Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger dies aged 90
New Zealand's 35th Prime Minister Jim Bolger has died peacefully following months of treatment for kidney failure. He passed away on Wednesday surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Parliament has paid tribute to the former National Party leader, who served as Prime Minister from 1990 to 1997.
+48 outlets · Coroner finds unlicensed driver was impaired in fatal Waikato crash
A coroner has found that 19-year-old Piata Otufangavalu was significantly impaired by nitrous oxide before a May 2024 crash on State Highway 3. The unlicensed driver crossed the centre line near Te Awamutu, colliding with another vehicle and killing herself and four others.
+15 outlets · Health Minister accuses senior doctors of crossing an ethical line
Health Minister Simeon Brown told senior doctors at a Wellington conference that their industrial action has crossed an ethical line by delaying surgeries and patient care. While the Minister called for the strikes to be cancelled, doctors have responded by saying he is ignoring the concerns of healthworkers.
+15 outlets · People hospitalised after drinking contaminated water at North Canterbury campground
Six people were hospitalised and dozens more fell ill after drinking water from a contaminated private supply at Hanmer Springs Forest Camp. The outbreak, which affected visitors including schoolchildren, is linked to shiga toxin-producing E. coli. Taumata Arowai was alerted to the gastrointestinal illness cases by the National Public Health Service.
+15 outlets · Homicide investigation launched after woman found dead in Pahiatua
Police have launched a homicide investigation after a woman was found dead at a residential property on Arthur Street in Pahiatua on Wednesday afternoon. Armed officers were reported patrolling near Tararua College. The victim's missing vehicle has since been located in Rotorua.
+15 outlets · HelloFresh fined $845,000 for misleading customers via cold calls
HelloFresh New Zealand has been sentenced at the Auckland District Court for breaching the Fair Trading Act. Between February 2022 and July 2023, the company misled former customers by offering vouchers through cold calls without clearly explaining that accepting them would reactivate cancelled subscriptions.
4 outlets · Paul Joseph Dally denied parole for 1989 murder of Karla Cardno
The Parole Board has denied parole for Paul Joseph Dally, who kidnapped, raped and murdered 13-year-old Karla Cardno in Lower Hutt in 1989. The board stated that his release plan and accommodation arrangements are currently too vague to ensure public safety. Dally will appear before the board again at a later date.
4 outlets · Man arrested after alleged shooting and police pursuit in Tauranga
A 36-year-old man was arrested following a 15km pursuit in Tauranga on Thursday. Police were initially called to a Bethlehem address after a relative was allegedly shot at. Officers eventually apprehended the allegedly armed driver using a Taser and non-lethal sponge rounds.
4 outlets · Iggy Pop and Joan Jett to headline NZ summer concert tour
Iggy Pop and Joan Jett will headline the Greenstone Summer Concert Tour in January 2026. The tour includes shows in Taupō, Whitianga, and Wānaka. They will be joined by the Hoodoo Gurus and Zed.
4 outlets · Police seek man after woman found dead in Pahiatua
A homicide investigation is underway following the suspicious death of a woman found at an Arthur Street home on Wednesday. Police are searching for a solidly built man aged 40 to 50 and have warned the public not to approach him. Her car was later found unoccupied at a Rotorua lookout.
3 outlets · Kaipara mayor calls emergency meeting over alleged voting irregularities
Outgoing Kaipara mayor Craig Jepson has called an unprecedented emergency council meeting to seek a judicial review into election conduct. The meeting was adjourned until Friday after being interrupted by protesters. The election result remains uncertain as special votes may change the outcome.
+15 outlets · University of Auckland to make Treaty of Waitangi course optional
The University of Auckland has voted to change its Waipapa Taumata Rau course from compulsory to optional for students starting next year. This decision follows feedback from staff and students. The university has rejected demands to refund the approximately 8,000 students who completed the mandatory paper this year.
3 outlets · Career firefighters to hold national strike on Friday
Professional firefighters will walk off the job for one hour between 12pm and 1pm this Friday. Fire and Emergency New Zealand has warned that response times to fires could be delayed by up to an hour during the strike.
3 outlets · Police seek footage after car hits campervan near Paeroa
Waikato Police are investigating a hit-and-run incident that occurred on State Highway 2 near Paeroa on Saturday, 11 October. A driver attempting a dangerous overtake collided with the side of a campervan before fleeing the scene. Authorities say it was fortunate that no injuries were reported during the crash.
