Wellington brew bar Fortune Favours to close permanently this Sunday
The Fortune Favours Leeds Street brew bar in Wellington will close on 31 August 2025. Owners attributed the decision to the cost-of-living crisis, noting that business has declined significantly compared to previous years. The brewery has operated for eight years.
+26 outlets · Record GBL seizure at the border leads to four arrests
Police and Customs seized approximately 1,950 litres of gamma butyrolactone, also known as liquid ecstasy, during a six-month investigation called Operation Hermes. The drug has an estimated street value of $14 million. Four men, aged between 38 and 75, have appeared in a Wellington court following the seizure.
+15 outlets · Heavy rain and strong winds hit the South Island
MetService has warned of heavy, persistent, and thundery weather across the South Island. Strong winds have caused power outages for thousands of customers in Central Otago, though most have had electricity restored. Strong wind watches remain in place for several regions, including the Canterbury High Country and Marlborough.
4 outlets · Evidence played in Loafers Lodge fatal fire murder trial
A jury in Wellington has heard CCTV footage and distressing 111 calls related to the May 2023 Loafers Lodge fire. The evidence includes a survivor's plea for help as smoke filled his room. Five people died in the blaze, and the trial involves a 50-year-old man.
+37 outlets · Government announces plans to loosen alcohol licensing laws
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has released proposals to amend the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. The changes aim to reduce red tape for bars and bottle stores by making it harder to object to liquor licences. The government has also decided not to reduce the operating hours for bottle stores.
+15 outlets · Tinwald viaduct closed after vehicle strikes overbridge in Ashburton
The Tinwald viaduct in Ashburton has been temporarily closed after a vehicle struck the overhead impact beam. KiwiRail confirmed the Canterbury bridge is the most frequently hit in New Zealand, averaging 13 strikes per year. Repairs to the structure may take several months to complete.
+26 outlets · Deep brand frozen vegetables recalled due to possible salmonella risk
Vimms Enterprises Limited has issued a nationwide recall for several Deep brand frozen products, including sprouted mat, sprouted moong, and Surti Undhiu mix. The recall was prompted by the possible presence of Salmonella. Consumers are urged to return the affected items to the place of purchase for a refund.
4 outlets · Man charged for allegedly importing methamphetamine disguised as lollies
A man has been charged for allegedly importing three kilograms of methamphetamine disguised as Rinda brand pineapple lollies. While similar sweets were distributed in Auckland City Mission food parcels last year, police say there is currently insufficient evidence to link the man to that incident.
4 outlets · Wellington woman sentenced to home detention after killing mother while drunk
Tepaea Awatere, 25, has been sentenced to 11 months' home detention and a two-year driving ban. She pleaded guilty to reckless driving causing the death of her mother, Vanessa Houpapa, and injuring another person in Naenae in March.
+26 outlets · Missing three-year-old in Wainuiomata found safe
Stephanie-Anne Spooner, known as Missy, has been found safe after disappearing from a Kaponga Street address in Wainuiomata at 9am on Thursday. Police had previously issued an amber alert for the three-year-old girl.
3 outlets · Minor eruption observed at Whakaari/White Island
A short-lived eruption occurred at Whakaari/White Island on Thursday morning, sending a dark ash plume less than 1km into the sky. The activity began at 10.15am and concluded around 12pm. Scientists say it is currently unclear if the activity will continue or if ash emissions will increase.
3 outlets · Eighty-nine principals call for halt to NCEA replacement plans
A group of 89 secondary school principals has written an open letter to Education Minister Erica Stanford. They are urging the government to stop plans to replace NCEA, describing the proposed changes as politically motivated and potentially disadvantageous to less-academic students.
+37 outlets · Summer roadworks to cause disruption on Transmission Gully
Waka Kotahi will undertake six months of repair work on Transmission Gully starting in October. The project involves resurfacing the road and fixing water damage. Drivers can expect disruptions over the summer period while maintenance contractors complete the substantial works.
