Strong winds cause power outages across the South Island
Severe winds have caused widespread power outages across the top of the South Island and the West Coast. Marlborough Lines reported that over 26,000 people were initially without power, though some electricity has since been restored. In Wairarapa, residents have been stocking up on supplies as gale-force winds continue.
4 outlets · Official funeral held for former prime minister Jim Bolger
Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger was farewelled at an official service in Paraparaumu on Thursday. Politicians from across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, attended the ceremony at Our Lady of Kāpiti Catholic Church. Tributes were led by Bolger's wife, Joan, amidst stormy weather.
+26 outlets · Thousands of workers participate in nationwide mega-strike over pay and conditions
Up to 100,000 teachers, healthcare workers, and other public sector employees have walked off the job in a coordinated nationwide strike. Rallies were held in locations including Auckland, Rotorua, and Hamilton, while many schools closed and non-emergency medical procedures were delayed.
+26 outlets · Red wind warnings issued as wild weather hits New Zealand
Red wind warnings have been issued for Canterbury, Wellington, and Wairarapa as life-threatening gale force winds hit the country. A state of emergency is in place for Canterbury, and numerous flights have been cancelled. Residents have been urged to stay home and avoid travel due to the severe conditions.
4 outlets · Passengers evacuated after Waiheke Island ferry catches fire
An Island Direct ferry caught fire in the Hauraki Gulf on Thursday afternoon following an alleged engine exhaust issue. Passengers were safely evacuated by three responding vessels after a mayday call was issued. Several ferry sailings were subsequently cancelled due to the incident.
4 outlets · Wellington GP Richard Tyler remembered after fatal tree branch accident
Dr Richard Tyler, a founding partner at Johnsonville Medical Centre, died on Tuesday after being struck by a falling tree branch during high winds in Mt Victoria. He is being remembered by his practice as a beloved GP and mentor who supported generations of families.
4 outlets · Cook Strait ferry passengers potentially exposed to measles
Health New Zealand has identified a Bluebridge ferry sailing from Picton to Wellington as a high-risk measles exposure event. Contact tracers have located the source of the outbreak on the October 3 sailing. There are now eight confirmed measles cases across New Zealand.
+37 outlets · Red wind warnings issued for Christchurch and Wellington as storm hits
Severe weather has brought damaging winds to Christchurch and Wellington, with gusts expected to reach up to 150km/h. The storm has caused power outages, flight cancellations, and property damage, including a roof being torn off a home in Newlands. Red wind warnings remain in place for parts of the country.
3 outlets · Truck rolls on Canterbury highway during severe weather
A truck overturned on State Highway 73 west of Springfield due to high winds. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi reports that all highways to the West Coast are currently closed. The severe weather has also caused power outages and road closures across the South Island.
3 outlets · Aucklanders urged to report sightings after yellow-legged hornet queen found
Biosecurity New Zealand is warning residents to stay vigilant after a yellow-legged hornet queen was discovered building a nest in Glenfield. This is the first time a queen of this species has been found in the country. Officers have removed the early-stage nest, which poses a potential threat to honey and wild bee populations.
3 outlets · Greymouth water supply critically low after storm damages treatment plant
Storm damage to the electrical system at the Greymouth water treatment plant has left some residents without water. The Omoto Reservoir has reached critically low levels, prompting the Grey District Council to urge residents to conserve water and keep taps turned off. A 12,000l water tanker has arrived from Westland to assist.
3 outlets · Auckland construction firm fined for first criminal cartel prosecution
An unnamed Auckland construction company has been fined $30,000 after admitting to bid-rigging for publicly funded infrastructure projects. This marks New Zealand's first prosecution for criminal cartel conduct. The fine was set at the upper limit of the company's ability to pay.
3 outlets · Police seek help to find missing 17-year-old from Palmerston North
Police are searching for 17-year-old Aimee, who was reported missing from the Palmerston North area on 15 October. She has not been physically seen since 26 September, and authorities are asking for the public's assistance to locate her.
3 outlets · Investigation ordered after Nelson Hospital backup generators fail during power outage
Health Minister Simeon Brown has called for an independent investigation after Nelson Hospital's backup generators failed during a power outage caused by heavy winds. Striking staff returned to the hospital this morning to care for patients following the incident. The hospital reportedly lost electricity for approximately 45 minutes.
3 outlets · Coroner clears van driver of cannabis use in fatal forest crash
A coroner has found that a van driver was entirely sober before a 2019 crash in Kaingaroa Forest killed four forestry workers. The investigation revealed the accident was avoidable and has prompted calls for a WorkSafe probe into the incident.
3 outlets · Southern regions warned of destructive winds and heavy rain
MetService has issued warnings for potentially destructive winds across southern regions, including Canterbury and Wellington. Residents are advised to stay indoors or seek shelter as gusts could reach 150km/h in the Canterbury High Country. Travel disruptions have already been reported, including train cancellations in Wellington.
3 outlets · Massive joint strike involving 100,000 workers expected across New Zealand
Tens of thousands of teachers, healthcare workers, and other essential staff are walking off the job today. While some demonstrations have been cancelled due to heavy rain and high wind forecasts, the large-scale industrial action is expected to cause school closures and scaled-back hospital operations.
