Government announces overhaul of New Zealand electoral laws
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has unveiled legislation to scrap same-day election enrolment. The changes require voters to enrol or update details by the Sunday before advance voting begins. The overhaul also introduces a new offence regarding handing out treats near voting places.
+37 outlets · One person dead and child hospitalised in New Plymouth house fire
A person has died and a child has been hospitalised with burns following a house fire in New Plymouth. Emergency services were called to a single-storey home on Oranga Street in Westown just before 11pm on Wednesday.
+26 outlets · Missing 79-year-old woman found safe in Christchurch
Beryl, a 79-year-old woman with a medical condition, has been found safe and well by a member of the public. She was reported missing from Bishopdale on Thursday evening, prompting police to issue emergency alerts to Christchurch residents.
+15 outlets · Fonterra chief rejects discounted butter prices for New Zealanders
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell has ruled out a two-tier pricing system for domestic and international customers. This follows rising costs, with Stats NZ reporting a 46.5 percent increase for a 500g block of butter in the year ended May. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has attributed high grocery costs to supermarkets.
+15 outlets · Teenager charged after fatal fight in central Hamilton
An 18-year-old man has been charged following a fight on Alexandra Street over the weekend. The incident left 20-year-old Tyreece Te Pairi with critical injuries, and he later died in hospital. Police are investigating the death as a homicide.
+15 outlets · New Zealander sentenced for assaulting airline crew on international flight
A 23-year-old man was sentenced by the County Court of Victoria for drunkenly assaulting two crew members on a flight from Perth to Auckland. The incident forced the plane to divert to Melbourne. He received a six-month prison sentence but was released immediately on a two-year good behaviour bond.
4 outlets · Deputy Police Commissioner Tania Kura to retire in November
Deputy Police Commissioner Tania Kura will retire from New Zealand Police in November after 37 years of service. She has held the statutory role since April 2023 and most recently oversaw frontline operations across all 12 districts. A search for her replacement is currently underway.
+37 outlets · Man charged with murder following woman's death in Parklands
A 36-year-old man has been charged with murder after a woman died in Christchurch. Emergency services were called to a property on Lamorna Road in Parklands at approximately 7.50pm on Wednesday after reports that a woman had sustained critical injuries.
4 outlets · Department of Conservation to cut 71 roles to save money
The Department of Conservation will disestablish 143 administrative and assistant roles and create 72 new positions. This net reduction of 71 jobs aims to save $5.5 million and modernise the agency. The changes follow a process released in May that originally proposed cutting 84 roles.
+37 outlets · Auckland councillors vote for amendment to residential helipad ban
Auckland councillors have voted for an amendment to a motion to ban private helipads in residential areas. Following a five-hour debate, the original motion by councillor Mike Lee was blocked. Instead, staff will now be requested to review rules to potentially make helipads non-complying in sensitive areas.
3 outlets · State Highway 8 closed near Waitahuna following serious two-vehicle crash
State Highway 8 has been closed south of Waitahuna following a two-vehicle crash on Thursday afternoon. Emergency services were alerted to the incident around 4.50pm. Police indicate that the crash has resulted in serious injuries.
3 outlets · Two people arrested after high speed chase in Far North
A driver and passenger were arrested after allegedly fleeing from police at high speed near Horeke on Wednesday. The vehicle, a black Holden Commodore with false plates, was impounded after it nearly crashed into a ditch. Police say drugs and drug utensils were also found in the car.
3 outlets · Life coach charged after 20kg of meth found in tea packets
A 36-year-old foreign national has been charged after 20kg of methamphetamine was discovered hidden inside vacuum-sealed green tea packets at Auckland International Airport. The man allegedly arrived on a flight from Denpasar, Bali, on Wednesday.
3 outlets · Poor welding caused cargo ship rudder to break near Tauranga
A Transport Accident Investigation Commission report found that weak, porous welds caused the Achilles Bulker to lose its rudder in July 2023. The vessel drifted towards shallow water while leaving the Port of Tauranga, but the crew prevented grounding by deploying the anchor with only one metre of water under the keel.
