Police widen search for wanted fraud accused after Wānaka sighting
Police have expanded their search for Jin Zhong, who may be in the South Island. The 39-year-old was recently seen in Wānaka wearing a hoodie and face mask. Zhong is wanted for fraud and has an arrest warrant after failing to appear in court.
4 outlets · Decision on David Tamihere retrial delayed until September
The Crown has been granted an additional eight weeks to decide whether to retry David Tamihere for the 1989 murders of Swedish tourists Heidi Paakkonen and Sven Urban Höglin. Tamihere's previous convictions were quashed by the Supreme Court in March.
+26 outlets · Man charged with murder after two people found dead in Auckland
A 41-year-old man faces two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder following linked domestic incidents in Glenfield and Birkdale. Police were initially called to a Birkdale address regarding a stabbing before discovering two people dead at a Glenfield property. A homicide investigation is currently underway.
3 outlets · Climber rescued after 200m fall on Mount Aspiring
A climber has been rescued from a crevasse on Mount Aspiring after falling approximately 200 metres down a cliff face on Tuesday evening. Their climbing partner braved difficult terrain to reach the summit and raise the alarm via satellite. The rescue operation followed the accident, which occurred around 6.15pm.
3 outlets · Immigration IT project costs rise by $6 million
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has revealed that the failed Immigration Biometric Upgrade project cost an additional $6 million beyond the initial $33 million estimate. The seven-year project was scrapped last year after failing user testing. An independent audit has been ordered to determine the total expenditure.
3 outlets · Tasman woman wins first $1 million online Instant Kiwi prize
A woman from Tasman has become the first person to win $1 million playing an Instant Kiwi game online. She won the prize through the Millionaire Money Match game after deciding to use leftover credit on the MyLotto app.
3 outlets · Hawke's Bay growers abandon bid to buy McCain Hastings plant
A group of Hawke's Bay vegetable growers has ended its attempt to purchase the McCain processing facility in Hastings. The bid was withdrawn after growers discovered that essential processing equipment would not be included in the sale. The factory is scheduled to close by January 2027.
3 outlets · New Zealand officer saved by colleagues after being shot in Queensland
Constable Jordan May, a Christchurch native working in Queensland, was shot in the leg during a domestic violence response in Yengarie on Friday. Fellow officers reportedly dragged him 100 metres to safety under gunfire to provide medical assistance. May has since expressed his gratitude to the colleagues who saved him.
3 outlets · Fireball seen streaking across North Island skies
A bright fireball was observed across the North Island at 10.26pm on Tuesday. The object was accompanied by a rumbling sound or sonic boom that some people mistook for an earthquake. Fireballs Aotearoa received several reports regarding the celestial event.
3 outlets · Stillborn baby boy found in Marlborough is laid to rest
Approximately 40 people gathered at Fairhall Cemetery on Wednesday to farewell an unidentified stillborn baby boy. The infant, known as Baby Doe, was discovered by a machinery operator on Wairau Bar Road in May. His parents have not yet been identified.
4 outlets · Ruapehu District Council rejects government's voluntary merger process
Ruapehu District Council has voted unanimously against entering the government's voluntary Head Start process. Instead, the council intends to focus on developing a backstop proposal for amalgamation over the coming years.
2 outlets · New Hamilton youth hub to provide mental health support
A new youth hub is being established in Hamilton to improve access to addiction and mental health services. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced the initiative, which is part of a $3 million scheme also being rolled out in Nelson and Hawke’s Bay. The facility is expected to open by the end of the year.
2 outlets · Wairoa couple ordered to forfeit $800,000 in assets
A Wairoa couple convicted of supplying methamphetamine has been ordered by the Gisborne High Court to forfeit over $800,000 in assets. The seizure includes properties, cash, vehicles, a jet ski and jewellery following a police investigation.
2 outlets · Green candidate uses social media campaign to encourage voter enrolment
Green Party candidate Tania Waikato is running a social media campaign featuring scantily clad models to increase Māori roll enrolment in the Waiariki electorate. While New Zealand First's Shane Jones has criticised the tactic as crass, Waikato says the approach uses social media algorithms to capture attention.
2 outlets · Government seeks long-range strike drones with focus on local manufacturing
The Government is looking to purchase human-operated, one-way strike drones worth up to $300 million. Defence Minister Chris Penk stated that the Defence Capability Plan aims to prioritise New Zealand-made solutions to help modernise the Defence Force.
2 outlets · Police release images to help identify two people in Canterbury fraud case
Police are seeking help to identify two people involved in the alleged unauthorised use of a bank card across Canterbury. The investigation follows a series of transactions, including a fuel purchase, that occurred in March.
2 outlets · Man pleads guilty to murdering former partner in Auckland apartment
An Auckland man with interim name suppression has pleaded guilty to the murder of his former partner. The woman was found dead in her central city apartment on 1 November. The man appeared in the High Court on Wednesday following the fatal attack.
2 outlets · Auckland mother sentenced for $190,000 Working for Families fraud
Sasagi Rosalie Filoa has been sentenced to eight months of home detention for tax fraud. The Auckland mother of six claimed nearly $190,000 in single parent tax credits while living with her husband. She pleaded guilty to the charges in the Manukau District Court.
2 outlets · Fashion brand Sylvester to close by February 2027
The New Zealand fashion label Sylvester will wind down operations by February 2027. Managed by the three sons of designer Kate Sylvester, the brand cited a difficult economic climate for the decision to close. The label served as a more casual and affordable sister brand to the Kate Sylvester label.
4 outlets · Belfast to Pegasus SH1 road granted fast-track approval
The State Highway 1 Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass has received fast-track approval. While the project aims to reduce crashes and congestion, construction remains on hold due to a lack of funding.
3 outlets · Government responds to Covid-19 inquiry with new transparency measures
Health Minister Simeon Brown has released the Government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic inquiry. Future major emergency decisions must be supported by key advice released within five working days. Additionally, future financial assistance must meet Treasury guidance to be timely, temporary and targeted.
2 outlets · Sinkhole in St Mary’s Bay raises concerns over local intensification
A large sinkhole has opened in a St Mary’s Bay street, which residents say is large enough to swallow a car. Watercare expects road closures and repairs to continue for two months. Local community members have expressed concerns that the incident highlights risks associated with proposed 15-storey apartment developments in the area.
2 outlets · Auckland primary school appeals for help after trailer theft
Chelsea Primary School in Chatswood is seeking assistance after a trailer was stolen at approximately 4.40am on Tuesday. The school has released CCTV footage of a person believed to be involved in the theft on Auckland's North Shore.
2 outlets · Man discovers missed aneurysm after reviewing own CT scan
A Whanganui man found an aneurysm in his own CT scan results after reviewing his patient portal. Two doctors had previously missed the urgent finding. The GP practice has apologised and is urgently reviewing the case.
2 outlets · Four charged following alleged shoplifting in Hamilton
Police arrested four people after an alleged shoplifting incident at a Victoria Street store on Tuesday. During the incident, a shop assistant was knocked over. Two youths were referred to the youth justice process, while two adults are due to appear in Hamilton District Court.
2 outlets · Autumn events and Supercars boost Christchurch economy by $31m
Visitors spent more than $31 million in Christchurch during the autumn season. Approximately 157,000 people attended various events, including fixtures at the One NZ Stadium, with 42 per cent of attendees travelling from outside the city.
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