Government announces major replacement for the Resource Management Act
The Government has unveiled draft legislation to replace the Resource Management Act with a Planning Act and a Natural Environment Act. The reforms aim to streamline development and may require councils to compensate landowners for significant restrictions. The new system is intended to become active by 2029.
+37 outlets · Nicola Willis and Ruth Richardson to debate the country's finances
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has challenged former finance minister Ruth Richardson to a debate at Parliament. The challenge follows a planned Taxpayers' Union campaign targeting Willis. Richardson has agreed to the debate, which is expected to take place after next week's Half-Year Fiscal Update.
+26 outlets · Akaroa King Salmon products recalled due to possible listeria contamination
Two Akaroa King Salmon products have been recalled because of potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The affected mānuka cold smoked slices and trim were sold at stores in Dunedin and Christchurch. Consumers are advised to discard the products if they have been purchased.
+26 outlets · Two people dead after Foxton Beach house fire
Two people have died after a house fire destroyed a home on Queen Street in Foxton Beach on Tuesday morning. Police recovered the bodies following the blaze, which was reported shortly after 5am. Formal identification of the deceased is expected to be carried out in the coming days.
+15 outlets · Man arrested after fatal bus stabbings in East Auckland
A 36-year-old man has been arrested following two separate stabbings on a number 76 bus in East Auckland. The attacks left one man dead and another seriously injured. Police have launched two separate investigations into the incidents.
4 outlets · Large vegetation fire at Tongariro National Park is now contained
Firefighters have successfully contained a large blaze that burned through approximately 322 hectares of vegetation at Tongariro National Park. The fire, which began on Monday afternoon after multiple fires merged, was fully contained by Tuesday afternoon. Crews will continue to monitor the area and use drones to check for hotspots.
4 outlets · Tower Insurance fined $7 million for misleading customers
The High Court has ordered Tower Insurance to pay a $7 million penalty for overcharging more than 61,000 customers over a decade. The company failed to apply advertised multi-policy discounts, resulting in overcharges of approximately $11 million. Tower has already repaid more than $11.7 million to affected customers.
4 outlets · Supreme Court recognises family carers of disabled adults as employees
The Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that two parents caring for severely disabled adult children are employees of the government. Recognised as homeworkers, the carers are entitled to the minimum wage and associated benefits. This landmark decision could affect thousands of resident family carers across New Zealand.
4 outlets · Search continues for missing swimmer at Lake Wainamu
Police are searching for a 23-year-old man who went missing at Lake Wainamu near Bethells Beach on Monday evening. The man reportedly fell into a hole while swimming in waist-deep water with friends. A police dive squad has been called in to assist with ongoing search efforts.
4 outlets · Person found dead after house fire in New Lynn
Emergency services responded to a blaze at a two-storey house on Kohekohe Street in New Lynn on Monday afternoon. A person was found dead at the scene, and an investigation is currently underway.
+15 outlets · Chris Hipkins denies former police commissioner's briefing claim
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has denied claims by former police commissioner Andrew Coster that he was informally briefed about Jevon McSkimming's affair in 2022. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated he believes Hipkins' account, though New Zealand First has expressed doubt regarding the matter.
3 outlets · Nelson Tasman cat control aligns with government policy change
Nelson and Tasman regions have already implemented rules for feral cat control, including microchipping and registration requirements. These local measures align with the government's recent decision to include feral cats in the Predator Free 2050 strategy.
4 outlets · Chris Bishop's Wainuiomata electorate office vandalised
Housing Minister and Hutt South MP Chris Bishop's electorate office in Wainuiomata was closed on Tuesday after being vandalised. CCTV footage reportedly shows a person wearing a balaclava and gloves using a wooden beam to smash the front door and windows. Staff members have been left shaken by the incident.
3 outlets · Two more arrested in Mt Wellington homicide investigation
Police have arrested two more people following the death of a motorcyclist in Mt Wellington last Friday. A 53-year-old and a 32-year-old man have been charged with being accessories after the fact to murder. The investigation, known as Operation Hawkin, began after the victim died from injuries sustained in an altercation.
