Silver Ferns defeat Australia in Constellation Cup opener
The Silver Ferns took a 1-0 lead in the four-test Constellation Cup series after defeating the Australian Diamonds 56-50 in Auckland. Following their Commonwealth Games gold medal win, New Zealand's victory at Spark Arena marked their 11th consecutive win over Australia on New Zealand soil.
+26 outlets · Starship children's cancer treatments delayed due to nursing shortages
Health New Zealand has confirmed that some paediatric cancer treatments at Starship Hospital in Auckland have been rescheduled due to nursing staff shortages. The health minister described the delays, which included 20 chemotherapy cycles, as minor. The New Zealand Nurses Organisation stated that nearly half of oncology ward shifts were below safe staffing levels this year.
+37 outlets · Three hospitalised after chemical incident in Sydenham
Three people were hospitalised after being overcome by chemicals at a commercial property on Coleridge Street in Sydenham on Thursday. One person was initially in critical condition, but police say they are now stable. Firefighters rescued those affected and have since made the scene safe.
+26 outlets · Costco approved to lodge fast-track application for Christchurch store
The government has approved a referral application for a proposed Costco development near Christchurch Airport. The US-based wholesaler plans to build a 16,000-square-metre retail warehouse on a 17.68-hectare site. The project is expected to include a food court and a tyre centre.
+26 outlets · Auckland FC defend Sam Cosgrove availability ahead of season opener
Auckland FC have defended the decision to play striker Sam Cosgrove in their A-League season opener against Melbourne City. The player was cleared to play after the club used a loophole to serve a two-match suspension from an August red card during the Intercontinental Cup.
4 outlets · Brian Tamaki summonsed to court for allegedly inciting racial disharmony
Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki has been summonsed to appear in Manukau District Court on Monday. He faces three charges for allegedly breaching the Human Rights Act by inciting racial disharmony. Tamaki live-streamed police officers serving the summons at his South Auckland home earlier today.
+15 outlets · Breakers overcome deficit to defeat Sydney Kings in Canberra
The New Zealand Breakers secured a 102-101 NBL Ignite Cup victory over the defending champion Sydney Kings in Canberra. Carlin Davison recorded career-high points, assists and steals to help the team overcome a 10-point half-time deficit. The win moves the Breakers into first place.
+15 outlets · Missing Hawke's Bay student rescued from Ruahine Forest Park
A 17-year-old Taradale High School student was winched to safety by an Air Force helicopter on Wednesday after spending a night lost in Ruahine Forest Park. The teenager had become separated from his school group while hiking and reportedly suffered a head injury during a fall. He was located in the Waipawa River Valley.
+15 outlets · Constable awarded bravery award for response to Waitārere Beach shooting
Constable David Cramp has received the 2026 Police Bravery Award for his actions during a fatal family harm incident in January. After a child opened the door to a scene at a Waitārere Beach home, Cramp provided life-saving first aid to three critically injured people. One person died in the shooting.
4 outlets · Interim report released into June Wellington train crash
An interim Transport Accident Investigation Commission report has detailed the June 6 crash near Khandallah Station. A train passed a red signal and hit a concrete barrier, injuring six people. Investigators found that a safety lever failed and a signal error diverted the train onto a runaway line.
4 outlets · Piha campground to reopen this summer despite flood risk concerns
The Wāitakere Ranges local board has voted unanimously to reopen the Piha Campground this summer. The site has been closed for almost five months due to flood risks on the floodplain. The decision to allow overnight camping to resume comes despite recommendations from Auckland Council staff.
+15 outlets · Richie Mo’unga's availability uncertain for All Blacks Nations Championship tests
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie says Richie Mo’unga is in doubt for the upcoming Nations Championship tests due to a calf tear. The 32-year-old playmaker has travelled to Sydney with the squad, though a final decision on his participation is expected to be made late.