3 outlets · NZ Post resumes parcel services to US for businesses
NZ Post has introduced a new commercial sending option allowing businesses to resume shipping parcels to the United States. This follows a temporary suspension caused by confusion regarding US tariff changes. However, customers wishing to send personal gifts will still be unable to use the service for the time being.
3 outlets · Man fined after boat capsizes on Raglan bar
Jaswant Chand has been fined $3,000 after his boat capsized while attempting to cross the Raglan bar in poor conditions. The incident trapped Chand and his wife under the vessel before they were rescued. The boat has since been recovered.
3 outlets · International conman arrested in Christchurch for hotel fraud
Joshua Yarwood, also known as Joshua Martyn, is in a New Zealand jail after being arrested at a Christchurch hotel. He allegedly posed as a United Nations official while defrauding local hotels. Yarwood, who has a criminal record in the UK, reportedly failed to disclose his past to immigration officials.
2 outlets · Man recalled to prison after allegedly breaching detention order
Leo Darin Goodwin, 53, has been recalled to prison after police charged him with breaching the conditions of a preventive detention order. He is accused of approaching teenagers and allegedly offering cash for inappropriate favours in Christchurch. One victim stated he should not have been released onto the streets.
+26 outlets · Air New Zealand profit falls as airfares are expected to rise
Air New Zealand reported a net profit after tax of $126 million for the 2025 financial year, down from $146 million the previous year. Chief executive Greg Foran stated that airfares may increase by 5% soon to offset rising operating costs, engine maintenance, and plane supply issues.
2 outlets · Ombudsman reprimands Marlborough District Council over secret meetings
The Chief Ombudsman has criticised Marlborough District Council for holding briefings and workshops behind closed doors. The report states these meetings should be open by default, noting the council held 81 public-excluded sessions during the current three-year term.
3 outlets · Calls for concussion protocol changes following death of Shane Christie
Former Māori All Black Shane Christie has died at age 39 by suspected suicide. His death has prompted a neuroscientist to call for doubling the professional rugby concussion stand-down period. Advocates for head injury awareness are also using the tragedy to highlight ongoing concerns regarding rugby-related brain injuries.
2 outlets · One in eight central Auckland retail stores are empty
A new report shows a 13 per cent vacancy rate for retail spaces in the Auckland CBD. This rate is higher than those in Wellington and Christchurch. Factors such as interest rate increases, working from home, and City Rail Link construction have been cited as contributors.
3 outlets · Resource consent granted for $300 million Wānaka hospital project
The Queenstown Lakes District Council has approved a $300 million private surgical hospital in Wānaka. The five-level facility, planned by developers Roa, will include four operating theatres and a 24-hour emergency department. The council used discretionary powers to grant the resource consent without a public hearing.
2 outlets · World-famous Galloway bull for sale in Waikato
A five-year-old Riggit bull named Arapuni Pride is being offered for sale in the Waikato. The bull, which was judged champion Galloway of the world, is being sold alongside his herd.
+26 outlets · Man arrested for 27 alleged petrol drive-off thefts in Canterbury
A 22-year-old Christchurch man has been arrested and charged with stealing petrol 27 times. The alleged thefts occurred over the last 10 months across Canterbury and North Canterbury using various vehicles. The man has been remanded in custody and is due to appear in Christchurch District Court in November.
2 outlets · Mystery surrounds dead stoat found on Stewart Island track
The Department of Conservation is investigating why a dead stoat was left on the Rakiura Track on Stewart Island. Officials believe the animal was already dead when it was brought to the island and placed on the Great Walk. Investigators have identified some clues in the ongoing case.
4 outlets · Recidivist shoplifter Silvia Tipene caught stealing from Woolworths
Silvia Tipene has been caught shoplifting from Woolworths on three occasions. The repeat offender admitted to the thefts, claiming she stole to supplement her benefit. She previously denied involvement in similar offences, alleging she had been framed.
2 outlets · Vaping device design enables secret use, Otago study finds
Dr Robin Quigg from the University of Otago has found that the design of vaping devices allows people to use them in secret. The research investigated vaping contexts among young Māori, noting that devices make it easy to puff in no-smoking zones and indoors.
