Government plans to replace petrol tax with electronic road user charges
Cabinet has agreed to legislative reforms to scrap petrol tax and move all light vehicles onto electronic road user charges. Transport Minister Chris Bishop described the proposal as a major overhaul of road funding. Law changes are expected next year, though specific details regarding costs and timing remain unknown.
+26 outlets · Woman fined for taking dogs into Tongariro National Park
A woman has been issued a $400 fine after posting social media photos of her dogs in Tongariro National Park. The images included her posing with a dog in front of a sign prohibiting animals in the area. The park maintains a policy that bans dogs, including those in vehicles.
+15 outlets · Royal New Zealand Air Force completes medical evacuation from Antarctica
A Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules crew evacuated three people from the US McMurdo Station for medical care. The high-risk mission involved landing on ice during the night in extreme mid-winter conditions. The aircraft departed Christchurch to complete the nearly 8,000km journey.
+37 outlets · Police warn of serious injury risk from Christchurch powerline tampering
Police are appealing for information following ongoing copper thefts and powerline tampering across the Christchurch region. These incidents have caused power outages and left live wires dangerously exposed. Authorities warn there is a very high chance of serious injury or death due to these disruptions.
+15 outlets · Child dies and several injured in Kaikohe two-vehicle crash
A child has died and several people were injured following a two-car crash at an intersection in Kaikohe on Wednesday. Police reported that two occupants from one of the vehicles fled the scene before being apprehended. Emergency services responded to the incident just after midday.
4 outlets · Child seriously injured after being hit by car in Christchurch
A child was seriously injured after being hit by a car on Shirley Road in Christchurch on Wednesday afternoon. Emergency services were called to the scene around 3.10pm, and police have diverted traffic in the area.
+15 outlets · Two men charged with murder after Hamilton street fight death
Two 19-year-old men appeared in Hamilton District Court on Wednesday following their arrest in Hamilton and South Auckland. They are charged with the murder of Tyreece Te Pairi, who died in hospital after a brawl in the central Hamilton hospitality precinct on 20 July.
4 outlets · Police renew appeal for information regarding Kyle Whorrall murder
Police are seeking information from anyone who saw others in a vehicle during the fatal attack on 33-year-old American PhD student Kyle Whorrall. The incident occurred at an Auckland bus stop in St Johns on 19 April. Authorities are urging witnesses to come forward to assist the ongoing investigation.
4 outlets · Rotorua woman's image used in anti-Māori wards billboard campaign
Ellen Tamati discovered her image was used without permission on billboards by lobby group Hobson’s Pledge. The campaign opposes Māori wards, a cause Ms Tamati strongly disagrees with. Hobson’s Pledge has stated it will remove the image.
4 outlets · Police investigate unexplained death in Mt Wellington park
Police are investigating an unexplained death after a man was found unresponsive at Sir Woolf Fisher Park in Mt Wellington early Wednesday morning. Officers are looking into whether the death is linked to a burglary at a nearby hardware store that occurred around 1.30am.
4 outlets · St John plans to cut several community programmes
Hato Hone St John is planning to axe various community programmes, including pet therapy services, community carers, and hospital volunteers. In an email to volunteers, the organisation stated these decisions are part of a 10-year strategy to maximise the impact of its available resources.
4 outlets · Over 100 leg-hold traps discovered at Sandy Point reserve
More than 100 leg-hold traps have been found at Sandy Point in Invercargill, a popular area for walking, mountain biking and horse riding. The Invercargill City Council warned that the traps could seriously injure people or pets. Council staff have since removed the traps after being alerted by a member of the public.
4 outlets · New Zealand businesses owe more than $1.4 billion in unpaid tax
New Zealand businesses owe over $1.4 billion in unpaid GST and PAYE for the 2025 tax year. Inland Revenue data shows nearly $48 million also remains unpaid from 2018. Commentators suggest these figures indicate ongoing economic stress across various sectors.
4 outlets · Wild Earth Yarns to acquire equipment from closing Napier firm
Christchurch-based Wild Earth Yarns is taking over manufacturing equipment from Napier company Design Spun. The acquisition ensures that craft wool processing remains within New Zealand after the Napier firm closes.
+15 outlets · Ikea reveals first products for upcoming Auckland store
Swedish retailer Ikea has announced five initial items, including the Billy bookcase, to be stocked at its new Sylvia Park store. The Auckland location is expected to open later this year, with a target launch around Christmas. The store will feature a core range of 7,500 products.
3 outlets · Man charged after baby girl found with multiple fractures
A 23-year-old man has been arrested and charged with four counts of assaulting a child in the Hutt Valley. The charges follow an investigation into a three-month-old girl who was hospitalised in June with nine fractures to her ribcage, ankle, and upper arm.
