Police name victim of Hamilton Lake Crescent homicide
Jason Poa, also known as Jason Tipene, has been identified as the man killed in a suspected homicide on Lake Crescent on 18 December. Another person was taken to Waikato Hospital in serious condition. Police are now seeking sightings of a Subaru as the investigation continues.
+15 outlets · Over the Moon cheese owners report stolen landfill products
Police are investigating after discarded Over the Moon-branded cheese was stolen from a Waikato landfill and resold. The products were reportedly sold at a Putāruru market and on Facebook Marketplace. New Zealand Food Safety has warned consumers to remain vigilant regarding the unauthorised sales.
+37 outlets · Four arrested in connection with Bill Maangi homicide investigation
Police have arrested four people of interest following the September shooting death of 36-year-old Bill Maangi in Gisborne. The arrests occurred after police executed search warrants earlier this month, which also resulted in the seizure of multiple firearms.
+15 outlets · Heavy rain and strong winds forecast across New Zealand before Christmas
MetService has issued heavy rain and strong wind watches as unsettled weather approaches. Waka Kotahi is advising motorists to take extra care on several key routes, including State Highway 2 and Transmission Gully, due to the expected conditions.
4 outlets · Vegetation fire near Hastings destroys home and forces evacuations
A fast-moving vegetation fire near Fernhill has destroyed one home and damaged another, causing one injury. Strong winds hindered helicopter assistance, and a section of State Highway 50 has been closed. Emergency services are managing evacuations and working to contain the blaze.
3 outlets · Missing Avondale teenager located safe and well
A 16-year-old girl reported missing from Avondale in Auckland on Sunday has been found. Police confirmed she was located safe and well after issuing a public appeal. Authorities thanked members of the public for providing information that assisted in her recovery.
3 outlets · Fireworks banned at several holiday hotspots due to fire risk
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has implemented a month-long ban on private fireworks in the Coromandel, Central Otago, Lakes, and Upper Waitaki areas. The restrictions aim to prevent fires during the dry season. In the Coromandel, the ban runs until 30 January, while other areas face restrictions starting Christmas Eve.
4 outlets · Three men rescued after spending night stranded in Hutt River gorge
Three young men were rescued after spending a cold, wet night stranded in a gorge in Kaitoke Regional Park. The men were floating down the Hutt River on inner tubes when they became stuck. Police have used the incident to remind people of the importance of carrying personal locator beacons.
3 outlets · Three new measles cases reported in Auckland and Wellington
Health New Zealand has announced three new measles cases, with two located in Auckland and one in Wellington. These latest infections bring the total number of confirmed cases across the country to 35. Exposure sites have been listed, including Queensgate Mall in Lower Hutt.
3 outlets · Arthur's Pass residents resolve mail dispute after parcels held for weeks
A dispute in Arthur's Pass over mail collection has been resolved following a period where 47 parcels were held. The disagreement between locals affected Te Araroa trail walkers who rely on specific pick-up points for supplies. NZ Post says a new arrangement has been made to allow walkers to access their parcels.
3 outlets · Man charged after joining police convoy in vehicle with flashing lights
A disqualified driver has been charged with impersonating an officer after his vehicle joined a police convoy outside a Northland station. During a traffic stop, police reportedly found methamphetamine, ammunition, and a 3D-printed gun inside the car.
3 outlets · Scrub fire destroys buildings and causes injuries in Fernhill
A vegetation fire near Fernhill has destroyed buildings and forced rural Hastings evacuations. One person has been taken to hospital in serious condition. Fire crews responded to the blaze located between the Fernhill township and the Ngaruroro River bridge.
2 outlets · Labour remains undecided on support for India free trade agreement
The Labour Party has not confirmed if it will support the government's free trade agreement with India, though spokesperson Damien O'Connor called it a "good step forward". Meanwhile, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters claims the deal was rushed for political purposes and could have secured more wins.
3 outlets · Health NZ conditionally approves new doctor-run primary health organisation
Health New Zealand has given conditional approval for the General Practice Owners Association to establish its own breakaway primary health organisation. The new entity aims to reduce red tape and direct more funding to front-line services. Over 100 general practices, representing 16% of the enrolled population, have expressed interest in joining.
4 outlets · Suzuki pauses Fronx sales following safety recall
Suzuki has issued a voluntary recall for certain Fronx SUV models after ANCAP crash testing revealed a rear seatbelt retractor failure. Owners have been advised not to carry passengers in the rear seats. Sales of the vehicle in New Zealand have been halted while a fix is developed.
2 outlets · Kea found to be more capable of surprise than cockatoos
University of Vienna researchers have conducted a study comparing the intelligence of kea and cockatoos. By testing how the parrots reacted to receiving less desirable food than expected, the study found that New Zealand's native kea demonstrated a greater capacity for surprise.
2 outlets · Two arrested after e-bike robbery in Belmont
Two people have been arrested and charged following an e-bike robbery on Auckland's North Shore. Police say the incident occurred on Lake Road in Belmont on Saturday afternoon, when a man allegedly used a knife to threaten teenagers and push one off their e-bike.
2 outlets · Ombudsman complaint lodged over asbestos-contaminated play sand
Human rights lawyer Sophie Bradwell-Pollak has requested an urgent Ombudsman investigation into the response to asbestos-contaminated play sand. The complaint alleges multiple failures and a lack of substantial response from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment regarding the importation and sale of coloured sand.
2 outlets · Police vehicle involved in crash closing Lindis Pass
State Highway 8 near Omarama was closed for approximately five hours on Monday following a two-vehicle crash. One of the vehicles involved was a police car. The road reopened around 3pm after the incident occurred north of Waitaki.
2 outlets · Kayaker narrowly avoids collision with jetboat on Waikato River
A video captured a near miss between 28-year-old kayaker Dan Munroe and a Hukafalls Jet Taupō vessel near Huka Falls. Munroe, an experienced paddler, described the incident as a close call but praised the skipper for swerving in time to avoid him.
4 outlets · New Zealand exporters welcome new free-trade agreement with India
New Zealand exporters have welcomed a new free-trade agreement with India, which is expected to benefit the wine, apple, and kiwifruit sectors. An economist suggests the deal offers significant market opportunities and will have a large impact on the economy over time, although dairy is not included in the benefits.
2 outlets · Police dive squad searching for missing fisherman north of Thames
A police dive squad and drones are searching for a rock fisher reported missing near the Waikawau boat ramp. The search began on Monday after a person reached the shore and alerted authorities that a companion had gotten into difficulty in the water.
2 outlets · Firefighters respond to commercial building blaze in Sydenham
Four fire crews attended a well-involved fire at a commercial property in Sydenham shortly after 3.30am on Tuesday. The blaze was extinguished by 4.20am, and a fire investigator has been alerted to the scene.
2 outlets · New Zealand secures free trade agreement with India
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced that the government has secured a free trade agreement with India. While the deal follows discussions between Luxon and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NZ First has declared its opposition to the agreement.
2 outlets · Tragedy at a creek leaves lifelong consequences for Vaa’i family
A summer swim in a nearby creek resulted in the death of a young person. Tupou Vaa’i is sharing the family's experience following the incident.
4 outlets ·
