Ten polytechnics to return to regional governance from next year
The Government is dismantling Te Pūkenga by returning ten polytechnics to regional governance. Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds announced the change will take effect from 1 January 2026. This move aims to create a more localised and responsive vocational education system.
+48 outlets · One person dead after concrete truck hits Remuera house
A worker has died after a concrete mixer flipped into a home on Rangitoto Avenue in Remuera. Emergency services were called to the Auckland scene just after 9am on Monday. Police and WorkSafe are now investigating the incident as a workplace death.
+15 outlets · Avondale church severely damaged in early morning fire
A fire at St Mary's Catholic School in Avondale has severely damaged the school's church. Emergency crews attended the blaze on Great North Road around 4:15am, resulting in road cordons and the school being closed for the day.
4 outlets · Ray Chung faces condemnation over explicit email about Tory Whanau
Wellington councillor Ray Chung has faced widespread political condemnation following an explicit email regarding Mayor Tory Whanau. While Chung has claimed he is the victim of a smear campaign, Whanau has rejected the email's contents as false and malicious. The council CEO is currently investigating the matter.
4 outlets · Police appeal for witnesses after road rage assault in Mosgiel
Police are seeking information regarding a road rage assault that occurred near the Quarry Road roundabout in Mosgiel around 4pm on 25 June. One person sustained moderate injuries during the incident on the motorway off-ramp. Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the event to come forward.
4 outlets · Government plan aims to double international education sector economic impact
Education Minister Erica Stanford has unveiled a plan to increase the international education sector's economic contribution to $7.2 billion by 2034. The strategy includes expanding work rights for eligible student-visa holders from 20 to 25 hours per week starting in November. The Government also intends to streamline visas and use targeted marketing to attract more students.
+15 outlets · Official alcohol guidelines understate health risks, ministry documents reveal
Health New Zealand documents show that current low-risk drinking guidelines are outdated and underestimate health risks. Efforts to update the advice were reportedly halted following complaints from alcohol lobbyists to a Ministry of Health general manager.
4 outlets · Inquest begins into death of five-year-old Malachi Subecz
An inquest has commenced into the 2021 death of Malachi Subecz at Auckland's Starship Hospital. The five-year-old died following prolonged abuse by his carer, Michaela Barriball. During the proceedings, a detective provided details regarding the child's injuries and the homicide investigation.
3 outlets · Hundreds farewell Otago man following Stewart Island hunting accident
Hundreds gathered in Tapanui to farewell 21-year-old Jock Davies today. Mr Davies was fatally shot while part of a nine-person hunting party near Lords River on Stewart Island. The accident occurred on a Saturday, though reports differ on whether the date was 5 June or 5 July.
4 outlets · Southland councillor ignores boil water notice for Eastern Bush
Southland district councillor Derek Chamberlain says he is not following a boil water notice in Eastern Bush because he believes the tap water is fine. The notice, which has been in place since July 2024, is expected to remain until at least 2026.
4 outlets · Wellington motorists warned after large diesel spill from truck
A truck leak has caused a large diesel spill across several Wellington routes, including the central city, Miramar, and Kaiwharawhara. Police have advised drivers to take extra care and warned that motorists should expect delays. The clean-up process is expected to take some time.
3 outlets · Family seeks answers a year after Wednesday Davis died on Mt Ruapehu
The family of marine biologist Wednesday Davis is seeking answers regarding her death on Mt Ruapehu last year. They say they have endured months without an explanation and want to know how she ended up climbing in dangerous conditions.
+48 outlets · Victim's phone call played during Khandallah murder trial
A recording of 79-year-old Helen Gregory was played in the High Court on Monday. The audio, from a call to her bank the evening before she was killed in Khandallah, features her mentioning she was not thinking of dying the following day. Her daughter is facing charges in the trial.
+26 outlets · Storm damage closes parts of Abel Tasman and Kahurangi tracks
Flooding and slips in the Tasman district have cut off access to Kahurangi National Park and closed sections of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. The Department of Conservation is advising people to delay trips, noting that some access points may remain closed for some time.
2 outlets · Inquest begins into death of five-year-old Malachi Subecz
A coronial inquiry has commenced regarding the 2021 death of five-year-old Malachi Subecz at Starship Hospital. The child was being cared for by Michaela Barriball near Tauranga when he was killed. The hearing has begun by examining evidence related to the injuries he sustained.
3 outlets · Tasman faces months of clean-up following devastating floods
The Nelson Tasman district remains in a state of emergency following historic flooding. Mayor Tim King stated that clean-up efforts will take months as more than 800 properties are assessed for damage. The region is also managing 51 road closures, including sections of State Highway 6.