3 outlets · Officers honoured for bravery during garage fire incident
Sergeant Richard Bracey and Constable Friederike Faber were recognised at the Police Association conference in Wellington. The officers were honoured for their actions in July 2024, which involved restraining a man in a petrol-soaked garage while flames were present.
3 outlets · Two dead and three injured in Piarere vehicle collision
Two people died and three others were injured following a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of State Highway 1 and Horahora Road on Wednesday evening. Police are seeking witnesses or dashcam footage, specifically asking about a grey SUV or a small silver hatchback. The serious crash unit is investigating the incident.
3 outlets · Police investigate electoral fraud allegations in Auckland Council elections
The chief electoral officer has filed a police complaint regarding alleged electoral fraud during the Auckland Council elections. Reports suggest voting papers may have been stolen from letterboxes in Papatoetoe, and some voters were allegedly instructed on how to vote inside polling booths. Police are currently making enquiries into the matter.
3 outlets · Mystery explosions disturb sleep for Cambridge residents
Residents in Cambridge are being woken at night by loud, explosive noises. Locals have described the sounds as being similar to a bomb. Both the local council and police are currently investigating the cause of the disturbances.
3 outlets · The Amazing Race film crew spotted in Christchurch
Filming for the 39th season of the American reality show The Amazing Race took place in Christchurch on Thursday. Contestants were seen running along the Avon River, while host Phil Keoghan was spotted at the Botanical Gardens. The competition involves duos racing for a $1 million USD prize.
2 outlets · Tasman man fined and dogs ordered to be destroyed after seal attack
Sebastian Marinkovich has been fined and his two dogs ordered to be destroyed following an attack on a fur seal at Kina Beach last year. The court decision follows an unsuccessful bid by Marinkovich to have the destruction order overturned.
3 outlets · Green MP Tamatha Paul recovering after cardiac ablation procedure
Green Party MP Tamatha Paul is recovering from surgery to correct an irregular heartbeat. Following the procedure at Wellington Hospital, she shared an update on social media expressing support for health workers.
2 outlets · Man arrested after pedestrian seriously injured in West Harbour crash
A man has been arrested following a crash involving a pedestrian in West Harbour, Auckland. Emergency services attended the scene on Westpark Drive around 7.15pm. Police say the pedestrian was seriously injured in the incident.
2 outlets · Helen Lash retains Westland mayoralty by eight votes
Incumbent Helen Lash has been re-elected as Westland mayor after a narrow victory. Although preliminary results initially showed Jacquie Grant in the lead, the final count saw Lash secure 1,609 votes to Grant's 1,601.
2 outlets · Five arrested following drug raids in Ōpōtiki
Police arrested five people after searching four properties in Ōpōtiki on 15 September. During the operation targeting drug dealing, officers found children and young people present at one address who were allegedly involved in supplying cannabis.
2 outlets · Driving charge against Graham Bloxham dismissed in court
A charge against former mayoral candidate Graham Bloxham has been dismissed. Justices of the Peace ruled that police failed to prove he did not stop for a police vehicle on The Terrace as soon as practicable.
2 outlets · Police investigate six-vehicle crash on Canterbury State Highway 1
Six people were injured in a nose-to-tail collision involving six vehicles last Thursday. The crash occurred on State Highway 1 between Windermere and Swamp roads near Hinds. Police say the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
2 outlets · Te Papa proposes axing almost half of management roles
Te Papa has announced a significant restructure involving a two-stage process to reduce costs. The national museum is currently seeking feedback from staff regarding the first of two proposals. These changes could result in the loss of nearly half of the institution's management positions.
2 outlets · Petition delivered to Parliament against marine and coastal rights law change
Māori rights activist Rueben Taipari and supporters delivered a petition with nearly 20,000 signatures to Parliament. The petition demands the scrapping of legislation that would make it more difficult for Māori to claim customary marine title. The government intends to progress the bill next week despite the protest.
2 outlets · Sean Plunket disputes BSA jurisdiction over online platform
The Broadcasting Standards Authority is considering a listener's complaint regarding Sean Plunket's programme, The Platform. Plunket has dismissed the complaint, arguing his online media network falls outside the authority's jurisdiction. A media law expert has also suggested the BSA should not have authority over internet media.
