Latest Regional Headlines
Council Proposes Fairer Alcohol Licensing Fees To Ease Ratepayer Burden
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 1:21 pm | Hamilton City Council
Consultation on the Draft Alcohol Fees Bylaw 2025 is open from 21 January – 25 February 2025 and is asking for feedback about reducing the ratepayer ‘top up’ needed to cover the costs of alcohol licensing. More >>
Kiwis ‘Frustrated’ At Government’s Failure To Protect Ocean Life, New Poll Reveals
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 11:27 am | WWF New Zealand
A new survey commissioned by WWF-New Zealand and conducted by Horizon Research looks at Kiwis’ attitudes to ocean protection and reveals that 81% of New Zealanders think Marine Protected Areas in Aotearoa should be expanded. More >>
Detector Dog Duo Foils Prison Visitor’s Drug-Smuggling Attempt
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 11:21 am | Department Of Corrections
On 8 January Tui and her handler Todd were doing routine checks of visitors, along with Corrections Officer Kelsey, when Tui’s keen sense of smell noticed something was off. Tui indicated to Todd that she’d smelled drugs on a visitor. The visitor ... More >>
Rangitīkei District Council Is Reviewing Gambling Policies
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 11:16 am | Rangitikei District Council
While there are no significant changes to the policies that Council is proposing, there are some minor adjustments to bring these policies into line with central government legislation. The adjustments won’t impact on how the policies are implemented & ... More >>
Electronic Card Transactions: December 2024
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 11:06 am | Stats NZ
Changes in the value of electronic card transactions for the December 2024 month (compared with November 2024) were: spending in the retail industries increased 2.0 percent ($130 million) and spending in the core retail industries increased 1.8 percent ... More >>
Unsupervised Trainee Electrician Cuts Live Mains Cable, Fined $10,000
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 10:59 am | Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment
Judge T Greig found Mr Bradley Carl Payne guilty of two charges of doing unauthorised prescribed electrical work and one charge of negligently doing work in a manner dangerous to life. Besides the penalty, Mr Payne has been ordered to pay solicitor and court ... More >>
Investment Round Opens To Boost Te Reo Māori Resurgence
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 10:32 am | Te Matawai
This year, Te Mātāwai are focusing on the importance of Kaitono (applicants) aligning their projects to the Investment Plan priorities and criteria of their respective Kāhui (regional and sector-based clusters). More >>
NPDC Heritage Fund Helps Spruce Up Historic Inglewood In Time For Jubilee
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 10:27 am | New Plymouth District Council
NPDC District Planning Supervisor Lauren O’Byrne said it was important to protect and celebrate our heritage, especially in a town with as many historic buildings as Inglewood. More >>
Weather Highs And Lows Revealed By Taranaki Regional Council
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 9:57 am | Taranaki Regional Council
Figures from Taranaki Regional Council show the region, well known for enjoying a healthy dose of rain most years, recorded 14% less than normal rainfall in 2024. More >>
One Love Festival: Tauranga’s Largest Music Event Returns This Weekend
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 9:51 am | Tauranga City Council
To ensure the safety of eventgoers, pedestrians, and motorists, there will be road closures in place over the weekend. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time. More >>
"Fix The Label" - SAFE Challenges Misleading Cage Egg Marketing
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 9:27 am | SAFE For Animals
Currently, all New Zealand cage egg brands omit the word ‘cage’ entirely from their packaging, using vague and confusing terms like ‘colony’ or ‘colony laid’ instead. SAFE says current egg labels breach the Fair Trading Act by concealing the ... More >>
Drivers Encouraged To See The Person Behind The High Vis Vest
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 9:21 am | Hamilton City Council
On average, 10 road workers or road users are killed nationwide each year at temporary traffic management sites, figures from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi reveal. A further 60 road workers or road users are seriously injured. More >>
