‘Call of Duty’ co-creator killed in car crash: US media

Source: Radio New Zealand Vince Zampella, the acclaimed co-creator of the video gaming juggernaut Call of Duty, has died in a car crash, US media reported. According to local broadcaster NBC4, the developer and executive died on Sunday (local time) while driving his Ferrari on a scenic road north of Los Angeles. His studios created … Read more

What we know about the Ruatiti double homicide as search for Mitchell Cole continues

Source: Radio New Zealand Mitchell Cole. Supplied / NZ Police It has been over a week since there was a double homicide in the small farming community of Ruatiti in the Central North Island. On Saturday, 13 December, Sheep farmer husband and wife, Brendon and Trina Cole, were found dead at their Murumuru Road property. … Read more

Cricket: Bonus points introduced to Super Smash in attempt to lift batting standards

Source: Radio New Zealand Otago Sparks batter Suzie Bates on her way to a match-winning innings against the Auckland Hearts in the women’s Super Smash. Photosport A new points structure will apply to the women’s Super Smash T20 competition this season in a bid to promote higher scoring cricket and improve batting standards. Teams can … Read more

Dhanarak Asset Development Unveils Thailand’s First Green Government City at Government Complex Bangkok

Source: Media Outreach BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 December 2025 – Dhanarak Asset Development Co., Ltd. (DAD), the state-owned enterprise responsible for managing Thailand’s Government Complex, has announced the successful transformation of the site into a pioneering green and walkable urban prototype, positioning it as a model for sustainable government-led city development. … Read more

Reds, blues, and charges: Police make unexpected discovery

Source: New Zealand Police Northland officers have located restricted weapons after they were unexpectedly joined by a Commodore with flashing red and blue lights. The non-police vehicle slid into a Police convoy outside Kawakawa Police Station last Thursday evening, catching the attention of officers. Mid/Far North Area Prevention Manager, Senior Sergeant Clem Armstrong, says a … Read more

Have you seen Larissa?

Source: New Zealand Police Police are asking for the public’s help finding Larissa, who has been reported missing from the Avondale area. The 16-year-old was last seen at about 10pm on Sunday evening near Tiverton Road. Larissa is described as about 175cms tall with brown eyes and blonde hair and was wearing black shorts and … Read more

Landmark integrity probe into Yachting NZ drags into second year

Source: Radio New Zealand An investigation of Yachting NZ was started a year ago, but remains unfinished. AFP/CHRISTOPHE SIMON The Sport Integrity Commission’s landmark probe into Yachting NZ – the first major test of the new agency’s powers – will stretch into a second year. The government watchdog agency launched an investigation into Yachting NZ … Read more

How Kiwis at Antarctica’s Scott Base will celebrate their white Christmas

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand’s Scott Base in Antarctica, in 2023. Antactica NZ/ Anthony Powell New Zealanders living at Scott Base in Antarctica are making the most of their white Christmas. At the moment, 71 people are living at the New Zealand-owned research station. The station’s social committee president, Faith Farquhar-Culling, had been planning … Read more

New Wairoa River management system boosts flood resilience

Source: Radio New Zealand The lowered river mouth crest at the end of Kopu Road Supplied / Hawke’s Bay Regional Council A new approach to quickly opening up the flood-prone Wairoa River to the sea has been put in place. Locals blamed the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council for not opening a channel in the Wairoa … Read more

India free trade agreement a win-win for New Zealand, economist says

Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon meets India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in March 2025. Piyal Bhattacharya / The Times of India via AFP New Zealanders can expect to see a large impact on the economy over time thanks to the free-trade agreement with India, one economist says. The government … Read more

Shoes, rhinos and Jaffas: Trade Me’s top viewed auctions of 2025 revealed

Source: Radio New Zealand Tauranga teen Sam Ruthe broke records for the four minute-mile this year, and his shoes earned thousands on Trade Me. Phil Walter / Getty Images Well-worn shoes, some vintage soft drink cans and a date with a rhinoceros – or a Shortland Street star – these are some of the top … Read more

Name release: Ruatiti double homicide

Source: New Zealand Police Attributable to Detective Inspector Gerard Bouterey, Field Crime Manager, Central District CIB: Police investigating a double homicide in Ruatiti on Saturday 13 December can now release the names of the two people who died. They were 56-year-old Brendon Leigh Cole and 54-year-old Trina Michelle Cole. Enquiries are ongoing and Police are … Read more

Electricity Authority lodges formal complaint against Genesis

Source: Radio New Zealand The authority said Genesis did not comply with dispatch instructions in respect of its Huntly power station, or immediately advise Transpower why it could not. RNZ The Electricity Authority has lodged a formal complaint alleging Genesis did not adequately comply with a request to deliver power into the grid. It says … Read more

