Coroner blames flawed traffic management for cyclist's death
A coroner has ruled that flawed traffic management was a primary factor in the 2019 death of 19-year-old Fyfa Dawson. The Christchurch cyclist was killed when a concrete truck turned in front of her at a roadworks site near Prebbleton.
+26 outlets · Treasury report criticises previous government overspending during Covid-19 pandemic
A new Treasury briefing states the previous Labour government spent $66 billion responding to the pandemic. Officials say the government was warned to reduce non-urgent spending, but the prolonged expenditure had a lagged impact on the economy and contributed to rising debt.
+15 outlets · Coroner finds safety breaches caused death of Irish seasonal worker
A coroner has ruled that the death of 24-year-old Sean Clear could have been prevented by simple safety steps. The Irish worker was electrocuted in February 2023 on a central North Island farm when an excavator contacted powerlines. The coroner found the employer failed to brief workers on safety procedures.
+26 outlets · Orana Wildlife Park maintains accreditation and resumes animal transfers
Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park has met all requirements to maintain its animal welfare accreditation. Following a six-month pause on incoming animal transfers and breeding programmes prompted by welfare and workplace concerns, the park is now able to resume receiving new animals.
4 outlets · Police investigate student brawl at Auckland Girls' Grammar School
Police are investigating a fight involving a large group of students at Auckland Girls' Grammar School. Video footage shows students assaulting a girl on the school's basketball court, with adults appearing to intervene. Officers have obtained CCTV footage regarding the incident, which occurred earlier this month.
4 outlets · Man arrested after threatening staff with knife at Masterton Police Station
A 49-year-old man was arrested after allegedly presenting a knife to a staff member at the Masterton Police Station front counter on Thursday. The incident caused the station to enter lockdown. The man was eventually tasered and taken into custody outside the building.
4 outlets · AA supports government plan to replace petrol tax with road user charges
The government has approved initial steps to replace petrol tax with electronic road user charges for all light vehicles. While the AA supports the shake-up, it has called for low administration costs and raised concerns regarding privacy and data collection.
4 outlets · Man charged after baby critically injured in Wairarapa
A 22-year-old man has been arrested in Hawke's Bay and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and contravening a protection order. The charges relate to a three-month-old baby who suffered critical injuries in July and was moved to Starship Hospital.
+15 outlets · Twelve-year-old girl killed in Kaikohe vehicle crash
Staci Walkley died after a car carrying her family was T-boned at a Kaikohe intersection on Wednesday. The vehicle rolled several times into a bank, injuring five others, including two siblings. Police are now seeking witnesses to assist with the investigation.
4 outlets · Primary teachers reject Ministry of Education pay rise offer
Primary teachers have overwhelmingly voted to reject a one per cent pay rise offered in a collective agreement. The vote closed on Wednesday. NZEI Te Riu Roa negotiation team lead Liam Rutherford said the Ministry of Education's offer was essentially asking members to take a pay cut.
4 outlets · Aratere ferry to make final Cook Strait sailing on 18 August
The Interislander ferry Aratere will depart from Picton for its final voyage on 18 August 2025. The vessel's retirement coincides with the expected return of the Kaiārahi following maintenance in Singapore. This transition occurs as preparations begin for new rail-enabled ferries arriving in 2029.
4 outlets · Care facilities to close at Christchurch retirement village
Rest home care will no longer be offered at the Margaret Stoddart Retirement Village in Christchurch. The facility is one of two retirement villages where care centres are closing. The village was where 79-year-old Elisabeth Nicholls disappeared in June before her body was found 18 days later.
3 outlets · Mayoral candidate Rob Goulden banned from future Taxpayers' Union events
Rob Goulden has been banned from future events hosted by the Taxpayers' Union and Generation Screwed Wellington following a dispute at a Victoria University debate. Organisers accused the mayoral candidate of aggressive behaviour after he was refused entry, though Goulden denies the allegations.
3 outlets · Online gambling sites using fake stories to target Māori
Hapai te Hauora Māori Public Health has warned the public about online gambling scams targeting Māori. These sites use fake names, elaborate made-up success stories, and stolen photos of real whānau, including images featuring moko kauae, to lure people in.
4 outlets · Cold fronts to bring heavy rain and snow across New Zealand
A series of cold fronts are forecast to sweep across the country, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. MetService has issued rain watches for northwest Tasman and the headwaters of Canterbury and Otago. The weather is expected to be followed by a significant drop in temperature over the weekend.
