Timaru’s MyWay service is here to stay

Source: PISA results continue to show more to be done for equity in education Date: 12 May 2025 Timaru’s MyWay by Metro on-demand public transport service has been made permanent. The service was first introduced in June 2020 and now forms part of our continuous programme for public transport in Timaru. “After a successful trial, … Read more

Pizza thief can’t outrun city cameras

Source: New Zealand Police Police had all the bases covered after an offender stole pizzas in central Auckland on Monday night. At around 9pm, the victim was walking to her accommodation with recently purchased pizzas on Mayoral Drive. Auckland Central Area Commander, Inspector Grant Tetzalff, says the male offender approached the woman. “He initially asked … Read more

Childhood immunisation rates hit three-year high

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets More than 80 per cent of New Zealand children are now fully immunised by 24 months of age – the highest rate since early 2022, recent Health New Zealand data provided to Health Minister Simeon Brown shows. “This is a welcome step forward. Just seven months ago, … Read more

Arrests and impounds following tangi in Gisborne

Source: New Zealand Police Police have made several arrests and impounded vehicles following a gang tangi in Gisborne, attended by up to 400 gang members and associates. The significant operation saw local Police supported by staff from neighbouring Districts including the Police Eagle helicopter, Tairāwhiti Area Commander Inspector Danny Kirk said. “Our focus today was … Read more

Wapiti Herd of Special Interest process begins

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager will consider formally designating wapiti deer as a Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) in Fiordland National Park, which could cover more than 190,000 hectares. It is the second HOSI to be considered this year, following launch of the sika deer HOSI process in … Read more

5 ways Māngere Community Enviro Hub is helping the community grow

Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines In a once weed-ridden and forgotten corner of Māngere, something remarkable is flourishing. On the unused land of a former Kāinga Ora housing site, the Māngere Community Enviro Hub is now sprouting with fresh produce to feed the community. The hub, on the corner … Read more

Extra maths help for students who need it

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets The Government is turbocharging student achievement in maths by ensuring extra help is available at every stage of primary and intermediate schooling, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Proficiency in maths is such an important foundation of success in life. Every child deserves the opportunity to be confident … Read more

Fatal crash enquiry concluded, Martinborough

Source: New Zealand Police Police investigating a fatal collision between a shared cycle and a car in Martinborough on Thursday 13 February 2025 have concluded their enquiries into the crash. One person was killed in the collision. Three other people, also on the bike, suffered serious injuries. Police can confirm no one will be charged … Read more

A Global Joint Statement Condemns Cancellation of International Religious Event in South Korea

Source: NewzEngine.com – Gyeonggi Provincial Government’s Sudden Cancellation Raises Concerns of Bias and Violation of Rights An administrative decision by a South Korean government agency sparked international controversy, raising concerns about religious freedom. On November 27, religious leaders and opinion leaders delivered a joint protest statement to the Government of the Republic of Korea condemning … Read more

Faith and Religion – Religious Freedom Violation and Intolerance Spark International Controversy amongst multiple Religious Groups within South Korea

Source: NewzEngine.com – South Korean local government cancels international event with 30,000 participants from 78 countries, causing international damage. On October 29th, an administrative decision by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, a South Korean government agency sparked international controversy, raising concerns about religious freedom and causing substantial financial loss. The “Religious Leaders Forum and 110,000 Graduation … Read more

Shincheonji Church of Jesus’ position on the abrupt cancellation of the Imjingak Peace Nuri Hall for their 110,000 Graduation

Source: NewzEngine.com – Shincheonji Church of Jesus are in the face of legal pressure, following the sudden cancellation and banning of the use of their venue of choice for their annual graduation ceremony for their theology school, Zion Christian Mission Centre. Shincheonji allege that Gyeonggi Tourism Organization have committed unconstitutional acts of the sudden blockage … Read more

Update: ATV crash in Karapiro

Source: New Zealand Police A man remains in hospital in a critical condition following a fatal ATV crash at a residential property on French Pass Road, Karapiro yesterday. Police can now confirm the person who died was a child. Two other children were also flown to hospital and are now in a stable condition. Police … Read more

Dangerous riding ends in arrest

Source: New Zealand Police Police moved swiftly to keep motorists in Counties Manukau safe yesterday by activating a plan co-ordinating road patrols and the Eagle helicopter.     A dirt bike rider who allegedly ignored a warning about dangerous driving was one of two people later arrested. Police stopped and spoke to the rider in Manurewa … Read more

Auckland Regional Parks track update

Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines This update is our first in a series covering what’s been done and what’s to come in Auckland Council’s efforts to maintain and renew our extensive network of regional park tracks. In the two years since the Auckland storms impacted 79 regional park tracks, … Read more

