney has pleaded not guilty to the murder of her 79-year-old mother.
4 outlets · Family disappointed after 99-year-old's landline disconnected for five days
The family of Doreen Robertson, a 99-year-old Christchurch woman, is disappointed after her landline was accidentally disconnected by a telecommunications company. The phone, which serves as a lifeline for the elderly woman, remained disconnected for five days despite Spark being aware of her medical dependency.
4 outlets · Man jailed for 15-hour hostage standoff in Nelson
Phillip Clinton Mant, 56, has been sentenced in the Nelson District Court following a 15-hour standoff last August. Mant held a woman and her father at gunpoint due to grievances with a court ruling, which caused several local schools and a hospital to go into lockdown.
+15 outlets · Southern Ocean circulation changes could accelerate global climate change
Researchers have discovered a major shift in Southern Ocean circulation that may speed up climate change. The University of Southampton led a study suggesting the ocean is becoming warmer and saltier. Experts warned that Antarctic sea ice could be in terminal decline.
3 outlets · Christorches mayor supports proposal for government-capped rates rises
Mayor Phil Mauger has backed calls for the government to implement a rates cap, suggesting a limit of around 5 percent. He criticised council spending on projects such as cycleways. The Cabinet is expected to consider various options to control rate increases later this year.
3 outlets · Heavy rain watch issued for part of Tasman district
MetService has issued a heavy rain watch for the Tasman district north-west of Motueka. The watch is in effect from 1pm Wednesday until 3am Thursday. This follows two recent mass flood events in the region, which only recently exited a state of emergency.
3 outlets · Police seek Redmond Huirua for violent offences
Police are searching for 34-year-old Redmond Huirua, who is wanted for burglary and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Authorities describe him as a risk to the public and warn people not to approach him. He is said to have links to the Bay of Plenty.
3 outlets · Three arrested and firearms seized after Northland dirt bike dispute
Police have arrested three people following a confrontation between residents and dirt bike riders in Mahuta. The incident occurred on 25 June when riders allegedly ignored requests to leave the area. During the investigation, firearms were seized by authorities.
3 outlets · Auckland FC investors withdraw proposal for Western Springs stadium
Investors backing Auckland FC have cancelled their plan to build a 12,500-seat stadium at Western Springs. The group, which included Anna Mowbray, Ali Williams, Bill Foley, and Steven Adams, cited unique challenges for the decision. The proposal for the privately funded venue has now been withdrawn.
4 outlets · Uber takes driver employment status dispute to Supreme Court
Uber is appealing a previous ruling to the Supreme Court in Wellington regarding whether its drivers should be classified as employees. The company is challenging a decision that granted four drivers workplace protections, such as minimum wage and holiday pay.
4 outlets · Parents of Scott Guy remain hopeful for truth 15 years later
Bryan and Jo Guy say they remain hopeful the truth will emerge regarding the 2010 murder of their son, Scott Guy. The Feilding farmer was shot dead at his driveway 15 years ago. His parents say their lives are now divided into the time before and after the unsolved killing.
+15 outlets · Wellington house prices fall as national values dip slightly
Wellington's average house price dropped 2.3% in the June quarter, leaving values 26.1% below the 2021 peak. Nationally, average residential property values decreased by 0.3% to $910,479. While main centres have softened due to high stock levels, some regions reported significant gains.
2 outlets · Two long-serving Invercargill councillors will not contest October election
Peter Kett and Lesley Soper will leave the Invercargill council following the October election. Kett has served seven terms and Soper has served three terms. Their departures occur as most other current councillors intend to seek re-election.
2 outlets · McQuillan Tipu jailed for stealing winnings and injuring woman
McQuillan Tipu has been jailed after stealing $2,000 in pokie winnings from a woman in Glenfield. The victim was dragged across a carpark by the offender's car, resulting in a concussion and a broken arm that required two operations.
2 outlets · Glider Road in Nelson closed indefinitely following landslide
Heavy rains in May caused a slip onto Glider Road in Marsden Valley, leading the Nelson City Council to close the recreational route indefinitely. Local residents say they had warned officials about the potential for a landslide on the deforested land months ago.
2 outlets · Historic graves vandalised at St Stephen's Chapel in Auckland
At least eight graves, some reaching 150 years old, were damaged at a historic cemetery near Parnell over the weekend. The vandalism involved graves being pushed over at the St Stephen's Chapel site. The chapel is a registered category 1 heritage building.
2 outlets · Auckland cafe inspired by Jacinda Ardern closes permanently
Kind Cafe and Eatery in Morningside has closed its doors. The business cited excessive rent, rising costs, and economic conditions as the reasons for the closure. The cafe was named after a catchphrase used by former prime minister Dame Jacinda Ardern.
