Iwi leaders meet with Te Pāti Māori to address infighting
Iwi leaders will meet with Te Pāti Māori leadership at Parliament on Tuesday to address internal divisions. The party is considering the expulsion of MPs Tākuta Ferris and Mariameno Kapa-Kingi following challenges to the party leadership.
+26 outlets · Three structures destroyed in large Darfield vegetation fire
Thirteen fire crews and a helicopter responded to a large vegetation fire near Darfield on Tuesday morning. The blaze destroyed three structures and burned through macrocarpa trees at a property in the Selwyn District. Residents downwind were advised to close their windows due to thick, black smoke.
+37 outlets · Emergency services targeted by fireworks in Dunedin student quarter
Police and firefighters were reportedly targeted by fireworks while responding to reports of approximately 50 people firing them at each other on Castle Street North on Monday night. Authorities described the incident as a near miss for officers. Two men were taken into custody, including one 20-year-old who was held overnight.
+15 outlets · Government to remove school board Treaty of Waitangi requirement
The Government will remove the requirement for school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, stating the duty sits with the Crown. Education Minister Erica Stanford said the change aims to focus on Māori equity without the difficult-to-interpret clause. The decision has been met with shock from various education leaders and political figures.
+37 outlets · Fire causes significant damage at Rotorua's Mitai Māori Village
A fire broke out at Mitai Māori Village on Tuesday night, causing significant damage to a performance area and function room. Emergency crews battled the blaze, which reportedly involved a lamp. No injuries were reported, and a fire investigator was expected to determine the cause.
4 outlets · New Zealand First introduces bill to ban public fireworks sale and use
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has introduced a member's bill to prohibit the public sale and use of fireworks. The proposal would allow council-approved public displays to continue. Peters stated the move is intended to address the impact fireworks have on pets and taxpayers.
+37 outlets · Jamie Melham makes history with Melbourne Cup victory
Jockey Jamie Melham became the first female rider to complete the Caulfield-Melbourne Cups double after winning on Half Yours. The victory at Flemington Racecourse follows Michelle Payne's historic win a decade ago. Meanwhile, a New Zealand punter's $730,000 bet on Buckaroo finished last in the race.
3 outlets · Te Pāti Māori leaders willing to meet with estranged MPs
Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer have expressed willingness to meet with estranged MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris. The National Iwi Chairs Forum is aiming to facilitate a hui in Pōneke this month to bring the two factions together.
3 outlets · Former Dragon guitarist Robert Taylor has died
Robert Taylor, the former lead guitarist for the New Zealand rock band Dragon, has passed away. Taylor performed with the group during two separate periods between 1974 and 1985. The band is well known for hits such as April Sun in Cuba and Rain.
3 outlets · Father of drowning victim criticises mayor over waterfront video
Roger Calkin has expressed anger after Wellington Mayor Andrew Little filmed a social media announcement regarding the removal of harbour safety fences. The video was recorded near the site where Calkin's son, Sandy, died and where Isaac Levings also recently drowned.
4 outlets · Two men charged after person seriously injured in Avondale barbershop
Police responded to an assault at a Great North Road barbershop in Avondale on Tuesday afternoon. One person was seriously injured and taken to hospital. Two men have since been charged in relation to the incident.
3 outlets · Winston Peters deletes tweet correcting Prime Minister's pronouns
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has deleted a post on X that corrected the pronouns used by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Responding to questions, Peters stated that "the lesson was learnt" and noted his preference for collective rather than singular pronouns.
3 outlets · Seven big cats at Whangārei sanctuary to be euthanised this week
The seven remaining big cats at Whangārei's Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary will be euthanised this week. The sanctuary officially closed over the weekend, and the land is being put up for sale.
3 outlets · Auckland man jailed for attempted $2 million Covid-19 fraud
Hun Min Im has been sentenced to four years and 4.5 months in prison for attempting to fraudulently claim over $2 million through various Covid-19 support schemes. The Auckland man used fake companies and forged signatures to orchestrate the large-scale scheme.
3 outlets · Two arrested and vehicles seized after burnouts at Auckland funeral
Two men were arrested and three vehicles were impounded following reports of dangerous driving at Waikumete Cemetery on Monday afternoon. Police responded to reports of burnouts being performed during a funeral service. Authorities described the behaviour as disrespectful to others at the cemetery.
