Wednesday 10 December 2025
38 stories first reported this day, covered by two or more outlets
Parole conditions relaxed for convicted double murderer Mark Lundy
The Parole Board has lifted Mark Lundy's night-time curfew and his restriction on speaking to the media. After six months of full compliance, the 66-year-old is expanding his social contacts, though he remains prohibited from using social media accounts.
+26 outlets · Firefighters battle well-involved house fire in Northcote
Emergency crews are battling a house fire on Paddington Street in Northcote, Christchurch, which began shortly after 11:30am on Wednesday. Thick smoke was visible across the city, prompting a local primary school to keep children indoors. Fire and Emergency NZ confirmed that all occupants of the home have been accounted for.
+15 outlets · Haeata Community Campus most likely responsible for mouldy lunches
An investigation by New Zealand Food Safety into mouldy meals served at Haeata Community Campus suggests the school likely accidentally mixed up lunches from the previous week. The probe cleared the School Lunch Collective of wider food safety risks, finding the incident to be isolated.
+37 outlets · Off-duty Waikato officer helps arrest protesters at Tower of London
Senior Constable Mark Strongman assisted London police after protesters smeared custard and apple crumble on the Crown Jewels display case. The Waikato officer was visiting the Tower of London with his family when the incident occurred. Four people were detained following the protest by the group Take Back Power.
+37 outlets · Man accused of murder after fatal Auckland bus stabbing
A 36-year-old man has appeared in court charged with murder and causing grievous bodily harm following two separate stabbings on an Auckland bus. The attacks, which occurred on the number 76 service, left one 59-year-old man dead and another person seriously injured. The accused has been remanded in custody.
4 outlets · Hamilton driver sentenced after railway crossing crash killed three people
Norton Sowerby has been sentenced in the Hamilton High Court for three counts of manslaughter and reckless driving causing injury. The crash occurred at the Peachgrove Road rail crossing last November when Sowerby drove onto the tracks and was struck by a train. He reportedly told police he was not the driver at the scene.
+15 outlets · Homicide investigation launched after Mt Eden prisoner dies
A homicide investigation is underway following the death of 69-year-old remand prisoner Jonathan Peter Trubuhovich. He died in hospital 10 days after an alleged assault by a cellmate in a double-bunk cell at Mt Eden prison. His family is seeking accountability from Corrections regarding any potential oversight failures.
4 outlets · Christchurch man jailed for possessing and distributing child exploitation material
Alexandre Harpur, 55, has been sentenced to five years and two months in prison. The former army sergeant pleaded guilty to 19 charges after a raid on his Christchurch home uncovered more than 500 files depicting the sexual exploitation of children and infants.
+15 outlets · Australia implements world first social media ban for children under 16
Australia has become the first country to ban social media access for children under 16. Major platforms, including Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat, are required to block underage users or face fines. While some companies have already begun removing younger users, reports suggest some teenagers are attempting to find loopholes.
4 outlets · Finance Minister urges mortgage holders to shop around after Westpac rate hike
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has advised borrowers to compare different banks after Westpac increased some fixed-term mortgage rates. The bank raised rates on terms between two and five years due to rising wholesale costs. This follows a recent reduction in the Official Cash Rate.
4 outlets · National Cyber Security Centre warns of malware affecting 26,000 email addresses
The National Cyber Security Centre is alerting approximately 26,000 New Zealanders that their devices may have been infected with Lumma Stealer malware. The malicious software was designed to steal sensitive personal data, including passwords and email addresses.
+15 outlets · Homicide investigation launched after Mt Eden prison inmate dies
A homicide investigation is underway following the death of a male prisoner at Mt Eden Corrections Facility. The man died in hospital on 8 December after being admitted with critical injuries following an alleged assault by a cellmate on 29 November. This marks the third such death at the prison within a year.
4 outlets · Two passengers attacked in fatal Auckland bus stabbing
A 59-year-old man has died and a 51-year-old man was seriously injured following a stabbing on a number 76 bus on Monday night. The incident occurred between Glen Innes and Ōrakei, leaving local residents feeling fearful. A 36-year-old man has been remanded in custody.
3 outlets · Rotorua Night Market to return to city centre location
Rotorua Lakes Council has voted eight-to-three to end a two-month trial relocation of the Night Market to Kuirau Park. The market will return to its previous location on Tūtānekai Street as soon as is reasonably practical.
4 outlets · Tongariro National Park huts and tracks to reopen after fire
Huts and tracks in Tongariro National Park are set to reopen on Wednesday following a major blaze. The fire, which burned through between 296 and 300 hectares of vegetation, has been completely contained. Approximately 37 personnel, including investigators and firefighters, were expected on site on Wednesday.
3 outlets · Seven-year-old girl dies in Hawke’s Bay farm accident
A seven-year-old girl died at a Hawke's Bay farm after falling from a quad bike. She was sitting on a loose plywood platform when she fell into the path of a mower being towed by the vehicle. Her father and another relative attempted to assist her before she was pronounced dead at the scene.
3 outlets · Fatal New Lynn house fire not being treated as suspicious
Police say a house fire on Kohekohe Street in New Lynn, which killed a man on Monday afternoon, is not suspicious. Following a post-mortem, the man's death has been referred to the coroner.
3 outlets · Temporary alcohol ban for Wairarapa coastal hotspots over holidays
Masterton District Council has approved a temporary ban on alcohol possession and consumption at Castlepoint and Riversdale Beach. The decision follows resident complaints regarding intoxicated groups and previous reports of vandalism. The restrictions will apply to these coastal areas over the New Year period.
