Finance Minister to meet Fonterra boss over high butter prices
Finance Minister Nicola Willis is meeting with Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell to discuss why butter costs more in New Zealand than in Australia. While Labour suggests Willis's previous employment at Fonterra should provide pricing insights, her office denies she is targeting the dairy co-operative.
+15 outlets · Jaz brothers appeal convictions for sexual assaults at Christchurch bar
Danny and Roberto Jaz are challenging their convictions and sentences at the Christchurch High Court. Their lawyers claim the trial judge was biased and that a miscarriage of justice occurred during the original proceedings. The brothers were convicted in 2023 for drugging and assaulting numerous women at Mama Hooch and Venuti.
+48 outlets · Ed Sheeran announces 2026 New Zealand stadium tour dates
Ed Sheeran will perform three stadium concerts in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in January 2026. The Loop Tour, which celebrates his upcoming album, will take place between 16 and 24 January. This marks the singer's return to New Zealand following his 2023 tour.
4 outlets · Sky TV to acquire Discovery NZ for $1
Sky TV has agreed to buy 100% of Discovery NZ, the owner of Three and ThreeNow, for $1. The deal, announced to the NZX, will see Warner Bros Discovery exit New Zealand's free-to-air television market.
4 outlets · Madison Ashton seeks to give evidence at Pauline Hanna inquest
Australian sex worker Madison Ashton has requested to testify at the coronial inquest into the death of Auckland health manager Pauline Hanna. Ashton, who did not appear as a witness during Philip Polkinghorne's murder trial, had a relationship with Hanna's husband. Hanna died in her Remuera home in April 2021.
+15 outlets · Porirua man sentenced to prison for poaching 619 pāua
Ruteru Sufia, 63, has been sentenced in the Porirua District Court to 2.5 years in jail for poaching 619 pāua. Ministry of Primary Industries officers discovered the shellfish in his home during a 2022 raid. He was also banned from fishing for three years.
4 outlets · Tyreece Te Pairi named as victim of Hamilton brawl
Tyreece Te Pairi, 20, has been named by police as the man who died following a fight on Alexandra Street in central Hamilton. The incident occurred just after midnight on Sunday while Te Pairi was celebrating his upcoming 21st birthday. Three other people were treated for moderate and serious injuries.
4 outlets · Man charged with murder in 2018 Flaxmere cold case
A 29-year-old Hastings man has been charged with murder following the 2018 killing of Eddie Peters. Mr Peters was beaten on a driveway in Flaxmere and died in a Wellington hospital eight days later. Police have also charged a second person in relation to the incident.
4 outlets · Man charged with arson after Avondale church fire
A 42-year-old man has been charged with arson following a fire at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Avondale. The blaze occurred on the morning of 14 July and caused serious damage to the building. No injuries were reported during the incident.
+15 outlets · Motorcyclist killed in State Highway 1 crash at Manakau
A motorcyclist has died following a collision with a car on State Highway 1 between Ōtaki and Levin. The incident occurred near Whakahoro Road on Tuesday morning. While the highway has since reopened, motorists are advised to expect ongoing delays.
3 outlets · Ministry of Education specialist staff strike over pay and remote work
Approximately 2,300 Ministry of Education specialist staff held a two-hour strike nationwide on Tuesday. Represented by the PSA and NZEI Te Riu Roa, workers are protesting a Government pay offer and potential changes to remote work. The industrial action is part of a month-long partial strike.
4 outlets · Luxon challenges Labour over policy after FamilyBoost rebate criticism
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has challenged Labour to present their own policies following criticism of the National Party's FamilyBoost childcare scheme. The pressure follows reports that only 153 families have received the maximum rebate, which is significantly lower than the number of eligible families promised before the election.
4 outlets · Family petitions for longer sentence for driver who killed 11-year-old
The family of Emma-Jane Kupa has launched a petition seeking a harsher prison sentence for Terina Pineaha. Pineaha was convicted for fatally hitting the 11-year-old with her car while cycling in Flaxmere in January 2025. The driver was reportedly intoxicated and using methamphetamine at the time of the incident.
4 outlets · Man mourns family killed in Waiuku vehicle crash
Amanaki Vailea has paid tribute to his wife, daughter, and niece following a fatal crash near Waiuku. The three victims died after their vehicle left Masters Road and entered a wetland culvert during wild weather last week.
