Thursday 24 September 2026
37 stories first reported this day, covered by two or more outlets
Government pauses plans for council amalgamations until after election
The Government has put plans to merge Canterbury councils on hold following months of negotiations and public consultation. Local leaders have expressed frustration with the decision, though regional councils like Environment Canterbury may still be scrapped. The pause comes as the country enters a pre-election period.
+48 outlets · Dannevirke Community Hospital pauses new patient admissions
Health New Zealand has temporarily halted new admissions at Dannevirke Community Hospital for 30 days. The pause follows several staff resignations and safety concerns raised by local doctors. The agency is currently working to recruit more clinical staff and has conducted an audit of the facility.
3 outlets · Labour pledges $4.3 billion for social housing, schools and hospitals
The Labour Party has unveiled a $4.3 billion plan to build 6,000 social homes and upgrade more than 2,000 schools and various hospitals. If elected, the party intends to use this spending to create jobs and reduce unemployment.
+15 outlets · Electric Avenue 2027 tickets sell out almost instantly
The final 15,000 tickets for the Christchurch music festival sold out in under 20 minutes. Following the sell-out, some tickets were advertised online for up to quadruple their original face value. The February 2027 event in Hagley Park will be headlined by Calvin Harris and Kings of Leon.
+15 outlets · Fonterra to invest $1 billion in South Island factory upgrades
Fonterra will invest $1 billion over three years to expand its South Island manufacturing network and improve performance. This follows a financial year where the co-operative reported a $2.6 billion annual profit and $27 billion in revenue. The investment aims to address capacity issues caused by growing milk production.
4 outlets · Two people rescued from Castor Bay cliff face
Emergency services located two people on rocks at the bottom of a cliff in Castor Bay around 5am on Thursday. One person was taken to hospital in a serious condition, while the second person was uninjured. Both individuals have been rescued from the site.
4 outlets · Team NZ sits second after opening day in Naples regatta
Luna Rossa leads the nine-boat America's Cup Preliminary Regatta in Naples after the first day of racing. Team New Zealand sits in second place following a chaotic opening day marked by wind delays and abandoned races. ARC Team USA secured a debut win in the first race.
3 outlets · Person critically injured in truck and car crash on SH57
One person sustained critical injuries after a truck and a car collided near Levin on Thursday morning. The crash occurred on State Highway 57 between Tararua Road and Meadowvale Road at approximately 6.50am. Emergency services attended the scene, and the highway was expected to remain closed for several hours.
3 outlets · All Whites draw 2-2 with Palestine in China
The All Whites drew 2-2 against Palestine at Tongliang Long Stadium in Chongqing. Ben Waine and Jesse Randall scored for New Zealand, while Palestine's goals came from Assad Al Hamlawi and Oday Dabbah. This was the team's first match since the FIFA World Cup in June.
3 outlets · Large tyre fire in Dunsandel sends black smoke towards Christchurch
Firefighters are battling a large blaze involving a pile of tyres on Old South Road in Dunsandel. The thick black smoke is visible from Christchurch, approximately 40km away. Residents have been advised to close their windows and avoid the area.
3 outlets · Fireball lights up North Island skies
A bright fireball was recorded streaking across the North Island sky just before 11pm on Wednesday. The object was seen over Taranaki Maunga and is believed to have dropped meteorites into the ocean off the Taranaki coast.
4 outlets · Fast-track application to mine Denniston Plateau rejected
A fast-track application by Bathurst Resources to expand mining operations near Westport has been rejected. A panel deemed the application to extract coal from the Stockton and Denniston sites incomplete and non-compliant with fast-track law. The company has been advised that it may lodge a new application.
3 outlets · Person dies after being struck by vehicle on Alexandra driveway
A pedestrian has died in hospital after being hit by a car on Killarney Street in Alexandra. The incident occurred on a driveway around 4pm on Saturday, 19 September. Police are currently investigating the crash.
3 outlets · New Zealand First pledges to cut small business tax rate to 20%
New Zealand First plans to campaign on reducing the company tax rate from 28% to 20% for businesses with a turnover under $30 million. The party says the policy will cost the government approximately $1 billion annually but aims to encourage investment and economic productivity.
3 outlets · Winston Peters to participate in first major election debate
Winston Peters will join four other party leaders in The Press Kingmakers’ Debate on 1 October. The livestreamed event will feature leaders from the Greens, ACT, Opportunity, and Te Pāti Māori as part of the 2026 election campaign.
3 outlets · North Korean operative used fake identity to secure New Zealand remote job
A North Korean IT worker used fake credentials and a local recruit to obtain a remote position with a New Zealand company. The National Cyber Security Centre reports the operative allegedly stole sensitive information and attempted blackmail to fund the North Korean regime.
4 outlets · Cyclist critically injured in Herne Bay vehicle crash
A cyclist sustained critical injuries following a collision with a vehicle in Auckland's Herne Bay on Thursday morning. Emergency services responded to West End Rd shortly before 6.30am. The road was closed following the incident.
