newswire.nz
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Heavy Rain Warning Issued for South Island, New Zealand
MetService has issued a severe weather warning for the South Island, New Zealand, effective Christmas Day. A front moving northwards is expected to bring heavy rain and severe gales to several regions. The warning, issued at 8:57pm on Wednesday, December…
WeatherDisastersAustralasiaGeneral Weather MetServiceSevere Weather WarningSouth IslandHeavy RainBullerCanterburyNZ MetService
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Man Arrested and Charged with Murder in Jason Poa Case
A 21-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection to the death of Jason Poa, also known as Jason Tipene. Mr. Poa died last Thursday at a Lake Crescent address in Hamilton. The arrest occurred today at…
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Media Monitor: New Zealand Issues Alert for Synthetic Cannabinoids
High Alert, a drug information service in New Zealand, is reporting that serious harm has been linked to synthetic cannabinoids in the Auckland region. It said multiple hospitalizations have been reported within the last 24 hours. High Alert said this…
HealthSocial IssuesAustralasiaMedical ScienceLaw Enforcement
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Hawke's Bay Police Target Drink Driving in Hastings
Hawke’s Bay Police are "reasonably pleased" with the results of a drink driving operation conducted on Friday, December 19, in Hastings. During the operation, four impaired drivers were apprehended. Police set up a checkpoint at the roundabout of Pakowhai Road…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesTransportationLegal Hawke's BayHastingsDrink DrivingNathan RossPakowhai RoadNew Zealand Police
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New North Road in Kingsland Reopens After Crash
New North Road in Kingsland, Auckland, has reopened to traffic in both directions following a lunchtime crash. Police inquiries into the cause of the crash are ongoing. Motorists are urged to drive carefully this Christmas Eve to ensure safe arrival…
TransportationLaw EnforcementAustralasia New North RoadKingslandAucklandCrashTrafficJarred WilliamsonNZ PoliceNew Zealand Police
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Auckland Man Charged After Wilful Damage Incidents
A Police investigation in Auckland's Whenuapai has led to charges against a 34-year-old man for two counts of wilful damage. The incidents, which occurred on December 9 and 11, 2025, involved damage to a woman's vehicle. The accused is scheduled…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesLegal AucklandWhenuapaiWaitematā WestRyan BuntingWilful DamageWaitākere District CourtCCTVNew Zealand Police
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Police Disrupt Anti-Social Road User Gatherings in Wellington
Wellington Police disrupted multiple planned anti-social road user gatherings overnight, preventing them from setting up at key locations. Operation Kereru targeted approximately 200 vehicles from areas including Whanganui, Levin, and Palmerston North, intending to engage in dangerous driving activities in…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesTransportation WellingtonPoliceAnti-social behaviourRoad safetyOperation KereruCrime StoppersNew Zealand Police
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Person Dies in New Plymouth House Fire
One person has died following a house fire in New Plymouth overnight. Emergency services were called to a property on Trelawney Crescent around 2:30 a.m. today after reports of a house fire. Sadly, one person was found deceased at the…
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Blockhouse Bay Road Closed After Vehicle Collides with Power Pole
A section of Blockhouse Bay Road in Auckland is currently closed due to a damaged power pole. The incident occurred just after midday near the intersection with Matata Street, where emergency services responded to a single vehicle crash. According to…
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Traffic Disrupted in Kingsland Following Multi-Vehicle Crash
A crash in Kingsland has blocked New North Road, causing delays. Emergency services are attending the scene where a pickup truck collided with multiple vehicles. The incident occurred near the intersection of King Street at 12.20pm. While no serious injuries…
TransportationLaw EnforcementSocial Issues KingslandAucklandNew North RoadTraffic IncidentCrashNew Zealand PoliceJarred Williamson
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Crash Closes State Highway 25, Hauraki
State Highway 25 in Hauraki is closed near Hauraki Road's intersection due to a crash reported just before midday. The two-vehicle accident involved a truck. Three people sustained serious injuries, while two others have moderate injuries. Motorists should avoid the…
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Name Released in Fatal Ōpōtiki Motorcycle Crash
Police have released the name of the man who died in a motorcycle crash on State Highway 35 near Ōpōtiki on December 19. He has been identified as Steven Haskell, aged 45. "Our thoughts are with his family and loved…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesTransportation ŌpōtikiState Highway 35Motorcycle CrashFatal AccidentSteven HaskellNew Zealand PoliceAccident Investigation
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Outlook for Boxing Day
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 10:18am on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, indicates that several fronts and troughs will affect New Zealand on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025, bringing rain or showers, especially to western areas. For the…
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Outlook for Boxing Day
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 10:14 am on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, indicates that several fronts and troughs will affect New Zealand on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025, bringing rain or showers, especially to western areas. For…
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Body Found Near Thames Coast Road
A body was found on the beach near Thames Coast Road, Kereta, after a report at around 6:10am. According to Duty Inspector Neil Faulkner, formal identification is pending, but police believe the body is of a man reported missing on…
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Wellington Gears Up to Host Asia-Oceania Floorball World Cup Qualifier
