newswire.nz
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Crash Closes Northbound Lanes on Waikato Expressway
A single-vehicle crash has shut down the northbound lanes on the Waikato Expressway (SH1) near Hampton Downs. Emergency services are responding to the incident, where a fire broke out in the vehicle. Fortunately, there have been no reports of serious…
TransportationDisastersLaw Enforcement Waikato ExpresswaySH1Hampton Downssingle-vehicle crashvehicle fireroad closureNew Zealand Police
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Tawa On-Ramp Reopens After Crash
The Tawa northbound on-ramp on State Highway 1, which was closed due to a single-vehicle crash this morning, has now been reopened. Police have expressed their gratitude to motorists for their patience during the closure.
TransportationLaw Enforcement TawaState Highway 1WellingtonCrashRoad ClosurePoliceTrafficNew Zealand Police
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Police Investigate Unexplained Death Near Waiotapu
Police are investigating a sudden death near Waiotapu Loop Road, Waiotapu, after emergency services were called to an incident at approximately 6.15am. One person was found unresponsive after being pulled from the water. Authorities are currently working to determine the…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesDisasters Waiotapusudden deathpolice investigationemergency servicesWaiotapu Loop RoadNew Zealand Policeunexplained death
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Outlook for Christmas Week
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 9:28 am on Sunday, December 21, 2025, indicates a likelihood of heavy rain and strong winds across parts of New Zealand from Tuesday, December 23rd, through Boxing Day. On Tuesday, a front…
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Correction: Tawa Off-Ramp Open After Crash
A previous release incorrectly stated the Tawa off-ramp was closed on SH1 following a single-vehicle crash. The northbound off-ramp remains open, with traffic being diverted through it. The northbound on-ramp is closed while staff work at the scene. SH1 is…
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Tawa Off-Ramp Closed Due to Crash
State Highway 1 by the Tawa off-ramp is completely closed following a single-vehicle crash. Emergency services were called to the scene around 6.20am. One person received serious injuries and was taken to hospital by ambulance services. A diversion is in…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationLaw EnforcementDisasters Tawaoff-rampState Highway 1WellingtoncrashSH 59Mungavin AveNew Zealand Police
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Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Strikes Balleny Islands Region
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck the Balleny Islands region on December 20, 2025, at 10:25:04 UTC, according to a preliminary report by the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake's epicenter was located at 63.692S, 172.383E, with a depth of 10 km.…
Science & TechnologyWorldDisasters EarthquakeBalleny IslandsUS Geological SurveySeismologyNatural DisasterPapatowaiUSGS Earthquake Reports
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Crash Blocks State Highway 1 in Dunsandel, Canterbury
A crash on State Highway 1, Dunsandel, near the intersection with Selwyn Lake Road has blocked the road. The three-car collision was reported to Police just before 8pm. One person is reported to have serious injuries, two people have moderate…
TransportationLaw EnforcementDisastersSocial IssuesAustralasia
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Magnitude 5.6 Earthquake Strikes Balleny Islands Region
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck the Balleny Islands region on December 20, 2025, at 06:57:10 UTC, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake, which occurred at a depth of 10 km, was centered at 63.894S, 172.707E. The epicenter was…
WeatherScience & TechnologyDisastersGeneral Weather EarthquakeBalleny IslandsUSGSSeismologyGeological SurveyNatural disasterUSGS Earthquake Reports
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Crash Closes Ohaupo Road in Melville, Waikato
Ohaupo Road in Melville, near Mount View Road, is currently closed due to a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. The incident was reported just after 6pm. According to initial reports, one person has sustained serious injuries as a…
TransportationLaw EnforcementSocial IssuesDisastersAustralasia
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Christchurch Police Recover Stolen Christmas Packages
Christchurch Police recovered numerous Christmas packages after a courier van theft on Friday, December 19. Following the theft report, police received multiple calls about three men acting suspiciously in Birdlings Flat. Acting Sergeant Daniel Ingram stated that police responded swiftly…
Law EnforcementSocial Issues ChristchurchPolicetheftChristmascourierarrestBirdlings FlatNew Zealand Police
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Police Seek Information on Man Seen Near Ruatiti Homicide Scene
Police are continuing their search for 29-year-old Mitchell Cole in connection to a double homicide in Ruatiti on Saturday, December 13. Detective Inspector Gerard Bouterey said that police are seeking to identify a man seen near the intersection of Pukekaha…
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Human Remains Discovered on Coppermine Island
Police were alerted earlier today to the discovery of human remains on Coppermine Island (Mauipane), located east of Whangārei. Authorities have since recovered the remains and initiated the formal identification process. At this early stage, Police are unable to determine…
Law EnforcementSocial Issues Human RemainsCoppermine IslandMauipaneWhangāreiPoliceIdentification ProcessNew Zealand Police
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Crash Closes State Highway 2 Near Dannevirke
State Highway 2 near Dannevirke is closed following a three-vehicle crash near Piripiri Road, reported at around 2:40pm. One person is believed to have sustained serious injuries, and a further four people have moderate injuries. Motorists are advised to avoid…
WorldTransportationLaw EnforcementDisasters State Highway 2DannevirkePiripiri RoadCrashTraffic DelayAccidentNew Zealand Police
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Serious Crash Closes SH1 in Kaiwaka
A serious two-vehicle crash on State Highway 1 in Kaiwaka has prompted a road closure between Greenway and Mountain Roads. Police were called to the scene at approximately 9:20 am. Initial reports indicate serious injuries. Diversions are in place, and…
TransportationDisastersLaw Enforcement KaiwakaWaitematāSH1New Zealand PoliceTraffic IncidentRoad ClosureAccident
