Police name man killed in Waikanae

Source: Radio New Zealand Michael Kenneth Tofts was found with critical injuries at a Kakariki Grove home. Supplied Police have named the man who died on Wednesday in Waikanae. Michael Kenneth Tofts was found with critical injuries at 3:15pm at a Kakariki Grove home and died at the scene. Tofts’ death launched a homicide investigation. … Read more

White Ribbon Day – Preventing violence against Women

Source: New Zealand Government We must join together to prevent violence against women, an issue that is tragically still too prevalent and under discussed in our communities. Today is White Ribbon Day, the national day when people wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone violence against women. White Ribbon Day also … Read more

Police defend releasing details about body found in Te Anihana Pomana search

Source: Radio New Zealand Te Anihana Pomana went missing on August 21. Supplied Police are defending the release of details about a body found in the search for a missing woman, after criticism from her family. Te Anihana Pomana, also known as Ani Anderson, went missing on August 21, after leaving SkyCity Hotel in the … Read more

Filming ‘sleeper comedy hit’ of the year in 10 days for $10k

Source: Radio New Zealand Notes From a Fish described as “sleeper comedy hit” of the year is about an aspiring novelist on the verge of a publishing breakthrough who relies on a creative muse in the shape of a tropical fish called Kirby. “When the fish goes missing, they freak out and they employ the … Read more

Govt providing money for West Coast settlement to upgrade wharf

Source: Radio New Zealand A view of Jackson Bay in South Westland. Kennedy Warne The government is providing $2.31 million for the West Coast settlement of Jackson Bay to upgrade its “severely deteriorated” wharf. Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson said the deep-water wharf was accessible in all weather, making it a lifeline in natural … Read more

Earth Sciences – Award winning shots from scientists

Source: Earth Sciences New Zealand An annual photography competition held by Earth Sciences New Zealand has put our exceptional natural environment in the spotlight. A charismatic turtle and an intense struggle with an otherworldly sand dune were just some of the 300 competition entries submitted by Earth Sciences NZ’s staff, whose scientific endeavour gives them a … Read more

Tākuta Ferris alleges ‘despicable’ treatment of dying MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp

Source: Radio New Zealand The late Tāmaki Makaurau MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp was subjected to “the most despicable behaviour” by Te Pāti Māori leadership, expelled Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris claims. Takutai Tarsh Kemp, who died in June, underwent treatment for kidney disease in the first half of this year. In an extended interview … Read more

Huge, suspicious recycling centre fire spews smoke over Waiuku

Source: Radio New Zealand More than 60 firefighters tackled a blaze at Waiuku recycling facility. Supplied A large blaze that tore through a recycling facility in the Auckland town of Waiuku is being treated as suspicious. Fire and Emergency (FENZ) said it was called to the incident about 11pm on Monday, and found nearly 5000 … Read more

‘Your mum will love you forever and ever’: Children killed in Sanson fire remembered at funeral

Source: Radio New Zealand Supplied Three children killed in a house fire in Sanson are being remembered at their funeral. August, 7, Hugo, 5, and Goldie Field, 1, died on 15 November in what’s being treated as a murder-suicide. Their father, 36-year-old Dean Field, also died in the fire at the family home. He is … Read more

‘Precious taonga’: Family mourns 11-year-old boy who died fishing

Source: Radio New Zealand Jason Paul Wharerau died while out fishing earlier in November. Facebook/Tāmaki Primary School The heartbroken whānau of an 11-year-old boy who died during a fishing trip in Northland has described him as clever, cheeky, loving and full of wairua. Jason Paul Wharerau, who lived in Auckland, went fishing at Pātaua South … Read more

Two further arrests in relation to Waikanae homicide

Source: New Zealand Police To be attributed to Detective Inspector Jamie Woods, Field Crime Manager: Police have today arrested a further two men in relation to the death of Michael Kenneth Tofts in Waikanae on 19 November. The two men – aged 23 and 35 – were arrested following search warrants in Naenae and Lower … Read more

Improvements to gross domestic product September 2025 quarter – Stats NZ methods paper

Improvements to gross domestic product September 2025 quarter – methods paper Source: Statistics New Zealand 25 November 2025 This page provides technical users with information about changes to data and methods applied to the forthcoming release of Gross domestic product: September 2025 quarter, scheduled for 18 December 2025. It provides an early indication of the impact … Read more

Minister Simpson to represent New Zealand at PACER Plus Ministerial Meeting, Solomon Islands

Source: New Zealand Government Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Scott Simpson will today travel to the Solomon Islands to attend the 2025 Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus Ministerial Meeting.  “PACER Plus plays a significant role, it strengthens economic growth and resilience in the Pacific and reaffirms our shared commitment to transparent, … Read more

