FBI to establish permanent office in Wellington
FBI Director Kash Patel has visited Wellington to open a dedicated law enforcement attaché office. The new base aims to strengthen cooperation with New Zealand, a Five Eyes partner. The move has drawn criticism from China regarding claims about countering regional influence.
+48 outlets · Man charged after alleged drink driver weaves on State Highway 29
A 23-year-old man is in court facing charges after being filmed swerving across the centreline on State Highway 29 in Waikato. The dashcam footage from 24 July shows the vehicle narrowly avoiding collisions with cars and a truck. Police say the driver was allegedly more than four times over the legal alcohol limit.
+15 outlets · Woman appears in court after newborn found in Freemans Bay bin
A 32-year-old woman has appeared in court charged with interfering with human remains. The charge follows the discovery of a newborn baby's body in a wheelie bin on Renall Street in Freemans Bay on 1 July.
+15 outlets · Tsunami threat remains for New Zealand after Russian earthquake
The National Emergency Management Agency issued mobile alerts around 6.30am Thursday warning of tsunami activity following a massive earthquake near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. Officials advised people to stay away from coasts and beaches, noting the threat was expected to remain until at least midday.
+15 outlets · Police seek car owner after Burnside aggravated robbery
Police are looking for a vehicle owner following an aggravated robbery in Burnside on July 18. A young person was assaulted and robbed near Kendal Avenue and Whitby Street, sustaining minor injuries. The victim was reported to be very shaken by the incident.
4 outlets · Twenty-seven arrested in Auckland airport drug smuggling investigation
Police and Customs have arrested 27 people following an investigation into an international crime syndicate smuggling methamphetamine and cocaine via unattended baggage. The group allegedly involved local gangs and 15 current or former baggage handlers at Auckland International Airport. The operation has been named Operation Matata.
4 outlets · Family of Hamilton man killed in brawl lays son to rest
The family of Tyreece Te Pairi has laid their 20-year-old son to rest in Tolaga Bay. Te Pairi died in hospital after being critically injured during a fight on Alexandra Street in Hamilton on 20 July. An 18-year-old is currently in custody and charged in relation to the death.
+15 outlets · Wayne Brown criticises Auckland councillors for missing meetings
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has criticised councillors for failing to attend meetings in person. Two committee meetings could not proceed in the last two months because they failed to meet quorum. Councillor Kerrin Leoni described the Mayor's remarks regarding the absences as inappropriate.
4 outlets · Minister apologises for early morning tsunami phone alerts
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell apologised for loud mobile phone alerts following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia. While some people received multiple warnings regarding potential coastal surges, others received none. Mitchell stated that efforts will be made to address glitches in the warning system.
3 outlets · Police search for dangerous man after escape from Christchurch care facility
Canterbury police are searching for 35-year-old Kieran Thomas, who absconded from a care agency facility on Thursday evening. Authorities were notified of his disappearance shortly before 6pm and describe him as dangerous. Extensive enquiries are currently underway to locate him.
3 outlets · Canada plans to recognise Palestinian state in September
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada intends to recognise the state of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in September. US President Donald Trump responded by stating that the decision would make negotiating a trade deal with Canada very difficult.
3 outlets · NEMA to investigate inconsistencies in tsunami emergency alerts
The National Emergency Management Agency is investigating reports of glitches following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake. While some people received nearly 50 alerts, others in New Zealand reported receiving none. The agency is looking into these apparent inconsistencies in how the emergency system functioned.
3 outlets · Parliament passes repeal of 2018 oil and gas exploration ban
The Government's bill to end the 2018 ban on oil and gas exploration has passed its final reading with 68 votes to 54. The legislation was delayed from Tuesday night due to a last-minute amendment regarding liability for decommissioning field clean-ups. Climate Minister Simon Watts stated the previous ban impacted energy security and power prices.
3 outlets · Helen Clark says New Zealand is lagging on Palestinian statehood recognition
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has stated that New Zealand is falling behind the rest of the world by not recognising Palestinian statehood. This comes as Canada, the UK, and France have announced plans to recognise Palestine. Foreign Minister Winston Peters has resisted calls to do the same, warning it could be viewed as rewarding terrorism.
3 outlets · Te Pāti Māori files urgent High Court proceedings over electoral roll concerns
Te Pāti Māori has initiated urgent High Court proceedings following reports that individuals have been removed from the electoral roll or shifted off the Māori roll. The Electoral Commission has stated that there are no technical problems with the rolls.
+37 outlets · Man released from prison after 2011 murder conviction
Peter Richard Holmes has been released from prison following his 2011 murder conviction. The Dunedin man was sentenced to life imprisonment after beating Jamie Ellis to death with a wheel brace. Holmes was originally handed a minimum non-parole period of 12 years.
4 outlets · Gloriavale leader Howard Temple pleads guilty to 12 charges
The 85-year-old overseeing shepherd of Gloriavale has pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault, five counts of doing an indecent act, and two counts of common assault. A lawyer representing former members is now calling for government intervention following the admissions of sexual offending.
3 outlets · Tsunami advisory remains for New Zealand after massive Russian earthquake
A tsunami advisory is in effect following a magnitude 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia. Authorities have warned of unpredictable surges and unusual currents, leading to Cook Strait ferry detours and the suspension of operations at Napier Port. Nema indicates the advisory may remain until midday.
