One dead and 31 injured in Rotorua bus and car crash
A passenger died and 31 people were injured after a car collided with a school bus in Ōwhata on Thursday night. The bus was transporting a school group to a kapa haka competition. Two people from the car remain in critical condition.
+15 outlets · Filmmaker Lee Tamahori dies aged 75
New Zealand director Lee Tamahori has died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. The Ngāti Porou filmmaker was known for directing Once Were Warriors and the James Bond film Die Another Day. His family confirmed he passed away following a battle with Parkinson's disease.
+48 outlets · Woman arrested following shooting at Wellington apartment complex
A 34-year-old woman has been arrested in Palmerston North in connection with a shooting at the Pukehinau Flats in Brooklyn last Sunday. During the targeted attack, a person jumped from a fourth-floor balcony to escape an offender armed with a shotgun. The woman is due to appear in court this Saturday.
+15 outlets · Customs seizes $12.25 million worth of cocaine in Dunedin
Customs officers discovered 35kg of cocaine hidden inside a refrigerated shipping container at Port Chalmers. The drugs, which were branded with a designer fashion label, arrived from South America on 26 October. The container had been flagged for inspection by Customs intelligence.
4 outlets · Compass Group excluded from next round of school lunch scheme
Catering company Compass Group will not be a supplier for the Government's school lunch programme in 2026. Ten regional providers have been selected from 30 applicants to serve approximately 240,000 students across 188 contributing primary schools starting in Term 1.
+15 outlets · Residents evacuated after suspected explosive device found in Takapuna
Police evacuated a Takapuna street on Thursday after discovering what appeared to be a small improvised explosive device. During the search of a Karaka Street property, officers also found an antique pistol, a BB gun, knives, and drugs. A 20-year-old man was arrested and is due to appear in court.
4 outlets · Napier updates district plan to allow six-storey housing developments
Napier City Council has updated its proposed District Plan to permit six-storey terraced homes and apartment-style living on 44 streets near Taradale and the central city. The changes follow a multi-year review and will take effect once all appeals are resolved.
4 outlets · Public artwork stolen in Christchurch shortly after installation
The sculpture Doctrines, created by artist George Watson, was stolen from Cambridge Terrace less than 24 hours after being installed. The steel piece was intended for the SCAPE Public Art Trust's summer season exhibition. The artist discovered the installation was missing on Friday morning.
3 outlets · Wet weather forecast for north and south of New Zealand
MetService predicts heavy showers and possible thunderstorms for Northland and Auckland this weekend. While central New Zealand is expected to remain sunny, a heavy rain watch is forecast for the lower South Island starting Sunday evening.
4 outlets · Six people face potential prosecution for illegal pāua gathering in Taranaki
Fishery officers caught two groups of gatherers over two consecutive nights in a closed Taranaki area. A total of 456 pāua were confiscated, including 199 undersized specimens from the Thursday night seizure. Fisheries New Zealand says the six individuals are likely to face prosecution.
3 outlets · Lanes closed on Auckland Harbour Bridge following single-vehicle crash
A single-vehicle crash on Auckland's Harbour Bridge on Friday morning has caused significant northbound delays. Police were called to the scene just after 11.17am, resulting in the closure of two lanes. One person has been reported injured in the incident.
3 outlets · Motorcyclist arrested after two-hour pursuit in South Auckland
A 41-year-old man was arrested after a two-hour police chase through South Auckland parks and walkways. The pursuit ended when the motorcyclist became stuck in wet grass. The rider was wanted on two arrest warrants and was riding a motorbike with an expired registration.
3 outlets · Government expands screen production rebate to attract international filming
The Government is widening the International Screen Production Rebate scheme to remain competitive in the global market. The changes aim to attract more international film, television, and streaming productions to New Zealand by expanding eligibility to include smaller-scale productions.
+15 outlets · Person fined for dumping and burning rubbish on Canterbury beach
A fisherman filmed a man dumping a trailer of trash and setting it alight at Dorie Beach near Rakaia. Following the complaint, the Ashburton District Council confirmed that a person has been fined $400 for the incident.
3 outlets · Far North businesses seek compensation after second major power outage
More than 23,000 homes and businesses in the Far North lost power for six hours on Thursday. This follows a similar outage one week earlier, though Top Energy says the two incidents are not connected. Local business leaders are now calling for compensation.
2 outlets · Military-style boot camp pilot was rushed and too small
An 82-page evaluation found the government's military-style academy pilot was implemented too quickly and lacked a large enough cohort to provide meaningful data. While the report noted positive changes for participants, it stated firm conclusions could not be drawn due to the small sample size.
+26 outlets · Over 10,000 MMR vaccinations administered during National Immunisation Week
More than 10,000 MMR vaccinations were delivered during National Immunisation Week, surpassing the typical weekly dose of 7,000. Health Minister Simeon Brown described the campaign as a success.
2 outlets · Hipkins calls for improved vetting after former police official's guilty plea
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has described the vetting process as unacceptable following former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming's guilty plea. McSkimming pleaded guilty this week to possessing child sexual exploitation and bestiality material, which he accessed using police devices.
2 outlets · Auckland dog daycare owners fined for repeated rule breaches
Angela Beer and her company, Pets & Pats, have been fined $103,125 for repeated breaches of court orders and Resource Management Act rules. The Auckland dog daycare faced legal action following 17 complaints from neighbours regarding non-compliance with council consents.
