Category: australasia
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Names Released in Ruatiti Double Homicide Investigation
Police have released the names of the victims of the double homicide in Ruatiti on Saturday, December 13th. The deceased are 56-year-old Brendon Leigh Cole and 54-year-old Trina Michelle Cole. According to Detective Inspector Gerard Bouterey, enquiries are ongoing, and…
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Lumsden Police Use Coffee Stickers to Promote Road Safety
Lumsden Police are partnering with local businesses to promote road safety through stickers. Senior Sergeant Peter Graham, Western Southland Area Response Manager, noted that nearly one million visitors travel through Lumsden on State Highway 6, en route from Queenstown to…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementTransportationAustralasia
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Outlook for Christmas and Beyond
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 10:19am on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, indicates potential for severe weather across parts of New Zealand from Christmas Day through the weekend. On Thursday, December 25, a front is expected to affect…
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FMA Announces Board Appointments and Reappointments
The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has announced several changes to its Board. Steven Bardy has been appointed Deputy Chairperson, effective from January 1, 2026, until February 28, 2027. Mr. Bardy brings extensive experience in financial services, regulation, compliance, and risk…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessAustralasiaFinancial MarketsEconomyBanking Financial Markets AuthoritySteven BardyPhilip DoakAlastair HercusChristopher SwasbrookPrasanna GaiBoard AppointmentsNZ Financial Markets Authority
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Multiple Product Recalls Announced: Tea Pots, Mugs, Glue Guns, and Priming Lotion
Several product recalls have been announced, affecting items sold at Dusk, PD Mart (Panda Mart), and Mecca Beauty. Dusk is recalling its "Pretty as a Bow Tea Pot 500ml" and "Pretty as a Bow Glass Mugs 2 Pack" due to…
BusinessHealthScience & TechnologyAustralasiaMedical ScienceLegal
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Work-Related Injury Data Tables Delayed
Stats NZ announced a delay in publishing the ‘Work-related injury targets at a glance’ tables, which were expected on January 15, 2026. The delay is attributed to ongoing data quality issues. Stats NZ apologizes for any inconvenience caused by this…
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Public Tip Leads to Arrest of Intoxicated Driver in Gore
A 38-year-old woman is due to appear in Gore District Court on January 21, 2026, after being caught driving under the influence. Police arrested the woman after receiving a tip from a member of the public who saw a vehicle…
Law EnforcementLegalSocial IssuesTransportationAustralasia Drunk DrivingGoreArrestChristopher RigbyTe AnauNew Zealand PolicePublic Safety
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Police Seek Witnesses to Cheyne Road Crash in Tauranga
Police are appealing for witnesses to a crash on Cheyne Road, Pyes Pa, Tauranga, that occurred last week. Authorities were called to the scene around 11.10am on Thursday, December 18, where a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle. The…
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Operation Diablo Nets Drugs, Firearms, and Arrests in Southland
Operation Diablo has resulted in the arrest of eight people and the seizure of drugs, firearms, and cash from addresses across Southland last week. Police executed 12 search warrants at properties and vehicles in and around Invercargill, targeting gang-related drug…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesAustralasiaLegal Operation DiabloSouthlandInvercargillDrug SeizureFirearmsArrestsOrganised CrimeNew Zealand Police
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Name Released in Fatal Matamau Crash
Police have released the name of the man who died in a crash on State Highway 2, Matamau, on December 5. He was 45-year-old Toby Dale Broomhall of Hawera. Police offer their condolences to his family and friends. The circumstances…
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New Zealand Christmas Weather Forecast: Rain and Wind Expected
A "hairy" few days are expected in New Zealand leading up to Christmas, with a significant shift in weather patterns. According to MetService, a surge of wet and warm air from the Tasman Sea will bring rain to the South…
WeatherMediaAustralasiaGeneral WeatherMedia Crisis MetServiceWeather ForecastChristmasMichael PawleyWaikatoHawke's BayMetService New Zealand
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Police Continue Search for Mitchell Cole in Ruatiti Double Homicide
Police are continuing their search for Mitchell Cole, wanted in connection with a double homicide that occurred in Ruatiti on Saturday, December 13th. Authorities are urging individuals entering the bush in the Ruatiti area to remain vigilant and report any…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesAustralasiaLegal Mitchell ColeRuatitidouble homicideNew Zealand PoliceGerard BoutereyCrime Stoppersbull mastiff
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Correction: Road Closure Update Following Crash in Seadown, Canterbury
The New Zealand Police have issued a correction regarding a road closure in Seadown, Canterbury, following a crash. An earlier statement incorrectly reported that Seadown Road was closed between Arowhenua Station Road and State Highway 1. The police have clarified…
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New Zealand Updates Civil Aviation Rules for Drones and Aviation
A package of modernised Civil Aviation Rules for drones and advanced aviation has taken effect in New Zealand. The changes aim to provide clearer expectations for operators and support safe technology development across the country. The updates include revisions to…
Science & TechnologyPolitics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaFederal GovernmentLegal
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Fatal Crash Closes Seadown Road Near Timaru
