NZ News

News image for Don't be a faker - authenticity, respect key for businesses during Matariki
Businesses should ask if they’re actually adding meaning and value to Matariki as the indigenous holiday arrives again.
Stuff     19 Jun 2025 05:00
This Matariki, one of New Zealand’s most “out of this world” experiences celebrates 20 years since its co-founders brought astrotourism to the masses.
Stuff
Watch the sun rise over Takaparawhau, Bastion Point on Friday when Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei host a special hautapu ceremony to celebrate the Māori New Year.
Stuff
Stacey Morrison and Mātai Smith will guide viewers through a powerful celebration of one of Aotearoa’s most significant cultural holidays.
Stuff
It's being hailed as a vital piece of the vision to complete a 320km journey from Ruapehu maunga to the Tasman Sea.
RNZ
The monarch said the rising of Matariki and Puanga on the Eastern horizon “heralds a time to reflect on the past, to remember absent loved ones and to prepare for a prosperous future.”
Stuff
New Zealand will celebrate Matariki for the fourth time since it was made a public holiday.
RNZ

News image for Fatally injured woman found in Christchurch not missing person Elisabeth Nicholls
The woman was found with critical injuries in a Riccarton car park and died on the way to hospital.
RNZ     3 minutes ago
The body was found in the same suburb the missing pensioner disappeared from.
NZHerald
A woman who died after being found with critical injuries in a Riccarton car park was not Elisabeth Nicholls, police say.
ODT
It has been over two weeks since Elisabeth Nicholls, 79, was last seen on CCTV footage.
Stuff
Police have released new CCTV footage showing missing woman Elisabeth Nicholls at Chateau on the Park, her last confirmed sighting.
Stuff
Police have released CCTV footage of missing Christchurch 79-year-old Elisabeth Nicholls as they make another appeal for information on her whereabouts.
ODT
Police have released new CCTV footage of missing Christchurch woman Elisabeth Nicholls from when she was last seen just over two weeks ago.
ODT

News image for Police cordon off Christchurch car park after body found
At least six police officers were at the scene on Leslie Hills Drive at 7pm, including police photographers.
Stuff     19 Jun 2025 13:23
A person is in hospital in Auckland and two others were arrested.
RNZ
A worker nearby said he felt unsafe with armed police and police dogs on the street, saying they appeared to be focusing their attention on a new-build apartment property.
Stuff
A witness reported seeing a police officer setting up a rifle.
NZHerald
Police say the death is not being treated as suspicious.
NZHerald
Police release CCTV of missing Christchurch pensioner Elisabeth Nicholls.
RNZ
One person has died and another has minor injuries after a family harm incident in Halswell.
Stuff

An angry man struck his partner while she was holding a baby because she wouldn’t talk to him, before going on to injure six other people, including three children, in a fit of rage.
ODT    
A 22-year-old was charged with aggravated robbery.
NZHerald
Local residents in the rural Waikato town rushed to intervene in the “serious, violent” incident but were themselves allegedly assaulted.
Stuff
A 22-year-old man was arrested and police are searching for two others following the brawl.
RNZ
Police arrested and charged a 22-year-old man after a fight in Tahuna on Wednesday night left six people injured.
ODT
A brazen shoplifter embarked on a lengthy crime spree that involved her carrying a small child while stealing clothing, threatening to stab those who tried to stop her, and striking a worker.
ODT

News image for Investigators believe massive Auckland supermarket fire was ‘accidental’
The building has now been handed back to the owners, with fire crews leaving the site after more than 24 hours of work.
Stuff     19 Jun 2025 15:57
All stock from inside the store to be removed and disposed of.
RNZ
The two NZME cars sported signwriting to advertise the company's radio stations.
NZHerald
Heat and smoke damage, and potential chemical exposure to items inside the store.
NZHerald
Fire and Emergency believe the cause of the New World Victoria Park fire was accidental.
ODT

Amandeep Sharma was sentenced in Christchurch today.
NZHerald     19 Jun 2025 12:55
Amandeep Sharma received millions of dollars in government contracts through an inside job with his corrupt wife, who is already in prison.
Stuff
Amandeep Sharma pleaded guilty to obtaining by deception and money laundering in May.
RNZ
The husband of a former Oranga Tamariki employee who helped his wife defraud the agency of more than $2 million has been sentenced to 12 months' home detention.
ODT

News image for Why some Brits opposed their Census reform, and how stats will ‘sweeten up’ over time
England and Wales pushed back on their Census overhaul, but Statistics Minister Dr Shane Reti does not expect a similar backlash here.
Stuff     19 Jun 2025 05:00
The days of the government counting (almost) everything on a five-yearly basis are over, but a leading academic is worried its replacements will not be as effective.
ODT
In the midst of 'a population storm', the most powerful tool available to respond has been switched off. What happens now?
RNZ
In the midst of 'a population storm', the most powerful tool available to respond has been switched off. What happens now? AUDIO
RNZ