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New Zealand Weather Outlook: Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Forecast for North and South Islands
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 9:06 am on Saturday, December 20, 2025, indicates that a front from the Tasman Sea will move across central and northern areas of the North Island on Monday, December 22, 2025. A…
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Media Monitor: Consumer NZ Offers Holiday Shopping Tips
Consumer NZ is offering advice to shoppers for the holiday season. It said tips include how to select the best Christmas ham and what consumer rights apply to recalled sand that contains asbestos. Consumer NZ also tested toys from Amazon,…
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Fatal Motorcycle Crash on State Highway 35 near Ōpōtiki
A motorcyclist died following a crash on State Highway 35 near Ōpōtiki on Friday night. The crash, which occurred between Te Waiiti Road and Maraenui Pa Road, was reported to Police at 8.25pm. The motorcyclist was critically injured and "tragically…
DisastersLaw EnforcementTransportation Fatal CrashŌpōtikiState Highway 35MotorcycleTraffic IncidentNew Zealand PoliceTe Waiiti Road
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Wellington City Celebrates Summer with Events and Festivities
Wellington City Council is gearing up for a summer season filled with events and activities. Summer in Pōneke Wellington promises sunshine and a range of experiences for everyone. Wellington is encouraging everyone to support local businesses and events this year.…
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Motorcyclist Critically Injured in SH 35 Crash Near Ōpōtiki
A serious crash on State Highway 35 near Ōpōtiki has resulted in critical injuries to a motorcyclist. Police were alerted to the incident at 8.25pm. The crash occurred between Te Waiiti Road and Maraenui Pa Road and involved a single…
TransportationDisastersLaw Enforcement ŌpōtikiState Highway 35Bay of PlentyMotorcycle CrashEmergency ServicesTraffic IncidentNew Zealand Police
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Police Investigate Arson in Windsor's Queens Park
Police are continuing their investigation into an arson incident that occurred in Queens Park, Windsor, on Wednesday, December 3. Authorities received a report at approximately 12:20 AM indicating that four vehicles had been deliberately set on fire. As part of…
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Former Travel Agent Sentenced for $62,000 Fraud
A former travel agent has been sentenced to 13 months home detention for defrauding employers and acquaintances of more than $62,000. The 29-year-old Waihi woman was convicted on 16 fraud offences, including making a false statement, following an investigation by…
LegalLaw EnforcementBusinessSocial IssuesEconomy FraudAuckland City Financial Crime UnitWaihiSentencingHome DetentionTheftNew Zealand Police
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Five Arrested in Waikato Drug Bust Targeting Methamphetamine Supply
Waikato East Police have arrested and charged five people following the execution of search warrants targeting suspected local drug suppliers. The operation, conducted by approximately 16 staff from the Waikato East Criminal Investigation Branch, Prevention and Public Safety Team, spanned…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesLegal Waikato East PoliceMatamataTe ArohaWhangamatāMethamphetamineDrug BustPaeroaNew Zealand Police
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Drugged Driver Removed from Road After Positive Roadside Test in Wellington
A 40-year-old man has been taken off the road after testing positive for methamphetamine at a checkpoint in Wellington. The incident marks the first result from the new oral fluid screening testing. The man, who had his young daughter in…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementSocial IssuesLegal Wellingtonmethamphetaminedrug drivingHutt RoadSuperintendent Steve GreallyHutt Valley District CourtNew Zealand Police
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Hawke's Bay State Highway Roadworks Planned for December 2025 and January 2026
Roadworkers in Hawke’s Bay downed tools at midday today for the Christmas and New Year break, with work resuming on Monday 5 January. Several roadworks and closures are scheduled across the state highway network in the first two weeks of…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationDisastersEnvironment Hawke's BayState HighwayRoadworksClosuresTraffic ManagementNZTANZ Transport Agency
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New Zealand Police Announce Holiday Media Centre Hours
The New Zealand Police have announced their Media Centre's operating hours for the holiday season, ensuring continuous media support. Normal weekday hours of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. will be maintained, except on Christmas Day when the team will be…
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Hamilton Police Investigate Homicide, Appeal for Information
Hamilton Police are investigating a homicide after an incident on Lake Crescent. Emergency services responded to a call at approximately 6:15 p.m. last night, where they found two people injured. One victim died at the scene, while the other was…
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TikTok Livestream Leads to Arrest of Youths in Car Theft Spree
A TikTok livestream led to the arrest of six youths in Palmerston North after they allegedly stole multiple cars. At approximately 3:30 p.m. today, police were alerted to a livestream showing a vehicle crashing into a pole. The occupants then…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesMediaMedia Crisis Palmerston NorthTikTokcar theftYouth AidManawatuarrestlivestreamNew Zealand Police
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Auckland Police Recover Stolen Guitars, Charge Burglar
A 33-year-old man will appear in Manukau District Court today charged with burglary and two counts of unlawfully being in an enclosed yard, following a series of incidents in East Auckland. Police have been investigating at least three separate incidents…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesAustralasiaLegal New Zealand PoliceEast AucklandManukau District CourtHighland ParkBotany DownsBurglarySimon Cornish
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Two Arrested Following Gore Shooting
Two men have been arrested in connection to a shooting that occurred in Gore this week. The men, aged 36 and 54, were apprehended in Invercargill on Thursday afternoon. They are facing several charges and are scheduled to appear in…
Law EnforcementSocial Issues GoreInvercargillShootingArrestSouthlandCrime StoppersMike BowmanNew Zealand Police