Government surplus return delayed until 2030 following Treasury update
New Treasury forecasts show the government's return to a budget surplus has been delayed until 2030. The Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update indicates a slower economic recovery and a deepening deficit, with the deficit for the year to next June expected to be $13.9 billion.
+15 outlets · Judge voids Auckland local board election due to irregularities
A Manukau District Court judge has declared the election of local board members for the Papatoetoe subdivision void. Judge Richard McIlraith ruled that voting irregularities materially affected the result following allegations of fraud. Consequently, a rare by-election has been ordered for the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board.
+15 outlets · Government to merge housing, transport and environment ministries
The Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport will be established by July 2026. This new entity will combine functions from the ministries of transport, environment, housing and urban development, along with local government. Minister Chris Bishop stated the restructure aims to address a fragmented system.
+15 outlets · Police search for man wanted in Ruatiti double homicide
Police have issued an arrest warrant for 29-year-old Mitchell Cole following the discovery of two bodies at a rural property in Ruatiti on Saturday. Authorities are searching for Cole and have warned the public not to approach him.
4 outlets · Inmate charged with manslaughter after death at Mt Eden prison
A man has been charged with manslaughter following the death of 69-year-old Johnathan Peter Trubuhovich at Mt Eden Corrections Facility. Mr Trubuhovich died in hospital after being seriously assaulted in his cell in late November. The accused is due to appear in the Auckland District Court.
4 outlets · Large industrial building fire in Wiri leaves structure gutted
A major fire broke out at a commercial building in Wiri, South Auckland, on Tuesday morning. Large plumes of dark smoke drifted across the region before the blaze was contained. Firefighters have since hosed down the remains of the building, which was left as a shell.
4 outlets · Armed police to guard New Zealand Jewish sites after Bondi attack
New Zealand police will provide armed protection for Jewish community locations until at least the end of the week. This follows a terror attack at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah that killed 15 people. While security is heightened, authorities say the national terrorism threat level remains low.
+15 outlets · Ruth Richardson withdraws from planned debate with Nicola Willis
Taxpayers' Union chairwoman Ruth Richardson has declined a proposed debate with Finance Minister Nicola Willis. Richardson described the potential event as a sideshow intended to distract from fiscal issues. Willis responded by stating that no further social media exchanges are required.
4 outlets · Auckland councillors vote to scrap fortnightly rubbish collection trial
Auckland councillors have decided not to proceed with a proposed six-month trial of fortnightly kerbside rubbish collections. The trial would have affected approximately 12,150 households across several suburbs, including Te Atatū Peninsula and Panmure. The decision followed public feedback, with 78 per cent of submissions opposing the plan.
4 outlets · Total Mobility subsidies for elderly and disabled people to be reduced
The government is cutting transport subsidies for more than 120,000 people in the Total Mobility scheme. From 1 July 2026, the subsidy for discounted taxi and public transport fares will drop from 75 per cent to 65 per cent. Transport Minister Chris Bishop cited rising costs as the reason for the change.
3 outlets · Hamilton man identified as missing fisherman near Cape Reinga
Police have identified 65-year-old Man Bock Lee as the fisherman swept off rocks at Tapotupotu Bay on 23 November. Mr Lee was fishing with friends in the remote area when the incident occurred. He remains missing and is presumed drowned.
3 outlets · South Taranaki fire grows to approximately 100 hectares
A vegetation fire located between Waitōtara and Waiinu Beach has expanded to an estimated 100 hectares. Firefighters are using helicopters and heavy machinery to combat the blaze, which is expected to continue for several days.
3 outlets · Nai Yin Xue denied parole for seventh time
Nai Yin Xue has been refused parole for the seventh time. In 2007, Xue strangled his wife, An An Liu, in Auckland and left her body in a car boot. He then fled to Australia with their three-year-old daughter before she was found at a Melbourne train station.
3 outlets · Man faces additional arson charges following Dunedin fire spree
Andrew Magnus Healey, 48, appeared in Dunedin District Court facing five arson charges related to a series of fires. The alleged incidents included a vacant Lees St property and a derelict former hospital. No pleas have been entered, and the man remains in custody.
2 outlets · Film company agrees to police control of Tom Phillips documentary
The producer of The Marokopa Project has agreed that police may preview and edit the feature-length documentary before it airs. The Dunedin-based film crew gained exclusive access to the investigation into fugitive Tom Phillips and his children.
3 outlets · Schools in Auckland, Taranaki and Tasman seek funding for swimming lessons
More than 5,000 students from 26 schools will receive safe swimming lessons through reader donations. Funding is now being sought for additional schools located in Auckland, Taranaki and Tasman.
4 outlets · Nelson man jailed for extreme child abuse and animal cruelty images
Storm Uriah Constable-Carter has been sentenced in a Nelson court for possessing graphic images involving child abuse and zoosadism. The victims of the offences ranged from newborns to teenagers. Investigators described the nature of the offending as some of the worst they have encountered.
2 outlets · Severe thunderstorm warning issued for parts of Canterbury and Otago
MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Ashburton, Timaru, and Mackenzie districts, valid until 8:15pm Tuesday. Radar detected severe thunderstorms near Peel Forest, Arundel, and Mount Peel. The storms bring risks of large hail and localised heavy rain across parts of the South Island.
2 outlets · Two people injured in crash near Mount Victoria tunnel
Two people were injured after two vehicles collided on Paterson Street in Wellington on Monday afternoon. The crash occurred near the Mount Victoria tunnel shortly after 4pm. A northbound lane of State Highway One remains closed following the incident.
