Wednesday 26 November 2025
33 stories first reported this day, covered by two or more outlets
Auckland mother sentenced to life for murdering two children
Hakyung Lee has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murders of her children, Yuna Jo and Minu Jo. Lee, who hid the children's bodies in suitcases within a storage locker, must serve a minimum of 17 years. She will also be held as a special patient for mental health treatment.
+48 outlets · Man charged with arson after fires at Waiuku business park
A 30-year-old man has been charged with arson following fires at a Waiuku recycling facility. The same shipping containers involved in a suspicious blaze on Monday caught fire again early Wednesday morning. The man is due to appear in Pukekohe District Court.
+15 outlets · Heavy rain and wind forecast for parts of the South Island
MetService has issued orange heavy rain and strong wind warnings for the West Coast, Tasman, and Canterbury headwaters. While the North Island remains warm, the South Island faces potential rainfall totals of up to 230mm in some areas. A heat alert was also issued for Napier.
+15 outlets · Reserve Bank cuts official cash rate to 2.25%
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has reduced the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 2.25%. This final decision of the year aims to support economic recovery and follows nine reductions since August 2024.
4 outlets · Auckland executive pleaded guilty to paying teenager for sex
An Auckland executive has admitted paying a 14-year-old girl for commercial sexual services. The man, who used Snapchat to describe himself as a ''sugar daddy', reportedly provided the teen with $1000, a $200 gift card, and Uber Eats. The executive has since left his job.
+15 outlets · Three charged over alleged illegal cannabis sales in Canterbury
Three people have been charged following a police investigation into an alleged organised criminal operation in Christchurch. Authorities claim the group used a medicinal cannabis licence as cover to illegally distribute cannabis over a five-year period.
4 outlets · One person dead and two injured in SH2 truck crash
One person has died and another sustained minor injuries following a collision between two trucks on State Highway 2 near Maramarua. Police were called to the scene late Wednesday morning. The highway remains closed between Monument Road and Heaven Road with diversions in place.
4 outlets · Two New Zealand women charged after methamphetamine found at Melbourne Airport
Two 22-year-old New Zealand women have been charged after Australian Border Force officers allegedly found 36kg of methamphetamine in their luggage. The drugs, valued between NZ$37 million and NZ$38 million, were discovered on Monday following a flight from Malaysia into Melbourne.
4 outlets · Police seek help to find missing 14-year-old in Christchurch
Police have expressed great concern for a 14-year-old girl named Cobra who has been missing for over a week. She was last seen leaving school in central Christchurch on Monday, 17 November. Authorities have been following lines of inquiry but are now asking for public assistance to locate her.
+15 outlets · Mountain guide and client die in Aoraki Mt Cook fall
Wānaka-based mountain guide Thomas Vialletet and an American client died while attempting to summit Aoraki Mt Cook on Monday. Police recovered the bodies on Tuesday. More than $26,000 has been raised for Vialletet's family following the tragedy.
+15 outlets · Police continue search for man wanted in connection with mother's death
Police are still searching for Jeremy Robertson, who is wanted in connection with the death of his mother, Karen Gilbert-Palmer, in Pahīatua. The 74-year-old was found dead at her Arthur Street home on 15 October. Authorities believe Robertson could still be in the Rotorua area.
+37 outlets · Brian Tamaki applies to protest on Auckland Harbour Bridge
Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki has lodged an application to hold a protest on the Auckland Harbour Bridge. If the application is successful, the event is planned for 31 January. This follows a previous protest march led by Tamaki in central Auckland in June.
3 outlets · Man charged with dangerous driving after fatal Leeston crash
A 57-year-old Selwyn man has been charged with dangerous driving causing death following a crash in Leeston on 4 July. The incident resulted in the death of 78-year-old postman David Bullock on his final day of work. The man has been granted interim name suppression.
4 outlets · Man dies after being pulled from the water at Mount Maunganui
A man has died after being pulled unconscious from the sea at Mount Maunganui Beach on Wednesday evening. Emergency services were called to the scene around 6.10pm. Despite attempts to perform CPR, the man died at the beach.
3 outlets · Northland mayors respond to government plan to replace regional councils
The Government has announced a proposal to replace elected regional councillors with boards led by mayors. Northland leaders are calling for local focus following the announcement of the reform, which is described as the most significant local government shake-up in decades.
3 outlets · Christchurch Parakiore recreation centre to open on 17 December
The new Parakiore recreation and sport centre on Moorhouse Avenue will open to the public on 17 December. The facility includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool, five hydroslides, and various sports courts. The complex is valued between $300 million and $500 million.
3 outlets · Parole Board warns former eye surgeon Ian Dallison
Former Christchurch eye surgeon Ian Dallison has been warned by the Parole Board for threatening his victims. Dallison, who was jailed for attempting to murder his landlord in 2022, received the warning during a hearing regarding his request to return to Canterbury.