4 outlets · Wild weather causes power outages and tree damage in Dunedin
A fast-moving weather front has caused widespread power outages in Mosgiel, Opoho, and Northeast Valley. The storm has toppled large trees across Dunedin and previously caused damage in Southland. MetService issued red warnings for Southland and coastal Clutha due to damaging wind gusts.
2 outlets · Marama Davidson apologises after Right to Repair bill is discharged
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson apologised after arriving late to the second reading of her Right to Repair bill. The bill was discharged because she missed her speaking slot by approximately 20 seconds. The legislation would have required manufacturers to repair products rather than simply replacing them.
3 outlets · Greazy Dogs gang members fined for running illegal raffle
Two patched members of the Greazy Dogs MC gang have been fined for conducting an illegal raffle without a gambling licence. The raffle offered prizes including a 2005 V-Rod motorcycle and $10,000 cash.
2 outlets · Police standoff in Maitai leads to evacuations
Armed police and negotiation teams are attending a standoff at a property on Hardy Street East in Nelson. Residents were ordered to evacuate after a man reportedly made threats inside a private home. Officers were first called to the scene around 3:30pm on Thursday.
2 outlets · Kaikōura residents prepare for return of gale force winds
Residents in Kaikōura are bracing for incoming northwesterly gales following fires that destroyed more than a dozen homes and structures. The blaze, fuelled by winds reaching 150km/h, destroyed buildings at the Avodah Spiritual Retreat. Firefighters are concerned that new winds may fan embers from the recent fires.
2 outlets · Black Caps attempt to level Twenty20 series against England
The Black Caps face England in the third Twenty20 match at Eden Park. New Zealand has already lost any chance of winning the three-match series following a 65-run defeat in the second game.
2 outlets · Man sentenced to home detention for immigration fraud scheme
Umesh Patel, 59, has been sentenced to nine months' home detention after pleading guilty to 37 charges. The New Zealand citizen orchestrated a scheme involving fake jobs to deceive officials during visa applications. Applicants were reportedly charged between $10,000 and $30,000 for his services.
2 outlets · Unsettled weather causes power outages and fires across New Zealand
Severe weather, including heavy rain and strong gales, has caused power cuts, road closures, and fires. In Hawke's Bay, high winds led to the cancellation of the A&P Show's opening day. While conditions have been disruptive, the worst of the weather is expected to subside soon.
2 outlets · Central Christchurch avoids worst of severe weather winds
Strong winds have impacted parts of the South Island, causing road closures and flight cancellations. While outskirts experienced heavy winds, central Christchurch appears to have been spared the worst of the weather system.
3 outlets · Former Hutt mayor settles legal dispute with ex-councillor Chris Milne
Former Lower Hutt mayor Campbell Barry has settled legal action against former councillor Chris Milne regarding Facebook posts. Milne apologised to Barry's wife after being accused of making false allegations that led to online abuse of the mayor's family. Milne stated there was no point in proceeding to trial.
2 outlets · Four arrested after tobacco and cannabis seizure in Auckland
Customs officers arrested four Chinese nationals following searches at various Auckland properties. Investigators recovered approximately 1,200kg of loose tobacco in a storage unit, along with a cannabis grow house, illegal cigarettes, and small amounts of methamphetamine. The operation was linked to a previous seizure of nearly one million cigarettes in August.
2 outlets · Homes and hotel evacuated near Hanmer Springs due to large fire
A small number of homes and Braemar Lodge have been evacuated because of a large fire southeast of Hanmer Springs. Firefighters are struggling to reach the blaze due to roads blocked by fallen trees. State Highway 7 is closed between Waipara and Springs Junction, while extreme winds are preventing air operations.
2 outlets · Severe storms cause damage across North Canterbury
Gale-force winds battered North Canterbury on Thursday morning, causing significant damage. In Oxford, a resident's roof was ripped off during the storm, while a Culverden farmer reported topsoil being blown away and potential crop loss.
3 outlets · Northland man jailed for possessing child sexual exploitation material
A 52-year-old Northland man has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison after admitting to possessing objectionable material. More than 3,000 abusive images and videos were discovered on his computer. He told the Whangārei District Court that a morbid fascination drove him to view the content for approximately 20 years.
2 outlets · Strong winds cause widespread power outages across Canterbury
More than 6,200 homes in Northern Canterbury lost power on Thursday due to severe winds. The weather caused significant damage in Hanmer Springs, where residents reported fallen trees, fences, and flying trampolines. Over 1,600 people in the Hanmer Springs area were affected by the outages.
3 outlets · One person dead in two-vehicle crash near Kinleith
A person died at the scene following a serious two-vehicle crash on State Highway 1 near Kinleith on Wednesday evening. Emergency services were called to the incident near Kinleith Road around 6.10pm. Another individual sustained moderate injuries in the collision.
2 outlets · Public sector workers strike for better pay and working conditions
Approximately 100,000 public sector employees, including teachers and nurses, are participating in industrial action today. The strike is expected to cause school closures and delays to non-emergency medical procedures across the country.
2 outlets · North Island and Wairarapa named in Lonely Planet travel lists
Lonely Planet has included New Zealand's North Island in its top 25 destinations for 2026. Additionally, the Wairarapa region has been recognised for its food, wine, and stargazing experiences in the publication's top experiences list.
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