2 outlets · Person critically injured after being trapped under vehicle in Masterton
A person was left in critical condition following an incident involving a vehicle on Harley Street in Masterton on Monday evening. Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 7.15pm, where Fire and Emergency personnel worked to free the individual from under the vehicle.
2 outlets · Tasmanian devil Talei dies suddenly at Orana Wildlife Park
A seven-year-old Tasmanian devil named Talei has died at Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park. The zoo stated that the animal had been acting unusual and deteriorated rapidly before its sudden death. Talei had been a member of the park community since arriving in 2019.
2 outlets · Joshua Tepania sentenced to eight years for sexual offences
Joshua Tepania has been jailed for eight years following convictions for two counts of rape and one count of sexual violation. The offences occurred in a Waikato holiday park in early 2022 after Tepania offered a woman employment. Tepania has stated he has found faith in the Lord.
2 outlets · Hawke’s Bay man loses appeal against prison sentence for partner assaults
Ronald Wharepapa, 54, has lost an appeal against his prison sentence for assaulting a woman 100 times over a ten-month period. Wharepapa argued the sentence was unduly harsh. The victim had previously provided a video interview to police before retracting her allegations.
2 outlets · Tapawera residents struggle to access homes after major slips
Tasman residents are working to clear large landslides following a second storm. A mountainside collapse on Wangapeka West Bank Road near Tapawera has blocked roads, leaving some residents unable to return to their homes.
2 outlets · Black Power members allegedly killed Mongrel Mob member in revenge attack
The Crown alleges Black Power members shot Mongrel Mob member Hori Gage as retribution for a previous attack. Mr Gage was fatally wounded by multiple gunshots in Palmerston North while waiting for his mother to jump-start his car. The incident reportedly occurred in front of his partner and children.
2 outlets · Student nurses and midwives report heavy workload and financial pressure
Student nurses and midwives say they are performing the same workload as qualified staff to fill sector gaps without pay. One midwifery student reported that over 20 per cent of her cohort has dropped out or taken a break from their course.
2 outlets · Spectrum Care breached rights of residents at disability care home
The Health and Disability Commissioner has identified shortcomings at a Spectrum Care facility. The provider failed to report or investigate sexualised behaviour and sexual abuse involving residents. The findings include instances of violence and self-harm occurring at the care home.
2 outlets · Whanganui records lowest average rates increase in New Zealand
Whanganui's average rates will increase by 2.2 percent in the coming year, the lowest rate in the country. Mayor Andrew Tripe stated the result follows a sustained effort to change how the council operates.
3 outlets · Former Black Fern Grace Brooker joins Essendon AFLW
Former Black Ferns player Grace Brooker has switched to Australian rules football. After recovering from a ruptured patella tendon, the athlete has joined the Essendon Bombers in Melbourne.
2 outlets · Police seek Louis Pukeroa who is believed to be evading capture
Police are searching for Louis Pukeroa, a man from Whakatāne with an arrest warrant. Authorities have warned the public not to approach him if he is spotted in Auckland. Anyone with information is asked to contact 111.
2 outlets · Prime Minister expected to announce Tāmaki Makaurau by-election date
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is expected to announce the date for the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election following a Cabinet meeting in Wellington. The election follows the death of Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp. Labour MP Peeni Henare and Te Pāti Māori's Oriini Kaipara are confirmed candidates.
2 outlets · Victim identified in fatal Kaitaia vehicle crash
Police have identified 27-year-old Ngaiwa Miru as the person who died in a single-vehicle crash in Kaitaia last Friday. The incident occurred on Allen Bell Drive in the early hours of the morning. Two other people were injured in the crash.
2 outlets · Men arrested after fleeing police in Dunedin
Police pursued a vehicle speeding at more than twice the limit on Kaikorai Valley Road early Sunday morning. The occupants eventually abandoned the car and used an Uber to travel, which resulted in them being taken into custody.
2 outlets · Reefton distillery wins prestigious global gin award in California
Reefton Distilling Co, located in a small West Coast town, has won top honours at the SIP Awards in California. The distillery's achievement comes at a major global spirits competition, surpassing several prominent names in the industry.
2 outlets · Government cannot continue bailing out flooded homeowners, says Luxon
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the government cannot provide long-term financial assistance to homeowners following disasters. While the Nelson Tasman region is under a state of emergency, Cabinet will not consider a Tasman district assistance package immediately as it is too early in the flood response.
2 outlets · Illegal motorbike riding in Tauranga parks causes safety concerns
Residents in Gate Pā and Kōpūrererua Valley are concerned about illegal motorbike riding in local parks. Neighbours report that the bikes are causing noise and damage to reserves, with some expressing fear for public safety following near misses.
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