New Zealand reaches free trade agreement with India
The New Zealand government has concluded a free trade deal with India that will reduce or eliminate tariffs on approximately 95% of exports. While Trade Minister Todd McClay described the agreement as a significant milestone, NZ First has stated it will not support the legislation.
+37 outlets · Food safety warning issued after landfill cheese is resold in Waikato
New Zealand Food Safety has warned consumers after Over The Moon branded cheese was taken from the Putāruru Landfill and resold. The cheese was previously disposed of because it was unfit for consumption. Authorities are urging people to dispose of any suspect product and report illegal sales.
+37 outlets · Search underway for person missing in water near Thames
Emergency services are searching for a person reported missing in the water near the Waikawau boat ramp on the Thames Coast. Police were called on Monday morning after one person reached the shore to report that a second person had been in difficulty. The multi-agency response includes police, coastguard, and fire and emergency services.
+15 outlets · Man charged after allegedly threatening police with knife and biting officer
A 30-year-old man has been charged after allegedly threatening police with a knife and biting an officer during an arrest in Dunedin. The incident occurred on King Edward Street following reports of an attempted vehicle theft. One officer was taken to hospital for treatment and precautionary blood tests.
4 outlets · Stolen Bentley investigation leads police to shotgun and more stolen vehicles
Police investigating a stolen Bentley Bentayga from Auckland's North Shore have discovered four additional stolen vehicles and a loaded shotgun. The items were found at a house in Glen Eden, where a 31-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman have been arrested.
4 outlets · Investigation launched after boat catches fire on Lake Taupō
Emergency services responded to reports of a burning vessel at Whangamatā Bay near Kinloch on Sunday evening. A person was rescued after swimming for over an hour without a life jacket and has been hospitalised. Police are currently investigating the cause of the fire.
4 outlets · Woman arrested for allegedly driving four times over alcohol limit
A 38-year-old woman was arrested in Gore on Sunday morning after being seen driving erratically. Police pulled her over on Main Street following reports that her vehicle was repeatedly crossing the centre line. Officers say she was nearly four times over the legal alcohol limit.
4 outlets · Nicola Willis to stand as list-only candidate at 2026 election
National Party deputy leader and Finance Minister Nicola Willis will not contest an electorate seat at the next election. She has previously contested seats in Wellington Central and Ōhāriu. Willis will instead run as a list-only candidate.
+37 outlets · Eight arrested following Southland drug and firearms operation
Eight people have been arrested during Operation Diablo, a police crackdown on gang-linked drug offending in Southland. Officers executed 12 search warrants at various properties and vehicles in and around Invercargill. The operation resulted in the seizure of drugs, firearms, and cash.
4 outlets · Driver dies after car hits power pole near Timaru
A person has died following a single-vehicle crash on Seadown Road, north of Timaru. Police were notified around 9.10am on Monday after a member of the public discovered the vehicle had struck a power pole. The serious crash unit has been notified to investigate the incident.
4 outlets · Manhunt continues for person of interest in Ruatiti double homicide
Police are searching for 29-year-old Mitchell Cole following the deaths of Brendon and Trina Cole at their Ruatiti property. Cole is considered a person of interest and is believed to be armed and dangerous. He is reportedly travelling with a dog.
3 outlets · Suzuki Fronx owners warned not to carry rear seat passengers
Drivers of the Suzuki Fronx have been advised not to carry passengers in the rear seat following a seatbelt mechanism failure during a laboratory crash test. The vehicle received a one-star safety rating from ANCAP, and authorities warned that a similar failure on the road could cause serious injury or death.
3 outlets · Takahē pair thought to be infertile hatch chick at Zealandia
A pair of takahē, Bendigo and Waitaa, have unexpectedly hatched a chick at Wellington's Zealandia sanctuary. The birds arrived at the sanctuary two years ago as a non-breeding pair, and staff previously believed the male may have had fertility issues.
+15 outlets · Queenstown restaurant fails to stop Australian spa chain using its name
The Bathhouse restaurant has failed to secure an interim injunction to prevent an Australian company from opening a luxury spa with a similar name in Queenstown. The companies are involved in a legal dispute that may proceed to trial.
3 outlets · Stepmother wins bid to appeal jail sentence in Supreme Court
Jessica Lee Rose Mulford has won permission to appeal her jail sentence in the Supreme Court. Mulford was sentenced to five years and seven months for the manslaughter of her two-year-old stepdaughter, Harlee-Rose Niven, following fatal abdominal injuries.
4 outlets · Pedestrian seriously injured in Mount Eden vehicle collision
A pedestrian was seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle at the intersection of Dominion and Balmoral Roads in Mount Eden on Monday morning. Police have notified the Serious Crash Unit. Motorists have been advised to avoid the area due to delays.
