Te Pāti Māori president faces calls to resign amid internal rift
The Te Tai Tonga electorate committee has launched a petition calling for party president John Tamihere to stand down. In response, Tamihere has urged MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris to resign from Parliament, accusing them of greed and entitlement.
+26 outlets · Person seriously injured in Riccarton workplace accident
A person was seriously injured on Monday morning during a workplace accident at a KiwiRail depot on Matipo Street, Riccarton. The individual was reportedly injured while unloading an item from a wagon. Emergency services transported the patient to Christchurch Hospital in serious condition.
+15 outlets · Wesley College hostels ordered to close by Friday
The Ministry of Education has suspended the boarding licence for Wesley College, ordering its hostels to close by this Friday. This brings forward a previous plan to close the facilities at the end of term four. The decision follows serious and harmful incidents regarding student safety and hostel culture.
+15 outlets · Dame Noeline Taurua speaks after being reinstated as Silver Ferns coach
Dame Noeline Taurua has returned to her role as Silver Ferns head coach following a suspension in September. Describing her recent ordeal as horrific, she stated she will resign if she lacks support from management and players. Taurua will not accompany the team to the UK this month.
+48 outlets · Person injured after falling from Wellington apartment balcony during shooting
A person sustained moderate injuries after falling from a Brooklyn Road apartment balcony on Sunday while fleeing a shotgun blast. Police believe the shooter was targeting a specific individual and the victim was not hit by the gunfire. Officers are currently searching for the offender, who remains at large.
+26 outlets · Police seize cocaine worth $12.6 million in Auckland
Workers at an Auckland business discovered 36kg of cocaine hidden inside a shipping container. The drugs were found on top of a legitimate shipment from Brazil. Police have launched an investigation to locate the criminal syndicate responsible for the smuggling.
+15 outlets · Woman found dead after missing on West Coast tramp
A 27-year-old German woman has been found dead near Fox River on the West Coast. She was reported overdue on Saturday morning after failing to return from a solo tramping trip started on Thursday. Police located her body over the weekend following a search operation.
+15 outlets · Police seize 31 firearms following North Canterbury illegal hunting investigation
Police have seized 31 firearms and suspended six licences after investigating an illegal hunting network in North Canterbury. The investigation, prompted by shots fired near a Cheviot home, alleges that licence holders supplied weapons to unlicensed hunters and attempted to mislead authorities.
+26 outlets · Large fire damages two homes in Island Bay
A major fire on High Street in Island Bay damaged two homes and a garage on Monday evening. Firefighters worked through windy conditions to monitor hot spots, and an investigator was due at the scene on Tuesday morning.
+15 outlets · Chinese tourists can now travel to New Zealand visa-free via Australia
Chinese tourists with an eligible Australian visa can now travel to New Zealand without a visitor visa by requesting an Electronic Travel Authority. The government expects this change to increase annual visitor numbers by 50,000.
3 outlets · Nelson Hospital emergency department expansion officially opened
Health Minister Simeon Brown has opened a new wing at Nelson Hospital to increase capacity for urgent care. The expansion includes new consultation space and six beds, though the department will not be fully operational until April. Officials noted that additional staff are required to utilise the new capacity.
3 outlets · Christopher Luxon to address media after returning from Asia trip
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has returned to Wellington following a week-long tour of Malaysia and South Korea. He attended the East Asia Summit and APEC meetings during his trip. Luxon is scheduled to speak to reporters at the Beehive this afternoon following a Cabinet meeting.
3 outlets · Wellington City Council to remove temporary waterfront fencing
Wellington City Council will remove temporary fencing from the waterfront this week as $7m safety upgrades continue. The barriers were installed following the 2023 death of Isaac Levings, despite a coroner's previous recommendation for further safety measures to prevent drownings.
