One person dead and another critically injured in Rakaia house fire
One person has died and another is in critical condition following a house fire on Dunford Street in Rakaia on Saturday night. Emergency services responded to the blaze at approximately 11.15pm, and police enquiries are currently ongoing.
+26 outlets · Government lowers 2050 methane reduction target
The Government has announced a new science-based methane reduction target of 14–24% below 2017 levels by 2050. This decision includes ruling out agricultural taxes on methane emissions and implementing a review in 2040 to assess progress.
+15 outlets · Wendy Schollum claims Hastings mayoralty as vote count nears completion
Wendy Schollum has claimed victory in the Hastings mayoral race. She leads rival Marcus Buddo by 545 votes with 95 per cent of the count completed. Buddo has not yet conceded defeat as the final results are awaited.
3 outlets · Fauono Ken Laban elected as New Zealand's first Pasifika mayor
Fauono Ken Laban has been elected Mayor of Lower Hutt following the 2025 local elections. He secured 8,704 votes, making him the first Pasifika person to hold a mayoralty in Aotearoa New Zealand. The former broadcaster and councillor won the race ahead of several other candidates.
4 outlets · Auckland fire station cleared to reopen after asbestos scare
The Pitt Street fire station in central Auckland has been cleared to reopen after precautionary testing found no airborne asbestos particles. The station was closed late Friday night following a positive dust sample from July. The firefighters union is now calling for an independent inquiry into the matter.
2 outlets · Severe rain and wind hit Wellington and Wairarapa
MetService has issued heavy rain and strong wind watches across New Zealand, with Wellington experiencing gusts exceeding 130km/h. In Wairarapa, part of State Highway 53 is closed due to downed power lines. The lower North Island is currently facing the most significant impacts from the weather.
3 outlets · New Zealander Matt Payne wins Bathurst 1000
Matt Payne has secured his first Bathurst 1000 victory at Mount Panorama. Starting from 18th on the grid, Payne and co-driver Garth Tander moved through the field during wet race conditions to win the Australian Supercars event.
2 outlets · Kaipara mayoral race remains too close to call
The Kaipara mayoral election is currently a three-way race between Jonathan Larsen, Snow Tane, and Jason Smith. Preliminary counts show the top contenders are separated by only 31 votes. The final result will be determined once special votes are counted.
2 outlets · Whangārei teenager jailed for four and a half years over methamphetamine
Grayson Erihe-Riwhi, 19, has been sentenced in the Whangārei District Court for importing a class A drug. He was caught with dye-stained hands after assisting in the collection of nearly one kilogram of methamphetamine.
2 outlets · Canterbury defeat Counties Manukau to reach NPC semifinals
Canterbury secured a place in the NPC semifinals after a come-from-behind victory against Counties Manukau at Apollo Projects Stadium. The hosts required extra time to overcome the underdogs in the quarter-final match.
2 outlets · Rheumatology patients suffering due to lack of nursing staff
A report in the New Zealand Medical Journal warns that rheumatology patients are suffering due to insufficient resources. Nursing levels were found to be below acceptable standards at all 16 public hospital services, with two services having no nurses employed.
2 outlets · Whangārei and Kaipara mayoral races remain undecided after first results
The mayoral elections in Whangārei and Kaipara are currently too close to call. In Whangārei, the top two candidates are separated by 67 votes, while the gap in Kaipara is 74 votes. Moko Tepania has secured a second term as Far North mayor with a significant majority.
2 outlets · Taranaki voters vote to remove Māori wards from councils
Voters in Taranaki have chosen to remove Māori seats from all council tables following referendums held during local elections. These preliminary results indicate that the decision was not close, though they do not yet include special votes or those cast after Thursday.
2 outlets · One person dies in single-vehicle crash in Whangārei
One person died at the scene following a single-vehicle crash on Memorial Drive in Whangārei. Police attended the incident just before 11.20pm on Saturday night. The serious crash unit has been notified.
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