Police search for missing 75-year-old tramper on West Coast
Police are searching for Roy Arbon, a 75-year-old beekeeper who went missing during a walk from Mt Davy to Mt Sewell, north-east of Greymouth. He was expected to return on Wednesday and authorities are concerned for his welfare due to harsh weather conditions. He may be wearing a blue puffer jacket, shorts, and hiking boots.
+48 outlets · Police seek driver after cyclist seriously injured in Christchurch hit-and-run
Police are searching for the driver of a white SUV following a hit-and-run in Burnside on Wednesday morning. The collision occurred at the intersection of Grahams Road and Westburn Terrace shortly after 9am. The cyclist was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
+15 outlets · House fire fatalities reach highest level in a decade
Fire and Emergency New Zealand reports that 17 people died in avoidable house fires over the past year. This is the highest number of fatalities in ten years, with officials suggesting the cost of living may be a contributing factor.
4 outlets · Wellington Mayor accepts apology from councillor over disrespectful email
Wellington City Council chief executive Matt Prosser will not investigate 10 complaints regarding an email sent by councillor Ray Chung about Mayor Tory Whanau. Chung apologised for the lewd email, which the mayor has accepted. The decision follows a desire to prioritise unity within the council.
4 outlets · One person dead and another seriously injured in Canterbury crash
One person died at the scene and another sustained serious injuries following a two-vehicle collision on State Highway 1 near Rakaia on Thursday evening. Emergency services were called to the crash at approximately 7.20pm. Police have sent a serious crash unit to investigate the incident.
4 outlets · Armed clashes erupt on the Thai-Cambodian border
Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has resulted in at least 11 to 14 deaths. The conflict involves shelling and fighter jets, leading New Zealand to update travel advice to avoid affected border provinces.
3 outlets · New technology used to scan plates for unpaid court fines
The government is trialling handheld devices that scan number plates to identify vehicles owned by people evading court fines. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said bailiffs will use the technology to clamp or seize cars. This initiative aims to address over $100 million in unpaid court fines and outstanding reparations.
3 outlets · Annual low temperatures recorded in several New Zealand cities
Several cities, including Rotorua, Taupō, Dunedin and Masterton, recorded their lowest temperatures of 2025 on Friday. While most of the country expects a fine weekend, warmer and wetter conditions are forecast to arrive by next week.
3 outlets · English to appear above te reo Māori in New Zealand passport redesign
The Minister for Internal Affairs has confirmed that New Zealand passports will be redesigned to place English text above te reo Māori. The new design is expected to be rolled out at the end of 2027 once existing stock has been used up.
4 outlets · Northland nurse Lani Daniels to fight Claressa Shields for heavyweight title
Pipiwai boxer Lani Daniels will challenge Claressa Shields for the undisputed women's heavyweight championship in Detroit. The fight is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at Little Caesars Arena. Daniels, an IBF Light Heavyweight Champion, is considered an outsider for the bout.
2 outlets · Black Ferns squad announced for Rugby World Cup title defence
Coach Allan Bunting has named a 32-player squad to defend the Black Ferns' Rugby World Cup title in England next month. The selection includes Army captain Laura Bayfield and Otago halfback Maia Joseph, while Ruby Tui has missed out on the squad.
3 outlets · Fewer than half of recent graduate nurses secure hospital roles
Health New Zealand has employed only 45 per cent of mid-year nursing graduates, with 323 of 722 applicants securing hospital positions. Nursing leaders have criticised the agency as short-sighted, while students expressed concerns that the lack of employment could impact future study decisions.
+15 outlets · Police investigate aggravated robbery at Ngāruawāhia service station
Four offenders used a stolen Nissan Navara to smash into a service station on Great South Rd in the early hours of Friday. A staff member activated fog cannons and moved to safety during the robbery. Police are currently investigating the incident.
3 outlets · Unlicensed pilot fined for crashing uncertified rebuilt aircraft near Marton
A man has been fined $14,475 after crashing an amateur-built Jodel D.11 near Marton in 2024. The court found he was flying without a pilot licence and operating an aircraft that lacked a certificate of airworthiness.
4 outlets · PSA takes legal action against MBIE over flexible work rules
The Public Service Association has filed legal action against the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment. The union claims the ministry's new policy restricts flexible working arrangements protected under a collective agreement. This marks the second court case the union has brought regarding the government's stricter working from home rules.
