Wayne Brown re-elected for second term as Auckland mayor
Wayne Brown has provisionally won re-election as Auckland mayor, securing a substantial majority over challenger Kerrin Leoni. Brown stated the result provides a mandate to continue his agenda, while Leoni noted that a record-low voter turnout may impact the significance of the victory.
+48 outlets · Andrew Little elected mayor of Wellington
Former Labour leader Andrew Little has won the Wellington mayoralty with 34,240 votes. He described feeling thrilled and somewhat daunted by the role, noting that affordable housing and water reform are major challenges. Little also acknowledged that his predecessor, Tory Whanau, faced toxic behaviour during her term.
+15 outlets · E-scooter rider critically injured in Auckland CBD collision
An electric scooter rider has been critically injured following a collision with a car in central Auckland. The accident occurred at the intersection of Mount and Symonds streets just after 4pm on Saturday. Police were called to the scene to investigate the incident.
4 outlets · Government backs bill for three-day postnatal hospital stays
The Government is supporting a member's bill that would guarantee new mothers a minimum three-day stay in a hospital or birthing unit after childbirth. Health Ministers Simeon Brown and Casey Costello announced the move, despite warnings regarding existing capacity and staffing issues.
4 outlets · Jacquie Grant leads Westland mayoral race by 64 votes
Hokitika businesswoman Jacquie Grant holds a 64-vote lead over incumbent Helen Lash in the Westland mayoral election. If the result holds, the 82-year-old would become New Zealand's oldest and second transgender mayor.
+15 outlets · Voting closes for 2025 local elections
Voting concluded at midday on Saturday for the 2025 local elections. Councils are expected to release preliminary progress results this afternoon, with final results due next week. Some high-profile mayors have reportedly been re-elected.
3 outlets · Trevor Maxwell elected to extend 48-year Rotorua council tenure
Trevor Maxwell has been re-elected to Rotorua's Māori ward, potentially making him New Zealand's longest-serving councillor. If confirmed, his tenure as an elected official will reach 51 years. The Māori ward will also remain intact following the local election results.
3 outlets · Tom Campbell leads Invercargill mayoral race according to progress results
Deputy mayor Tom Campbell is the likely winner of the Invercargill mayoral election. Progress results show Campbell leading with 6,064 votes, ahead of Alex Crackett and Ian Pottinger. While Campbell is ahead by nearly 1,900 votes, several thousand ordinary and special votes are still being counted.
3 outlets · Phil Mauger re-elected as Christchurch mayor for second term
Phil Mauger has secured a second term as Christchurch mayor following the local elections. Progress results show he received 54,644 votes, defeating runner-up Sara Templeton by a majority of almost 20,000. Mauger intends to focus on reducing the city's debt and maintaining momentum.
4 outlets · Missing 10-year-old girl found safe after disappearing from Cornwall Park
A 10-year-old girl named Lily was found safe after being reported missing from Auckland's Cornwall Park on Saturday. She was last seen by family members at approximately 5pm. Police had previously issued an urgent appeal for information regarding her whereabouts.
3 outlets · Incumbents re-elected as Andrew Little wins Wellington mayoralty
Voters in the 2025 local elections have re-elected mayors in Auckland and Christchurch. Andrew Little has been elected as the new mayor of Wellington, while Queenstown has seen an incumbent replaced. Results for more than 1,500 positions across 78 councils are currently being processed.
+15 outlets · One person dies in North Otago motorcycle crash
A person has died following a motorcycle crash near Palmerston on Saturday afternoon. Emergency services were called to the intersection of Horse Range Road and Trotters Gorge Road at 2.50pm. Police are currently investigating the circumstances of the incident.
3 outlets · Voters in several districts vote to remove Māori wards
Referendums in multiple districts have resulted in votes to disestablish Māori wards. In Hawke's Bay, voters in Napier, Hastings, Central Hawke's Bay and the regional council voted to remove them, while Marlborough also voted to remove its Māori ward seat in 2028.
