Wednesday 22 October 2025
40 stories first reported this day, covered by two or more outlets
Fires destroy 14 structures in Kaikōura
Fierce winds fanned fires in Kaikōura on Tuesday, destroying 14 buildings including five homes. Approximately 20 people were evacuated, and firefighters are working to contain the remaining blazes before winds increase again this afternoon.
+37 outlets · State of emergency declared in Canterbury amid severe weather warnings
A state of local emergency has been declared for Canterbury as MetService warns of life-threatening winds reaching up to 150km/h. Rare red strong wind warnings have been issued for the region, with Wellington also bracing for extreme weather. Authorities are urging residents to secure property and stay indoors.
+15 outlets · Police seek help identifying container linked to fatal Bucklands Beach fire
Police are appealing for help to identify a distinctive 10-litre container believed to have carried accelerant used to deliberately start a house fire. The blaze on Murvale Drive in Bucklands Beach killed a father and son earlier this month.
4 outlets · Man faces charges after police find drugs and weapons in reported stolen car
A 36-year-old Burwood man is facing multiple charges after reporting he was kidnapped and carjacked at gunpoint on Tuesday morning. Police discovered firearms, knives, batons, hatchets, and drugs inside the vehicle he claimed was stolen.
4 outlets · Health officials warn of measles spreading in the community
Four measles cases, including two children, have been confirmed this week across Auckland, Nelson, and Manawatū. Health authorities have ordered passengers on a Feilding school bus from 13 October to quarantine following exposure. Officials warn there is a strong likelihood the virus is spreading undetected.
4 outlets · Police investigate sudden death in Queenstown
Emergency services were called to a property in Kent Street, Queenstown, at approximately 7.30am on Wednesday. The death is believed to have involved a fall from a balcony. Police stated that while enquiries are being made, they do not currently consider the death to be suspicious.
4 outlets · Bus driver killed in Parnell crash involving car and electric bus
A bus driver has died and another person was seriously injured following a head-on collision between a car and an electric bus on Tamaki Drive. The crash occurred near Mechanics Bay shortly after 9pm on Wednesday, causing both vehicles to catch fire.
3 outlets · Speaker considers action after Te Pāti Māori MPs burn bill
Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee is seeking advice after Te Pāti Māori MPs Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Tākuta Ferris burnt a copy of the Marine and Coastal Area Amendment Bill outside Parliament. Brownlee described the act as arrogant and irresponsible. He is currently considering whether to take formal action regarding the incident.
+15 outlets · Wellington specialist GP dies after being struck by falling tree branch
Dr Richard Tyler died in hospital after being hit by a tree branch on Mt Victoria on Tuesday morning. The accident occurred on Lookout Rd during high winds. Emergency services were called to the scene around 9.20am following reports of a man with critical injuries.
4 outlets · Labour promises to increase rebate for video game developers
The Labour Party has pledged to boost a $40 million rebate scheme to support New Zealand's video game development industry. Leader Chris Hipkins says the move aims to retain talent and economic opportunities within the sector. The industry is projected to reach $1 billion in revenue by 2027.
3 outlets · Severe weather causes changes to public sector strike rally plans
Public sector unions say Thursday's mega strike will proceed despite severe weather forecasts. While the strike remains scheduled, some outdoor rallies in Wellington and Dunedin have been cancelled or may change. Most Bay of Plenty schools are expected to close, though hospitals will remain open.
+37 outlets · Police investigate death in central Whangārei
A major road in central Whangārei was closed on Wednesday morning following an unexplained death. Officers were called to Bank Street near the intersection of Vine and Water streets at 5.42am. Forensic investigators have cordoned off the area, and the nearby Rose Street bus stop has been closed.
3 outlets · Severe weather and fires cause disruptions across New Zealand
Strong winds and heavy rain have caused power outages and road closures across the country. In Kaikoura, fires have destroyed 14 structures, including five homes, while state highways remain closed due to floods and slips. MetService has issued several significant weather warnings for the South Island and Wellington regions.
