Former ministers decline to appear at Covid-19 Royal Commission
A week of public hearings for the Covid-19 Royal Commission has been cancelled after former ministers, including Dame Jacinda Ardern, declined to appear. While the ministers say they continue to co-operate, coalition parties have criticised the decision as an attempt to avoid scrutiny.
+48 outlets · Chlöe Swarbrick suspended from Parliament after refusing to apologise
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has been barred from the House for the remainder of the week. The suspension followed comments made during a debate on Palestine, where she suggested Government MPs could grow a spine to support sanctions on Israel. The Speaker has named Swarbrick, which will result in her pay being docked.
+15 outlets · Angus beef sausages recalled after report of glass injury
PNP Farms' Butchery has recalled its Pure Angus Beef Sausage due to the possible presence of glass. The recall affects products with a best before date of 17 August 2025, which were sold in Rangiora and Christchurch. The Ministry for Primary Industries advises that the affected sausages should not be consumed.
+15 outlets · Man critically injured in Stokes Valley shooting and vehicle attack
A 40-year-old man remains in critical condition in hospital after being shot and run over by a getaway vehicle in Stokes Valley. The incident occurred outside his home on Hanson Grove on August 3. Police are currently searching for a second person believed to be involved in the attack.
+15 outlets · Police investigate suspicious fire at former Hokitika hospital complex
Police are treating a large fire at the former Seaview hospital near Hokitika as arson. Emergency services responded to the blaze on Sunday morning, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are seeking to identify a person seen walking across the grounds around 3.20am before the fire started.
+15 outlets · Secondary school teachers to strike next Wednesday over pay offer
Post Primary Teachers' Association members will strike for a full day next Wednesday. The action follows a 1% pay increase offer from the Government, which the union described as unsatisfactory and the lowest in a generation. The Government has expressed disappointment regarding the planned strike.
+26 outlets · Documents reveal details of Michael Forbes scandal and police investigation
Released documents show police escalated allegations regarding former press secretary Michael Forbes to senior leadership. While police notified the executive, Forbes was told the responsibility to inform his employer rested with him. The investigation involved allegations that Forbes covertly recorded sessions with sex workers.
+37 outlets · Coroner rules driver error and lack of seatbelts caused fatal crash
A coroner has found that a head-on collision near Geraldine in August 2024 killed four South Korean skiers. The ruling stated the crash was caused by the coach crossing the centre line, while the occupants' injuries were worsened because they were not wearing seatbelts.
+15 outlets · Magnitude 4.9 earthquake jolts Hawke’s Bay
A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck 20km south of Hastings at 5.53pm on Wednesday. GeoNet reported the quake occurred at a depth of 30km. Thousands of people, with some reports citing over 5,600 individuals, felt the shaking across the lower North Island.
4 outlets · Man charged over fatal Kumeū crash that killed teenager
An 18-year-old man has been charged following a June crash on the Coatesville-Riverhead Highway. The vehicle reportedly struck a house, resulting in the death of 16-year-old passenger Elliot New. Three other people in the car were also injured during the incident.
4 outlets · Fitness to stand trial raised for woman accused of suitcase incident
A 27-year-old woman accused of putting a toddler in a suitcase on a bus in Kaiwaka has appeared in the Auckland District Court. She has applied for permanent name suppression and her fitness to stand trial has been raised. The woman remains in custody.
4 outlets · Chris Seed appointed as New Zealand's next ambassador to the United States
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced that former MFAT chief Chris Seed will become the next ambassador to the United States. Seed is expected to succeed Rosemary Banks in Washington DC. He is scheduled to begin the role in January 2026.
4 outlets · National house prices fell 0.5% in the July quarter
New Zealand's average home value dropped 0.5% to $909,671 in the three months ending in July, according to Quotable Value. This represents a 13.1% decline since the market peaked in early 2022. While national trends are down, some locations are showing signs of recovery.
3 outlets · Coroner investigates deaths of Auckland mother and newborn son
A coroner has released findings regarding the 2020 deaths of Emerald Tai and her newborn, Tanatui Samuels, in Kelston. While the exact cause for the infant remains uncertain, the deaths were attributed to sepsis, smothering, or both. Tai had discharged herself from Auckland Hospital early to care for her other children.
4 outlets · Shellfish warning issued for Bay of Plenty coastline
New Zealand Food Safety has advised the public not to collect or eat shellfish between Whakatāne and Mount Maunganui. Routine testing detected paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins exceeding safe limits. Cooking the shellfish will not remove these toxins.
3 outlets · Christopher Luxon condemns Israeli Prime Minister over Gaza attacks
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has criticised Benjamin Netanyahu, stating the Israeli leader has "lost the plot" following attacks on Gaza City. Luxon described the war in Gaza as "utterly appalling" and the recent attacks as "utterly, utterly unacceptable". The comments were made to reporters in Parliament as the government considers recognising Palestinian statehood.
3 outlets · Law Association warns real estate agents of altering sale agreements
The Law Association has warned that real estate salespeople may be altering sale and purchase agreements. These changes reportedly attempt to waive buyers' title requisition rights, potentially putting purchasers, especially those using KiwiSaver, at risk.
