National pledges to reduce foreign aid, use money to increase Pharmac's budget and extend free cancer screening
If re-elected the National Party would reduce foreign aid outside the Pacific and use the money to uplift Pharmac's medicine budge.
+26 outlets · Large vegetation fire near Queenstown is fully contained
A major blaze affecting Walter Peak and Cecil Peak stations has been fully contained. After burning through approximately 1400ha of land, firefighters were stood down on Thursday following overnight rain and favourable weather. The fireground has been handed back to the landowners.
+15 outlets · National and Labour neck and neck in latest poll
The latest 1News Verian poll shows National at 29% and Labour at 28%. The Opportunity Party is forecast to hold the balance of power with 7% of the vote. National leader Christopher Luxon has ruled out working with the party.
+15 outlets · Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns squads named for Rugby League World Cup
Stacey Jones and Ricky Henry have announced 23-player squads for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup. The Kiwis will debut Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai, while Stacey Waaka is included in the Kiwi Ferns squad. Both teams begin their tournament campaigns next week.
+15 outlets · Search continues for missing Christchurch man Braydon Hepworth
Police have completed a forensic examination of a Linwood property believed to be the last known address of 21-year-old Braydon Hepworth. Hepworth was last seen in the Linwood area on 14 September. Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
+15 outlets · Police investigate after person arrives at Christchurch hospital with gunshot wound
A person was treated and discharged from Christchurch Hospital after presenting with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound early Tuesday morning. Police are investigating the circumstances and are also looking into whether the incident is linked to a separate report of a firearm being discharged in Spreydon on Monday evening.
+15 outlets · Police pause physical search for missing Queenstown surgeon
Active search operations for 47-year-old Erika Rodrigues Coelho have been paused, though the investigation remains ongoing. Her vehicle was located at Skippers Saddle on 21 September after she was last seen near Coronet Peak on 18 September. Police are still attempting to identify a man seen on a summit track during that time.
+15 outlets · NZ Cricket reveals decision-making behind controversial T20 choice
A Deloitte analysis favoured further exploration of a New Zealand team entering Australia's Big Bash League.
4 outlets · Crown abandons retrial for David Tamihere over Swedish backpacker murders
The Crown has decided not to pursue a retrial for David Tamihere regarding the 1989 murders of Swedish backpackers Heidi Paakkonen and Sven Höglin. This decision follows the Supreme Court quashing his convictions earlier this year. Tamihere appeared in the Auckland High Court where prosecutors stated there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
4 outlets · Buildings evacuated after gas leak closes section of major Auckland road
Police advise motorists to avoid the area.
4 outlets · Taxi driver faces long recovery after Auckland waterfront crash
Gagan Deep Singh has suffered multiple broken bones and internal injuries after his parked taxi was struck by a Tesla at an Auckland intersection. The driver, who was involved in a crash involving actor Cliff Curtis, has been told he cannot work for at least two months.
3 outlets · Cocaine use surges in New Zealand as prices fall
The latest New Zealand Drug Trends Survey shows cocaine use has increased significantly since 2017. Driven by lower prices and greater availability, respondents reported nearly 7kg of cocaine being consumed weekly in the second quarter of 2026. Researchers suggest the drug is becoming more socially accepted.
3 outlets · Soldier who tried to spy on Defence Force can now be named
An army soldier jailed for attempting to spy on the Defence Force can be named after he lost an appeal against a decision declining him name suppression.
4 outlets · Woman sentenced for ill-treatment of pregnant dog in South Auckland
An Auckland woman has been sentenced to 40 hours of community work and eight months of supervision after being convicted of ill-treating her pregnant dog. The attack occurred in Wiri in October 2024 and was captured by a witness. The dog, Medusa, is now in the care of the SPCA.
3 outlets · Woman charged with attempted murder after Glendene stabbing
A 33-year-old woman faces attempted murder charges following a stabbing in West Auckland on Sunday night. Three people were hospitalised, including a baby who remains in critical condition after surgery. The accused is due to appear in Waitākere District Court but is reportedly too unwell to speak with her lawyer.
3 outlets · Vegetation fire continues to burn on Walter Peak near Lake Wakatipu
A large vegetation fire has been burning on the southern shores of Lake Wakatipu since Tuesday morning. The blaze grew overnight and was not contained before operations were suspended on Tuesday night. Firefighters and helicopters returned on Wednesday morning, with weather conditions expected to cause further increases in size.
2 outlets · Labour and National dispute savings from Investment Boost policy
The National Party claims Labour has overestimated savings from scrapping the Investment Boost by $2.2 billion. Labour has rejected these calculations but admitted to a $90 million error within its fiscal plan.
2 outlets · Helen White prepares for close Mt Albert electorate contest
Labour MP Helen White is campaigning to retain the Mt Albert seat, which she won by 18 votes in 2023. She was recently joined by Chris Hipkins to meet voters and stallholders as the contest is expected to be close.
