Willis criticises Labour's proposed capital gains tax
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has called Labour's proposed capital gains tax a "terrible idea" that would tax business. Labour plans to campaign on a 28% tax on commercial and residential property profits, excluding farms and family homes, to fund free GP visits.
+15 outlets · Southbound lanes reopen after multi-vehicle crash near Kaiapoi
Both southbound lanes of the Christchurch Northern Motorway were closed on Tuesday morning following a multi-vehicle crash between Ohaka Road and Tram Road. Police were called to the scene around 10.40am, with early reports indicating people were injured. The lanes have since reopened.
+15 outlets · Lightning strike and snow cause power cuts and road closures
A lightning strike has caused a grid emergency and power outages in central North Island areas. Meanwhile, heavy snow in the South Island has trapped vehicles and closed some state highways. In the Clutha region, power may be out for several weeks.
4 outlets · Labour announces targeted capital gains tax to fund free doctor visits
The Labour Party will campaign on a limited capital gains tax covering residential and commercial property, excluding farms and family homes. Revenue from the tax would be used to fund three free GP visits per year for everyone through a Medicard scheme.
+37 outlets · Police seek two men after Te Puke shooting death
Tristan Oakes, 29, died in hospital on Saturday after being shot at his home in Te Puke. Police are searching for Joseph Yorke and Kanan Clarke in connection with the homicide. Authorities have described the two men as dangerous and advised the public not to approach them.
4 outlets · University of Otago apologises for error in third-year law exam
The University of Otago has apologised after an error was discovered in the first question of a third-year Law of Torts exam on Friday. Students were notified of the mistake 50 minutes into the session, and the university has offered affected students the option to re-sit the exam.
3 outlets · Christopher Luxon arrives in South Korea for APEC summit
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has arrived in South Korea for the APEC summit. He is expected to attend a leaders' dinner on Wednesday hosted by President Lee Jae Myung. While no formal meeting is confirmed, the Prime Minister may have an opportunity to meet US President Donald Trump.
4 outlets · Facial recognition technology trial begins at three Christchurch supermarkets
Foodstuffs South Island is starting a three-month trial of facial recognition technology at New World St Martins, PAK’nSAVE Papanui, and PAK’nSAVE Moorhouse. The technology aims to identify individuals who have previously been violent or threatening in stores to help prevent harm from repeat offenders.
4 outlets · Labour promises three free GP visits funded by capital gains tax
Labour has announced a policy to provide three free doctor visits per year starting in mid-2028. The initiative would be funded by a 28% capital gains tax on commercial property sales. While the party expresses confidence in healthcare capacity, some members of the medical workforce have expressed scepticism.
3 outlets · Widow revives appeal to clear convicted murderer husband's name
Julie Appelgren is restarting a Court of Appeal process to clear the name of her late husband, Ross Appelgren. He was convicted of killing fellow prisoner Darcy Te Hira at Mt Eden prison in 1985. The legal team claims new evidence will prove his innocence.
3 outlets · Measles cases rise to 11 following new Wellington detection
Health New Zealand has confirmed a new measles case in the Wellington region, bringing the national total to 11. The latest cluster is linked to Wellington College and Wellington Girls' College, with thousands of close contacts identified. Of the known cases, one is linked to overseas travel while 10 were contracted locally.
+26 outlets · Farmer warns of injury risks during Clutha storm clean up
First responder and Clutha farmer Richard Hunter is warning that people attempting to clear storm damage themselves could be injured. Following a devastating storm that cut off power, water, and communications across Southland and Clutha, many farmers are now facing a difficult recovery process.
3 outlets · Luxon seeks stronger trade ties at East Asia Summit
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is attending the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur to pursue strategic partnerships with ASEAN. The summit includes discussions on trade and security, with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim calling for multilateralism and international law.
3 outlets · Growing criticism over government school curriculum changes
Experts and teachers are expressing concern over the government's curriculum changes as it prepares to publish remaining primary school learning areas. Maths specialists have raised concerns regarding the educational direction, while arts and physical education teachers have also voiced significant opposition.
3 outlets · New Zealand insurer suspected of facilitating sanctioned Iranian and Russian oil trade
A small insurance company based in New Zealand is suspected of helping tankers trade tens of billions of dollars of sanctioned Iranian and Russian oil. The vessels involved have been tracked offloading cargo in locations including China, India, and Malaysia.
2 outlets · Luna remains the most popular pet name in New Zealand
The name Luna has topped the list for both cats and dogs for the seventh consecutive year. According to data from the NZ Companion Animal Register, the name remains the most popular choice for pets in 2025.
2 outlets · Government releases full draft curriculum for years 0 to 10
Education Minister Erica Stanford has released a draft curriculum for students in years 0 to 10. The proposal is now open for consultation following criticism from maths education experts. The government describes the move as a step toward creating a world-leading education system.
2 outlets · Iwi and unions protest coalition Government in Whanganui
Approximately 200 people gathered in Whanganui for Rā Whakamana, a nationwide day of action. The protest, which coincided with the anniversary of He Whakaputanga, called for the protection of workers' rights and the reaffirmation of tino rangatiratanga.
2 outlets · New Zealand and Malaysia agree on halal certification deal
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Malaysian deputy prime minister Ahmed Zahid Hamidi have announced a new agreement to streamline halal certification. The deal aims to grow New Zealand exports by allowing the Malaysian government to certify New Zealand meat producers. The announcement was made during the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
3 outlets · Thousands remain without power in Southland and Otago after severe weather
More than 5,600 properties in Southland and South Otago remain without electricity following a week of severe weather. A state of emergency remains in effect for Southland as communities deal with the impact of the storms.
