Category: australasia
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Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain and Gales Forecast for South Island
MetService has issued a Severe Weather Warning for parts of the South Island, forecasting heavy rain and severe northwest gales. An active front, preceded by strong and moist northerlies, is expected to move over the South Island on Monday, followed…
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Fatal Crash in Mataura Claims One Life
One person died in a single-vehicle crash in Mataura late last night. Police were called to the scene on Oakland Street at approximately 10.05pm. Tragically, the sole occupant of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. The Serious Crash…
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Homicide Investigation Underway in Tauranga After Man Found Dead
A homicide investigation is underway in Tauranga following the death of a man today. Emergency services were called to a Fraser Street address at approximately 11.40am, where they discovered the deceased man. A person is currently assisting Police with enquiries,…
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Severe Weather Outlook: Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Forecast for New Zealand
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 10:14 am on Sunday, December 14, 2025, indicates that a front will move rapidly northeast from the South Island onto the North Island on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. This front is expected…
WeatherAustralasiaDisastersGeneral Weather MetServiceSevere WeatherWeather ForecastHeavy RainStrong WindsMarlboroughMetService - Severe Weather Outlook
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Hawke’s Bay Police Urge Residents to Secure Homes This Summer
Hawke’s Bay Police are urging residents to take extra precautions to secure their homes as the summer season begins. Recent reports indicate a rise in opportunistic thefts, with thieves exploiting unlocked doors and windows, even when residents are present. There…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesAustralasia Hawke’s BayPolicehome securitytheftsHastingsGabrielle ParsonsNew Zealand Police
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Homicide Investigation Launched in Ruatiti After Two Deaths
A homicide investigation has commenced in Ruatiti following the discovery of two deceased individuals at a rural property this afternoon, according to Central District Commander Superintendent Dion Bennett. The scene examination is scheduled to begin tomorrow, Sunday, December 14, and…
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Outlook for New Zealand
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 10:27am on Saturday, December 13, 2025, indicates a front moving northeast across New Zealand. The front is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to both the South and North Islands.…
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Five Arrested After Albany Aggravated Burglary
Five people were arrested on Friday following an aggravated burglary in Albany. At approximately 11.20am, five individuals entered a commercial premise on The Avenue. An altercation occurred while they were taking items, resulting in minor injuries to the store owner,…
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Motorcyclist Dies in Kaitaia Crash
One person died following a crash on State Highway 1, Kaitaia, last night. The single vehicle crash, involving a motorcycle, was reported near Victoria Valley Road just before 8:50pm. The rider was transported to hospital in a critical condition, however…
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Media Monitor: Consumer NZ Reviews Sunscreens, Electric Cars, and More
Consumer NZ is reporting on a variety of product tests and consumer advice. It said its database compares over 160 sunscreens from more than 40 brands, filtering by SPF, water resistance, and testing year. The organization has also tested over…
BusinessScience & TechnologyAustralasiaEconomyComputers and InternetSocial Issues
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Homicide Investigation Launched After Man Dies in Rotorua
A homicide investigation is underway in Rotorua after a man died overnight. Police were called to Ford Road just before 8:30 p.m. following reports that a vehicle had collided with a tree. The sole occupant was found with critical injuries…
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Affordable Housing Boost: Te Kāinga Te Puna Opens in Wellington
Wellington's newest Te Kāinga apartments are opening this week, introducing 80 warm, dry, affordable homes to the central city. The development, named Te Kāinga Te Puna, has seen strong demand, with over two-thirds of the tenancies already secured prior to…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessAustralasiaState GovernmentsReal EstateSocial Issues
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Police Increase Presence in Napier for Headstone Unveiling
Police will increase their presence in Napier on Saturday, December 13, due to a headstone unveiling at Wharerangi Lawn Cemetery. The unveiling is scheduled for 1 p.m. followed by a hākari at a local marae. Authorities anticipate a large gathering,…
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance: SH1 Closures and Detours
Auckland motorists should prepare for overnight closures and detours on State Highway 1 (SH1) between Silverdale and Warkworth due to maintenance work. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has announced the following schedule: * **December 15**: Silverdale interchange to Warkworth, full…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments AucklandState Highway 1SilverdaleWarkworthRoad ClosuresTraffic ManagementNZ Transport AgencyNZTA Auckland
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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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New Zealand Retail Spending Rises in November 2025
