Government proposes replacing NCEA with new school qualifications
The government has announced plans to end the NCEA system and replace it with new qualifications. Under the proposal, NCEA Level 1 would be replaced by literacy and numeracy tests, while Levels 2 and 3 would be replaced by new certificates. Changes are expected to be phased in from 2028.
+15 outlets · Police investigate serious injuries to two-month-old baby in South Auckland
Police are investigating an incident involving a two-month-old baby who was taken to Middlemore Hospital with serious injuries. The infant remains in hospital for treatment while authorities continue to make inquiries into how the injuries occurred.
+15 outlets · Body found after diver goes missing in Lowry Bay
Police have located the body of a diver who went missing in Lowry Bay, Lower Hutt. The individual was reported missing on Tuesday morning after failing to surface at the expected time. The Police National Dive Squad had been deployed to search Wellington Harbour.
4 outlets · Woman in her 80s dies after being hit by bus in Onehunga
An elderly woman has died in hospital following a collision with a bus on Church Street in Onehunga on Monday morning. The woman was taken to Auckland City Hospital with critical injuries after the incident occurred around 11.20am. Three passengers were on board the bus at the time of the crash.
4 outlets · Dan Hooker to host backyard brawl event for convicted criminals
UFC fighter Dan Hooker has announced a controversial one-minute backyard scraps event in Christchurch in seven weeks. The livestreamed tournament will feature 32 convicted criminals competing for a $50,000 prize. Participants will be subject to a 100kg weight limit.
+37 outlets · Woman denied bail after toddler found in bus suitcase
A 27-year-old woman appeared in North Shore District Court following allegations that a two-year-old girl was left inside a suitcase in a bus luggage compartment. The woman, who faces charges including neglect and ill-treating a child, has been remanded in custody at a mental health unit.
4 outlets · Government to proceed with foreshore and seabed legislation changes
Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith has confirmed the Government will move to change the Marine and Coastal Areas Act. The proposed legislation aims to make it more difficult for Māori to claim customary title to marine and coastal areas. This follows a Supreme Court ruling that the Government says does not go far enough.
+37 outlets · Government to ease rules for small sheds, sleepouts and garages
Cabinet has agreed to change consenting rules for small single-storey structures under 10 square metres. Homeowners will soon be able to build garden sheds and sleepouts closer to property boundaries, while garages will require a minimum setback of 1m. These regulatory changes are expected to be implemented by the end of the year.
+15 outlets · Jack Hargreaves named after murder and carjacking charges
Jack William Hargreaves, 20, has been named following a High Court appearance in Hamilton. He faces charges of murder, aggravated robbery, and failing to stop for police after allegedly shooting his brother and stealing a car at gunpoint. He has entered a plea of not guilty.
4 outlets · Three pharmacy staff involved in error that killed two-month-old baby
Two-month-old Bellamere Duncan died at Starship Hospital on 19 July after receiving more than 13 times the prescribed medication dose. The error involved an intern pharmacist, a trainee technician, and a registered pharmacist. A member of the Pharmaceutical Society described the incident as a symptom of deeper systemic issues.
+48 outlets · Government proposes replacing NCEA with new national qualifications
The Government has released a proposal to abolish NCEA due to concerns regarding falling literacy and numeracy standards. While some principals support the overhaul to improve international recognition, others have criticised the decision as a backward step.
3 outlets · Auckland entertainer Cole Johnston named following sexual offending charges
Cole Johnston, a 28-year-old singer and musical theatre performer, can now be named after being charged with grooming and raping a girl aged 12 to 15. The alleged offences occurred in Auckland between 2017 and 2021. Johnston denies the allegations, and the National Youth Theatre states the charges do not relate to his time working there.
3 outlets · Man suffers concussion following assault on Ōtorohanga walking track
A man sustained facial injuries and a concussion after being assaulted while walking with his wife on the Stopbank track in Ōtorohanga last week. Police say an unknown man walking two dogs, one white and one brown, approached the couple. Officers are now asking for witnesses to come forward.
3 outlets · Coroner cites road vandalism as factor in Canadian tourist's death
A coroner has found that damaged road markings and signs contributed to the December 2023 death of Canadian tourist Helen Poon near Hastings. The investigation revealed that burnouts had destroyed road markings and a Give Way sign was incorrectly positioned.
4 outlets · Crusaders halfback Kyle Preston named in All Blacks squad
The 25-year-old Crusaders halfback has been selected for the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad. A former roofing apprentice, Preston transitioned to professional rugby only last year. His inclusion follows a significant rise in his rugby career.
3 outlets · Research explores if farming native wildlife could aid conservation
A Victoria University of Wellington graduate is investigating whether commercialising native species, such as the weka, could help increase their populations. The research paper explores whether farming native wildlife could serve as a conservation tool.
+15 outlets · Woman seriously injured after car slides off icy road near Dunedin
A 50-year-old woman was taken to Dunedin Hospital with serious injuries after her vehicle slid off an icy road in North Taieri. The crash occurred on Silverstream Valley Road early Tuesday morning around 5:45am.