A crash on Seadown Road, north of Timaru, has resulted in one fatality. New Zealand Police received a report around 9:10am today about a crashed car on Seadown Road. The vehicle had collided with a power pole, and the sole…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementTransportationAustralasia
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Outlook for Christmas Week
A west to northwest flow is expected to cover New Zealand on Christmas Eve, with embedded fronts affecting the North Island and southern and western parts of the South Island. According to the MetService Severe Weather Outlook issued on Monday,…
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Wellington City Council Announces Alcohol Licence Applications
Wellington City Council has released a list of recent alcohol licence applications, which are now open for public objection. The applications span various establishments across the city, from hotels to restaurants and bars. The establishments include: Bay Plaza Hotel (40…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessLaw EnforcementLegalAustralasiaState Governments Wellington City Councilalcohol licenceBay Plaza HotelStrathmore Local Restaurant & BarFlamingo Joe'sKarori TaphouseTruffle Wine Imports
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Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake Strikes Balleny Islands Region
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck the Balleny Islands region on December 21, 2025, at 13:12:48 UTC, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake's epicenter was located at 61.983S, 161.417E, with a depth of 10 km. The quake was approximately…
WeatherScience & TechnologyDisastersAustralasiaGeneral Weather EarthquakeBalleny IslandsUSGSSeismologyGeological SurveyNatural DisastersUSGS Earthquake Reports
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Woman Arrested Following Stabbing at Wellington Bar
A 34-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following a stabbing at an Allen Street bar in Wellington. She is due to appear in Wellington District Court on Monday, December 22.…
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Outlook for Christmas Week
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 9:28 am on Sunday, December 21, 2025, indicates a likelihood of heavy rain and strong winds across parts of New Zealand from Tuesday, December 23rd, through Boxing Day. On Tuesday, a front…
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Correction: Tawa Off-Ramp Open After Crash
A previous release incorrectly stated the Tawa off-ramp was closed on SH1 following a single-vehicle crash. The northbound off-ramp remains open, with traffic being diverted through it. The northbound on-ramp is closed while staff work at the scene. SH1 is…
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Crash Blocks State Highway 1 in Dunsandel, Canterbury
A crash on State Highway 1, Dunsandel, near the intersection with Selwyn Lake Road has blocked the road. The three-car collision was reported to Police just before 8pm. One person is reported to have serious injuries, two people have moderate…
TransportationLaw EnforcementDisastersSocial IssuesAustralasia
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Crash Closes Ohaupo Road in Melville, Waikato
Ohaupo Road in Melville, near Mount View Road, is currently closed due to a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. The incident was reported just after 6pm. According to initial reports, one person has sustained serious injuries as a…
TransportationLaw EnforcementSocial IssuesDisastersAustralasia
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New Zealand Weather Outlook: Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Forecast for North and South Islands
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 9:06 am on Saturday, December 20, 2025, indicates that a front from the Tasman Sea will move across central and northern areas of the North Island on Monday, December 22, 2025. A…
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Wellington City Celebrates Summer with Events and Festivities
Wellington City Council is gearing up for a summer season filled with events and activities. Summer in Pōneke Wellington promises sunshine and a range of experiences for everyone. Wellington is encouraging everyone to support local businesses and events this year.…
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Police Investigate Arson in Windsor's Queens Park
Police are continuing their investigation into an arson incident that occurred in Queens Park, Windsor, on Wednesday, December 3. Authorities received a report at approximately 12:20 AM indicating that four vehicles had been deliberately set on fire. As part of…
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New Zealand Police Announce Holiday Media Centre Hours
The New Zealand Police have announced their Media Centre's operating hours for the holiday season, ensuring continuous media support. Normal weekday hours of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. will be maintained, except on Christmas Day when the team will be…
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Hamilton Police Investigate Homicide, Appeal for Information
Hamilton Police are investigating a homicide after an incident on Lake Crescent. Emergency services responded to a call at approximately 6:15 p.m. last night, where they found two people injured. One victim died at the scene, while the other was…
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Auckland Police Recover Stolen Guitars, Charge Burglar
A 33-year-old man will appear in Manukau District Court today charged with burglary and two counts of unlawfully being in an enclosed yard, following a series of incidents in East Auckland. Police have been investigating at least three separate incidents…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesAustralasiaLegal New Zealand PoliceEast AucklandManukau District CourtHighland ParkBotany DownsBurglarySimon Cornish
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Auckland Harbour Bridge to Undergo Essential Maintenance Over Summer
Auckland Harbour Bridge will undergo essential maintenance during the summer holiday period, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has announced. Traffic will be able to travel across the bridge in both directions at all times. The works are weather dependent and…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationWeatherAustralasiaState Governments