Ed Sheeran adds second Auckland and Christchurch tour dates
Ed Sheeran has announced additional shows in Auckland and Christchurch for his 2026 Loop Tour due to high demand. The singer is now scheduled to perform five dates across New Zealand, including shows in Wellington. Tickets for the Wellington Sky Stadium concert are currently on sale.
+26 outlets · Gloriavale leader Howard Temple begins trial for alleged sexual offending
The 85-year-old Gloriavale leader is appearing in Greymouth District Court to face multiple charges of indecent assault and indecent acts on young people. The allegations involve several female complainants and span more than two decades. Temple has entered not guilty pleas to the charges.
+37 outlets · Government proposes ban on most in-store payment surcharges
Commerce Minister Scott Simpson has announced a plan to ban most surcharges on in-store card payments, including PayWave. The proposal aims to ensure shoppers are not penalised for their chosen payment method. The government intends to implement this ban by May 2026 at the latest.
+15 outlets · Youth charged with assault following incident at Greymouth High School
A teenager has been charged with assault after an alleged attack on a fellow student at Greymouth High School on Wednesday, 23 July. The victim required medical treatment following the incident, which reportedly occurred before classes began. The school is providing support to students and the affected family.
4 outlets · Record LSD seizure in Auckland involving over 40,000 tabs
Police and Customs intercepted 40,800 LSD tabs during a joint operation in Auckland last week. The drugs, which have an estimated street value exceeding $1 million, were found after authorities executed four search warrants under Operation Spin. This is reported to be one of the largest seizures of the substance in New Zealand history.
4 outlets · Man arrested after armed robbery at Whangārei bar
A 35-year-old man has been arrested following an armed robbery at the Kensington Tavern on 25 July. During the incident, a shot was fired into the ceiling and one person was injured. Police have also recovered a firearm allegedly used during the robbery.
4 outlets · Police investigate after man dies from injuries found on roadside
A 20-year-old man, Zain Matenga Taikato-Fox, has died after being found critically injured on State Highway 33 between Paengaroa and Rotorua. Four men brought him to Rotorua Hospital on Saturday night, where he later passed away. Police have launched an investigation and are seeking witnesses.
4 outlets · Christopher Luxon booed during netball trophy presentation
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was met with boos and jeers from spectators at the ANZ Premiership netball final. The incident occurred at Trusts Arena as he appeared on court to present the trophy to the Mainland Tactix following their victory over the Northern Mystics.
3 outlets · No healthcare breaches found after teenager's death in 2015
The Health and Disability Commissioner found no healthcare breaches following the 2015 death of a 19-year-old man. The teenager died from complications after delays in an air ambulance transfer between hospitals. The report noted that the death revealed gaps in South Island complex care, which have since been addressed through service improvements.
3 outlets · Strong magnitude 4.6 earthquake hits near Ruatōria
A magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck near Ruatōria in the Gisborne region on Monday afternoon. The shallow quake, which occurred at a depth of between 8km and 9km, was felt by over 100 people. The National Emergency Management Agency confirmed there is no tsunami threat.
3 outlets · Napier man identified following Wairakei crash near Taupō
Police have identified 53-year-old Napier man Travis Edward Simmonds as the person who died in a two-vehicle crash. The incident occurred on 19 July on State Highway 1 near Wairakei, north of Taupō. Investigations into the crash are ongoing.
3 outlets · Man dies after falling from cliff in Banks Peninsula
A man died after falling from a cliff at Little Pigeon Bay Rd on Sunday afternoon. He was part of a group of four snorkelling and collecting seafood when he reported feeling unwell before the fall. Emergency services were called to the scene, and his body was flown out of the area by helicopter.
3 outlets · Person arrested after woman was stabbed in Māngere Bridge
A man was arrested following a stabbing on Whanui Place in Māngere Bridge on Monday morning. Police responded to the scene just after 8am, where they found a woman with stab wounds. She was taken to Middlemore Hospital for treatment of her injuries.
3 outlets · School bus crashes into trees in Hawke's Bay after hitting black ice
A school bus skidded into trees on Kereru Road near Maraekakaho on Monday morning. Reports differ on the condition of the driver and a child passenger, who were taken to hospital. The accident occurred at approximately 7.45am after the vehicle hit black ice.
3 outlets · Two-month-old baby dies after alleged pharmacy medication error
Bellamere Duncan died at Starship Hospital following an overdose after allegedly receiving an adult dosage of medication from a pharmacy. Her parents are now calling for legal changes to require double-checking of dispensed medication.
+26 outlets · Two meteor showers expected to peak over New Zealand
The Southern delta-Aquarids and alpha-Capricornids are set to peak late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Observers may see between 10 and 20 meteors per hour, though cloudy weather could impact visibility across the country.
4 outlets · Three youths allegedly stole multiple vehicles and evaded police spikes
Three youths, including an 11-year-old, allegedly stole between seven and eight vehicles during a Sunday crime spree along the Otago coast. The group reportedly evaded police road spikes while driving at high speeds between Dunedin and Palmerston.