3 outlets · Anaesthetic drug found in illicit vape pods linked to hospitalisations
Drug watchdog High Alert has issued a warning after the sedative etomidate was detected in illicit vape pods nationwide. These products, sold under names such as space oil and k-pods, have been linked to several cases of acute drug harm and hospitalisations since being first detected in January.
3 outlets · ACC to cut annual funding for Water Safety New Zealand
The Accident Compensation Corporation will stop providing $1.1 million in annual funding to Water Safety New Zealand from 2026. ACC stated it has not seen a measurable reduction in drowning injury claims. The agency is now asking ministers to provide an alternative income stream.
4 outlets · Coroner links teenager's suicide to online exploitation and mental health gaps
A 16-year-old girl from Marlborough took her own life following long-term trauma from early exposure to pornography and online grooming. A coroner found the incident highlights the dangers of sexualised online interactions and a lack of acute capacity in New Zealand's youth mental health system.
+15 outlets · Report finds New Zealand mental health crisis system hard to navigate
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission has released a report describing the national crisis response system as complex and fragmented. Wait times for crisis phone lines have increased significantly, with young people and Māori disproportionately affected. The Commission is now calling for a more cohesive national response system.
+15 outlets · WorkSafe investigating worker death at Hastings juice factory
A worker has died after falling from a height at the Homegrown Juice Company in Hastings. WorkSafe has launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred on Friday morning at the Williams Street factory.
2 outlets · Emergency crews extinguish out of control burn-off in central Hawke’s Bay
A large fire, believed to have started from multiple farm burn-off piles, spread through farmland near Waipawa on Tuesday. Emergency services raised a third alarm as they battled the blaze on Tapairu Road. The fire was successfully extinguished overnight and crews have since left the site.
2 outlets · Dunedin man facing preventive detention after pleading guilty to rape
Keith Andrew Wicks-Cairns, 36, has pleaded guilty to rape and burglary following an incident at a Cosy Dell Road flat near the University of Otago. The man faces potential preventive detention after admitting to the burglary and two counts of sexual violation.
2 outlets · Unions criticise Education Minister's plans to restructure Teaching Council
Teachers unions have described Education Minister Erica Stanford's proposed changes to the Teaching Council as a power grab. The government plans to shrink the council, replace most members with ministerial appointees, and remove its responsibility for teacher training.
4 outlets · Woman charged after googly eyes placed on Mount Gambier sculpture
Amelia Vanderhorst, 19, has appeared in court facing a property damage charge. She is accused of gluing googly eyes onto the Cast in Blue sculpture in Mount Gambier on 13 September. Police allege she acted with reckless indifference toward potential damage to the artwork.
2 outlets · Auckland City FC social media targeted in cyber attack
The social media accounts of Auckland City FC have been targeted in a cyber attack. At least one of the club's pages has been flooded with sexual images of women. The team previously gained attention for participating in the Fifa Club World Cup.
2 outlets · More than 100 police officers under investigation for falsified breath tests
New Zealand Police are investigating over 100 staff members following the falsification of approximately 30,000 alcohol breath tests nationwide. Authorities have not ruled out criminal investigations into the matter. All staff members currently under investigation remain at work and have not been stood down.
2 outlets · Opinions split over new McDonald's proposal in Wānaka
McDonald's has submitted a new application for a restaurant at Mt Iron in Wānaka after a previous resource consent request was declined in February. Local residents are divided, with some viewing the new proposal favourably while others worry about their ability to have a say.
4 outlets · Teacher suspended for sending sexual messages to students
A teacher has been handed a one-year suspension following complaints from two students. The Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal ruled on the matter after it was found the teacher sent late-night messages of a sexual nature over nearly two years. He must also disclose his behaviour to future employers.
3 outlets · Ash plume observed rising from Whakaari/White Island
Two minor eruptions occurred at Whakaari/White Island last week, resulting in an ash plume rising between 400 and 500 metres. Satellite imagery has detected volcanic ash and sulphur dioxide, though scientists say the ashfall is unlikely to reach the mainland. The volcano remains at alert level three.
