Police watchdog finds fatal shooting of Tom Phillips was justified
The Independent Police Conduct Authority ruled that an officer was justified in shooting Tom Phillips in self-defence on 8 September 2025. The decision follows an incident in the King Country where Phillips shot and critically wounded another officer. The report also noted shortcomings in police command and communications during the operation.
+26 outlets · Man charged after hunter critically injured on Kawau Island
A 44-year-old man has been charged after a person was critically injured in a shooting on Kawau Island. The victim, an Auckland Council contractor, was airlifted to hospital following the incident in bushland. Council pest eradication operations on the island have been suspended while police and Worksafe investigate.
4 outlets · Two charged over death of man in Lower Hutt
A 25-year-old man has been charged with murder and a 46-year-old woman with being an accessory following the death of Nathaniel Sturmey. Sturmey was found with a gunshot wound outside a Waterloo property in April. Police executed search warrants in Moera and Stokes Valley on Thursday morning.
4 outlets · Man charged with murder after body found in Rototuna
A 21-year-old man has been charged with murder following the discovery of a woman's body in the Hamilton suburb of Rototuna on Wednesday. Police say the accused and the deceased were known to each other and there is no risk to the public. The man has appeared in court and been granted suppression.
3 outlets · Greens pledge to restore and expand school lunch programme
The Green Party has released an election policy promising to restore the Ka Ora, Ka Ako school lunch scheme. The plan aims to permanently fund the programme and expand it to 400 additional schools, providing free meals to approximately 150,000 more children through local providers.
3 outlets · Auckland Airport reports $309 million profit amid rising passenger numbers
Auckland Airport has posted a $309 million profit for the year ending 30 June, representing a 0.5% decrease from the previous year. Despite a slight profit drop, revenue rose by 3% to $1.036 billion as passenger numbers increased to over 19 million. The airport has also called for mass rapid transit to support growth.
2 outlets · Review finds Mount Maunganui landslide deaths were preventable
An independent review into the January landslide at a Mount Maunganui campground found that six deaths were preventable due to systemic failures. The report revealed that Tauranga City Council received emergency warnings before 5am, but failed to escalate them to geotechnical assessors.
2 outlets · Gang associate jailed for contempt after refusing to vacate seized house
Te Ohorere Milosevic has been ordered to serve 3.5 days in prison for contempt of court. The Kawerau man and his partner refused to leave their home for four years after the property was forfeited to the Crown. Milosevic was previously charged alongside his father and brother during a 2017 police operation.
2 outlets · National MP criticises government plan to cap donation tax credits
Maungakiekie MP Greg Fleming has broken with his party to oppose a Budget tax change regarding charitable donations. Fleming described the plan to cap the donation tax credit as having "zero" logic and called it an error. While he is advocating to fix the cap, the responsible minister has disputed the need for changes.
+15 outlets · Police seek information on potential body-worn camera implementation
New Zealand Police have issued a tender for information regarding body-worn cameras and supporting systems. The move follows support from the Police Commissioner and the Police Association. Any future rollout will require a business case and Cabinet approval.
2 outlets · Auckland sees worst week for flu hospitalisations in 10 years
Auckland experienced its highest weekly rate of flu-related hospitalisations since 2015 between 9 and 16 August. During this period, 177 people were admitted to four hospitals with severe acute respiratory illness, an increase from 125 patients the previous week.
2 outlets · Government rejects fast-track application for Pegasus housing development
Minister Chris Bishop has declined developer Wolfbrook's application to fast-track a major project on the former Pegasus golf course. The Minister stated the proposal is better suited to the Resource Management Act. Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon welcomed the decision, calling it a win for the community.
3 outlets · Agent failed to warn Christchurch buyers of cladding risks
A disciplinary tribunal found a real estate agent failed to adequately disclose weathertightness risks to a couple buying a Christchurch townhouse. The buyers subsequently faced a recladding bill of approximately $132,940 after the monolithic cladding property required repairs.
3 outlets · Christopher Luxon's Christchurch meeting disrupted by protesters
National leader Christopher Luxon's public meeting at Addington Raceway was interrupted by approximately half a dozen protesters on Wednesday night. The disruption occurred during the Prime Minister's speech as the campaign for the November election continues.
4 outlets · Court documents reveal criminal history of man shot by police
Hapai Otene was fatally shot by police while approaching Sylvia Park in Auckland carrying a stolen air rifle. Court records show Otene had 30 convictions and had used methamphetamine since age 15. Before his death, a judge had warned him that there was no future in his lifestyle.
2 outlets · Bulky high-value items stolen from Hawke’s Bay properties
Police report an increase in thefts of large equipment across Hawke’s Bay, particularly in Hastings and Central Hawke's Bay. Stolen items include railway crossing bells, a rooftop tent, a wood splitter, and a hydraulic lift. Authorities say thieves are increasingly targeting high-value assets from contractors and rural properties.
2 outlets · Stuff Group launches Aotearoa Decides election coverage
Stuff Group has announced its Aotearoa Decides election coverage, featuring voter events and live-audience debates. Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins are scheduled to participate in a leaders' debate on 20 October, shortly before voting begins for the 2026 election.
2 outlets · Four-wheel drive vehicles damage Arthur's Pass campsite
The Department of Conservation is seeking information after four-wheel drive vehicles caused extensive damage to the Klondyke Corner Campsite. Aerial photos show deep tyre tracks and wide ruts, which may increase erosion during heavy rain. The incident is believed to have occurred around 4 pm on 1 August.
2 outlets · One person dies following Southland truck and car crash
A person has died in hospital following a two-vehicle crash in Grove Bush. The accident involving a truck and a car occurred at the intersection of Grove Bush and Rakahoka Hedgehope roads on 10 August.
2 outlets · International study links eating disorders to genetic signatures
A major international study has found that eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and binge eating have a distinct genetic basis. The research, published in Nature Mental Health, included genetic data from more than 500 New Zealanders and challenges the view that these conditions are primarily psychological.
3 outlets · Majority of New Zealanders support restricting voting to citizens only
New polling indicates that 59% of respondents favour limiting general election voting to New Zealand citizens. While 32% oppose the policy, 9% of those surveyed remained unsure. The results show support for the proposal across the political spectrum.
2 outlets · Vietnamese couple sentenced for cultivating cannabis near Huntly courthouse
A Vietnamese couple has been sentenced after police raided a warehouse at 50 Williams Street in July 2024. Officers discovered 460 cannabis plants being tended by three people. The operation was located near the Huntly District Court and a police station.
3 outlets · Black Cat cruise ship struck known hazard near Akaroa
An interim report from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission reveals the Black Cat cruise ship hit a submerged object near Archway Rock in January. A crew member had noted the vessel was travelling in an unusual direction shortly before the impact and subsequent flooding occurred.
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