3 outlets · Teen arrested after man robbed at New Lynn train station
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested following a violent robbery at Auckland's New Lynn train station on Tuesday night. Police say a man was followed off a bus and assaulted by two young people who stole his watch. The victim was taken to hospital after the attack.
3 outlets · Unemployment rate rises to 5.2 per cent
The unemployment rate increased to 5.2 per cent in the June 2025 quarter, according to Stats NZ. This is a slight rise from the 5.1 per cent recorded in the March 2025 quarter. The figure represents the highest level since 2020.
3 outlets · Government plans to scrap NCEA and introduce new qualification system
Education Minister Erica Stanford has announced plans to replace the National Certificate of Educational Achievement. From 2028, NCEA Level 1 will be replaced by foundational literacy and numeracy tests, with grading potentially returning to a system of marks out of 100 and grades A to E.
+15 outlets · Lockdown lifted at Southern Cross Campus in Māngere
Southern Cross Campus in Auckland went into lockdown on Wednesday afternoon after a group was seen disrupting students attempting to leave. The school has since lifted the lockdown and confirmed that all staff, students, and people on-site are safely accounted for.
3 outlets · Hearing underway over fate of fallen pōhutukawa in Takapuna
A hearing is being held to decide whether a fallen but living pōhutukawa tree in Takapuna should be removed. While apartment residents and the body corporate want the tree gone, iwi are opposing its removal due to its cultural significance. The tree fell in 2022 and is listed as notable.
3 outlets · Man charged with assaulting child after baby suffered nine fractures
A 23-year-old man has been arrested and charged with four counts of assaulting a child. The charges follow the admission of a three-month-old to Hutt Hospital in June with nine fractures, including injuries to the ribcage and ankle.
2 outlets · Tauranga to host 2028 World Triathlon Championship Final
Tauranga has secured the 2028 World Triathlon Championship Final through a three-year partnership with World Triathlon. The deal also includes hosting a World Triathlon Cup in 2026 and a Championship Series race in 2027. The 2028 event is expected to attract over 6,000 international visitors.
2 outlets · Coroner finds Christchurch man killed mother with sword before taking own life
A coroner has found that Nicholas McIlraith killed his mother, Beverley, with a sword in their Riccarton home. McIlraith, who was his mother's sole caregiver, then took his own life. The bodies were discovered by police weeks after the incident occurred.
+26 outlets · Wellington and Ramallah sign friendly city agreement
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau and Ramallah Mayor Issa Kassis have formalised an international partnership. The two cities signed a Friendly City Agreement during an online meeting on Wednesday. The agreement aims to promote cooperation and symbolises a commitment to solidarity between the locations.
3 outlets · Public urged to avoid area following Hamilton house fire
Emergency services responded to a house fire in the Flagstaff suburb of Hamilton on Wednesday evening. Crews arrived at the Crest Rise scene at 7pm with multiple vehicles, including a hazmat unit. Police requested that the public avoid the area to allow workers to operate.
2 outlets · Senior nurse found guilty of accessing retirement village health records
A senior nurse has been found guilty by the Health Practitioner’s Disciplinary Tribunal for accessing over 180 medical records. The files included sensitive information regarding staff and retirees at a retirement village, such as details on alcoholism treatment and breast reconstruction surgery.
2 outlets · Supreme Court dismisses appeal application by Peter Huljich
The Supreme Court has rejected an application for leave to appeal by businessman Peter Huljich. Huljich was convicted in August 2023 of insider trading involving the sale of shares in the technology company Pushpay.
2 outlets · Unemployment rate rises to 5.2 per cent
New Zealand's unemployment rate increased to 5.2 per cent for the three months ending in June. Finance Minister Nicola Willis stated the figures were better than forecast, despite the rate being at its highest level since 2020.
3 outlets · Commercial landfill waste drops due to poor economic conditions
Commercial and industrial waste sent to landfills has plummeted because of poor economic times. However, experts suggest it is too early to celebrate as household waste levels still require improvement.
2 outlets · Fifteen-year-old killed in Foxton Beach ATV accident
Jonty Ryan, a 15-year-old boy, has died following an ATV crash near the Surf Lifesaving Club at Foxton Beach. Police responded to the incident in the North Island town. He was described by those close to him as a caring person with a deep love for nature.
3 outlets · State Highway 5 south of Rotorua reopened after truck fire
State Highway 5 south of Rotorua was closed on Wednesday following a fire involving a timber truck. Fire and Emergency NZ responded to the blaze, and police advised motorists to avoid the area due to expected delays. The highway has since reopened.
2 outlets · New Zealand sends medical aid to Samoa for dengue fever outbreak
New Zealand is providing a small health team and $300,000 in medical supplies to assist Samoa with a major dengue fever outbreak. Since the outbreak began in April, Samoa has recorded more than 5,000 cases and at least five deaths.