3 outlets · Minister calls for intervention in Silver Ferns coaching dispute
Sports Minister Mark Mitchell has requested Sports New Zealand's assistance to resolve the Silver Ferns coaching crisis. High Performance Sport NZ has funded an independent review and player wellbeing support, despite Dame Noeline Taurua, who is at the centre of the dispute, serving on the agency's board.
3 outlets · Columba College principal Charissa Nicol leaves position after period of leave
Charissa Nicol has left her role as principal of Dunedin's Columba College. Nicol, who was appointed in June 2023, has been on leave since July.
3 outlets · Fonterra to invest $75 million in butter production expansion
Fonterra will spend $75 million to increase butter production capacity at its Clandeboye plant in South Canterbury. The investment aims to drive earnings growth following the sale of its global consumer business. The expansion could increase the site's output by up to 50,000 metric tonnes annually.
3 outlets · Tim Macindoe sworn in as Hamilton's new mayor
Tim Macindoe was officially sworn in as Hamilton's mayor during a ceremony at Civic Square. The event included the investiture of the city's new councillors and was held outdoors to increase council visibility.
2 outlets · Sam Neill opposes proposed Bendigo-Ophir gold mine near Cromwell
Actor and Central Otago resident Sir Sam Neill has criticised a proposed open pit gold mine near Tarras, calling the project toxic. While Neill pledged to fight the development, the company planning the Bendigo-Ophir mine stated it welcomes debate based on facts.
4 outlets · Police name victim in Pahīatua homicide investigation
Karen Gilbert-Palmer, 74, has been identified as the woman found dead at a home in Arthur Street, Pahīatua, on 15 October. Police are currently searching for Jeremy Robertson in connection with the death.
2 outlets · Guests and staff evacuated from Auckland central hotel after fire
Dozens of people were evacuated from the Cordis Hotel in central Auckland after a fire broke out in the laundry room. Fire and Emergency crews attended the scene, and the blaze was contained by the building's sprinkler system. No injuries have been reported.
2 outlets · Search for suspect in Pahīatua homicide continues in Rotorua
Search and rescue teams are scouring Rotorua's Blue and Green lakes for Jeremy Robertson. He is wanted by police following the death of his mother, 74-year-old Karen Gilbert-Palmer, at her Pahīatua home last week. Authorities have warned the public not to approach him.
3 outlets · West Coast conservation management strategy put on hold
Work on a new conservation management strategy for the West Coast has been paused. The delay is due to uncertainty regarding upcoming laws that will govern activities on public conservation land. This follows a survey last year involving more than a thousand respondents regarding the management of local lands and waters.
2 outlets · Police investigate man approaching young girl in Whakatu
Hastings police are investigating an incident where a man approached a young girl as she was walking home in Whakatu on Tuesday afternoon. Detective Sergeant Karli Whiu said inquiries are ongoing. Parents in Hawke's Bay have been advised to remain alert following the suspicious encounter.
2 outlets · Riversdale residents face power outages after high winds hit Wairarapa
Strong winds reaching up to 160kmh struck the Wairarapa beachside community of Riversdale on Tuesday. Many residents remain without electricity following the weather event. A red wind warning has been issued as more severe conditions are expected.
3 outlets · Interpol issues alert after royal jewels stolen from Louvre museum
Four masked thieves stole eight priceless royal jewels from the Louvre in Paris on Sunday. The stolen items include pieces from the jewellery set of Empress Marie-Louise. Interpol has issued a worldwide alert as authorities investigate the heist.
2 outlets · Ruapehu ratepayers may face $1m bill after multiple storms
Ruapehu District Council says ratepayers could face recovery costs exceeding $1 million following three major weather events in five months. Roading crews have reconnected all communities previously isolated by flooding in the Ōhura-Matiere area. The council is currently exploring various funding sources to support infrastructure rebuilds.
