Government proposes replacing regional councils with boards of mayors
The Government plans to abolish New Zealand's 11 regional councils and replace them with 11 Combined Territories Boards. These boards would consist of city and district mayors taking over regional decision-making duties. Ministers describe the proposal as a significant reform intended to make local government fit for purpose.
+48 outlets · Funeral held for three children killed in Sanson house fire
Family and friends gathered in Palmerston North to farewell August, Hugo, and Goldie Field, who died in a Sanson house fire on 15 November. Their father, Dean Field, also died in the fire. The incident is being treated as a murder-suicide.
+15 outlets · Motorcyclist dies in crash with car near Ashburton
A motorcyclist died at the scene following a collision with a car at a rural intersection near Ashburton on Tuesday evening. Police were called to the junction of Hinds Arundel Road and Gills Road around 6pm. The serious crash unit is attending, and the road is expected to remain closed for some time.
+15 outlets · Ashburton man charged over Stewart Island hunting death
A 39-year-old Ashburton man has been charged with careless use of a firearm causing death. The charge relates to the July shooting of 21-year-old Jock Grant Davies near Lords River on Stewart Island. The accused is due to appear in Invercargill.
+15 outlets · Boy named following fatal Northland boating incident
Police have identified 11-year-old Jason Paul Wharerau as the boy who died following a fishing trip near Pātaua South on 14 November. His brother-in-law, 23-year-old Ethan Gordon James Neels, remains missing after the pair failed to return from the water.
+15 outlets · Two climbers die after fall on Aoraki Mt Cook
Two climbers, including an experienced mountain guide, died after falling near the summit of Aoraki Mt Cook on Monday night. Police were alerted to the incident on the mountain's west side around 11.20pm. The two deceased climbers were part of a group of four who were roped together in pairs.
+15 outlets · Christchurch chef sentenced for indecently assaulting teenage staff
Sumeer Thapa has been sentenced to four months' home detention after a jury found him guilty of seven counts of indecently assaulting four women aged 15 to 18. The assaults occurred at Lazeez Mediterranean Grill in Christchurch between 2021 and 2024. Reports indicate Thapa has been fired from his position.
+15 outlets · Chris Bishop denies plotting leadership challenge against Christopher Luxon
Senior National MP and minister Chris Bishop has rejected rumours of a leadership coup. Bishop stated that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is doing a wonderful job and remains the best person for the role. This comes amid speculation regarding dissatisfaction within the National caucus following recent polls.
+15 outlets · Police investigate suspicious recycling facility fire in Waiuku
A large fire at a plastic recycling plant in Waiuku began late Monday night. Fire and Emergency New Zealand responded to the blaze, which involved six shipping containers and piles of plastic. Residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed due to toxic smoke, and police are treating the incident as suspicious.
+15 outlets · Winston Peters rejects Labour offer to repeal Regulatory Standards Act
Labour has lodged a member's bill to repeal the Regulatory Standards Act and invited NZ First to support the move. NZ First leader Winston Peters has rejected the proposal, stating he has no interest in political games despite previously pledging to campaign for the law's repeal.
4 outlets · One Love music festival cancelled for 2026
Tauranga's One Love music festival has cancelled its 2026 edition. Organisers cited several challenging situations, including the current economic climate, for the decision.
3 outlets · Physiotherapist Lance Easton has registration cancelled by disciplinary tribunal
The Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal has cancelled Lance Easton's registration with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand. The decision follows reports of inappropriate conduct, including an incident where Easton performed a massage while shirtless after asking a female client to remove her top.
3 outlets · Heart Kids warns of alleged fundraising scam involving motorcycle ride
Heart Kids NZ has distanced itself from a motorcycle ride scheduled for March 2026 in Morrinsville. The charity alleges that Shane Sykes, who reportedly failed to hand over $2,500 from a previous event, is now selling tickets for a new fundraiser using the charity's name. Police have been alerted to the situation.
3 outlets · Police defend releasing details after body found in Pomana search
Police are defending their decision to release information regarding a body found in the Pukekohe bush, which is believed to be Te Anihana Pomana. The 25-year-old woman had been missing since August 21. Her family has criticised the release of these details following the discovery on Saturday.
3 outlets · Wellington City Council report recommends significant staff reductions
A Deloitte review has found Wellington City Council is significantly overstaffed by 330 employees. The report suggests that cutting staff and reducing services could save tens of millions of dollars. Chief executive Matt Prosser has urged caution regarding the report's recommendations.
4 outlets · Government unveils 10-year plan for unified electronic medical records
Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced a 10-year digital investment plan to introduce a single electronic medical records system. The initiative aims to move hospitals away from paper records to improve patient care connectivity. Currently, more than 65 per cent of hospitals still rely on paper notes.
3 outlets · Person found dead following house fire in Mt Roskill
Emergency services responded to a house fire on Katavich Place in Mt Roskill in the early hours of Tuesday. A person was found deceased after the blaze was extinguished. Police are currently treating the death as unexplained.
