Man arrested after Llew Summers sculpture stolen from Christchurch community centre
A 44-year-old man has been arrested following the theft of a bronze sculpture from the Mt Pleasant Community Centre in June. Police say the 2.2-tonne artwork, titled Flight, has been destroyed and much of it sold as scrap metal. The man is due to appear in Christchurch District Court.
+26 outlets · Police investigate after Tom Phillips is fatally shot and children found
Tom Phillips was fatally shot by police in Waikato after a four-year manhunt, while his three children were found safe at a campsite. Police are investigating the circumstances of the shooting and searching for potential accomplices who may have provided weapons.
+26 outlets · Man critically injured after falling from Dunedin roof
A 19-year-old man is in critical condition after falling from the roof of a two-storey student flat on Castle Street in Dunedin. Police believe he lost his balance while attempting to take a group photo with friends around 10.10pm on Monday. Emergency services are currently making enquiries into the incident.
+48 outlets · Arson charge dismissed in Loafers Lodge murder trial
A court has dismissed a charge of arson relating to a sofa during the trial of a man accused of five murders at Loafers Lodge. The jury has heard drone footage of collapsed floors and a 111 call from a resident who died during the Wellington fire.
4 outlets · National public transport ticketing system delayed until 2027
The $1.4 billion Motu Move ticketing solution has been delayed by a year after a review found the original timeline was overly ambitious. The system will allow commuters to use contactless payments for buses, trains, and ferries. Christchurch passengers may see contactless payments on buses and ferries starting in November.
4 outlets · Woman in custody following Sockburn house fire
A woman was taken into police custody after a house fire on Epsom Road in Sockburn, Christchurch, on Tuesday afternoon. Fire and Emergency crews attended the scene at 3:10pm, where they extinguished a small fire. Police reported that the woman refused to leave the property.
+15 outlets · Teenager charged with murder of 15-year-old in Napier
A teenager has been arrested and charged with the murder of 15-year-old Kaea Karauria, who was fatally stabbed in Onekawa on 11 May. The youth appeared briefly in Napier Youth Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody. He also faces charges relating to the rape of teenage girls.
4 outlets · Police seek witnesses after fatal crash south of Dunedin
Police are appealing for information following a fatal crash between a motorcycle and a car on East Taieri-Allanton Road on 4 September. One person died at the scene. Authorities are specifically looking to speak with the driver of a white van featuring black and white chevron stripes.
4 outlets · Missing Marokopa children found after father's death in police shootout
The three children of fugitive Tom Phillips have been recovered after nearly four years in the Waikato bush. Phillips was shot dead by police during a shootout yesterday. The children, aged 9, 10, and 12, are now in the care of family and Oranga Tamariki.
4 outlets · First images released of campsite where Marokopa children were found
Police have released photos of a remote Waikato bush campsite where two children were found. The site was used by Tom Phillips, who was shot dead by police on Monday following a shootout. The campsite contained items including tyres, cans, and a quad bike.
3 outlets · Proposed restructure at Wellington City Council could see 63 jobs cut
The PSA union says 63 roles at Wellington City Council are at risk due to a proposed restructure. Chief executive Matt Prosser has announced the potential redundancies while still awaiting the results of an external review by Deloitte. The changes may affect hundreds of staff across various departments.
3 outlets · Brad Pitt stars in Queenstown filmed advertisement directed by Taika Waititi
Actor Brad Pitt features in a new De’Longhi coffee machine commercial filmed in Queenstown. Directed by Taika Waititi, the advertisement shows Pitt and his dog during a morning routine. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival before being released on social media.
3 outlets · Police seek suspects after smash-and-grab at Botany jewellery store
Seven offenders used weapons to smash glass cabinets and steal jewellery from a Michael Hill store in Botany Town Centre on Tuesday afternoon. The group fled the scene in two stolen vehicles, which were later found abandoned near Botany Downs Secondary College. Police are currently speaking to people of interest.
3 outlets · Controlled avalanches used to improve safety on Milford Sound road
Specialist teams used explosives to trigger avalanches on State Highway 94 over the weekend. This work aims to reduce risks for visitors travelling between Te Anau and Milford Sound. The highway has faced intermittent closures recently due to snow and avalanche hazards.
4 outlets · Police Commissioner rejects hero claims for fugitive Tom Phillips
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has dismissed descriptions of fugitive Tom Phillips as a hero following his death on Monday. Phillips was shot dead after critically wounding a Waikato district officer during a confrontation. The injured officer is currently unable to open his eyes but remains in hospital.
+15 outlets · Labour leader signals uncertainty regarding working with Te Pāti Māori
Chris Hipkins has indicated that working with Te Pāti Māori is not guaranteed following tensions during the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election. While Labour previously described a social media post by Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris as racist, Hipkins has since declined to use that label.
3 outlets · Coroner warns of climbing dangers after boy dies at Hāhei Beach
A 13-year-old Auckland boy died in January after falling 15 to 20 metres from a cliff onto rocks at Hāhei Beach. The boy was holidaying with a friend when the pair climbed the cliff face after paddleboarding. A coroner suggested the children may not have understood the climbing risks.