4 outlets · Foodstuffs to rebuild New World Victoria Park after fire
Foodstuffs North Island has announced plans to repair and rebuild the New World Victoria Park supermarket at its current site. Specialist crews and engineers are currently working to make the fire-damaged building safe for recovery after a massive blaze occurred in June.
3 outlets · Police operation closes southbound Southern Motorway in Highbrook
A section of State Highway 1 southbound has been closed between Princes Street East and Highbrook Drive due to an ongoing police operation. Police were alerted to a man's body found near a walkway alongside the motorway around 11.30am. The incident is being treated as a sudden death.
3 outlets · Westland mayor warns Waiho River could devastate Ōkārito
Westland mayor Helen Lash has warned that the Waiho River could cause an environmental disaster in Ōkārito if its course is not changed. She stated that a $2.8 million stopbank extension at Franz Josef will not prevent potential damage to the town, State Highway 6, and local infrastructure.
3 outlets · Kāpiti Line train services resume after vehicle hits bridge
Train services between Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast were suspended on Tuesday morning after a vehicle hit a rail bridge near Ngauranga Gorge. KiwiRail inspected the bridge following a public report of the collision at 7.25am. Services have since returned to normal.
3 outlets · New Zealand and 24 nations call for end to Gaza war
New Zealand has joined 24 other countries, including Australia, Canada, and Britain, in a joint statement demanding an end to the war in Gaza. The nations condemned the killing of civilians and criticised the current aid delivery model as dangerous and insufficient.
3 outlets · Department of Conservation investigates dead stoat found on Stewart Island
The Department of Conservation is investigating the discovery of a dead stoat on the Rakiura Great Walk Track. The animal was found with a crushed skull, potentially from a trap or blunt force. Stewart Island is known to be stoat-free, with the nearest population located 30 kilometres away.
4 outlets · Tributes for Invercargill businessman found dead on Fiordland fishing trip
Rick Murrell, a Southland KIA dealer principal, has died after being found in a boat on Lake Manapouri. A search was activated after Murrell and another man failed to return as expected. He is being remembered by the Southland community as a much-loved and energetic figure.
3 outlets · Winston Peters calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
Foreign Minister Winston Peters told Parliament that the war in Gaza must end and expressed revulsion at the situation in the Middle East. While Peters joined 28 other nations in calling for a ceasefire, the opposition stated that more action is required.
3 outlets · Tauranga to extend paid parking to city centre fringe streets
From 4 August, paid parking will be introduced to streets between the eastern end of Fourth Ave and Park St. Some business owners have expressed concern that the change will cause significant problems for customers and staff. Rates will be $1 per hour for the first two hours and $2 per hour thereafter.
3 outlets · Wellington homicide victim was set up to be robbed
Police believe Abdulhassan Nabizadah was lured to Miramar by a text message to be robbed before the incident turned violent. The 63-year-old was found critically injured on Camperdown Road on 17 March and later died in hospital.
4 outlets · Average speed cameras to be installed on Northland road
Four average speed cameras will be installed on Kaitaia-Awaroa Road starting Monday, 28 July. NZTA aims to reduce speeding and serious crashes on the stretch, which has seen two deaths and 13 injuries over five years. This will be one of the first average-speed camera systems in New Zealand.
2 outlets · RSA modernises approach to support younger veterans
The Returned Services Association is relaunching to better assist contemporary military veterans. New initiatives aim to modernise the 109-year-old organisation and address the needs of those from recent deployments. The announcement was made during an event held at Parliament on Tuesday.
2 outlets · Gary Tong announces bid for Southland mayoralty
Former Southland mayor Gary Tong has announced he will seek a fourth term in the upcoming election. This move follows previous comments in which he stated he would not stand for the position.
2 outlets · Airlines warn of rising regional flight costs and instability
Airlines state that regional aviation is becoming unsustainable due to increasing system costs. Sounds Air has announced it will cut its Blenheim to Christchurch and Christchurch to Wanaka routes because of rising expenses. Industry representatives are calling for government action to address these growing costs.
2 outlets · Ministry of Health warns of vaping product with high diacetyl levels
The Ministry of Health has issued a warning for Suntree Salts – Vanilla Cream vaping products. The product was found to contain four times the allowable limit of diacetyl, a flavouring agent linked to a lung injury known as popcorn lung.
2 outlets · PayPal withholds thousands of dollars donated to Gaza aid fund
PayPal is withholding thousands of dollars donated by New Zealanders to the 'Aotearoa to Gaza Mutual Aid' fund. The crowdfunding initiative, set up by writer Emily Writes via Ko-Fi, has reportedly received no explanation for the withheld funds.
