Tuesday 29 September 2026
44 stories first reported this day, covered by two or more outlets
Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell return to All Blacks squad
Coach Dave Rennie has named a 34-man All Blacks squad for the October Bledisloe Cup tests against Australia. Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell have been recalled to the team, though first-five Ruben Love and lock Patrick Tuipulotu have been ruled out due to injury.
+15 outlets · Tauranga City Council chief executive resigns following landslide review
Tauranga City Council CEO Marty Grenfell has resigned after eight years in the role. His departure follows a review into the Mount Maunganui landslide that killed six people, which found the tragedy was preventable due to organisational weaknesses. Grenfell's final day in office will be 2 October.
+15 outlets · No land tax or 'citizens' income' in Opportunity's bottom lines
"These are the minimum commitments we will require from the next government in return for our support," leader Qiulae Wong said.
+15 outlets · Phoenix Crossland banned for four matches after Cleary injury
Newcastle Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland has been suspended for four matches following a guilty plea regarding a hip-drop tackle. The tackle caused a compound fracture to Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary. Crossland will miss the NRL grand final and the first three games of New Zealand's Rugby League World Cup campaign.
4 outlets · Fehi Fineanganofo to remain in New Zealand until 2027
All Blacks winger Fehi Fineanganofo has extended his contracts with the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2027. His planned move to English club Newcastle Red Bulls has been deferred, allowing him to compete for selection in the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
+15 outlets · Gloriavale teacher censured for striking student with vacuum pipe
The New Zealand Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal has censured Malachi Faithful for serious misconduct following a 2013 incident at Gloriavale Christian School. Faithful struck a 14-year-old student on the leg with a vacuum cleaner pipe after an obnoxious remark was made. The matter was reported nine years later, and Faithful was granted a discharge without conviction.
+15 outlets · Queenstown helicopter company fined and loses aircraft over illegal crayfish sales
Helicopter Line Limited was fined $12,000 and ordered to forfeit two helicopters worth over $1 million each in the Queenstown District Court. The company pleaded guilty to four charges for illegally taking and selling recreationally caught crayfish as part of a luxury tourism experience.
+15 outlets · Jeff Bezos' superyacht Koru arrives in Auckland
Jeff Bezos' sailing yacht, Koru, has docked at Wynyard Quarter in Auckland. The vessel, which is one of the world's largest sailing yachts, was seen cruising through the Hauraki Gulf before entering the Waitematā Harbour.
3 outlets · Man charged after memorial plaques stolen in Christchurch
A 40-year-old man has been charged after memorial plaques worth more than $2000 were stolen from central Christchurch in mid-August. Police launched an investigation after the brass plaques were removed overnight between 11 and 12 August.
4 outlets · Child seriously injured in Christchurch dog attack
A child was taken to hospital in a serious condition following a dog attack on Breezes Road in Aranui on Tuesday. Police and animal management attended the scene shortly before midday. The Christchurch City Council has seized a six-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier cross as investigations continue.
4 outlets · Woolworths to move Auckland customer care roles to Sydney
Woolworths has confirmed it will disestablish approximately 130 customer care roles in Auckland. Following a consultation process, the company will integrate these positions into its Sydney-based operations. The supermarket stated the restructuring aims to support investment in lower grocery prices.
4 outlets · Police appeal for information after Paralympic ski gear goes missing
Police are seeking help to locate two ski racks and six specialised skis that fell from a vehicle last Friday. The equipment, belonging to a group of Paralympians, was lost while being transported between Ohakune and Palmerston North, possibly on State Highway 1 or near Bulls.
4 outlets · Breakers defeat Cairns Taipans to secure Ignite Cup points
The New Zealand Breakers beat the Cairns Taipans 98-75 at Spark Arena on Wednesday. Parker Jackson-Cartwright recorded 27 points and 10 assists to lead the victory. Following the win, coach Gordy Herbert is considering potential roster changes to support his star point guard.
3 outlets · Boat sinking in Marlborough Sounds triggers oil spill response
The Padrone, a vessel carrying 2000 litres of diesel and 60 litres of engine oil, sank near Waitaria Bay jetty in Kenepuru Sound on Tuesday. Responders have refloated the boat using air bags and pumps, with only a small amount of fuel reported as spilled.
