Labour unveils Future Fund as first major election policy
The Labour Party has announced a 'Future Fund' intended to invest in New Zealand businesses and infrastructure. Announced by Chris Hipkins in Auckland, the proposal aims to create jobs and keep wealth within the country, though specific costings and asset details were not provided.
+26 outlets · Mariameno Kapa-Kingi denies Te Pāti Māori overspending allegations
Te Pāti Māori MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi has denied allegations of major overspending following the release of documents by her party's leadership. She maintains her Te Tai Tokerau electorate budget has never been overspent and claims the spending was approved. Kapa-Kingi has not addressed questions regarding the hiring of her son in her office.
+26 outlets · New Zealand's first sports charter school to open in Upper Hutt
The New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa is scheduled to open in term 1, 2026. Located in Upper Hutt, the new charter school will provide academic education alongside training for aspiring football and rugby athletes.
+37 outlets · Severe weather brings wind and rain to South Island and lower North Island
Gale-force winds and heavy rain have caused power outages, flight cancellations, and road blockages across the South Island and parts of the lower North Island. Multiple slips have blocked a small West Coast community. MetService warns that a second significant weather system is forecast for later this week.
+15 outlets · Wesley College to close boarding hostels over student safety concerns
Wesley College in Paerata will close its boarding hostels at the end of term four due to ongoing concerns regarding student safety and hostel culture. The decision follows previous allegations of abuse at the school. The Trust Board chairperson stated that student wellbeing is the highest priority.
4 outlets · Auckland man on trial for slavery and sexual abuse charges
Moeaia Tuai, 63, is appearing in the Auckland High Court facing charges including dealing in slaves, sexual violation, and assault. Prosecutors allege he controlled two young people by withholding their wages and passports. Tuai has pleaded not guilty, claiming the allegations were fabricated.
4 outlets · Police seek Jeremy Robertson following woman's death in Pahīatua
Police are urgently seeking Jeremy Robertson in connection with a homicide investigation in Pahīatua. A woman was found dead at a residential property on Arthur Street last Wednesday. Officers have released a photo of the man, who is in his 50s, and are asking the public not to approach him.
3 outlets · Annual inflation rises to 3.0% in September quarter
New Zealand's annual inflation rate has reached 3.0%, the highest level since June 2024. Stats NZ reports that rising electricity, food, and council rates drove the increase. This figure sits at the top of the Reserve Bank's target band.
3 outlets · Snow Tane seeks judicial recount for Kaipara mayoral election
Snow Tane has applied for a judicial recount at the Whangārei District Court following the Kaipara District Council mayoral election. Tane finished second with 3,117 votes, trailing the winner, Jonathan Larsen, by 21 votes. A third candidate, Dr Jason Smith, has confirmed he will not seek a recount.
3 outlets · Global Amazon AWS outage disrupts major apps and services
A widespread outage affecting Amazon Web Services has disrupted various websites, apps, and games globally and in New Zealand. Impacted services include Snapchat, Roblox, Fortnite, and several streaming platforms such as Neon and Sky TV. Organisations have cited the AWS outage as the cause of the widespread issues.
3 outlets · Measles case confirmed in Auckland following international travel
The National Public Health Service has confirmed a new measles case in Auckland linked to recent overseas travel. The individual spent nearly 10 hours in the Auckland City Hospital emergency department on Friday while infectious. Health NZ is conducting contact tracing and says the risk of community spread is low.
3 outlets · Sam Broughton to step down as Local Government NZ president
Sam Broughton is resigning as president of Local Government New Zealand following his loss in the Selwyn District mayoralty election. He was ousted by one-term councillor Lydia Gliddon, who won the seat by a significant margin.
4 outlets · Person dies after being found unconscious in Kaikohe water
A person has died after being found unconscious in a body of water on Browns Road in Kaikohe on Monday morning. Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 10.30am, where the individual could not be revived. The death has been referred to the coroner.
3 outlets · Two teenagers arrested following Birkenhead pawnbroker robbery
Two teenagers, aged 16 and 18, have been arrested in connection with an aggravated robbery at a pawnbroker on Mokoia Road. Police say three masked individuals entered the shop with weapons and smashed display cabinets to steal items. The incident occurred in Birkenhead earlier this month.
3 outlets · Government allocates $1.2 billion for Roads of National Significance projects
The Government has confirmed $1.2 billion to advance its Roads of National Significance programme, including funds for design, consenting, and early works. More than $500 million will be used for property acquisitions. The Northland Expressway and a second Mt Vic tunnel in Wellington will be fast-tracked.
3 outlets · Christchurch school offers uniforms and stationery for improved attendance
Te Kōmanawa Rowley Primary School in Christchurch is offering parents new uniforms and free stationery if students reach attendance targets. This initiative follows a government goal to have 80% of students attending school 90% of the time by 2030.
3 outlets · ASB reduces several fixed-term mortgage rates
ASB has lowered a number of its fixed-term home loan rates. The 18-month rate has decreased to 4.45%, while the six-month rate dropped from 4.95% to 4.85%. Other reductions include the two-year, three-year, four-year, and five-year rates.
3 outlets · Christchurch cyclist calls for road safety after violent hit-and-run
Mark Weston is urging drivers to share the road following a deliberate hit-and-run on Centaurus Road in Cashmere. The cyclist spent two weeks in hospital with a broken back after the March 2024 incident and feared he would never walk again.
