New North Road, Kingsland blocked following crash

Source: New Zealand Police Emergency services are in attendance at a crash in Kingsland which is causing delays. A pickup truck has collided with several vehicles in the crash on New North Road. The crash was reported near the intersection with King Street at 12.20pm. No serious injuries are currently being reported from the scene, … Read more

State Highway 25 closed, Hauraki

Source: New Zealand Police State Highway 25, Hauraki is closed near the intersection with Hauraki Road following a crash. The two-vehicle crash, involving a truck was reported just before midday. Three people have been seriously injured, a further two people have sustained moderate injuries. Motorists are advised to avoid the area, diversions are in place. … Read more

Name release – fatal crash Ōpōtiki

Source: New Zealand Police Police can now name the man who died following a motorcycle crash on State Highway 35 near Ōpōtiki on 19 December. He was Steven Haskell, aged 45. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are under way. ENDS Issued by Police Media … Read more

Former All Black Hoskins Sotutu to leave Blues at end of Super Rugby season

Source: Radio New Zealand Hoskins Sotutu with fans. Brett Phibbs/Photosport Former All Blacks loose forward Hoskins Sotutu has signed with English Premiership club Newcastle Red Bulls and will depart the Blues after the 2026 Super Rugby season. He remained fully committed to the Blues for their upcoming campaign, he said. Since making his Super Rugby … Read more

First Responders – Fernhill Fire Hawke’s Bay Update #4

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand The grass fire at Fernhill in Hawke’s Bay which also burnt several buildings is now fully contained and 95 per cent extinguished. Overnight firefighters with a pump truck and a tanker patrolled and monitored in case of any flareups Incident Controller Warrick LeQuesne says one crew using a tanker are … Read more

Northland News – Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board urges summer beachgoers to be safe, responsible

Source: Northland Regional Council Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board is urging beachgoers to put safety first and respect the unique environment and cultural significance of Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe over the busy summer period. The Board asks everyone to drive slowly and safely, swim wisely, respect the environment, and avoid unnecessary risks along the beach and in the water. “Te … Read more

Scrub blaze near Hastings almost out, firefighters treated for heat exhaustion

Source: Radio New Zealand Firefighting has resumed this morning. Facebook / Hawke’s Bay Fire and Emergency The scrub fire near the Hawke’s Bay village of Fernhill – between the township and the Ngaruroro River bridge – is almost fully out, Fire and Emergency says. The blaze is fully contained and 95 percent extinguished, a spokesperson … Read more

Body recovered near Thames believed to be missing person

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly A body has been recovered near Thames on and is believed to be a person that went missing in Coromandel waters two days ago. Duty Inspector Neil Faulkner said at around 6.10am on Wednesday, police received reports of a body being located on the beach by a … Read more

‘Doesn’t give up’ – Police dog Teo recovers from fall during search and rescue

Source: Radio New Zealand Teo was being gradually eased back from seven years of patrol work. Supplied / NZ Police / Senior Constable Alex Stammers A police dog seriously injured after falling into scalding geothermal water is finally getting to enjoy retirement after months of recovery – just in time for Christmas. Teo was being … Read more

Special visitor to Abel Tasman needs space this summer

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  24 December 2025 A leopard seal has been regularly seen in the Abel Tasman and Kaiteretere area for several weeks. DOC Senior Marine Technical Advisor Jody Weir says the apex predator is an unusual visitor to the region. Leopard seals are normally found much further south, though some individuals do … Read more

Where the ‘good BBQ weather’ is on Christmas – and where will be rainy

Source: Radio New Zealand MetService meteorologist Dan Corrigan told RNZ for many places, Christmas will be “good barbecue weather”. 123RF / Mandic Jovan It’s one more sleep until Christmas, and whether celebrations will be out in the sun or shifted indoors depends on where you are in the country. Forecasters are predicting a mixed bag … Read more

Body found, Thames

Source: New Zealand Police Attributable to Duty Inspector Neil Faulkner: At around 6:10am Police received reports of a body being located on the beach by a member of the public near Thames Coast Road, Kereta. A formal identification is yet to take place, but Police believe it is the man who was reported missing on … Read more

Anchors, camels and kayaks: A less traditional Christmas for Kiwi travellers

Source: Radio New Zealand Christmas is often defined by the traditions of familiar faces, overflowing tables and the comfort of home. But for some families, choosing a different path has reshaped the festive season into something altogether more adventurous. For Richard and Carolyn Powles, Christmas now unfolds at anchor. While their voyage from New Zealand … Read more

One injured after fire destroys home in Christchurch

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Rob Dixon A fire has destroyed a home and left one person injured in the Christchurch suburb of Mairehau. Up to four crews were called to Kellys Road shortly before 5am on Wednesday to find the single-storey property well ablaze. Fire and Emergency said the fire encroached onto the … Read more