3 outlets · Iris Capital acquires Christchurch Casino for over $100 million
Australian hospitality and property group Iris Capital has completed the purchase of Christchurch Casino from Skyline Enterprises. The transaction is valued at more than $100 million and marks the firm's first investment in New Zealand. The deal also provides an indirect 33% stake in Dunedin Casino.
3 outlets · Waikato and Wairarapa butchers win awards at national sausage competition
Butchers from Waikato and Wairarapa secured multiple medals at the 2026 Dunninghams Great New Zealand Sausage Competition. Auckland's Mapari Meats won the Supreme Award for its Birria Taco-flavoured sausage. This year's event saw a record 869 entries from 126 producers across the country.
3 outlets · Chef Simon Gault pays for skin cancer surgery after insurance denial
Celebrity chef Simon Gault had to pay for skin cancer surgery out of pocket after Southern Cross declined to cover the recommended procedure. Gault has held health insurance with the provider since 1970. He says changes to eligibility criteria meant the insurer would not pay for the surgery.
3 outlets · Christchurch named one of the world's top trending travel destinations for 2027
Christchurch has been identified as one of the top 10 trending travel destinations for 2027 by Booking.com. The city is the only New Zealand and Australasian location to appear on the list alongside international destinations such as Monterey and Reims.
3 outlets · Rolleston town centre expansion to include new retail and office space
Construction is scheduled to begin in February on the second stage of the Rolleston Fields development off Tennyson Street. The project will provide a mix of office and retail spaces, with developers currently in discussions with two operators regarding a potential cinema.
3 outlets · The Helicopter Line ordered to pay for unjustified dismissal of cafe worker
The Employment Relations Authority has ordered Queenstown tourism operator The Helicopter Line Limited to pay more than $17,000 to former cafe employee Jonathan Lovatt. The compensation follows the unjustified dismissal of Lovatt, which required him to vacate his staff accommodation.
4 outlets · Three injured in State Highway 1 crash west of Balclutha
Two people were seriously injured and a third sustained moderate injuries in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Tutu Hill Road on Thursday afternoon. The accident has caused the closure of State Highway 1 west of Balclutha and the Clinton Highway at Waiwera South.
3 outlets · Chris Hipkins accuses Government of using councils as scapegoats
Labour leader Chris Hipkins told local government leaders at a Rotorua conference that the Government is using councils as a political punching bag. He claimed councils are being blamed for problems that were actually created in Wellington.
2 outlets · Two men banned from owning pigs after neglect investigation
John Leeroy Gardiner and Hudson Tukuafu Muli-Ki-Ha’an Livai have been indefinitely disqualified from owning pigs. Following an investigation near Palmerston North, animals were found emaciated, injured, and living in waste-covered pens. Several pigs had to be euthanised due to their condition.
3 outlets · Canterbury solar farm approved at reduced scale
Commissioners have granted resource consent to Far North Solar Farm Ltd for a project near Waipara. The farm's scope was reduced by 25 per cent following criticism from neighbours. The approval comes with specific conditions for the development.
3 outlets · New Zealand housing market may be entering low growth era
New analysis suggests New Zealand is transitioning to a period of lower house price growth. Property economist Kelvin Davidson indicates that the rapid price gains seen in previous decades are becoming less common, with national prices potentially growing by about 4% annually over the next decade.
3 outlets · Salvation Army transitional housing facility in Christchurch receives major upgrade
A newly renovated accommodation wing has opened at the Salvation Army's Addington complex in Christchurch. The upgrades to the facility, which has provided housing for men for 130 years, are intended to better support people as they rebuild their lives.
3 outlets · More New Zealanders struggling to afford essentials due to cost of living
The 2025/26 New Zealand Consumer Lifestyles Study shows an increase in people classified as financial strugglers. Research indicates that 40 per cent of respondents struggle to pay for essentials, while nearly half are no longer purchasing items they normally would due to budget pressures.
