Search uncovers suitcase of imitation firearms

Source: New Zealand Police Police got more than they bargained for last night after discovering a suitcase full of imitation firearms after stopping a fleeing vehicle. At about 10.10pm, officers attempted to pull over a vehicle travelling at speed on State Highway 1 through Puhoi. Waitematā North Area Manager, Senior Sergeant Brett Henshaw, says the … Read more

No playing around: Woman charged over Marketplace scam

Source: New Zealand Police A man has had victory after all, after initially realising he’d been scammed when selling his pride and joy. Last month, the victim put his Play Station 5 up for sale on Facebook Marketplace as he needed the extra cash to pay for his wife’s dental surgery. Sergeant Juls Conder, Waitematā … Read more

Sprinter Eddie Osei-Nketia switches allegiance to Australia

Source: Radio New Zealand Eddie Osei-Nketia. PHOTOSPORT New Zealand sprinter and national 100m record holder Eddie Osei-Nketia has officially switched allegiances to Australia. Osei-Nketia broke his dad Gus Nketia’s record at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, stopping the clock at 10.08 seconds. He came close to breaking the 10 second barrier earlier this year. … Read more

60,000+ youth to receive early intervention support

Source: New Zealand Government More than 60,000 at-risk young Kiwis will benefit from a $20.7 million investment into youth development programmes focused on early intervention and prevention support, Youth Minister James Meager says. 53 organisations across New Zealand will receive up to three years’ funding to deliver evidence-based programmes supporting at-risk young people to remain … Read more

Ground broken on Waikato medical school

Source: New Zealand Government Construction is now underway on the Waikato’s new medical school – a major milestone in the Government’s plan to train more GPs and strengthen access to primary care in regional New Zealand, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Universities Minister Dr Shane Reti say. “Today’s sod-turning on the New Zealand Graduate School … Read more

Are pōhutukawa trees flowering early this year? A botanist explains

Source: Radio New Zealand Pohutukawa, Mt Victoria, Wellington Robyn Jaquiery Flowering pōhutukawa trees are the sign summer is here – and many we have seen are already in full bloom. But are they flowering earlier this year? Ecologist and botanist Associate Professor Bruce Burns, from the University of Auckland, says no. “We have had some … Read more

Monty Knight’s alleged killer has name suppression extended while mental state assessed

Source: Radio New Zealand Monty Knight. RNZ/Carol Stiles Name suppression for a woman accused of murdering well-known Far North businessman Monty Knight has been extended until April next year while experts determine whether she is mentally fit to stand trial. The 57-year-old appeared in the High Court at Whangārei on Friday morning, almost three weeks … Read more

Tax change could leave family businesses with bigger bills

Source: Radio New Zealand IRD said it was bringing the treatment of loans in line with other countries. (File photo) RNZ Inland Revenue is planning to crack down on shareholders taking loans from companies, in a move that could hand some an extra tax bill. Inland Revenue (IR) is asking for feedback on proposals to … Read more

State Highway 2 closed, Matamau

Source: New Zealand Police State Highway 2, Matamau is closed following a crash. The two-vehicle crash near Okane Road was reported just before 9:50am. Initial indications are that there are serious injuries. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays. ENDS Issued by Police Media Centre  MIL OSI

Mountain biker says they’re no threat to nesting kārearea after track vandalism

Source: Radio New Zealand Timber on the trails at Matairangi/Mt Victoria. SUPPLIED A Wellington mountain biker says riders aren’t a threat to nesting kārearea, after vigilante attempts to keep people off the trails. Tracks on Matairangi/Mt Victoria have been vandalised this week, with logs, holes and makeshift barricades put up across them. Local rider Rod … Read more

GP worries crowded housing will add to measles spread in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand Dr Oruba Khalil. Supplied An Auckland doctor based in Otara said crowded housing makes children in her community more vulnerable to the spread of measles, and is doing everything she can to make vaccinations more accessible to families. There are now six actively infectious cases of measles across the country, and … Read more

Contract for new SH25 Pepe Stream bridge signed

Source: New Zealand Government Transport Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed news that a contract has been confirmed for design, consenting, and construction of the new two-lane bridge to replace the Pepe Stream Bridge on State Highway 25 (SH25).   “At more than 80 years old, the current single-lane bridge is a bottleneck, with severe congestion experienced during … Read more

Air NZ cabin crews may strike in week before Christmas

Source: Radio New Zealand Air NZ said there was no change to flight schedules at this time. (File photo) RNZ / Dan Cook The union for Air NZ cabin crew is defending the timing of strike activity planned for eight days before Christmas. Some cabin crews will walk off the job on December 18, although … Read more

Person in hospital as car ploughs into Auckland villa

Source: Radio New Zealand The crash, on Seafield View Rd, was reported to police just after 7.30am on Friday. Finn Blackwell One person has been taken to hospital in moderate condition after a car crashed into a house in the Auckland suburb of Grafton. The crash, on Seafield View Rd, was reported to police just … Read more

