Saturday 13 December 2025
17 stories first reported this day, covered by two or more outlets
Homicide investigation launched after two found dead in Ruatiti
Police have launched a homicide investigation after two people were found dead at a rural property in Ruatiti on Saturday afternoon. A scene examination is expected to take several days. The location is situated in the Ruapehu district near Whanganui National Park.
4 outlets · Boy receives bravery award for intervening during attack on his father
A 12-year-old boy has been honoured with a New Zealand Bravery Award for his actions during a neighbour's attack on his father. The boy, who is the third youngest recipient ever, intervened when a man broke into the home and accused the father of spying.
4 outlets · Homicide investigation launched after man dies in Rotorua vehicle crash
Police have launched a homicide investigation after a man died following a vehicle collision with a tree on Ford Road in Rotorua on Friday night. Officers stated the man's injuries were not consistent with a crash. Police are now seeking witnesses and information regarding a van.
4 outlets · KiwiRail investigates steering issues on Interislander ferry Kaiārahi
The Interislander ferry Kaiārahi experienced steering problems during a Cook Strait voyage to Picton on Friday. The vessel returned to Wellington as a precaution, leaving passengers on board for over six hours. KiwiRail is investigating the technical failure, and the ferry is expected to return to service today.
4 outlets · Stars gather in Wellington for Avatar: Fire and Ash premiere
Director James Cameron and cast members including Sam Worthington and Cliff Curtis attended a red carpet event at The Embassy in Wellington. The premiere celebrates the third film in the Avatar series, which is scheduled for release on 18 December.
3 outlets · Search underway for young person who escaped Canterbury youth justice facility
Police and Oranga Tamariki are searching for a young person who escaped from Te Puna Wai o Tuhinapo in Selwyn on Saturday morning. Authorities are working together to locate the individual following the disappearance from the youth justice facility.
4 outlets · Five arrested after Albany shop robbery and owner assault
Five men were arrested on Friday following an aggravated burglary at a business on The Avenue in Albany. The group allegedly entered the store around 11.20am and assaulted the owner during an altercation. Four young men face shoplifting charges, while a 21-year-old man has been charged with aggravated assault.
3 outlets · Wairarapa drug supplier ordered to forfeit $653,000 in assets
Wayne Namana has been ordered by the High Court to forfeit $653,000 in assets, including cash, vehicles, and real estate. Police say the amount represents the profit the 67-year-old made from supplying methamphetamine in the Wairarapa.
3 outlets · Police Minister Mark Mitchell addresses Jevon McSkimming saga in final interview
Police Minister Mark Mitchell has provided his final comments regarding the Jevon McSkimming matter following an IPCA report finding serious misconduct. Mitchell stated that 36 emails concerning the former Deputy Police Commissioner were diverted from his office without his knowledge.
3 outlets · Tribunal rejects discrimination claim after job interview was cancelled
The Human Rights Review Tribunal has dismissed a claim by Pierre Ngog, who alleged discrimination after a job interview was terminated. The interviewer ended the meeting upon realising she had briefly dated the applicant eight years earlier. She stated she felt unsafe due to allegedly abusive messages sent by him.
2 outlets · Firefighters respond to two house fires on Auckland's North Shore
Emergency crews attended two separate house fires in Auckland on Saturday. The first blaze occurred on Kaipātiki Road in Glenfield around 4.50pm, followed by a second fire on Lysander Crescent in Beach Haven shortly after 6pm.
2 outlets · Police officer awarded bravery medal for Cyclone Gabrielle rescue
Detective Sergeant Heath Jones was one of eight people to receive a New Zealand bravery medal on Saturday. He was commended for wading through chest-high floodwaters to rescue a mother and two children stranded on a roof during Cyclone Gabrielle.
2 outlets · Person seriously injured in Christchurch car and cyclist crash
A person was airlifted to hospital in serious condition following a collision between a car and a bicycle. The crash occurred at French Farm on State Highway 75 near the Summit Road intersection. Waka Kotahi has warned of significant delays due to the closure of the road.
2 outlets · Harness racing driver Nathan Williamson seriously injured at Alexandra Park
Southland horseman Nathan Williamson was seriously injured after being unseated from his cart during a race at Auckland's Alexandra Park. The incident occurred near the finish line when the seat on his cart appeared to collapse. Williamson was taken to hospital and is reported to be in a coma.
2 outlets · Family Court orders former officer to pay woman for abuse
A former police officer has been ordered to pay nearly $60,000 to his wife following domestic violence. The man had previously managed the woman's police complaints regarding a different partner before they married. The Family Court ruled in favour of the woman after he was convicted of assaulting her.
2 outlets · Humpback whale dies after becoming entangled in crayfish pot rope
A humpback whale has died after getting caught in a crayfish pot rope off the Northland coast. This is the first recorded death of a humpback whale in New Zealand caused by entanglement with a rock lobster pot buoy rope.
3 outlets · Motorcyclist dies following single vehicle crash near Kaitaia
A motorcyclist has died after a single-vehicle accident on State Highway 1. The crash occurred near Victoria Valley Road shortly before 8.50pm on Friday. Emergency services transported the rider to hospital in critical condition, where they later passed away.
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