2 outlets · Northern Territory companies seek New Zealand workers at Auckland expo
Industry leaders from Australia's Northern Territory attended a job expo in Auckland over the weekend to recruit New Zealand workers. While companies deny attempting to poach the workforce, they are offering significant financial incentives to attract employees to the region.
3 outlets · South Wairarapa water reform could lead to crippling bills
South Wairarapa Deputy Mayor Melissa Sadler-Futter has warned that water reform may cripple local ratepayers without central government assistance. She has written to Local Government Minister Simon Watts requesting urgent financial support for small and rural councils facing rising costs.
3 outlets · Bay of Islands hapū achieve milestone in Treaty of Waitangi negotiations
Te Whakaaetanga Trust, representing four Ngāpuhi hapū groupings, received Crown Deed of Mandate recognition on 16 July. This marks the first time a group of Ngāpuhi hapū has achieved this milestone in Treaty of Waitangi negotiations.
3 outlets · One person seriously injured in Manukau assault
A person was seriously injured following an assault in Manukau city centre on Monday evening. Emergency services responded to Station Road around 8.15pm, and the victim has been taken to hospital. Police are currently working to locate the suspects involved in the incident.
2 outlets · At-risk Invercargill prisoners continue to be placed in dry cells
Corrections has continued to place suicidal prisoners in Invercargill rooms lacking drinking water and toilets. This practice persists despite a 2019 finding by the Chief Ombudsman that such conditions breached United Nations standards regarding prisoner dignity and torture prevention.
3 outlets · Waikato medical school business case shows better cost-benefit ratio
A business case for a new medical school at the University of Waikato indicates it would have lower operating costs and a better cost-benefit ratio than other options. However, the Dean of the University of Auckland's medical school has questioned the fairness of the comparison.
2 outlets · Prime Minister Luxon holds post-Cabinet press conference
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis held a weekly post-Cabinet briefing at the Beehive. The session included a defence of the government's record regarding the cost of living.
2 outlets · Christopher Luxon dismisses Green Party proposal for Tauranga rail extension
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has rejected a Green Party plan to extend the Auckland–Hamilton passenger rail line to Tauranga. During a visit to the city, he stated that his Government is prioritising high-quality roading infrastructure instead.
2 outlets · Heavy rain warnings issued for Tasman region
MetService has issued heavy rain warnings for the Tasman District as a weather front moves across the country. The Tasman District mayor has advised residents in flood-hit areas to prepare for further heavy rain and wind. The region is currently recovering from recent storms.
2 outlets · New York Bagels enters liquidation after nearly 30 years
Auckland-based bagel manufacturer and supplier New York Bagels has gone into liquidation, citing a downturn in revenue. The company, which has been in operation since 1999, owes over $80,000 to the Inland Revenue Department. Liquidators stated that several parties have expressed interest in purchasing the business.
2 outlets · Government proposes simplifying scaffolding rules to reduce construction costs
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden plans to consult with construction professionals regarding changes to scaffolding regulations. The proposed rules aim to streamline processes by allowing workers to choose safety options, such as ladders or harnesses, based on the specific risk level of a job.
3 outlets · Daily water loss in Wellington region drops by 11 million litres
Wellington Water figures show that daily water loss across the Wellington region has decreased by 11 million litres. The reduction follows increased investment in repairing leaks, though the organisation's chairperson noted that patching pipes is a temporary solution compared to replacing them.
2 outlets · Heavy rain and strong winds expected across much of New Zealand
MetService has issued various watches and warnings for heavy rain and severe gales as unsettled weather impacts the country. An atmospheric river is expected to bring further storms to Northland, Auckland, and the upper South Island, with Auckland potentially seeing 19 hours of rain.
2 outlets · Economic optimism among farmers reaches record high
The latest Federated Farmers Farm Confidence Survey shows economic optimism among farmers has reached a record level. Improved sheep, beef, and dairy prices have contributed to this increase in confidence compared to last year. Two South Island regions are currently leading in terms of profitability.
4 outlets · Air New Zealand to expand Auckland international Koru Lounge
Air New Zealand has announced plans to nearly double the size of its international Koru Lounge at Auckland Airport. The overhaul will include a new exclusive area following feedback regarding space constraints within the current facility.
2 outlets · Ten-year-old boy identified following Waikato crash
Police have released the name of Jax Tauroa-Wall, the 10-year-old boy who died in a two-vehicle collision on State Highway 1 near Motutere. The crash occurred on the evening of 4 July. Investigations into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing.
2 outlets · British and Irish Lions defeat Wallabies in second test
The British and Irish Lions secured a 29-26 victory over Australia in their second test match. Former All Black Aidan Ross has been named in the Wallabies squad for the third and final test, which will be held in Sydney this Saturday.
2 outlets · Mainland Tactix win first national netball title in 28 years
The Mainland Tactix defeated the Northern Mystics 58-46 in Auckland to secure their first national league title. Captain Erikana Pedersen led the team to victory despite experiencing severe cramping during the grand final. This win marks the first championship for the region in 28 seasons.
2 outlets · Police respond to family harm incidents every four minutes
New Zealand Police receive calls regarding domestic violence approximately every four minutes, totaling up to 400 incidents daily. While additional funding has been announced to train support workers, experts suggest addressing the crisis will take generations.
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