newswire.nz
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New Zealand Local Authority Statistics for September 2025 Quarter Released
Stats NZ released local authority statistics for the September 2025 quarter on December 5, 2025. The statistics provide information on the performance of core non-trading activities of New Zealand's territorial and regional councils. Stats NZ is also considering changes to…
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Severe Weather Expected to Hit New Zealand's South Island
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 9:37 am on Friday, December 5, 2025, indicates that a front, preceded by a strong northwesterly flow, will move northeast over the lower South Island on Sunday, December 7, 2025. There is…
WeatherAustralasiaGeneral Weather MetServiceSevere WeatherSouth IslandFiordlandWeather WarningNorthwesterly FlowMetService - Severe Weather Outlook
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New Zealand Updates Aviation Rules to Boost Innovation
New Zealand will update its drone and advanced aviation rules on December 22, 2025, introducing a new Part 107 to support research and development flight testing, and providing greater clarity for drone operators. These changes follow the Government’s announcement of…
Politics and GovernmentScience & TechnologyTransportationAustralasiaFederal GovernmentTransportationTechnologyInnovation
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Severe Weather Warning: Gales and Heavy Rain Forecast for South Island
A severe weather warning has been issued for the South Island, with strong gales expected today and heavy rain forecast for Fiordland on Sunday. MetService advises residents to stay updated with the latest forecasts. An orange-level heavy rain warning is…
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Name Released in Tāneatua Fatal Crash
Police have released the name of the person who died following a crash on White Pine Bush Road, Tāneatua, on December 2nd. She was 44-year-old Ngahina Takarangi of Whakatane. A second person sustained serious injuries in the crash. The circumstances…
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Second Arrest in Christchurch Youth Offending Case
A second arrest has been made in Christchurch following an aggravated robbery on Wairakei Road on Sunday, November 30. A 17-year-old handed himself in to the police and is scheduled to appear in Youth Court today, facing charges related to…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesLegal ChristchurchYouth OffendingArrestAggravated RobberyOperation AnchorCanterburyCrimeNew Zealand Police
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Kmart Sand Castle Set Recall: Asbestos Contamination
Kmart has issued a recall for its 14-piece Sand Castle Building Set, originally published on November 15, 2025, due to the detection of tremolite asbestos in samples. This is an update to a previous recall, with some products removed from…
HealthBusinessScience & TechnologySocial IssuesAustralasiaMedical ScienceLegal
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Tom & Luke Low Carb Snackaballs Recalled Due to Plastic Contamination
Smartfoods Limited has issued a recall of Tom & Luke Low Carb Snackaballs due to the potential presence of foreign matter, specifically hard plastic. The recall, initiated on December 4, 2025, affects several varieties of the snack product. The recalled…
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Three Arrested in Masterton Drug Operation
Three men were arrested and charged with selling and possessing cannabis for supply, following a police operation in Masterton targeting illicit drugs. The men, aged 21, 22, and 43, were apprehended on Tuesday, December 2, after a search warrant was…
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Serious Crash Closes State Highway 35 in Bay of Plenty
State Highway 35 between Omaio and Pariokara is closed in both directions following a two-vehicle crash. Police were called to the scene at approximately 5:50pm. Three people have sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving medical attention. The Serious Crash…
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Christchurch Police Urge Residents to Secure Homes This Summer
Christchurch Police are urging residents to take precautions to secure their homes during the summer months, following a recent burglary incident. On Friday, November 28, a 35-year-old man allegedly broke into a residential property at night while the occupants were…
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Arrest Made in Connection to Christchurch Incidents
A 17-year-old has been arrested in connection to several recent incidents across Christchurch, including an aggravated robbery earlier this week that left a store worker seriously injured. The arrest was made this afternoon in New Brighton. The individual will face…
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Southland Police Urge Safe Celebrations During Festive Season
Southland Police are initiating an operation to promote safety during the festive season. The initiative, running from this week through New Year's, aims to support responsible celebration, according to Area Manager for Prevention (Community) Senior Sergeant Brent Kingsland. Kingsland noted…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementSocial Issues SouthlandPoliceFestive SeasonInvercargillLiquor BanRoad SafetyNew Zealand Police
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Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake Strikes Pacific-Antarctic Ridge
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge on December 4, 2025, at 03:14:36 UTC, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake was centered at 54.898S, 129.313W, with a depth of 10 km. The epicenter was located approximately 3478.3…
WeatherScience & TechnologyWorldDisastersEnvironment EarthquakePacific-Antarctic RidgeHanga RoaChileUSGSSeismologyUSGS Earthquake Reports
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December
Auckland motorists should prepare for overnight maintenance work on State Highway 16 (SH16) between Woodhill Park Road and McPike Road from Sunday, December 7, to Thursday, December 11, between 9pm and 5am. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises that the…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December 8
