Category: australasia
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Earthquake Hits Balleny Islands Region
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck the Balleny Islands region on August 19, 2025, at 17:33:14 UTC, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake, which occurred at a depth of 10 km, was centered at 62.085S, 164.834E. Its location was…
WorldWeatherDisastersAustralasia EarthquakeBalleny IslandsUSGSSeismologyGeological SurveyNatural disasterUSGS Earthquake Reports
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Crash Closes Coastal Highway/SH60 Near Mapua
The Coastal Highway/SH60 near Mapua Drive is currently closed due to a two-vehicle crash that occurred around 11:48am today. Emergency services are at the scene. Initial reports suggest that individuals involved have sustained moderate injuries. Motorists are advised to avoid…
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New Zealand Population Reaches 5.3 Million
Aotearoa New Zealand's estimated resident population reached 5,324,700 as of June 30, 2025, according to Stats NZ. The figures, released on August 19, 2025, show a slight gender disparity, with 2,678,500 females and 2,646,200 males. The median age for females…
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MetService: Minimal Risk of Severe Weather Through August 24
The MetService has issued its severe weather outlook, noting a minimal risk of severe weather across New Zealand through Sunday, August 24, 2025. A ridge of high pressure is expected to move onto the South Island from the Tasman Sea…
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Wellington City Council Emphasizes Impact of Local Elections
Wellington City Council highlights the importance of local government elections, emphasizing the direct impact of council decisions on daily life. From managing water services to maintaining footpaths and parks, the council's responsibilities touch every resident. The council encourages residents to…
Politics and GovernmentAustralasiaState GovernmentsSocial Issues Wellington City Councillocal government electionsvotingwater servicesparksfootpathsLocal Elections
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Teenagers Arrested for Chocolate Theft in Auckland Supermarket
Four teenagers were arrested in Highland Park, east Auckland, after attempting to steal nearly $700 worth of chocolate and meat from a supermarket on Sunday evening. Police were called to the scene around 5pm after supermarket staff reported a group…
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Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Conference to be held in Waitangi
The annual Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) conference will be hosted by NZ Police in Waitangi from August 20-22. The conference will host Police Chiefs, or their delegates, from the 22 member countries of the PCIP. Media are invited…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementAustralasia Pacific Islands Chiefs of PoliceWaitangiNew Zealand PoliceRichard ChambersPōwhiriOpening Ceremony
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Man Charged with Attempted Arson Following House Fire in Palmerston North
A 26-year-old man has been charged with two counts of attempted arson and unlawfully possessing an offensive weapon after a house fire on Main Street, police said. The fire, which occurred yesterday afternoon around 4pm, affected three residential properties. The…
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MetService: Minimal Risk of Severe Weather Expected
The MetService has issued its severe weather outlook, noting a minimal risk of severe weather across New Zealand from Wednesday, August 20, through Saturday, August 23, 2025. According to the outlook, a strong, cold southerly flow will ease over the…
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Wellington Alcohol Licence Applications Open for Public Objections
Several alcohol licence applications in Wellington are currently open for public objection. Mama's Sizzler Restaurant and Bar, located at 33 Johnsonville Road, Johnsonville, Wellington, has an application period open from August 14, 2025, until 11.59 PM on September 18, 2025.…
BusinessPolitics and GovernmentAustralasiaLegalSocial IssuesState Governments
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Outlook for South Island
The MetService has issued a severe weather outlook, predicting snow in many South Island areas above 400 metres on Monday, August 18, 2025. The advisory notes that the expected snow and cold temperatures could endanger livestock and create hazardous driving…
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Earthquake Hits Balleny Islands Region
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck the Balleny Islands region on August 15, 2025, at 07:14:31 UTC, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake, which occurred at a depth of 10 km, was centered at 65.022S, 177.869E. Its location was…
WorldWeatherDisastersAustralasia EarthquakeBalleny IslandsSeismologyUSGSGeological SurveyNatural disasterUSGS Earthquake Reports
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Investigation Launched into Cruel Shooting of Endangered Sea Lions
Ōamaru Police and the Department of Conservation (DOC) are jointly investigating the shooting of three endangered sea lions at Waitaki River on Saturday, August 9th. Two of the sea lions died, and a third wounded sea lion was euthanised. Local…
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Auckland's SH16 Strand Project Shifts to Night Works
Auckland's SH16 The Strand Optimisation Project is progressing with stage 2 improvements. Recent achievements include pram ramp installations, street lighting connections, and kerb installations in sections 1 and 3, along with kerb and channel work near Sudbury Terrace. Night works…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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Homicide Investigation Launched After Woman Dies in Awakeri