2 outlets · Mauao to close overnight following reckless fireworks use
Tauranga City Council is closing Mauao from 10pm to 5am for three nights starting Friday. The decision follows the illegal use of fireworks on the maunga. The council and Mauao Trust have condemned the actions and are preparing to file a police complaint.
2 outlets · Tesla shareholders approve Elon Musk's US$1 trillion pay package
Tesla shareholders have approved a record US$1 trillion pay package for CEO Elon Musk. More than 75 percent of shares voted in favour of the deal, despite the New Zealand Superannuation Fund voting against it.
2 outlets · Gloriavale school granted extension to respond to Ministry concerns
The Ministry of Education has given the Gloriavale community until 14 November to explain why its school should remain registered. Officials are considering closing the West Coast school due to various issues, including concerns regarding student safety.
2 outlets · Te Wharekura o Kirikiriroa wins national primary school kapa haka title
Hamilton's Te Wharekura o Kirikiriroa has been named the overall winner of the Te Mana Kuratahi national primary school kapa haka competition. The group was one of six representing the Tainui region and competed against 62 other groups from 17 regions.
2 outlets · Vaughan Miller returned to prison after exposing himself to woman
Vaughan Neil Miller has been sent back to prison following incidents in the Nelson region. Miller entered a woman's home, introduced himself, and exposed his genitals to her on two separate occasions. He reportedly claimed to be a nudist during the encounters.
2 outlets · Fireworks suspected as cause of paddock fire north of Auckland
Firefighters attended a blaze at a rural property in Wainui, north of Auckland, on Friday afternoon. The paddock owner and a resident reported hearing fireworks being set off during the day before the fire broke out. Emergency services were called to the Millwater area just before 1pm.
3 outlets · Person arrested after firearm sighting in Mairehau
Police arrested an individual on Friday afternoon following reports of a firearm on Innes Road in Mairehau, Christchurch. Armed officers attended the scene shortly before 2.30pm after the sighting was reported.
2 outlets · Armed police respond to firearm sighting in Christchurch
Police blocked Innes Rd in Mairehau on Friday afternoon following reports of a firearm sighting. Approximately 15 armed officers attended the scene, and one person has been taken into custody.
2 outlets · Air New Zealand introduces weight restrictions for large pets
Air New Zealand has implemented new weight and size restrictions for pets on some domestic flights. The changes follow a series of staff injuries occurring while loading heavy pet carriers into aircraft holds.
2 outlets · States of emergency lifted in Clutha and Southland
States of emergency in Clutha and Southland have ended two weeks after damaging winds hit the region. The storms caused widespread power outages and knocked over numerous trees and poles. As of Thursday, only 65 customers remained without electricity.
2 outlets · Bev Priestman to return to coaching with Wellington Phoenix
Bev Priestman is set to make her coaching debut for the Wellington Phoenix in an A-League opener. This marks her return to the sport following a 15-month absence caused by a drone scandal during the Paris Olympics.
2 outlets · WorkSafe investigates fatal quad bike accident in Far North
WorkSafe has launched an investigation following a fatal quad bike accident at a rural property east of Broadwood on Thursday. Emergency services were called to the North Hokianga location around 4pm. Following the incident, officials are urging farmers to install rollover protection or crush protection devices on their vehicles.
2 outlets · Police investigate man allegedly threatening Whangārei bank staff with a knife
Police responded to an incident at the ANZ Bank on Bank St in Whangārei shortly after 9.30am on Friday. A man allegedly threatened staff with a knife and was located a short distance away by police. The individual has been taken into custody.
2 outlets · Toastie Lords founders take over management of Christchurch store
The founders of Toastie Lords have taken direct control of the brand's new Christchurch location on High Street. This follows the abrupt exit of the store's franchisees less than two weeks after the shop opened. The business is now being managed from the company's headquarters in Picton.
2 outlets · Two sisters elected to Kawerau District Council
Gloria Leokava-Taani and Sela Kingi have been elected to sit on the Kawerau District Council. Leokava-Taani will serve as the new Māori ward councillor, while Kingi returns for a second term as a district-wide councillor.
2 outlets · Ministry of Health accused of delaying terminal survivor's compensation claim
The Ministry of Health is accused of failing to act on a state abuse survivor's redress claim for several weeks. Lawyer Sonja Cooper stated she requested urgency on 7 October after flagging her client had terminal cancer. The lawyer described the delay in processing the claim as abhorrent.
2 outlets · Coroner issues warning after Whakatāne teenager dies from butane inhalation
A coronial inquest has investigated the February 2022 death of 14-year-old Faith Wignall in Whakatāne. The teenager died after inhaling butane gas with a friend. The coroner has urged increased awareness following the accidental death.
3 outlets · Yellow-legged hornet sightings in Auckland spark biosecurity concerns
Biosecurity New Zealand has confirmed multiple sightings of the yellow-legged hornet across Auckland, including the North Shore. Beekeepers warn the pest could devastate local hives and impact the primary industry. Eradication efforts will require government resources and public vigilance to manage the threat.
2 outlets · Timu joins Hurricanes while Tucker moves to Crusaders
Rugby player Timu has joined the Hurricanes and Tucker is moving to the Crusaders. Meanwhile, Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes has declined Josh Jacomb's request for early release to join the Highlanders in 2026.
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