Category: australasia
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Name Released in Tāneatua Fatal Crash
Police have released the name of the person who died following a crash on White Pine Bush Road, Tāneatua, on December 2nd. She was 44-year-old Ngahina Takarangi of Whakatane. A second person sustained serious injuries in the crash. The circumstances…
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Kmart Sand Castle Set Recall: Asbestos Contamination
Kmart has issued a recall for its 14-piece Sand Castle Building Set, originally published on November 15, 2025, due to the detection of tremolite asbestos in samples. This is an update to a previous recall, with some products removed from…
HealthBusinessScience & TechnologySocial IssuesAustralasiaMedical ScienceLegal
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Tom & Luke Low Carb Snackaballs Recalled Due to Plastic Contamination
Smartfoods Limited has issued a recall of Tom & Luke Low Carb Snackaballs due to the potential presence of foreign matter, specifically hard plastic. The recall, initiated on December 4, 2025, affects several varieties of the snack product. The recalled…
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Three Arrested in Masterton Drug Operation
Three men were arrested and charged with selling and possessing cannabis for supply, following a police operation in Masterton targeting illicit drugs. The men, aged 21, 22, and 43, were apprehended on Tuesday, December 2, after a search warrant was…
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Serious Crash Closes State Highway 35 in Bay of Plenty
State Highway 35 between Omaio and Pariokara is closed in both directions following a two-vehicle crash. Police were called to the scene at approximately 5:50pm. Three people have sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving medical attention. The Serious Crash…
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Christchurch Police Urge Residents to Secure Homes This Summer
Christchurch Police are urging residents to take precautions to secure their homes during the summer months, following a recent burglary incident. On Friday, November 28, a 35-year-old man allegedly broke into a residential property at night while the occupants were…
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Arrest Made in Connection to Christchurch Incidents
A 17-year-old has been arrested in connection to several recent incidents across Christchurch, including an aggravated robbery earlier this week that left a store worker seriously injured. The arrest was made this afternoon in New Brighton. The individual will face…
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December
Auckland motorists should prepare for overnight maintenance work on State Highway 16 (SH16) between Woodhill Park Road and McPike Road from Sunday, December 7, to Thursday, December 11, between 9pm and 5am. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises that the…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December 8
Auckland motorists should prepare for disruptions as NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has announced maintenance work on State Highway 16 (SH16) between Great North Road, Waterview, and Lincoln Road. The work is scheduled for Monday, December 8, between 10pm and…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December
Auckland residents should prepare for upcoming maintenance work on State Highway 20 (SH20), according to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. The work will take place between 10pm and 5am on the following dates: * Massey Road to Puhinui Road on…
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December 7
Auckland drivers should prepare for disruptions as NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has advised that maintenance work is scheduled for State Highway 18 (SH18) between Albany Highway and Tauhinu Road on Sunday, December 7, from 9pm to 5am. During this…
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December
Auckland motorists should prepare for overnight closures and detours on State Highway 1 (SH1) due to essential maintenance work. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has announced that the work will take place between Sunday, December 7 and Thursday, December 11,…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December
Auckland motorists should prepare for upcoming maintenance work on State Highway 1 (SH1) in early December, according to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. The work will take place between 9pm and 5am. On Monday, December 8, the southbound lanes from…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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Auckland Harbour Bridge Maintenance Scheduled for December 7-11
The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has announced that maintenance work will take place on the Auckland Harbour Bridge (SH1) from Sunday, December 7, to Thursday, December 11, between 9pm and 5am. The work is weather dependent and may be…
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Police Warn of Increased Scams on Facebook Marketplace
As Christmas shopping moves online, Dunedin police are warning of increased scam activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace. The Investigation Support Unit has seen a rise in fraudulent activity, prompting police to issue advice to keep people safe this holiday season.…
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Heatwave Returns to Eastern Regions of New Zealand
