Three fires in Dunedin treated as suspicious
Firefighters responded to five blazes across Dunedin overnight, with three being treated as suspicious. The incidents involved a vacant commercial building on Harrow Street, a residential property on Lees Street, and a row of pine trees. All fires were contained by 5am.
+26 outlets · Murder trial begins for man accused of killing Dunedin man
A 35-year-old man known as Rajinder is on trial in the Dunedin High Court for the murder of Gurjit Singh. Singh was found dead outside his home after being stabbed more than 40 times. The victim's wife told the court she had previously rejected a marriage proposal from the accused.
+15 outlets · Police treating fatal Sanson house fire as homicide
Police are investigating a house fire in Sanson as a homicide after a father and three children died on Saturday. The victims were identified as Dean Field and his children, aged 1, 5, and 7. Authorities are continuing to examine the scene at the family home.
+37 outlets · Potential witness comes forward in North Dunedin homicide investigation
Police investigating the death of 36-year-old Aneli Helu Katea in North Dunedin say a potential witness has come forward. The victim was found deceased at a Great King Street address on 3 October. A 25-year-old man has been charged with murder in relation to the incident.
4 outlets · Jaeyoung Jang named after being accused of double murder in Bucklands Beach
Jaeyoung Jang can now be named following the deaths of Jung Sup Lee and his 11-year-old son, Ha-il Lee, in a Bucklands Beach house fire. Police say the fire was deliberately lit with an accelerant. Jang has pleaded not guilty to the murders.
+15 outlets · Large warehouse fire at Port Whangārei involving solar panels and batteries
Fire crews responded to a two-storey commercial building on Kioreroa Road around 7.25pm on Tuesday. The warehouse was used for storing solar panels and lithium batteries. Auckland crews have been called to assist with dampening down hotspots following the blaze.
4 outlets · Heavy rain and weather warnings issued across New Zealand
An atmospheric river and two slow-moving fronts are bringing heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the country. The Bay of Plenty is facing a flooding risk with up to 200mm of rain forecast. MetService has issued several severe weather warnings and watches as the weather systems move through.
4 outlets · Christchurch man wins $18.3m after buying first Lotto ticket in decade
A Christchurch man has won $18.3 million after a spur-of-the-moment decision to buy a Lotto ticket during a grocery shop. The win came from Saturday's $55 million Powerball draw. The winner plans to use the prize to purchase a first home for his family.
4 outlets · Methodist Church dissolves Wesley College trust board following safety concerns
The Methodist Church has dissolved the Wesley College trust board and ordered an external review into the school's governance. This decision follows concerns regarding student safety at the South Auckland institution's boarding hostels, including a recent violent incident involving more than 30 boarders.
4 outlets · Donations pour in for mother after fatal Sanson house fire
More than $250,000 has been raised via Givealittle for a Manawatū mother following a house fire in Sanson on Saturday. The blaze resulted in the deaths of three children and their father. Police are continuing to investigate the incident.
+48 outlets · Jones warns Otago economy would be disembowelled by Green Party pledge
Resources Minister Shane Jones says the Otago economy would be severely damaged if the Green Party revokes fast-track consents for gold mines. The Greens have pledged to cancel seven specific mining projects, including seabed, hardrock gold, and coal mining, if they enter government at the next election.
3 outlets · Supreme Court rules four Uber drivers are employees rather than contractors
The Supreme Court has rejected Uber's appeal, upholding an Employment Court decision that four drivers are employees. This ruling may lead to compensation claims from drivers and raises potential questions regarding tax obligations. The Government has indicated it will not intervene to protect the company.
3 outlets · Massive petition calling for health system reform presented to Parliament
A record-breaking petition, measuring over 200 metres long, has been delivered to Parliament to demand urgent government action on the healthcare system. The document contains between 90,000 and 96,000 signatures. Organisers unrolled the paper across Parliament grounds and towards Lambton Quay during a health hīkoi.