3 outlets · Dancers ruled employees rather than contractors by Employment Court
The Employment Court has declared that five former Calendar Girls dancers in Wellington were employees instead of independent contractors. The women, who worked at the club between 2015 and 2023, argued the contractor status deprived them of entitlements like sick and annual leave.
2 outlets · Opportunity Party leader discusses tax agenda and future parliamentary goals
Qiulae Wong says entering Parliament would help advance the Opportunity Party's land tax policy. Responding to criticism from founder Gareth Morgan, Wong stated the party is not selling its soul. She also noted that securing a second term in 2029 is already a priority for the party.
2 outlets · Wellington councillor reveals ovarian cancer is in remission
Wellington City councillor Andrea Compton announced during a council meeting that her ovarian cancer diagnosis is now in remission. She shared the news while wearing a sequin dress for Frocktober to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.
3 outlets · Driver charged after high-speed crash on Kāpiti Expressway
A driver has been charged after crashing into a wire barrier on State Highway 1 near Waikanae. Police observed the vehicle travelling south at nearly twice the 110km/h speed limit before the incident occurred just before 8.30pm.
2 outlets · Study visa refusals increase due to fraudulent applications
Immigration New Zealand has seen a rise in study visa refusals following a spike in fraudulent applications. In the last three months, refusal rates for applicants from Bangladesh and India have nearly doubled. In July, there were 6,273 refusals for full-fee student applications from all countries.
3 outlets · Regulators warn financial firms of AI-driven cyber threats
The Reserve Bank and the Financial Markets Authority have issued a joint statement regarding new supervisory expectations for regulated entities. The regulators are urging banks and other financial firms to strengthen cyber security oversight and accountability to manage risks posed by frontier artificial intelligence.
2 outlets · NZ First proposes new commission to regulate combat sports
New Zealand First has announced plans to establish a statutory Combat Sports Commission to improve athlete safety and prevent criminal influence. The proposal follows coronial recommendations and aims to eliminate unsanctioned events. The New Zealand Mixed Martial Arts Federation has expressed support for the framework.
2 outlets · White Ferns begin new era with T20 series against Australia
The White Ferns have travelled to Sydney for a three-match T20I series against Australia. Led by captain Amelia Kerr, the 15-player squad is meeting for the first time since the T20 World Cup in June. The series was originally scheduled for February but was moved following changes to the international cricket calendar.
2 outlets · Motor racing season begins at Teretonga Park this weekend
The new racing season kicks off with two days of action at Teretonga Park in Invercargill. The South Island Endurance Series will take place on Saturday, featuring races that will determine both the South Island and New Zealand titles.
2 outlets · Lodestone Energy receives firm commitments for NZ sharemarket listing
Solar power company Lodestone Energy has secured firm commitments for its initial public offering. The share raise, priced at $2.25 per share, aims to collect between $75 million and $100 million. Further details regarding the level of subscription have not yet been released.
2 outlets · Kāpiti candidates agree on airport but differ on tax incentives
National's Tim Costley and Labour's Sophie Handford met with local business owners to discuss the Kāpiti electorate. While both candidates supported keeping the local airport, they disagreed regarding the future of a flagship government tax incentive.
1 outlet · David Seymour open to coalition with Opportunity to block left-wing government
ACT leader David Seymour told supporters in Wānaka he would consider a coalition with Opportunity to prevent a Labour-led government. He suggested he would rather be in power with them than sit in Opposition. Seymour noted that Opportunity's tax reset plan could negatively impact rural communities.
2 outlets · Industrial building fire in Tauranga draws emergency response
Fire and Emergency New Zealand responded to an industrial fire in Tauranga on Thursday afternoon. National MP Sam Uffindell and Cameron Templer spotted smoke while door knocking in the Judea area. Three crews were sent to attend the incident.
2 outlets · Magnitude 5.7 earthquake strikes near Taumarunui
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred at 6.25pm on Thursday, centred 30km northeast of Taumarunui at a depth of 269km. GeoNet described the shaking as light, though more than 5000 people reported feeling it across both islands, including the East Coast and the lower North Island.