3 outlets · Body and pipe bombs found near Auckland motorway not criminal matter
Police have determined that the death of a man found near a Highbrook walkway on Tuesday was self-inflicted. The discovery of the body and two pipe bombs near the Southern Motorway will not be subject to a criminal investigation, and the case will be referred to the Coroner.
3 outlets · Raymond Ratima denied parole after explaining motive for 1992 murders
Raymond Ratima has been refused parole for the 1992 murders of seven people, including three of his children. During a Parole Board hearing, Ratima explained his motives for the killings. His case will be considered for release again in six months.
3 outlets · Sport NZ to scrap transgender inclusion guidelines following government direction
Sport NZ is removing its guidelines regarding the inclusion of transgender people in community sport. The government ordered the organisation to abandon the document, which had previously been under review for updates. The guidelines have now been taken down from the Sport NZ website.
3 outlets · One person dies in single-vehicle crash near Huntly
A person has died following a serious single-vehicle crash on Rotowaro Road west of Huntly. Emergency services were called to the scene around 4.45am on Thursday. Rotowaro Road remains closed with diversions in place, and motorists have been advised to avoid the area.
3 outlets · Julia DeLuney found guilty of murdering her mother in Khandallah
A Wellington jury has found Julia DeLuney guilty of murdering her 79-year-old mother, Helen Gregory, in their Khandallah home. The trial at the High Court in Wellington lasted over four weeks. DeLuney is expected to be sentenced in September, though it is unclear if she will appeal the conviction.
+26 outlets · Man refuses to leave Selwyn District Council meeting
A Selwyn District Council meeting was temporarily adjourned after Peter Schnell refused to vacate his seat during a public forum. Mr Schnell was seeking answers regarding a pit on his Creyke Road property near Darfield, which is part of a long-term dispute with the council.
+26 outlets · Nanogirl Labs unlikely to pay Inland Revenue debt
Liquidators of Nanogirl Labs say the company is unlikely to pay its debt of more than $260,000 to Inland Revenue. The science education company, founded by Michelle Dickinson and Joe Davis, was placed into liquidation last November and may be unable to pay unsecured creditors.
3 outlets · Healthworkers urge MPs to forgo private healthcare while in office
A group of specialists, GPs, nurses and paramedics have signed an open letter asking Members of Parliament to rely on the public health system. The group suggests that MPs and the families of Cabinet ministers should waive private healthcare to ensure leaders have a direct interest in public system decisions.
3 outlets · National median rents fall for first time since 2009
National median rents decreased by 0.3% over the three months to May, according to Cotality. This marks the first annual decline since late 2009, with the most significant drops recorded in Auckland and Wellington.
3 outlets · Ngāti Porou chief executive George Reedy resigns
George Reedy has resigned from his position as chief executive of Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou after four years. He was instrumental in growing health and social services within Te Tairāwhiti. His resignation is set to take effect on 1 August.
2 outlets · Unprepared tramper rescued from Tongariro Alpine Crossing
A man was rescued from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing on Saturday after becoming stranded in freezing conditions. Police say the tramper had no food, shelter, or adequate gear and called for help around 7.30pm. The man reportedly realised he could not complete the crossing alone.
2 outlets · Southland man fined for harassing sea lion in the Catlins
A man has been fined $400 for harassing a sea lion at Tautuku Beach in January. Residents reported seeing motorists and trail bike riders taunting the animal for two consecutive days on the south Otago coast.
2 outlets · New Zealander remanded in Cook Islands prison over drug charges
A 50-year-old New Zealand tourist has been remanded in prison after arriving on a flight from New Zealand. Cook Islands customs officials reportedly discovered a concealed bag of cannabis and two bags of white powder. The man faces a charge of importing cannabis.
2 outlets · Greens petition to extend Te Huia rail link to Tauranga
The Green Party has launched a petition calling for the reinstatement of passenger rail services across New Zealand. Transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter is specifically proposing an extension of the Te Huia service from Hamilton to Tauranga. The party estimates the extension would cost approximately $10 million.
2 outlets · New Zealander makes history with Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Faith Ward has become the first New Zealander to join the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. The 22-year-old has also broken a long-standing squad tradition by being the first member permitted to wear her hair in a ponytail.