4 outlets · Dawn Meats increases investment offer for Alliance Group stake
Irish firm Dawn Meats has raised its proposed investment in Alliance Group from $250 million to $270 million. The offer is for a 65 per cent stake in the red meat processor following stronger year-end results. A shareholder vote is expected to follow the increased bid.
2 outlets · Mat Mowbray wrongly named in child abuse material case
Mat Mowbray has been incorrectly identified on TikTok as a man jailed for possessing graphic child sexual abuse material. Reports confirm he has no convictions and is not serving a prison sentence. The claims linking him to the case are described as false and baseless.
2 outlets · Person airlifted to hospital in critical condition after Far North assault
A person was airlifted to Northland Base Hospital in critical condition on Wednesday night. The individual was found with serious injuries at a property on Paponga Road in Kohukohu. Police are investigating the suspected assault and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
2 outlets · Contact Energy scales back plan to lower Lake Hāwea levels
Contact Energy has revised a proposal to take more water from Lake Hāwea near Wānaka. The company originally sought fast track consent to lower the lake's minimum operating level from 338 to 336 metres to boost renewable energy generation.
+26 outlets · YouTube outage prevents video playback for some users
A technical issue has prevented some users from playing YouTube videos. More than 1,600 New Zealanders reported problems starting from 12.15am, while over 4,000 reports were recorded on DownDetector shortly after midday on Thursday.
2 outlets · Ian Mackenzie and John Sunckell re-elected to Environment Canterbury
Incumbents Ian Mackenzie and John Sunckell have been re-elected to the Environment Canterbury regional council. The election occurred amid debate regarding a declared nitrate emergency involving groundwater pollution. Mackenzie, who topped the polls, dismissed the declaration as a political stunt lacking meaningful action.
2 outlets · Woman disputes Inland Revenue attempting to take $1000 weekly
Lynette Davies has expressed outrage after Inland Revenue attempted to recover $1000 per week from her account. She described the weekly amount as unfeasible. The department is reportedly taking a tougher approach to recovering owed debt.
2 outlets · Crews and helicopters battle vegetation fire near Puketapu
Firefighters and two helicopters are working to control a large scrub fire on Puketitiri Road near Puketapu. The blaze covers an area of approximately 200m by 400m and has threatened one building. Ten fire trucks and four specialist support vehicles are currently attending the scene.
2 outlets · Man arrested after allegedly carjacking Rotorua taxi at gunpoint
A man has been arrested for aggravated robbery after allegedly pulling a gun on a Rotorua taxi driver. The driver was reportedly forced to visit an ATM and withdraw money after a payment declined. The driver was uninjured during the incident.
2 outlets · Restaurant worker injured during armed robbery in Glen Eden
A worker was hospitalised with moderate injuries after being attacked by a group armed with weapons at a West Auckland restaurant on Wednesday night. The robbery occurred while customers were dining inside the eatery. Police are investigating the incident.
2 outlets · Proposed Rotorua CBD liquor store application denied after 700 objections
A committee has rejected an application by the Sethi Group of Companies to open a new liquor store on Hinemoa Street. The decision follows more than 700 objections and concerns from police and business owners that the store would increase alcohol-related harm and disorder in the city centre.
3 outlets · Campaigners call for free cervical cancer screening for all New Zealanders
The National Centre for Women's Health Research is urging the government to make the National Cervical Screening Programme free for everyone. The Māori-led research centre is currently the only national screening programme that is not free for all New Zealanders.
2 outlets · Estimated 100,000 workers to participate in nationwide strike next week
An estimated 100,000 teachers and medical staff are scheduled to walk off the job on 23 October. This planned mega strike follows at least 22 official work stoppages recorded in New Zealand this year.
2 outlets · Legal action taken over fishing ban for yellow-eyed penguins
The Environmental Law Initiative has filed court proceedings against the oceans and fisheries minister. The charity argues that a three-month emergency ban on setnet fishing around the Otago Peninsula is insufficient to protect the critically endangered hoiho from extinction.
2 outlets · Lawyer vows to block deportation of New Zealand-born teenager
Navjot Singh, an 18-year-old born and raised in New Zealand, faces deportation to India after a residency bid failed. His lawyer intends to obstruct Immigration New Zealand to prevent the teenager from being removed from the country.
2 outlets · More than 130,000 New Zealand children have never had swimming lessons
Over 130,000 Kiwi children have never received swimming lessons due to economic pressures. Stuff and Water Safety New Zealand are raising funds this summer to provide lessons and improve water safety for thousands of children.
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