Latest Regional Headlines
Arthur’s Pass Route, SH73, Monday - Westland Anniversary Day Closure Postponed Due To Poor Weather Forecast
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 3:32 pm | NZTA
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says that the planned closures advertised for next week on SH73, Arthur’s Pass, will not start until Tuesday at the earliest (5 December). The road has been advertised to be closed each weekday 10 am to 6 pm for essential ... More >>
Police Seize Significant Amount Of Cash And Drugs In Whanganui
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 3:30 pm | New Zealand Police
Four people are before the courts and Police have seized thousands in cash and a kilo of illicit drugs following search warrants in the Whanganui area. Operation Arch is part of the ongoing efforts to target the distribution of illegal drugs in ... More >>
Demolition Of Civic Administration Building Brought Forward
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 3:04 pm | Wellington City Council
Wellington City Council has today agreed to bring funding forward from the 2024/25 financial year to 2023/24 so the Civic Administration Building (CAB) in Te Ngākau Civic Square can be demolished sooner. The building, constructed in the 1990s, was ... More >>
Youth Suicide Driver Behind Tahawai Festival
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 3:02 pm | Tahawai Festival
Promoting Mental Wellbeing and Hauora among Rangatahi driver behind Tahawai Festival 2023 Katikati will be the place to be for this New Year’s Eve. Tahawai Charitable Trust is proud to announce the launch of its unique New Year's Eve festival that ... More >>
Man Charged With Manslaughter Following Alleged Illegal Street Racing
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 2:53 pm | New Zealand Police
Police have charged an Auckland man with manslaughter, following an investigation into an incident that occurred while illegal street racing was taking place. The initial incident occurred after 11pm on 19 May 2023 in East Tamaki, at the intersection ... More >>
Decision Digest – November 2023 Auckland Transport Board Meeting
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 2:49 pm | Auckland Transport
The Auckland Transport (AT) Board made several notable decisions at its November meeting on Tuesday, as well as hearing a statement from the Waiheke Local Board about Waiheke ferry services, wharf infrastructure, and AT’s role in enabling competition ... More >>
Police Issue Urgent Appeal For Information After Kayak Located Upturned
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 2:36 pm | New Zealand Police
Police issue urgent appeal for information after kayak located upturned Police are working to locate the owner/occupant of a kayak located this morning upturned off the coast of Raumati Beach. Police are actively conducting enquiries to determine ... More >>
High Court Dismisses Appeal By Farmer
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 2:22 pm | Waikato Regional Council
The High Court at Hamilton has today dismissed an appeal by an Ōtorohanga farmer arguing that his fine for polluting a local stream was ‘manifestly excessive’. In June this year, John Leonard Walling and his company, Cazjal Farm Limited, were ... More >>
Metlink Reinstating Almost All Suspended Bus Services
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 2:00 pm | Metlink
113 suspended bus services are returning to Wellington’s public transport network over the next two months, as successful driver recruitment almost fully restores Metlink bus timetables. 59 weekday services will be reinstated from 18 December 2023, ... More >>
Hurunui’s Rich Rural Culture A Drawcard For New Migrants
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 1:56 pm | Hurunui District Council
Hurunui continues to be a strong drawcard for migrants, with 28 new citizens being celebrated at this week’s citizenship awards held at the Waipara Pavilion. Mayor Marie Black says there has been a steady rise in numbers over the years in people ... More >>
Foxton Homicide - Arrests Made
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 1:50 pm | New Zealand Police
Police investigating the homicide of Foxton man Dean Kahukiwa have made arrests for murder and arson. Mr Kahukiwa’s body was located inside a building on Reeve Street that had been set alight in the early hours of Wednesday 27 September. Police ... More >>
Manawatu Police appeal for information on suspicious fire
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 1:15 pm | New Zealand Police
