Emergencies
Six homes evacuated as scrub fire threatens Roxburgh
Six homes have been evacuated in Roxburgh as firefighters battle a scrub fire fanned by strong winds. The blaze, reported on Monday afternoon, has caused power outages for more than 220 properties. Six crews and an aerial team are working through the night to contain the fire.
3 outlets · Search continues for missing kayaker in Manukau Harbour
Emergency services are conducting aerial and coastline searches for a man who went missing while kayaking alone near Mill Bay. The kayaker was last seen on a blue and white kayak about 1km offshore. The search involves multiple agencies following reports that he failed to return to shore on Monday afternoon.
4 outlets · Cyclist dies following crash with car in Stoke
A cyclist has died at the scene after colliding with a car on Main Road Stoke in Nelson. The incident occurred on Monday morning near the Songer Street intersection. Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
3 outlets · Firefighters working to extinguish large fires in Otago and Southland
Firefighters are working to extinguish a blaze in Otago, while landowners in Southland monitor a fire that has spread to 80 hectares. Meanwhile, a 1000m² fire north of Nelson was brought under control overnight following a response from 11 fire trucks.
1 outlet · Traffic delays expected in Christchurch after intersection crash
A two-vehicle crash at the Brougham and Colombo Street intersection in Christchurch early Tuesday morning has disabled traffic lights. Police say one person sustained minor to moderate injuries. Motorists should expect delays as traffic management is expected to remain in place for most of the day.
3 outlets · Cyclist comes forward after fatal Blenheim crash
A cyclist who may have witnessed a fatal collision between a car and a truck has come forward. The crash occurred at the intersection of Wither and Howick Roads in Blenheim on Friday morning, resulting in one death at the scene.
+26 outlets · Waiouru military area fire burns 230 hectares
A vegetation fire sparked by live fire training has burnt approximately 230 hectares in the Waiouru Military Area. Firefighters and helicopters are working to control the blaze, which may take another 24 hours to extinguish. The fire has sent smoke across the Desert Road.
4 outlets · Severe winds and heavy rain forecast as firefighters battle bushfires
Strong winds and heavy rain are expected to lash parts of New Zealand. Firefighters are currently battling bushfires, including a vegetation fire that caused evacuations in Roxburgh. Northwest gales could reach 130km/h in exposed areas, while heavy rain warnings remain for the Tararua Ranges.
2 outlets · Moderate 4.5 magnitude earthquake strikes near Blenheim
A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck 20km southwest of Blenheim at approximately 7.34pm. GeoNet described the moderate shaking as being felt across the top of the South Island and parts of the lower North Island. This follows a magnitude 4.0 earthquake that occurred near Whanganui earlier that afternoon.
3 outlets · Police investigate fire that destroyed Napier's St Paul’s Presbyterian Church
A fire destroyed St Paul’s Presbyterian Church on Tennyson Street in Napier early Monday morning. While the congregation reported everyone is safe, police are investigating the cause of the blaze. One man has been charged with arson in relation to two suspicious fires in the city.
4 outlets · Driver dies after crashing into a tree in central Christchurch
A driver was found dead at the scene of a crash near the intersection of Montreal and Armagh streets early Monday morning. Police were called to the incident at approximately 3.20am. The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit attended but reopened just after 7am.
+15 outlets · One person dies after single-vehicle crash in Waitaki
One person has died in hospital following a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 83 in Georgetown on Sunday. Two people were initially taken to hospital with serious injuries, but police confirmed one person died on Monday morning. Investigations into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
4 outlets · Motorcyclist dies following Devonport crash with a car
A motorcyclist has died in hospital after colliding with a car on Lake Rd in Devonport. The accident occurred around 8.50pm on 20 October. The rider had been in critical condition since the collision on Auckland's North Shore.
3 outlets · Five people rescued after boat sinks in Hauraki Gulf
Five people were rescued from the water after their boat sank near mussel farms east of Ponui Island on Sunday evening. Emergency services, including the Coastguard and a police helicopter, located the group using phone location data after a brief distress call. All five individuals were taken to shore.