Fatal Crash, SH14, Tangiteroria
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 8:05 am | New Zealand Police
Police were notified of the crash about 6.30pm, after the vehicle was discovered off the road by a passing motorist. More >>
Fossil Of The Day Award Presented At The Climate Ministers Office
Monday, 20 January 2025, 7:39 pm | Extinction Rebellion Tamaki Makaurau
Extinction Rebellion Tāmaki Makaurau took this action because the government’s actions amount to climate change denial. They are out of sync with our trading partners and are insulting to those 80% of citizens who understand climate science and look ... More >>
Road Closed, SH14, Tangiteroria - Northland
Monday, 20 January 2025, 7:26 pm | New Zealand Police
The crash was reported about 6.30pm. More >>
Update: Body Recovered, Lake Taupō
Monday, 20 January 2025, 6:36 pm | New Zealand Police
A rāhui will remain in place in the Nukuhau / Acacia Bay area of the lake for the next few days and an update is expected to be issued when it is lifted. More >>
Name Release, Fatal Crash, Parkvale
Monday, 20 January 2025, 6:16 pm | New Zealand Police
He was Christopher Bernard Halligan Lee, 36, of Ohauiti. Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing. More >>
Customs Arrests Passenger For 31 Kgs Of Methamphetamine In Suitcases
Monday, 20 January 2025, 6:03 pm | New Zealand Customs Service
The seized methamphetamine equates to close to 1.6 million individual doses, with a potential street value of up to NZ$11 million. This seizure is estimated to have prevented up to NZ$33 million in social harm and cost to New Zealand. More >>
2025: Slow Down And Get It Right
Monday, 20 January 2025, 5:58 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The reforms planned for 2025 are far more extensive and worrying. All national policy statements and environmental standards – the engine-room of our resource management system, that guide all development, are under threat. This is a wholesale rewrite of our regulatory environmental framework. More >>
Update: Sudden Death Confirmed As Non-suspicious, Stratford
Monday, 20 January 2025, 5:38 pm | New Zealand Police
Police investigating the death of a man in Stratford on Saturday 18 January can confirm that the death was the result of a medical event and is not being treated as suspicious. More >>
Developers Advised To Act Now As Auckland Council Proposes Major Hike In Development Contributions
Monday, 20 January 2025, 5:37 pm | Subdivide Simplified
Currently calculated over a 10-year timeframe, the council is now suggesting these be calculated over a 30-year timeframe, leading to substantial cost increases for developers. More >>
Strong Winds Forecast For Auckland Harbour Bridge – Drive To The Conditions
Monday, 20 January 2025, 5:17 pm | NZ Transport Agency
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is urging bridge users to be careful when driving over the bridge and be prepared for the possibility of short-notice lane closures and reduced speeds to ensure the safety of people using the bridge. More >>
Back To School On The Bus
Monday, 20 January 2025, 4:11 pm | Otago Regional Council
Bus travel is free for children aged from 5 to 12 with a registered Bee Card, and $1.20 for 13 to 18-year-olds, for a single trip in Dunedin, or $1.50 in Queenstown. More >>
Orange Heavy Rain Warning For The Coromandel
Monday, 20 January 2025, 4:09 pm | Thames Coromandel District Council
We're expecting 80 to 110 mm of rain, with peak rainfall of 15 to 25 mm/h due to arrive late Tuesday morning and early afternoon, along with possible thunderstorms. More >>
Update On Sudden Death In Whangārei
Monday, 20 January 2025, 3:41 pm | New Zealand Police
Police are referring a Whangārei woman’s death over the weekend to the Coroner. The woman’s death was initially treated as unexplained, after she was located deceased at a Moody Avenue address in Whau Valley on Saturday evening. Police can advise a ... More >>
‘Shocking’ Revelations: The Tūī, The Pōhutukawa, And The Mystery Of South Titirangi
Monday, 20 January 2025, 3:39 pm | Auckland Council
But poison was ruled out when he called in the experts at Auckland Council, and the investigation eliminated every imaginable culprit—from bird flu to BB guns. The real breakthrough came thanks to Auckland Council’s senior ecologist Sarah Gibbs, ... More >>
Police Make Arrest Over Middlemore Firearms Incident
Monday, 20 January 2025, 2:15 pm | New Zealand Police
Counties Manukau CIB have been investigating since 4 January when a firearm was allegedly fired from a vehicle at Middlemore Hospital. More >>