3 outlets · Kawerau woman wins share of $55 million Powerball jackpot
A woman from Kawerau has won an $18.3 million share of the recent $55 million Lotto Powerball must-be-won jackpot. After discovering her winning numbers, she shared the news with her family. She described the experience as life-changing and noted the need to stay grounded despite the windfall.
3 outlets · Mountain guide and client killed on Aoraki Mount Cook
Thomas Vialletet, a Wānaka-based mountain guide and father of two, died alongside a United States client on Monday night. The pair fell during a summit attempt from Empress Hut on Aoraki Mount Cook. They were part of a four-person climbing party when the incident occurred.
3 outlets · Frank Harris jailed for attempted murder of his father
Frank John Harris has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for attempting to kill his father with an axe. The attack occurred at a home in Golden Bay following an argument regarding a water tank. The sentencing took place in the High Court at Nelson.
3 outlets · Christchurch chef sacked following indecent assault sentencing
Sumeer Thapa has been fired from Lazeez Mediterranean Grill after being sentenced in the Christchurch District Court. He received four months' home detention after a jury found him guilty of seven counts of indecently assaulting four teenage employees. His employer stated he would have been dismissed sooner if not for a misunderstanding.
3 outlets · Auckland couple to sue council over flood damage buyout refusal
Brendon and Stephanie Deacon are taking Auckland Council to court after it refused to buy out their Huapai property. The couple, who previously had to kayak to escape flash flooding, say their home is ineligible for a buyout despite neighbouring houses being purchased and removed.
4 outlets · Endangered black mudfish found in Helensville wetland after decade
Adults and juveniles of the regionally endangered Waikaka, or black mudfish, have been located in a Helensville wetland. The species had not been seen in the area since 2014. The discovery was made during a joint survey by Auckland Council and Watercare.
2 outlets · Seventeen police staff remain under investigation for content misuse
Seventeen police staff are still being investigated regarding the misuse of inappropriate content. While three staff members have been cleared of wrongdoing after searches were found to be work-related, six employees have been stood down. Previously, police confirmed that 20 staff members were under investigation, including three facing criminal inquiries.
2 outlets · Man seriously injured in Henderson town centre incident
A man has been taken to Auckland City Hospital with serious injuries following an incident on Edsel Street. Emergency services were called to the West Auckland location at approximately 2.40pm on Tuesday. Police are currently searching for the offender involved.
2 outlets · Tesla crashes into Wigram home while family was away
A car crashed into a house on Colin Laloli Place in Wigram on Wednesday evening. Emergency services were called to the scene at 8.45pm, where crews had to free a driver trapped in the vehicle. No one was inside the home at the time of the incident.
2 outlets · Dead horse among debris trapped under Whakatāne River Bridge
A horse carcass is among the forestry slash stuck against the Whakatāne River Bridge piers following recent heavy rain. This is the second such occurrence in two months. NZTA plans to use a barge this week to clear the debris.
2 outlets · Kiwis drinking similar amounts of beer but choosing lower alcohol options
New Stats NZ data for the year ending September 2025 shows that while overall beer consumption remains steady, there is an increase in people drinking mid-strength drafts. One expert suggests this shift towards lower-alcohol options is being driven by concerns regarding waistlines rather than alcohol intake.
2 outlets · Officials warned ministers against welfare changes for teenagers
Newly released documents show officials advised the government against tightening welfare eligibility for 18 and 19-year-olds. The Ministry of Social Development warned that the crackdown could increase long-term benefit dependency and potentially incentivise teenage pregnancies.
2 outlets · Hector's dolphin nursery pod spotted in Akaroa Harbour
A rare all-female nursery pod of Hector's dolphins was seen in Akaroa Harbour. The group was observed supporting and protecting a mother as her calf learned to breathe. The event was captured on video by Black Cat Cruises.
2 outlets · Savers seek alternative returns as interest rates decline
Falling interest rates are prompting savers to search for better ways to grow their money. While the Reserve Bank of New Zealand is expected to cut the official cash rate, experts warn that individuals must understand the risks involved when seeking higher returns.
3 outlets · Shane Jones claims regional councils are stifling economic growth
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says the current regional council structure hinders economic growth through cost burdens and green overreach. He specifically criticised councils in Otago, suggesting they have too much influence from iwi. This follows a government announcement to scrap regional councillors in favour of mayor-led combined authorities.
2 outlets · Rising insurance costs lead more New Zealanders to reduce coverage
As total insurance costs in New Zealand exceed $16 billion annually, more people are reducing their home cover or opting for self-insurance. Consumer NZ has noted worrying signs that rising premiums are causing individuals to drop various types of insurance policies.
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