Fire at Darfield contained

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand The large vegetation fire at Darfield is now contained. The fire started just before 10am and destroyed three structures.  It was contained around 12.45pm, with the one helicopter now released and downscaling of ground crews taking place. It will take some time for the fire to be fully extinguished, … Read more

Tongariro Forest Park Fire Update #1

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Firefighters supported by helicopters are tackling a large vegetation fire in the Tongariro Forest Park, which is covering an estimated 50 hectares. Trampers in the Mangatepopo Hut are being advised to remain there. State Highway 47 has been closed near the junction with SH48, with a large build-up of … Read more

Tongariro National Park Fire Update #2

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Thirteen crews of firefighters from eight brigades are working on the fire in the Tongariro National Park, supported by helicopters with monsoon buckets. Assistant Commander Nick West says the fire is impacting an estimated 300 hectares and is burning in the direction of Mount Ngauruhoe. It is not under … Read more

Tongariro National Park Fire Update #3

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand The fire burning in the Tongariro National Park has grown to an estimated 400 hectares. Fire and Emergency Assistant Commander Nick West says that firefighters will monitor the fire overnight but it is too dangerous for active firefighting, and aircraft were all stood down at nightfall. Conditions are easing … Read more

Tongariro National Park Fire Update #4

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fresh crews of firefighters from Taranaki and Manawatu-Wanganui are being briefed before beginning work on the second day of operations at the wildfire burning in the Tongariro National Park. Fire and Emergency NZ will have six fire trucks and six tankers on the fireground, supported by six helicopters and … Read more

First Responders – Tongariro National Park Fire Update #5

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Additional aircraft are being deployed to help fight the wildfire in Tongariro National Park. Fire and Emergency Assistant Commander Craig Gold says that because of the terrain and extent of the fire, air attack is more effective at this stage than bringing in additional ground crews across most of the … Read more

Fatal crash, Kokotau Road, Carterton

Source: New Zealand Police One person has died following a crash involving two cyclists in Carterton yesterday. Police and other emergency services responded to the crash on Kokotau Road at around 11.30am 8 October. Sadly, one person has died in hospital after being airlifted from the scene in critical condition. The road was closed while … Read more

Severe thunderstorm warning lifted for Northland, Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand Photo: Unsplash / Daoudi Aissa Severe thunderstorm warnings and watches for Northland and Auckland have been lifted, although a yellow watch is still in place for Fiordland and some parts of the West Coast. For Northland and Auckland, the now-finished cautions were lifted on Saturday night after 8pm, but had warned … Read more

Man dies at popular Auckland beach

Source: Radio New Zealand Police have confirmed a man has died, after earlier being pulled out of the water at a beach near Auckland’s Mission Bay. Police and ambulance were called to Kohimarama Beach at about 11.30am Saturday, where a man was unconscious. They said resuscitation efforts failed and the man died at the scene. … Read more

Mountain Safety Council wants Brewster Track trampers to be better prepared

Source: Radio New Zealand [embedded content] A major increase in rescues on a popular Mount Aspiring National Park track has prompted a new safety campaign. The Mountain Safety Council hopes a new video that highlights the rugged terrain and rapidly changing alpine conditions on the Brewster Track will help trampers better prepare, after two deaths … Read more

Rubbish dumped, set alight on Canterbury beach

Source: Radio New Zealand Video posted to social media shows the fire on Dorie Beach, near Rakaia, Canterbury. Photo: Supplied / Local Democracy Reporting A Rakaia fisherman has complained to authorities, after filming a man dumping trash on the beach and setting it alight. Ashburton District Council confirmed a person had been fined $400 after … Read more

Cyclists involved in serious crash, Wairarapa road closed

Source: Radio New Zealand Photo: A road in Carterton is closed following a serious crash involving cyclists on Saturday morning. Police were called to the crash on Kokotau Road around 11.30am, and initial indicators suggested there were serious injuries. The Serious Crash Unit was advised and the road was expected to be closed for some … Read more

First Responders – Tongariro National Park Fire Update #4

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fresh crews of firefighters from Taranaki and Manawatu-Wanganui are being briefed before beginning work on the second day of operations at the wildfire burning in the Tongariro National Park. Fire and Emergency NZ will have six fire trucks and five tankers on the fireground, supported by six helicopters and two … Read more

New car park to relieve congestion at entrance to Te Papakura o Taranaki

Source: Radio New Zealand The new car park will be built on the right-hand side of Egmont Road, just before the park’s gatehouse. Photo: Supplied / New Plymouth District Council Construction of a new car park at the popular Egmont Road entrance to Te Papakura o Taranaki will begin next week. In recent years, the … Read more

