Man charged with murder after fatal Bucklands Beach house fire
A 38-year-old man has been charged with two counts of murder following a house fire in Bucklands Beach on 2 October. The blaze, which police say was deliberately lit, killed Jung Sup Lee, 36, and his 11-year-old son, Ha-il Lee. The man remains in custody and is due to appear in court.
4 outlets · Man charged over series of cellphone tower arsons in Otago
A 41-year-old man has been arrested and charged with arson and firearms offences following a series of cellphone tower fires in Wānaka and Lindis Pass. Police say the attacks damaged vital infrastructure and posed risks to public safety. The man is due to appear in Queenstown District Court on Friday.
4 outlets · Whakatāne mayor supports state subsidies for regional flights
Whakatāne's mayor has expressed support for Air New Zealand's suggestion that the government provide subsidies for regional flights. Chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar proposed situational assistance during economic downturns to maintain service to smaller centres. However, Associate Transport Minister James Meager stated the airline has not formally approached the government regarding financial subsidies.
3 outlets · Terrorist can be called as witness at mosque attack inquest
The High Court has dismissed a judicial review regarding the decision to call Brenton Tarrant as a witness for the Christchurch mosque attacks inquest. Although victims' families and survivors had objected, deputy chief coroner Brigitte Windley ruled the Australian-born terrorist can appear at the second-phase inquest.
+15 outlets · Judge rejects recount challenge for Kaipara mayoral election
High Court Judge Kevin Kelly has dismissed a judicial application for a vote recount in the Kaipara District Council mayoral election. Councillor Snow Tane sought the recount after losing the race to Jonathan Larsen by 21 votes.
3 outlets · North Canterbury farmers begin clean-up after destructive storm
Severe gales swept through North Canterbury on Thursday, causing significant damage to farms and homes. In Balmoral, more than 80 pine trees were blown over on a single road, and a two-bedroom home was crushed by a falling tree. Residents in Culverden, Rotherham, and Waiau are now assessing the damage.
3 outlets · Winston Peters argues courts undermine democracy at Oxford Union debate
Foreign Minister Winston Peters spoke at the Oxford Union in England, warning that judicial overreach could threaten democracy. His appearance follows recent debates by ACT leader David Seymour and Labour MP Willie Jackson.
3 outlets · Arrests likely after fires lit during Canterbury fire ban
Police say arrests are likely after people lit fires in Canterbury despite a total ban on outdoor fires and fireworks. The ban was implemented due to extreme fire risk from high winds and dry conditions. The restrictions remain in place until Monday, 27 October.
3 outlets · Air New Zealand flight makes emergency landing in Sydney
Air New Zealand flight NZ221 from Christchurch experienced a technical issue, reported as a hydraulic failure, while flying over the Tasman. Emergency services met the Airbus A320 at Sydney Airport as a precaution. A subsequent flight bound for Queenstown has been cancelled due to the incident.
3 outlets · New Pacifica pirate ship ride opens at Rainbow's End
A new 13m-long pirate ship ride named Pacifica has opened at Rainbow's End. The attraction can carry 50 passengers and swings 75 degrees to each side. This new ride arrives eight years after the original pirate ship was demolished.
3 outlets · McDonald’s lodges second bid for Wānaka restaurant
McDonald’s has submitted a new resource consent application to the Queenstown Lakes District Council for a restaurant in Wānaka. This follows a previous attempt that faced significant local opposition. The company is now seeking non-notified consent, which would mean no public submissions are required.
4 outlets · Relief teacher censured after recording students captured him discussing sex
Graham Reinheimer, a 68-year-old relief teacher, has been censured after students recorded him discussing his sexual history. The incident occurred during a food technology class at a boys' secondary school in 2023. Reinheimer claimed the students baited him into the conversation.
4 outlets · Boy undergoes major surgery after swallowing up to 100 magnets
A 13-year-old boy required emergency surgery at Tauranga Hospital, where surgeons removed part of his bowel. The boy had ingested between 80 and 100 small neodymium magnets purchased from the online marketplace Temu. Doctors have issued warnings regarding the availability of these banned items online.
4 outlets · Police release photos of primary campsites used by Tom Phillips
New images show heavily concealed and semi-permanent structures believed to be primary campsites used by Tom Phillips. Police say Phillips used these sites while evading authorities for nearly four years. He was killed in a shootout with police on 8 September following reports of a burglary.
+37 outlets · Tāmaki Drive reopens after fatal bus and car collision
Tāmaki Drive in Auckland has reopened following a collision between an electric bus and a car on Wednesday night. The crash, which occurred around 9pm, resulted in the death of the Kinetic bus driver. Auckland Transport confirmed the road is now fully open between Ngapipi Road and The Strand.
3 outlets · Amber alert issued for missing five-year-old boy in Kaponga
Police have issued an amber alert for James Reihana, a five-year-old non-verbal and severely autistic boy missing from his home in Kaponga. He was last seen at 11pm on Thursday and was discovered missing from his bed early Friday morning. Authorities are asking for sightings of the boy.
3 outlets · Invasive hornet queen discovered on Auckland's North Shore
A queen yellow-legged hornet has been found building a nest on Auckland's North Shore, marking the first discovery of the invasive species in New Zealand. A bee expert warns the pest could pose a serious problem for the local honey industry. Residents are being encouraged to watch for the insects.
3 outlets · Cleanup begins after destructive winds hit North and South Islands
Powerful winds have caused property damage, toppled trees, and left tens of thousands without electricity across the lower North Island and South Island. States of emergency remain in Canterbury and Southland, while residents in Eketāhuna continue to assess damage from the two-day storm.