3 outlets · Black Caps dominate first day of second test in Wellington
New Zealand bowlers dismissed the West Indies for 205 on the opening day at the Basin Reserve. While the Black Caps reached 24 without loss, seamer Blair Tickner was forced from the field with a shoulder injury.
3 outlets · Police recover Fabergé pendant swallowed during Auckland jewellery heist
A man is accused of swallowing a $33,500 Fabergé James Bond Octopussy Egg pendant during an alleged theft at an Auckland jewellery store last Friday. Police have since safely recovered the pendant.
3 outlets · Coroner finds Nelson teenager's fatal crash was avoidable
A coroner has ruled that the death of 17-year-old Tieylr Saige Ayrton was avoidable. In March 2022, the teenager was driving on a restricted licence and under the influence of alcohol when she hit a tree on Rutherford Street while fleeing police at high speed.
3 outlets · KFC's Colonel Hacker tops most complained TV ads of 2025
The Advertising Standards Authority has released the most complained about television advertisements in New Zealand for 2025. KFC's Colonel Hacker campaign was the most complained about, receiving 65 complaints.
4 outlets · Hastings residents frustrated by 180 new bus stops
A shake-up of the Hawke's Bay bus network has prompted the Hastings District Council to install 180 new bus stops. Some local residents are frustrated by the decision, with some stating they do not want stops located outside their homes.
4 outlets · New Plymouth lake to be drained due to invasive clam infestation
Lake Rotomanu in New Plymouth will be emptied this week to help scientists assess an infestation of invasive freshwater gold clams. The Corbicula fluminea species was discovered in the lake on 8 November, marking the first time the clam has been found outside the Waikato River.
2 outlets · Parliamentary committee investigates social media regulation and alcohol advertising bans
A parliamentary select committee has released an interim report regarding reducing social media harm among children. The investigation comes as Australia implements a ban on social media for children under 16.
2 outlets · Zuru wins Court of Appeal trademark dispute with Lego
The Court of Appeal has overturned a previous High Court ruling in a trademark battle between Zuru and Lego. The court found that Zuru's use of the word "Lego" on its Max Build More packaging was descriptive rather than an infringement.
2 outlets · Illegal dumping in Gisborne reaches record high
Illegal flytipping in Gisborne has reached a record 1,200 tonnes over the past year. Rubbish left outside the city's waste management transfer station has cost ratepayers $570,000 as of October. The dumping has affected local streets, beaches, and parks.
2 outlets · Police seek information after armed robbery at Upper Hutt bar
Hutt Valley Police are investigating an armed robbery at Quinns Post bar on Ward Street in Upper Hutt. Just after midnight on Wednesday, a masked offender brandishing a firearm approached staff and demanded cash. Police are now appealing for information regarding the incident.
2 outlets · Executive facing workplace investigation before admitting to paying for underage sex
A prominent business executive was subject to an active disciplinary inquiry at his workplace before being charged. The individual recently pleaded guilty in the Auckland District Court to receiving commercial sexual services from a person under 18.
2 outlets · Mount Victoria tunnel reopens following two-car crash in Wellington
The Mount Victoria tunnel in central Wellington has reopened after a two-car crash occurred on State Highway 1. Police and ambulance crews attended the incident in the southbound lane near the tunnel entrance around 2.30pm. The crash had previously caused significant traffic delays.
2 outlets · Amanda Malu appointed Oranga Tamariki chief executive
Amanda Malu has been named the new secretary for children and chief executive of Oranga Tamariki. The Public Service Commission announced the appointment on Wednesday. Malu previously held leadership roles at Education New Zealand, ACC, and Whānau Āwhina Plunket.
2 outlets · Rat numbers could double by 2090, Department of Conservation warns
The Department of Conservation says rat populations could double by 2090 if climate change worsens. The agency is seeking an additional $150 million in annual revenue to prevent biodiversity from regressing.
2 outlets · Labour leads National in latest Taxpayers’ Union/Curia poll
The monthly Taxpayers’ Union/Curia poll shows Labour ahead of National in the party vote. Despite this, the coalition would retain government with a combined 61 seats if an election were held today.
2 outlets · Venus Williams to headline 2026 ASB Classic in Auckland
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams will compete in the 2026 ASB Classic at Auckland's Manuka Doctor Arena. The tournament is scheduled to take place from 5 to 11 January, featuring a diverse women's field including players ranked between world No 14 and No 92.
2 outlets · Man accused of stealing from rescue helicopter deemed fit for trial
A 31-year-old man appeared in Dunedin District Court on Wednesday after being deemed fit to plead to charges involving the theft of medical supplies from a rescue helicopter. The man, who has been in custody for over 10 months, also faces charges including six burglaries.
2 outlets · Debate over implementing Australia's vaccination policies in New Zealand
New Zealand is considering whether to adopt Australia's 'No Jab, No Pay' policies, which link family tax benefits and childcare subsidies to child immunisation. While such measures could address low vaccination rates, experts suggest vaccine hesitancy and poor access to doctors remain significant challenges.
2 outlets · Local leaders discuss common resident complaints across New Zealand
Councillors and mayors nationwide have identified various issues that frustrate residents, including stray dogs, berm maintenance, and traffic. Former Clutha mayor Bryan Cadogan noted that these grievances can lead to intense confrontations, such as late-night calls regarding roadworks.
2 outlets · Proposed resource management reforms aim to lower housing costs
The government plans to overhaul resource management laws to reduce building costs and accelerate infrastructure delivery. While some see the reforms as a way to boost growth, environmental groups and Southern mayors have expressed concerns regarding potential impacts on landscapes and native species.
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