2 outlets · High-ranking school employee charged with indecent assault and impeding breathing
A high-ranking school employee appeared in Wellington District Court facing four counts of indecent assault and impeding breathing. The individual's identity is currently suppressed. The person is scheduled to appear in court again next month.
2 outlets · Southbound State Highway 2 lanes closed after serious Pāpāmoa crash
The southbound lanes of State Highway 2 near Bruce Road in Pāpāmoa Beach were closed following a two-vehicle crash on Thursday afternoon. Police report that five people were injured, including one person with serious injuries. Motorists are advised to follow diversions and expect delays.
2 outlets · NZX chief executive Mark Peterson to step down next year
Mark Peterson has resigned as the head of the NZX. He will leave his position in April next year after nearly a decade in the role. Peterson stated that the timing was appropriate as he is close to completing several growth projects.
3 outlets · Government labels controversial tourism campaign a success
The government has defended its 'Everyone Must Go' campaign, calling it a winner for attracting Australian tourists. Despite previous international criticism and opposition from MPs, the advertising initiative is estimated to have generated $22 million in additional visitor spending.
2 outlets · Police seek man following concerning behaviour near Auckland school
Police are attempting to identify a man following reports of concerning behaviour outside a Mt Roskill school. The incident allegedly occurred on Frost Road around 9.10am on Thursday, 22 May. The man was described as wearing a blue jacket and a hat.
2 outlets · NZEI takes Government to court over resource teacher funding cuts
The NZEI Te Riu Roa has filed for a judicial review in the Wellington High Court. The union is challenging the Government's decision to defund literacy and Māori resource teachers. They claim the decision was made before the consultation period concluded.
2 outlets · Luca Fairgray's prison sentence reduced on appeal
Auckland man Luca Fairgray has had his jail term reduced by six months following an appeal. He was found guilty of three charges involving sexual connection with a 13-year-old girl.
2 outlets · Punakaiki cafe owner opposes proposed parking charges at Pancake Rocks
A local cafe owner is urging the Department of Conservation to reconsider plans to introduce parking fees at the Pancake Rocks. Grant Parrett told a conservation board meeting that the charges would act as an unlawful entry fee to Paparoa National Park.
+15 outlets · Police officer charged over death of teenage girl in Whangārei
An officer has been charged with dangerous driving causing death following a police pursuit in Whangārei in December 2023. The charge relates to the death of 17-year-old Angel Riley, whose car hit a tree during the incident. The officer is expected to appear in court in August.
2 outlets · Gumboot Friday charity to receive government funding until 2026
The charity Gumboot Friday will continue to receive government funding through to 2026. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey stated the initiative assists thousands of young people in accessing mental health support more quickly.
2 outlets · Auckland man charged with making over 100 intimate recordings of women
A Mt Eden man faces more than 100 charges for making intimate visual recordings of women across Auckland over a three-year period. The alleged offending occurred in locations including a Newmarket shopping complex and a central city bathroom. Police stated that numerous videos were discovered on the man's devices.
2 outlets · Rotorua Lakes Council debates future wastewater discharge proposals
Rotorua Lakes Council members have discussed two proposals regarding the city's future water and treated wastewater services. The council considered establishing a working group to find a permanent discharge method by early 2027. Discussions included a suggestion to discharge treated wastewater into a stream, which faced opposition from other councillors.
2 outlets · Secondary teachers union rejects pay offer
The Post Primary Teachers Association has rejected a pay offer of 1% per year for three years. This three percent total increase is reportedly one of the lowest offers ever made to secondary teachers.
3 outlets · Ice causes crashes and flight delays in South Island
Freezing temperatures in Canterbury and Dunedin have caused road crashes and flight disruptions. A Toyota Hilux tumbled down a bank in Ravensbourne after hitting black ice, though the driver was uninjured. Police have warned motorists to be cautious on treacherous, icy roads.
2 outlets · One person seriously injured in Petone two-vehicle crash
A two-car crash occurred near Victoria Street on The Esplanade in Petone on Thursday morning. One person sustained serious injuries in the incident. Police say the westbound road was closed, causing traffic delays for commuters heading towards Wellington City.
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