Category: australasia
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Outlook for Late May 2025
A high-pressure system is expected to bring minimal severe weather risk to New Zealand on Saturday, May 24, 2025, according to MetService. However, the outlook changes on Sunday, May 25, as a strengthening northerly flow and embedded fronts move onto…
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Serious Crash Closes Dansey Road, Ngongotaha Valley
A serious two-vehicle crash in Ngongotaha Valley has closed Dansey Road. Emergency services were called to the scene at around 8am following reports of serious injuries. Traffic is being diverted onto State Highway 5. Motorists are advised to use alternative…
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Kiwi Pukupuku Take Flight in Zealandia Translocation
The first translocation of kiwi from Zealandia has occurred, marking a milestone for conservation. Wellington City Council announced the event on May 21, 2025. This groundbreaking effort represents a new chapter for conservation initiatives. No further details were provided in…
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Summer Harvest Bar Mix and Bhuja Mix Hot Recalled in New Zealand
New Zealand Food Safety has issued a recall for specific batches of Summer Harvest brand Bar Mix and Bhuja Mix Hot due to an undeclared peanut allergen. Brooke Holdings Ltd is undertaking the recall. Individuals with a peanut allergy are…
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Hawke’s Bay Police Seek Public Help to Stop Illegal Dirt Bike Riding
Hawke’s Bay Police are appealing to the public for information to curb unlawful dirt bike riding following recent incidents where a woman and a young boy were injured. Senior Sergeant Ross Smith described the behaviour of some dirt bike riders…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesTransportationAustralasia Hawke’s BayPolicedirt bikeFlaxmereHastingsCamberleyaccidentNZ Police
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Fatal Crash on State Highway 12, Matakohe
A person has died in a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 12, near Matakohe, New Zealand. The crash occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. west of Gallie Road. According to NZ Police, a full road closure was implemented while the Serious…
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Police Graduation Ceremony to be Held in Porirua
The New Zealand Police will hold the graduation ceremony for the 384 Allan Boreham Recruit Wing tomorrow at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua. The event celebrates the completion of the initial training course for the new police officers. Media are…
Law EnforcementEducationMediaAustralasia New Zealand PolicePoriruagraduationAllan BorehamRichard ChambersAnita BakerNZ Police
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Swift Police Action Leads to Arrests in Hunua Burglary Attempt
Two individuals were arrested last night following a burglary attempt on a Hunua property. At approximately 9:30 p.m., police units, including Eagle (a dog unit) and patrol officers, were dispatched to Ponga Road after the property owner reported seeing people…
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Fatal Crash Closes Part of State Highway 1 in Timaru
A person died in a single-vehicle crash on Evans Street, State Highway 1, Timaru, prompting an investigation. Emergency services responded to the incident around 9.50am. The Serious Crash Unit is examining the scene, leading to the continued closure of part…
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New Zealand's Trade Surplus Soars to $1.4 Billion in April 2025
New Zealand's merchandise trade surplus reached $1.4 billion in April 2025, a significant increase from the $12 million deficit in April 2024, according to Stats NZ. This marks one of only four monthly surpluses exceeding $1 billion for New Zealand,…
BusinessTradeEconomyAustralasia trade surplusStats NZViki Wardmerchandise tradedairy industryfruit industry
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Serious Crash Closes State Highway 1 in Timaru
A serious single-vehicle crash has closed State Highway 1 (Evans Street) in Timaru, Canterbury, between Pringle and Belfield streets. Police were alerted to the incident at approximately 9.50am. The Serious Crash Unit is currently on-site conducting an examination. Consequently, the…
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New Zealand Weather Outlook: Strong Winds and Rain Possible Late Sunday
A ridge of high pressure is currently over most of New Zealand, posing minimal risk of severe weather through Saturday, May 24, 2025. According to the MetService, on Sunday, May 25, 2025, a ridge will persist over the North Island,…
WeatherAustralasia MetServiceSevere WeatherFiordlandWellingtonTasman SeaMetService - Severe Weather Outlook
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Three Arrests in Wairoa Following Weekend Incidents
Three men in Wairoa are facing charges following separate incidents over the weekend. Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Darren Pritchard reported that the first incident occurred on Ruataniwha Road on Saturday, May 17, where a 50-year-old man allegedly presented a firearm.…
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Arrest Made in Poukawa Cycling Assault
An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an assault in Hawke’s Bay last month, where cyclists participating in a race were pelted with glass bottles. The incident occurred on April 19 on Mutiny Road, Poukawa, when occupants of…
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Woman Charged Following Devonport Apartment Burglary
A 39-year-old woman has been charged with burglary and other offences following an early morning incident at a Devonport apartment building. Police were called to the Queens Parade complex just before 2am after reports of a break-in. Senior Sergeant CJ…