2 outlets · Otago mother diagnosed with incurable stage 4 colon cancer
Briar Dawson, a 24-year-old woman from Clinton, has been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. The diagnosis occurred in March following a colonoscopy intended to investigate suspected Crohn’s disease. Dawson is now focused on making memories with her daughter.
2 outlets · Police warn motorists not to pick up hitchhiker resembling suspect
Police are searching for Jeremy Robertson following the death of 74-year-old Karen Gilbert-Palmer. The woman was found dead at a property on Arthur Street in Pahīatua on 15 October. Motorists are advised not to pick up any hitchhikers resembling the man.
2 outlets · Trial begins for three accused of murdering Auckland teenager
Zak Kameta, Matthew Snaylam, and Hassan Al Fadhli are facing trial for the murder of Jayden Mamfredos. The Crown alleges the teenager was killed over a kilogram of methamphetamine at a rural Auckland property. The defendants have maintained their innocence.
2 outlets · Te Pāti Māori leadership moves to suspend MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi
Te Pāti Māori is attempting to suspend MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi following an executive meeting. The party's leadership has made serious allegations against activist Eru Kapa-Kingi, the MP's son, who says he is seeking legal counsel. The move has caused division among party members and MPs.
2 outlets · Air New Zealand launches new Christchurch to Adelaide seasonal service
Air New Zealand has commenced a seasonal flight service between Christchurch and Adelaide. The new route will offer approximately 15,000 seats using Airbus aircraft. This service arrives as Qantas prepares to launch its own weekly flights from Auckland to Adelaide.
2 outlets · Motorbike and cash seized during Christchurch police search operation
Police seized a motorbike, power tools, and over $9,000 in cash during a search warrant in Christchurch. The operation, involving tactical and rural units, followed investigations into commercial burglaries. Officers also recovered drug utensils, ammunition, and firearm parts.
2 outlets · Hundreds of vehicles trapped in snow on State Highway One
Approximately 200 vehicles, including police patrol cars and a tow truck, became stuck in heavy snow on the Dunedin-Waitati Road on Monday night. The situation began following a single vehicle crash in slushy conditions. Senior Sergeant Karl Hemmingsen assisted in helping motorists through the snow-impacted section of the highway.
2 outlets · One person seriously injured in Mangatāwhiri vehicle crash
Emergency services responded to a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of Pinnacle Hill Road and State Highway 2 on Tuesday afternoon. One person was flown to hospital in serious condition. Police have closed the highway near the Auckland and Waikato border while investigations continue.
2 outlets · Auckland landlord misses deadline to pay $240,700 tenancy breach penalty
Beach Road Hotel Limited has failed to pay $240,700 in exemplary damages by the agreed deadline. The penalty was issued following an investigation into serious safety and tenancy breaches affecting 64 tenants at The Station Hotel in central Auckland.
2 outlets · ACC stops payments to record number of long-term clients
Nearly 8,000 long-term ACC clients had their payments stopped in the year to June after the agency decided they were work-ready or no longer injured. Some affected individuals, including a Dunedin man, claim they are unable to work and believe the decision is a cost-saving measure.
3 outlets · Temu unable to verify source of magnets swallowed by boy
Temu says it cannot confirm if the magnets consumed by a 13-year-old boy were purchased from its website. The boy required major surgery after swallowing between 80 and 100 neodymium magnets. These types of magnets have been banned since 2014.
2 outlets · Southland farmer says storm damage exceeds regional relief fund
Winton deer farmer Cam Nelson says the cost to repair his business alone will exceed the total government relief allocated for the region. The Southland and Clutha Mayoral Relief Funds have received $150,000 to assist with recovery following last week's storm.
3 outlets · Beneficiaries and pensioners facing faster cost of living increases
New data from Stats NZ shows that beneficiaries and people on NZ Super are experiencing faster cost of living increases. Meanwhile, the average New Zealand household saw a 2.4 per cent increase over the previous 12 months.
+26 outlets · Tributes paid to Irish man who died in Queenstown accident
Dillon McDermott, a man from Galway, Ireland, has died following a balcony fall in Queenstown on 22 October. Mourners have described him as a positive and uplifting person. His body is expected to be repatriated to Ireland.
2 outlets · Southland and Clutha remain under local state of emergency after storm
A fierce storm in Southland and South Otago has caused widespread loss of power, water, and communications. The Southland mayor stated the region was unprepared for the rapid escalation of the weather event. Local states of emergency remain in place for Southland and Clutha as thousands of properties await power restoration.
2 outlets · Tauranga mayor and councillors assess performance after 14 months
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale and his councillors have rated their performance across seven key areas. After 14 months in their special term, Drysdale gave himself a seven out of 10 for leadership, a score lower than most of his team members.
3 outlets · Northern Territory Police renew recruitment drive for New Zealand officers
Australia's Northern Territory Police are planning to visit Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington and Christchurch to recruit New Zealand officers. New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has requested an explanation from his Australian counterpart regarding the recruitment efforts.
2 outlets · Government pledges $6m towards Hauraki Gulf restoration initiative
The Government has committed $6 million to a $26 million public-private package aimed at rejuvenating the Hauraki Gulf. The initiative includes $20 million from the NEXT Foundation to support reef restoration, protect marine life, and upgrade island infrastructure across 19 new protected areas.
2 outlets · Government to establish advisory group to review aged care funding
A ministerial advisory group will be formed to provide recommendations for the aged care funding model. The government intends to review the current system, which officials describe as out of date.
2 outlets · First home buyers increasing market share in Wellington
First home buyers now account for 36% of the Wellington property market. While property values have fallen in the capital, these buyers are taking advantage of the subdued market according to Cotality's monthly housing report.
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