A New Zealand navy ship sailing in East Asia was shadowed by seven Chinese warships, the Defence Force has confirmed.HMNZS Aotearoa was sent to the East China and Yellow Seas last month, to carry out surveillance and deterrence activities in an effort to bolster United Nations Security Council sanctions against…

An investigation is underway after a person was found dead after a house fire in Auckland’s New Lynn yesterday afternoon. Emergency services were called to the house on Kohekohe Street at around 1.23pm. A total of five crews, comprised of 20 firefighters, responded to the blaze, which was extinguished. A…

Police are looking for a missing swimmer in Auckland who failed to resurface after falling into a hole while in waist-deep water. Emergency services were called to Lake Wainamu in Bethells Beach at around 6.10pm. Senior Sergeant Jon Winthrop said a 23-year-old man was in waist-deep water with three friends…

Two people have died in a house fire which broke out in Foxton Beach today, police have confirmed. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) spokesperson said crews were called to a house fire at Foxton Beach — which is about 5km west of Foxton and 90 minutes north of…

Auditors have called out schools for spending their money on boat cruises, food for local families and travel for principals – and in some cases their partners.The auditor-general’s annual report on schools’ 2024 accounts said more schools than the previous year were struggling financially or spent money inappropriately, and many…

Firefighters, backed by four helicopters, continue to battle a large vegetation fire at Tongaririo National Park that broke out yesterday afternoon. Emergency services were called to the blaze just after 1.10pm yesterday, where Fire and Emergency NZ said multiple fires had merged into a single large one.In an update this…

One man has died and a second man has been seriously injured after they were attacked by the same person in two separate incidents aboard a bus in east Auckland yesterday. The incidents occurred aboard the number 76 bus travelling from Glen Innes towards Ōrakei, when police were notified by…

Selwyn District Council is on track to collect millions more in rates than planned this year due to continued growth and unexpectedly high property revaluations.It is also set to underdeliver on its capital projects programme.The first finance and performance committee meeting of the term last week provided budget progress from…

Qantas has announced two new services out of Auckland alongside the imminent opening of a new lounge at the city’s airport as a trans-Tasman rivalry with Air New Zealand heats up.The Australian airline will launch new routes to Samoa and the Gold Coast from mid-2026. Both services will operate three…

A New Zealand national has been charged after allegedly attempting to smuggle 21kg of heroin hidden in his luggage through Sydney Airport. The 21-year-old man arrived at Sydney Airport on board an international flight from Thailand on December 7 when he was selected by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers for…