3 outlets · Five arrested over alleged firebombing and burglaries in Ōrewa
Police have arrested five people linked to the Head Hunters gang following a series of arsons and burglaries in Ōrewa. The arrests follow an investigation into incidents occurring between September and November, including a firebombing at Sunflour Café. One arrested person is a 15-year-old who has been referred to Youth Aid.
3 outlets · Former assistant commissioner responds to IPCA report
Former Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Basham has addressed a report from the Independent Police Conduct Authority regarding misconduct during Operation Herb. Basham stated he is engaging transparently with an ongoing independent employment investigation following recommendations made by the police watchdog.
+37 outlets · Baby fur seal rescued twice in suburban Christchurch
The Department of Conservation has rescued and released a baby fur seal twice after it was spotted near the Heathcote River in Woolston. The pup was picked up after people attempted to interact with it and take it home. Officials are reminding the public that kekeno are not pets.
3 outlets · Māpua woman named following fatal tramping accident on West Coast
Amy MacIver, 53, died while tramping in the Klondyke Valley near Reefton last Friday. Police have released the name of the Māpua woman as the community mourns her death.
+26 outlets · Auditor-General scrutinises school spending on travel and hospitality
The Office of the Auditor-General has flagged inappropriate spending by schools in its 2024 accounts report. Concerns include costs for cruises, overseas trips, and gym memberships. One Christchurch principal is defending an $18,500 leadership team trip to Queenstown, which was intended for professional development.
+37 outlets · Government to announce replacement for Resource Management Act today
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop are set to reveal two new laws to replace the Resource Management Act. The government describes the reforms as a significant change intended to address economic challenges by altering how environmental regulations and consent requirements are managed.
3 outlets · Brigid Dennehy breaks Auckland Marathon course record
Physiotherapist Brigid Dennehy has won the Auckland Marathon, breaking the previous course record by more than three minutes. The former Gaelic footballer surpassed the 2012 record previously held by Alexandra Williams.
2 outlets · Woman fails to reduce prison sentence after stealing $500,000 from trust
Ariana Thompson-Bell, a 33-year-old Morrinsville woman, has failed to appeal her prison sentence for stealing nearly $500,000 from a charitable trust. While working as a finance administrator, she diverted funds to her own account for holidays and dining out. The High Court released its decision regarding her appeal on Wednesday.
2 outlets · Man sentenced for vigilante attack on autistic man in St Andrews
Sheldon Roma was sentenced to four months of home detention following a mistaken identity vigilante attack in St Andrews. Roma and two others assaulted an autistic man on Sandwich Road. A request for permanent name suppression for Roma was unsuccessful.
3 outlets · Coalition government announces replacement for Resource Management Act
The coalition has revealed a new planning system consisting of a Planning Bill and a Natural Environment Bill. These reforms aim to replace the Resource Management Act and are scheduled to be sent to a select committee next week.
2 outlets · One person dies after drowning at Karioitahi Beach
A 26-year-old man has died after being caught in a rip tide at Karioitahi Beach on Monday night. Police were alerted after two men were seen struggling to return to shore. Local iwi have placed a rāhui at the beach.
2 outlets · Security company defends staff after video of cat being dumped
Global Security Solutions Limited has responded to footage appearing to show a cat being abandoned on a rural Auckland road. The firm claims staff were attempting to rescue the animal after it lashed out in a vehicle. The company states GPS data supports the claim that a worker stopped to avoid hitting the cat.
2 outlets · Judge to decide if Papatoetoe local board election requires by-election
A Manukau District Court judge has reserved a decision on whether alleged voting irregularities in Papatoetoe warrant a by-election. The hearing followed claims that voting papers were stolen from residents and submitted fraudulently.
