newswire.nz
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New Zealand Police Staff Honored with Bravery Awards
Five New Zealand police officers have been recognized with the New Zealand Bravery Awards for their courageous actions in life-threatening situations. Commissioner Richard Chambers expressed his pride in the recipients of the NZ Bravery Medal (NZBM). These awards acknowledge individuals…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementSocial IssuesDisasters New Zealand Bravery AwardsPoliceRichard ChambersCyclone GabrielleRees RiverWaikato RiverEmergency ServicesNew Zealand Police
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Galt Sand Stickers and Zummi Strollers Recalled in New Zealand
Two recalls have been announced in New Zealand. Modern Brands is recalling Galt-branded Mini Makes Sand Stickers after testing revealed the presence of naturally occurring Chrysotile asbestos in some samples. Although no respirable asbestos was detected, and the risk of…
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Fatal Crash Closes Fitzherbert East Road
One person died following a two-vehicle crash on Fitzherbert East Road, State Highway 56, in Palmerston North. Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 12:30pm after reports of the serious incident. The Serious Crash Unit conducted a thorough…
TransportationLaw EnforcementDisastersSocial Issues Fatal CrashPalmerston NorthFitzherbert East RoadState Highway 56Serious Crash UnitAccidentFatalityNew Zealand Police
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New Zealand Police Launch Roadside Drug Testing in Wellington
Starting December 15, 2025, police in Wellington will begin roadside drug testing, a first for New Zealand. The initiative aims to detect and deter drug-impaired drivers. Roadside screening will target four key drugs: THC (cannabis), methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), and cocaine.…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementHealthSocial IssuesLegal Roadside Drug TestingWellingtonNew Zealand PoliceSteve GreallyDrug-Impaired DrivingPublic Safety
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Auckland Liquor Stores Fail to Meet Legal Obligations in Underage Alcohol Sales
Auckland City Police have expressed disappointment after a recent operation revealed that three liquor stores failed to meet basic legal requirements by selling alcohol to minors. The joint Controlled Purchase Operation, conducted across more than 30 licensed premises in Auckland…
Politics and GovernmentSocial IssuesLaw EnforcementState GovernmentsLegal Auckland Cityalcohol salesminorsliquor storesControlled Purchase OperationAlcohol Regulatory Licensing AuthorityNew Zealand Police
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Crash Blocks Northbound Lanes on Dunedin Southern Motorway
A crash involving a logging truck and a car has blocked northbound lanes on the Dunedin Southern Motorway. The incident was reported around 3:30 p.m. and occurred between the Kaikorai Valley Rd turnoff and the Caversham Valley Road on-ramp. Emergency…
TransportationDisastersLaw Enforcement CrashSouthern MotorwayDunedinNew Zealand PoliceLogging TruckTraffic DelayAccident
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Hawke's Bay State Highway Roadworks Planned for December 13-19
Road users in Hawke's Bay are advised to plan ahead for planned roadworks on state highways between December 13 and December 19. The NZTA Hawke’s Bay team has issued an update on upcoming closures and maintenance. All roadworks on state…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationState Governments Hawke's BayState HighwayRoadworksClosuresTraffic ManagementNZTATaraweraNZ Transport Agency
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Anonymous Tip Leads to Methamphetamine Arrest in Whangamatā
A confidential tip from the Whangamatā community led to the arrest of a 34-year-old man for allegedly supplying methamphetamine. He faces charges of possessing methamphetamine for supply and obstructing Police. The arrest occurred after Police executed warrants at two addresses…
Law EnforcementSocial Issues Whangamatāmethamphetaminedrug supplyarrestWaihi District CourtCrime StoppersNew Zealand Police
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Serious Crash Closes Fitzherbert East Road
One person is in serious condition following a two-vehicle crash on Fitzherbert East Road, east of Palmerston North. Police were called to the scene at approximately 12:30pm. The road is currently closed, and motorists are advised to avoid the area.…
TransportationLaw EnforcementDisasters Fitzherbert East RoadSH57Palmerston NorthSerious Crash UnitTraffic IncidentAccidentCentralNew Zealand Police
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Police Increase Presence in Napier for Headstone Unveiling
Police will increase their presence in Napier on Saturday, December 13, due to a headstone unveiling at Wharerangi Lawn Cemetery. The unveiling is scheduled for 1 p.m. followed by a hākari at a local marae. Authorities anticipate a large gathering,…
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance: SH1 Closures and Detours
Auckland motorists should prepare for overnight closures and detours on State Highway 1 (SH1) between Silverdale and Warkworth due to maintenance work. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has announced the following schedule: * **December 15**: Silverdale interchange to Warkworth, full…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments AucklandState Highway 1SilverdaleWarkworthRoad ClosuresTraffic ManagementNZ Transport AgencyNZTA Auckland
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Auckland's SH16 The Strand Project Reaches Milestone
Auckland's SH16 The Strand Optimisation Project has reached a milestone with the opening of its shared use path this week. Line marking has been completed, along with foundation work for streetlights at Beach Road. According to an update, Vector's work…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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New Zealand Retail Spending Rises in November 2025
Spending in New Zealand's retail sector saw an increase of 1.2 percent ($86 million) in November 2025, according to the latest electronic card transactions (ECT) data. The core retail industries also experienced growth, with spending up by 1.1 percent ($67…
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Auckland Motorway Closures Planned for December 14-19
Auckland motorists should prepare for overnight motorway closures between December 14 and 19, according to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. These closures are necessary for essential motorway improvements and maintenance work. Closures delayed by bad weather will be completed as…