Homicide investigation underway in Parakao

Source: New Zealand Police Northland Police have launched a homicide enquiry following the death of a man in Parakao on 9 May. Ambulance staff located the body of the 55-year-old man just before 4pm at a rural property off Mangakahia Road (State Highway 15). Detective Senior Sergeant Michelle Harris, from Whangārei CIB, says enquiries are … Read more

Gang members arrested after funeral home arson

Source: New Zealand Police Police have this morning arrested a patched Mongrel Mob member in relation to an arson at a Māngere Bridge funeral home last month. Investigations had been underway following a fire at a funeral home on Kirkbride Road at about 11.50pm on 27 April. The building sustained minor damage and there were … Read more

Release: Peeni Henare takes over foreign affairs

Source: New Zealand Labour Party Labour’s Peeni Henare will pick up the foreign affairs portfolio, following David Parker’s departure from Parliament. He retains his other portfolios of defence, economic development, Māori-Crown relations: Te Arawhiti and associate health. Lawyer and human rights advocate Vanushi Walters returns to Parliament this week and will pick up shadow Attorney-General … Read more

Statement regarding Jevon McSkimming

Source: New Zealand Police Police Commissioner Richard Chambers confirms he has been advised of Jevon McSkimming’s resignation from his position with New Zealand Police. “The criminal investigation will continue and is not affected by the resignation. I have no further comment at this stage,” he says. ENDS Issued by Police Media Centre MIL OSI

How To: A Great Walks Booking Guide |

Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house Surprise, surprise, the Great Walks booking opening is the biggest event in our booking calendar, with thousands of people from all around the world logging in on each opening day to nab spaces for Great Walks huts and campsites, high demand lodges, sole occupancy and popular … Read more

Protected Royal Spoonbill euthanised after suffering shotgun injury

Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house Date:  12 May 2025 DOC Hauraki Biodiversity Ranger Rachel Langman says a farmer at Pipiroa, near Thames, discovered the injured bird on his property on Wednesday 7 May. The farmer contacted DOC and suggested the bird had been shot -which was confirmed by a subsequent veterinary assessment. … Read more

Further arrests made for Tay Street incidents

Source: New Zealand Police Please attribute to Inspector Stu Harvey: Tireless work by Invercargill Police has resulted in further arrests for burglaries and robberies early last Monday morning. The two aggravated robberies, two burglaries and an attempted burglary at commercial premises happened between 1.50am and 4.30am on 5 May.Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported. A … Read more

Stats NZ information release: Electronic card transactions: April 2025

Source: Statistics New Zealand Electronic card transactions: April 2025 – 14 May 2025 – The electronic card transactions (ECT) series cover debit, credit, and charge card transactions with New Zealand-based merchants. The series can be used to indicate changes in consumer spending and economic activity. Key factsAll figures are seasonally adjusted unless otherwise specified. Values … Read more

Net migration eases to under 30,000 – Stats NZ media and information release: International migration: March 2025

Source: Statistics New Zealand Net migration eases to under 30,000 – 14 May 2025 – New Zealand had a net migration gain of 26,400 in the March 2025 year, according to provisional estimates published by Stats NZ today. “The net migration gain of 26,400 in the March 2025 year was well down from a gain … Read more

New Zealanders take 3 million overseas trips – Stats NZ media and information release: International travel: March 2025

Source: Statistics New Zealand New Zealanders take 3 million overseas trips – 14 May 2025 – New Zealand residents arrived back from 3.01 million short-term overseas trips (of less than 12 months) in the March 2025 year, according to data released by Stats NZ today. March 2025 is the first annual period to exceed 3 … Read more

Local News – Free Youth events in Porirua

Source: Porirua City Council  Youth Week 2025 is happening between 19-23 May and as Porirua has one of the country’s youngest populations, it’s only right that there will be loads of activities for rangatahi. This year the nationwide theme of Youth Week is ‘Take Our Place – Whai Wāhitanga’. The theme was chosen by Aotearoa young … Read more

Local News – Many hands help Porirua planting work

Source: Porirua City Council Porirua City’s streamside planting programme is going from strength to strength, with the successful planting of hundreds of thousands of native plants since the initiative launched in 2021. This year the aim is to get 165,000 more plants in the ground to help filter sediment running into our waterways and encourage biodiversity … Read more

Stats NZ information release: Rainbow/LGBTIQ+ population: 2023 Census

Source: Statistics New Zealand Rainbow/LGBTIQ+ population: 2023 Census – 13 May 2025 – Rainbow /LGBTIQ+ population: 2023 Census provides data on LGBTIQ+ communities with the release of 24 new Aotearoa Data Explorer tables. The 2023 Census was the first census to collect information on LGBTIQ+ communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. The LGBTIQ+ population output from the … Read more