3 outlets · Sheep grazing trial begins to reduce fire risk in Port Hills
The Christchurch City Council has started a trial using sheep to graze dry grass in the Port Hills to help prevent fires. The Kennedys Bush track is closed until Wednesday to allow the trial to proceed. The initiative follows suggestions from neighbours after previous devastating fires in the area.
3 outlets · Melissa Stokes to replace Simon Dallow as 1News at Six presenter
Melissa Stokes will move from weekend presenting to anchor the 6pm bulletin five nights a week. She takes over from Simon Dallow, who is stepping down from the role at the end of the month.
3 outlets · Coroner warns of DIY risks after Northland man killed by mower
A coroner has ruled that the 2022 death of Ian McLarnon was preventable. The 75-year-old Pukenui man was pinned and killed when a half-tonne ride-on mower slipped off a forklift while he was fixing it.
3 outlets · Visitors warned to watch for disoriented birds in Kaikōura
Locals and visitors in Kaikōura are being asked to look for distressed Hutton's shearwater birds that may have crash landed. The nationally vulnerable species can become disoriented by artificial lights during their current breeding season.
3 outlets · Former All Black challenges Seymour over fire truck breakdown claims
Former All Black and firefighter Steve Devine has disputed Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour's claims regarding fire truck breakdowns. While Seymour stated only one breakdown had caused a delay in recent months, Devine alleges at least one truck breaks down daily in New Zealand.
3 outlets · Auckland junior physiotherapist accessed records of non-patients
A junior physiotherapist at an Auckland hospital accessed the private files of between 44 and 48 people who were not his patients. The accessed records included sensitive information regarding organ donors, mental health patients, and victims of stabbings and gunshots.
2 outlets · Minister warned of retail crime advisory group chair's behaviour
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has received official advice regarding the concerning behaviour of retail crime advisory group chairman Sunny Kaushal. While reports indicate a tax issue linked to Kaushal's invoices, the Minister stated that Kaushal retains his confidence. Kaushal has said he is unaware of any concerns.
3 outlets · Man not informed of mother's serious injuries at Manurewa rest home
A man claims he was not notified when his mother sustained serious injuries while staying at Elmwood Village in Manurewa. The injuries resulted in the woman requiring a leg amputation. Oceania Healthcare, which operates the facility, stated it has strengthened operations following previous criticism from the Health and Disability Commissioner.
2 outlets · Police investigate alleged arson at Ōrewa cafe
Police have launched Operation Governor to investigate an alleged arson at the Sunflour Cafe in Ōrewa over the weekend. Authorities are investigating whether the blaze is linked to a previous pub fire in Auckland. This incident follows three other reported cases of damage to local businesses.
2 outlets · Car rolls onto train tracks at Featherston Station
A vehicle accidentally rolled across a platform and onto the tracks at Featherston Station on Monday morning. The driver, Lee Carter, described the event as an innocent accident. A witness reported attempting to stop the runaway car as it crashed onto the railway lines.
2 outlets · Cyclist seriously injured in State Highway 6 crash near Gibbston
A cyclist was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in serious condition following a collision with a car on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred on Gibbston Highway in Central Otago at approximately 12.25pm. Emergency services attended the scene, and the highway was briefly closed.
2 outlets · Guyon Espiner to host RNZ Midday Report from January 2026
Broadcaster Guyon Espiner will return to RNZ National to present the Midday Report starting in January 2026. He succeeds Charlotte Cook, who has moved into a new role as a field correspondent. Espiner has previously co-hosted Morning Report and worked with the In Depth team.
3 outlets · Man wrongly convicted of murder jailed for sexual connection with minor
Kelvin John Williams has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison by the High Court at Christchurch. The 53-year-old, who previously served 22 years for a murder conviction that was overturned, was convicted of having a sexual connection with a 15-year-old girl.
3 outlets · Doctors warn of staffing risks as new hospital wards are announced
The Government will add 140 beds through a fast-tracked programme at Middlemore, Waikato, Wellington, and Nelson hospitals by 2026. While Health Minister Simeon Brown says staffing will be sufficient, medical experts have warned that understaffing remains a significant danger to patient safety.