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New Zealand Weather Outlook: Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Forecast
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 10:46 am on Friday, December 12, 2025, indicates a period of unsettled weather for New Zealand. A large high, currently over the North Island, is moving east, allowing a northerly flow to…
WeatherAustralasiaGeneral Weather MetServiceHeavy RainStrong WindsSouth IslandNorth IslandMetService - Severe Weather Outlook
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Pair Arrested After Kidnapping and Robbery in Wesley
A 32-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman are due to appear in Auckland District Court today, facing charges of assault with intent to injure, kidnapping, and theft, following an incident in Wesley last night. The charges stem from an incident…
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Wellington City Council Reconsiders Demolition of City to Sea Bridge
Wellington City Council’s Te Hoe Matua | City Strategy and Delivery Committee has reversed its prior decision to demolish the City to Sea bridge, choosing to review further options in February 2026. Councillor Nureddin Abdurahman, Committee Chair, stated that recent…
Politics and GovernmentScience & TechnologyAustralasiaState GovernmentsLegalTransportationEnvironment
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Hawke's Bay Drug Operation Nets Three Arrests
A police operation targeting methamphetamine supply in Central Hawke's Bay and Hastings has led to the arrest of three individuals. The six-month covert operation, dubbed Operation Tukutuki, was initiated in response to high levels of methamphetamine detected in wastewater testing,…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesLegal MethamphetamineHawke's BayArrestsOperation TukutukiGangsHastingsCentral Hawke's Bay
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Three Arrested in Hawke's Bay Methamphetamine Supply Operation
A covert operation targeting the supply of methamphetamine in Central Hawke’s Bay and Hastings has resulted in the arrest of three individuals. Two of those arrested are gang members and one is an associate. The six-month operation, dubbed Operation Tukutuki,…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesLegal Operation TukutukimethamphetamineCentral Hawke’s BayHastingsMongrel Mobdrug supplyarrestsNew Zealand Police
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CAA Releases Trial Advisory Circular for Drone Operators
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has released a Trial Advisory Circular (AC101-1) to support operators preparing for upcoming changes to the Civil Aviation Rules for unmanned aircraft (Parts 101 and 102), which take effect on 22 December 2025. The Trial…
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NZ On Air Music Wraps Up 2025 and Announces 2026 Funding Dates
NZ On Air Music has concluded a busy 2025, marked by significant support for local artists. The year included 15 funding rounds and 12 NewTracks compilations. A total of 1,110 funding applications were received, resulting in 289 NZ On Air…
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for SH1
Auckland motorists should prepare for disruptions as NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi undertakes urgent paving work on State Highway 1 (SH1) Gillies Ave southbound tonight. The maintenance, prompted by an incident, will occur between 10pm and 5am. Lane restrictions will…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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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 occur at various locations between December 14th and 18th, from…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments AucklandState Highway 1SH1RoadworksTrafficNZ Transport Agency Waka KotahiDruryNZTA Auckland
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December
Auckland residents should prepare for upcoming maintenance work on State Highway 1 (SH1) and the Auckland Harbour Bridge, according to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. The work is scheduled to take place between Sunday, December 14, and Thursday, December 18,…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December
Auckland residents should prepare for overnight closures and detours on State Highway 1 (SH1) between Silverdale and Warkworth due to scheduled maintenance work. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has announced that paving activities will necessitate full closures and ramp restrictions…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments AucklandState Highway 1SilverdaleWarkworthTrafficRoadworksNZ Transport AgencyNZTA Auckland
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December
Auckland motorists should prepare for overnight maintenance work on State Highway 16 (SH16) between Solan Drive and Woodhill Park Road from Sunday, December 14, to Wednesday, December 17, between 9pm and 5am. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises that stop/go…
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December 15-16
Auckland motorists should prepare for overnight disruptions as NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has announced essential maintenance work on State Highway 16 (SH16) between Stanley Street and Newton Road. The work is scheduled for Monday, December 15, and Tuesday, December…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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Three Arrested in Waikato Copper Theft Investigation
Waikato Police have arrested three people in connection to an ongoing investigation into commercial burglaries targeting large quantities of copper metal. The Waikato Tactical Crime Unit (TCU) began investigating in August 2025, after a commercial property in Frankton was targeted…
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Otangarei Store Robbery: Police Seek Witnesses After Assault
Police have launched an investigation into an aggravated robbery that occurred in Otangarei last night, during which a store worker was assaulted. Authorities were alerted to the incident at approximately 7.25pm, following reports of a group of armed males entering…
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New Zealand Weather: Thunderstorms to Clear for Calm Weekend
New Zealand is set for a change in weather, with thunderstorms expected to clear, giving way to a calm weekend. Today, Thursday, will see thunderstorms, potentially with hail, especially in Otago, South Canterbury, Inland Southland, Bay of Plenty, and the…
WeatherAustralasiaGeneral Weather ThunderstormsMetServiceAlec HoldenSouth IslandHigh-pressure systemMetService New Zealand