3 outlets · Polls close for 2025 local elections across New Zealand
Voting has concluded for more than 1,500 positions across 78 councils nationwide. Nearly 3,500 candidates are contesting the seats, with several mayors seeking reelection. Preliminary results for mayoral and council races are expected to be released as the vote count begins.
2 outlets · Richard McGrath elected as new Napier mayor
Richard McGrath has been elected Mayor of Napier, defeating Kirsten Wise. With approximately 85 per cent of the votes counted on Saturday, McGrath held a lead of 3,273 votes. The incoming mayor stated he was shocked and surprised by the election result.
2 outlets · Bay of Plenty hosts Tasman in NPC quarter-final
Third-placed Bay of Plenty is hosting sixth-placed Tasman for an NPC quarter-final match at Tauranga Domain. The game follows the conclusion of the regular season table standings.
2 outlets · Voting closes for 2025 local body elections
Voting for the 2025 local elections officially closed at midday on Saturday. Progress results are being published this afternoon, while official results are expected to be released on Friday.
2 outlets · Century-old Skunk locomotive rediscovered buried in Whanganui sand
Contractors excavating near the Whanganui River mouth discovered a 150-year-old locomotive buried in the sand. The train, known as "Skunk", has reportedly been lost for approximately 75 years. Local preservationists believe the engine may be one of the earliest locomotives built in New Zealand.
4 outlets · Lydia Gliddon elected mayor of Selwyn
Lydia Gliddon has been elected mayor of Selwyn after defeating incumbent Sam Broughton. Gliddon secured approximately 73% of the vote, winning by more than 11,000 votes. Broughton, who also serves as the president of Local Government NZ, has conceded the election.
2 outlets · Tim Macindoe elected as Hamilton mayor
Former Hamilton West MP and current city councillor Tim Macindoe has won the mayoral election. Macindoe celebrated his victory with supporters and his wife on Saturday afternoon after receiving notification from the council chief executive.
2 outlets · Sophie Barker provisionally elected Dunedin mayor by narrow margin
Sophie Barker has been provisionally elected as Dunedin's mayor following a close election. Incumbent Jules Radich was unsuccessful in his bid for a second term, with Barker and Andrew Simms leading the count.
2 outlets · Wendy Schollum leads Hastings mayoral race ahead of special votes
Wendy Schollum has thanked Hastings voters after leading the mayoral race with approximately 85% of votes counted. While Schollum claims victory, her closest rival has not yet conceded. The final result for the 23rd mayor will be determined once special votes are processed.
2 outlets · Auckland Harbour Bridge maintenance costs rise to $22.4 million
Maintenance and repair costs for the Auckland Harbour Bridge nearly doubled to $22.4 million for the year ending in June. The increase is due to the original paint coating reaching the end of its designed life, which will require a full re-paint.
3 outlets · Silver Ferns prepare for Constellation Cup amid coaching dispute
The Silver Ferns are attending a four-day training camp in Auckland ahead of the Constellation Cup series against Australia. The team is focusing on preparations despite ongoing controversy surrounding the sidelining of coach Dame Noeline Taurua.
2 outlets · MetService forecasts wet and windy weekend for central regions
Heavy rain and strong wind warnings remain in force across the middle of New Zealand. The Tararua Range faces an orange heavy rain warning for 52 hours, while the lower North Island and upper South Island are expected to experience further wild weather through the weekend.
2 outlets · Magnitude 7.8 earthquake strikes Drake Passage
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake occurred at a depth of 10km in the Drake Passage, located between Antarctica and the southern tip of South America. While the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre initially issued a tsunami potential threat warning for Chile, there is currently no tsunami risk.
2 outlets · Pāpāmoa Beach Road residents report unbearable traffic noise
Residents living on Pāpāmoa Beach Road are expressing frustration over constant road noise. Locals say the volume is so loud that it affects their ability to sit outside or communicate clearly within their own homes.
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