Michelin Guide to include New Zealand restaurants for the first time
The Michelin Guide will include restaurants from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown in an inaugural New Zealand edition next year. Tourism New Zealand is investing $6.3 million into the expansion, which marks the guide's first entry into Oceania.
+37 outlets · Former deputy police commissioner pleads guilty to possessing objectionable material
Jevon McSkimming, the 52-year-old former Deputy Police Commissioner, pleaded guilty to three representative charges in Wellington District Court on Thursday. He admitted to possessing child sexual exploitation and bestiality material on his work devices. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers described the offending as disgraceful and appalling.
+48 outlets · Three men found guilty of murdering Anaru Moana
A jury has found Hayden Burt, Aaron Boden, and Cody Boyes guilty of murdering Anaru Moana. Korina Boyes was found guilty of injuring with intent to injure, while Joseph Cropley was acquitted. Moana disappeared in December 2021 and has never been found.
+15 outlets · Labour pledges free cervical screening through Medicard scheme
The Labour Party has promised to make cervical screening free for New Zealanders aged 25 to 69 if elected in 2026. Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall stated the policy would be part of the party's Medicard scheme to help prevent cancer and reduce hospital pressure.
+48 outlets · Two people killed in State Highway 2 crash near Karangahake
A driver and passenger died after their car hit a power pole on State Highway 2 near Paeroa at approximately 11.40pm on Wednesday. The crash occurred between Jackson and Rahu roads, causing the highway to close overnight. Police are currently investigating the incident.
+15 outlets · Police ordered to complete mandatory alcohol breath testing training
All New Zealand police officers must undertake online alcohol breath testing training. This follows investigations into approximately 120 staff regarding the falsification or erroneous recording of 30,000 tests nationwide.
+26 outlets · Auckland Transport proposes evening paid parking for Ponsonby
Auckland Transport plans to introduce evening paid parking in central Ponsonby to address congestion and parking infringements. The proposal includes charging for parking from 6pm to 9pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Public feedback on these changes is being accepted until 1 December.
4 outlets · Magnitude 4.9 earthquake shakes Wellington region
A moderate 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck 25km north-west of Wellington at 9.09pm on Thursday. The tremor was felt by thousands of people, with reports extending as far north as Auckland. GeoNet recorded the quake at a depth of between 22km and 24km.
4 outlets · Five elderly lions at Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary may be spared
The future of five big cats at Whangārei's Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary may be secured following interest from potential buyers. This follows the euthanasia of two lions due to ill-health. The sanctuary remains open to conversations to ensure the remaining animals receive continued care.
4 outlets · Auckland scout group reports issues with freedom campers
Hawke Sea Scouts in Herne Bay say freedom campers are using the carpark next to their hall as a toilet. Group leader Reuben Jackson reported instances of public urination and defecation, as well as littering. Parents have also noted that children must walk further to reach the hall due to limited parking.
+15 outlets · Three arrested after fireworks shot at police in Dunedin
Three men were arrested following disorder on Dunedin's Castle Street on Wednesday night. Police and firefighters were targeted by fireworks while responding to reports of people drinking and couches on fire. Sergeant Matt Lee stated that officers narrowly avoided being hit during the incident.
4 outlets · Wesley College challenges Ministry of Education order to close hostels
Wesley College in Pukekohe has launched legal action against a Ministry of Education order to shut down most of its hostels. The Ministry cited safety and wellbeing concerns regarding boarders. The school seeks to keep the dormitories open until the end of Term 4 to avoid disruption.
4 outlets · Iwi Chairs Forum seeks meeting to resolve Te Pāti Māori dispute
The National Iwi Chairs Forum is working to bring both factions of Te Pāti Māori to a meeting in Wellington next week. The group aims to resolve a dispute between party members that has reportedly lasted approximately six weeks.
3 outlets · Police rule out foul play in disappearance of Tokoroa teacher
Police have ruled out foul play in the disappearance of 36-year-old Jayleb-Che Dean. The Tokoroa teacher has been missing since 30 September after last being seen at a swimming spot on Waiotapu Loop Road. Search and rescue efforts have now been scaled back.
3 outlets · Historic Mt Algidus Station listed for sale in Canterbury
The 22,120-hectare Mt Algidus Station in the Southern Alps has been put on the market. Real estate agents are seeking offers of at least $50 million for the historic high-country property. The sale is expected to attract significant international and domestic interest.
3 outlets · Former Green MP Kevin Hague appointed as party chief of staff
Kevin Hague is returning to politics to serve as the Green Party's new chief of staff. He takes up the senior role following the departure of Eliza Prestidge-Oldfield.
