Government to consider recognising Palestinian statehood in September
The New Zealand Government will formally consider whether to recognise Palestine as a state in September. Foreign Minister Winston Peters raised the issue at a Cabinet meeting, with a decision expected before he travels to the United Nations next month.
+26 outlets · Labour support surges while Christopher Luxon popularity hits two-year low
The latest 1News Verian poll shows Labour's support has risen to 33 per cent, while National remains at 34 per cent. Christopher Luxon's preferred Prime Minister rating has fallen to its lowest point in two years. Despite Labour's gains, the coalition government would still have enough support to govern.
+15 outlets · New report warns New Zealand heart healthcare system is failing
A new report commissioned by Kia Manawanui Trust describes New Zealand's heart healthcare system as being on the verge of collapse. The study found that the country has only a third of the required cardiologists and that half of all heart attack patients are not treated within accepted timeframes.
+48 outlets · Coroner finds 93-year-old woman died from cooking fire burns
Margaret Gould died in December 2024 after her clothing caught fire while she was cooking on a coal range in Renwick. A coroner found that the 93-year-old woman, who lived alone, sustained fatal burns during the incident.
+37 outlets · Police name woman found dead in Parnell apartment
Police have identified 59-year-old Leiann Rae Davis, who was found unresponsive in a Cracroft Street apartment on 7 August. Investigations into the circumstances of her death are ongoing, as a post-mortem examination has been described as inconclusive.
4 outlets · Christchurch couple behind $4m Ponzi scheme
Alex and Aroha Tuira allegedly operated a fraudulent investment business in Christchurch for over seven years. They reportedly raised more than $4m from investors, but the funds were used to pay for their lifestyle and repay other investors rather than being invested.
+48 outlets · Invercargill mayoral candidate criticised for website content
Gordon McCrone has faced criticism from fellow candidates after his party website allegedly posted sexually disturbing and dangerous content. McCrone is running for mayor under an unofficial party where he is the only listed staff member. His nomination is currently awaiting approval.
+15 outlets · Aorere College enters lockdown after adults enter school grounds
Aorere College in Papatoetoe was placed into lockdown on Monday morning after a group of adults entered the site. Police attended the scene, and the adults were removed without incident. The school has since resumed classes and confirmed that all students are safe.
4 outlets · Men allegedly posed as Uber Eats drivers during Auckland home invasion
A group of men allegedly pretended to be Uber Eats drivers to gain entry to a Flat Bush home on Sunday night. Two occupants were reportedly assaulted and had phones and a wallet stolen. Police are currently investigating the forced entry.
4 outlets · New poll predicts hung Parliament for 2026 election
The Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll, conducted in early August, suggests a hung Parliament with centre-left and centre-right blocs tied on 61 seats. Labour has overtaken National in the results, while Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins are level in preferred prime minister ratings.
+15 outlets · More police deployed to Northland to address crime surge
More than 90 police staff have been brought into Northland to combat an unprecedented wave of violent crime and staff shortages. The region has faced nine homicide inquiries within a four-month period, leading to the three-month deployment of officers from other areas, including Southland.
4 outlets · Government employee on trial for possessing mosque attack videos
A government employee is facing a judge-alone trial in the Dunedin District Court for possessing three videos of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings. The defendant claims the footage was for work purposes and that he believed he was transferring it from a work phone to a personal device.
3 outlets · Winston Peters expresses regret over diplomatic protocol breakdown
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has written to a United Nations official following a diplomatic incident. The issue arose after Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour sent an unauthorised letter to a top UN official. Peters expressed regret regarding the breakdown in protocol caused by the correspondence.
4 outlets · Christchurch's new stadium to host Super Rugby Super Round in 2026
Christchurch's new Te Kaha stadium will host the Super Rugby Pacific Super Round during Anzac weekend in 2026. This marks the first time the event will be held in New Zealand. The round is expected to feature five matches involving 10 teams.
3 outlets · Christopher Luxon holds post-Cabinet media briefing at Parliament
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addressed the media following his weekly Cabinet meeting on Monday. The briefing follows a new political poll and recent discussions regarding the economy and unemployment figures.
2 outlets · Woman claims surgeon performed unnecessary surgery causing nostril collapse
A patient alleges she was upsold unnecessary surgery to remove a benign tumour, resulting in a collapsed nostril. The surgeon described the woman as being overly dramatic, but was instructed to apologise and audit complaint procedures.
2 outlets · Auckland's Dragon Boat restaurant enters liquidation after 31 years
Dragon Boat, a Cantonese restaurant in Auckland that opened in 1994, has gone into liquidation. The business reportedly owes over $1 million. The eatery was previously featured in a promotional video by Mayor Wayne Brown.