Lindis Pass Road, blocked

Source: New Zealand Police Lindis Pass Road at Omarama is blocked following a two-vehicle crash. Emergency services were advised of the crash, at the intersection with Short Cut Road, about 10am. While there were fortunately only minor injuries, the road remains blocked for now and motorists are advised to avoid travelling this route for now … Read more

Protect our precious freshwater – do your Check, Clean, Dry this summer

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  23 December 2025 Freshwater pests can be accidentally introduced to a new lake or river on wet fishing equipment, lifejackets, boats, kayaks, boots, togs and in drink bottles. Nicki Atkinson, Freshwater Ecosystems and Threats Manager at DOC, says the Check, Clean, Dry method is proven to stop the spread of … Read more

Sticking it to drivers, to stick to the limit

Source: New Zealand Police Lumsden Police are sticking it to motorists in the area, by teaming up with local business owners to help get the road safety speed message out – through stickers. “Nearly one million visitors travel through Lumsden, and other areas, on State Highway 6, when traveling from Queenstown into Fiordland and Milford … Read more

2025: The year of the naked dress?

Source: Radio New Zealand The year’s biggest trend was barely there. It crested Margot Robbie in slim strands of beads and rhinestones; it draped Julia Fox, Sandro Botticelli-style, in little more than strands of brunette curls; and, through an empire waisted layer of sheer white mesh, it revealed Sienna Miller’s new pregnancy to the world. … Read more

UK singer Chris Rea dies at 74, days before Christmas

Source: Radio New Zealand British singer-songwriter Chris Rea, best known for the 1980s festive hit ‘Driving Home for Christmas’, has died at the age of 74, his family announced on Monday (local time). “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris,” a spokesperson for his wife and two children … Read more

‘Only takes one spark’: Fireworks banned at multiple holiday hotspots

Source: Radio New Zealand Fireworks have been banned in several locations over the holidays. Robert Smith/RNZ The private use of fireworks has been banned at multiple holiday hotspots over the holiday period due to high fire risk. Fire and Emergency (FENZ) confirmed fireworks would be banned in Coromandel from 8am Tuesday until 30 January. Bans … Read more

Hamilton airport is flying after this year’s return of international flights

Source: Radio New Zealand Hamilton is proving to be a popular spot to fly into, airlines say. Supplied Hamilton airport expects to wrap up end the this year with its busiest ever month, after a new daily Jetstar jet service between Hamilton and Christchurch started on 1 December 2025. Air New Zealand returned a jet … Read more

Man hospitalised after falling from Paritutu Rock

Source: Radio New Zealand Paritutu Rock and nearby rock islands in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Jordan Tan / 123rf A man has been hospitalised after falling off the Paritutu Rock walkway in New Plymouth. Police said they received a report at about 5:10pm on Monday that a man might have fallen from the top of … Read more

Person hospitalised after incident on Paritutu Rock

Source: Radio New Zealand Paritutu Rock and nearby rock islands in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Jordan Tan / 123rf One person has been taken to hospital after an incident at Paritutu Rock in New Plymouth. St John said it was called to the 156 meter tall volcanic outcrop between Back Beach and Ngāmotu Beach about … Read more

Why home loan applicants might face an extra wait

Source: Radio New Zealand Anyone applying for a home loan now could face an extra wait for an answer. RNZ Anyone applying for a home loan now could face an extra wait for an answer. Mortgage advisers say a busier-than-usual period for applications, coupled with the impending Christmas break, could mean a wait for some … Read more

Your (very last minute) Naturing gift guide this Christmas

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Did you forget to put your bird obsessed neighbours on the Christmas shopping list? Need a last-minute gift idea for the naturing hero in your life? Don’t panic! Give them something that will also benefit nature this year. Here’s 6 meaningful gift ideas for your fellow nature lover… 1. Plant … Read more

Weather: Warning to drivers as wild weather hits central New Zealand before Christmas

Source: Radio New Zealand Motorcylists and drivers are being told to take extra care through State Highway 2 around Remutaka Hill. NZTA Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast to hit central New Zealand in the days leading up to Christmas. A front from over the Tasman Sea moved over the North Island on Tuesday, … Read more

The case for lying to kids about Santa – a philosopher’s view

Source: Radio New Zealand Opinion – I have a vivid memory of the moment I realised Santa didn’t exist. I was around six years old, it was the height of summer, and I was sitting on the step outside our back door, thinking about God. The existence of God, back then, was something that annoyed … Read more

Man allegedly bites officer during arrest, threatens police with knife

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ A 30-year-old man allegedly threatened police with a knife and bit an officer during an arrest in Dunedin. Police were told a man was trying to steal vehicles, and identified a person walking on King Edward Street about 10am on Friday, Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said. “Officers verbally informed him … Read more