2 outlets · Matakana pottery store Morris & James to close after nearly 50 years
Morris & James Pottery is winding down its operations in Matakana over the next few months. The business is closing after approximately 47 to 48 years of operation. Owners have cited economic struggles as a reason for the closure.
2 outlets · Nicoll-Klokstad returns for Warriors clash against Titans
The Warriors welcome back fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad from a knee injury for their round 21 match in Auckland this Saturday. The last-placed Titans will face the fourth-placed Warriors without their captain, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.
2 outlets · New Waikato medical school announcement welcomed by local leaders
The government has confirmed funding for a new medical school at the University of Waikato. Local business, community, and medical leaders have welcomed the announcement, which is expected to benefit rural practices. The government will provide $82.5 million, while the university will cover the remaining $150 million through philanthropic backing.
2 outlets · Darrin Wilson enters Hastings mayoral race
Businessman Darrin Wilson has become the fifth candidate to contest the Hastings District Council mayoralty. The upcoming election is scheduled for October. Wilson's professional background includes work as a fireworks salesman, motor racer, and upholsterer.
2 outlets · Ashburton man in electric wheelchair identified after fatal collision
Police have identified 68-year-old Trevor Baker as the man who died following a collision with a car in Ashburton. The accident occurred on Burnett Street on 5 July. Mr Baker died in hospital several days after being struck while using an electric wheelchair.
2 outlets · Jury retires in Julia DeLuney murder trial
The jury has retired to consider its verdict in the trial of Julia DeLuney. She is accused of murdering her 79-year-old mother, Helen Gregory, at her Khandallah home in January 2024. The proceedings are taking place at the High Court in Wellington.
+26 outlets · Consumer NZ calls for crackdown on supermarket pricing errors
Consumer NZ is urging the government to address systemic misleading supermarket prices that reportedly cost New Zealanders millions annually. A recent survey found that 62% of shoppers noticed pricing discrepancies between shelf labels and checkout totals. Foodstuffs, which owns New World and Pak'nSave, stated it takes pricing accuracy seriously.
2 outlets · Three iwi support renaming St Arnaud to Rotoiti
Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Kuia, and Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō have backed a proposal to change the name of the South Island village St Arnaud to Rotoiti. The New Zealand Geographic Board has received the proposal but requires further community consultation.
2 outlets · Ameliaranne Ekenasio to miss upcoming Silver Ferns international series
Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio has announced she will be unavailable for this year's international matches. The 34-year-old stated she requires a break for her mental and physical wellbeing. This decision follows her previous period of time away from the national team in 2023.
2 outlets · New polling suggests National Party may only serve one term
Recent Talbot Mills polling indicates the coalition government would lose power if an election were held immediately. A majority of respondents believe the country is on the wrong track and expressed disapproval of the government's performance. The results suggest the left bloc could form a government under current conditions.
2 outlets · Debt collector and company fined for misleading conduct
Director John Stuart Campbell and Law Debt Collection have been ordered to pay $115,500 in fines and reparations. The pair pleaded guilty in the Manukau District Court to making misleading representations during debt collection following a Commerce Commission prosecution.
2 outlets · Four-day work week reduces burnout and improves job satisfaction
A large-scale study from Boston College in the United States found that working four days a week improves job satisfaction and reduces burnout. The research involved six-month trials where 2,896 employees had their hours reduced without a reduction in pay.
4 outlets · Winner sought for $200,000 Lotto prize in Paraparaumu
Lotto NZ is searching for the holder of a $200,000 first division winning ticket purchased at Coastlands Lotto in Paraparaumu. The prize was part of a $1 million jackpot shared by five tickets. The winner has until 31 August to claim the winnings before they expire.
2 outlets · Waitangi Tribunal rejects application to halt Pātea seabed mining bid
The Waitangi Tribunal has declined an application to stop a fast-track bid for seabed mining off Pātea. However, the tribunal noted it may reconsider if the process is found to be unfair. Trans-Tasman Resources maintains the project will provide jobs without environmental harm.
2 outlets · Internal documents reveal problems with school curriculum rewrite
Internal Education Ministry documents show the school curriculum rewrite faced serious problems earlier this year. The documents reveal staff lacked a clear definition of the core concept and managers considered using AI to assist with the work.
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