News image for Christopher Luxon on blitz of promotional events in Shanghai
The PM's three-day trip to China comes at a time of increased rivalry between the superpower and the United States.
RNZ     about 1 hour ago
Wrapping up in Shanghai, Luxon declares the whirlwind tour a commercial success.
Stuff
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has down-played a pause of nearly $20 million in funding to the Cook Islands during his second day of his trip to China.
ODT

One student was transported to Christchurch Hospital with serious injuries.
NZHerald     19 Jun 2025 13:12
Nelson College for Girls says it's working with police to understand how a car hit and injured three students, and if any changes are needed to improve safety around the school.
ODT
One student is in Christchurch Hospital with serious injuries.
RNZ

News image for One dead after single-vehicle crash on State Highway 1 near Seddon
Police are investigating the cause of the crash, which occurred around 9.30pm
Stuff     19 Jun 2025 07:32
The crash occurred at Railway Rd South and Longlands Rd East.
NZHerald
The 24-year-old pedestrian has died in hospital.
RNZ
The incident occurred just after 8.30pm near Clover Road.
Stuff

The Coroner has released his findings into the death of Pāpāmoa man Tere Livingstone in 2023.
RNZ
A Coroner has taken aim at Runit competitions saying they should not be recognised as an official sport.
ODT

News image for How to find the stars of Matariki
This weekend, Aotearoa officially celebrates Matariki for the fourth time, marked by the reappearance of the star cluster in the night sky. Here's how to find…
RNZ     less than a minute ago
Will conditions be too cloudy to stargaze where you are? Here’s what you need to know.
Stuff
Both the Matariki star cluster and Puanga will be visible low on the eastern horizon just before the rising of the sun.
RNZ

News image for Second person charged after alleged interference in teen murder case
A 21-year-old woman and a teenage girl have both been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to the alleged murder of 15-year-old Kaea Karauria.
Stuff     19 Jun 2025 15:38
The 21-year-old woman allegedly instructed someone to destroy evidence.
NZHerald
Police allege the 21-year-old instructed someone to destroy evidence.
RNZ

The operation, which involved the Armed Offenders Squad and drug detector dogs, targeted two properties in the early hours.
Stuff
Armed Offenders Squad and drug detector dogs executed two search warrants on Wednesday.
NZHerald

News image for ‘Despot’ or housing saviour? Chris Bishop to gain power to overrule councils
The minister will soon have power to overrule local council planning decisions. Will that help fuel growth, or is it an attack on democracy?
Stuff     19 Jun 2025 05:00
Cost of living pressures continue to weigh heavily on voters and the Government’s so-called growth focus doesn’t appear yet to be winning hearts and minds.
Stuff
The majority of Kiwis are worried their councils can’t stay afloat, a new poll by The Post/Freshwater Strategy has revealed.
Stuff

The topic has remained the top concern for New Zealanders since February 2022.
Stuff
Labour has overtaken National as the party New Zealanders consider most able to handle the cost of living, according to the latest Ipsos Issues Monitor survey.
ODT

News image for ‘Fishing forever’: Family mourn 6-year-old killed in Pātea bar tragedy
Zane Milham was farewelled by his friends in an emotional haka.
Stuff     19 Jun 2025 12:27
The boy’s family and friends came together this week to farewell him at his home.
NZHerald
Two people died, after a boat capsized off the Taranaki coast on Sunday.
RNZ

News image for Visa change for Chinese passport holders announced
People transiting through New Zealand on Chinese passports will be able to use an electronic travel authority from November.
RNZ     18 Jun 2025
The Cook Islands government says there has been a breakdown and difference in the interpretation of consultation required by the pacific nation to New Zealand.
Stuff

News image for Family of woman murdered by mental health patient feel 'forgotten'
A man whose wife was murdered by a forensic mental health patient three years ago has not heard from authorities for more than a year and says his family feels "forgotten".
RNZ     21 minutes ago
Faye Phelps who was 83 was murdered by elderly mental health patient Elliot Cameron 50 years after he killed his brother.
RNZ
One person has died and another suffered minor injuries after a family-harm incident in Christchurch on Wednesday.
ODT

News image for Taxpayer to foot the bill for cancer drugs for private patients
The government's decision to let private patients have publicly-funded cancer drugs is a waste of taxpayers' money, and could even make wait times worse, the…
RNZ     18 Jun 2025
Doctors warn patients in the public health system could end up waiting longer if those with insurance are prioritised.
RNZ
A move to allow private patients to access publicly-funded cancer drugs threatens to increase wait times for those in the public system, warn senior doctors.
ODT

News image for Police stand-off in Auckland suburb, roads blocked
Some Mt Roskill residents unable to return to their homes, motorists told to avoid area.
RNZ     11 minutes ago
Police have made an arrest after a stand-off in Mt Roskill, but road closures continue to cause headaches.
RNZ
A man has been arrested following a four-hour stand-off in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill.
ODT