Biosecurity Act breaches cost aviation company penalty of $150,000 

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries Menzies Aviation Limited has been ordered by the court to pay a penalty of $150,000 for breaches of the Biosecurity Act.  Menzies operates 2 MPI-approved transitional facilities at Auckland Airport for handling imported airfreight, containers, and packaging. It’s at these facilities that uncleared risk goods go through the necessary biosecurity clearance.  In a recent judgement released by the Auckland High Court, Menzies Aviation Limited was ordered to pay the penalty for failing to comply with a compliance order issued by the Ministry … Read more

Lone feral cat that destroyed tern colony caught

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  05 December 2025 In December 2024 the feral tom cat reached a large island in the river where the endangered terns were nesting. It killed and ate several adult birds, chicks and eggs, disturbing the colony and causing almost all 95 nests to be abandoned. Last week contractors, husband and … Read more

Victim of Whakatāne River crash named

Source: Radio New Zealand Whakatāne River. Google Maps The person who died after a car crashed into a river off State Highway 2 near Whakatāne on Tuesday has been named. They were 44-year-old Ngahina Takarangi, of Whakatāne. A second person was injured in the crash on White Pine Bush Road, Tāneatua, police said. “The circumstances … Read more

EIT holds inaugural meeting of new council as it prepares for independence

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology 19 hours ago The inaugural meeting of the new EIT Council was held today as EIT celebrated preparations to stand back up as a stand-alone independent polytechnic under local leadership and governance. The Council met today on the Hawke’s Bay campus in Taradale, in readiness for EIT standing back up … Read more

EIT Associate Professor features on Botswana TV at global computing education conference

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology 2 days ago EIT Auckland Associate Professor of Computing Dr Alison Clear appeared on Botswana Television while representing Aotearoa at a major international computing education conference held in Africa for the first time. Alison travelled to Gaborone for the ACM Global Computing Education Conference (CompEd 2025), where she serves as … Read more

Name release and appeal for information: Fatal crash, Tāneatua

Source: New Zealand Police Police can now release the name of the person who died following a crash on White Pine Bush Road, Tāneatua on 2 December. She was 44-year-old Ngahina Takarangi of Whakatane. A second person sustained serious injuries in the crash. The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation, and Police would like … Read more

Football: What you need to know ahead of the FIFA World Cup draw

Source: Radio New Zealand Chris Wood takes a selfie with fans after defeating Cote d’Ivoire. Andrew Lahodynskyj / www.photosport.nz 2026 FIFA World Cup draw Washington DC Saturday 6 December, 6am NZT Live blog coverage on RNZ The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be made in Washington DC on Saturday. So who could … Read more

Golf: Ryan Fox battles Melbourne wind to lead Australian Open

Source: Radio New Zealand Ryan Fox. photosport Ryan Fox emerged happy from a taxing opening round at the Australian Open in Melbourne, sharing the top of the leaderboard with Australia’s Elvis Smylie and Mexican Carlos Ortiz. Strong winds at the Royal Melbourne course dominated day one, with world number two Rory McIlroy among those to … Read more

Further arrest made in relation to youth offending, Christchurch

Source: New Zealand Police Please attribute to Canterbury District Commander, Superintendent Tony Hill: A second young person has been arrested in Christchurch overnight, in relation to an aggravated robbery on Wairakei Road on Sunday 30 November. The 17-year-old handed himself in to Police yesterday evening, and will appear before the Youth Court today, charged with … Read more

Kiwis putting cost of living ahead of environment, ministry boss says

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Unsplash The boss of the Ministry for the Environment believes most New Zealanders are more concerned about immediate challenges, particularly pressures on households, than the environment. Ministry officials faced questions about its mahi and people by the Environment select committee on Thursday, as part of Scrutiny Week. Hundreds of … Read more

‘Transformed my life’: Call for specialist courts to break addiction cycles

Source: Radio New Zealand Australian-born Melanie Rauth was 13 when drugs and alcohol first entered her life after her parents split. RNZ/Rayssa Almeida A former addict who spent years moving in and out of jail says the only real way out was through specialist courts that treat addiction. New Ministry of Justice figures show people … Read more

GP worries crowded housing contributing to measles spread in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand Dr Oruba Khalil. Supplied An Auckland doctor based in Otara said crowded housing makes children in her community more vulnerable to [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/580795/paediatrician-worries-new-measles-wave-spreading-undetected the spread of measles, and is doing everything she can to make vaccinations more accessible to families. There are now six actively infectious cases of measles across the country, … Read more

WorkSafe rule change introduces ‘lethal’ risk of electrocution, electrical inspectors say

Source: Radio New Zealand Two electricians work on an EV charging station. Supplied / New Zealand Electrical Inspectors Association Homes and businesses have been exposed to a new “lethal” risk of electrocution because of a rule change, according to electrical inspectors. RNZ can reveal a dispute that’s escalated over the last month as inspectors in … Read more