4 outlets · Auckland-Coromandel ferry service to resume for summer season
Explore Group will restart the Auckland-Coromandel ferry service on 23 October, running on weekends and public holidays. Daily trips are scheduled to begin on 27 November and continue until Easter 2027. The Thames-Coromandel mayor has welcomed the return of the seasonal connection.
3 outlets · Coroner grants access to police reinvestigation file in Lachie Jones case
Coroner Alexander Ho has directed the limited release of a police reinvestigation file to interested parties regarding the death of three-year-old Lachie Jones. The file concerns the third investigation into the toddler's death in Gore. Parties have until 5 February to advise the coroner on how the inquiry should proceed.
3 outlets · Labour candidate leads in Te Tai Tonga polling
A new Curia Market Research poll for Whakaata Māori shows Labour candidate Mananui Ramsden leading the Te Tai Tonga electorate race with 30 per cent support. Te Pāti Māori's Lisa Marie Murch follows at 17 per cent, while incumbent MP Tākuta Ferris trails at 15 per cent.
3 outlets · Pedestrian seriously injured in Bay of Plenty vehicle crash
A pedestrian sustained serious injuries following a crash involving a car on State Highway 33 in Paengaroa on Tuesday morning. Police are searching for a driver who allegedly fled the scene. The highway was closed for several hours but reopened at 12.20pm.
3 outlets · Arise Church to pay former interns more than $170,000
Arise Church will pay $173,869.56 in arrears to four former interns following a Labour Inspectorate investigation. The Employment Relations Authority issued a consent determination after it was found the individuals were employees rather than volunteers. The church admitted its internship programme implementation fell short.
3 outlets · Auckland Council votes to replace postal voting with booths for 2028
Auckland Council has voted 13 to three to abandon postal voting in favour of in-person booths for the 2028 local elections. The decision follows allegations of ballot fraud and vote rigging during the 2025 elections in the Manurewa and Ōtara-Papatoetoe local boards.
3 outlets · Mackenzie District Council to introduce user-pays system at five toilet facilities
The Mackenzie District Council has voted to implement a user-pays system at five public toilet facilities as part of a district-wide strategy. This move aims to reduce the infrastructure burden on local ratepayers following reports of visitors avoiding paid toilets and leaving messes.
4 outlets · Roaming dogs kill dozens of lambs at Wairarapa station
Two wandering dogs caused significant damage at Glenburn Station in rural Wairarapa. The incident left 43 lambs dead, four others requiring euthanasia, and one missing. Station manager Lachie McFadzean highlighted the event as a reminder of the need for responsible dog ownership.
3 outlets · Nelson man jailed after assaulting partner during alcohol-fuelled outburst
Beau Aindow was sentenced after attacking his partner at a Nelson home. After drinking and watching videos, Aindow allegedly threw chairs at the woman, kicked her, and threatened her with a serrated knife. The incident occurred when the victim refused to provide him with more alcohol.
2 outlets · ‘OIA-able’: When consultation is not the same thing as influence
OPINION: A recently leaked recording of Dr Catherine Law, the senior Ministry of Education official leading the secondary curriculum refresh, is uncomfortable to watch – but underneath it lies a deeper problem.
2 outlets · 170,000 young Kiwis yet to enrol amid fears of lowest-ever youth vote
With just 61% of under 25s enrolled to vote, one expert says this would result in about 45% of 18-24-year-olds casting a vote in this year’s election.
2 outlets · Jason Winstanley appointed as next RNZ chief executive
Jason Winstanley, currently the chief audio officer at NZME, has been named the next chief executive of RNZ. He is set to take over the role in 2027, succeeding Paul Thompson, who will depart the organisation at the end of this year.
2 outlets · Central Otago council to consider human waste disposal plan
The Central Otago District Council may reconsider plans to transport treated human effluent to farmland near Lauder. This follows concerns that the proposed site might not accommodate all the sludge. Council members will meet on Wednesday to decide how to manage the increasing volume of wastewater sludge.
2 outlets · Dannevirke retirement village criticised for poor care and delayed diagnoses
Eileen Mary Residential Care and Retirement Village in Dannevirke has been criticised for failing to provide an adequate standard of care to four elderly residents. One resident was found with maggots in a leg wound, and others experienced issues including delayed cancer diagnoses.
2 outlets · Sewage spills onto road and properties in Waihola after vandalism
Vandals deliberately damaged a wastewater breather pipe on Titri Road over the weekend. The Clutha District Council reported that the sewage overflowed onto a public road and nearby properties, creating health and environmental risks. This asset has reportedly been targeted more than once.
