Thursday 11 September 2025
40 stories first reported this day, covered by two or more outlets
Police uncover large cannabis operation in Hastings
Police discovered more than 200 cannabis plants at a commercial property on Orchard Road in Camberley. The plants, which were nearly ready for harvest, have an estimated value of between $600,000 and $750,000. Two men have been charged and are due to appear in court on Friday.
+15 outlets · New staged plan aims to reopen Christ Church Cathedral by 2030
Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement has unveiled a staged restoration plan to reopen the building by 2030. Work starting early next year will focus on the nave, rose window, entranceway, and bell tower. The new approach aims to address a significant funding shortfall, though a potential $45 million gap remains.
+26 outlets · Stuart Nash resigns from job and board after crude comments
Former Labour MP Stuart Nash has resigned from recruitment agency Robert Walters and the Taxpayers' Union board. These departures follow an apology for crude comments made about women in the media. Robert Walters had initiated a formal review regarding the matter.
+26 outlets · High Court extends injunction on Tom Phillips case details
A judge has extended an injunction preventing the media, police, and Oranga Tamariki from publishing certain details regarding the Tom Phillips investigation. The case follows a police shootout that resulted in the death of Phillips after he spent four years in the bush with his three children.
+26 outlets · Search continues for woman missing from Auckland hotel
Police are expanding their search for 25-year-old Te Anihana Pomana, who has been missing for three weeks. She was last seen leaving the SkyCity Hotel in central Auckland at 5.06am on 21 August, leaving her belongings behind. Authorities have expressed grave concerns as no confirmed sightings have occurred since her disappearance.
4 outlets · Two arrested after investigation into Auckland cash van robbery
Two men have been arrested following a five-month investigation into an armed robbery at Sylvia Park in April. Police say $210,000 was allegedly stolen when a firearm was presented to security guards. The suspects, aged 28 and 50, were apprehended in rural south Auckland on Thursday morning.
4 outlets · New secondary school subjects to be phased in from 2028
Education Minister Erica Stanford has announced new subjects for Years 11-13, including journalism, civics education, and an emphasis on artificial intelligence. The curriculum aims to prepare students for future careers and will be implemented alongside potential changes to NCEA qualifications.
+26 outlets · Leroy Carter to debut as All Blacks make six changes
The All Blacks have announced their team for Saturday's test against the Springboks in Wellington. Leroy Carter will make his debut on the left wing, replacing Rieko Ioane. Coach Scott Robertson has made six changes to the starting side for the match at Sky Stadium.
3 outlets · Dame Noeline Taurua stood down as Silver Ferns coach
Netball New Zealand has announced that Dame Noeline Taurua will be stood down for the upcoming series against South Africa. The decision follows a months-long dispute between team management and players. Former Silver Ferns player Laura Langman described the announcement as the saddest day in New Zealand netball history.
3 outlets · Conservative activist Charlie Kirk shot dead at Utah event
American commentator and Trump ally Charlie Kirk has been killed after being shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University. President Donald Trump confirmed the death following the incident in Orem. A suspect is currently in custody.
3 outlets · Police audio reveals details of shootout involving Tom Phillips
Audio from police communications has been released regarding the pursuit of fugitive Tom Phillips in rural Waikato. The recordings capture the early Monday morning operation, which began following a burglary report in Piopio and ended in a shootout where an officer was shot.
+26 outlets · Police consider legal action over leaked Tom Phillips radio audio
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers is investigating potential legal action against Stuff for publishing police radio communications from the night Tom Phillips died. The audio reportedly contains crucial evidence related to the investigation into the shootout.
3 outlets · Charges dropped after woman's death in Paraparaumu is no longer suspicious
Police have dropped charges against a man following the death of a woman at a home on Chums Road in Paraparaumu. The death is no longer being treated as suspicious and has been referred to the coroner.
3 outlets · Tom Phillips' body released to family following police encounter
Police have released the body of Tom Phillips to his family following his death in a gunfire exchange with officers on Monday. A postmortem has been completed and the case has been referred to the coroner. Investigations into the campsites believed to have been used by Phillips continue.
3 outlets · Fire at Mount Eden commercial building causes traffic delays
A fire broke out in the basement of a three-storey building on Dominion Road in Mount Eden. Firefighters have extinguished the blaze, but traffic through the area is expected to remain disrupted.
3 outlets · Mother of accused killer describes daughter's mental health struggles
Hakyung Lee, accused of murdering her two children, faced jurors as her mother testified about her daughter's mental state. The grandmother previously made multiple attempts to locate the children before their remains were discovered in suitcases within a storage unit.
3 outlets · Severe weather watches issued for upper North Island on Friday
MetService has issued several weather watches for Friday as a low pressure system moves across the upper North Island. The system is expected to bring heavy rain, thunderstorms, and wind gusts of up to 80km/h, particularly during the morning commute.
3 outlets · Information sought after decapitated dolphin found north of Kaikōura
The Department of Conservation is appealing for information after a member of the public discovered a decapitated dusky dolphin on a beach north of Kaikōura. Officials believe the dolphin may have washed up naturally before someone illegally removed its head.
3 outlets · Demolition of Wellington City to Sea Bridge paused until end of month
Work to demolish the City to Sea Bridge has been halted at least until the end of September. The Wellington City Council is waiting for the government to release a review regarding the seismic risk of earthquake-prone buildings.
3 outlets · Child held rifle as police approached Tom Phillips' campsite
One of Tom Phillips' children was holding a rifle when a police special tactics group arrived at a remote campsite on Monday. The child was persuaded to put the weapon down, and the children were taken into care without further incident. Phillips died following a shootout with police earlier that day.