2 outlets · Traffic builds on SH1 in Auckland after digger on truck hits overbridge
Southbound traffic was backed up after a digger being carried on a truck struck an overbridge near the Southeastern Highway off-ramp.
2 outlets · New 10-year regional deal signed for Otago Central Lakes
The Government and three local councils have formalised a 10-year agreement to manage rapid growth in Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago. The deal focuses on delivering infrastructure and improving access to housing, transport, healthcare, and energy.
2 outlets · Cityfitness plans up to 100m expansion with up to 50 new gyms by 203132
CityFitness is set to invest $100 million into its gym network over the next five years, opening up to 50 new locations across New Zealand.
2 outlets · Mayor Wayne Brown removes controversial parking space in Auckland
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has personally painted over a parking space on New North Road near Mt Albert. The removal is part of his Quick Fixes campaign following public complaints about the single spot on a busy thoroughfare.
2 outlets · Chlöe Swarbrick says National attacks on wealth tax are backfiring
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick claims National Party criticism of her party's tax proposals is helping them gain support. Following recent high polling, Swarbrick maintains the party will continue to push for a wealth tax despite opposition from National.
2 outlets · Former Christchurch doctor fined for misleading videos on HIV and gonorrhoea
Samantha Bailey has been fined $17,000 and ordered to pay over $70,000 in costs for professional misconduct. The Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal found her guilty of making videos containing discredited claims about HIV, AIDS and gonorrhoea. The tribunal noted she had previously had her medical registration cancelled.
2 outlets · South Island rental prices rising faster than national average
Rents in several South Island regions are increasing at more than twice the national rate. Central Otago/Lakes District recorded the highest annual growth at 7%, with average weekly rents reaching $858 in September.
2 outlets · Chris Hipkins faces voter concerns during Mt Albert market walkabout
Labour leader Chris Hipkins visited Wesley Market in the Mt Albert electorate this morning. During the campaign walkabout, a voter expressed frustration over the job market and stated she is considering voting for the Greens. A pedestrian bridge also swung wildly due to the momentum of the crowd following the leader.
2 outlets · Christchurch and South Canterbury move to single tsunami evacuation zone
Christchurch and South Canterbury have replaced their red, orange, and yellow tsunami evacuation zones with a single blue zone. This change, effective from Tuesday, follows updated modelling and a national plan to simplify emergency messaging. The transition aligns with guidance for councils to implement a single zone by 2031.
1 outlet · Dallin Watene-Zelezniak switches allegiance to Tonga for Rugby League World Cup
Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has joined the Tonga squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup after previously playing 13 tests for New Zealand. He joins teammates Leka Halasima and Demitric Vaimauga, while playmaker Junior Amone has also been named in the squad.
2 outlets · Consumer spending falls due to petrol prices, interest rates and weather
Core retail spending decreased in August and September as households dealt with rising interest rates, higher petrol costs and poor weather. Paymark data shows August spending fell 1.8% compared to last year, while September spending dropped 1.3% to $3.572 billion.
3 outlets · Waikato District Council chief executive Craig Hobbs resigns
Craig Hobbs has resigned as Waikato District Council chief executive after 18 months in the position. His departure occurs ahead of a staff meeting regarding a restructure he led, which has already resulted in at least 10% of the workforce leaving. Hobbs is expected to step down at the end of the month.
2 outlets · New Zealand experienced a mild September with varying rainfall patterns
The nationwide average temperature for September was 11C, which is 0.4C above the long-term average. While much of the North Island remained dry, parts of the South Island experienced heavy rainfall during the month.
2 outlets · Wellington City Council proposes service cuts to meet rates cap
Wellington City Council has proposed $25 million in cost-cutting measures to comply with a 4% rates cap. Proposed reductions include funding for Te Papa, community library services, and school swimming subsidies. Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty stated the council needs to find a total of $60 million in savings.
2 outlets · State Highway 2 reopens after crash near West Taratahi
State Highway 2 in Wairarapa was briefly closed on Tuesday morning following a crash that left livestock on the road. Police stated that no motorists were injured, though there were reports of injuries to livestock. The highway has since reopened after services cleared debris from the area.
2 outlets · DoC launches digital tool to detect invasive weeds early
The Department of Conservation is launching a free digital surveillance tool called Smart Weed Alert Tool. This tool scans local and international databases to identify new or fast-spreading weeds more quickly.
2 outlets · Police investigate suspected murder-suicide involving two people in Buller
Police are investigating the deaths of Chelsey Anne Russell, 34, and Samuel Frederick Bass, 45, as a suspected murder-suicide. The two individuals were found dead at separate properties on the West Coast last week. Russell was discovered in a milking shed on Maimai Road.
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