Police are investigating a suspicious fire in Palmerston North. The fire at a commercial property in Matipo Lane occurred early this morning. No injuries were reported. As part of our investigation, Police are appealing for sightings of any suspicious activity ... More >>
Dive Pool To Close For Maintenance
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 1:09 pm | Masterton District Council
The dive pool at the Trust House Recreation Centre will be closed for a week from Monday 4 December, reopening on Monday 11 December. This is to allow it to be emptied for maintenance before the Christmas holidays and to address water loss that has ... More >>
Crash On The Southern Motorway - Counties Manukau
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 12:51 pm | New Zealand Police
Police are responding to a multi-vehicle crash on the Southern Motorway (SH1) in Auckland. The crash involving at least two trucks was reported at about 12.15pm near the Princess Street-Ōtāhuhu off ramp. Thankfully, no one has been injured. One ... More >>
Bumpy Start To December And Meteorological Summer
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 12:39 pm | MetService
Covering period of Thu 30 Nov - Mon 04 Dec The working week finishes off on a relatively settled note compared to the weather that MetService is forecasting across the country this weekend. MetService Meteorologist Lewis Ferris warns: “We ... More >>
Hurunui Communities Feed Back Their Plan For Their Reserves
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 12:24 pm | Hurunui District Council
Hurunui District Council’s Corporate Planner Maria Edgar is encouraged at the ideas put forward by Hurunui’s communities, who have been shaping their future plan for their reserves. Residents have fed back their suggestions to update the ... More >>
Hamilton City Council Not ‘Kicking The Can Down The Road’
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 12:05 pm | Hamilton City Council
Hamiltonians will continue to receive the same services Hamilton City Council delivers now in coming years, and be asked to have a say on the rates increases needed to erase a deficit caused by significant cost increases. Elected Members have landed ... More >>
The Coromandel Scientifically Proven To Be ‘good For Your Soul’ In World First
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 11:55 am | Destination Coromandel
To encourage Kiwis to include The Coromandel in their itinerary this summer, Destination Hauraki Coromandel has launched a world-first campaign, backed by science. With its endless golden beaches, rugged hills and green valleys, The Coromandel has always ... More >>
Environment Canterbury Welcomes New Study Into Our Water Quality Challenge
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 11:50 am | Environment Canterbury
Environment Canterbury agrees with a new study that found achieving national bottom lines for contaminants across New Zealand will be a huge challenge. The report released by Our Land and Water, ' Current state of water contaminants compared to bottom lines ... More >>
Airport Terminal To Be Named In Sir Tim Shadbolt’s Honour
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 11:47 am | Invercargill City Council
The legacy left by former Invercargill mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt will be recognised, with the city’s airport terminal to be renamed in his honour. Invercargill City Councillors have agreed to pay tribute to Sir Tim’s eight-term tenure, by ... More >>
Exciting Local Funding Opportunity For Palmy Based Environmental Projects
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 11:14 am | Environment Network Manawatu
Environment Network Manawatū (ENM) administers the Environmental Initiatives Fund to support Palmerston North-based community initiatives that improve environmental outcomes. Small Grants (up to $1000, open year-round) and Large Grants (between $1,000 ... More >>
Pet Food Company Fined $70,000 For Odour Discharge
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 11:01 am | Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council says a court decision to fine a Tauranga company $70,000 for repeatedly discharging an objectionable odour from its pet food factory sends a strong message that it’s not acceptable to breach the environmental ... More >>
Mayor’s Proposal To Make Public Transport Faster, More Reliable, And Easier To Use
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 11:00 am | Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Mayor Wayne Brown is proposing that Aucklanders pay no more than $50 a week on public transport, including bus, rail, and inner harbour ferry services. “We need to get the most out of what we’ve already got and focus on doing more for less. This is ... More >>
