Newswire
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Police Seek Sightings of 'JAGMEN' Vessel in Whangārei
Police are appealing to the public for any sightings of a vessel named ‘JAGMEN’ in the Whangārei area. The 25ft vessel was last seen leaving Taurikura Bay at about 8pm on Sunday, March 22. Police would like to speak with…
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Severe Weather Alert: Heavy Rain and Strong Winds to Hit New Zealand
New Zealand is bracing for a significant shift in weather as a low-pressure system originating from the tropics is forecast to move into the Tasman Sea on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and large waves. The adverse weather is…
WeatherWorldGeneral WeatherEnvironmentDisasters MetServiceRainWindWavesTropical LowMetService New Zealand
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New Zealand Faces Potential Severe Weather Warnings Next Week
MetService has issued a severe weather outlook indicating a significant risk of heavy rain and strong winds across New Zealand from Wednesday, March 25, to Saturday, March 28. A subtropical low developing to the west of the North Island is…
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Wellington Alcohol Licence Applications Open for Objection
Wellington City Council has announced a series of alcohol licence applications that are now open for public objection. The applications cover a range of establishments across the city, including bars, taverns, and retail liquor stores. Graze Wine Bar, located at…
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First Moa Point Report Released by Wellington City Council
Wellington City Council has published the first in a series of reports concerning the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant failure on February 4. The reports were commissioned by Wellington Water to investigate the incident. Further reports are expected to follow.
Politics and GovernmentEnvironment Wellington City CouncilMoa PointWastewater Treatment PlantReportInvestigationWellington WaterInfrastructure Failure
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Magnitude 5.0 Earthquake Strikes Kermadec Islands Region
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurred in the Kermadec Islands region on March 21, 2026, at 20:07:26 UTC. The earthquake's epicenter was located at 29.271S, 179.071W, with a depth of 302 kilometers. This event has been reviewed by a seismologist. The…
WorldDisastersEnvironment EarthquakeKermadec IslandsMagnitude 5.0SeismologyTongaUSGSUSGS Earthquake Reports
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Media Monitor: RNZ reports on NZ First speech, Oscars, and Warriors win
RNZ is reporting that New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is set to deliver his State of the Nation address in Tauranga on Sunday. The speech is intentionally scheduled after the release of quarterly GDP figures. RNZ also noted that…
Politics and GovernmentSportEntertainmentMediaWeatherEconomy
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ACT Party Pushes Legislative Changes on Alcohol, Education, and Animal Safety
The ACT Party has been actively pursuing legislative changes across several key areas, focusing on reducing red tape, improving educational outcomes, and enhancing public safety. This week, ACT introduced The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill,…
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Hawke's Bay State Highway Roadworks Scheduled for Late March
Planned roadworks across Hawke's Bay's state highway network will impact travel from Saturday, March 21, to Friday, March 27, 2026. Motorists are advised to check Journey Planner or Facebook before travelling as several routes will experience closures and delays. Overnight…
Transportation Hawke's BayState HighwayRoadworksTraffic ManagementOvernight ClosuresConstructionTransportNZ Transport Agency
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Overnight Motorway Closures Planned for Auckland Improvements
The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is advising motorists of significant overnight closures on several Auckland motorways between Sunday, March 22, and Friday, March 27, 2026. These closures are necessary for essential motorway improvements and maintenance work. All closures are…
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New Zealand Trade Deficit Widens in February 2026
New Zealand's overseas merchandise trade statistics for February 2026 reveal a notable shift, with goods imports rising by $728 million (12 percent) to $6.9 billion compared to February 2025. Concurrently, goods exports saw a modest increase of $27 million (0.4…
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Brett Banner Appointed Chief Financial Officer at CAA
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced the appointment of Brett Banner as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to its Executive Leadership Team. Banner, a Chartered Accountant with over two decades of experience in public sector finance, corporate services,…
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City Beach Recalls HTI Stretcherz Slammerz Due to Asbestos Risk
City Beach has issued a recall for HTI Stretcherz Slammerz toys, sold between September 9, 2025, and January 10, 2026. The recall is due to concerns that the sand inside the toys may contain asbestos. HTI Toys HK Limited initiated…
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Recall Expanded for KSK Boy Bawang Cornick Due to Undeclared Wheat
Tai Ping Trading Company has expanded its consumer-level recall of KSK Boy brand Bawang Cornick Lechon Manok Flavour (90g) to include an additional undeclared allergen: wheat. The product was previously recalled for undeclared gluten. Consumers with a gluten and/or wheat…
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Media Monitor: Consumer NZ reports new gift card law, major TV brand exiting New Zealand
Consumer NZ is reporting that a new law will soon take effect, requiring gift cards to have a minimum three-year expiry date. The organization said this change is the result of a decade-long campaign to address short expiry periods previously…
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FMA Proposes Expanded Sandbox for FinTech Innovation
The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) is set to discuss the future of its FinTech sandbox pilot at the upcoming FinTech Hui in Wellington. The FMA aims to broaden the sandbox's scope by introducing an on-ramp or restricted license for innovative…