Auckland motorists should prepare for disruptions as NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has announced maintenance work on State Highway 16 (SH16) between Great North Road, Waterview, and Lincoln Road. The work is scheduled for Monday, December 8, between 10pm and…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December
Auckland residents should prepare for upcoming maintenance work on State Highway 20 (SH20), according to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. The work will take place between 10pm and 5am on the following dates: * Massey Road to Puhinui Road on…
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December 7
Auckland drivers should prepare for disruptions as NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has advised that maintenance work is scheduled for State Highway 18 (SH18) between Albany Highway and Tauhinu Road on Sunday, December 7, from 9pm to 5am. During this…
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December
Auckland motorists should prepare for overnight closures and detours on State Highway 1 (SH1) due to essential maintenance work. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has announced that the work will take place between Sunday, December 7 and Thursday, December 11,…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December
Auckland motorists should prepare for upcoming maintenance work on State Highway 1 (SH1) in early December, according to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. The work will take place between 9pm and 5am. On Monday, December 8, the southbound lanes from…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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Auckland Harbour Bridge Maintenance Scheduled for December 7-11
The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has announced that maintenance work will take place on the Auckland Harbour Bridge (SH1) from Sunday, December 7, to Thursday, December 11, between 9pm and 5am. The work is weather dependent and may be…
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North Canterbury Man Arrested for Widespread Tagging
A 23-year-old North Canterbury man has been arrested for allegedly tagging over 500 locations across Kaikoura, Canterbury, and Dunedin. He is scheduled to appear in the Christchurch District Court on December 5, facing charges of entering agricultural land with intent…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesLegal North CanterburyKaikouraCanterburyDunedinChristchurch District CourtStephen McDanielGraffitiNew Zealand Police
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Police Warn of Increased Scams on Facebook Marketplace
As Christmas shopping moves online, Dunedin police are warning of increased scam activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace. The Investigation Support Unit has seen a rise in fraudulent activity, prompting police to issue advice to keep people safe this holiday season.…
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Cameras Help Police Catch Alleged Robber in Newmarket
A quick response by police, assisted by camera operators, led to the arrest of a woman after an aggravated robbery in Newmarket. At approximately 4 p.m., the woman allegedly entered a shop on Osborne Street, reportedly carrying a knife. Detective…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesLegal NewmarketOsborne StreetAuckland City Crime SquadRebecca KirkAuckland District CourtAggravated RobberyCamera OperatorsNew Zealand Police
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Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash in Castlecliff Claims One Life
One person died in a single-vehicle crash on Karaka St, Castlecliff, yesterday. The accident was reported just after 12pm. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Quoting Police Media Centre, police confirmed the fatality and stated that inquiries are…
DisastersLaw EnforcementSocial Issues Fatal CrashCastlecliffKaraka StAccident InvestigationSingle-Vehicle CrashNew Zealand PoliceFatality
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Police Deploy 'Eagle' Helicopter to Christchurch to Combat Youth Crime
Christchurch residents can expect increased police presence as Canterbury Police have launched a two-month operation aimed at disrupting youth-related crime. A key component of this operation is the temporary deployment of the Police Air Support Unit, known as the Eagle…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementSocial Issues ChristchurchEagle helicopterCanterbury PoliceYouth CrimeOperationPolice Air Support UnitYouth Targeting TeamNew Zealand Police
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Crash Closes Drury On-Ramp on Southern Motorway
The northbound on-ramp at Drury on the Southern Motorway is currently closed due to a crash. Police were notified of the single-vehicle incident at 11 a.m. today. According to the New Zealand Police, there have been no reported injuries. The…
TransportationLaw EnforcementDisasters CrashSouthern MotorwayDruryCounties ManukauTraffic DelayNew Zealand Police
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Heatwave Returns to Eastern Regions of New Zealand
Most regions of New Zealand will experience sunny conditions this weekend, particularly the North Island, as high pressure builds, bringing settled weather. However, the South Island will have a more varied forecast. MetService has issued a Strong Wind Watch for…
WeatherAustralasiaDisastersScience & Technology MetServiceHeatwaveGisborneOamaruKepler ChallengeMetService New Zealand
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Police Seek Information on Missing Man in Te Aroha
Police are seeking information regarding Louis Van Der Walt, 44, who has been missing since November 13. According to Detective Senior Sergeant Kristine Clarke, Louis was last seen on the Te Aroha side of the mountain after separating from family…
Law EnforcementSocial Issues Missing PersonTe ArohaLouis Van Der WaltNew Zealand PoliceSearch and RescueLandSARWaikato
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Man Sentenced to Preventative Detention for Ōtara Sexual Assaults
An Ōtara man has been sentenced to preventative detention for two sexual assaults that occurred nearly a year apart. Johnathan Tamihana, 33, was sentenced at the Auckland High Court on Wednesday. He received a minimum non-parole period of five years.…
Law EnforcementLegalSocial IssuesAustralasia ŌtaraAuckland High CourtCounties Manukau East CIBsexual assaultJohnathan TamihanaSentencingNew Zealand Police