2 outlets · Guide dogs retired after being attacked by roaming dogs
Some guide dogs have been forced into retirement after being attacked by other dogs while working. Blind Low Vision NZ says certain South Auckland areas are now off-limits for guide dogs, as the animals can lose the confidence required to work safely.
3 outlets · National MP Louise Upston marries long-time partner in Karāpiro wedding
National MP Louise Upston married Hamish Craig during an intimate ceremony at their family home in Karāpiro on Saturday. The wedding was attended by their five children and 44 invited guests. Upston expressed that the couple could not be happier following the event.
2 outlets · Auckland Myanmar restaurant Moe Palae' to close next week
Moe Palae' Myanmar Restaurant on Great North Road is set to close due to the current economic situation. The West Auckland eatery, led by 2023 MasterChef Myanmar winner Hein Htet Aung, was recently recognised as a top new restaurant.
2 outlets · Two Comancheros associates sentenced in drug syndicate case
Dementry Higgins and Kayden Kelvin Wikaira have been sentenced for their involvement in a multi-million-dollar drug operation. The two men were part of a Comancheros gang group arrested in August 2024 during Operation Avon. They are the first of many alleged offenders from the syndicate to face sentencing.
2 outlets · Woman accused in wheelie bin baby death drops name suppression
Chanelle Smith, 32, can now be named after her lawyer abandoned name suppression. She faces charges of interfering with human remains following the discovery of a newborn baby's body in a wheelie bin on Renall Street in July.
2 outlets · Subcontractor sentenced for involvement in corrupt roading scheme
Frederick Pou of Coastal Roading Contractors has been sentenced to 12 months' home detention. He pleaded guilty to corruptly giving gifts to a former roading contract manager in exchange for maintenance contracts in South Auckland.
2 outlets · Man charged after stealing defaced flag from Hastings Art Gallery
A man has been charged with stealing a New Zealand flag defaced with the words "Please walk on me" from the Hastings Art Gallery. The accused stated he attended the exhibition expecting the artwork to be displayed behind a barrier or on a wall rather than on the floor.
3 outlets · Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation returns to profit with $9.7 million surplus
The Māori-owned Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation has reported a $9.7 million after-tax profit, reversing two years of losses. The farming operation, which manages 42,000 hectares of land, also reduced debt by $10 million and increased shareholder dividends. New governors have joined the board as the organisation returns to profitability.
2 outlets · Hāwea Flat cafe owner prosecuted for alleged illegal food sales
Leanne Dawn Harling, trading as Camphill Coffee, faces four charges from the Queenstown Lakes District Council. The charges involve alleged breaches of the Food Safety Act and resisting food safety officers. Harling claims the business operates as a private membership association.
2 outlets · Concerns over unsafe roadside parking following new tourist hotspot fees
A new pilot scheme has introduced $5 hourly parking fees at Aoraki-Mount Cook, Punakaiki-Pancake Rocks, and Franz Josef/Wairau to fund upkeep. Various groups have expressed concern that these charges may cause tourists to park unsafely on roadsides instead.
2 outlets · James Gardner-Hopkins allowed to return to legal practice
Former Russell McVeagh partner James Gardner-Hopkins has been granted a new practising certificate. He was previously suspended for three years following sexually inappropriate behaviour towards law students. The Law Society has now ruled that he is a fit and proper person to practise law.
2 outlets · Former youth justice worker pleads guilty to assaulting teenager
Allen McKenzie Haua, 35, has pleaded guilty to assault with intent to injure and making a false statement in Dunedin District Court. Haua, a former Te Kaika employee, punched a teenager in his care up to 15 times before falsely claiming to police that he was the victim.
2 outlets · Nelson man wins $16 million Powerball prize
A Nelson man has won $16 million after playing a $12 Lotto ticket. He discovered the windfall at a local supermarket last Thursday after 25 years of playing the game.
2 outlets · Ashburton man pleads guilty to causing death of Otago hunter
Paul William John Stevens, 39, has pleaded guilty to carelessly using a firearm causing the death of Jock David Grant Davies. The incident occurred during a hunting trip on Stewart Island. Stevens appeared in the Invercargill District Court to enter his plea.
2 outlets · Debate continues over nitrate levels in Canterbury water supply
Canterbury faces conflicting views regarding nitrate levels in the local water supply. While some describe the situation as a nitrate emergency, others view the concerns as alarmism. However, it is noted that the region's dairy boom has occurred alongside a decline in water quality.
2 outlets · Thames-Coromandel enters restricted fire season
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has placed the entire Thames-Coromandel district into a restricted fire season as of Tuesday morning. Due to dry conditions, residents must now obtain a permit to conduct any open-air fires within the council boundaries.
2 outlets · Auckland homelessness more than doubles in year to September
A survey of housing support providers shows Auckland homelessness rose to 940 people in the year ending September. Workers at a special court assisting those without shelter report seeing increased levels of distress and poor mental health among clients.
3 outlets · Splore music festival to end after 2026 event
Organisers have announced that the Splore music and arts festival will conclude following its 2026 event at Tāpapakanga Regional Park. The decision follows lower-than-expected ticket sales, making the festival difficult to sustain. The final festival is scheduled for 20-22 February and will feature Röyksopp, Sister Nancy, and Nightmares on Wax.
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