Wellington, New Zealand, is set to host the Asia-Oceania floorball World Cup qualifier this January. Ten teams will compete for four spots in the upcoming World Cup. The event will transform Te Whanganui-a-Tara into the capital of Asia–Oceania floorball. In…
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SH50, Fernhill, Hastings Closure Extended Due to Vegetation Fire
State Highway 50, Fernhill, Hastings, will remain closed overnight due to a vegetation fire that occurred near the highway. The incident took place this afternoon, prompting an immediate response from authorities. Police are advising the public to avoid the affected…
Politics and GovernmentDisastersTransportationLaw Enforcement
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Media Monitor: The Hindu reports India, New Zealand conclude FTA talks
The Hindu is reporting that India and New Zealand on Monday concluded discussions on a free trade agreement (FTA) that will give India tariff-free access to the island nation’s markets. It said the agreement is expected to bring in $20…
BusinessPolitics and GovernmentWorldTradeEconomyEmployment and LaborAsia The HinduIndiaFree Trade AgreementTariffsVisas
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Serious Crash Blocks Randwick Road in Lower Hutt
Randwick Road in Moera, Lower Hutt, is currently blocked following a serious crash this afternoon. Police were notified of the crash, which occurred between York Street and Mason Street, around 4.10pm. The incident involved a vehicle and a pedestrian. Initial…
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Cell Phone Signal Leads to Rescue of Stranded Trio in Kaitoke Regional Park
Three young men were rescued after spending a cold, wet night stranded in a gorge, thanks to a sliver of cell phone reception. The trio had intended to float down the Hutt River in the Kaitoke Regional Park. According to…
Politics and GovernmentWorldDisastersLaw Enforcement Kaitoke Regional ParkHutt RiverSearch and RescueNew Zealand Defence ForceJonathan WestruppWellingtonPersonal Locator BeaconNew Zealand Police
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Arrests Made in Gisborne Homicide Investigation
Four people have been arrested in connection to the death of Bill Maangi, who died in hospital after being shot on Monday, September 29, in Gisborne. The arrests followed search warrants executed between Wednesday, December 9, and Thursday, December 11,…
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State Highway 50 in Hastings Closed Due to Vegetation Fire
State Highway 50 in Fernhill, Hastings, is currently closed due to a vegetation fire near the highway. Police were alerted to the fire around 2.50pm and are assisting Fire and Emergency New Zealand with evacuations. As of now, there have…
Politics and GovernmentDisastersTransportationLaw Enforcement State Highway 50FernhillHastingsVegetation FireRoad ClosureNew Zealand PoliceFire and Emergency New Zealand
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Hamilton Homicide: Victim Named, Police Seek Subaru Impreza
Police have identified 55-year-old Jason Poa, also known as Jason Tipene, as the victim of a homicide in Lake Crescent, Hamilton, on Thursday, December 18. Emergency services responded to a call at approximately 6:15 pm to find two people injured…
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New District Commanders Appointed Across New Zealand
New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has announced the provisional appointment of four new District Commanders. The appointments span the Waikato, Wellington, Bay of Plenty, and Eastern District regions. Superintendent Scott Gemmell (Ngāpuhi) has been provisionally appointed as Waikato District…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementLegal New Zealand PoliceRichard ChambersScott GemmellPenny GiffordWill LoughrinJoel LambWellington
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Duo in Court Following E-Bike Theft from Teens in Belmont
Two people are facing charges after allegedly stealing an E-Bike from two teenagers in Belmont last weekend. The incident occurred around 2:30 pm on Saturday when the teenagers were riding their E-Bikes along Lake Road. According to Detective Senior Sergeant…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesLegalAustralasia E-Bike TheftBelmontNorth Shore District CourtŌtaraAggravated RobberyShopliftingNew Zealand Police
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Missing Teenager Located Safe in Avondale
A 16-year-old who was reported missing from the Avondale area has been located safe and well, according to the New Zealand Police. In a statement released today, the police confirmed the teenager's safe return. The police expressed their gratitude to…
Law EnforcementSocial Issues Missing PersonAvondaleNew Zealand PoliceLocatedTeenagerPublic AssistanceHolly McKay
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Police Seek Public Assistance to Locate Missing Teenager Larissa
Police are seeking public assistance to locate 16-year-old Larissa, who has been reported missing from the Avondale area. She was last seen at approximately 10pm on Sunday near Tiverton Road. Larissa is described as being about 175cms tall, with brown…
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Man Charged After Impersonating Police in Kawakawa
A 30-year-old man will reappear in Kaikohe District Court on 20 January on charges including personating a Police officer, unlawful possession of a restricted weapon, driving while disqualified and possession of methamphetamine, after an unexpected discovery by Northland police last…
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Names Released in Ruatiti Double Homicide Investigation
Police have released the names of the victims of the double homicide in Ruatiti on Saturday, December 13th. The deceased are 56-year-old Brendon Leigh Cole and 54-year-old Trina Michelle Cole. According to Detective Inspector Gerard Bouterey, enquiries are ongoing, and…
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Lindis Pass Road Blocked After Two-Vehicle Crash
Lindis Pass Road at Omarama is currently blocked following a two-vehicle crash reported around 10 a.m. Emergency services were called to the scene at the intersection with Short Cut Road. Fortunately, only minor injuries were sustained. However, the road remains…
TransportationDisastersLaw Enforcement Lindis Pass RoadOmaramaTwo-Vehicle CrashRoad BlockedEmergency ServicesTraffic IncidentNew Zealand Police