4 outlets · Mahurangi Harbour oyster farmers receive mysterious $10,000 payments
Ten marine farms in the Warkworth area have received unexpected deposits of approximately $10,000. While the origin of the funds has been identified as Watercare, farmers remain apprehensive about the purpose of the payments. The businesses have been involved in a seven-year dispute with Watercare regarding sewage overflows in the harbour.
4 outlets · Four new ancient penguin species identified from North Canterbury fossils
Researchers have identified four new species of ancient penguins from fossils found in the Waipara Valley. The findings suggest that approximately 62 million years ago, North Canterbury was home to a diverse range of penguins, including some with large, pointed beaks.
3 outlets · New Zealander and young son detained at US-Canada border
Sarah Shaw and her six-year-old son, Isaac, were detained by ICE on 24 July while returning to Washington state from Canada. A friend of Shaw says they are expecting a decision today regarding whether the child will be released.
4 outlets · Education Minister bans Māori words from new junior reading books
Education Minister Erica Stanford decided in October last year to exclude most Māori words from new additions to the Ready to Read Phonics Plus series. The decision, aimed at preventing confusion for five-year-olds, has been criticised by the NZ Principals' Federation.
+48 outlets · Napier man admits offering to sell methamphetamine and fantasy
Kevan Darryl Salisbury has admitted to offering methamphetamine on 19 occasions. He also admitted to offering the liquid party drug fantasy by the litre. The man is currently awaiting sentencing.
2 outlets · Secondary school teachers to strike next Wednesday over pay negotiations
Secondary school teachers have announced a strike scheduled for next Wednesday. The Post Primary Teachers' Association is striking following a 1 percent pay rise offer from the government. Public Service Minister Judith Collins has described the planned industrial action as a "political stunt".
2 outlets · Nine-year-old becomes Waikato's youngest indoor bowls champion
Pixie Blake has become the youngest person to win a title in Waikato after a victory in an indoor bowls triples competition. The nine-year-old achieved the record alongside teammates who are several decades older than her.
2 outlets · Auckland mental health programme closure causes patient anxiety
The Segar House intensive mental health service in Auckland is scheduled to close on 19 September. One patient expressed concern regarding future care, noting that Health NZ suggested moving to Dunedin to access similar services. Health NZ stated it is currently developing transition plans for affected patients.
2 outlets · Prime Minister rejects Auckland Mayor's request for bed tax
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has requested a bed night levy to fund city events and marketing. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has rejected the proposal, with the Government showing no interest in providing short-term economic relief for the city.
2 outlets · Noel Edmonds denies his New Zealand TV series was cancelled
British presenter Noel Edmonds has denied claims that his lifestyle series, Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure, was axed. The three-part series followed his life at a Marlborough property. Edmonds maintains the show ended as planned according to his contract.
2 outlets · Triathlete Hayden Wilde wins London T100 after serious accident
New Zealand triathlete Hayden Wilde won the London T100 race on the weekend. This victory comes three months after he was hit by a truck during a training ride in Japan. His doctor attributed the comeback to his toughness following injuries including broken ribs, a punctured lung and a shoulder injury.
2 outlets · Head Hunters member sentenced to life for murder in Auckland
Sione Tupou has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the fatal shooting of Texas Jack Doctor. The incident occurred in July 2024 outside a liquor store in Mt Wellington following a feud between two local families. Tupou is the third person imprisoned in relation to the series of violent confrontations.
2 outlets · Ōtūmoetai residents call for action over drug use and speeding
Residents of Harbour Drive in Ōtūmoetai say drug use, speeding, and car burnouts are affecting their waterfront neighbourhood. Homeowners report experiencing these issues daily and are seeking improvements to the safety and serenity of the area.
2 outlets · UN urged to investigate New Zealand pay equity law changes
The Pay Equity Coalition Aotearoa has made a formal submission to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. The group is calling for an urgent investigation into government changes that cancelled pay equity claims affecting 180,000 workers.
4 outlets · New Zealand officials seek release of woman and son held in US
The New Zealand Embassy is contacting a Texas immigration processing centre regarding Sarah Shaw and her six-year-old son. The pair were detained while returning to the United States from Canada. Officials are currently working to secure their release from the facility.
2 outlets · MrBeast burger chain to open in Auckland late August
YouTube creator Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, is launching his burger franchise in Auckland on 29 August. The new location will offer takeaway services and delivery app options. The opening weekend may include surprise giveaways for certain customers.
2 outlets · Tauranga returns 70 per cent of impounded dogs to owners
Tauranga city successfully returned 70 per cent of impounded dogs to their owners, with 25 per cent being euthanised. These animal control statistics were noted as being higher than other areas in the Bay of Plenty, where approximately half of impounded dogs were put down.
2 outlets · All Blacks to face Argentina in Rugby Championship opener
The All Blacks will play Argentina in the first test of The Rugby Championship on Sunday, 17 August. The match is scheduled to kick off at 9:10am or 9:15am at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba.
2 outlets · NZDF crew recount dangerous Antarctic rescue mission
A Royal New Zealand Defence Force crew completed a high-risk rescue mission to Antarctica. The operation involved extreme conditions, including minus 30 degree temperatures and night vision goggles. The crew faced early difficulties when their designated diversion airport in Christchurch became unavailable.
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