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Wellington City Council Releases Latest Resource Consents
Wellington City Council has made its latest resource consents available to the public. The information covers consents issued and applied for between February 23 and March 8, 2026. Residents can access details of these consents on the council's official website.…
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Media Monitor: India faces New Zealand in T20 World Cup final; Bihar Deputy CM to meet Amit Shah
The Hindu is reporting that defending champion India will face New Zealand in the ICC T20 World Cup final on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The publication said India, despite a single loss during the campaign, has dominated and is being…
SportPolitics and GovernmentWorldSocial IssuesGeneral PoliticsState Governments T20 World CupIndiaSamrat ChoudharyAmit ShahWest BengalKeralaThe Hindu
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Heavy Rain Warning Issued for Fiordland and Westland
MetService has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Fiordland and Westland, covering the area between Doubtful Sound and Haast. The warning is in effect for 22 hours, from 8:00pm Friday, March 6, 2026, until 6:00pm Saturday, March 7, 2026.…
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Media Monitor: Multiple outlets report on Iranian warship sinking, arrest over assault, courier fines
Multiple news outlets are reporting on several distinct events. The Associated Press reports that a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean as part of intensified U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Officials stated that over 1,000…
WorldPolitics and GovernmentBusinessSportMilitaryLaw EnforcementAsiaMiddle East
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Media Monitor: BBC reports on escalating Israel-Iran conflict and New Zealand's 'brain drain'
The BBC is reporting that Israel has been conducting strikes in Iran's capital, Tehran, and in Lebanon's capital, Beirut. According to the Iranian Red Crescent, the death toll in Iran has reached 787 since the strikes began on February 28.…
WorldPolitics and GovernmentMediaMiddle EastAsiaEuropeGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentMilitaryDisastersLaw EnforcementSocial IssuesFilm and TVDigital and Print PublishingEconomyEmployment and Labor IsraelIranTehranLebanonBeirutbrain drainBBC
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Media Monitor: Christchurch terrorist appeals conviction in NZ court
ABC News is reporting that the convicted Christchurch terrorist is appealing his conviction in New Zealand's Court of Appeal. The terrorist, who murdered 51 people in a 2019 attack on two mosques, is testifying in court as he seeks to…
Politics and GovernmentMediaWorldGeneral PoliticsEconomyFinancial MarketsFilm and TVLaw Enforcement Christchurch terroristCourt of Appealappealconvictionguilty pleasmosque attackABC News
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New Zealand Unemployment Rate Rises to 5.4 Percent
New Zealand’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate reached 5.4 percent in the December 2025 quarter, up from 5.3 percent in the previous quarter, Stats NZ reported on February 4, 2026. This marks the highest unemployment rate since the September 2015 quarter,…
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Media Monitor: Potent fake oxycodone tablets detected in New Zealand
High Alert is reporting that a potent mix of a benzodiazepine and a synthetic opioid, misrepresented as oxycodone, has been detected in the Wellington region of New Zealand. The substance was found in pink pills and may be circulating nationwide.…
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ACT Party Launches 2026 Election Campaign, Citing Need for Stronger Voice
The ACT Party has officially launched its campaign for the upcoming November 7 election, with party leader David Seymour calling on supporters to help the party "aim higher." Seymour stated that the election presents New Zealanders with a choice: to…
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New Zealand Civil Aviation Bill Passes Third Reading, Modernizing Aviation Regulations
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of New Zealand has released an update on its recent activities, including the passage of the Civil Aviation Bill, responses to weather events, and updates to safety and security measures. Keith Manch, Director of Civil…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessScience & TechnologyWeatherTransportationAustralasiaFederal GovernmentEnvironmentClimate ChangeDigital and Print Publishing Civil Aviation AuthorityCivil Aviation BillAviation SafetyCyclone GabrielleADS-B Grant SchemeEmerging Technologies UnitCivil Aviation Authority of New Zealand
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Auckland's SH16 The Strand Project Reaches Milestone
Auckland's SH16 The Strand Optimisation Project has reached a milestone with the opening of its shared use path this week. Line marking has been completed, along with foundation work for streetlights at Beach Road. According to an update, Vector's work…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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Hawke's Bay Drug Operation Nets Three Arrests
A police operation targeting methamphetamine supply in Central Hawke's Bay and Hastings has led to the arrest of three individuals. The six-month covert operation, dubbed Operation Tukutuki, was initiated in response to high levels of methamphetamine detected in wastewater testing,…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesLegal MethamphetamineHawke's BayArrestsOperation TukutukiGangsHastingsCentral Hawke's Bay
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NZ On Air Music Wraps Up 2025 and Announces 2026 Funding Dates
NZ On Air Music has concluded a busy 2025, marked by significant support for local artists. The year included 15 funding rounds and 12 NewTracks compilations. A total of 1,110 funding applications were received, resulting in 289 NZ On Air…
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Navigating New Saliva Testing Rules in New Zealand
Following the roadside testing announcement in New Zealand, Alternaleaf has reported a surge in patients seeking guidance. The new law utilizes the Securetec DrugWipe 3 S test kit, detecting THC at a 5 ng/mL saliva cutoff, which can result in…
HealthPolitics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementSocial IssuesLegal Alternaleafsaliva testingTHCdriving banmedicinal cannabisCBD