2 outlets · Auckland Transport corrects road name error on new rail map
Auckland Transport is fixing a mistake after mislabelling Lambie Drive as 'Lambie Ave' on its new City Rail Link map. The error was identified following the agency's recent unveiling of the new Trains and Rapid Buses map.
2 outlets · Moerewa mother sentenced to four and a half years in prison
A 29-year-old woman has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for causing catastrophic brain damage to her infant son. A judge condemned her for providing false accounts regarding the blunt force trauma that caused the child's lifelong injuries.
2 outlets · Blind Kunekune pig rehomed after learning to open electric gate
Woody, a blind Kunekune pig, learned how to operate an electric gate to leave her previous property near Dunedin. After her gate-opening antics, the pig has been rehomed by Nathan Rotch and Lisa Lindsay on their lifestyle block.
2 outlets · Raveen Saily pleads guilty to new charges while on bail
Raveen Saily has pleaded guilty to grooming and indecent communication charges involving an 11-year-old girl. The 23-year-old was on bail awaiting a rape trial when he allegedly filmed a 13-year-old girl and sent the footage to the younger child.
3 outlets · Number of school leavers without qualifications reaches decade high
Ministry of Education figures show that 16 percent of last year's school leavers received no qualifications. This represents approximately 10,600 teenagers and is the highest proportion recorded in ten years. Additionally, 13 percent of those leaving school did not meet literacy and numeracy benchmarks.
2 outlets · New senior secondary school curriculum delayed following teacher feedback
The government has postponed the introduction of the new senior secondary school curriculum after teachers warned the changes were being rushed. This delay follows an announcement that the NCEA qualification will be phased out. For students up to Year 10, the new curriculum is now expected to begin in 2027.
3 outlets · Student rents drop in most cities except Dunedin
Average rental prices have decreased in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland, with Wellington seeing a 14.6 per cent year-on-year decline. However, Dunedin students are facing a 12.2 per cent increase in accommodation costs despite an increase in available rental listings.
2 outlets · Police assure Canterbury residents no stations will close under restructure
Superintendent Tony Hill has stated that no police stations in Canterbury will shut down as part of a proposed district restructure. While the plan aims to increase frontline visibility, one station will not be reopened. Christchurch councillors have requested a briefing regarding the potential changes.
2 outlets · Blind woman criticises Ministry of Social Development accessibility
A legally blind woman on the Supported Living Payment has criticised the Ministry of Social Development for being inaccessible to disabled people. She reported that her payments were cancelled because she could not see and respond to digital messages.
2 outlets · Frances Hodgkins painting worth over $60,000 discovered by BBC show
A British man discovered that a painting he purchased for £35 is actually an original work by New Zealand artist Frances Hodgkins. The piece was identified during a global investigation for the BBC documentary series Fake or Fortune. Experts suggest the artwork could be worth more than NZ$60,000 at auction.
2 outlets · Fast-tracked Waipiro marina project faces opposition from iwi and locals
Minister of Infrastructure Chris Bishop has approved the Waipiro Marina Project to progress to the next stage. The proposed Bay of Islands development would provide berths for 200 to 250 vessels, including 14 superyachts. Local iwi and hapū, including Ngāti Kuta, Patukeha and Ngāti Hine, are opposing the fast-tracked proposal.
2 outlets · Police seek public assistance to find missing Auckland man
Police have concerns for the welfare of 57-year-old John Bagnall, who was reported missing on 31 July. He was last seen at 7.24am on 20 July at a storage facility in Mt Roskill. Authorities are asking for any information regarding his whereabouts in the Pt Chevalier or Mt Roskill areas.
2 outlets · Neurodivergent student abandons degree after cheating allegations
An adult student with Asperger's syndrome and ADHD has quit his studies at the University of Canterbury. He was accused of accessing the internet during an exam, though he was later cleared of any wrongdoing.
3 outlets · Leaked paper suggests minister changed direction on alcohol sales reform
A leaked Cabinet paper indicates the government planned to restrict alcohol sales hours at supermarkets and bottle stores before shifting focus toward industry-friendly reforms. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee, who is leading the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act reforms, expressed disappointment regarding the leak.
+37 outlets · Climate activist claims West Coast mine worker fired shotgun to scare him
A Climate Liberation Aotearoa protester claims a worker at the Stockton mine fired a shotgun during a nine-day sit-in protest. The activist was camped in a suspended coal bucket near Ngakawau. The mining company has denied the accusation, stating they would not employ anyone to commit such an act.
2 outlets · Government announces major reforms to fisheries regulations
Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has confirmed significant changes to the Fisheries Act. The reforms include new rules regarding boat cameras, discards, and quota restrictions. These updates are described as the most substantial changes to the industry in 40 years.
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