2 outlets · New labelling rules for gene-edited food approved
Food produced using new breeding techniques, such as gene editing, will no longer require a genetically modified label if no new DNA was introduced. This follows updated definitions within the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
2 outlets · Sir Sam Neill mourns the death of pet duck Magda
New Zealand actor Sir Sam Neill has shared that his pet duck, Magda, has died. Neill posted on Instagram that the duck was found in long grass and had passed away peacefully in her sleep.
2 outlets · Rotorua councillor Gregg Brown changes decision on re-election bid
Rotorua Lakes councillor Gregg Brown has reversed his previous decision not to stand for re-election. Although he had intended to step down and endorse another candidate, the Pig & Whistle Pub owner has now decided to enter the election race.
2 outlets · Teenager hospitalised after attack and robbery at Avondale train station
A 15-year-old boy was hospitalised after being attacked by a group of youths at Avondale train station on Sunday. The teenager was followed off a train around 1.30pm, after which the group stole his shoes.
2 outlets · Police search for 19-year-old with active arrest warrant
Police are seeking public assistance to locate Kauri John Howard, 19, who is the subject of an active arrest warrant. He is known to frequent the Beach Haven area and other parts of Auckland. Authorities have urged the public not to approach him.
2 outlets · Magnitude 4.7 earthquake strikes north of Whakatāne
A 4.7 magnitude earthquake occurred in the eastern Bay of Plenty at 4.56pm. GeoNet reported the quake struck 25km north of Whakatāne at a depth of between 124km and 127km.
2 outlets · Doctors warned as dengue fever cases surge in New Zealand
Medical professionals are being advised to watch for dengue fever symptoms following a rise in New Zealand cases. Public health teams report an increase in people contracting the illness while overseas before returning home. In Samoa, more than 2,000 cases have been reported alongside multiple deaths.
3 outlets · Five candidates confirmed for Tāmaki Makaurau by-election
The Electoral Commission has announced five candidates for the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election. The vote, scheduled for 6 September, follows the death of Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Moana ‘Tarsh’ Kemp in June.
2 outlets · Kura Kaupapa Māori express concern over proposed NCEA replacement
Te Rūnanga Nui o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa has expressed serious concern regarding the government's proposal to replace NCEA. The plan, unveiled in Auckland, would remove NCEA Level 1. Critics argue the proposed model is Eurocentric and may disadvantage students who have just mastered the current system.
2 outlets · University rowing club to review crayfish throwing incident in Christchurch
The University of Canterbury Rowing Club is conducting an internal review following an incident at a Riccarton restaurant. Video footage allegedly shows a man grabbing a crayfish from a tank and throwing it across the room. Police are also investigating the matter.
2 outlets · Man pleads guilty to manslaughter in Hamilton railway crossing crash
Norton Sowerby, 36, has pleaded guilty to three counts of manslaughter following a crash at a Hamilton railway crossing last November. The incident involved an SUV being struck by a train on Peachgrove Road, resulting in the deaths of three men. Sowerby also faced charges of reckless driving and driving while disqualified.
2 outlets · Reserve Bank launches survey on how New Zealanders use cash
The Reserve Bank is conducting a random postal survey to gather updated information on how people use and store cash. The survey includes new questions regarding payment preferences and challenges faced when using coins and notes as the central bank redesigns the system.
2 outlets · Government may support State of Origin series in New Zealand
Speculation has resurfaced regarding plans to bring rugby league's State of Origin to New Zealand in 2027. The government appears receptive to supporting the move to host a game in two years' time.
2 outlets · Students battle to leave Kelburn flat after sewage leaks from ceiling
Occupants of a Kelburn flat were forced to empty buckets overnight after raw sewage leaked through their kitchen ceiling. Following a Tenancy Tribunal ruling, the landlord was found to have failed in addressing the issues. The students had previously struggled to end their tenancy after their requests were ignored.
2 outlets · New Zealand tax settings may require rethinking
Inland Revenue, Treasury, and accountants have suggested that New Zealand's tax settings may need to be reconsidered. Inland Revenue stated that taxes might need to increase to manage an ageing population, while CPA Australia suggested considering a capital gains tax.
3 outlets · Kaiapoi volunteer Ronnie Dunbar hospitalised after house fire
Ronnie Dunbar, a well-known volunteer at the Kaiapoi Food Forest, is recovering in hospital after a fire destroyed his home. He sustained burns to his hands, head and face. The community has begun rallying to support him as he prepares to move into rest home care.
2 outlets · Two children from one Samoan family die of dengue fever
A two-year-old boy has died from dengue fever in Samoa, just days after his nine-year-old brother passed away from the same illness. This marks the fifth death in the country's latest outbreak. Health NZ has advised travellers to take precautions when visiting Samoa.
2 outlets · Burst water main causes flooding on Rosebank Road in Avondale
A 150mm water main burst on Rosebank Road in Avondale, sending water up to 10 metres into the air. Emergency services arrived around 12.30am on Tuesday to cordon off the area and investigate the flooding.
2 outlets · Police miss deadline to detect and delete unlawful photos
New Zealand Police have failed to meet a June deadline to implement a system for detecting and deleting unlawfully collected photos. The agency was required to find a way to manage such material within their systems, following previous issues regarding the collection of photos and fingerprints.
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