2 outlets · Auckland rail network to face month-long shutdown from late December
Most Auckland train services will be suspended from 27 December to 28 January 2026. The shutdown is scheduled to facilitate essential work on the City Rail Link and wider network upgrades.
2 outlets · Man dies after drowning at Auckland's Karioitahi Beach
A 26-year-old man has died after getting into trouble in the water on Monday night. Police and Surf Life Saving teams responded to reports of two men struggling to return to shore at Karioitahi Beach around 7.10pm.
2 outlets · ACC scraps plan to require staff to work in office three days
The ACC has dropped a proposal to mandate that employees work from the office at least three days a week. The decision follows significant staff pushback and an Employment Relations Authority action. Chief executive Megan Main apologised to staff for the impact of the previous plan.
2 outlets · MPI rules out yellow-legged hornet nest found in Bay of Plenty
The Ministry for Primary Industries has confirmed that a social media post showing a potential yellow-legged hornet nest in Paengaroa was incorrect. Entomologists assessed the image and determined it was not a hornet nest. Officials have advised the public to report photos of suspicious nests to the Ministry instead of removing them.
2 outlets · Pro-Palestine protesters removed from Parliament after disrupting Question Time
Approximately 10 to 12 protesters were removed from the Parliament public gallery on Tuesday. The group disrupted Question Time by heckling politicians and throwing leaflets down on MPs. Security guards intervened to drag the protesters from the building.
2 outlets · Protesters interrupt Parliament session demanding sanctions on Israel
A group of protesters in the public gallery briefly delayed Question Time by shouting and throwing papers at MPs. The demonstration, which included calls for sanctions on Israel, lasted approximately four minutes before the individuals were escorted out.
2 outlets · Families face hardship as ACC reduces long-term claims
ACC is moving more people off long-term claims to manage costs, leading to financial hardship for some. Jacob Hamlin, who suffers from chronic fatigue and brain fog following a concussion five years ago, is one person affected by these changes.
3 outlets · Petitions delivered to Prime Minister regarding deputy disinformation claims
Former Wellington mayor Tory Whanau and another former politician have presented petitions with approximately 35,000 signatures to Parliament. The documents urge the Prime Minister to address alleged disinformation from his deputies. Whanau accused Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour of breaching Cabinet standards and attempting to intimidate critics.
2 outlets · Sam Ruthe's running spikes were Trade Me's most-viewed 2025 listing
Running spikes worn by Sam Ruthe topped Trade Me's most-viewed listings for 2025. The shoes, used by the teenage athlete during a record-breaking mile run, received over 41,000 views and sold for $11,408.35.
2 outlets · Charge dropped against former government employee in Dunedin
A former government employee in his 40s has had a charge of making an intimate visual recording dropped. The man, whose name and occupation are suppressed, appeared in the Dunedin District Court on Tuesday. He previously faced charges related to possessing footage of the Christchurch mosque shootings.
2 outlets · Person critically injured following reported assault in Glen Innes
Police responded to an assault on Fenchurch Street in Auckland around 8pm on Monday. While one person has been reported critically injured, there are also unconfirmed reports of a fatality following the incident.
2 outlets · All Blacks 2026 schedule confirmed with four home tests
The All Blacks will play 17 matches in 2026, including 13 tests. The season begins against France at Christchurch's Te Kaha Stadium, while Dunedin will not host a test match next year.
2 outlets · Temperatures forecast to remain high across New Zealand
New Zealand is experiencing hot weather, with temperatures in the North Island expected to exceed 30°C. Forecasts suggest temperatures will stay in the low 20s to high 30s over the coming days. Heat alerts may be issued for eastern parts of the country.
2 outlets · Discrepancies emerge regarding Police Minister's knowledge of McSkimming complaint
Police Minister Mark Mitchell has disputed claims regarding when he first learned of a complaint involving Jevon McSkimming. Following an interview with former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, questions have been raised about discrepancies in the Minister's timeline. Calls for a further independent inquiry into the matter are increasing.
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