newswire.nz
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Man Dies After Vehicle Submerged in Floodwaters on SH39
A man has died after his vehicle became submerged in floodwaters while travelling on State Highway 39 overnight. Emergency services were alerted by a member of the public around 9:15 PM to a submerged car near the intersection with Kiwi…
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Waikato Police Warn Drivers of Flooded Roads
Police are urging motorists in the Waikato to drive with extreme caution and avoid attempting to cross flooded roads. Several local roads and highways across the district have been shut down due to heavy rain. Closures include State Highway 39…
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Old Coach Road Closed After Two-Vehicle Crash
Old Coach Road in Gore is currently closed following a two-vehicle collision that occurred around 6am this morning. The crash, which involved a car and a truck with a trailer, prompted a response from emergency services. Police are on the…
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MetService Issues Heavy Rain Warnings for Gisborne and Bay of Plenty
MetService has issued a Heavy Rain Warning for Gisborne/Tairawhiti and the eastern Bay of Plenty, effective from Saturday, February 14, 2026. A humid northeast flow is bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms, and localised downpours to the North Island. A deep low…
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Nestlé Milo Snack Bars Recalled Due to Rubber Contamination
Nestlé Milo Dipped Snack Bars are being recalled due to the potential presence of foreign matter, specifically rubber. New Zealand Food Safety has issued an alert advising consumers not to eat the affected products. The recall impacts Nestlé Milo Dipped…
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Warnings for North Island
MetService has issued severe weather warnings for the North Island, anticipating heavy rain, thunderstorms, and localized downpours due to a humid northeast flow. A deep low forming northeast of the island is expected to bring sustained heavy rain, particularly to…
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Police Urge Motorists to Avoid Travel in South-Western Waikato Due to Flooding
Police are urging motorists in the south-western Waikato region to avoid travel this evening due to heavy rainfall and flooding. The affected areas include Otorohanga District, Waipa District, and Te Awamutu. State Highway 39, south of Pirongia, is currently closed.…
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State Highway 1 Flooded in Taupō
State Highway 1 is currently experiencing significant flooding in the Oruanui, Taupō area. Police began receiving reports of the flooding around 6:30 pm. Thankfully, no one has been reported to be injured. Police are advising the public to stay sheltered…
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Flooding and Slips Block Major Waikato Highways
State Highway 31 and State Highway 39 in the Otorohanga District are currently blocked due to significant flooding and slips. Police were alerted to the slips around 5:30 PM. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. The public is advised to…
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Police Seek Public Assistance to Locate Wanted Man
Police are appealing to the public for information regarding the whereabouts of Regan Alan Brown, a 29-year-old man wanted for assault with intent to injure. Brown is believed to be actively avoiding police and is known to frequent various areas…
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Police Urge Outdoor Enthusiasts to Prioritize Safety After Recent Incidents
Southern Police Search and Rescue are reminding the public to be well-prepared for outdoor activities following a series of rescue operations since the start of the year. Inspector Matthew Scoles, Southern District's Operations Manager, highlighted the unpredictable nature of New…
Politics and GovernmentWorldLaw EnforcementGeneral WeatherDisasters
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Police Name Victim in Fatal Anaura Bay Crash
Police have named the person who died in a single-vehicle crash on Anaura Road, Gisborne, on February 1. The victim has been identified as Harry Papuni, 24, from Anaura Bay. Police extended their thoughts to Mr. Papuni's loved ones during…
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Police Arrest Three Youths in Connection with Aggravated Robberies
Police have arrested three youths following a significant operation in Pukekohe that disrupted a series of aggravated robberies. The operation, which commenced on Thursday afternoon, saw a substantial police presence flood the township, resulting in the apprehension of three individuals…
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Hawke's Bay State Highway Roadworks Scheduled for February 2026
Planned roadworks across Hawke's Bay's state highway network are set to cause disruptions for motorists throughout February 2026. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has announced a series of maintenance and renewal projects, including resealing, bridge repairs, and overpass construction,…
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Dangerous Driver Arrested with Children in Car
A 40-year-old man is set to appear in Auckland District Court on February 19, facing charges of failing to stop and ill-treatment or neglect of a child. The arrest followed a pursuit that began around 12:20 AM when police observed…