2 outlets · Concept designs released for new marine research facility in Tauranga
Concept plans for the New Zealand Institute for Marine Futures have been presented at a Tauranga City Council meeting. The facility is intended for Sulphur Point and is described as being unique in the world.
2 outlets · Sex offender Eric Baker breached supervision order 14 times
High-risk sex offender Eric Baker has breached his Extended Supervision Order 14 times, including three times this year. Baker was previously jailed for four years for impregnating a woman with a mental age of five to seven. He is expected to be released from Nawha Prison in approximately two weeks.
2 outlets · Ringleader sentenced to life for Fiji's largest methamphetamine operation
Justin Ho has been sentenced to life imprisonment for leading Fiji's largest-ever methamphetamine trafficking operation. Justice Aruna Aluthge ruled that the sentence includes a non-parole period of 30 years.
3 outlets · Whanganui expects wet and windy weekend as winter ends
Whanganui is forecast to experience a warm, wet, and windy weekend. MetService predicts a pattern of showers and strong northerly winds will continue through the end of August.
2 outlets · Three men arrested following methamphetamine investigation in Waikato
Three men were arrested on Thursday after Waikato West police executed search warrants in Huntly and Te Kauwhata. The raids were part of Operation Dolphin, an investigation into the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine and GBL. The suspects, aged 56 and 58, are due to appear in Hamilton District Court on Friday.
2 outlets · High winds destroy caravan near Lake Tekapo
Strong winds in the Canterbury high country have destroyed a caravan near Lake Tekapo. Emergency services responded to the scene after the vehicle was toppled and smashed by the high winds.
2 outlets · Holocaust Centre condemns John Tamihere's comparison of government to Nazi Germany
Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere has described the Government as a fascist regime that is worse than Nazi Germany. The Holocaust Centre has condemned the remarks, describing the comparison as political hyperbole and an inappropriate historical exaggeration.
2 outlets · Stuff staff strike over pay and working conditions
More than 100 unionised staff at Stuff have walked off the job to protest what they describe as insulting pay offers. Members of the E tū union held picket lines at newsrooms in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Hamilton.
2 outlets · Minneapolis shooting suspect wrote homages to Christchurch mosque terrorist on weapons
Robin Westman allegedly opened fire on schoolchildren attending a church service in Minneapolis, killing two people and injuring 17. The suspect reportedly included homages to the Christchurch mosque terrorist and other mass shooters on gun magazines. Westman also posted a video containing anti-religious, anti-Semitic, and anti-black messages.
2 outlets · Opposition parties criticise government supermarket competition plan
The government has announced policies to make building supermarkets quicker and cheaper to increase competition. Opposition parties argue these measures do not go far enough to reduce prices, though they have proposed different solutions.
2 outlets · Central Hawke's Bay mayoral candidates debate water and rates issues
Incumbent Alex Walker and rival Will Foley debated in Waipukurau on Tuesday night. The discussion focused on regional water issues and rates increases. More than 150 people attended the event in person, with an additional 120 watching online.
2 outlets · South Island dogs win New Zealand top dog titles
Two dogs from the South Island have been named New Zealand's top dog and top office dog for 2025. Koozer, a 10-year-old Huntaway from Christchurch, secured the top office dog title after previously placing second for two consecutive years.
2 outlets · Officials warn workplace safety reforms could risk another Pike River tragedy
Proposed changes to workplace safety rules may repeat the failures seen during the Pike River mine disaster. Internal documents suggest the reforms, which aim to shift WorkSafe's focus from enforcement to guidance, could create legal loopholes.
2 outlets · Three injured in fiery Fairfield car crash
A car caught fire following a crash at the intersection of Paul Crescent and Holland Road in Fairfield on Wednesday night. One person sustained critical injuries, while two others were seriously injured in the incident.
2 outlets · Falling house values improve housing affordability across New Zealand
Data firm Cotality reports that declining house prices have improved housing affordability, particularly in Auckland, Tauranga and Wellington. The average time required to save a house deposit has decreased to 10 years, down from nearly 14 years in 2021.
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