Most regions of New Zealand will experience sunny conditions this weekend, particularly the North Island, as high pressure builds, bringing settled weather. However, the South Island will have a more varied forecast. MetService has issued a Strong Wind Watch for…
WeatherAustralasiaDisastersScience & Technology MetServiceHeatwaveGisborneOamaruKepler ChallengeMetService New Zealand
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Man Sentenced to Preventative Detention for Ōtara Sexual Assaults
An Ōtara man has been sentenced to preventative detention for two sexual assaults that occurred nearly a year apart. Johnathan Tamihana, 33, was sentenced at the Auckland High Court on Wednesday. He received a minimum non-parole period of five years.…
Law EnforcementLegalSocial IssuesAustralasia ŌtaraAuckland High CourtCounties Manukau East CIBsexual assaultJohnathan TamihanaSentencingNew Zealand Police
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Outlook for New Zealand
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 9:53am on Thursday, December 4, 2025, indicates a minimal threat of severe weather for Saturday, December 6, 2025, as high pressure affects much of New Zealand. However, a front is expected to…
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Severe Gale Warnings Issued for New Zealand's Eastern Regions
Severe weather warnings have been issued for parts of New Zealand, according to MetService. The affected areas include the eastern North Island, the Chatham Islands, and the lower South Island. These warnings are due to an active low-pressure system passing…
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Ultra Music Festival to Debut in Wellington, New Zealand in 2026
Ultra Music Festival is set to make its New Zealand debut in Wellington in 2026. The electronic dance music festival, known for its global presence, will be hosted along the capital city’s waterfront on Friday 10 April 2026. Audiology Touring…
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Kmart Recalls Unicorn Sand Ornaments Due to Asbestos Risk
Kmart has issued a recall for its Make Your Own Unicorn Sand Ornaments in New Zealand due to the potential presence of asbestos in the sand. The product is being recalled because the sand may include asbestos, which is a…
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Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain and Gales Threaten North Island and Chatham Islands
A severe weather warning was issued at 8:26pm on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, for parts of the North Island and the Chatham Islands. An active low-pressure system over central and northern New Zealand is expected to move east, passing close…
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Name Released in Sheffield Fatal Crash
Police have released the name of the woman who died following a crash in Sheffield on November 19. She was 68-year-old Glenda Sally Douglas, of Cobden. Police offer their condolences to her family and friends. A 32-year-old Swiss national charged…
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Serious Crash Closes State Highway 1, Canterbury
State Highway 1, Waitmate Highway, is closed due to a two-vehicle crash reported around 5pm. The road closure is between McNamaras Road and Molloys Road, with diversions in place. One person sustained serious injuries, while two others have moderate injuries.…
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Northcote Motorway On-Ramp Closed Due to Flooding
The Northcote on-ramp to the Northern Motorway is closed due to flooding. Crews are working to unblock the drains. There is no estimated time for reopening. Motorists are advised to expect delays and should either delay travel or use an…
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Arrest Made in Raumanga Serious Assault Investigation
A week-long investigation has led to the arrest of a 23-year-old man following a serious assault on a woman in her Raumanga home in the early hours of November 25. The man was due to appear in the Whangārei District…
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Police Name Victim in Camberley Homicide as Investigation Continues
Police have identified the woman found dead at a house in Kotuku Street, Camberley, on October 29 as 37-year-old Teishallia TePaea. A homicide investigation, dubbed Operation Knell, is underway. Detective Inspector Martin James stated that a team of investigators is…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesLegalAustralasia CamberleyKotuku StreetHomicideOperation KnellTeishallia TePaeaMartin JamesNew Zealand Police
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Auckland Harbour Bridge Faces Potential Closure Due to Strong Winds
Auckland Harbour Bridge users should prepare for potential disruptions as strong winds are forecast from 10pm tonight until 7am tomorrow. Wind gusts could reach 90km/h between 10pm and midnight tonight. There is an increased risk of gusts between 90-100km/h from…
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Man Arrested Near Sylvia Park with Firearms
A man’s afternoon nap near Sylvia Park in Mt Wellington led to his arrest and the seizure of two firearms. Police patrolling the area found the 42-year-old man slumped over the wheel of his vehicle around 3:30 p.m. According to…
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Police Investigate Arson in Invercargill's Queens Park
Police are investigating a fire that occurred early this morning in Queens Park, Windsor, Invercargill, around 12.20am. According to Detective Sergeant John Kean, from the Invercargill Criminal Investigations Team, four vehicles appear to have been deliberately set alight. Fortunately, no…