3 outlets · Auckland man jailed for $1.7m Covid-19 relief scheme fraud
Luke Daniel Rivers has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison for defrauding Covid-19 relief schemes. He pleaded guilty to 29 charges, including money laundering and fraud involving wage subsidies and the Small Business Cashflow Scheme.
4 outlets · Police seek help finding missing teenager on Auckland's North Shore
A 16-year-old boy named Louie has been missing from the Unsworth Heights area since 27 July. Police and his family are concerned for his welfare and are asking for the public's assistance in locating him.
3 outlets · DOC offers compromise on Punakaiki parking fees after local objections
The Department of Conservation will trial a $5 per hour parking fee at Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks. To address local concerns, residents will pay a $10 annual fee, and visitors will receive 20 minutes of free parking. The trial follows the removal of free roadside parking in the area.
3 outlets · Man pleads guilty to role in nearly $4m Ponzi scheme
Thomas Alexander Tuira pleaded guilty to two charges of obtaining by deception at the Christchurch High Court. The fraud, which spanned seven years, allegedly left more than 60 investors out of pocket. Tuira's wife was also charged in relation to the scheme, though the remaining charges were dropped.
+37 outlets · Chris Hipkins says New Zealand economy is not recovering
Labour leader Chris Hipkins told the Queenstown Business Chamber that the economy is not in good shape. He argued that the government's growth strategy fails to address underlying problems and suggested more spending is required. Hipkins is currently visiting the South Island ahead of a caucus retreat in Christchurch.
4 outlets · Teen denied clean slate after series of violent attacks
A teenager has been denied a clean slate in Youth Court following a series of incidents over 14 months. The youth attacked or threatened six people, including kicking a boy in the head and pulling a woman's hair. One neighbour reportedly moved house due to the teen's actions.
3 outlets · Dunedin man allegedly driving five times over alcohol limit with child
A 49-year-old man was stopped at a police checkpoint on Kaikorai Valley Road on Wednesday evening. He allegedly recorded a breath alcohol level of 1334mcg while his primary school-aged child was in the vehicle. The driver had his licence suspended and is due to appear in Dunedin District Court.
2 outlets · Culverden residents protest proposed removal of local police officers
Hundreds of North Canterbury locals attended a meeting in Culverden to protest a proposal to remove the town's two police officers. The restructure could shift rural policing to 24/7 hubs in Rangiora and Rolleston.
4 outlets · Bay of Plenty Regional Council to accelerate Ōhau Channel wall trials
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is speeding up trials to fix the deteriorating Ōhau Channel diversion wall. Former Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters admitted partial responsibility for the situation, while local community boards remain sceptical. The $11 million structure has faced corrosion issues since 2014 due to microbial damage.
2 outlets · All Black rookie scrambles for new passport after dog eats it
Utility back Leroy Carter discovered his passport had been chewed by his dog just before departing for Argentina. The Chiefs player was named as an injury replacement in the All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship.
2 outlets · West Auckland lawnmower claims threats after Te Pāti Māori vandalism accusations
A Glen Eden lawnmowing contractor says his livelihood is at risk following accusations from Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere. The operator claims he has received vile messages and death threats after being accused of vandalising election hoardings. He stated he was actually cleaning his own signs, which had also been vandalised.
2 outlets · Education Minister thanks students for finding errors in maths resources
Erica Stanford has thanked students for identifying eighteen errors in Ministry of Education-funded maths resources. The mistakes included incorrect sums and errors in te reo Māori. The errors have since been fixed.
2 outlets · Magnitude 3.8 earthquake shakes Whanganui area
A magnitude 3.8 earthquake struck 10km southeast of Whanganui at 4.07pm. GeoNet described the light shaking as being felt as far north as Ohakune and as far east as Palmerston North. More than 700 reports were lodged within 10 minutes of the event.
2 outlets · Ballance Agri-Nutrients may temporarily shut Kapuni plant due to gas costs
Ballance Agri-Nutrients may be forced to shut its Kapuni plant in Taranaki for up to four months if affordable gas cannot be secured. The company warns that the scarcity of affordable gas supplies could lead to potential job losses.
2 outlets · Selwyn district identified as New Zealand's fastest growing area
The Selwyn district, located between Christchurch and the Southern Alps, is New Zealand's fastest growing area. Mayor Sam Broughton attributes the growth to job prospects and the appeal of modern homes. The district's population is projected to nearly double over the next 30 years.