3 outlets · More than 23,000 without electricity in Far North
A substation equipment failure caused a massive power outage in the Far North starting just after 5.20pm. More than 23,000 homes and businesses across the southern district, including the Bay of Islands and Kaikohe, are without electricity.
4 outlets · Auckland business executive pleads guilty to receiving services from underage girl
A prominent business executive appeared in the Auckland District Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to receiving commercial sexual services from a person under 18. The incident reportedly occurred in September. The man's employer has stated they will take appropriate action regarding the matter.
4 outlets · Temperatures soar across New Zealand with Christchurch recording the highest heat
Christchurch recorded the highest temperature in the country on Thursday, reaching 28.2C at Port Hills. Other warm areas included Kawerau, Blenheim, and Gisborne. MetService expects warmer weather to continue for several days, though thunderstorms are forecast to threaten the North Island this weekend.
3 outlets · Health NZ warns measles outbreak risk remains very high
Health New Zealand says the risk of community spread remains very high following 17 confirmed measles cases and 210 exposure events. While no new cases were confirmed on Thursday, 16 symptomatic contacts have been identified. Officials are ramping up vaccination efforts, including pop-in centres, to curb the outbreak.
3 outlets · German tourist identified after death near West Coast Fox River
Police have named 27-year-old Lydia Gottsmann, a German national on a working visa, who was found dead near Fox River. She was located by Search and Rescue after failing to return from a weekend tramp. The matter has been referred to the Coroner.
3 outlets · Tensions remain after Dame Noeline Taurua is reinstated as Silver Ferns coach
Dame Noeline Taurua has returned to her role as Silver Ferns coach following a 51-day period. However, the truce between Taurua and Netball NZ is reportedly under strain due to ongoing legal exchanges and mistrust within the sport.
3 outlets · Microsoft offers refunds after controversial AI price hikes
Microsoft has apologised and offered refunds to Microsoft 365 subscribers in New Zealand and Australia. The company admitted its pricing structure for new AI tools was not clearly disclosed. Some customers have reported technical issues when attempting to claim the refunds.
2 outlets · Lifeline Aotearoa reduces hours due to funding shortfall
Lifeline Aotearoa has been unable to provide services between midnight and 7am since March due to a lack of government funding. The mental health helpline faces a $2 million shortfall and warns it cannot maintain 24/7 operations without sustainable financial support.
+15 outlets · Adelaide 36ers defeat NZ Breakers in Christchurch NBL clash
The Adelaide 36ers beat the NZ Breakers 83-79 at Wolfbrook Arena on Thursday night. Despite Izaiah Brockington scoring 25 points for the Breakers, a final quarter performance saw the home team suffer their eighth defeat of the season.
2 outlets · Wallace Sititi named to start against Scotland
Wallace Sititi has been selected to start at blindside flanker for the All Blacks' test against Scotland this Sunday. The decision follows his strong performance against Ireland last weekend.
2 outlets · Air New Zealand launches electric aircraft testing programme
Air New Zealand and US-based BETA Technologies have launched a two-seater electric plane at Hamilton Airport. The BETA ALIA CX300 will undertake a series of flights across the country over the next four months. This trial is part of a technical demonstration to test lower-emissions aircraft.
4 outlets · Power restored to most South Island customers after storm
Two weeks after a major storm hit the South Island, power has been returned to almost all affected customers. Only 65 properties across Otago and Southland remain without electricity. PowerNet chief executive Paul Blue stated that crews have been working to repair the damage.
2 outlets · Coroner rules cardan shaft park brakes are inherently unsafe
A coroner has ruled that cardan shaft park brakes are inherently dangerous following the death of 36-year-old Graeme Rabbits. Mr Rabbits was killed when a telehandler rolled away while he was crouching near the vehicle. The brake system involved is used in tens of thousands of vehicles.
3 outlets · Five arrested following gang tangi in Rotorua
Police arrested five people during a gang tangi in Rotorua on Thursday. Authorities maintained a visible presence across the city to ensure community safety and wellbeing.
2 outlets · Christchurch hip hop crew wins world title in Czech Republic
Linwood's Euphoria Dance Studio has won New Zealand's first adult mega crew division gold at the Hip Hop Unite championship. The Christchurch-based group secured the victory in the Czech Republic by defeating previous champions from Belgium.
2 outlets · Jack Tame named as new 1News weekend presenter
Jack Tame will take over as the weekend presenter for the 1News 6pm bulletin. He replaces Melissa Stokes, who has been appointed as the new weekday presenter following Simon Dallow's departure.