A homicide investigation is underway after a woman died following a serious assault in Awakeri. Emergency services were called to a State Highway 30 property around 4:30 pm yesterday. Despite medical attention, the woman died at the scene. A 25-year-old…
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Ngamotu Road Closed Following Serious Crash in Rotorua
Ngamotu Road in Rerewhakaaitu, Rotorua, is currently closed following a single-vehicle accident that occurred around 5:30 a.m. today. The closure affects the section of Ngamotu Road between Gavin and Okahu Roads. Emergency services are at the scene, and initial reports…
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Serious Crash Closes Hutt Road in Wellington
A serious two-vehicle crash has closed State Highway 2/Hutt Road, just north of the Ngauranga interchange, Wellington. Police were called to the scene at approximately 8.30pm. Initial reports suggest there are serious injuries. Motorists are advised to use State Highway…
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Fijian Police Officer and Dog Graduate from New Zealand Training
Corporal Sailasa Kerekere, a Fijian Police Officer, and his dog Villain have graduated from the Police Dog Training Centre (DTC) in Trentham, New Zealand. The graduation was witnessed by Fiji Police training Sergeant Nuimaia Lawanicina and DTC training staff. Villain,…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementAustralasiaFiji New Zealand PolicePolice Dog Training CentreTrenthamCorporal Sailasa KerekereVillainPacific Detector Dog Programme
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New Zealand Weather Alert: Possible Severe Conditions August 16-19
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 9:01am on Thursday, August 14, 2025, indicates potential severe weather conditions affecting various parts of New Zealand. On Saturday, August 16, a trough approaches the Far North, while a front preceded by…
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Manurewa Man Charged After Airgun Incident
A 26-year-old man is facing charges after allegedly presenting an airgun at police in Manurewa overnight. The incident occurred after frontline staff observed an unregistered quad bike traveling onto Sharland Avenue at around 11.40pm. Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers, of Counties…
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PNP Farms Recalls Pure Angus Beef Sausage Due to Glass Contamination
PNP Farms NZ Ltd is recalling a batch of PNP Farms' Butchery brand Pure Angus Beef Sausage due to potential glass contamination. The sausage, sold from serve-over counters in plastic packaging, has a "Best before 17.08.25" date marking. The affected…
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NZ Retail Spending Edges Up in July 2025
Spending in New Zealand's retail industries saw a slight increase of 0.2 percent ($13 million) in July 2025, according to the latest electronic card transactions (ECT) data. The core retail industries experienced relatively flat growth, up $1.5 million. The ECT…
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Charles Chen Cheing Dies in Dunedin Motorway Crash
Charles Chen Cheing, 35, of Waitati, Dunedin, died in a crash on the Dunedin Northern Motorway on April 12, New Zealand Police said. The cause of the crash is under investigation. "Our condolences are with his friends and family at…
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NZ On Air & Amazon Music Seminar for Aotearoa Artists
NZ On Air and Amazon Music are hosting a seminar at Big Fan in Auckland on Wednesday, August 27, from 5pm to 6pm. Chantelle Georgiou, Head of Label Relations and Marketing AU/NZ at Amazon Music, will lead the seminar, introducing…
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New Zealand Weather Outlook: Minimal Severe Weather Risk Until Sunday
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 9:19 am on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, indicates a low risk of severe weather for most of New Zealand until Sunday, August 17. A ridge of high pressure is expected to cover…
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Norlax Double Smoked Salmon Recalled Due to Incorrect Use By Dates
MaxFoods Pty Ltd is recalling specific batches of Norlax brand Double Smoked Salmon (300g) due to incorrect Use By dates on the packaging. The affected products have Use By dates of 23JAN26, 24JAN26 and 01MAY26. The smoked salmon is imported…
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Two More Charged in Tyreece Te Pairi Murder Case
Two more men have been charged with murder in connection to the death of 20-year-old Tyreece Te Pairi, who died after an altercation on Alexandra Street in Hamilton on July 20. The two men, aged 23 and 25, were arrested…
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Cyclist Critically Injured on Tamaki Drive, Lanes Reopened
A cyclist has been hospitalised in critical condition after an incident on Tamaki Drive. According to the New Zealand Police, no vehicles were involved. The cyclist was transported to Auckland City Hospital. The incident caused the closure of lanes on…
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Name Released in Desert Road Fatal Crash
Police have identified Karen Jennifer King, 71, of Cambridge, as the victim of the fatal crash on State Highway 1, Desert Road, on June 7. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. "Our thoughts remain with those…
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Name Released in Huntly Fatal Crash: Kash McCuish, 28
Kash McCuish, 28, of Rongotaro, died in a crash on Rotowaro Road, Huntly, on July 24, New Zealand Police have confirmed. The circumstances surrounding the crash are currently under investigation. "Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time,"…