Jewellery entrepreneur Sir Michael Hill dies aged 86
Founder of Michael Hill Jewellers Sir Michael Hill has died at his home in Arrowtown following a battle with cancer. He passed away on Tuesday morning, leaving behind a global jewellery empire. Tributes have been shared by leaders across the business, political, and arts communities.
+15 outlets · Driver dies after falling from Newmarket viaduct in Auckland
A man has died after falling from the Newmarket flyover on Auckland's Southern Motorway early Tuesday morning. Police were conducting speed checks near Greenlane when the incident occurred. Authorities have launched a critical incident investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
+15 outlets · Gloriavale leader Howard Temple faces trial for sexual offending charges
Howard Temple is appearing in Greymouth District Court facing 24 charges of indecent assault and indecency spanning more than 25 years. Former Gloriavale members have testified that Temple touched and kissed young girls, though his lawyer has denied allegations of groping. Temple has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
+15 outlets · New Plymouth videographer dies after assault outside rugby club
Daniel Nganeko, 37, has died in an Auckland hospital following an unprovoked assault on Saturday night. Police say he was punched in the head outside the Tukapa Rugby clubrooms on Gladstone Road. The New Plymouth community is remembering him as a valued local supporter and videographer.
+15 outlets · Heavy rain and strong winds hit parts of New Zealand
An atmospheric funnel is bringing significant heavy rain and strong winds to much of the country. Orange heavy rain warnings are in place for various regions across both islands. Residents in Tasman, Nelson, and western Marlborough have already experienced heavy downpours since midnight.
+15 outlets · State Highway 1 blocked after truck rolls near Cheviot
A single-vehicle crash involving a truck occurred on Domett Road near Cheviot on Tuesday morning. Two people, one seriously and one moderately injured, were flown to hospital following the incident. While the crash initially blocked State Highway 1, the road has since reopened.
4 outlets · Search continues for missing West Coast tramper Roy Arbon
Police have located a red bicycle belonging to 75-year-old Roy Arbon, who has been missing since July 23. Arbon, a beekeeper and mountain rescue expert, was last seen heading towards the Mt Davy area near Greymouth. Authorities are expected to provide updates regarding future search plans.
4 outlets · Environment Southland to sell Webster Block for one dollar
Environment Southland has agreed to sell the Webster Block near Waituna Lagoon to Whakamana te Waituna Charitable Trust for $1. The land was originally purchased six years ago for $650,000. The area is considered to be of ecological and cultural significance.
4 outlets · Graham Bloxham withdraws from Wellington mayoral race
Graham Bloxham has decided not to run for mayor of Wellington. The 57-year-old social media administrator cited personal attacks and bullying abuse as reasons for quitting the race before submitting his nomination.
+26 outlets · NZTA urges farmers to address roaming stock on Tairāwhiti roads
The New Zealand Transport Agency has called on Gisborne farmers to prevent animals from wandering onto roads following numerous incidents. Reports indicate that between 186 and more than 450 roaming stock incidents occurred on local roads and highways over the last year. On average, animals are reported on Tairāwhiti roads more than once a day.
3 outlets · Midwife criticised after newborn dies following period of lack of supervision
A coroner has criticised a midwife for leaving a room for 25 minutes to complete administrative tasks. The newborn baby died after becoming unresponsive following a breastfeeding session. Hospital staff attempted to revive the infant, but she passed away after being transferred to intensive care.
3 outlets · Salvation Army calls for action as homelessness rises across New Zealand
New data from the Salvation Army shows one in every 1,000 New Zealanders is currently without shelter. The organisation reports that homelessness is increasing across nearly all communities, including a rise in people living in cars or uninhabitable housing.
+26 outlets · Police target antisocial driving in Waikato and Bay of Plenty
A coordinated police operation targeting antisocial driving resulted in over 110 infringement notices, several arrests, and multiple vehicle impoundings. In Hamilton, officers issued 63 tickets and arrested three people, while 51 tickets were issued in the Rotorua area.
3 outlets · Clinical director supports law change after infant death from overdose
A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit clinical director is backing calls for mandatory two-person medication checks. This follows the death of two-month-old Bellamere Duncan at Starship Hospital, who allegedly received an adult dosage of phosphate from a Manawatū pharmacy.
4 outlets · One person in custody after teen is stabbed at Manukau bus station
Police have arrested one person following an assault at the Manukau Bus Station in Auckland around 8.15pm on Monday. A 15-year-old victim sustained stab wounds and was taken to hospital in serious condition. Authorities are currently appealing for witnesses to come forward.
3 outlets · Electoral Amendment Bill passes first reading in Parliament
The Electoral Amendment Bill has passed its first reading, moving forward with proposed changes to electoral processes. The legislation includes bans on prisoner and same-day voting to improve the efficiency and integrity of the system. The House heard various arguments for and against the controversial reforms during the session.
3 outlets · Businesses should pass on contactless payment costs to customers
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says businesses should pass on contactless card payment costs to customers if they cannot absorb them. This comes as the government plans to ban surcharges on contactless card payments by May 2026.
4 outlets · Tax cut for heated tobacco products extended by two years
The government has extended a tax reduction for Philip Morris heated tobacco products until July 2027. Originally intended as a one-year trial subject to evaluation, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello confirmed the review has been pushed back by two years.