Look out, North Island – Christchurch is nipping at your fashionable heels

Source: Radio New Zealand When you think of New Zealand fashion, you may picture the glamour of Auckland or the creativity of Wellington, but Christchurch has been enjoying a cultural renaissance with many musicians, artists and creatives now calling Ōtautahi home. This weekend, New Zealand Fashion Week presents the first-ever Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival, showcasing … Read more

Firefighters return to out-of-control wildfire in Tongariro National Park

Source: Radio New Zealand A huge amount of smoke obscures Tongariro as a wildfire continues to rage into Sunday morning. Photo: RNZ / Hamish Cardwell A business owner says Tongariro National Park resembles a hellscape as a massive forest fire continues to burn. Fire and Emergency (FENZ) said the blaze has swelled in size and … Read more

‘Could’ve been catastrophic’: Arrests after fireworks shot into lawnmower shop

Source: Radio New Zealand Two people have been arrested, after fireworks were fired into an Auckland lawnmower shop, injuring at least two people. One of the explosions struck a customer in the neck during the incident on Friday morning and two people were taken to hospital, store staff said. Six staff and seven customers were … Read more

Large fire in Tongariro National Park, call to avoid area

Source: Radio New Zealand The blaze seen in Tongariro National Park, on Saturday. Photo: Supplied/ Liz Brooker A large fire in the Central Plateau has triggered evacuations of trampers and caused the closure of a nearby highway, authorities say. About 400 hectares of the Tongariro National Park was estimated to be on fire, Fire and … Read more

Cirque du Soleil performer stretchered off stage after fall

Source: Radio New Zealand A Cirque du Soleil performer was stretchered off stage after a fall on Saturday. Photo: RNZ / Kymberlee Fernandes A person in the audience at an Auckland performance of Cirque du Soleil on Saturday afternoon says everyone fell silent, when a performer fell several metres to the ground. Joy Marshall said … Read more

English exam asks students to write about long-haired boy being bullied, forced to drop pants

Source: Radio New Zealand The exam booklet asked the students to “analyse significant aspects of unfamiliar written text(s) through close reading, supported by evidence”. Photo: Supplied NCEA level 2 English exams asked students to write about a boy with long hair being bullied and asked to pull down his pants to prove his gender. The … Read more

Thousands of sad Jelly Roll fans left shocked after Auckland cancellation

Source: Radio New Zealand Thousands of people were gathered at Auckland’s Western Springs The Outer Oval on Saturday afternoon, when at 6pm it was announced over the loud speakers the headline act Jelly Roll would not be appearing. The rapper singer songwriter announced the decision on his Instagram. “Dear Auckland I’ve done everything I can,” … Read more

Buildings that ‘drift’ less perform better in quakes, according to growing global consensus

Source: Radio New Zealand In a Taiwan warehouse, researchers hit a button, and a five-storey, steel-and-concrete box begins to buck and sway. That’s about the closest researchers can get to how the sort of multi-storey commonly constructed in New Zealand 9000km away might behave in a large earthquake. The revelations from the work are now … Read more

Body found after Hamilton fire

Source: Radio New Zealand (File photo) Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Police say a body has been found, after a house fire in Hamilton East. Emergency services rushed to the house fire on Wellington Street just after 6am Saturday. “Sadly, a person was located deceased at the property,” police said. A guard was on watch … Read more

NZ-AU: Clearwater Wellness Launches World-First Thermoelectric Ice Bath, with Tim Paine Joining as Founding Partner

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU) Clearwater Wellness Co launched the SnowCap, the world’s first thermoelectric ice bath requiring no ice or plumbing. Backed by $700,000 in pre-sales and a $1.84 million funding round, the company welcomes cricket legend Tim Paine as a founding partner to spearhead global expansion and innovation. VICTORIA, Australia, Nov. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) … Read more

NZ-AU: Dancetime Launches Guide to Top 8 Outdoor Party Hire Essentials Amid Surge in Sydney Events

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU) Sydney, NSW, Nov. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dancetime, a leading event hire provider in New South Wales and Queensland, announced today the release of its definitive guide to the eight most in-demand party hire items, as outdoor events and weddings surge across Sydney. With over 60% of outdoor weddings and 67% … Read more

Road closed, State Highway 47, Tongariro National Park

Source: New Zealand Police Due to a large fire in Tongariro National Park, State Highway 47 is closed while emergency services work at the scene. State Highway 47 is closed at the intersection of State Highway 46 at the northern end, and State Highway 48 at the southern end. Motorists are advised to turn around … Read more

Fatality following fire, Hamilton East

Source: New Zealand Police A person has been found deceased following a fire in Hamilton East this morning. Emergency services attended a Wellington Street address just after 6am, where a house was on fire. Sadly, a person was located deceased at the property. A scene guard remains in place, and Police will work alongside Fire … Read more