Search And Rescue Exercise, Papamoa Beach - Motiti Island
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 10:57 am | New Zealand Police
Don’t be alarmed if you see plenty of emergency service action along Papamoa Beach this Saturday, 2 December – it’s all part of a major search and rescue exercise testing the readiness and response of the Search and Rescue sector for a mass rescue ... More >>
Updated Controls At Aotea Great Barrier Island To Help Keep Caulerpa In Check
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 10:50 am | Biosecurity NZ
Biosecurity New Zealand is updating controls on anchoring and fishing at Aotea Great Barrier Island to help prevent the spread of exotic caulerpa seaweed. Caulerpa can form large underwater fields, altering the natural ecosystem, and has been found ... More >>
Police Keeping The Heat On Drink Driving This Summer
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 10:48 am | New Zealand Police
Auckland Police have begun a series of operations targeting drink driving as the busy summer period nears. Numerous checkpoints will be set up across the region as part of Police’s plan to support Auckland Transport’s Drink Free summer campaign. ... More >>
Police Acknowledge IPCA Report
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 10:46 am | New Zealand Police
Police acknowledge a report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), which found two Police officers trespassed on private property while attempting to serve a court order. On 18 December 2020, the officers went to a Canterbury address ... More >>
Police Officers Unlawfully Entered Canterbury Property
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 10:43 am | Independent Police Conduct Authority
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that Police unlawfully entered a man’s private property to serve Family Court documents on the Court’s behalf. On 18 December 2020, two Police officers entered the property to serve the documents ... More >>
Serious Crash On The Lewis Pass/SH7 Route – Highway Could Be Closed Into The Afternoon
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 10:40 am | New Zealand Transport Agency
A single vehicle serious injury crash in North Canterbury after 8 am this morning has closed SH7, the Lewis Pass route south of Hanmer Springs, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. The road is closed between the highway turnoff into Hanmer Springs ... More >>
Arrests Made In Relation To Firearm And Drug Offences In Hamilton
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 10:19 am | New Zealand Police
Ongoing investigations into the theft of firearms from a Hamilton club led to the execution of three warrants in Hamilton yesterday. Waikato Police’s Tactical Crime Unit with assistance from Armed Offenders Squad executed warrants at three properties ... More >>
Family Planning’s Plans For Our Children Opposed
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 7:07 am | Right To Life
Right to Life commends the new government for its commitment to refocus the education curriculum on academic achievement and not on ideology, including the removal and replacement of the gender, sexuality, and relationship-based education guidelines. ... More >>
Diversions Following Serious Crash, Forest Lake Road, Hamilton - Waikato
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 7:05 am | New Zealand Police
Emergency services are in attendance at a crash involving a vehicle and a person, on Forest Lake Road, Beerescourt, Hamilton. Police received a report of the crash at around 8.30pm. Initial indications are that one person has been seriously injured. ... More >>
Counties Manukau Police Not Horsing Around When It Comes To Retail Crime
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 2:57 pm | New Zealand Police
Counties Manukau Police have reined in a prolific shoplifter this week with the assistance of a trusty steed or two. Inspector Joe Hunter, Counties Manukau South Area Commander, says Police have been making enquiries into a person of interest ... More >>
1 January 2024 Cutoff Date To Be Pest Free Warranted
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 2:39 pm | Auckland Council
Transport operators working close to the islands in the Hauraki Gulf are urged to apply for a Pest Free Warrant before they become compulsory in the new year. Any commercial boat transporting people or goods, including barges, fishing charters ... More >>
Have you seen Yeongpyo?
