Category: australasia
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New Zealand Births Decline, Infant Mortality Rate Rises
Provisional figures released by Stats NZ show a decrease in registered births and deaths in New Zealand for the year ended September 2025. There were 57,393 live births registered, down from 58,047 in the previous year. Registered deaths also decreased,…
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Aotearoa New Zealand Population Reaches 5,334,200 in September 2025
Aotearoa New Zealand's estimated resident population reached 5,334,200 at 30 September 2025, according to provisional figures. Females numbered 2,685,100, while males totaled 2,649,100. The median age was 39.1 years for females and 37.5 years for males. During the year ended…
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New Zealand Food Prices Surge 4.7 Percent Annually
Food prices in New Zealand have seen a significant increase of 4.7 percent in the 12 months to October 2025, according to Stats NZ. This follows a 4.1 percent increase in the year to September 2025. The rise was largely…
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Severe Weather Outlook: Heavy Rain Warnings in Force for North Island
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 10:34am on Monday, November 17, 2025, indicates a broad trough over the North Island moving slowly east on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Severe Weather Warnings and Watches for Heavy Rain are in…
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Severe Weather Warnings Issued for New Zealand
A severe weather warning has been issued for parts of New Zealand, with a front over the Tasman Sea expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the South Island tonight and during Tuesday. Humid northeasterlies will affect the…
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Woman Charged with Murder in Kaitaia
A 57-year-old woman has been charged with murder following the death of a man in Kaitaia yesterday. Emergency services were called to an Okahu Road address at about 12.35pm following a report of assault. Upon arrival, a man was located…
Law EnforcementLegalSocial IssuesAustralasia MurderKaitaiaNorthlandTania JellymanOkahu RoadNew Zealand PoliceCrime
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Wellington Heritage Festival Energizes City
The annual Wellington Heritage Festival recently concluded, bringing a wealth of heritage-themed experiences to the region. Over the past month, more than 160 events animated Wellington's streets, halls, ridgelines, and even Zoom rooms. In related news, a Fat Freddy’s Drop…
WorldEntertainmentPolitics and GovernmentAustralasiaState Governments
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Four Dead in Sanson House Fire
Police have confirmed that four people have died in the Sanson house fire. The bodies of two children were recovered from the scene, with family present to bless them with karakia. Efforts are underway to locate the body of a…
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Homicide Investigation Launched in Kaitaia After Woman Dies
A homicide investigation has been launched in Kaitaia following a serious incident on Okahu Road. Police were called to the scene around 12.35pm after a report of an assault. The victim was found in critical condition and, despite emergency services'…
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Police Investigate Red Cross Shop Burglary in Napier South
Police are investigating a burglary at the Red Cross shop on Carlyle Street in Napier South. Authorities were alerted to the incident around 8.50am after the discovery of a break-in at the Red Cross shop. The burglary is believed to…
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Fatal House Fire in Sanson Claims Multiple Lives
Police are investigating a house fire in Sanson, southwest of the town on State Highway 1, where several people are believed to have died. Emergency services were called to the property at approximately 2.30pm yesterday. Police have stated that they…
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Search Continues for Missing Fisherman off Northland Coast
The search has resumed for a fisherman believed missing in the sea off Pataua South, Northland. The man was one of two people on a boat that was reported overdue on Friday night. The 17-foot boat was expected back at…
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Auckland Police Crackdown on Anti-Social Road Users
Auckland police conducted a large operation this weekend targeting anti-social road user gatherings across the city. The coordinated effort, spanning Friday and Saturday night, involved intercepting groups at various locations to prevent unlawful activities such as burnouts and racing. In…
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Fatal Hit and Run in Henderson: Police Seek Information
A person has died following a hit and run incident in Henderson overnight. Emergency services were called to the intersection of Tango Place and Larnoch Road at around 2.50am after a person was located injured on the road. Despite best…
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Kmart Sand Toy Recall Due to Asbestos Contamination
Kmart has issued a recall for its 14-piece Sand Castle Building Set and Blue, Green, and Pink Magic Sand after samples tested positive for tremolite asbestos. Although respirable asbestos was not detected in tested samples, the presence of asbestos poses…
HealthScience & TechnologyAustralasiaSocial IssuesMedical ScienceEnvironmentLegal
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Severe Weather Outlook: Heavy Rain and Gales Forecast for New Zealand
A moist northerly flow is expected to strengthen as a front approaches New Zealand from the west, bringing potential severe weather from Monday, November 17, 2025, through Thursday, November 20, 2025. MetService has issued a severe weather outlook, noting low…