3 outlets · Rare pink grasshopper discovered near Lake Tekapo
A pink robust grasshopper was found during an annual insect survey in the Mackenzie Basin. The Department of Conservation says the unusual colour is caused by a genetic mutation known as erythrism.
3 outlets · West Coast highway may be moved inland to prevent slips
The government has pledged $7 million for design work to investigate moving a section of State Highway 6 further inland near Knights Point. The $120 million plan aims to secure long-term access to the area following frequent rockfalls at the site.
3 outlets · Twelve people injured in three-vehicle Invercargill crash
Twelve people were injured in a three-vehicle crash at an intersection in Glengarry, Invercargill, on Tuesday evening. One person is in serious condition, one is in moderate condition, and ten others sustained minor injuries. Police are currently examining the scene to determine how the incident occurred.
2 outlets · Charges downgraded against soldier accused of assaulting former partner
An Army corporal facing a court martial at Burnham Military Camp has had charges downgraded from two counts of strangulation to male assaults female. The prosecution amended the charges after the complainant could not clarify if the events occurred before or after changes to strangulation laws.
2 outlets · Chris Bishop defends reallocation of Kāinga Ora funds for local bridge
Minister Chris Bishop has rejected criticism after using $27m in Kāinga Ora stormwater funding for a walking and cycling bridge in his electorate. Although officials advised against the move, Bishop described the decision as a pragmatic choice. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has backed the minister's decision.
+15 outlets · Schools and centres contact Ministry after asbestos found in play sand
Several hundred schools and childhood centres have contacted the Ministry of Education following the discovery of asbestos in various coloured play sands. Some Otago schools and early learning services have closed as a result. Parents have expressed confusion regarding guidance on how to manage potentially contaminated sand kept in their homes.
2 outlets · Businessman Monty Knight dies following violent incident near Kaitāia
Monty Knight, an 80-year-old businessman and winery owner, died on Sunday afternoon at his home outside Kaitāia. Police found him critically injured, and the death is being investigated as a homicide. Friends and colleagues have described the local advocate as a generous and optimistic figure.
4 outlets · Pāpāmoa residents oppose chipseal road resurfacing at council meeting
Pāpāmoa residents have voiced concerns to the Tauranga City Council regarding the use of chipseal for road resurfacing. The community is campaigning against the cheaper material, which residents fear could lead to a citywide downgrade of street surfaces.
2 outlets · Antibiotic-resistant superbug outbreaks identified at Christchurch Hospital
Health New Zealand has increased precautions following two separate outbreaks of the VRE superbug on a ward at Christchurch Hospital. An infectious diseases researcher stated that the antibiotic-resistant infection causes one in 10 people to become sick. Two different strains of the bacteria have been identified.
2 outlets · Hunter dies after falling from cliff in Golden Bay
A person died after falling down a cliff while hunting on farmland in Motupipi. Emergency services were called to the Golden Bay area at approximately 6.30pm on Saturday. Police are investigating the incident.
2 outlets · Google and Apple blur face of Auckland sculpture
The 5.6m Boy Walking statue in Potters Park has been censored by Google and Apple. The sculpture, created by artist Ronnie van Hout, has stood in Mt Eden since 2019. The blurring of the artwork has highlighted unintended consequences of AI automation.
2 outlets · Teen charged after car crash causes life-changing injuries in Mamaku
A 19-year-old man has been remanded in custody on nine driving charges following a crash on State Highway 5 last Tuesday. Police say the incident occurred around 10.30pm after a group was reportedly performing burnouts and skids. Two people sustained life-changing injuries when the vehicle lost control and hit bystanders.
2 outlets · Luxon describes rising prison population as a good thing
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has characterised the surge in the prison population as a positive sign of restoring law and order. He also admitted the government is behind schedule in its goal to increase police numbers by 500.