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 1:06 pm | New Zealand Police
Police are appealing for the public’s help to find 81-year-old Yeongpyo Hong. She was last seen around Memorial Avenue, Christchurch about 11am today, wearing a black and white vest, pink T-shirt, navy pants, and a blue hat. Yeongpyo has dementia, ... More >>
Warning About Man Impersonating A Council Building Inspector In Wellington
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 1:05 pm | Wellington City Council
Wellington City Council is warning residents to be on the alert for a man knocking on doors and claiming to be a City Council building inspector. The Council has received three reports or complaints about a man door-knocking in the Karori-Kelburn area ... More >>
Let’s Get It Sorted: Wheelie Bins Coming
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 12:19 pm | Marlborough District Council
Marlborough’s new kerbside collection service, which has been expanded to include Grovetown, Havelock, Rarangi, Rai Valley, Renwick, Seddon Spring Creek and Tua Marina, will switch from rubbish bags to wheelie bins from 1 July next year. Two wheelie ... More >>
Antisocial Drivers Caught In The Police Web
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 12:04 pm | New Zealand Police
Back in June, the Central District Highway Patrol ran Operation Spider, focusing on anti-social driving behaviour in the industrial area of Mako Mako Road, Palmerston North. As a result of this operation, Police identified 17 vehicles as undergoing ... More >>
Arrest Made In Stoke Homicide Investigation
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 12:04 pm | New Zealand Police
Police can advise that this morning a 33-year-old man has been charged with murder in relation to the death of James Whitikau Barton on Friday 10 November. He is due to appear in Nelson District Court on Friday 1 December. Police would like to thank ... More >>
Plan To Revitalise Courtenay Place Released
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 11:13 am | Wellington City Council
Wellington City Councillors have been briefed on a plan to breathe new life into the Courtenay Place precinct. The Courtenay Place Precinct Plan sets out a vision and a clear pathway forward to revitalise the area as Wellington’s ‘premier place ... More >>
Progress Towards Canterbury's Climate Action Plan
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 10:34 am | Environment Canterbury
The Canterbury Mayoral Forum endorsed a collective funding approach to regional climate actions during a meeting on Friday 24 November. Climate actions and costs are still to be worked through and are subject to each council’s long-term plan ... More >>
Council Hails Migration Completion To Infor CloudSuite For Business Modernisation And Digital Innovation
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 10:10 am | Waikato Regional Council
Infor®, the industry cloud company, today announced that Waikato Regional Council has completed its implementation of Infor CloudSuite Public Sector, delivering on its vision for a single, integrated smart platform that will have positive outcomes ... More >>
Search Warrants Being Executed In Wairarapa
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 9:46 am | New Zealand Police
Residents in Wairarapa can expect to see armed Police staff across the area today as a number of pre-planned search warrants are executed. There is not thought to be any risk to the public. We expect to be able to provide more information later ... More >>
Police Inconvenience Alleged Burglars
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 9:44 am | New Zealand Police
Police quickly had offenders in their sights after a burglary at a Kohimarama dairy early this morning. Initial reports were received about a burglary taking place at the store on Kohimarama Road just before 2am. Auckland City East Area Commander, ... More >>
Mayor Proposes Auckland Future Fund For Financial And Physical Resilience
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 9:25 am | Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Mayor Wayne Brown is proposing to consult Aucklanders on a new regional wealth fund that would provide a better return on investment from Auckland Council’s assets. The Auckland Future Fund would make provision for climate change risks through self-insurance ... More >>
Water Conservation Is Critical This Summer
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 9:21 am | Hawkes Bay Regional Council
With the region about to experience what is predicted to be an extremely dry summer, water conservation will be critical. The water teams within Hastings District Council and Napier City Council are working together on co-ordinated messaging as much as ... More >>
Christmas Festival To Bring Festive Fun To Kerikeri
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 9:16 am | Jackie Jacman Entertainment
Kerikeri will be full of festive cheer again this December with the lighting of the Waipapa Pine Community Christmas Tree on Saturday 2 December and the return of Kerikeri Christmas in the Domain on Saturday 9 December. Join us for carols, kai ... More >>
Serious Crash, Martinborough - Wellington
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 9:14 am | New Zealand Police