3 outlets · Southland communities recover after destructive storms
Rural communities in Southland and South Otago are recovering from severe winds that occurred late last month. The storms caused widespread damage, including downed trees and power outages. As of Sunday afternoon, 681 customers remained without electricity according to PowerNet.
3 outlets · Wai Manawa Whenua challenges Crown over freshwater rights in High Court
The Wai Manawa Whenua group has begun a landmark legal challenge in the Wellington High Court. Representing various Māori landowners and iwi collectives, the claimants argue that the Crown has failed to protect New Zealand's waterways for decades.
2 outlets · Kaipara mayoral recount bid dismissed after high rate of rejected special votes
A judge has dismissed a recount bid for the Kaipara mayoral election after finding no irregularities. Court documents revealed that more than 60 per cent of special votes cast in the close race were disallowed. Candidate Snow Tane, who placed second, criticised the voting process for disenfranchising many voters.
2 outlets · Eli Katoa undergoes surgery after suffering seizures during match
Tongan league player Eliesa Katoa has undergone surgery after experiencing seizure activity on the bench. The 25-year-old required medical assistance during a Pacific Championship match against New Zealand following three head knocks.
2 outlets · Christchurch to receive direct seasonal flights to the Cook Islands
Air New Zealand will launch a seasonal service from Christchurch to Rarotonga starting in May 2026. The flights will operate up to three times a week until October 2026, allowing South Islanders to reach the Cook Islands without transiting through Auckland.
1 outlet · Police rule out target review after 30,000 breath tests falsified
More than 100 officers are under investigation after 30,000 alcohol breath tests were found to be falsely or erroneously recorded. The discrepancies were identified using a new data analysis algorithm. Police have stated there was no pressure on staff to meet targets and will not review how those targets are applied.
3 outlets · Marlborough man killed after crashing car into power pole
Tachyon Hutt died in July after crashing his vehicle into a power pole near Picton. The 23-year-old was reportedly four times over the legal alcohol limit and had cannabis in his system. He had reportedly ignored warnings from friends not to drive.
3 outlets · One person dies in single-vehicle crash near Ardmore Airport
A person has died following a single-vehicle crash near Ardmore Airport on Monday morning. Emergency services were called to the scene around 5.50am, and road closures remain in place. The incident occurred just before sunrise on the outskirts of Auckland.
2 outlets · Speed and lack of helmet caused fatal Napier motorbike crash
A coroner has determined that excessive speed and riding without a helmet contributed to the death of 19-year-old Jack Alexander MacConnell. MacConnell crashed into a parked logging truck on Kennedy Road in Napier in January 2024. CCTV footage showed him travelling between 124km/h and 156km/h before the collision.
3 outlets · Labour withholding details on capital gains tax valuation process until after election
The Labour Party has released a capital gains tax policy that exempts farms and family homes but excludes profits from commercial and residential property sales. Details regarding how the party intends to manage the required property valuations will not be disclosed until after the election.
2 outlets · Conservationist criticises Biosecurity New Zealand over yellow-legged hornet response
Northland conservationist Brad Windust has described Biosecurity New Zealand's response to yellow-legged hornets as inadequate. The former beekeeper warned that a lack of urgency in eradicating the pests could cause significant damage to the farming and beekeeping industries.
3 outlets · Central Otago/Lakes District average house price reaches $1.65 million
The Central Otago/Lakes District has become the first New Zealand region to record an average asking price exceeding $1.6 million. Nationally, house listings increased by 5.5% compared to October last year, reaching the highest level for that month since 2018.
4 outlets · PSA launches legal action against ACC over working from home rules
The PSA union has filed legal action against the Accident Compensation Corporation regarding new working-from-home policies. The union claims ACC failed to consult them before increasing the required office attendance from two to three days a week, which they argue breaches their collective agreement.
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