Spending in New Zealand's retail sector saw an increase of 1.2 percent ($86 million) in November 2025, according to the latest electronic card transactions (ECT) data. The core retail industries also experienced growth, with spending up by 1.1 percent ($67…
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Auckland Motorway Closures Planned for December 14-19
Auckland motorists should prepare for overnight motorway closures between December 14 and 19, according to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. These closures are necessary for essential motorway improvements and maintenance work. Closures delayed by bad weather will be completed as…
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New Zealand Weather Outlook: Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Forecast
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 10:46 am on Friday, December 12, 2025, indicates a period of unsettled weather for New Zealand. A large high, currently over the North Island, is moving east, allowing a northerly flow to…
WeatherAustralasiaGeneral Weather MetServiceHeavy RainStrong WindsSouth IslandNorth IslandMetService - Severe Weather Outlook
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Wellington City Council Reconsiders Demolition of City to Sea Bridge
Wellington City Council’s Te Hoe Matua | City Strategy and Delivery Committee has reversed its prior decision to demolish the City to Sea bridge, choosing to review further options in February 2026. Councillor Nureddin Abdurahman, Committee Chair, stated that recent…
Politics and GovernmentScience & TechnologyAustralasiaState GovernmentsLegalTransportationEnvironment
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CAA Releases Trial Advisory Circular for Drone Operators
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has released a Trial Advisory Circular (AC101-1) to support operators preparing for upcoming changes to the Civil Aviation Rules for unmanned aircraft (Parts 101 and 102), which take effect on 22 December 2025. The Trial…
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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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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for SH1
Auckland motorists should prepare for disruptions as NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi undertakes urgent paving work on State Highway 1 (SH1) Gillies Ave southbound tonight. The maintenance, prompted by an incident, will occur between 10pm and 5am. Lane restrictions will…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December
Auckland motorists should prepare for overnight closures and detours on State Highway 1 (SH1) due to essential maintenance work. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has announced that the work will occur at various locations between December 14th and 18th, from…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments AucklandState Highway 1SH1RoadworksTrafficNZ Transport Agency Waka KotahiDruryNZTA Auckland
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December
Auckland residents should prepare for upcoming maintenance work on State Highway 1 (SH1) and the Auckland Harbour Bridge, according to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. The work is scheduled to take place between Sunday, December 14, and Thursday, December 18,…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December
Auckland residents should prepare for overnight closures and detours on State Highway 1 (SH1) between Silverdale and Warkworth due to scheduled maintenance work. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has announced that paving activities will necessitate full closures and ramp restrictions…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments AucklandState Highway 1SilverdaleWarkworthTrafficRoadworksNZ Transport AgencyNZTA Auckland
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December
Auckland motorists should prepare for overnight maintenance work on State Highway 16 (SH16) between Solan Drive and Woodhill Park Road from Sunday, December 14, to Wednesday, December 17, between 9pm and 5am. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises that stop/go…
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Auckland Motorway Maintenance Planned for December 15-16
Auckland motorists should prepare for overnight disruptions as NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has announced essential maintenance work on State Highway 16 (SH16) between Stanley Street and Newton Road. The work is scheduled for Monday, December 15, and Tuesday, December…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationAustralasiaState Governments
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Three Arrested in Waikato Copper Theft Investigation
Waikato Police have arrested three people in connection to an ongoing investigation into commercial burglaries targeting large quantities of copper metal. The Waikato Tactical Crime Unit (TCU) began investigating in August 2025, after a commercial property in Frankton was targeted…
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Otangarei Store Robbery: Police Seek Witnesses After Assault
Police have launched an investigation into an aggravated robbery that occurred in Otangarei last night, during which a store worker was assaulted. Authorities were alerted to the incident at approximately 7.25pm, following reports of a group of armed males entering…
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New Zealand Weather: Thunderstorms to Clear for Calm Weekend
New Zealand is set for a change in weather, with thunderstorms expected to clear, giving way to a calm weekend. Today, Thursday, will see thunderstorms, potentially with hail, especially in Otago, South Canterbury, Inland Southland, Bay of Plenty, and the…
WeatherAustralasiaGeneral Weather ThunderstormsMetServiceAlec HoldenSouth IslandHigh-pressure systemMetService New Zealand