newswire.nz
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Wellington Gears Up for Lunar New Year Festival
Wellington is preparing for a lively weekend of culture, creativity, and community as it hosts the 2026 Lunar New Year Festival. The city's celebrations will include waterfront fireworks, bustling markets, and various family-friendly activities. Residents and visitors can look forward…
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MetService Issues Heavy Rain Warning for Chatham Islands
MetService has issued a Heavy Rain Warning for the Chatham Islands, effective overnight Wednesday into Thursday. A deep low situated east of New Zealand is slowly moving southwards, bringing the risk of significant rainfall to the islands. In addition to…
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Police Seek Public Assistance in High-Value Swanson Burglary
Police are appealing to the public for assistance with a high-value burglary that occurred in Swanson, Auckland, last month. The incident took place at a residential address on Swanson Road between January 14 and 27. During the burglary, a significant…
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Police Release Name of Fatal Crash Victim in Matamata
Police can release the name of the man who sadly died following a crash on Puketutu Road, Matamata, on Sunday 1 February. He was Jonathan Marc Fairfax-Brown, 49, from Mount Maunganui. Police extend condolences to Jonathan’s loved ones. Enquiries into…
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Three Arrested After Violent Shoplifting Incident in Rānui
Three people are facing a list of charges after a violent shoplifting incident at a supermarket in Rānui yesterday afternoon. According to Inspector Jason Edwards, Relieving Waitematā West Area Commander, two men and a woman entered the Swanson Road supermarket…
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Births to Under-25s Hit Record Low in New Zealand
The proportion of births to mothers aged under 25 in Aotearoa New Zealand has reached a record low of 14 percent in 2025, Stats NZ reported today. This figure is half of what it was a generation ago and represents…
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Annual Food Prices Rise 4.6 Percent
Food prices have risen by 4.6 percent in the 12 months leading up to January 2026, an increase from the 4.0 percent rise recorded in the previous year. Stats NZ reported that the grocery food group, up 4.0 percent annually,…
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Traffic Stop Uncovers Significant Drug Haul and Cash in Millwater
A routine traffic stop in Millwater on Monday night led to the discovery of a substantial quantity of drugs and cash. Police were patrolling the North Auckland suburb around midnight when they observed a suspicious vehicle. Upon stopping the car,…
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Charges Laid in Connection with Rānui BMX Club Arson
Police have arrested a 15-year-old male in connection with an arson that destroyed over $50,000 worth of property at the Birdwood Road BMX club in Rānui last year. The fire was allegedly started in a rubbish bin leaning against the…
Law EnforcementDisasters ArsonBMX ClubRānuiPoliceCommunityYouth AidCrimeNew Zealand Police
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MetService Issues Heavy Rain Warning for East of South Island and Chatham Islands
MetService has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Banks Peninsula, expecting 60 to 80 mm of additional rainfall on top of what has already fallen, with peak intensities of 10-15 mm/h. The warning is in effect for 10 hours…
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One Dead in Glen Eden Two-Vehicle Crash
Auckland, NZ – One person has died following a two-vehicle crash in Glen Eden last night. The collision occurred at the intersection of Hepburn and Great North roads and was reported to police around 11:12 p.m. Emergency services responded to…
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Wellington City Council Addresses Power Outages Amidst Severe Weather
Wellington City Council is considering measures to support residents affected by ongoing power outages. Approximately 1000 households in the Northern and Western suburbs remain without power following a significant weather event. Metservice has issued a heavy rain and strong wind…
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Two-Vehicle Crash Blocks SH 2 Remutaka Hill
The southbound lane on State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill Summit, is currently blocked following a two-vehicle crash. Emergency services were alerted to the incident around 7am this morning. Authorities are urging motorists to postpone their travel plans as emergency personnel…
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Fire Doors Recalled Due to Potential Asbestos Contamination
Firemex has issued a recall for Pyropanel-brand fire-rated doors, citing potential asbestos fibre contamination in the door core. According to WorkSafe, if the fire doors remain intact, the risk of asbestos exposure is negligible. However, WorkSafe clarified that if the…
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MetService Issues Heavy Rain and Strong Wind Warnings for New Zealand
MetService has issued a severe weather warning, forecasting heavy rain for the lower North Island and the east of the South Island, with strong southwest gales easing over central New Zealand. A deep low-pressure system moving slowly southwards is bringing…
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Auckland and Bay of Plenty Thieves Apprehended After $40,000 Theft Spree