3 outlets · Supermarket sign catches fire at Browns Bay
New World Browns Bay was evacuated on Tuesday night after its external sign caught fire. Emergency services responded to the North Shore supermarket following an alarm at approximately 7.43pm.
2 outlets · Kohurau Contracting fined for safety breach after forestry worker injury
Kohurau Contracting has been ordered to pay $150,000 following a safety breach. The incident resulted in a seasoned forestry worker losing four fingers. The sentencing took place this week.
2 outlets · TVNZ secures free-to-air broadcast rights for 2026 ANZ Premiership
New Zealand Netball has secured a broadcast deal with TVNZ for the 2026 ANZ Premiership, meaning all games will be free-to-air. This follows months of negotiations that previously led to concerns from the players' association regarding potential pay cuts for top netballers.
2 outlets · Injured cyclist urges action after dirt bike collision in Porirua
A woman who suffered serious injuries in a 2022 head-on collision with a speeding dirt bike in Bothamley Park is calling for more action. After being off work for a year, she fears further accidents will occur unless illegal riding is addressed.
2 outlets · Auckland council committee describes homelessness as being at crisis point
Auckland council committee has called for government action following a 90 percent increase in people sleeping rough since September. Outreach teams are currently assisting more than 800 rough sleepers in the city.
4 outlets · Long-term mental health support needed for Tasman flood victims
A mental health advocate says residents in the Tasman region require long-term psychological support following devastating winter floods. The area has faced two flood emergencies and multiple heavy rain warnings recently. The Nelson Tasman region remains under a heavy rain warning until at least 10pm today.
2 outlets · Auckland primary school teacher dies after bowel cancer battle
Aimee-Rose Yates, a teacher at Elm Park School in East Auckland, has died. She passed away on Monday night following a battle with stage 4 metastatic bowel cancer. Yates, who was also a bowel cancer awareness advocate, was 32 years old.
2 outlets · Former lawyer Patrick Mulligan named after 15-month suspension
Former Buddle Findlay partner Patrick Herd Mulligan has been identified as the lawyer suspended for 15 months following inappropriate conduct at Christmas parties. The disciplinary action follows reports that Mulligan grabbed a junior colleague's genitals and made objectifying and lewd comments while intoxicated.
3 outlets · Wellington bar licence suspended over discounted drinks advertisement
The Residence Bar on Courtenay Place has been ordered to close for 48 hours. The suspension follows a sign offering two-for-one drinks, which breached laws against advertising alcohol at more than 25% below its normal price. The owner described the incident as an honest mistake.
2 outlets · Plans underway for Tākaka home for ancient Anaweka waka
Work has begun to plan a permanent display for the 700-year-old Anaweka waka in Tākaka. The six-metre fragment was discovered on Golden Bay's west coast 13 years ago. Preservation of the significant archaeological find is nearly complete.
2 outlets · Minister considers regulating farm chores for children
Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden is considering new regulations for chores performed by farm children, such as watering plants and collecting eggs. Some members of the rural sector have expressed fear that these activities may be illegal, though other ministers are reportedly less enthusiastic about the proposal.
2 outlets · Government begins looking for savings for the 2026 Budget
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has indicated the Government is starting to look for ways to save more money for the next Budget. The focus is on identifying potential spending cuts to assist with the 2026 Budget process.
2 outlets · Ministers defend increasing Crown board chair fees by up to 80 per cent
Cabinet ministers are defending a decision to raise the maximum annual fee for Crown governance board chairs from $90,000 to approximately $162,000. Ministers stated the increase reflects the responsibility of overseeing billions of dollars, while the Labour Party criticised the move as being out of touch with the cost-of-living crisis.
4 outlets · Dargaville Hospital loses its only full-time doctor
Dargaville Hospital has lost its last full-time doctor, adding to a staffing crisis affecting rural hospitals. Health New Zealand stated that while the departure is unfortunate, there is sufficient staff to maintain hospital operations.
2 outlets · Aucklanders urged to vote in upcoming licensing trust elections
Voters in Auckland are being encouraged to elect trustees for the region's five alcohol licensing trusts. These elections will take place alongside local elections, which are scheduled to run from 9 September to 11 October.
2 outlets · Police release photo to help identify group involved in Hamilton assault
Police have released a photo of individuals to assist with an investigation into an assault on an autistic man in Hamilton. The incident occurred on Sandwich Road in March, nearly five months ago. Authorities are seeking information to help identify people who may be able to assist with the case.
2 outlets · Smith & Caughey’s intends to sell Queen Street site
The board of Smith & Caughey’s has confirmed plans to sell its Auckland CBD site following the department store's closure in June. The property includes four buildings, one of which is a category 1 listed building on Queen Street. The company has been seeking proposals from large real estate agencies.
2 outlets · Couple fails to prevent seizure of $1.7m North Canterbury properties
A North Canterbury couple has lost a legal battle to stop the Crown from seizing two properties worth $1.7 million. The seizure follows a 2020 police raid that uncovered a commercial-scale hydroponic cannabis operation at one of the sites.
2 outlets · Oranga Tamariki ordered to pay costs to former foster parents
A High Court judge has criticised Oranga Tamariki for its behaviour during a legal battle to remove a Māori child from her Hawke’s Bay foster parents. The organisation was ordered to pay more than $100,000 in legal costs. The child is no longer with the couple following personal attacks that made the situation untenable.
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