Coroner finds police takedown caused fatal injuries of deaf man
A coroner has ruled that a police takedown technique caused the fatal spinal injuries of 65-year-old Peter Boy Tuhi. The incident occurred in a Levin car park in December 2021 during the arrest of the deaf man. Police have since updated their recruitment and defensive tactics training.
4 outlets · Christopher Luxon apologises for remarks about small businesses
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has apologised after telling business owners at a Rotorua event to act like adults and avoid a parent-child mentality. He admitted he got it wrong after being accused of being patronising when responding to concerns about business survival. The Prime Minister said he was disappointed by how his comments were reported.
3 outlets · One person dies in serious State Highway 1 crash near Kauri
A fatal two-vehicle crash occurred on State Highway 1 near Kauri on Monday night. One person died at the scene, while three others were initially reported in moderate condition. Police are now seeking witnesses or dashcam footage of vehicles travelling at speed prior to the incident.
3 outlets · Inquest begins into death of teacher in Wellington Harbour
A coronial inquest has commenced regarding the 2023 drowning of Christchurch teacher Isaac Levings. CCTV footage showing Levings' final minutes on the Wellington waterfront has been presented to the court. Levings disappeared from Queens Wharf after attending a concert at the TSB Arena.
4 outlets · Inquest into Pauline Hanna's death begins in Auckland
A coroner's inquest has commenced to determine the circumstances and cause of Pauline Hanna's 2021 death in Remuera. The proceedings will focus on whether her death was self-inflicted or involved another person. The coroner noted that the inquest is not a trial of her husband, Philip Polkinghorne, who was acquitted of murder in 2024.
3 outlets · Man found dead during police incident in Highbury
Police are investigating after a man was found unresponsive at a property on Wilson Crescent in Highbury, Palmerston North. Emergency services arrived around 11.30am, but first aid was unsuccessful. Officers have cordoned off the street and advised the public to avoid the area.
3 outlets · Coldest winter mornings forecast following wintry blast
MetService warns of a wintry blast bringing snow to low levels in the south and east early this week. Following the snow, widespread frosts and temperatures up to 10C below average are expected, potentially leading to the coldest mornings of the year for much of New Zealand.
3 outlets · Government consults on removing heritage protection from five Wellington sites
The Government has opened consultation on potentially changing or removing the heritage status of five Wellington locations to encourage development. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop stated that current protections may be hindering economic growth. The sites under consideration include the Karori Tunnel, Kelburn Viaduct, and parts of Courtenay Place.
3 outlets · Two New Zealanders stranded in Solomon Islands ravine
Keanu Isaksson, 25, and Luca Zylstra-Law, 19, have been trapped for four days in a remote ravine on Mt Popamanaseu. Extreme weather, including flooding and landslides, has made their exit route impassable. The families of the Matakana hikers have issued an urgent plea for national assistance.
3 outlets · Six arrested after intruder attack on sleeping person in New Plymouth
Six people have been arrested following an aggravated burglary in Spotswood, New Plymouth, where an occupant was seriously injured while sleeping. Police tracked a vehicle linked to the incident to Hamilton, where four individuals were apprehended.
3 outlets · Police investigate after man dies following forest incident
Harry Burlace, 24, has died in Rotorua Hospital after being found critically injured in Rotoehu Forest on Friday night. Police were called to the scene near Pongakawa at approximately 10.15pm and are now investigating the incident.
3 outlets · Police investigate after man arrives at hospital with gunshot wound
A man is in hospital with a serious, unexplained gunshot wound after arriving at a North Shore medical facility late Sunday night. Police say the injury occurred during a firearms incident in Hillcrest, Auckland. An investigation into the matter is currently underway.
3 outlets · Man armed with machete robs Birkenhead restaurant
A man allegedly armed with a machete threatened staff and demanded money at a Hinemoa Street restaurant in Birkenhead on Sunday night. The offender fled the scene before police arrived, and authorities are currently working to locate the individual.
3 outlets · Volcanic activity increases beneath Mount Ruapehu
Scientists are monitoring Mount Ruapehu after a gradual increase in volcanic tremor was detected since 22 July. The volcano is in a state of minor unrest, with tremor levels rising from weak to moderate. Volcanic Alert Level 1 and a green aviation code remain in place.
4 outlets · Early childhood teacher faces 21 new charges for intimate recordings
A 53-year-old teacher faces 21 additional charges of making intimate visual recordings after a device was found in a Mount Maunganui early childhood centre's staff bathroom. Police state that no children have been identified in any of the recordings. The man is due in Tauranga District Court on 3 September.
3 outlets · Review finds major flaws in national cervical cancer screening register
A Health NZ review has identified serious issues with the national cervical cancer screening register. The investigation found that nearly one million notifications were not sent, with more than 800,000 missed by June 2025. These flaws may have caused delays in women receiving necessary testing.
2 outlets · Inquest begins into death of 12-year-old Jesse Samuel in Haast
A coronial inquest has commenced in Queenstown regarding the 2018 death of Jesse Samuel. The 12-year-old died from carbon monoxide poisoning while showering at his family's holiday home in Haast. His mother has stated the death was preventable.
