Category: australasia
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New Zealand Faces Potential Severe Weather: Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Forecast
New Zealand is bracing for a period of potentially severe weather, with MetService issuing an outlook for heavy rain and strong winds from Thursday, January 8, to Sunday, January 11, 2026. A weakening front is expected to move over the…
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MetService Warns of Potential Severe Weather Across New Zealand
MetService has issued a severe weather outlook indicating potential heavy rain and severe gales across parts of New Zealand from Thursday, January 8, to Sunday, January 11, 2026. While a ridge of high pressure is expected to cover the North…
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Wellington New Year's Eve Celebrations Proceed as Planned
Wellington's popular, family-friendly, and free New Year's Eve celebrations on the waterfront are set to go ahead as planned tonight. The weather is forecast to clear up this evening, ensuring the festivities can proceed as scheduled. The event is a…
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Media Monitor: RNZ reports on Auckland house fire, immigration issues, and Ikea delivery fees
RNZ is reporting that a lightning strike caused a fire that spread through the roof of a two-storey house in Auckland. The blaze occurred around 5:40 a.m. RNZ also said that lawyers are calling for accountability regarding what they describe…
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Warning for Gisborne and Hawke's Bay
MetService has issued a severe weather warning for heavy rain expected to affect parts of Gisborne/Tairawhiti and Hawke's Bay on Saturday and early Sunday. Thunderstorms are also likely across parts of the North Island during the same period, with the…
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New Zealand Weather: Rain and Thunderstorms Possible in North Island
MetService has issued a severe weather outlook predicting rain and possible thunderstorms for the northern North Island this weekend. On Saturday, a low-pressure system is expected to bring rain or showers to central and eastern areas, with localised heavy falls…
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Rakaia Bridge Reopens After Crash, Delays Expected
The Rakaia Bridge on State Highway 1 in Bankside has reopened after an earlier crash. While the bridge is now open, traffic in the area remains heavy. Motorists are advised to continue expecting delays as congestion gradually clears. Authorities expressed…
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Heavy Rain and Gales Warning for Central New Zealand
MetService has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for the ranges of Tasman District, west of Motueka, effective from 6:00 am Wednesday, December 31, 2025, to 6:00 am Thursday, January 1, 2026. An active low-pressure system is expected to bring…
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New Zealand Weather: Unsettled Conditions Expected Over New Year Period
New Zealand can expect unsettled weather from Thursday, January 1, 2026, as a large trough of low pressure moves slowly eastwards across the country. MetService has indicated low confidence of warning amounts of rain in the Buller and Tasman Districts,…
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Man Dies After Being Hit by Car in Napier
A man has died after being struck by a car in Napier on December 27. The incident occurred around 10:10 p.m. on McGrath Street. The man sustained critical injuries and was taken to hospital, where he sadly passed away on…
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Warnings for Northern and Central New Zealand
MetService has issued severe weather warnings for heavy rain and strong winds across northern and central New Zealand, effective from Monday, December 29, 2025. An active low-pressure system is expected to move southwards onto the North Island, bringing significant weather…
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Outlook for New Zealand
MetService has issued a severe weather outlook, predicting unsettled conditions across New Zealand. On Saturday, December 27, 2025, northwesterlies are expected to ease over the northern part of the country, with a weak ridge spreading onto much of New Zealand.…
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Heavy Rain Warning Issued for Parts of New Zealand
MetService has issued a Severe Weather Warning at 9:44 am on Thursday, December 25, 2025, indicating heavy rain for parts of New Zealand. A slow-moving front is situated over the north of the South Island today and is expected to…
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Kogan and H&M Products Recalled Due to Safety Concerns
Several seatbelt extenders sold via Kogan by A.L.E. Trading are being recalled due to safety concerns. The stitching of the seatbelts may separate from the buckle, posing a risk of serious injury or death if the seatbelt fails to restrain…
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Heavy Rain Warning Issued for South Island, New Zealand
MetService has issued a severe weather warning for the South Island, New Zealand, effective Christmas Day. A front moving northwards is expected to bring heavy rain and severe gales to several regions. The warning, issued at 8:57pm on Wednesday, December…
WeatherDisastersAustralasiaGeneral Weather MetServiceSevere Weather WarningSouth IslandHeavy RainBullerCanterburyNZ MetService
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Man Arrested and Charged with Murder in Jason Poa Case