Lifestyle – From a Christchurch School Hall to Global Recognition: Chan’s Martial Arts Celebrates 50 Years

Source: Chan’s Martial Arts A sold-out gala dinner on Saturday November 29 will mark a special milestone for a local institution that has grown from humble beginnings to become a leading martial arts organisation nationally: Chan’s Martial Arts is celebrating 50 years of teaching, training, and transformation. Founded in 1975 by Grandmaster Chan Seng Chee, … Read more

Digitising healthcare to put patients first

Source: New Zealand Government Repeating your medical history at every appointment will soon be a thing of the past, with Kiwis set to get faster access to care as part of a 10-year plan to bring New Zealand’s health system into the digital age, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “Our health system is being held … Read more

Government to end Cook Strait open ocean tug contract early

Source: Radio New Zealand The government has ended the contract for the MMA Vision early. Maritime NZ The government has sunk plans to station an open ocean tug in the Cook Strait long term saying the costs outweigh the benefits. For years local government leaders on either side of the North and South Island had … Read more

ACC focused on getting ‘less serious’ injuries off its books, chief executive says

Source: Radio New Zealand ACC chief executive Megan Main. Supplied / ACC ACC says efforts to get long-term claimants off of weekly compensation is not about taking support away from people who need it. The agency has been instructed to reduce its long-term claims pool, currently the largest it has ever been at almost 25,000 … Read more

Fire and Emergency New Zealand – Statement on Application for Facilitation

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand has applied to the Employment Relations Authority for independent facilitation to try and resolve its long-running industrial dispute with the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU). The parties will discuss the application at an investigation meeting today.  Fire and Emergency and the NZPFU have been … Read more

Media advisory – Police Media Centre, Tuesday 25 November

Source: New Zealand Police The Police Media Centre will close early today, Tuesday 25 November, due to staff illness. Media Advisors will be available to respond to urgent queries and significant events only until 6pm. As always, information about any critical events outside our operating hours will be released proactively as soon as possible. Some … Read more

Name release: Waikanae homicide

Source: New Zealand Police To be attributed to Detective Inspector Jamie Woods, Field Crime Manager: Police can now release the name of the man who died at a Kakariki Grove, Waikanae address on Wednesday 19 November. He was Michael Kenneth Tofts, aged 45. We acknowledge this is an incredibly difficult time for Mr Tofts’ family … Read more

RIF funding backs West Coast resilience

Source: New Zealand Government    More than $2.31 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will go into an upgrade of the West Coast’s Jackson Bay Wharf, strengthening the region’s disaster resilience and supporting the local fishing industry, Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson says. “Jackson Bay Wharf is the only natural deep-water wharf on the … Read more

New logistics facilities for Burnham

Source: New Zealand Government Defence Minister Judith Collins today opened an Army maintenance support facility at Burnham Military Camp, and broke ground on the next project in the Army logistics upgrade. “The Defence Force can only operate with the right equipment, in the right place, at the right time, and importantly supported by the right … Read more

Hospitals to move away from paper records to new digital systems

Source: Radio New Zealand Health Minister Simeon Brown. RNZ / Mark Papalii Health Minister Simeon Brown has unveiled a 10-year investment plan to shift hospitals away from paper records to new digital systems. In a statement, Brown said although more than 65 percent of hospitals were still using paper notes, Health New Zealand also had … Read more

FENZ applies for facilitation to end pay dispute with firefighters

Source: Radio New Zealand It has been 16 months since the NZ Professional Firefighters Union began pay talks with FENZ. Marika Khabazi / RNZ Fire and Emergency (FENZ) has applied for independent facilitation to put an end to its long running dispute with the firefighters union. It has been 16 months since the NZ Professional … Read more

What is Black Friday and why is it a big deal in New Zealand?

Source: Radio New Zealand Retailers around Aotearoa have been promoting their Black Friday sales for weeks. RNZ Illustration / Nik Dirga / 123rf Explainer – You can’t turn around with seeing a Black Friday advert this week. But where did it first come from? The shopping sales event – officially taking place this Friday – … Read more

Anytime, anywhere, any weather: Expect to see Police on Southern roads this summer

Source: New Zealand Police Southern District Police are reminding motorists that you’ll see us anytime, anywhere and in any weather this summer, as the roads get busier with more people visiting New Zealand and travelling to see loved ones. Alcohol breath screening tests will be required of all drivers, particularly in the lead-up to the … Read more

‘Repeating the same mistakes’: Ex Defence Minister over ‘ticking time bomb’ soldier

Source: Radio New Zealand Former defence minister Ron Mark. RNZ / Dom Thomas A former defence minister says the story of a young soldier with PTSD who was failed by the Defence Force is a textbook example of its mismanagement. This come after former soldier Jack Wesley who attacked a taxi driver in a drunken … Read more