2 outlets · Nurses' union reacts to St John's plan to cut hospital volunteers
The head of the nurses' union has expressed shock over St John's decision to end a programme that places volunteers in hospital emergency departments. The charity plans to axe several volunteer programmes by June next year to align with a new 10-year strategy.
2 outlets · Large house destroyed by fire in Hamilton suburb of Flagstaff
A two-storey home on Longbow Terrace was gutted by a massive blaze on Wednesday evening. Police and the homeowner are attempting to contact the tenants, as no one was found inside the property. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
2 outlets · Two dogs impounded after killing up to 50 backyard birds
Two uncontrolled dogs were impounded in Stratford after residents reported they killed up to 50 hens and quails over the past month. Local residents are now calling for more effective action from animal control following the nocturnal attacks.
4 outlets · One person seriously injured in Tokoroa train and car collision
A person was taken to hospital in serious condition after a train collided with a vehicle on Bridge St in Tokoroa. Emergency services, including an ambulance and a rapid response unit, were called to the scene shortly after 4am on Thursday.
2 outlets · Senior first responder faces new child exploitation charges
A man in his 50s appeared in Christchurch District Court on Thursday facing five charges related to possessing and exporting child sex abuse material. Name suppression remains in place for the senior first responder as further charges have been laid against him.
2 outlets · Luxon and Stanford hold press conference at Auckland school
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford met with media at Botany Downs Secondary College in East Auckland on Thursday. The press conference follows recent announcements regarding NCEA, including claims that the Qualifications Authority used AI for marking NCEA literature.
2 outlets · New road user charges system expected to increase revenue
The Government plans to abolish petrol tax and introduce road user charges for all vehicles by 2027. Transport Minister Chris Bishop acknowledged the change will increase revenue, while experts suggest the new system could result in higher costs for many drivers.
2 outlets · Richie Mo'unga to return to New Zealand rugby in 2026
Richie Mo'unga has signed with New Zealand Rugby, the Crusaders, and Canterbury. His 18-month contract runs from July 2026 to December 2027, which includes the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
2 outlets · Fake online store posing as Matakana boutique dupes customers
An overseas dropshipping scam is using the name and branding of a Matakana boutique to deceive shoppers. The Commerce Commission has received hundreds of complaints regarding these fraudulent websites. Local businesses in the north Auckland village have reported receiving calls from customers who were misled by the fake storefront.
2 outlets · Police investigate stabbing in Linwood suburb
Police are investigating an incident in Linwood, Christchurch, after being called to a house on Norwich Street early Thursday morning. A man was found with a stab wound to his hand, and another person at the address was taken to hospital after becoming unwell.
2 outlets · Wellington councillors vote against installing waterfront fencing
Wellington City Council has rejected a proposal to install permanent fencing around parts of the waterfront. During an Environment and Infrastructure Committee meeting on Thursday, councillors voted against staff recommendations to spend $7 million on the project.
2 outlets · Former police commissioner calls allegations against ex-deputy disturbing
Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has described the criminal case against former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming as disturbing. McSkimming faces eight charges involving the possession of objectionable material, including child sexual exploitation and bestiality, on his work devices.
2 outlets · Freemans Bay cafe threatened with closure for trading without licence
Auckland Council compliance officers visited Rupa's Cafe in Freemans Bay after its food registration was cancelled in June. Although the business announced it would permanently close in July, it has continued to trade. The cafe has since promised to stop operating.
2 outlets · Grocery prices should not depend on postcode, says advocacy group
The Grocery Action Group has called geographic price differences unacceptable following a Commerce Commission report. The findings suggest that areas such as Auckland benefit from more competition and lower prices. The group stated the report offers no good news for consumers regarding grocery costs.
2 outlets · Anna Grimaldi leads 10-strong para athletics team to world championships
New Zealand will send 10 athletes to the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi next month. Led by Anna Grimaldi, the team includes medallists and three debutants. This represents the largest New Zealand contingent selected for the event in six years.
2 outlets · New Zealander dies following Sydney construction site accident
Paulo Mau’u, 40, died on Tuesday morning following a concrete pumping incident at a worksite in Carlingford, Sydney. His family is seeking accountability and answers regarding the circumstances of the accident. Mau’u was described by relatives as a devoted family man.
2 outlets ·
