Luxon calls Peters' comments about Chinese-born MP racist
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has described Winston Peters' remarks towards Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan as racist. Despite calls from figures like Don Brash to sack the Foreign Minister, Luxon expressed confidence in Peters and stated he will not remove him from his role.
3 outlets · Man charged in Christchurch amid mass sexual abuse investigation
A 63-year-old man has appeared in Christchurch District Court facing seven charges of historical sexual offending against boys aged 12 to 16. Police have launched a mass allegation investigation into the matter. Suppression orders are currently in place.
+15 outlets · Southerly blast brings snow and strong winds to New Zealand
A cold southerly blast is bringing snow and gale-force winds across much of the South Island. MetService has issued wind watches for Southland, Otago, Canterbury and Marlborough. Two flights into Queenstown have been cancelled and motorists are advised to avoid the North Island's Desert Road overnight.
3 outlets · Person critically injured in two-vehicle crash on State Highway 93
A person was critically injured and airlifted to Dunedin Hospital following a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 93 on Friday evening. The incident occurred between Range and Kaiwera roads, causing the highway to close between Mataura and Clinton. The Serious Crash Unit is currently examining the scene.
3 outlets · Man arrested after stolen car driven into Port Chalmers harbour
A 28-year-old man faces multiple charges following a series of burglaries and vehicle thefts across Dunedin. The individual was arrested while allegedly breaking into a house after a stolen car was driven into the water at Back Beach. The vehicle has since been towed from the harbour.
3 outlets · Waitangi Tribunal finds Treaty reform proposals breach Treaty principles
The Waitangi Tribunal has ruled that Cabinet breached multiple Treaty principles by approving reforms without sufficient evidence or Māori engagement. The report warns that repealing protections across 18 pieces of legislation could cause significant prejudice to Māori and damage the Māori-Crown relationship.
3 outlets · Mother of Marokopa children alleges police proceeded with Netflix documentary without consent
Cat Christey has spoken publicly for the first time, describing her former partner Tom Phillips as a dictator. She alleges that police told her they did not require her permission to participate in a Netflix documentary regarding the case. Phillips was shot dead by police last year following his disappearance in 2021.
+15 outlets · Firefighters battle house blaze in Waltham
Multiple fire crews responded to a house fire on Grenville Street in Waltham on Friday morning. Emergency services were called to the scene around 7.20am, with smoke from the blaze visible from the Port Hills.
3 outlets · Labour leads National on most important issues in new poll
A new Ipsos survey shows the Labour Party is now considered more capable of managing the five most important issues than the National Party. This includes reclaiming the lead on economic management, cost of living, healthcare, housing, and unemployment.
3 outlets · Smiths City brand to relaunch under new ownership
Two Auckland entrepreneurs, Ric Sheehan and Michael Bell, have purchased the Smiths City brand out of liquidation. The company, which entered voluntary administration last September, will be revived under the new owners of Smiths City 2026 Ltd.
4 outlets · Magnitude 4.6 earthquake shakes lower North and upper South Islands
A 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck 30km north-west of Porirua late Friday night. GeoNet recorded the tremor at a depth between 35km and 38km. Nearly 9,000 people across the lower North Island and upper South Island reported feeling the quake.
2 outlets · Officer shot by Tom Phillips to return on light duties
A police officer shot by Tom Phillips in September 2025 is set to return to work on a light duties basis. The officer was shot during an encounter in Piopio after Phillips attempted to flee police following a burglary.
2 outlets · Ngāi Tahu Farming chosen to operate Molesworth Station
Ngāi Tahu Farming has been selected by the Department of Conservation as the preferred operator for Molesworth Station. The 180,000-hectare high country farm, located in Marlborough and North Canterbury, was previously run as a cattle farm by Pāmu Landcorp.
3 outlets · Christchurch Arts Centre director critically unwell and will not return
The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora has announced that director Philip Aldridge is critically unwell and unable to return to work. The trust board has begun making interim leadership arrangements and planning for a transition.
2 outlets · Opportunity Party reveals 2026 election candidates and tax plan details
The Opportunity Party has announced its candidate list for the 2026 election. Leader Qiulae Wong stated that a proposed tax plan aiming for $4 billion in savings could lead to public service job losses and reduced funding for Oranga Tamariki, though some workers may be repurposed.
2 outlets · Wellington City Council proposes wide-ranging redundancies
Wellington City Council staff have been called to meetings regarding proposed job cuts. The restructure is expected to affect teams including climate change response, planning, and communications as part of a cost-saving effort to curb rates rises.
2 outlets · Strengthening El Niño to bring unsettled spring weather
An intensifying El Niño pattern is expected to cause unseasonably windy weather, temperature fluctuations, and changing rainfall across New Zealand this spring. Scientists suggest there is a 90% chance the event will reach very strong intensity, with peak conditions likely occurring during the 2026-27 summer.
2 outlets · Body found during search for missing Birkenhead woman
Police have located a body during the search for 69-year-old Maree Jennins. Ms Jennins went missing from a residential complex on Roseberry Road in Birkenhead. The body, found on Auckland's west coast, is believed to be the missing woman.
2 outlets · Police search for two robbers after attempted Henderson restaurant robbery
Two armed offenders are being sought after an attempted aggravated robbery at a Great North Road restaurant in Henderson. The pair allegedly threatened staff with weapons just after 11.30pm on Thursday before fleeing the scene empty-handed.
2 outlets · Police investigate two suspicious fires in Waikato overnight
Emergency services responded to two suspicious fires in the Waikato region overnight. One fire occurred at a house on Keats Crescent in Enderley, while another involved a digger in a paddock north of Cambridge. No injuries were reported during the incidents.
2 outlets · One person critically injured in Panmure single-vehicle crash
A person is in critical condition following a single-vehicle crash on Lagoon Drive in Panmure on Friday morning. Police responded to the incident around 7.20am, resulting in road closures and diversions. Motorists are facing major delays and some bus routes have been affected.
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