3 outlets · Man identified following fatal motorway crash in Māngere
Police have named Jagpreet Singh as the 20-year-old man who died after a two-vehicle collision on State Highway 20. The crash involving a car and a truck occurred near Māngere at approximately 4 am on 3 December. Singh was treated by paramedics before passing away in hospital.
3 outlets · Two people arrested following alleged Kmart theft in Botany
Police arrested a man and a woman after they allegedly attempted to steal three shopping trolleys' worth of goods from Kmart Botany on Sunday morning. Approximately $400 of items were recovered after a vehicle was tracked to a Manurewa address. A south Auckland woman is due to appear in court on Christmas Eve.
3 outlets · Rotorua council workers save great-grandmother's life in garden rescue
Council workers saved 78-year-old Sandra Bristowe after she collapsed in her front garden in Rotorua. The workers arrived by chance on a Friday afternoon and provided quick assistance after she began experiencing chest pain.
4 outlets · Person arrested after imitation firearm found in Wellington CBD
Armed police responded to a Willis Street residence in central Wellington early on Monday morning following reports of a firearm. After speaking with occupants at the property, police located an imitation firearm and arrested one person.
3 outlets · South Island sets expected to be warmest on Christmas Day
MetService has issued heavy rain and strong wind watches across parts of both islands ahead of the holiday. While much of the country may face damp conditions, Hastings, Christchurch, and Kaikōura are tipped for better weather, with temperatures potentially reaching 30°C in Hastings.
2 outlets · Auckland researchers find new way to remove nitrates from wastewater
Associate Professor Wei-Qin Zhuang and his team from the University of Auckland have discovered that different microbes can be used to remove nitrates from wastewater. This method aims to reduce the carbon footprint associated with treating water before it is discharged into the environment.
3 outlets · New partnership formed for future America's Cup events
The America's Cup will be held every two years starting from 2027. A new partnership has been formed between five key teams, including the Swiss outfit Alinghi.
2 outlets · Pouri Hut destroyed by fire in Whanganui National Park
A 12-bunk shelter on the Matemateāonga Track was razed by fire on 11 December. Investigators have been unable to determine the cause of the blaze. The incident has prompted summer fire safety warnings from the Department of Conservation and Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
2 outlets · Teacher censured for attempting to buy ADHD medication from student
A teacher must prove their fitness to the Teaching Council to return to the profession after attempting to purchase ADHD medication from a student. The student had previously sought help from the teacher regarding various mental health issues.
3 outlets · FMA warns investors regarding Bernard Whimp and Chance Voight
The Financial Markets Authority has advised investors to fully inform themselves before providing further funds to Bernard Whimp or entities associated with the Rangiora-based Chance Voight investment company. This follows reports that Whimp is requesting donations from investors to cover his legal costs.
2 outlets · Christmas presents stolen from parked car in Auckland
An Auckland man's Christmas gifts were stolen after thieves smashed a car window on a quiet street. Police and the AA have warned the public about an increase in opportunistic holiday thefts.
2 outlets · Former Auckland Zoo elephant experiences stillbirth in Australia
Anjalee, an elephant that moved from Auckland Zoo to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, has suffered a stillbirth. Zoo keepers supported the animal through the labour process. Anjalee had originally relocated to Australia in 2022 to have calves.
2 outlets · Auckland High Street precinct shifts from fashion to Asian eateries
Auckland's High Street district has transitioned from a hub for independent fashion boutiques to a destination for diverse Asian food and beverage outlets. These new eateries now attract students from two nearby city universities to the area's heritage buildings and laneways.
2 outlets · Police seek witnesses after pedestrian seriously injured in Tauranga crash
Police are appealing for witnesses following an incident on Cheyne Road in Pyes Pā, Tauranga. A pedestrian was seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle last week. Emergency services attended the scene on Thursday, 18 December, between 10.30am and 11.10am.
2 outlets · Sexual abuse support services granted six-month contract extension
The government has extended contracts for sexual abuse support services by an additional six months. This follows a plan to redirect $1.7 million from various service contracts starting in January. However, providers have been advised not to expect any further extensions beyond this period.
2 outlets · Man arrested after allegedly throwing rocks at family in Tauranga
A 19-year-old man is in custody following reports of assault and disorder at Dive Crescent on Saturday afternoon. Police say several large rocks were allegedly thrown at a family, smashing car windows. Members of the public subdued the man before police arrived.
2 outlets · Winston Peters reverses position on Chorus debt sell-off
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has changed his stance on the government's plan to sell Chorus debt. He now describes the move as monetisation rather than an asset sale. Finance Minister Nicola Willis previously confirmed the sale of approximately $650 million in interest-free loans.
2 outlets · Brendon McCullum criticised following England Ashes defeat
England coach Brendon McCullum has faced criticism from former players and captains after Australia won the third Ashes test at Adelaide Oval. The 82-run victory allowed the hosts to retain the urn with two matches remaining. This follows previous eight-wicket losses for England in Perth and Brisbane.
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