2 outlets · Constable Mia Lay honoured on National Police Remembrance Day
Police in Sydney honoured 20-year-old constable Mia Lay during National Police Remembrance Day tributes. Lay was killed in a car crash while on duty. Investigators are currently examining CCTV and patrol car data to determine the cause of the accident.
2 outlets · TVNZ defends election reporting after criticism from senior MP
TVNZ has defended its coverage of an Auckland battleground electorate after a senior MP criticised the report as lazy and useless. The broadcaster stated the 1News bulletin focused on a contest between two parties on the right, which resulted in a Labour candidate being omitted.
2 outlets · Treasury reduces forecasts for New Zealand house price growth
Treasury has significantly lowered its expectations for house price growth, with 2027 growth now projected at 0.6% instead of the previously forecast 4%. The downward revision is attributed to higher interest rates, increased supply, and lower migration levels.
2 outlets · Trial of two-way EV chargers begins in Auckland
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority and Counties Energy’s OpenLoop have launched a trial of two-way electric vehicle chargers. Up to 100 chargers will be installed in homes, businesses, and fleets to test how vehicles can send power back to households or the national grid.
2 outlets · Man charged after fatal motorcycle and car collision in Rotorua
A 72-year-old man has been charged with two counts of driving with excess breath alcohol causing death. The charges follow an August 14 crash near the intersection of Te Ngae Road and Rotokawa Road in Ōwhata, which resulted in the deaths of a motorcycle rider and passenger.
2 outlets · Off-duty officer breached policy during petrol station arrest
An IPCA investigation found that an off-duty officer's use of force to restrain a man at a Waitaki petrol station was legally justified. However, the officer's decision to intervene breached police policy. The incident occurred after the officer mistakenly linked the man's vehicle to previous burnout activity.
2 outlets · Man charged after alleged copper theft at Grafton substation
A 42-year-old man faces charges after allegedly posing as a worker to steal copper from a Vector substation in Grafton. The incident on Saturday, 26 September, caused significant damage and resulted in repair costs for nearby dwellings. The man is due to appear in court.
2 outlets · Mauger family suing law firm over father's million-dollar gifts
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger and his siblings are taking legal action against Saunders & Co regarding advice given to their late father. The dispute involves more than $1 million gifted to two employees in 2018. The High Court has ordered the law firm to provide more detail regarding documents it claims are privileged.
2 outlets · One person critically injured in Timaru SUV crash
A person sustained critical injuries after an SUV crashed on Pages Rd in Timaru on Tuesday morning. Emergency services, including ambulances and rapid response units, attended the single-vehicle accident. The patient was treated and transported by Hato Hone St John.
2 outlets · Man charged after allegedly vandalising election hoardings in south Auckland
A man has been charged after police allegedly caught him defacing and removing election signs in Takanini. Authorities say they had received several reports of hoarding vandalism in the south Auckland area since early September.
2 outlets · Two children discharged from hospital following Matapihi incident
Two children have been released from hospital into the care of family members following a serious incident in Matapihi on 9 September. Emergency services previously attended a rural property on Hoskins Road where one child was in critical condition and the other was serious. Police are continuing to investigate the matter.
2 outlets · Nelson council to consult on $27m waterfront redevelopment plan
Nelson City Council is seeking public feedback on a $27.3 million masterplan to revitalise the city's waterfront. The proposal aims to transform the area near Haven Road and Wakefield Quay by adding shared pathways, water access, and revamped historic buildings for commercial and hospitality use.
2 outlets · Police investigate suspicious fire at Te Atatū barbershop
Firefighters responded to a blaze at a small commercial premises on the corner of Te Atatū and Harbour View roads around 2am on Tuesday. The fire gutted a barbershop, and authorities are now treating the incident as suspicious.
2 outlets · Two new Acts replace the Resource Management Act
The Planning Act and the Natural Environment Act have replaced the Resource Management Act. The decision to split the previous law has faced criticism, particularly from environmentalists regarding the impact on environmental protection.
2 outlets · Liquidator and former business owner dispute ownership of whisky casks
Liquidator Brenton Hunt is seeking ownership of 700 litres of Cardrona Distillery sherry and bourbon in the High Court. Hunt alleges the casks were purchased with Big Daddy’s Ltd funds, while director Hardeep Singh disputes the claim. The liquor is potentially worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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