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Serious Crash Blocks State Highway 30 Near Te Teko
State Highway 30 near Te Teko, Whakatāne, is currently blocked following a serious crash this evening. Police were called to the scene near the Kawerau Road intersection around 4:50 PM. Initial reports indicate that two vehicles were involved, and there…
TransportationLaw EnforcementDisastersSocial IssuesAustralasia
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Severe Weather Outlook: Heavy Rain and Gales Forecast for New Zealand
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 9:46 am on Saturday, November 15, 2025, indicates a high probability of severe weather affecting parts of New Zealand. A moist northerly flow is expected to strengthen ahead of an approaching front.…
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Media Monitor: Consumer NZ Reports on Aftersales Service Satisfaction
Consumer NZ is reporting that one in five customers are not happy with aftersales service. It said consumers should learn how to stand up for their rights when dealing with aftersales services. Consumer NZ also highlighted results from product testing,…
BusinessScience & TechnologySocial IssuesAustralasiaEconomyComputers and InternetTradeLegal
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Media Monitor: RNZ Reports on Lotto, Vehicle Safety, and More
RNZ is reporting that a financial advisor is offering advice to anyone who wins Saturday's $55 million Lotto jackpot. It said a father has been fighting for Waka Kotahi to address the dangers of a vehicle braking system involved in…
BusinessSportWorldWeatherTransportationSocial IssuesAustralasiaFinancial MarketsMedical ScienceGeneral Weather
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Belkin Recalls BoostCharge USB-C PD Power Bank 20K Due to Fire Hazard
Belkin has announced a recall of its BoostCharge USB-C PD Power Bank 20K due to a potential fire hazard. The recall affects units sold at Harvey Norman, Ingram Micro (NZ), and Noel Leeming between August 1, 2020, and August 31,…
BusinessScience & TechnologyAustralasiaProduct RecallComputers and InternetLegal
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Name Released in Fatal Carterton Cycling Crash
Police have released the name of the man who died in a cycling crash on Kokotau Road, Carterton, on Saturday, November 8. He has been identified as Raymond Allan Putt, 70, of Masterton. Police have expressed their condolences to his…
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Woman Rescued from Rocks at Castor Bay
A woman trapped on rocks at Castor Bay Beach was rescued by police and the Maritime Unit. Police received a call from the woman, reporting she was stuck on rocks between Castor Bay Beach and Kennedy Park. The incident occurred…
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Auckland's SH16 The Strand Project Progresses with Car Park Reinstatement and Roadworks
Auckland's SH16 The Strand Optimisation Project is moving forward with several key developments. The site compound on The Strand has been graded in preparation for the car park reinstatement, with asphalting scheduled for Monday, November 17, weather permitting. The car…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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Auckland Motorway Closures Announced for 16-21 November 2025
Auckland motorists should prepare for overnight motorway closures scheduled between 16–21 November 2025, as NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi undertakes essential motorway improvements. Closures may be rescheduled due to bad weather, with work to be completed by Friday, 21 November…
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New Zealand Police to Roll Out Roadside Drug Testing
Roadside screening for drug-impaired drivers in New Zealand is set to become a reality as police have completed testing and selected a detection device. Roadside drug driving testing will be rolled out in the Wellington District from mid-December 2025. Pathtech…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementHealthScience & TechnologyAustralasiaTransportationSocial Issues New Zealand Policeroadside drug testingPathtechSecuretec DrugWipe 3 SWellingtonSteve Greally
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CCTV Leads to Arrests in Hillsborough Burglary
Three men are heading to court after being caught on CCTV during an early morning burglary in Hillsborough. Police were alerted around 3.53am on Tuesday after motion was detected on CCTV cameras at a building site on Herd Road. Senior…
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New Zealand Weather Outlook: Potential for Severe Gales and Heavy Rainfall
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 10:12 am on Friday, November 14, 2025, indicates a low to moderate risk of severe weather affecting parts of New Zealand. On Monday, November 17, a front is expected to move onto…
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Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake Strikes Pacific-Antarctic Ridge
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge. The quake, which occurred at 09:41:29 UTC on November 13, 2025, was centered at 56.697S, 142.069W, with a depth of 10 km. The epicenter was located approximately 2792.9 km ESE of Waitangi,…
WeatherDisastersAustralasiaGeneral Weather EarthquakePacific-Antarctic RidgeWaitangiDunedinUSGSSeismologyUSGS Earthquake Reports
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Fat Freddy’s Drop Exhibition Coming to Wellington Museum
Wellington City Council announced that the Wellington Museum will host an exhibition celebrating Fat Freddy’s Drop and their iconic album, 'Based on a True Story'. Released twenty years ago, the album captured an intoxicating time in the Wellington music scene.…