3 outlets · One person critically injured in State Highway 30 crash
One person sustained critical injuries and two others were moderately to minorly injured following a two-vehicle crash near Atiamuri. Emergency services responded to the incident on State Highway 30 south of Tokoroa at approximately 5am on Friday. Road diversions were implemented at the scene.
3 outlets · Supermarkets plead guilty to pricing errors and misleading specials
Consumer NZ reports that inaccurate pricing and misleading specials cost shoppers tens of millions of dollars annually. Several supermarkets have pleaded guilty to breaching the Fair Trading Act. The advocacy group has seen a significant increase in complaints regarding these errors.
3 outlets · Justice Minister calls Deputy PM's comments on voters unhelpful
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith described Deputy Prime Minister Nicolaay Seymour's comments about late enrollemnt voters as unhelpful. This comes as the government moves to end same-day enrolments, a change officials warn could reduce voter turnout and confidence in the electoral system.
2 outlets · Domestic tourism increases in Rotorua as Auckland visitors return
Rotorua is seeing a rise in visitor numbers, spending, and accommodation occupancy. Local leaders suggest the surge in domestic tourism reflects growing confidence in the city following disruptions caused by Covid-19 and emergency housing.
3 outlets · Rocket Lab shares rise 800% despite multimillion-dollar losses
Shares in the New Zealand-founded space company Rocket Lab have increased by more than 800 percent over the past year, nearing US$50 each. This growth in share price has occurred despite the company recording multi-million-dollar losses.
3 outlets · Former Black Fern Cheryl Waaka fundraising following cancer diagnosis
Former Black Fern Cheryl Waaka is fundraising for treatment after being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in June. The two-time World Cup winner and mother of two teenagers is currently battling the illness.
3 outlets · New Zealanders lucky to have premium butter despite rising prices
Federated Farmers' dairy group chair Karl Dean says New Zealanders are fortunate to have premium butter as their only option. Stats NZ data shows butter prices rose nearly 50 per cent for the year ended May. Dean hopes retail prices will decrease once the cost of milk solids drops.
3 outlets · Rising butter prices cause frustration for New Zealand consumers
New Zealand consumers are facing an alarming rise in butter prices. The issue has become a subject of political debate and led to Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell being called to meetings. Agricultural economics professor Alan Renwick is analysing potential solutions to the rising costs.
2 outlets · Man sentenced for brutal attack at Hamilton pub
Brendon Lee Varu has been sentenced for a violent assault at the Te Rapa Tavern in Hamilton. The attack occurred while the victim was participating in a pool competition with family and friends. The victim's partner and teenage daughter witnessed the assault.
3 outlets · Michael Bracewell joins Black Caps squad for Zimbabwe Test series
Allrounder Michael Bracewell will replace the injured Glenn Phillips for the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Bracewell was not included in the initial squad due to prior commitments with The Hundred.
2 outlets · Heavy rain and wind forecast for parts of New Zealand
MetService is predicting a significant change in weather conditions starting Sunday. Heavy rain and wind are expected to affect Northland, the West Coast, and the Tasman district. While most of the country may experience fine weather over the weekend, unsettled conditions are forecast for next week.
+15 outlets · Caregivers found guilty of assaulting child in Wellington
A woman, her husband, and their daughter have been found guilty of assaulting a preteen boy. The child was restrained on a bed and thrown against drawers by his caregivers after a fight with his sibling. The incident left the child injured and feeling isolated.
3 outlets · Police seek help to find missing 14-year-old in Whangārei
Authorities are searching for 14-year-old Tumataroa, who was reported missing from Whangārei on Wednesday, 23 July. His family is concerned for his wellbeing because he requires ongoing medication. Police are asking the public for any information regarding his whereabouts.
2 outlets · Dunedin man pepper-sprayed and bitten by dog during traffic stop
A 49-year-old man was pepper-sprayed and bitten by a police dog after resisting officers in Dunedin on Thursday night. The incident occurred on Bayview Road after the man failed an initial breath test while driving on a zero alcohol licence. The driver reportedly attempted to flee before being apprehended.
2 outlets · Freezing temperatures cause crashes and train suspensions across New Zealand
A cold snap has brought freezing temperatures to parts of the country, causing multiple crashes and suspending some trains in Wellington. In the Waikato, Hamilton recorded its coldest morning of 2025 at -3.2C, while Taupō reached a regional low of -4.6C.
2 outlets · Heavy rain and strong winds forecast for New Zealand next week
MetService has warned that current sunny and cold conditions will end by the middle of next week. A new system approaching from the Tasman Sea or the north is expected to bring potentially severe rain and wind across much of the country.
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