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Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake Hits Kermadec Islands Region
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck the Kermadec Islands region on May 19, 2025, at 23:31:27 UTC. The quake, centered at 31.198S, 178.426W, had a depth of 63 km. Its location was approximately 771.1 km NNE of Hicks Bay, New Zealand.…
WeatherDisastersAustralasia EarthquakeKermadec IslandsHicks BayWhangareiUS Geological SurveySeismologyUSGS Earthquake Reports
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Lake Taupo Mystery Solved After 22 Years
A 22-year-old mystery surrounding the disappearance of Russian stuntman Artour Melikov in Lake Taupo has been solved, thanks to information received following a police appeal. Melikov was reported missing on September 10, 2002, aged 36. His vehicle was found at…
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Wellington City Council Reviews 3700+ Public Submissions
Wellington City Council received over 3,700 submissions last month concerning water, insurance, investment, project spending, rates, fees, and other charges. The council emphasizes that while they strive to provide consistent email notifications, they are not liable for interruptions or delays…
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Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Hits Kermadec Islands, New Zealand
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck the Kermadec Islands, New Zealand, on May 19, 2025, at 05:48:32 UTC. The quake, centered at 30.169S, 177.279W, had a depth of 10 km. Its location was approximately 919.8 km NNE of Hicks Bay, New…
WeatherScience & TechnologyWorldAustralasiaDisastersEnvironment EarthquakeKermadec IslandsUSGSSeismologyNatural disasterTongaUSGS Earthquake Reports
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Healthcare Boost for Rural New Zealand
Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey announced a significant funding boost in Budget 2025 to improve urgent and after-hours healthcare services for rural and remote communities. The $164 million investment over four years aims to ensure that 98 per cent of…
HealthPolitics and GovernmentAustralasiaGeneral Politics Matt Dooceyhealthcarerural communitiesBudget 2025urgent careafter-hours care
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Police Continue Appeal in Parakao Homicide Investigation
Northland Police are renewing their appeal for information regarding the death of Geoffrey Ware, 55, whose body was discovered at his Parakao home on May 9. A homicide investigation is ongoing. Detective Senior Sergeant Michelle Harris, of Whangārei CIB, has…
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Man to Appear in Court Following Ashhurst Aggravated Robbery
A 20-year-old man is set to appear in Palmerston North District Court on May 20, following an aggravated robbery in Ashhurst. The incident occurred on Saturday, May 17, when police were alerted to an armed individual entering a commercial premise…
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New Zealand Weather Outlook: Minimal Risk of Severe Weather
New Zealand is set to experience a period of stable weather under high pressure, according to the latest Severe Weather Outlook from MetService issued at 9:54 am on Monday, May 19, 2025. The outlook, which extends to Saturday, May 24,…
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Heavy Rain Watch Lifted for Northland, Auckland, and Great Barrier Island
MetService issued a Severe Weather Watch at 8:05 am on Monday, May 19, 2025, announcing that heavy rain has eased in parts of the upper North Island. Consequently, the Heavy Rain Watch has been lifted for Northland, Auckland, and Great…
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Wellington City Council Staff Face Increased Anti-Social Behavior
Reports of anti-social behavior directed at Wellington City Council frontline staff have surged by 323% in the past five years. The council has recorded an increase from approximately 400 reports annually before COVID-19 to nearly 1,000 reports each year.
Politics and GovernmentSocial IssuesAustralasiaLaw EnforcementState Governments
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Heavy Rain Warning Lifted for Bay of Plenty Ranges
MetService reported at 8:05 am on Monday, May 19, 2025, that heavy rain has eased in parts of the upper North Island. The Heavy Rain Warning previously in effect for the ranges of Bay of Plenty east of Opotiki has…
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Road Snowfall Warnings Issued for Arthurs and Porters Pass
MetService has issued road snowfall warnings for two passes in New Zealand. Arthurs Pass (SH73) may see snow flurries down to 800 metres early Monday morning, between 1:00am and 7:00am on May 19, 2025. However, little to no snow accumulation…
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Severe Weather Watch Issued for Upper North Island
A Severe Weather Watch has been issued by MetService at 8:14pm on Sunday, May 18, 2025, for heavy rain affecting parts of the upper North Island. A front is expected to move east across the region Sunday night and early…
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Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain Expected in Upper North Island
A severe weather warning has been issued by MetService at 8:14pm on Sunday, May 18, 2025, for heavy rain affecting parts of the upper North Island. A front is expected to move east across the region, bringing heavy rainfall and…
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Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Upper North Island
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, and the Coromandel Peninsula until 5:00 a.m. Monday. Issued at 8:01 p.m. on Sunday, the watch anticipates a front moving eastwards, bringing a moderate risk of thunderstorms…