3 outlets · Police investigate two Auckland house fires deemed suspicious
Police are investigating two fires that occurred overnight in Auckland. Fire and Emergency New Zealand has deemed a fire at a Kāinga Ora duplex in Mount Albert as suspicious. Scene guards remain at both the Glen Eden and Mount Albert properties while investigations continue.
3 outlets · Fire and Emergency assessing ground after Southland scrub fire
Emergency services are assessing the area following a large vegetation fire in the Centre Hill region on Sunday afternoon. Up to seven helicopters were used to protect two telecommunications towers from the blaze. Strong winds were expected to impact the area following the incident.
4 outlets · Motorcyclist in critical condition after Christchurch motorway crash
A motorcyclist is in serious to critical condition in hospital following a single-vehicle crash on the Southern Motorway's Halswell Junction off-ramp. The incident occurred around 5.55am on Sunday. The off-ramp remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit investigates the crash.
+15 outlets · Person critical after train and car collide in Paengaroa
A person is in critical condition following a collision between a car and a train on Te Puke Highway in Paengaroa on Sunday morning. Emergency services, including a helicopter and ambulance, attended the scene. The Serious Crash unit has been notified of the incident.
3 outlets · Homicide investigation launched after woman found dead in Kawerau
Police are investigating a suspicious death after a woman's body was discovered at a Kawerau property. The discovery followed a collision between a car and a train at a private level crossing in Paengaroa on Sunday morning. The car's driver remains in critical condition at Waikato Hospital.
2 outlets · Two seriously injured in single-vehicle crash in Waitaki Valley
Two people sustained serious injuries following a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 83 near Duntroon on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred near the Ngāpara-Georgetown Road intersection, causing the highway to be blocked. Motorists have been advised to avoid the area while emergency services attend the scene.
2 outlets · Two injured after car crashes into Queenstown hotel entrance
A car struck diners before smashing into the entrance of the Ramada hotel in Frankton on Saturday morning. Police were notified of the incident on Hawthorne Drive at approximately 11.40am. Two people were treated at the scene and transported to Lakes District Hospital in moderate condition.
3 outlets · Two injured after house fire in Mangatāwhiri
Two people were injured during a house fire on Koheroa Road in Mangatāwhiri early Saturday morning. One person is in critical condition and another is moderately injured following the incident, which emergency services were called to at approximately 4.30am. Fire and Emergency New Zealand sent six crews to contain the blaze.
3 outlets · Woman hospitalised after fire at Dunedin's former Prince of Wales Hotel
A woman was taken to hospital in serious condition following a fire on a top floor balcony at the historic Prince of Wales Hotel in Dunedin. At least three people were evacuated from the building after smoke was seen rising from the site on Saturday afternoon.
2 outlets · Shallow 6.9 magnitude earthquake strikes near northern Vanuatu
A shallow earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 occurred in the sea west of Sola on Saturday afternoon. The United States Geological Survey reported the quake had a depth of 10km. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre previously noted that hazardous tsunami waves were possible for parts of Vanuatu.
2 outlets · Father and son named after deaths in Mangawhai water tank incident
James Martin Sisson, 52, and Keith James Sisson, 78, have been identified as the men found dead inside a water tank at a Mangawhai home on Tuesday. The deaths have been referred to the Coroner, and police stated there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident.
2 outlets · Search continues for missing PhD student after car found near Piha
Police are using various resources to search for Sam Newton-Jones, a 33-year-old PhD student and father of two. He was last seen at his Henderson workplace on Tuesday, and his vehicle was later discovered at the Mercer Bay Loop carpark near Piha.
+15 outlets · Fire and Emergency NZ chief executive Kerry Gregory resigns
Kerry Gregory has resigned as chief executive of Fire and Emergency New Zealand, effective immediately. His departure follows a public statement from Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden, who expressed a lack of confidence in him. The minister previously alleged that Gregory withheld information regarding a Serious Fraud Office investigation.