3 outlets · Police seek public assistance to find dangerous man Paul Rimene
Police are searching for Paul Rimene, who is wanted on an active arrest warrant. Described as 176cm tall with a large build and extensive tattoos, Rimene is considered dangerous and should not be approached. Authorities say he has numerous gang associates across the Wellington and Wairarapa districts.
2 outlets · Tākuta Ferris alleges poor treatment of late MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp
Expelled Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris claims Te Pāti Māori leadership treated the late Takutai Tarsh Kemp poorly while she was undergoing treatment for kidney disease. Kemp, the former Tāmaki Makaurau MP, passed away in June.
+26 outlets · New wind farm aims to reduce diesel use in Chatham Islands
A new wind farm featuring three turbines and a storage battery has been built at Port Durham. The project aims to lower electricity prices, reduce carbon emissions, and decrease the archipelago's reliance on diesel generators. The infrastructure is capable of meeting peak demand, potentially allowing the islands to run on renewable energy.
2 outlets · Police investigate suspicious fire at Auckland nightclub
Police are investigating a suspicious fire that broke out at the G.A.Y nightclub on Karangahape Road early Sunday morning. One person was assessed by ambulance staff following the blaze, which triggered a fire alarm and caused temporary road closures. Authorities are currently reviewing CCTV footage from inside the venue.
2 outlets · Police seek man following alleged indecent assaults in Auckland CBD
Police are searching for 34-year-old Graeme Dylan Shuter after two alleged indecent assaults in Auckland's central city last Saturday. Shuter is wanted for allegedly approaching two women on Mayoral Drive during the morning. Arrest warrants have been issued for the man.
2 outlets · Motorcyclist seriously injured in Glen Innes crash
A motorbike rider sustained serious injuries following a collision with a car on Apirana Ave on Tuesday afternoon. Emergency services attended the scene just after 4pm. Police have closed a section of the road and are advising motorists to use alternative routes while investigations continue.
2 outlets · Tauranga flights cancelled following Whakaari White Island volcanic activity
More than a dozen flights to and from Tauranga were cancelled on Tuesday due to volcanic ash from Whakaari White Island. GeoNet has placed the volcano at Alert Level 3, indicating a minor eruption. Sixteen Air New Zealand flights were affected as the ash plume drifted over the region.
3 outlets · WorkSafe investigates serious injury at Ōpōtiki kiwifruit packhouse
A worker was seriously injured while performing routine plant cleaning at the Riverlock packhouse near Ōpōtiki on Monday. The individual was airlifted to Waikato Hospital following the accident. WorkSafe has launched an investigation into the incident.
2 outlets · Waitākere BMX club canteen destroyed in suspicious fire
A fire destroyed the canteen at the Waitākere BMX Club in Rānui on Monday afternoon. Police were called to the Glen Road premises just before 2pm, and the blaze is being treated as suspicious. CCTV footage reportedly shows a group of people running from the area shortly before smoke was seen.
2 outlets · Luxon and Stanford address media during Auckland school visit
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford spoke to reporters at Northcross Intermediate School in Auckland. The visit follows the release of government figures regarding a maths acceleration trial for year 7 and 8 students.
2 outlets · Police investigate serious assault on Whangārei woman in her home
Officers were called to a house in Raumanga just after midnight on Tuesday following reports of an injured person. A woman was seriously assaulted inside her Murdoch Crescent home. Police are now searching for the attacker and have asked for sightings of a vehicle seen leaving the scene at speed.
2 outlets · Co-operative Bank to face High Court after admitting unreasonable fees
The Co-operative Bank has admitted to charging unreasonable fees across 12 lending schemes. Following a Commerce Commission investigation, the bank has repaid $7.225 million to 48,249 customers. The bank will now face High Court proceedings after reaching a settlement agreement.
2 outlets · Jackson Bay wharf to receive $3 million upgrade
The government is providing $2.31 million to upgrade the severely deteriorated wharf in Jackson Bay. The Westland District Council will contribute an additional $990,000 to the project. The deep-water wharf is considered critical infrastructure for the West Coast fishing village.
2 outlets · Man identified following Waikanae death
Police have named 45-year-old Michael Kenneth Tofts as the man who died at a Kakariki Grove property in Waikanae on 19 November. Officers responded to reports of an altercation at the address that afternoon. A large number of investigators are currently working the case.
2 outlets · Private funeral held for father who died in Sanson house fire
A private service has been held for Dean Field, who died alongside his three children during a house fire in Sanson. The incident is being treated by police as a homicide.
2 outlets · A grades may soon become most common at NZ universities
A report by The New Zealand Initiative predicts that 'A' grades will soon be the most frequent marks awarded at the country's eight universities. The study analysed university marking data spanning from 2006 to 2024.
2 outlets · Canterbury teenager seeks answers after mystery illness caused temporary paralysis
Angel Dagcutan is searching for the cause of a flu-like illness that left her paralysed three months ago. The Canterbury teenager has since regained her mobility but remains concerned the episode could happen again.
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