2 outlets · Pedestrian seriously injured in Blenheim car accident
A pedestrian was seriously injured after being hit by a car on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred at the intersection of Dillons Point Road and Meehan Street in Blenheim. Police have closed Dillons Point Road from Grove Road and are advising motorists to avoid the area.
2 outlets · Dog rescued after falling down a cliff in Canterbury
Firefighters conducted a two-hour rescue mission on Tuesday to save a dog that fell down a bank or cliff near Ashley Gorge Road. The two-year-old golden retriever was successfully reunited with its owner after becoming stuck.
2 outlets · Police seek public assistance to locate wanted man Michael Tautari
Police are searching for 27-year-old Michael Tautari, who has an arrest warrant for breaching his release conditions. He is known to frequent the Waikato and wider Auckland regions. Authorities have urged the public not to approach him and are asking for any sightings to be reported.
2 outlets · Selwyn establishes New Zealand's first water authority
Selwyn District Council has launched Selwyn Water Limited to manage drinking water and wastewater services for 38,000 households and businesses. Mayor Sam Broughton stated the $2 million company will provide future certainty while maintaining local ownership.
2 outlets · Chris Hipkins claims Covid inquiry terms platform conspiracy theorists
Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the terms of reference for the new Covid-19 inquiry were deliberately designed to provide a platform for conspiracy theorists. The second phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19 Lessons follows the completion of the original inquiry.
2 outlets · Government to relax anti-money laundering rules for family trust home sales
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has announced plans to ease anti-money laundering checks for low-risk transactions. The changes aim to reduce the burden on New Zealanders selling homes held within family trusts.
3 outlets · Ma’a Nonu signs one-year extension with Toulon
Former All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu has signed a one-year contract extension with French club Toulon for the 2025-26 season. The 43-year-old joined the Top 14 side as an injury replacement in February.
2 outlets · Christchurch teen seeks new logo after KFC rebranding demand
A 17-year-old entrepreneur is seeking a unique design for his business after being instructed to rebrand by KFC. Ben Yang runs a food truck in Riccarton selling Korean fried chicken, bubble tea and desserts.
3 outlets · Vandalism leaves Lindis Pass without mobile coverage for days
A cell tower was significantly damaged by vandals on State Highway 8 between 7am and 1pm on Sunday. The incident has left a stretch of the remote alpine pass without mobile coverage. Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the Lindis Pass - Tarras Road area.
2 outlets · Opposition grows during hearings for Regulatory Standards Bill
Select committee hearings for the proposed Regulatory Standards Bill have begun at Parliament. While the Regulation Minister has dismissed concerns, the first day of hearings saw opposition from unions, lawyers, and former MPs. On Tuesday, Labour's Dr Deborah Russell engaged in intense questioning with a retired District Court judge.
2 outlets · Police hunt driver after stolen vehicle rams police car in Auckland
Police are searching for a driver who used a stolen vehicle to repeatedly ram a police car in Mount Wellington. The incident occurred around 2.20am on Tuesday, leaving the police vehicle extensively damaged and immobile.
2 outlets · Masked pair caught on camera burgling South Dunedin dairy
Two masked individuals wearing black hoods raided the Balmoral Dairy in South Dunedin early on Tuesday. The offenders broke glass to enter the premises and attempted to access the cash register. Police have been alerted to the incident, and it is believed the pair may have left fingerprints behind.
2 outlets · Father driving with two children caught nearly four times over alcohol limit
A man was stopped by police north of Dunedin after being reported for driving erratically on State Highway 1. The driver, who had two young children in the vehicle, was found to be almost four times over the legal alcohol limit. He reportedly stated he had been drinking whisky the previous night.
2 outlets · Tauranga council seeks new solutions for Mount Maunganui parking issues
Tauranga City Council is looking for unconventional ideas to address ongoing parking shortages in Mount Maunganui. The area frequently reaches full capacity during peak times, particularly around the main shopping street.
3 outlets · Coroner concerned after Auckland man dies following ambulance delay
An Auckland man died after waiting 45 minutes for an ambulance following a fall from a driveway. Despite five 111 calls, two dispatched ambulances were diverted to higher-priority jobs. A coroner has expressed concern regarding what were described as serious, compounding mistakes.
3 outlets · Wellington Hospital staff oppose proposal to reallocate maternity beds
Health New Zealand plans to trial the reallocation of 12 beds from Wellington Hospital's maternity and gynaecology wards to serve medical patients from the emergency department. Staff and specialists are pushing back against the proposal, which is scheduled to begin in August.
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