+26 outlets · Driver jailed for fatal collision with Christchurch cyclist
Tyson Stechman, 21, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for dangerous driving causing death and failing to stop after a February crash in Sumner. Stechman, a learner driver, was travelling at excessive speeds on Evans Pass Road when he struck 60-year-old Ian Huntsman.
4 outlets · Woman dies after being struck by train in Henderson
A woman died at a rail crossing near Sturges Road station in Henderson on Friday afternoon. Police were called to the Mt Lebanon Lane crossing around 2.55pm, where the woman was pronounced deceased at the scene. A cordon is expected to remain in place until this evening.
3 outlets · State Highway 3 blocked north of Te Awamutu after three-vehicle crash
A three-vehicle crash near Ngaroto Road left one person seriously injured and another with moderate injuries on Friday morning. Police say the incident occurred just after 7.20am, causing the highway to close. Diversions are currently in place at Racecourse and Ngaroto roads.
3 outlets · Firefighters battle large vegetation blaze at Bottle Lake forest park
Firefighters were called to a large vegetation fire on the perimeter of Waitākiri/Bottle Lake Forest Park in Christchurch on Thursday night. Emergency services responded to multiple calls around 8.30pm, with three fire engines, two water tankers, and a rural pump attending the scene. The blaze may have spread from the beach.
2 outlets · Driver dies after car leaves road in Lewis Pass
A driver has died after their vehicle went off State Highway 7 between Rogers Crescent and Hanmer Springs Road. The driver was the sole occupant of the car and died at the scene. The Serious Crash Unit is investigating the incident, and motorists may experience delays.
+15 outlets · Police warn Waikato motorists as road toll reaches 28
Police are urging drivers to be alert and slow down ahead of Labour Weekend following 28 deaths on Waikato roads this year. Road policing director Richard Wilson stated officers will be patrolling to issue tickets. This follows data showing road injuries occurred every 15 minutes during the 2025 long weekend.
2 outlets · Belgian man charged after failed Auckland base jump
A 22-year-old Belgian national will appear in court following a botched base jump from Hotel Indigo on Albert Street. Firefighters rescued the man from 23 floors up after a parachute malfunction, causing $20,000 in damage to a glass panel. He has been charged with burglary following two alleged base jumping incidents.
4 outlets · Infant hospitalised after reportedly falling from vehicle in Hastings
An infant was taken to hospital with moderate to serious injuries after reportedly falling from a vehicle in Mayfair, Hastings. Emergency services attended the incident on Maitland Crescent on Wednesday evening. Police are currently investigating the vehicle-related incident.
3 outlets · Police officer rescues two hypothermic teenagers off Browns Bay Beach
A police officer swam to a pontoon to rescue two teenage boys stranded off Auckland's North Shore on Tuesday. The teenagers were suffering from hypothermia after being in the water for some time. The rescue occurred after members of the public heard the boys calling for help.
2 outlets · Body recovered in search for missing Waihī Beach kayaker
A body believed to be the missing kayaker was recovered near Waihī Beach on Wednesday. The man went into the sea on Tuesday morning, and his kayak and body were brought to shore with assistance from the Navy and Coastguard. Formal identification is currently ongoing.
+15 outlets · Equestrian Celia Pickens dies in showjumping accident
Veteran equestrian and volunteer Celia Pickens has died following a showjumping accident at the Papatoetoe Pony Club. Show Jumping Waitematā paid tribute to the long-time competitor, noting she spent her final moments in the saddle.
2 outlets · Experts warn Franz Josef faces catastrophic flood risk from Waiho River
A group of river scientists is urging the West Coast Regional Council to implement a 10-year management plan for the Waiho River. The river is changing course faster than anticipated, creating a risk that major floods could overwhelm stopbanks. The council held a community briefing on Wednesday regarding changes to the river management strategy.
2 outlets · Whakaari/White Island alert level raised to 3 amid ash eruption
Earth Sciences New Zealand has raised the volcanic alert level for Whakaari/White Island to 3 following a continuous eruption of small amounts of ash. The aviation colour code has also increased to orange. Scientists warn that more violent explosions could occur suddenly, though there is no threat to the mainland beyond potential sulphur smells.
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