Homelessness in Auckland more than doubles in year: Report

Source: Radio New Zealand An audit by Auckland Council found over 900 people were homeless in Auckland. Nick Monro Isolated, lonely and far from support networks – that’s what people who are homeless say it’s like living in Auckland’s suburbs. An Auckland Council audit found more than 400 people were living without shelter in September … Read more

District Court judge summarises evidence in Auckland sexual abuse case

Source: Radio New Zealand Michael Ian Mclean in Auckland District Court. RNZ / Finn Blackwell Warning: This story discusses graphic details of sexual abuse A judge has told jurors in the trial of a man accused of sexually abusing a boy into his teenage years that their deliberation will depend on the reliability of key … Read more

Labour has eight-point lead over National in latest poll

Source: Radio New Zealand Labour leader Chris Hipkins is preferred prime minister on 45 percent, while Christopher Luxon is at 39 percent, according to the latest poll. RNZ Labour has an eight-point lead over National in the latest The Post/Freshwater Strategy poll, but neither the coalition nor the opposition parties have the numbers to govern. … Read more

Residents near site of Rotorua homicide inquiry asked to check properties

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / REECE BAKER Police investigating the homicide of a Rotorua man are urging residents near where he died to check their properties for items the offender may have left behind. Nicholas Patrick Mitchell, 37, was found dead in a vehicle on Ford Road in the city shortly before 8:30pm on … Read more

New case of measles in Queenstown

Source: Radio New Zealand Four measles cases are still infectious according to Health New Zealand. Unsplash/ Michael Amadeus Health New Zealand says there is a new case of measles of Queenstown. It brings the number of known cases nationally since the response began to 32 – four of which are still infectious. Health New Zealand … Read more

The cost of a Christmas meal: ‘Just turning the barbecue on gets expensive’

Source: Radio New Zealand A roast meat meal for Christmas that would fed roughly 10 people now costs about $200, up from $178 last year. File photo. subbotina/123RF Putting on a Christmas feast with all the trimmings is not getting any cheaper, and you are already paying more as soon as you fire up the … Read more

Family complains to Jetstar after elderly man injured during layover

Source: Radio New Zealand A 77-year-old seriously injured his face and hands after faceplanting on the concrete outside Sydney airport. 123RF A New Zealand family is complaining to Jetstar after their elderly father was injured during an unexpected overnight layover. The 77-year-old seriously injured his face and hands after faceplanting on the concrete when he … Read more

Man carrying samurai sword in central Auckland arrested

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / REECE BAKER A man has been arrested in central Auckland for carrying a samurai sword, which some members of the public mistook for a gun. Police say they were initially called at around 4pm when a member of the public thought they saw a man with a gun on … Read more

Malaysian SMEs Turn Market Turbulence into Opportunity with SME100 Awards Leading the Movement

Source: Media Outreach KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 December 2025 – The SME100 Awards has become one of the most trusted and influential platforms for high growth Malaysian enterprises, recognised for its rigorous evaluation standards and its role in identifying the country’s most promising businesses. Over the years, the programme has … Read more

Samsung TV Plus Marks 1st Anniversary in Southeast Asia with 13 New Channels Coming to the Platform

Source: Media Outreach ● 10 new channels from A+E Global Media and three of wedotv’s FAST channels will make their debut on Samsung TV Plus in Southeast Asia● Since launching, the service expanded the number of channels across the region by over six-fold to 230+ channels across Southeast Asia, with a 70% rise in viewership … Read more

Member of online extortion group sentenced for threatening mass stabbing and sharing objectionable material

Source: New Zealand Police A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to five years and four months imprisonment for indecent communications, distributing objectionable material, and threatening to commit a mass stabbing attack, following a joint investigation by the Department of Internal Affairs and New Zealand Police. The Hastings-based man was granted interim name suppression having previously … Read more

Rotorua homicide – public asked to check properties

Source: New Zealand Police Police investigating the homicide of a Rotorua man are urging residents near the scene to check their properties for discarded items. Thirty-seven-year-old Nicholas Patrick Mitchell was found deceased in a vehicle on Ford Road shortly before 8:30pm on Friday. Rotorua Area Investigations Manager Senior Sergeant Mark Van Kempen said Police were … Read more

Fire and Emergency takes union to court for alleged intimidation of volunteers

Source: Radio New Zealand Firefighters protest during their industrial dispute with FENZ. RNZ / Ruth Hill Fire and Emergency has taken legal action against its union and one of its officials, following alleged threats and intimidation. New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) officials are believed to have threatened and intimidated volunteers to stop them responding … Read more