3 outlets · Tech issues cause frustration for Electric Avenue festival ticket buyers
Music fans in Christchurch expressed anger after technical problems occurred during the Electric Avenue festival pre-sale. High demand led to long wait times and limited ticket availability, prompting the event director to admit the systems were inadequate and promise future changes.
4 outlets · Coroner urges winery alcohol policy review after fatal Tasman crash
A coroner has advised wineries to strengthen alcohol policies following the 2022 death of Daniel Oyaga in Mapua, Tasman. Mr Oyaga died after losing control of his vehicle while speeding and being more than twice the legal blood-alcohol limit following after-work drinks.
3 outlets · One person dead in two-vehicle crash on Bluff Highway
One person died at the scene following a two-car collision at the intersection of State Highway 1 and Kew Road near central Invercargill. The crash occurred around 6am on Thursday, resulting in the closure of the Bluff Highway.
2 outlets · First test ride of Christchurch trapdoor hydroslide completed
The Looping Rocket, New Zealand's only trapdoor hydroslide, has undergone its first test ride at the Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre in Christchurch. Installation of the centre's five eel-inspired slides is almost complete, though an official opening date has not yet been confirmed.
2 outlets · Bumper avocado crop drives prices down
A large avocado crop has caused prices to drop as low as 19 cents in parts of New Zealand. While this is beneficial for consumers, it is creating challenges for growers due to the surplus of fruit.
2 outlets · Printing error omits Māori ward candidate profiles in Ōpōtiki
The fairness of the Ōpōtiki Māori ward election has been questioned after a printing error occurred. Three candidate profiles, including that of Curley Keno, were missing from the booklets sent out with local election voting packs.
2 outlets · Christchurch man jailed for home invasion sexual assault
Murray Brunsden has been sentenced to two years and eight months' imprisonment. He was found guilty of indecently assaulting a woman after forcing his way into her home following an early morning knock. A judge described the incident as a nightmare for those living alone.
2 outlets · Tākuta Ferris refuses to delete post amid Te Pāti Māori changes
Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris is refusing to remove a late-night post criticising the Labour Party. This defiance comes as the party undergoes leadership changes, which have included the removal of Mariameno Kapa-Kingi from her position as party whip.
2 outlets · Carterton District Council lacks funds for urgent bridge repairs
The Carterton District Council has identified 38 bridges and culverts as high priority for repair following inspections. Current budget funding is only sufficient to address one of the four structures categorised as needing urgent work.
3 outlets · Driver sentenced after double fatal North Canterbury crash
Kyan Stack, 20, has been sentenced following a high-speed crash in North Canterbury in January. Stack was driving an unlicensed vehicle while impaired by MDMA when he hit a power pole, killing Phoebe Slade and Joey Young. The driver avoided a prison sentence.
3 outlets · Western Institute of Technology to cut 20 per cent of staff
The Western Institute of Technology plans to cut 63 full-time equivalent positions to improve financial viability. These roles will be replaced by 38 new positions. Operations lead executive Nicola Conley indicated that further job losses may be possible.
2 outlets · Residents warned of odours from Seaview wastewater treatment plant
Wellington Water has warned Hutt Valley residents that repairs at the Seaview wastewater treatment plant may cause increased smells. The odours, which can be detected as far away as Naenae, are expected while a dryer is being fixed at the facility.
2 outlets · Auckland air quality improving while inland water quality declines
Auckland's latest State of the Environment Report shows improving air quality and cleaner coastal waters. However, the condition of inland lakes, streams, and rivers has declined due to invasive species, low clarity, and high nutrient levels.
2 outlets · Wayne Brown's name recognition aids Auckland mayoral re-election bid
Incumbent Mayor Wayne Brown faces an uphill battle due to high name recognition, according to a political marketing expert. Meanwhile, City Vision campaign manager Jeremy Greenbrook-Held has endorsed Brown over Labour-aligned challenger Kerrin Leoni.
2 outlets · Reserve Bank faces test of trust and confidence, says governor
Governor Christian Hawkesby stated the Reserve Bank faces a test of trust and confidence following the departures of former governor Adrian Orr and board chair Neil Quigley. The comments were made during a speech at the Financial Services Council conference.
2 outlets · Armed police block rural Te Puke road after serious injury
Police have blocked a section of a rural road near Te Puke following a serious incident on Thursday morning. The armed offenders squad responded to the scene after a person sustained serious injuries. The individual was treated at a medical centre before being transferred to Tauranga Hospital.
2 outlets · White Ferns squad announced for upcoming Cricket World Cup
The White Ferns have named a 15-player squad for the upcoming Cricket World Cup. Flora Devonshire has been included in the squad following her recent debut. Sophie Devine has also announced she will step down as T20 captain after the tournament in October.
2 outlets · Gen Z face cost of living and housing price concerns
A new survey shows most Gen Z New Zealanders are enrolled in KiwiSaver and are actively saving. However, 95% of the age group are concerned about the cost of living, while 85% worry about house prices. There is also declining confidence regarding job security among those aged 18 to 25.
2 outlets · Gang shootings in Levin cause local concern
A series of gang-related shootings in Levin has caused fear among residents in the Horowhenua community. The violence is reportedly driven by methamphetamine use, personal grudges, and entrenched gang conflict. A Gang Conflict Warrant is currently in place, resulting in an increased police presence in the area.
2 outlets · Wellington mayoral candidates face scrutiny during Chamber of Commerce debate
Mayoral candidates for Wellington participated in a debate at the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday night. The discussion focused on the city's current challenges, including recent business closures and the general state of the capital.
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