4 outlets · Police investigate repeated drone attacks on Napier Hill home
Police are investigating a series of drone strikes targeting a house on Napier Hill. Since late August, items including nails, fluorescent paint, and a liquid believed to be acid have been dropped on the property. The homeowners are currently abroad and have not been contacted.
2 outlets · Dunedin professional granted discharge after altering insurance documents
A Dunedin-based professional has been granted a discharge without conviction after pleading guilty to altering two health insurance documents. The woman, who gained $638 through the fraud, was also granted permanent name suppression. The court also suppressed her occupation and employer details.
2 outlets · Commerce Commission approves coal stockpile deal at Huntly Power Station
The Commerce Commission has authorised Genesis Energy, Contact, Meridian and Mercury to establish a coal stockpile at the Huntly Power Station. This 10-year agreement aims to secure the electricity supply until 2035. Regulators stated they assessed the deal to ensure it would not negatively impact competition.
2 outlets · Police investigate serious assault in Ōpōtiki home
A man has been hospitalised with serious injuries following an attack at his home in Ōpōtiki on Thursday morning. Police are investigating the incident and believe several offenders were involved in the assault.
2 outlets · Man charged after Lamborghini crash and fire in Remuera
A 39-year-old man faces charges following a three-car crash on Remuera Road in Auckland. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when a Lamborghini attempted an overtake, clipped another vehicle, and swerved into a parked car, causing the luxury vehicle to catch fire.
2 outlets · Alicetown Community Centre significantly damaged in early morning fire
The Alicetown Community Centre in Lower Hutt sustained significant damage during a fire early Thursday morning. Fire and Emergency NZ confirmed that four engines attended the blaze, which has left the building out of use for some time.
2 outlets · Southland state of emergency to end on Friday morning
The state of emergency in Southland, declared on 24 October following destructive winds, is set to expire at 9.30am on Friday. The region will transition into a recovery phase after the gale-force winds caused widespread damage to power, water, and communications.
2 outlets · NZ First re-inserts gender definition bill into members' bill ballot
New Zealand First briefly removed a bill defining man and woman from the parliamentary ballot to accommodate a fireworks ban proposal. The party re-inserted the gender definition bill less than 24 hours later, replacing a bill regarding prostate cancer.
2 outlets · FMA files civil proceedings for alleged market manipulation of Steel and Tube shares
The Financial Markets Authority has launched High Court proceedings against Auckland-based retail investor Franco Belgiorno-Nettis. It is alleged that he manipulated Steel and Tube Holding shares through two ASB Securities accounts between November 2020 and July 2023. The regulator claims the share orders lacked a genuine commercial purpose.
2 outlets · Kelston Boys' High School board opposes charter school takeover bid
The board of Kelston Boys' High School has expressed opposition to a proposal to convert the Auckland state school into a charter school. The takeover bid is being led by the Bangerz Education and Wellbeing Trust and a former board member.
2 outlets · Police investigate unexplained death of woman in Hastings
Police are investigating the death of a woman found at a property on Kotuku Street in Camberley. The woman was discovered on 29 October, and authorities are currently treating the circumstances of her death as unexplained.
2 outlets · Man arrested after allegedly throwing pāua into sea during police check
A 41-year-old man was arrested at Blackhead Beach in Central Hawke’s Bay after allegedly dumping his pāua catch into the ocean during a routine fisheries inspection. Police stopped the man's vehicle within a marine reserve on Tuesday and subsequently discovered a pistol and ammunition.
2 outlets · Firefighters respond to multiple fireworks-related calls on Guy Fawkes night
Fire and Emergency New Zealand responded to between 30 and 50 fireworks-related jobs, including several grass and scrub fires. A large blaze near Tomahawk Beach in Dunedin required nine trucks and up to 40 staff to control. Fires in Wānaka also required significant resources.
2 outlets · Coroner says Te Awamutu crash was avoidable
Coroner Ian Telford has warned against driving while tired following the death of mechanic Daniel Wood. Wood died in a February 2023 ute crash on Wharepapa South Road in Te Awamutu. An analyst suggested he likely would have survived if he had been wearing a seatbelt.
2 outlets · New draft curriculum aims to reduce Māori achievement gap
The Ministry of Education says a new draft curriculum will balance local and global contexts without reducing Māori language and knowledge instruction. Under amended legislation, schools are now only legally required to provide Māori language education if requested by a parent or caregiver.
4 outlets · Unemployment rate reaches eight-year high of 5.3 per cent
New Zealand's unemployment rate has risen to 5.3 per cent, marking an eight-year high. The North Island, including Auckland, Northland, and Waikato, has been heavily impacted, with those under 30 also disproportionately affected. Data shows 14.5 per cent of unemployed people have been without work for over a year.
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