Police are responding to a serious crash at the intersection of Oxford Street and Regent Street, Martinborough. The two-vehicle crash was reported around 7:05 am. One person has been airlifted to hospital in a critical condition. Traffic management ... More >>
Name Release, Workplace Incident Dannevirke
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 5:14 pm | New Zealand Police
Police are able to release the name of the man who died in a workplace incident at a Dannevirke Forestry Block, Friday 17 November. He was 50-year-old Tejay Alan Debenham, of Dannevirke, Tararua. Our condolences go out to his friends and family ... More >>
State Of Australasian Cities Conference Set To Take Place In Aotearoa New Zealand For The First Time
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 5:14 pm | State Of Australasian Cities Conference
For the first time in its 20-year history the State of Australasian Cities Conference (SOAC) is being held in Aotearoa New Zealand, with more than 400 delegates set to arrive for the event being held from 6-8 December (next week) in Pōneke Welllington. ... More >>
Wellington City Council AA+/A-1+ Credit Rating Affirmed By Standard & Poor’s
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 4:45 pm | Wellington City Council
Credit-rating agency Standard & Poor’s have today confirmed that Wellington City Council’s credit rating will remain at AA+/A-1+, which is the highest credit rating of any local authority in New Zealand. The credit outlook remains negative ... More >>
BBBSNZ Seeks Former Mentees To Share Inspiring Stories Of Success And Connection After 25 Years In Aotearoa
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 4:44 pm | BBBSNZ
Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Zealand, a leading mentoring organisation for the last 25 years, dedicated to igniting youth potential through mentorship, is on a quest to reconnect with former mentees who participated in the programme. As part ... More >>
Proposal For $10.8 Billion Investment In Canterbury’s Transport System
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 3:23 pm | Environment Canterbury
Canterbury councils and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency are proposing to almost double the investment in the region’s land transport system over the next 10 years to increase maintenance, manage risk from natural hazards, reduce emissions, enhance ... More >>
Check Before You Buy - Plant Thieves Likely To Try Cashing In
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 3:04 pm | Masterton District Council
Fed-up Masterton District Council staff want help in fighting plant thefts from Queen Elizabeth Park, The latest thefts in the past week have brought to 28 the number of lavender plants stolen from Hosking Garden – designed to be a drought-resistant, ... More >>
A ‘living Seawall’ Will Bring Marine Life To Tauranga Waterfront
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 2:44 pm | Tauranga City Council
Work has begun on a new ‘living seawall’ that will attract marine plants and animals to the waterfront along The Strand in Tauranga city centre. <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2311/73126763037855533e6e.jpeg" width="720" height="405"> Artist impression of how the ... More >>
Hamilton City Council Should Target The Pencil Pushers Before Cutting Maintenance
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 12:57 pm | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
Responding to reports on Hamilton City Council’s cost-cutting measures ahead of threats of massive rates rises, with notable reductions to spending on road maintenance, landscaping and storm water drain cleaning, Connor Molloy, Campaigns Manager at the ... More >>
Kākāpō Relocated To Reduce Monitoring Load
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 12:54 pm | Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation is investigating new monitoring solutions for the Waikato kākāpō population after the trial has shown some kākāpō continue to be highly active. Kākāpō Motupōhue during the July translocation Credit Supplied/Peter ... More >>
Recloaking Papatūānuku: The Largest Nature-based Solution Ever Proposed For Aotearoa NZ
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 12:50 pm | Pure Advantage
Recloaking Papatūānuku is a nature-based solution to strategically restore and enhance 2.1 million hectares of diverse Indigenous forest across Aotearoa New Zealand over the next decade. Today, Pure Advantage released a report on Recloaking Papatūānuku ... More >>
Handcrafted ‘Wharenui Harikoa’ Arrives At Waikato Museum
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 11:04 am | Hamilton City Council
Ko Wharenui Harikoa he poro whaka hakoko. Ko Uenuku tawhana ki te Rangi Wharenui Harikoa is a refracting prism of tuupuna-inspired light that shines across the sky like a rainbow. Nearly 6m tall and made from 5,000 balls of yarn, a spectacular ... More >>
Film Deal A Boost For Dunedin’s Creative Sector
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 10:49 am | Dunedin City Council
A new agreement between Enterprise Dunedin and the Shanghai Art Film Federation (SAFF) is expected to further boost burgeoning film links between the two cities. The signing ceremony, witnessed by Mayor of Dunedin Jules Radich in Shanghai today, ... More >>