2 outlets · Hundreds still without power in Southland and south Otago
More than 300 customers remain without electricity in Southland and south Otago following severe winds 13 days ago. PowerNet is working with specialist contractors and national crews to restore service. At the peak of the outages, more than 25,000 people lost power.
2 outlets · Rāhui placed after body found in Lake Taupō
Police recovered a body from Lake Taupō near Wharewaka Point on Tuesday morning. The body was spotted a short distance offshore around 11.10am. Ngāti Tūwharetoa has since placed a rāhui over that area of the lake.
2 outlets · Two people injured in separate two-vehicle crashes
Two separate two-vehicle crashes occurred on Tuesday afternoon. In Southland, two people were taken to hospital, including one with serious injuries, following a collision on State Highway 98 near Invercargill. Meanwhile, in Papakura, one person sustained serious injuries after a crash at an intersection on Tuesday afternoon.
2 outlets · Former Kaipara councillor named after admitting to assaulting two women
Ihapera (Pera) Paniora has admitted to two charges of common assault. The former Kaipara Māori ward councillor was charged in September for assaulting two women in Whangārei.
2 outlets · Yellow-legged hornets detected in Auckland
Six yellow-legged hornet detections, including four queens, have been confirmed in Auckland. Experts warn these aggressive hornets pose a threat to human health, biodiversity, and honey bees. Early detection is considered vital to prevent the species from spreading across New Zealand.
2 outlets · Farmers launch initiative to support storm-hit Clutha families
Approximately 50 people began checking on rural Clutha families affected by last month's damaging winds. This farmer-led initiative is supported by Rabobank, the Rural Support Trust, the Ministry of Primary Industries, and the Clutha District Council.
2 outlets · Worker dies after being trapped in collapsed medieval tower in Rome
A Romanian worker has died after being trapped under rubble following the partial collapse of the Torre dei Conti. The incident occurred at the medieval tower near the Roman Forum. Emergency services rescued the man late on Monday, but he later passed away in hospital.
2 outlets · Teenager hospitalised after being bitten by police dog in Manurewa
A 16-year-old was treated in hospital for minor injuries after being bitten by a police dog during an arrest on Tuesday. The incident occurred during a dawn search of a Lincoln Road property by the Counties Manukau Gang Disruption Unit and the armed offenders squad.
2 outlets · Dunedin murderer refuses to appear before Parole Board for third time
Shiloh Rickard, 65, has declined to meet with the Parole Board for a third time. The convicted killer, who murdered his former partner in 2007, remains an untreated high-risk offender while serving his sentence.
2 outlets · Fairy Falls Track closed after significant fire damage
A vegetation fire at the Fairy Falls Track in Waitākere Ranges Regional Park caused significant damage on Sunday morning. The fire damaged a large platform near a swimming hole, resulting in the closure of the popular walking track.
4 outlets · Kiwi mother suffers severe burns in Perth firebomb attack
Penny Travers, a former Waipawa woman living in Western Australia, sustained burns to 25% of her body after a firebomb was thrown at her car. The incident occurred in the early hours of 6 October, resulting in a 17-day hospitalisation.
2 outlets · Six tonnes of fertiliser spill on Timaru street
Emergency services and local council workers responded to a late-night spill of six tonnes of fertiliser in Timaru. Fire crews worked to prevent the substance from entering nearby waterways. The cleanup process lasted several hours.
2 outlets · Online job advertisements increase for the first time in a year
The number of online job advertisements rose by 3.5 per cent in the year to September. Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment data shows that growth was led by the construction and IT sectors, which both saw a 10 per cent increase.
4 outlets · David Seymour admits New Zealand fire trucks need many upgrades
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour has acknowledged that significant upgrades are required for the country's fire trucks. This follows claims from former All Black and firefighter Steve Devine, who stated that at least one vehicle breaks down every day.
2 outlets · Police officers nationwide involved in falsifying alcohol breath tests
Approximately 120 police staff are under investigation after 30,000 alcohol breath tests were found to be falsely or erroneously recorded. The discrepancies were identified across the country following the development of a new data analysis algorithm.
+15 outlets · Costs for Roads of National Significance projects continue to rise
Estimates for New Zealand's Roads of National Significance projects are increasing significantly. Critics have questioned the justifications for the high spending, suggesting that some of the mathematical reasoning used to support these large-scale highway developments may be flawed.
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