+48 outlets · Firefighters battle blaze at central Wellington commercial property
Fire and Emergency services responded to a fire at a two-storey commercial building on Tory Street in Te Aro around 9pm on Monday. The blaze, believed to have started at a dry cleaner, caused heavy smoke and disruption. A fire investigator is currently at the scene as crews mop up.
2 outlets · Manurewa Local Board member files complaint over alleged social media harassment
Joseph Allan, a Manurewa Local Board member and Auckland Council candidate, has filed a complaint regarding sustained harassment. He alleges that a man connected to political opponents used fake social media accounts to attack him and other candidates.
2 outlets · Black Caps and England prepare for second T20 in Christchurch
The first Twenty20 international between the Black Caps and England was washed out at Hagley Oval. The teams are scheduled to meet in Christchurch on Monday for the second match of the series.
2 outlets · Eight youths apprehended after police spike stolen car in Auckland
Eight teenagers, aged between 12 and 15, were taken into custody early Monday morning after fleeing police in a stolen Toyota. The vehicle was spiked on State Highway One in Massey after failing to stop for officers.
2 outlets · Inland Revenue reports success in recovering overdue tax
Inland Revenue has recovered nearly $12 for every dollar spent on debt collection over the last year. The department's efforts to recover an estimated $10 billion in overdue tax have included using prosecutions and arrest warrants.
3 outlets · Former lawyer Davina Reid seeks to be readmitted to the profession
Davina Reid is making a new attempt to practice law after being struck off in 2015. She was previously found to have smuggled contraband into prison for Liam Reid, a convicted murderer and rapist whom she later married.
2 outlets · Police search for missing 14-year-old girl in Palmerston North
Police are seeking public assistance to find Roxanne, a 14-year-old girl missing from central Palmerston North. She was last seen around 1pm on Friday, 17 October. Authorities have expressed serious concerns for her welfare and are asking anyone with information to contact them.
2 outlets · Government approves $675 million for Roads of National Significance projects
The New Zealand Transport Agency board has approved approximately $675 million to advance 15 road projects. The funding will support design and consenting for corridors including the Northland Expressway, Auckland's East West Link, and a second Mt Victoria tunnel in Wellington.
2 outlets · One person hospitalised with serious injuries after Hamilton assault
Police are investigating a serious assault that occurred on Waimarie Street in Nawton on Monday afternoon. One person was taken to Waikato Hospital in serious condition following the incident, which took place near Fraser High School.
2 outlets · Girl given Boostrix vaccination at school despite mother refusing consent
An 11-year-old girl received a Boostrix vaccination at school after her mother had ticked a box on a form to refuse consent. Health NZ Te Whatu Ora has apologised to the family. Public health nurses involved in the administration of the jab have been provided with additional training.
2 outlets · Originair introduces new regional flight routes in Blenheim
Originair has launched new services connecting Blenheim to Palmerston North on Mondays and Fridays. The airline is also operating weekday and Sunday flights between Blenheim and Christchurch. These new routes follow the cancellation of the Blenheim to Christchurch service by Sounds Air.
4 outlets · World's largest blueberry variety to be grown in New Zealand
The Eterna blueberry, which can grow as large as a ping-pong ball, will soon be cultivated in the Waikato and Kerikeri regions. The Fresh Berry Company has partnered with international producer Driscoll's to grow and market the variety.
+26 outlets · Te Pāti Māori co-leader failed to declare two properties
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer did not declare ownership of two properties under Parliament's transparency rules until contacted by journalists. The Te Pāti Māori co-leader has responded to the findings by stating she is being targeted because she is Māori.
2 outlets · Strong winds cause flight cancellations and emergency callouts across New Zealand
Heavy winds and gales are affecting Wellington, parts of the South Island, and Hawke’s Bay. The weather has led to at least seven flight cancellations in Dunedin and Invercargill, as well as multiple emergency callouts for fire crews.
3 outlets · Fat Freddy’s Drop to tour in 2026 following member's death
The band will perform an anniversary tour for their debut album throughout May 2026 in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. These shows will be the group's first since the death of founding member Chris Faiumu in July. The tour was previously planned and honours the wishes of the late musician.
2 outlets · Christopher Luxon criticises upcoming mega strike as politically motivated
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has questioned the motives behind a large-scale strike scheduled for Thursday. He described the action, involving thousands of teachers, nurses, doctors, and dentists, as politically motivated and questioned why a teachers' union is raising issues regarding Palestine.
2 outlets · Truck trailer rolls on State Highway 8 near Tekapo
A truck trailer rolled onto its side on State Highway 8 near the Tekapo Canal Road intersection this morning. Police reported no injuries following the single-vehicle crash, which occurred during high winds. The incident has left the highway blocked south of Tekapo.
2 outlets · South Island employers report mixed job market conditions
Employers in the South Island are experiencing varying levels of employment opportunities. While some businesses report a lack of available work, others face different challenges. This comes as the government announces new means-testing rules for parents of 18 and 19-year-olds seeking Jobseeker Support.
2 outlets · New reporting and training rules for job seekers take effect
New non-financial sanctions have launched today under the Government's expanded welfare traffic light system. Some job seekers may now be required to attend upskilling programmes or report their weekly job searches. Those who fail to meet these new obligations may face further sanctions.
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