Law EnforcementSocial Issues Dangerous DrivingPolice PursuitChild NeglectAucklandCourt AppearanceTraffic OffenceNew Zealand Police
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Police Seek Public Assistance to Locate Steven Te Maru Walters
Police are appealing to the public for assistance in locating Steven Te Maru Walters, who has an active warrant for his arrest. Walters, aged 40, is wanted in relation to breaching his release conditions. He is known to frequent the…
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One Dead, Three Injured in Hurunui Crash
Police have confirmed that one person has died following a crash in Hurunui this morning. The single-vehicle incident occurred on Karaka Road / State Highway 7 and was reported around 6:40 am. Despite the efforts of emergency services, one person…
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MetService Forecasts Heavy Rain and Gales for Eastern New Zealand
MetService has issued a Severe Weather Outlook indicating a significant low-pressure system is expected to affect eastern parts of the North Island and the upper South Island starting Sunday, February 15, 2026. The low, located east of the North Island,…
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Auckland Motorways to Undergo Overnight Closures for Essential Improvements
The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has announced a series of overnight closures on Auckland's motorways from February 14 to February 20, 2026. These closures are necessary for essential improvements and maintenance work. All closures are scheduled to begin at…
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Woodhill Intersection Reopens After Crash
Police have confirmed that all lanes have reopened following an earlier crash at the intersection of Western Hills Drive and Maunu Road in Woodhill, Northland. The incident caused temporary lane closures, impacting traffic flow in the area. Authorities have thanked…
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School Bus Catches Fire Near Leigh, Children Safely Rescued
Emergency services responded to a school bus fire on Pakiri Road near Leigh this morning, with the incident reported just before 8:30 am. The bus sustained extensive damage from the fire. "Four children were onboard at the time of the…
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MetService Warns of Significant Low Affecting Eastern New Zealand
MetService has issued a Severe Weather Outlook indicating a significant low is expected to affect eastern parts of the North Island and upper South Island starting Sunday, February 15, 2026. The low, located east of the North Island, is forecast…
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Police Seek Information on Historical Offending by Father Rowan Donoghue
Police are appealing for anyone with information on offending by Father Rowan Donoghue to come forward. This follows the lifting of all suppressions for Father Donoghue on January 28, 2026. Father Donoghue pleaded guilty in Christchurch District Court on November…
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North Island on Alert for Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain
MetService has issued severe weather warnings for the North Island, anticipating thunderstorms and localised downpours due to a humid northeast flow. These conditions are expected to persist through Friday and into Saturday morning. A deep low forming northeast of the…
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Dirt Bike Rider Arrested in Ōtara with Drugs and Cash
A dirt bike rider in Ōtara has been arrested and had his vehicle confiscated after allegedly engaging in dangerous driving and being found with illicit substances. The incident occurred on Sunday when police observed the rider weaving through traffic on…
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Serious Crash Causes Delays in Whangārei
Motorists in Whangārei are being warned of significant delays after a serious crash occurred this morning. The incident happened at the intersection of Western Hills Drive and Maunu Road, with Police being notified just after 7:30 am. Early reports indicate…
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Serious Crash Blocks State Highway 7 in Canterbury
State Highway 7 in Waikari, Canterbury, is currently blocked following a single-vehicle crash. The incident occurred between McRaes and Mt Alexander Roads. Emergency services were alerted to the crash around 6:40 am. Initial reports indicate that there have been serious…
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Decorative Sugar Crystals Recalled Over Potential Asbestos Contamination
A recall has been issued for "Tiny Sugar" white fake sugar decorative crystals due to a potential asbestos contamination concern. The product, sold exclusively through the Etsy store Tiny Sugar between September 2023 and November 2024, is strictly intended for…
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North Island on Alert for Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain
MetService has issued a severe weather warning for the North Island, anticipating thunderstorms and localised downpours on Friday due to a humid northeast flow. The Bay of Plenty east of Opotiki and Gisborne/Tairawhiti north of Tolaga Bay are under a…
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Man Sentenced to Over 16 Years for Slavery and Assault
Moeaia Tuai, 63, has been sentenced to 16 years and four months in prison, with a non-parole period of eight years, for numerous charges including slavery, rape, and indecent assault. The sentencing took place in the Auckland High Court. The…