3 outlets · Dunedin man jailed after police raid uncovers drugs and weapons
A man in his sixties has been sentenced in the Dunedin District Court following a police search of his property. The raid uncovered a loaded firearm, tasers, drugs, and cash. The man, who is currently under interim name suppression, pleaded guilty to ten charges.
2 outlets · Government weakens New Zealand climate disclosure law
The coalition government has reduced the strength of New Zealand's climate-related disclosures law. This follows months of officials presenting the regime to the United Nations as evidence of progress on climate action. The law was originally introduced in 2021.
2 outlets · Auckland couple avoid prison for assaults on two children
Ongoaere Tuakeu and Ngatamaroa Rakauroaiti appeared in Manukau District Court after pleading guilty to multiple violent assaults. The pair repeatedly beat two children with objects including metal poles and a baseball bat over a five-year period while they were in the couple's care.
2 outlets · Several rabbits stolen from two Christchurch wildlife centres
Multiple rabbits, including a rare Enderby Island breed, have been stolen from Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and Arion Farm Education Park. Staff at the Christchurch facilities are concerned for the welfare of the animals, which are part of a conservation programme.
2 outlets · Police seek witnesses in Gisborne murder investigation
Gisborne police are appealing for information regarding the death of Bill Maangi, who was shot on Ormond Road in late September. Mr Maangi, a father of four, died in hospital following the incident. Detectives are continuing their inquiry and urging anyone with information to come forward.
2 outlets · Police commissioner apologises for using helicopter for interstate trip
Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush has apologised for using a police helicopter to travel from Melbourne to Hobart on Monday. The flight was for a meeting with police counterparts from Australia and New Zealand. Bush stated he will not repeat the mistake.
2 outlets · Rāhui placed after person dies near Teal Bay
A rāhui has been established from Teal Bay to Mimiwhangata following a death in the water on Tuesday afternoon. Police were notified of a body in the Helena Bay area at approximately 4.30pm. The death will be referred to the Coroner.
2 outlets · Waikato and Bay of Plenty butchers win sausage awards
Eight Waikato butcheries and Tauranga-based butchers received honours at the 2025 Dunninghams Great New Zealand Sausage Competition in Auckland. Kiwi Fresh Meats from the Bay of Plenty achieved gold for its Brisket & Truffle Butter sausage.
2 outlets · Four MPs drive from Tauranga to Wellington after flight cancellation
Four MPs from National, Labour, and ACT drove 523km from Tauranga to Wellington in a hire car. The group travelled together after Wellington winds caused their flight to be cancelled.
2 outlets · Waitomo mayor calls for review of MetService weather warnings
The Waitomo District mayor is questioning MetService after severe storms caused hundreds of slips and flooded farms last week. The mayor suggests a red warning should have been issued for the area. The weather event also resulted in the closure of numerous roads across the central North Island.
+15 outlets · Amnesty International calls for humanitarian visas for Pacific Islanders
Amnesty International secretary-general Agnès Callamard has criticised New Zealand's immigration policies as discriminatory. Following visits to Tuvalu and Fiji, she urged the government to introduce humanitarian visas and halt deportations for those displaced by the climate crisis.
2 outlets · New film explores families' fight for justice after Pike River disaster
A new feature film focuses on the ongoing struggle for justice by families of the 29 men killed in the 2010 Pike River mine explosions. The film highlights the experiences of families such as Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse fifteen years after the tragedy.
2 outlets · Opposition promises to repeal changes to marine and coastal rights law
Parliament has passed changes to the Marine and Coastal Area Act, which critics argue diminish Māori customary rights. Opposition parties have pledged to overturn the coalition's amendments if they return to power.
3 outlets · Silver Ferns maintain unity following coach controversy and series loss
The Silver Ferns remain united despite ongoing controversy regarding stood-down coach Dame Noeline Taurua. The team is looking to recover in the Constellation Cup after a 69-52 loss to the Australian Diamonds in the series opener.
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