3 outlets · Labour kicks off election campaign in Hamilton with policy announcement, eyes wins in ‘bellwether’ seats
While in town to announce a $4.3 billion building pledge, Chris Hipkins said the party has its sights set on winning three local electorates.
2 outlets · Meta smart glasses released in New Zealand amid Australian bans
NZ 'poorly prepared' to deal with the new technology, expert says.
2 outlets · ‘Tell Tika’: A new way to report sexual harm in New Zealand
The free and confidential service lets survivors record what happened, receive legal advice and decide what happens next.
2 outlets · Ōpōtiki boulders that saw drivers park on footpath removed
The boulders were installed in place of six car parks as part of an Ōpōtiki town centre revitalisation project, but will now be relocated.
2 outlets · Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong to run as independent for Parliament
First-term Dunedin City councillor Benedict Ong has announced he will contest the Dunedin electorate as an independent in the November general election. Ong stated that political attacks and bans have prevented him from performing his current council duties.
2 outlets · Man ran $500k cannabis business ‘South Island Skunk’ from Christchurch flat
The man behind an illegal cannabis business reported as “making waves” in New Zealand’s underground drug market has been imprisoned for three years.
2 outlets · Tasman defeat Bay of Plenty as All Blacks return to NPC
Tasman secured a 45-26 victory against Bay of Plenty at Trafalgar Park, aided by tries from Shannon Frizell and other All Blacks players. The win comes as more All Blacks players return to provincial rugby following the recent series against South Africa and the United States.
2 outlets · Second man charged after election hoardings damaged in Papamoa
A 49-year-old man is due in Tauranga District Court next month following allegations of damaging election hoardings. Police responded to reports of a disturbance on Papamoa Beach Road around 8pm on 16 September. This is the second such incident reported in the area.
2 outlets · Pilot survives with minor injuries after Northland helicopter crash
A pilot sustained minor injuries after a helicopter crashed on Pataua North Road on Thursday afternoon. Emergency services were called to the scene near Whangārei shortly after 3pm to assist the pilot.
2 outlets · Nelson bar O’Shedigans enters liquidation but remains open
Shed Tavern Limited, the company operating O’Shedigans on Bridge St, was placed into liquidation on 18 September. Owner Sean Davis intends to buy the business back under a new company to manage debt. The bar will continue operating with its current staff, hours, and products.
2 outlets · Thames-Coromandel District Council apologises for failing to consult boat operators
Mayor Peter Revell has admitted the council failed to consult Whitianga tour boat operators regarding a proposed $1-per-passenger fee. Local operators expressed frustration after staff recommended the new charge without prior discussion. The council has since apologised for the lack of communication.
2 outlets · Petrol prices sail past $5 a litre on Hauraki Gulf island as costs start rising again
Auckland's island motorists are bearing the brunt of higher fuel prices.
2 outlets · Parolee Peter Coulsen jailed after drug-impaired crash in Nelson
Peter Coulsen has been returned to prison following a crash while on parole. Although Coulsen claimed he crashed while avoiding a rabbit, he was driving while under the influence of methamphetamine and cannabis. The man has a 44-year criminal conviction history.
2 outlets · Auckland train services resume after power line disruption
A power outage affecting the East and West lines caused all Auckland train services to stop around 12.45pm. While power has been restored and most services are running to schedule, Auckland Transport warned that some delays and cancellations may continue during the network recovery.
2 outlets · Dunedin Ed Sheeran mural defaced for second time in a week
New symbols, including dollar signs and a Star of David, have been spraypainted onto the Ed Sheeran mural in Dunedin. This follows previous vandalism involving the words "Free Palestine" last week. The incidents occur amid controversy surrounding the musician's tour and comments regarding Gaza.
2 outlets · Man charged with murder of former rugby representative Star Sami
A 23-year-old man has been charged with the murder of 21-year-old Star Sami in Auckland. Sami, a former New Zealand under-18s Sevens representative, died from injuries sustained during a violent confrontation in Blockhouse Bay last month.
2 outlets · Man identified after remains found at Northland property
Police have identified 35-year-old Tau Henare Kopa as the man whose remains were discovered at a Waiomio Road property on 7 September. Investigators are still working to establish the circumstances surrounding his death, which remains unexplained.
2 outlets · Petition for Fire and Emergency NZ inquiry delivered to Parliament
Firefighters gathered at Parliament on Wednesday to deliver a petition with 52,000 signatures. The petition calls for an investigation into how Fire and Emergency NZ manages its annual funding of over $800m. The union is seeking immediate leadership changes following reports of mismanagement and misleading Parliament.
2 outlets · Primary school principals report more children starting school without toilet skills
Principals are reporting an increase in new students who cannot use the toilet independently. At a Henderson primary school, approximately one quarter of new entrants lack these skills. Ash Maindonald, principal of Western Heights School, says the situation is becoming increasingly challenging.
2 outlets · Companies behind Candoo cleaning and gardening brands enter liquidation
Two companies operating the Candoo cleaning and gardening franchise brands have been placed into liquidation. The businesses, run by Allias Grindrod and James McGovern, face unpaid debts ordered by the Employment Relations Authority and Disputes Tribunal.
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