3 outlets · Investigation launched into Wānaka wastewater treatment plant consent breaches
The Otago Regional Council is investigating performance failures at the Wānaka wastewater treatment plant. During recent upgrade works and heavy rain, the facility experienced surface run-off, ponding, and nitrogen levels that exceeded consent requirements. The Queenstown Lakes District Council described the situation as unfortunate.
2 outlets · Authors disqualified from New Zealand book awards over AI-generated covers
Elizabeth Smither and Stephanie Johnson have been removed from contention for the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. The decision follows the application of new regulations regarding the use of artificial intelligence on book covers.
+26 outlets · Family commemorates 10 years since death of Jonah Lomu
Jonah Lomu's widow and teenage sons have reflected on the All Black legend's life and legacy. The family marked the ten-year anniversary of the former rugby superstar's death, which occurred when he was 40 years old.
2 outlets · Labour MP Ingrid Leary deletes post regarding government event invitation
Taieri MP Ingrid Leary has removed a Facebook post in which she claimed the government was rude for not inviting her to a cycle trail funding announcement. Leary later described her social media comments about the Mosgiel to Dunedin event as "silly".
2 outlets · Invasive gold clam confirmed in Taranaki prompting Whanganui River warnings
Authorities are increasing detection and prevention efforts in the Whanganui River following the confirmation of invasive freshwater gold clams in Taranaki. The species, which is already established in Waikato, can produce up to 400 juveniles daily under ideal conditions. The Whanganui River Clam Response Group is working to prevent the species from spreading.
2 outlets · Concerns raised over reduction of Clean Car Standard
The Drive Electric board chair has warned that New Zealand could become a dumping ground for high-emission vehicles following government cuts to the Clean Car Standard. The transport minister has dismissed these concerns as the standard is set to decrease by nearly 80 per cent at the end of the week.
+15 outlets · Police scale back search for missing Northland fisherman
Police have reduced the search for a missing fisherman off the Pātaua South coast. A vessel and one body were recovered on Saturday following reports that two people were overdue on Friday night. Searchers are now considering next steps.
2 outlets · British entertainers Noel Edmonds and Cliff Richard reunite in Wellington
Noel Edmonds and Sir Cliff Richard reconnected in Wellington on Monday. The British celebrities shared laughs ahead of Richard's local performance and the broadcast of Edmonds' New Zealand-based television programme. The pair last worked together 25 years ago on Edmonds' Christmas Day Show.
2 outlets · Bay of Plenty schools close following asbestos-contaminated sand recall
Several schools in the Bay of Plenty have closed or partially closed after Kmart NZ coloured sand products tested positive for tremolite asbestos. The Ministry of Education has received hundreds of queries from schools and early childhood centres following the urgent recall notice.
3 outlets · Instant coffee prices increase by 25.5 per cent
The price of instant coffee has risen by 25.5 per cent over the last year, reaching an average of $7.88 per 100g. While food staples like milk and eggs have also seen sharp increases, instant coffee has experienced one of the most significant price spikes.
2 outlets · Wellingtonians have 28 days to comment on $3.8 billion road plan
Waka Kotahi NZTA has opened a four-week consultation period for a $3.8 billion transport project involving a second tunnel under Mount Victoria. Residents are currently seeking clarity regarding the duration of construction and the amount of Town Belt land that may be required.
2 outlets · Daryl Mitchell ruled out of West Indies ODI series with injury
Black Caps batter Daryl Mitchell will miss the remainder of the ODI series against the West Indies. The 34-year-old sustained a minor left groin muscle tear during Sunday's match at Hagley Oval. Mitchell experienced thigh discomfort while scoring a century during the seven-run victory.
2 outlets · Naomi Osaka withdraws from 2026 ASB Classic
Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the ASB Classic in Auckland due to a schedule change. The Japanese player will instead compete in the United Cup in Australia. Organisers have confirmed Elina Svitolina and Emma Navarro as replacements for the tournament.
2 outlets · England Roses defeat Silver Ferns to level series
The England Roses beat the Silver Ferns 61-58 in London. The result means the three-test series will be decided in Manchester this Thursday.
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