2 outlets · South Island's largest solar farm opens at Christchurch Airport
Contact Energy has officially opened Kōwhai Park, the largest solar farm in the South Island, at Christchurch Airport. The facility is capable of generating enough electricity to power 36,000 homes.
2 outlets · Police justified in pepper-spraying man on Lower Hutt bus
The Independent Police Conduct Authority found officers were justified in using force to arrest a man for disorderly behaviour on a bus in Lower Hutt. However, the watchdog noted that spraying the man in the face from less than a metre away was dangerous and contrary to policy.
2 outlets · Auckland dog attacks decrease for first time in six years
Auckland Council's latest animal management report shows dog attacks have fallen for the first time in six years. While reported attacks and roaming dog complaints decreased, the number of incidents involving children has risen. The report also noted nearly 300 dogs were euthanised following attacks or rushing incidents.
2 outlets · Genesis opens first grid-scale battery at Huntly Power Station
Genesis Energy has officially opened a 100MW battery storage facility at the Huntly Power Station. The $130 million project can power 60,000 homes for two hours and was completed under budget.
2 outlets · Solar Hub enters liquidation leaving customers out of pocket
Solar Hub NZ Ltd has been placed in liquidation, leaving customers facing significant financial losses. The company's membership with the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand was suspended six weeks ago following consumer complaints. Affected individuals have until 11 November to lodge financial claims with the liquidator.
2 outlets · Otumoetai man identified following fatal Tauranga motorcycle crash
Police have identified 48-year-old Warren Craig Cochrane as the motorcyclist who died in a single-vehicle crash on Takitimu Drive. The incident occurred on State Highway 2 last Monday morning. Takitimu Drive has since reopened following an investigation by the serious crash unit.
2 outlets · Eleven entities bid for online casino licences in New Zealand
Eleven entities have submitted bids for 15 available online casino licences in New Zealand. The final auction price reached $15 million per licence as a new regulatory system is being implemented.
2 outlets · State Highway 3 reopens through Awakino Gorge after flooding
State Highway 3 has reopened through the Awakino Gorge following heavy rain and flooding. The road north of New Plymouth had previously closed between Mokau and Mahoenui, with stop/go traffic management implemented to manage delays.
2 outlets · North Canterbury adopts single tsunami evacuation zone
North Canterbury has replaced its previous yellow, orange, and red tsunami evacuation zones with a single blue zone. This change is part of a nationwide initiative intended to make evacuation instructions easier for the public to understand.
2 outlets · Christchurch couple sentenced for providing unregistered high-interest loans
Hope and Juvy Suan were sentenced at the Christchurch District Court for providing financial services through 4J Enterprise Limited without registration. The company was fined $15,000 after records showed they issued 75 personal loans totalling almost $680,000, with some interest rates reaching 55.61%.
2 outlets · Commerce Commission will not regulate Tiaki Wai earnings yet
The Commerce Commission says it will not currently intervene to control rising water bills for Wellingtonians. Chairperson John Small noted that water costs under Tiaki Wai are increasing by an average of 13.3 percent this year, with projections suggesting annual costs could exceed $6,000 within a decade.
2 outlets · Whanganui electorate candidates participate in Stratford debate
Three candidates for the Whanganui electorate met in Stratford on Wednesday night for a debate hosted by Federated Farmers. National MP Carl Bates, NZ First's Harete Hipango-Brownlie, and Labour's Angela Roberts discussed issues ahead of the upcoming election.
2 outlets · Family escapes as fire destroys Burwood townhouse
Residents of a Kāinga Ora townhouse in Burwood escaped safely after a fire broke out on Baynes Street on Wednesday night. Firefighters arrived to find the building well ablaze, though the neighbouring unit appeared mostly unscathed.