Minister to Japan for defence, security meetings

Source: New Zealand Government Defence Minister Judith Collins will travel to Japan tomorrow for defence and security meetings. “I am looking forward to travelling to Tokyo to discuss regional security issues with Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi,” Ms Collins says. “Japan is an important partner for New Zealand, with … Read more

Horizon Heen at StarWorld Brings Five-star Gastronomy to Central Macau for an All-Day International Dining Experience

Source: Media Outreach Connoisseurs of global cuisines are set to enjoy Horizon Heen StarWorld, the novel Central Macau dining hub that offers a wide variety of quality ingredients and sumptuous dishes MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 December 2025 – StarWorld Hotel proudly unveils Horizon Heen StarWorld, a brand-new dining floor introducing an … Read more

Black Caps bowler Jacob Duffy backs injury-plagued attack against West Indies

Source: Radio New Zealand Jacob Duffy celebrates his five wickets in the second innings against England at Wellington. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz Third test: Black Caps v West Indies Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui 11am, Thursday, 18 December Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Jacob Duffy believes the Black Caps still have enough experience to beat … Read more

Auckland Zoo euthanises elderly rhino Zambezi

Source: Radio New Zealand Auckland Zoo has euthanised its elderly rhino Zambezi. Facebook/Auckland Zoo Auckland Zoo has euthanised its elderly rhino, Zambezi, due to age-related health conditions. The 36-year-old Southern white rhino relocated to Auckland from Hamilton Zoo in 2007. Auckland Zoo Veterinarian Dr Adam Naylor said Zambezi’s dental disease had made it difficult for … Read more

How to navigate the toy aisles these holidays

Source: Radio New Zealand Parents the world over have begun the task of negotiating Christmas lists written by their children. The division of marketplace products into restrictive gender categories – known as gendered marketing – is especially pronounced in the toy market and can help entrench gender inequalities from a young age. It happens when … Read more

Christchurch man accused of trying to solicit sexual favours from teen girls

Source: Radio New Zealand The man, aged in his 50s, has interim name suppression. RNZ / Nate McKinnon A Christchurch man is accused of trying to solicit sexual favours from two teenage girls and sexually taunting a third, court documents show. The man, aged in his 50s, has interim name suppression that prevents RNZ detailing … Read more

Man arrested in central Auckland

Source: New Zealand Police Please attribute to Inspector Danny Meade: Police have quickly arrested a man in central Auckland after being located carrying a samurai sword. Just before 4pm, Police responded to information that a person was believed to be carrying a firearm on Upper Queen Street. Armed units immediately responded to the area and … Read more

Another busy year in the House

Source: New Zealand Government It has been another busy and productive year in the House as the Government continues to fix the basics and build the future, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says.  “We are continuing our mission to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living, in large … Read more

Puberty Blockers decision puts children back at risk

Source: Family First MEDIA RELEASE – 17 December 2025 Family First NZ says that a decision by a judge today in the Wellington High Court to pause the ban on puberty blockers could have been written by the radical activist transgender group PATHA. The decision by Justice Wilkinson-Smith to grant an injunction on the government’s … Read more

Bill passed to improve court timeliness

Source: New Zealand Government Legislation which improves court timeliness by updating procedures and adding more High Court Judges has passed in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Courts Minister Nicole McKee say.  “Speeding up court processes is one of our three key priorities as we fix the basics in law and order,” Mr Goldsmith … Read more

Voter suppression law must be reversed

Source: NZCTU The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is condemning the National-led Government’s Electoral Amendment Bill, rushed through Parliament this week, which will disenfranchise tens of thousands of New Zealanders. “Voter participation is essential for a healthy democracy. All Kiwis should be able to easily vote without restriction,” said NZCTU President Sandra Grey. “This Bill undermines … Read more

Wildberries Launches WB Taxi App in Uzbekistan

Source: Media Outreach TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 December 2025 – Wildberries, a leading digital platform in Eurasia, has rolled out its WB Taxi mobile app in Uzbekistan, expanding its ride-hailing services to the local market. The app has become available for download on Google Play and the App Store in Uzbekistan. … Read more

Vet network will strengthen animal health response capability

Source: New Zealand Government A new biosecurity veterinary network will strengthen New Zealand’s ability to respond to a significant animal disease outbreak such as foot and mouth disease, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has contracted the Veterinary Council of New Zealand to establish and maintain a network of private … Read more

TV advertising company caught lying to consumers

Source: Radio New Zealand Unsplash A TV advertising company has been caught out for lying to consumers and leaving fake reviews on its website. The Commerce Commission says Brand Developer Limited, which trades as The TV Shop, has been convicted of 13 charges for breaches of the Fair Trading Act over a period of nearly … Read more