4 outlets · Murder trial begins for woman accused of killing two children
Hakyung Lee is appearing in an Auckland court for a trial regarding the deaths of her two children. While Lee accepts she killed the children, her defence argues she was insane at the time. The prosecution contends she did not act insane, noting she travelled to Korea in business class after the killings.
2 outlets · Richie McCaw returns to All Blacks camp ahead of Springboks test
Former All Black captain Richie McCaw has returned to the national team's camp, though his specific role remains uncertain. His presence comes as the Springboks prepare for a Wellington rematch, where South Africa has announced seven changes to their starting lineup.
2 outlets · Child alerted police to firearms at campsite after father's death
One of Tom Phillips' children informed officers about guns at their campsite following the police shooting of their father on Monday. The three children had been missing for nearly four years. It remains unclear if the children have been reunited with their mother.
+15 outlets · Traces of antidepressant found in children left in suitcases
The trial of Hakyung Lee has opened in the Auckland High Court following the deaths of two children, aged 6 and 8. Lee is charged with their murders after the children were found in suitcases in a storage unit. She does not dispute causing their deaths but claims the loss of her husband caused insanity.
3 outlets · Australia retains Soccer Ashes after defeating All Whites in Auckland
The Socceroos defeated the All Whites 3-1 in Auckland to retain the Soccer Ashes with a 4-1 aggregate score. New Zealand scored their first goal against Australia in 15 years, but the result follows a narrow opening win for Australia in Canberra.
2 outlets · CityFitness faces court charges over alleged misleading membership pricing
The Commerce Commission has filed 16 charges against CityFitness under the Fair Trading Act. The gym chain is accused of advertising membership prices that excluded a compulsory 3% transaction fee. The Commission alleges this fee was inaccurately labelled in its advertising.
2 outlets · One person dead after single-vehicle crash in Eastbourne
A single-vehicle crash on Marine Drive in Eastbourne, near Wellington, has resulted in one death. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening near Taumaru Avenue. Police say the road remains closed while a serious crash unit examines the scene.
2 outlets · Photos show scene of fatal shootout involving Tom Phillips
Tom Phillips was killed during a confrontation with police on Te Anga Rd in western Waikato on Monday morning. A police officer was shot in the head during the incident. Photos from the scene show officers inspecting Phillips' quad bike, which was reportedly loaded with farm supplies and footwear.
2 outlets · Tom Phillips previously sought help with broken down vehicle
The fugitive father reportedly approached a remote Te Anga farmhouse three years ago for assistance with a broken down 4WD. During that encounter, he told two women he was living off the grid while his children were in the vehicle.
2 outlets · Stuart Nash provides crude definition of woman at NZ First conference
Former Labour minister Stuart Nash used crude language to define what a woman is during a New Zealand First convention in Palmerston North. His comments reportedly left party leader Winston Peters in disbelief.
2 outlets · Dozens of FreshChoice supermarkets face alcohol sales suspension
Thirty-eight FreshChoice supermarkets nationwide will have their off-licences suspended for 48 hours following an online beer promotion. The suspensions, occurring between 14 and 18 September, affect stores across the country, including 22 locations in the South Island.
2 outlets · Businessman sentenced for $400,000 clean car rebate fraud
Hamish Gardyne, the former owner of HVS Motors, has been sentenced to home detention in a Dunedin court. He pleaded guilty to using documents to fraudulently claim more than $400,000 in clean car rebates. Gardyne operated vehicle yards across Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, Gore, and Invercargill.
3 outlets · Shaun Wallace to tour New Zealand for charity quiz nights
The Chase contestant Shaun Wallace will visit New Zealand this November for a series of Cure Kids Quiz Nights. The tour includes stops in Invercargill and Christchurch as part of eight scheduled events across the country.
2 outlets · Peeni Henare undecided on future Tāmaki Makaurau candidacy after by-election loss
Labour MP Peeni Henare is considering his future after losing the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election. Following the defeat, the Labour Party intends to review its strategy and its relationship with Te Pāti Māori. Henare previously held the seat from 2014 to 2023.
2 outlets · Documentary about Dame Jacinda Ardern to be released in cinemas
The documentary Prime Minister, which chronicles the leadership and personal life of former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern, is set for a nationwide cinema release on 25 September. Produced by Clarke Gayford, the film covers Ardern's time as New Zealand's 40th Prime Minister between 2017 and 2023.
2 outlets · Absolute Traffic Solutions liquidated owing over $1.5m in debt
Eighty-five staff members have lost their jobs following the liquidation of Auckland-based Absolute Traffic Solutions. The company reportedly owes more than $1.5 million, including over $400,000 in unpaid wages and salaries to employees.
2 outlets · Retail sector outlook remains bleak despite small uptick in spending
Retail NZ reports that while consumer spending has seen a small increase, the outlook for the sector remains pessimistic. Large retail chains like Smiths City have recently closed, and more layoffs are expected across the industry.
2 outlets · National average house asking prices rise for the first time in a year
The national average asking price for property increased by 0.5% year-on-year in August to $820,800. According to Trade Me's latest report, this marks the first rise in asking prices since June 2024, even as average rents have dropped to their lowest level in two years.
4 outlets · Three people in custody after stabbing in Massey
Three people are in police custody following a stabbing in West Auckland on Monday night. Emergency services responded to a property on Breenagh Place in Massey around 8.10pm after a person was found seriously injured with stab wounds.
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