3 outlets · Driver arrested after two-car crash in Johnsonville
A driver was arrested after attempting to flee on foot following a two-car collision on Moorefield Rd on Monday evening. One vehicle rolled during the crash, which involved a parked car. Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews attended the scene, and part of the road was blocked.
2 outlets · Recent earthquakes are not a sign of a larger event
New Zealand has experienced several magnitude 5 or greater earthquakes across Fiordland, the East Coast, and the central North Island recently. Seismologists say these events are driven by different tectonic processes and are not connected. Experts advise that this cluster is not a warning of a larger earthquake but a reminder to review emergency plans.
2 outlets · Three people in custody after masked robbery in Whakatāne
Three masked offenders allegedly robbed a Whakatāne jewellery store on Monday afternoon. Staff escaped through a rear door unharmed during the incident. Police later spiked the stolen getaway vehicle used by the suspects, and three people are now in custody.
2 outlets · Horowhenua couple grow herbs and salad greens using hydroponics
Tony and Lisa Dale-Low have transitioned from corporate careers to running Waikawa Fresh in Horowhenua. Since 2018, the couple has used hydroponic methods to produce various herbs and salad greens without the use of soil.
2 outlets · Midwife breached patient rights before baby's stillbirth
A midwife failed to properly monitor a pregnant woman, omitting clinical checks and removing a heart rate monitor during labour. The Health and Disability Commissioner found the midwife breached patient rights, and the midwife has since provided a written apology to the woman.
2 outlets · Historic Fowlers Hut destroyed by fire on North Canterbury cycle trail
A fire has destroyed Fowlers Hut, a historic shelter dating back to the late 1800s. Located on the St James Cycle Trail in the St James Conservation Area, the building was considered an important heritage asset. The Department of Conservation described the loss as the destruction of a significant piece of history.
2 outlets · Man paralysed after surgeon operates on wrong part of spine
A man with spina bifida has been left paralysed after a neurosurgeon operated on the wrong vertebra during surgery at Waikato Hospital. The error resulted in a severed spinal cord, leaving the patient requiring a wheelchair. The incident was detailed in a Health and Disability Commission decision.
2 outlets · Auckland Transport apologises after passenger with assist dog removed from bus
Auckland Transport has apologised to Yuchen Zheng after they were wrongly told their disability assist dog required a muzzle in August 2023. The incident, which involved police being called, has reached a resolution nearly three years later. The agency has since updated its policies following the complaint.
2 outlets · David Seymour leaves criticism on portrait by Auckland artist
ACT leader David Seymour wrote "not quite me but nice art" on a portrait painted by Auckland artist Jason Hoyt. Hoyt, who spent approximately 15 hours on the work, said he was taken aback by the unsolicited criticism left on the canvas.
2 outlets · New bridges and boardwalks to upgrade Mountains to Sea Great Ride
Fifteen new bridges and boardwalks are being installed across the Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka sections of the Mountains to Sea - Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride. The Department of Conservation is carrying out the infrastructure upgrades, with work on the Mangapurua Track expected to finish before the summer season.
3 outlets · Blogger Martyn Bradbury to appear in court over blog posts
Martyn Bradbury is due in Auckland District Court on Tuesday regarding four blog posts on his website, The Daily Blog. Bradbury, who claims the posts were censored, stated he is prepared to go to prison for free speech. He has not disclosed who is behind the legal action or the specific content involved.
4 outlets · Kiwi ultrarunner breaks record on 2000km Via Alpina trail
Christchurch-born Sophie Woods has become the fastest person to complete the 2000km Via Alpina route across the Alps. The 42-year-old finished the trek through eight European countries in 29 days, beating the previous record by six days.
2 outlets · Police investigate after stranger found in Christchurch child's bedroom
Police are investigating after a couple discovered a stranger in their young child's bedroom in Wigram. Officers were called to the Christchurch home around 12.40am on Sunday. The mother reported feeling petrified following the incident.
2 outlets · Luxon to speak with Peters regarding remarks made in Parliament
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon intends to speak with Foreign Minister Winston Peters regarding comments made towards a Chinese-born MP in Parliament. Luxon described the remarks as deliberate attention-seeking. The Prime Minister noted he has not yet contacted Peters as both are currently travelling.
4 outlets · Queenstown Japanese restaurant Tatsumi Dining to close after 19 years
Owners Yoko and Koichi have announced that Tatsumi Dining will close to allow them to enter semi-retirement. The restaurant has been operating for 19 years, with its final day of trading scheduled for Sunday, 30 August.
2 outlets · Government shifts $20 million into classroom-based teacher training
Education Minister Erica Stanford is redirecting approximately $20 million from overseas teacher relocation grants into the School Onsite Training Programme. This investment aims to support New Zealanders training in local classrooms to address the national secondary school teacher shortage.
2 outlets · Cold snap to bring freezing temperatures and swells across New Zealand
Southern Ocean air is expected to bring a significant cold snap to New Zealand early this week. The system is forecast to bring snow to low levels in the south, large swells in the Cook Strait, and potential frosts as far north as Northland.
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