2 outlets · King Country to face Mid Canterbury in Heartland Championship final
King Country will play defending champions Mid Canterbury in the Meads Cup final this Saturday in Ashburton. Mid Canterbury secured a home final after defeating Thames Valley in their semi-final. The match offers King Country a chance to win the trophy named after their most famous player.
2 outlets · Greens pledge to reverse public service budget cuts if elected
The Green Party has promised to cancel the National Government's plan to reduce the public service headcount by 8,700 roles. Co-leader Marama Davidson criticised the use of AI and digital tools to achieve these savings. The party says it would reverse the cuts, which are estimated to cost between $2.4 billion and $3.17 billion.
2 outlets · Police seek man wanted for breaching conditions in Canterbury
Police are searching for 47-year-old Angelo Tamiti, who is wanted on an arrest warrant for breaching his conditions. Authorities say Tamiti is actively avoiding police in Canterbury and should not be approached as he is considered a risk.
2 outlets · Powerball jackpot rolls over to $10 million after Wednesday draw
The Powerball jackpot has increased to $10 million for Saturday night after no players matched the winning numbers on Wednesday. Other winners included a Lotto First Division player who won $1 million and a Strike Four player who claimed $200,000. Two Lotto Second Division winners also received $105,248 each, including one player from New Plymouth.
2 outlets · Police search for vulnerable man missing from Taita home
Wellington District Police are searching for a 30-year-old man named Pita who went missing from his Taita home on Thursday morning. He is considered vulnerable as his intellectual age is younger than his actual age. He was last seen wearing black shorts, a black hoody, yellow socks and sneakers.
2 outlets · Christopher Luxon clarifies stance on minimum wage inflation increases
During a debate, Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins both initially agreed to increase the minimum wage by the rate of inflation. Luxon has since walked back the commitment, stating he had only previously agreed to take inflation into account.
2 outlets · Fewer New Zealanders moving to Australia, according to new figures
The net loss of New Zealanders moving to Australia decreased in the year to March. Data shows a net loss of 27,900 people, compared to 31,100 in the previous year, suggesting the migration trend is easing.
2 outlets · Government selects preferred provider for Taranaki LNG import facility
The government has chosen a preferred provider for a liquefied natural gas import facility in Taranaki, though a contract has not yet been signed. The identity of the company and initial safety evaluations have not been disclosed. Opponents of the project have renewed their calls for transparency.
3 outlets · Truck hits fallen tree on State Highway 57 near Palmerston North
A truck collided with a large fallen tree on State Highway 57 in Aokautere early this morning. The incident damaged a shed and downed power lines, leaving between 75 and 500 properties without electricity. Fire and Emergency crews attended the scene following the 5.15am report.
2 outlets · South Auckland foodbanks warn of deepening poverty among Pasifika families
Foodbank operators in South Auckland report increasing poverty within the Pacific community due to high rents, debt, and living costs. Mangere Budgeting Services has seen food demand rise by more than 100% over the last two years.
2 outlets · Temperatures to drop as cold southerly front moves north
A cold southerly flow is expected to cause temperatures to plummet by as much as 16C. MetService has issued watches for heavy rain and snow, with snow possible on South Island highways and the Desert Road.
2 outlets · Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamata challenges Rotorua Airport expansion dispute
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamata is challenging Rotorua Airport's opposition to its building expansion plans. The school argues the airport is creating barriers to Māori education despite the kura operating on Te Ngae Road for nearly 40 years. Leaders have called on the Rotorua Lakes Council to help resolve the matter.
2 outlets · Wellington rises in global set-jetting rankings following new film production
Wellington has been ranked as the fifth top global destination for 2027 set-jetters by Expedia. This follows the commencement of filming for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum in July, which has led to a 70% year-on-year increase in accommodation searches for the city.
2 outlets · Organised crime laundering millions through New Zealand construction industry
A new police report reveals that organised crime groups are laundering hundreds of millions of dollars through the New Zealand construction industry every year. Criminals are using building sites and property developments to turn illegal cash into legitimate wealth.
2 outlets ·