News image for Plane from Queenstown hit by aerobridge at Brisbane Airport
It’s the second recent incident at the airport involving a plane and an aerobridge.
Stuff     19 Jun 2025 08:27
Flights to Australia began at the airport for the first time in 13 years this week.
Stuff
A similar incident occurred with an Air New Zealand flight last month.
NZHerald

The announcement is part of the latest stage of the Government’s reset at the housing agency.
Stuff
State housing provider Kāinga Ora is halting hundreds of housing developments which would have delivered nearly 3500 homes, and selling a fifth of its vacant land.
ODT

Don't worry, it's warming up now.
NZHerald     19 Jun 12:19 PM
Western parts of Aotearoa could experience thunderstorms and heavy rain as we head into Matariki.
Stuff

The number of homes constructed rose from 10,200 in 2018 to a record 18,100 in 2023.
RNZ     3 minutes ago
The housing market is picking up in activity but values are still flat, and that is likely to be the case for some time yet.
RNZ

Test your brains with the Herald's morning quiz.
NZHerald     19 Jun 2025 05:00
Test your knowledge with the Herald's afternoon quiz.
NZHerald

News image for Commissioner supports decision to exempt two police recruits who failed physical
Richard Chambers has made it clear no more discretion was to be applied.
RNZ     17 minutes ago
By Sam Sherwood of RNZThe Police Commissioner says he fully supports the Assistant Commissioner's decision to sign off on exemptions from recruitment standards for two recruits.
ODT

News image for Funding boost for Auckland's rare long-tailed bats
Funding from Auckland Council will help look after the native long-tailed bat, one of New Zealand's rarest and most vulnerable creatures.
RNZ     10:24 am today
The not-for-profit wildlife centre in Wairarapa recently put out an urgent plea for financial help.
RNZ

The NZ Drug Foundation warns that harm reduction efforts are underfunded.
NZHerald     19 Jun 2025 05:00
Psychedelic drug use has more than doubled in New Zealand, a new report shows. AUDIO
RNZ

News image for SH8 and 80 closed
Black ice has forced the closure of State Highway 8 between Fairlie and Twizel and SH80 Aoraki Mount Cook Highway on Thursday morning.
Stuff     26m ago
The road is closed between James Cook Drive and Joseph Banks Drive.
Stuff

News image for NZ embassy staff and families evacuated from Tehran
The embassy in the Iranian capital has been temporarily closed due to the war with Israel.
RNZ     5:30 am today
Two staff and their families have been evacuated from the New Zealand embassy in Tehran.
ODT

News image for Pedestrian dies after motorcyclist’s alleged hit-and-run in Rotorua
The 24-year-old sight and hearing-impaired man was hit on a designated pedestrian crossing.
Stuff     19 Jun 2025 12:51
A motorcyclist overtook a car and struck Paige Johnson on a pedestrian crossing.
NZHerald

New Zealand has paused its core sector support funding for the Cook Islands after its government signed partnership agreements with China earlier this year, Winston Peters office says.
ODT    
Foreign Affairs minister informed the Cook Islands government of the pause in early June, but the information only just became public.
RNZ

John Muchirahondo is taking his case to the Court of Appeal. A date is yet to be set.
NZHerald     19 Jun 2025 14:47
The former politician was originally found guilty of four charges relating to Electoral Commission returns.
Stuff

Drone Zone displays how technology is revolutionising farming, fishing.
NZHerald     19 Jun 06:00 AM

News image for What happened to Mikey? Mystery surrounds his final moments
Michael Tamatea's whānau believe one woman knows more than she is letting on.
RNZ     about 1 hour ago
Police do not consider Mikey's death suspicious; it's with the coroner now.
NZHerald

The latest news from the Bay of Islands and surrounds.
NZHerald     19 Jun 05:00 AM
Only 47 cruise ships are scheduled for the Bay of Islands next season.
NZHerald

News image for Audi impounded after driver allegedly ‘accelerated to 190kph’ when police tried to stop him
Police first clocked the vehicle at speeds of 135kph on State Highway 1, north of Dunedin.
Stuff     19 Jun 2025 10:43
Two weeks earlier Lovepreet Gill had been recorded driving at 140km/h in an 80km/h zone.
NZHerald

News image for Waka Kotahi keeps lowered speed limits for 13 stretches of highway
The majority of the locations are short stretches of state highway heading into or out of small townships.
RNZ     17 minutes ago
The majority of the 13 locations are short stretches of state highway heading into or out of small townships, where drivers are already naturally slowing down.
Stuff

The man faces five charges relating to exporting and possessing child sex abuse material.
NZHerald     19 Jun 2025 14:50
The man was accused of both exporting and possessing objectionable material.
Stuff

News last updated:
Thursday, 19 June, 2025 22:03