2 outlets · Great grandson of first female MP criticises pay equity changes
Tony McCombs, the great grandson of Elizabeth McCombs, has spoken out against the Government's recent changes to pay equity legislation. He attended a People's Select Committee hearing to express his frustration. The overhaul is facing opposition from various political figures and human rights leaders.
2 outlets · Three endangered sea lions shot near Ōamaru
Three endangered New Zealand sea lions were deliberately shot at the Waitaki River mouth over the weekend. Two of the animals died and a third was euthanised. The Department of Conservation is now appealing for public information to assist with the investigation.
4 outlets · Bystander praised for assisting woman in Pine Harbour Marina rescue
Police have commended a member of the public who entered the water to assist a woman in distress at Pine Harbour Marina on Sunday afternoon. Officers were called to the scene at approximately 4.20pm. Police stated they were proud and humbled by the individual's selfless actions.
2 outlets · Wellington health system deficiencies delayed fatal cancer diagnosis
The Health and Disability Commissioner has identified gaps in care that led to a delayed rectal cancer diagnosis for a 39-year-old man. Despite reporting symptoms like bleeding and pain, the man was not diagnosed until five years after his initial public hospital referral. The Commissioner stated responsibility for these deficiencies lies with Health NZ.
3 outlets · Cold weather snap expected to continue across much of New Zealand
Brisk temperatures and icy conditions are forecast to affect most of the country this week, except for far north regions. Cold southerlies are expected to maintain the frost and low temperatures as the final weeks of winter approach.
2 outlets · Paddler encounters pod of dolphins near Takapuna
Dennis Kuhn was pulled along by a wake created by dolphins while paddling his outrigger canoe from Takapuna Beach towards North Head on Saturday. The Takapuna resident captured footage of the encounter, describing the experience as a once in a lifetime event.
2 outlets · Emergency services respond to fall incident near Brunner Mine
Emergency services are attending to a fall incident near the historic Brunner Mine in Taylorville on the West Coast. Hato Hone St John was notified of the situation shortly after 12.30pm. The response includes a rescue helicopter and two fire trucks.
2 outlets · Six newcomers named in Silver Ferns squad for 2025-26
Dame Noeline Taurua has announced an 18-woman Silver Ferns squad featuring six uncapped players. The selection includes the return of shooter Grace Nweke and defender Carys Stythe, though several midcourters were not included in the new roster.
2 outlets · Man found not guilty by reason of insanity for uncle's murder
Saul Maniapoto-Bernsten was found not criminally responsible for the shotgun shooting death of his uncle, Cedric Maniapoto. The 30-year-old had reportedly stopped taking his medication in the weeks prior to the incident. He was deemed legally insane at the time of the shooting.
2 outlets · Mel Homer provides update on chemotherapy treatment
Broadcaster Mel Homer is adjusting to her altered appearance after completing her first round of chemotherapy. She is undergoing aggressive treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia.
2 outlets · Wairoa mayoral candidate proposes council-run medicinal cannabis business
Mayoral candidate Camden Gaskin wants to establish a council-run medicinal cannabis business in Wairoa. He believes the venture could provide significant economic benefits and employ approximately 200 contractors. Gaskin also has other plans for the district, including a container retirement village.
3 outlets · Federated Farmers welcomes new seasonal worker visas
Federated Farmers and meat industry organisations have welcomed the government's introduction of two new seasonal worker visas. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford stated the changes will help employers retain the same workers across multiple seasons. Industry leaders say the visas are vital for maintaining operations as processors require hundreds of workers.
3 outlets · Auckland teacher says rising number of unqualified school leavers is expected
An Auckland secondary school teacher says they are not surprised that more teenagers are leaving high school without qualifications. Last year, 16 per cent of school leavers had no NCEA certificate, marking the highest figure in a decade.
2 outlets · Two men arrested after Auckland and Manawatū house searches
Two men have been arrested following simultaneous police searches in Auckland and Feilding last week. Officers seized cannabis, methamphetamine, $5,000 in cash, ammunition, and a 3D-printed .22 pistol. Investigations suggest alleged drug and firearm dealing occurred between the two locations.
2 outlets · Woman assaulted by teenager in central Dunedin
A 20-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted by an 18-year-old girl following a verbal altercation in central Dunedin early this morning. The victim reportedly had hair pulled from her scalp and was struck in the head. During the arrest, a police officer was kicked and pinched.
2 outlets · Auckland local body elections expected to be highly contested
Twelve candidates are running for the Auckland mayoralty in the upcoming local elections. While some wards face many candidates, others have unopposed councillors, leading to concerns regarding democratic representation for some residents.
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