Extreme Care Needed On Roads Around Auckland/Northland And Coromandel – Strong Wind / Heavy Rain Forecast
Monday, 20 January 2025, 2:04 pm | NZ Transport Agency
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is advising all road users to take extreme care, especially high sided vehicles and motorcyclists in the wind and for those who come across any surface flooding, from rising rivers and streams nearby. More >>
The Vital Role Of A Winch In Christine's Remote Rescue
Monday, 20 January 2025, 1:43 pm | Greenlea Rescue Helicopter
Air Crew Officer Annika expertly lowered Critical Care Flight Paramedic (CCFP) Rob down to the clearest area in the vicinity at the end of the bridge while Pilot Jase keep the helicopter in a hover. CCFP Rob swiftly attended to Christine's injuries ... More >>
Find Your Purrfect Companion At SPCA’s Caturdays
Monday, 20 January 2025, 1:32 pm | SPCA
For the next eight Saturdays, potential adopters can drop by their local SPCA Centre, no appointment needed, to meet the adorable cats and kittens waiting for a home. More >>
SLSNZ Urges Beachgoers To Swim Between The Flags As Warmer Weather Attracts People To Beaches
Monday, 20 January 2025, 1:24 pm | Surf Life Saving New Zealand
People getting into trouble outside of the flags kept surf lifeguards busy in Christchurch. Waimairi surf lifeguards rescued two swimmers who were swimming outside the flagged area and became caught in strong winds on Saturday. More >>
Two To Appear In Court Following Search Warrants, Southland
Monday, 20 January 2025, 1:07 pm | New Zealand Police
The two men are due to appear in Invercargill District Court on 18 February, charged with illegal street racing. Further charges are likely. More >>
Heavy Rain Returns To The North
Monday, 20 January 2025, 11:24 am | MetService
Covering period of Monday 20 - Tuesday 21 January More >>
Volunteers Staff New Habitat For Humanity Op Shop
Monday, 20 January 2025, 11:04 am | SociaLink
It was the seven volunteers pitching in which got the store open, and many will stay on to help operate the store. Others have to return to study or school next month. More >>
Kerbside Collections Stay The Same Over Auckland Anniversary & Waitangi Days; Please Stop Putting Batteries In Your Bins
Monday, 20 January 2025, 9:35 am | Hamilton City Council
As Hamiltonians enjoy some days off to soak up the summer weather, our contractors will be busy collecting the city’s rubbish and recycling. More >>
One Man Raced To Court Following Theft, Invercargill
Monday, 20 January 2025, 8:27 am | New Zealand Police
A 31-year-old local man is due to appear in Invercargill District Court today, charged with theft. More >>
Protecting Children, Helping Parents: NZ Social Workers Speak About The Challenges Of Their Jobs
Monday, 20 January 2025, 8:23 am | The Conversation
Despite best intentions, social and family workers say they can feel helpless because of bigger problems such as housing or family violence. More >>
Police Investigating Hutt Valley Death
Monday, 20 January 2025, 8:10 am | New Zealand Police
Police are working to determine the full circumstances of what occurred. More >>
Temporary Fire Ban Ends In Te Tai Tokerau Northland
Monday, 20 January 2025, 8:09 am | Fire and Emergency NZ
Northland District Manager Wipari Henwood says the extreme fire risk identified earlier in the week has subsided. More >>
Delays Expected Following Glenbrook Crash - Counties Manukau
Monday, 20 January 2025, 8:03 am | New Zealand Police
Motorists are being advised to expect delays while the scene is cleared. More >>
Three Whales Have Died After Pod Re-Strands In Golden Bay
Sunday, 19 January 2025, 7:37 pm | RNZ
Thirty pilot whales remain stranded on Puponga Beach near Pakawau. More >>
Water Rescue, Lake Taupō
Sunday, 19 January 2025, 7:22 pm | New Zealand Police
The Police National Dive Squad has been notified and is expected to deploy tomorrow. More >>
Unexplained Death, Stratford
Sunday, 19 January 2025, 6:13 pm | New Zealand Police
If anyone saw anything between Miranda Street and Lear Street, Stratford, between 10pm and 11:30pm, or has any information they believe may assist in the investigation, not yet reported to us, please get in touch with Police. More >>
Operation Kereru Disrupts Antisocial Road User Activity In The Hutt Valley
Sunday, 19 January 2025, 2:10 pm | New Zealand Police
Operation Kereru saw Police staff taking a coordinated zero-tolerance approach within the region, specifically within the Hutt Valley area. More >>
Unexplained Death, Whangārei
Sunday, 19 January 2025, 2:06 pm | New Zealand Police
The circumstances surrounding her death are currently unexplained, and a post-mortem examination will be carried out. More >>