A 21-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection to the death of Jason Poa, also known as Jason Tipene. Mr. Poa died last Thursday at a Lake Crescent address in Hamilton. The arrest occurred today at…
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Media Monitor: New Zealand Issues Alert for Synthetic Cannabinoids
High Alert, a drug information service in New Zealand, is reporting that serious harm has been linked to synthetic cannabinoids in the Auckland region. It said multiple hospitalizations have been reported within the last 24 hours. High Alert said this…
HealthSocial IssuesAustralasiaMedical ScienceLaw Enforcement
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New North Road in Kingsland Reopens After Crash
New North Road in Kingsland, Auckland, has reopened to traffic in both directions following a lunchtime crash. Police inquiries into the cause of the crash are ongoing. Motorists are urged to drive carefully this Christmas Eve to ensure safe arrival…
TransportationLaw EnforcementAustralasia New North RoadKingslandAucklandCrashTrafficJarred WilliamsonNZ PoliceNew Zealand Police
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Blockhouse Bay Road Closed After Vehicle Collides with Power Pole
A section of Blockhouse Bay Road in Auckland is currently closed due to a damaged power pole. The incident occurred just after midday near the intersection with Matata Street, where emergency services responded to a single vehicle crash. According to…
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Crash Closes State Highway 25, Hauraki
State Highway 25 in Hauraki is closed near Hauraki Road's intersection due to a crash reported just before midday. The two-vehicle accident involved a truck. Three people sustained serious injuries, while two others have moderate injuries. Motorists should avoid the…
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Outlook for Boxing Day
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 10:18am on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, indicates that several fronts and troughs will affect New Zealand on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025, bringing rain or showers, especially to western areas. For the…
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Outlook for Boxing Day
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 10:14 am on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, indicates that several fronts and troughs will affect New Zealand on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025, bringing rain or showers, especially to western areas. For…
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Body Found Near Thames Coast Road
A body was found on the beach near Thames Coast Road, Kereta, after a report at around 6:10am. According to Duty Inspector Neil Faulkner, formal identification is pending, but police believe the body is of a man reported missing on…
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Wellington Gears Up to Host Asia-Oceania Floorball World Cup Qualifier
Wellington, New Zealand, is set to host the Asia-Oceania floorball World Cup qualifier this January. Ten teams will compete for four spots in the upcoming World Cup. The event will transform Te Whanganui-a-Tara into the capital of Asia–Oceania floorball. In…
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Serious Crash Blocks Randwick Road in Lower Hutt
Randwick Road in Moera, Lower Hutt, is currently blocked following a serious crash this afternoon. Police were notified of the crash, which occurred between York Street and Mason Street, around 4.10pm. The incident involved a vehicle and a pedestrian. Initial…
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Arrests Made in Gisborne Homicide Investigation
Four people have been arrested in connection to the death of Bill Maangi, who died in hospital after being shot on Monday, September 29, in Gisborne. The arrests followed search warrants executed between Wednesday, December 9, and Thursday, December 11,…
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Hamilton Homicide: Victim Named, Police Seek Subaru Impreza
Police have identified 55-year-old Jason Poa, also known as Jason Tipene, as the victim of a homicide in Lake Crescent, Hamilton, on Thursday, December 18. Emergency services responded to a call at approximately 6:15 pm to find two people injured…
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Duo in Court Following E-Bike Theft from Teens in Belmont
Two people are facing charges after allegedly stealing an E-Bike from two teenagers in Belmont last weekend. The incident occurred around 2:30 pm on Saturday when the teenagers were riding their E-Bikes along Lake Road. According to Detective Senior Sergeant…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesLegalAustralasia E-Bike TheftBelmontNorth Shore District CourtŌtaraAggravated RobberyShopliftingNew Zealand Police
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Police Seek Public Assistance to Locate Missing Teenager Larissa
Police are seeking public assistance to locate 16-year-old Larissa, who has been reported missing from the Avondale area. She was last seen at approximately 10pm on Sunday near Tiverton Road. Larissa is described as being about 175cms tall, with brown…
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Man Charged After Impersonating Police in Kawakawa
A 30-year-old man will reappear in Kaikohe District Court on 20 January on charges including personating a Police officer, unlawful possession of a restricted weapon, driving while disqualified and possession of methamphetamine, after an unexpected discovery by Northland police last…