4 outlets · Tens of thousands remain without power following severe weather
Gale force winds and heavy rain have left tens of thousands of households without electricity across New Zealand. Lines companies have warned that full power restoration could take several days. Emergency services also responded to numerous calls overnight regarding damaged roofs and fallen trees.
2 outlets · State of emergency lifted for most of Canterbury
A state of emergency has been lifted for much of the Canterbury region following severe weather. The declaration remains in place for the Kaikōura district, while fires in Kaikōura and Waiau are expected to be handed back to landowners on Friday.
2 outlets · Two new measles cases confirmed in Taranaki and Wellington
Health New Zealand has confirmed two additional measles cases, located in Taranaki and Wellington, bringing the national total to eight. Several infections are linked to an exposure event on the Bluebridge Ferry on 3 October. Health officials say the risk of further cases is very high.
2 outlets · Police appeal for information to locate wanted man in Canterbury
Police are searching for 38-year-old Ross Hunt, who is wanted on an active arrest warrant. Authorities believe he has connections within the Canterbury region and are asking the public for help locating him.
2 outlets · Ruapehu Civil Defence on standby during Labour Weekend
Ruapehu's Emergency Operations Centre is on alert for the Labour Weekend period due to forecasts of unsettled weather and strong westerlies. Police and NZTA have also issued safety and traffic warnings to motorists travelling during the holiday.
3 outlets · Mayor-elect unable to declare civil defence emergency during Kaikōura weather events
Craig Mackle, the re-elected Kaikōura mayor, could not declare a civil defence emergency during recent severe weather. Although re-elected for a third term, he is not due to be sworn in until 29 October, meaning he lacked the official power to act during the emergency.
2 outlets · Former music judge Paul Ellis sentenced for fifth drink-driving offence
Paul Ellis has been sentenced to four months of home detention after being caught driving at nearly seven times the legal alcohol limit. The 62-year-old, a former NZ Idol judge, also received an indefinite driving disqualification in the Nelson District Court.
2 outlets · Family appeal for information on missing 11-year-old boy in Canada
The family of 11-year-old Kai Pavlovic is seeking help to find him nearly a month after concerns were raised about his whereabouts in British Columbia. The boy has relatives in both Canada and New Zealand, and his family has expressed grave concerns for his safety.
4 outlets · Waitangi Tribunal finds Government breached Te Tiriti over te reo Māori
The Waitangi Tribunal has ruled that the coalition Government breached several Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles. The findings state that the Crown's actions have undermined the status of te reo Māori as a taonga by deprioritising its use within public services.
2 outlets · Two 20-year-olds identified following fatal Brynderwyn crash
Vicky-May Davies and Memphis Strachan died in a collision between a car and a truck on State Highway 1. The accident occurred early on the morning of 17 October at Brynderwyn. The truck driver involved in the crash sustained minor injuries.
2 outlets · Funding for Te Karere Māori news bulletin has been reduced
Māori media funder Te Māngai Pāho has significantly cut funding for the long-standing news programme Te Karere. The current affairs show The Hui will have its funding removed entirely. Te Karere is the last remaining Māori news bulletin on television.
2 outlets · Ferry breakdown near Waiheke Island triggers passenger evacuation
An engine issue caused smoke on the Island Direct ferry Te Waiora, leading to a mayday call. Three rescue boats evacuated 18 passengers and six crew members. The vessel had been added to the operator's fleet earlier this week, and Maritime NZ is investigating the incident.
2 outlets · Man jailed for possessing and distributing child abuse images
George Stanley Fuimaono, 27, has been sentenced to three years and 11 months in prison by the Auckland District Court. He pleaded guilty to charges involving more than 2000 images depicting the sexual exploitation of children and babies aged between one and 14 years old.
2 outlets · GrabOne liquidation leaves creditors owing more than $16.5 million
Global Marketplace New Zealand, the operator of GrabOne, has entered liquidation. The company owes creditors over $16.5 million, including staff, businesses, and Inland Revenue. Some retailers are struggling to cover costs for vouchers sold by the site that remain unpaid.
4 outlets · Strong winds rip roof off North Canterbury home
A violent gust of wind ripped half the roof off a house in Oxford on Thursday morning. The incident left the interior drenched by rain and sent debris across the road, smashing a car window. The family was forced to shelter in a home office during the storm.
3 outlets · Record numbers of New Zealanders experiencing burnout
More than half of New Zealanders report feeling burnt out at work. Factors contributing to this rise include job insecurity, economic pressures, and the constant demand to be available. Experts suggest this is becoming increasingly common across the country.
2 outlets · Falling trees kill sheep and cut power on Wairarapa farms
Storm conditions in Wairarapa have caused significant damage, including fallen trees that killed sheep and cut power to farms. Federated Farmers spokesperson Katie Wyeth noted that rural communities are currently working to clear debris and repair fences.
2 outlets · Calmer weekend forecast before severe weather returns next week
New Zealanders can expect a brief period of calmer weather over the long weekend. MetService forecasts that rain and strong winds will return on Monday as a new weather system moves across the country.
2 outlets · Police search for man wanted in connection with mother's death
Police are searching for Jeremy Robertson following the death of his mother, Karen Gilbert-Palmer, in Pahīatua. The 74-year-old woman was found dead at her Arthur Street home on 15 October. Relatives described Gilbert-Palmer as a woman devoted to her family.
4 outlets · One person dead and another hospitalised after Ashburton crash
One person died at the scene and another was seriously injured following a single-vehicle crash near Ashburton. Police were called to Anama Valetta Road in Cavendish at approximately 10.45pm on Thursday.
2 outlets · Coroner finds inmate waited months for mental health care before death
A coroner has found that Jessie James-McDonald waited four months for forensic mental health services before dying in his Rimutaka Prison cell in May 2020. Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale stated that Covid-19 lockdowns worsened access to already overstretched mental health services.
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