Arrests Made After Quick-thinking Locals Call In
Sunday, 19 January 2025, 2:03 pm | New Zealand Police
Selwyn Police would like to thank the callers who contacted Police as soon as they spotted the suspicious behaviour. This is a great example of one way the community can assist us in combatting crime within our community. More >>
New Report Emphasises Infrastructure Costs When Planning For Growth
Sunday, 19 January 2025, 7:14 am | New Zealand Infrastructure Commission
Auckland needs to grow in a way that stacks up financially and shares benefits widely. This means that a critical component of addressing the infrastructure challenge is a deeper understanding of where the lowest-cost places are to grow from an infrastructure ... More >>
Vegetation Fire On Mangere Mountain: Update 2
Sunday, 19 January 2025, 7:01 am | Fire and Emergency NZ
People are asked to stay away from the Mangere Mountain area to allow crews to work. More >>
Revealed: When Rotorua’s Emergency Housing Motels Are Set To Close
Saturday, 18 January 2025, 10:16 pm | Laura Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The decision was made public on Wednesday. More >>
Call For New Voices For Taranaki Maunga
Saturday, 18 January 2025, 10:10 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
The Department of Conservation has opened nominations to Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi, a new body to look after the mountains. More >>
Bad Parking Habits Ease On Stewart Island
Saturday, 18 January 2025, 10:08 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Stewart Island/Rakiura councillor Jon Spraggon said locals had improved their habits despite signage not yet being in place — a detail which meant the new rules were not actually enforceable. More >>
Sunshine Guide Sells Whakatāne To The Country
Saturday, 18 January 2025, 9:56 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Whakatāne District Council's free booklet, Sunshine Season, aims to help visitors get the most out of the district. More >>
Remote Marlborough Sounds Jetty Closed Over Safety Concerns
Saturday, 18 January 2025, 9:48 pm | Maia Hart - Local Democracy Reporter
Marlborough Roads transport recovery manager Steve Murrin said the jetty was “well past its prime” and over the last 18 months its deterioration had “accelerated quickly”. More >>
Whanganui Council-Iwi Agreement: How Will This Work?
Saturday, 18 January 2025, 9:46 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Whanganui District Council will next month decide on proposals put forward for the Treaty of Waitangi settlement being negotiated by Whanganui iwi and hapū. More >>
‘Tea And A Chat’: Views Sought On Post-Settlement Relations With Whanganui Hapū
Saturday, 18 January 2025, 9:44 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Whanganui residents are being invited for “tea and a chat” about Whanganui District Council’s post-Treaty settlement relationship with hapū and iwi. The council wants to engage with residents before making decisions on a platform for joint work with ... More >>
Toxic Algae Warnings For Multiple Southern Rivers
Saturday, 18 January 2025, 7:48 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
A spate of toxic algae appearances in Southland has prompted warnings at rivers across the region. More >>
Serious Crash, Fergusson Drive - Wellington
Saturday, 18 January 2025, 3:33 pm | New Zealand Police
Fergusson Drive in Trentham is blocked following a serious crash. It happened shortly before 1:45pm and involved a car and several pedestrians. There are serious injuries involved. Fergusson Drive near Tararua Street is blocked and is expected to be so ... More >>
Restricted Fire Season For Murchison And Lake Rotoiti
Saturday, 18 January 2025, 2:01 pm | Fire and Emergency NZ
Fire and Emergency Nelson Marlborough District Manager Grant Hayward says the change is due to the continuing dry and windy weather conditions which are drying out vegetation and increasing the wildfire danger. More >>
Five To Appear In Court After Incidents In The Kinleith Forests
Saturday, 18 January 2025, 8:06 am | New Zealand Police
Enquiries remain ongoing in relation to recent offending, and we would like to hear from anyone who witnesses or has recently witnessed suspicious behaviour around these forests, you can report information to us via 105 either online or over the phone. More >>
Fatal Crash, Acacia Bay, Taupo
Saturday, 18 January 2025, 8:02 am | New Zealand Police
Diversions have been in place overnight while the Serious Crash Unit examined the scene, with the road reopening shortly after 7am. More >>