2 outlets · Southland dairy farmer and company fined for obstructing investigation
Reza Abdul-Jabbar and Rural Practice Ltd have been ordered to pay an additional $15,000 for obstructing an Employment Relations Authority investigation. These penalties follow previous fines of $215,000 for breaching employment standards involving three Indonesian workers. The business has already paid over $116,000 in arrears to the employees.
2 outlets · Technical glitch affects tsunami emergency mobile alerts
A technical glitch caused tsunami emergency alerts to be sent multiple times or not at all to some New Zealanders at 6.30am today. Officials state the threat to New Zealand coasts remains high following a large earthquake in Russia on Wednesday.
+26 outlets · Teen father sentenced to home detention for injuring newborn son
A teenager has been sentenced at the New Plymouth District Court for breaking his newborn son's ribs and causing bruising to the infant's face and body. The defendant told the court he felt overwhelmed while managing the baby's night feeds.
2 outlets · Man killed in crash near Auckland Airport remembered by community
Arvind Kummar, 45, died following a serious three-vehicle crash on George Bolt Memorial Drive near Auckland Airport on Wednesday morning. Friends and family have described the man as a superstar of Lauwaki Lautoka, Fiji. The accident resulted in the closure of the main road leading to the airport.
2 outlets · Air New Zealand cancels Gisborne flights due to plane repairs
Air New Zealand cancelled most flights at Gisborne Airport on Thursday because two planes required repairs. The airline expected to resume services later in the evening following cancellations that lasted until 3pm.
2 outlets · Taranaki man jailed for impregnating 12-year-old girl
Adam Busby, 32, has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment. The man invited a 12-year-old girl to his home, where they had unprotected sex that resulted in her pregnancy. The girl is now 13 years old.
2 outlets · Donated Japanese kimonos spark shopping frenzy at Christchurch City Mission
Thousands of colourful Japanese kimonos donated by a private individual have caused a surge in activity at Christchurch City Mission stores. Bargain-hunters have flocked to the Barbadoes Street and Sydenham locations to search through bins and boxes of the garments.
2 outlets · Rotorua mayor demands action over corroding Ōhau channel wall
Community groups and the Rotorua mayor are calling for urgent repairs to the Ōhau channel diversion wall. Built in 2008 to protect Lake Rotoiti from polluted water, the structure is reportedly corroding and showing signs of sediment leakage.
2 outlets · Napier to trial overnight CCTV monitoring to combat rising crime
Napier City Council will trial 24/7 CCTV monitoring following concerns from inner-city retailers. Although a safety patrol service was introduced three years ago, crime in the city has increased by 12% over the last two years. Retailers noted that most crime occurs at night when cameras are currently unmonitored.
2 outlets · Asbestos discovery at Auckland Museum causes significant revenue loss
The discovery of asbestos in parts of the Auckland Museum has led to a loss of up to $2.5 million in tourism revenue. Popular areas, including the Māori court, may remain closed until 2026 while efforts to remove asbestos dust continue.
2 outlets · Man convicted and fined for using fake university documents
Siddharth Tushar Vaishnav has been convicted and fined after attempting to register as a veterinarian in New Zealand. The Indian-qualified vet submitted falsified university documents to the Veterinary Council of New Zealand in February 2024.
2 outlets · Auckland entertainer denies charges of rape and grooming
An Auckland entertainer has denied allegations of raping and grooming an underage girl. The man, who cannot be named, was charged earlier this year with sexual violation and indecent assault. He stated he is deeply shaken and intends to fight the charges to clear his name.
2 outlets · Meningococcal B vaccine funding to expand for children under five
Pharmac will fund the Bexsero vaccine for all children under five from 1 September. This decision expands eligibility beyond the current immunisation schedule for infants. The move is expected to provide free protection against meningococcal B for thousands more children.
3 outlets · Police used incorrect powers to arrest man after partner's death
The IPCA found that police incorrectly arrested a man in Auckland following the sudden death of his partner in April 2023. While officers were right to detain the man, the watchdog stated they should have used the Mental Health Act instead of arrest powers.
2 outlets · Roads reopen in Eastern Bay of Plenty after heavy flooding
Heavy rain lasting 24 hours caused flooding in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, temporarily cutting off access between Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki. The region received over 150mm of rain, leading to wastewater overflow in Ōpōtiki. Roads are now beginning to reopen following the inundation.
2 outlets · Man sentenced to life for fatal attack on Auckland security guard
Lorenzo Tangira has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the December 2023 killing of 25-year-old security guard Ramandeep Singh. Singh was fatally attacked by two people while performing checks at the Royal Reserve carpark in Massey, West Auckland.
2 outlets · Live Nation acquires Christchurch event producer Team Event
American multinational Live Nation has purchased Team Event, the Christchurch-based company responsible for the Electric Avenue festival. Organisers state that the global backing provided by the acquisition will assist in the growth of the music festival.
2 outlets · Vehicles targeted for theft following NZTA privacy breach
A privacy breach involving an NZ Transport Agency database has exposed the details of nearly 1,000 people over a 12-month period. The agency suspects the breach resulted in at least 13 vehicles being targeted for theft.
2 outlets · Concerns grow over candidate numbers for local elections
Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa has expressed concern regarding a lack of candidates for several councils ahead of the 2025 local elections. While Auckland Council reported receiving 111 nominations this week, nominations for local body elections are set to close at midday on Friday.
2 outlets · Matt Henry takes six wickets as New Zealand lead Zimbabwe test
Matt Henry claimed six wickets to help bowl Zimbabwe out for 149 on the first day of the first test at Queens Sports Club. New Zealand responded with 92 runs without loss, leaving them trailing by 57 runs.
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