Police have arrested two individuals believed to be responsible for over $40,000 worth of thefts from stores across Auckland and the Bay of Plenty. The pair had been sought by police since September. On Friday afternoon, officers located the individuals…
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Severe Weather Event Continues Across New Zealand
A significant severe weather event is ongoing across New Zealand, with heavy rain and strong winds continuing to impact large areas of the central and eastern North Island, and the northeastern South Island. Heavy swell is also affecting the southeastern…
WeatherGeneral Weather Severe WeatherHeavy RainStrong WindsWellingtonMetServiceWarningsMetService New Zealand
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Severe Weather Event Continues Across New Zealand
A severe weather event is continuing to impact large areas of New Zealand, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the central and eastern North Island, and the northeastern South Island. The event, which began on Monday, February 16th, is…
WeatherGeneral WeatherEnvironment Severe WeatherHeavy RainStrong WindsWave HeightWeather WarningsMeteorologyMetService New Zealand
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Wellington Drivers Urged to Avoid Roads Due to Heavy Rain and Flooding
Motorists in the greater Wellington area, and particularly through the Hutt Valley, are being advised to avoid unnecessary travel due to heavy rainfall and flooding. Several areas are experiencing inundation. Drivers who must travel are urged to slow down and…
WeatherMedia WellingtonHutt ValleyFloodingHeavy RainfallRoad SafetyTravel AdvisoryNew Zealand Police
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New Zealand Population Reaches Over 5.3 Million
The estimated resident population of New Zealand was 5,342,000 as of December 31, 2025. The population comprised 2,689,500 females and 2,652,500 males. The median age for females was 39.2 years, while for males it was 37.6 years. These national population…
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New Zealand Retail Spending Declines in January
New Zealand experienced a decrease in electronic card transactions for retail spending in January 2026. Overall retail industries saw a 1.1 percent ($78 million) decline compared to December 2025. Core retail industries also decreased by 0.9 percent ($60 million). These…
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MetService: Minimal Severe Weather Risk for New Zealand
MetService has issued its Severe Weather Outlook, stating there is a minimal risk of severe weather affecting New Zealand this week. From Wednesday, February 18th, a weakening low east of the country is expected to drift southward. On Thursday, a…
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Warnings for North and South Islands
MetService has issued severe weather warnings, including heavy rain and severe gales, affecting the central and southern North Island, the eastern South Island, and the Chatham Islands. A deep low situated east of the North Island is expected to bring…
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Name Released in Fatal Waiohiki Crash
Police have released the name of the man who died following a crash on Korokipo Road, Fernhill, on Friday, January 9. The deceased has been identified as Patutai Patterson Kire, 60, from Flaxmere. Police extended their condolences to Mr. Kire’s…
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Police Seize Firearm in Onehunga Shooting Investigation
Police are continuing to make progress in investigating a shooting that occurred in Onehunga last month. The Auckland City Organised Crime Unit has been investigating the incident on Arthur Street, which took place on January 16. On Friday, detectives executed…
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Wellington Alcohol Licence Applications Open for Objections
Wellington City Council has announced new alcohol licence applications that are now open for public objection. Among the recent submissions are Miramar Golf Club, located at 1 Stewart Duff Drive, Rongotai, and Katsu Bistro, at 10 Murphy Street in Thorndon.…
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Wellington City Council Warns of Severe Weather
Wellington City Council is urging residents to exercise caution as severe southerly winds and heavy rain are predicted to impact the region over the next 24 hours. The council specifically advises people to stay off south coast beaches. Residents are…
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Merivale Road Reopens After Serious Crash
Heaton Street in Merivale has now reopened after an earlier serious single-vehicle crash. Police have thanked motorists for their patience while the road was closed. The New Zealand Police Media Centre issued the update, noting the reopening of the street.…
Law Enforcement MerivaleCanterburyCrashRoad ClosurePoliceNew Zealand Police
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Warnings for North Island and South Island Regions
MetService has issued severe weather warnings for significant portions of New Zealand, anticipating heavy rain and severe gales across the eastern, central, and southern North Island, Marlborough, North Canterbury, and the Chatham Islands. The most severe conditions are expected overnight…
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State Highway Closures in Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti Due to Severe Weather
State highways in Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti are experiencing closures and disruptions as the regions brace for severe weather. The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is closely monitoring the situation, with MetService issuing Orange warnings for strong winds and heavy rain.…