Cricket: Jayden Lennox earns first call-up as trio return for Black Caps

Source: Radio New Zealand Central Stags spinner Jayden Lennox. Kerry Marshall/www.photosport.nz Central Districts spinner Jayden Lennox is in line to make his Black Caps debut after being named in the squad for the upcoming tour of India. The left armer has been named in the ODI squad, alongside the uncapped Kristian Clarke, and emerging internationals … Read more

Nurse’s autistic son could face deportation after Immigration NZ rejects visa

Source: Radio New Zealand Nelson elder care nurse Nithin Mankeel with his wife Aparna Jayandhan Geetha and five-year-old son Aidhan Nithin. Supplied A Nelson nurse says he is living in fear as he tries to stop the deportation of his autistic child. Immigration New Zealand has denied 5-year-old Aidhan Nithin a pathway to live in … Read more

Auckland FC’s final A-league game of season postponed

Source: Radio New Zealand File photo. Auckland FC’s Callan Elliot competes for possession with Miguel Di Pizo of the Central Coast Mariners during an A-League clash in Gosford on 12 December 2025. AAP Image / Dan Himbrechts / Photosport Auckland FC’s last A-League game of 2025 has been postponed after the Sydney pitch was deemed … Read more

What is (and isn’t) open on Christmas Day

Source: Radio New Zealand While many places close their doors on Christmas Day, there are a few exceptions. Here’s RNZ’s guide to what is and isn’t open on Christmas Day. I need a last-minute Christmas gift. Are any shops open? Pharmacies and petrol stations are open as essential services on Christmas Day. Unsplash . But … Read more

Firefighting resumes at scrub blaze in Fernhill, Hastings

Source: Radio New Zealand A firefighter extinguishing hotspots at the Fernhill fire on Tuesday. Supplied / FENZ Fire crews are battling to control a scrub blaze that broke out near Hastings on Tuesday, leaving one person hospitalised and multiple buildings destroyed. The fire in Fernhill – between the township and the Ngaruroro River bridge – … Read more

Little blue penguin’s special Christmas Eve release after two-month hospital stint

Source: Radio New Zealand Pingu, the little blue penguin. Supplied / BirdCare Aotearoa A kororā is set to be released back into the wild in Auckland on Wednesday afternoon after two months in hospital. The little blue penguin was being cared for by BirdCare Aotearoa after getting stuck in a metal drum near Army Bay. … Read more

NZTA orders data analysis to identify full scale of falsely recorded breath tests

Source: Radio New Zealand The Transport Agency has commissioned an independent analysis to identify the full scale of falsely recorded breath testing. RNZ The New Zealand Transport Agency has commissioned an independent analysis of breath testing data to try and identify the full scale of falsely recorded tests. RNZ earlier revealed about 130 Police staff … Read more

MyRepublic Launches Card Sub, Singapore’s First Subscription Service for Trading Card Game Fans

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 December 2025 – MyRepublic today announced the launch of Card Sub, a new subscription-based service designed for Trading Card Game (TCG) enthusiasts. Card Sub offers subscribers a convenient way to receive Magic: The Gathering (MTG) products monthly, including access to premium booster packs not typically … Read more

Weather News – The forecast for Christmas – MetService

Source: MetService 22/12/2025 – Covering period of Monday 22nd – Thursday 25th December – It is going to be a hairy few days in the lead up to Christmas. A big wedge of wet and warm air moves in from the Tasman Sea this evening (Monday), bringing rain for the South Island. The heaviest rain … Read more

Health – ProCare responds to approval of new PHO: timing raises concerns

Source: ProCare ProCare acknowledges the recent approval of thePHO as a Primary Health Organisation (PHO) and supports the principle of choice for practices. However, the timing of this decision is disappointing, given the looming measles outbreak and the significant pressures already facing primary care. We also question the potential impacts this could have on population … Read more

Grieving through Christmas when tragedy strikes

Source: Radio New Zealand Sandy Corbett found out she had cancer on Christmas Eve in 2020.​ Type of cancer? An incurable blood cancer called Myeloma, where about 60 percent of people survive five or more years with a stage two diagnosis. She didn’t have much information on what her treatment journey might be (the haematologist, … Read more

Bracell Wins 2025 Amcham Eco Award for Pioneering One-for-One Environmental Conservation Initiative

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 December 2025 – Bracell, a global leader in soluble pulp production, has been named a winner of the 2025 Amcham Eco Award, one of Brazil’s most prestigious corporate sustainability recognitions, for its groundbreaking One-for-One Commitment environmental conservation initiative. Granted by Amcham Brasil (American Chamber of … Read more

GlobalData – Telecom and pay-TV services revenue in New Zealand to increase at 1.2% CAGR over 2024-2029, reveals GlobalData

Source: GlobalData New Zealand’s telecom and pay-TV services revenue is forecast to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.2% from $3.2 billion in 2024 to $3.4 billion in 2029, mainly supported by the mobile data and fixed broadband service segments, reveals GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform. GlobalData’s New Zealand Telecom … Read more