Emergency crews mounted a complex overnight rescue on Mount Aspiring in the early hours of Wednesday morning (Source: Helicopters Otago)

Climber believed dead, found alive after 200m fall on Mt Aspiring

Rescuers were told the fall was likely to be unsurvivable but found the climber alive, hours after his companion braved a lone night climb to the 3033m summit to raise the alarm.

4:31pm

1:55

Upper Hutt's possible exit from a proposed Wellington "metro" authority has complicated the region's amalgamation plans.

'A giant dating game': Where councils stand as merger deadline looms

Some districts are close to a deal. Others have walked away entirely. Here's where every part of the country stands with two weeks to go.

Mon, Jul 27

1:31

A slip damages State Highway 3 through the Awakino Gorge in northern Taranaki.

'The cliff's coming down': Family's narrow escape in Awakino Gorge

Nikita Phillips and her family escaped by seconds when a cliff gave way onto SH3 in the Awakino Gorge in the early hours of the morning.

Sat, Jul 25

Why phones woke thousands before 5.9 magnitude Taumarunui earthquake

Explainer

Why phones woke thousands before 5.9 magnitude Taumarunui earthquake

Some North Islanders received earthquake alerts before they felt the ground shake, thanks to a system that turns Android phones into a giant seismic detection network.

Sat, Jul 25

Central America and Mexico are at the start of the trafficking routes.

The 'Hollywood drug': Why cocaine is gaining ground in New Zealand

Cocaine is now following methamphetamine's smuggling routes – and one researcher says it's here to stay.

Sat, Jul 25

5:02

Police are investigating after a man was hit and his wife allegedly punched in the face during a road rage incident partially caught on camera in the Bay of Plenty yesterday.

Watch: Pāpāmoa dad struck by reversing car during road rage attack

Police are investigating after a man was hit and his wife allegedly punched in the face during a road rage incident partially caught on camera in the Bay of Plenty yesterday.

Wed, Jul 22

0:42

Flash needed emergency surgery and had large bone splinters removed from his intestine.

Bunnings removes pet treat from sale after dog needed emergency surgery

Kat Thomas wanted the product removed from sale, although the retailer said the natural bone products can splinter and come with safety warnings.

Tue, Jul 21

Geonet said the earthquake struck about 40km north of Te Anau at 9.14pm on Thursday at a depth of 53km.

Tsunami warning downgraded after Fiordland quake revised to 5.9

Civil Defence has downgraded the warning to an advisory, with no coastal flooding expected but dangerous currents and surges still possible along the Fiordland coast.

Thu, Jul 16

1:42

(Composite image: Vinay Ranchhod)

Woman reclaims personalised plates after they turn up on stranger's car

A Waikato woman spent eight months navigating a bureaucratic dead end before a phone call from police achieved what NZTA could not.

Thu, Jul 16

Fuel prices are tipped to climb in the coming weeks as global oil markets react to renewed conflict in the Middle East.

'Fill up now': Fuel to climb again amid renewed US-Iran conflict

Drivers warned fuel prices will rise as renewed US-Iran fighting near the Strait of Hormuz and a Russian diesel export ban put fresh pressure on global oil markets.

Wed, Jul 15

2:25

The Independent Police Conduct Authority oversaw a police investigation into an Auckland police officer, with the summary of the probe released today. (file photo)

Cop who binned cannabis to dodge paperwork still on the force

The Auckland officer was charged with perverting the course of justice, but walked free after prosecutors couldn't prove his actions were anything more than laziness.

Tue, Jul 14

Sam Neill's Dr Alan Grant faces down a Tyrannosaurus Rex in 1993's Jurassic Park.

Sir Sam Neill’s greatest roles: From Sleeping Dogs to Jurassic Park

Across five decades, Sam Neill moved effortlessly between New Zealand dramas, Hollywood thrillers, cult favourites and cinematic landmarks.

Tue, Jul 14

1:30

Lake Tekapo was the coldest spot last night, recording just -12.5C.

Mercury plunges to -12.5C in Lake Tekapo on NZ's coldest night

MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley says temperatures dropped as low as-12.5C overnight, with frost reaching as far north as Auckland.

Sun, Jul 12

1:27

Waihi Beach Coastguard

'A kick in the guts': Fuel thieves target BoP volunteer Coastguard

Waihi Beach Volunteer Coastguard says thieves stole 1200 litres of petrol within days of its tank being refilled, leaving the charity thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Sun, Jul 12

NZTA released its Major Transport Projects Pipeline today, setting out the phasing for projects including the Roads of National Significance and major public transport projects.

Govt pulls flagship roading projects into the slow lane

Transport Minister Chris Bishop said some projects would continue only "preparation for future route protection" rather than moving into construction.

Thu, Jul 9

3:01

"Considerable damage" to a home in Whangamatā after it was struck by lightning overnight.

Lightning strike causes 'considerable damage' to Whangamatā home

Photos from the scene show the extent of the damage, with blackened power points, an exploded fuse box, and holes blown through the home's walls.

Mon, Jul 6

Rizal Hutton with the bottle rocket he built for a Vogeltown School science project — before it flew much further than anyone expected.

New Plymouth boy's science project rocket found 120m away — up a tree

A dad's search for his son's missing bottle rocket became a neighbourhood sensation, before it turned up wedged in a tree seven metres off the ground.

Sun, Jul 5

0:35

The Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) is one of the biggest public service shake-ups in recent years.

One entity to rule them all: What's in the Govt's new mega-ministry?

The new Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) starts work today. Here's what it means and what's been merged.

Wed, Jul 1

June 2026
Don Neale first built the beachfront landmark in 2001.

Hokitika's famous driftwood sign destroyed in suspected vandalism

Police are investigating after one of the West Coast's most-photographed landmarks was deliberately dismantled.

Mon, Jun 29

Roimata Ironui's damaged car after it was struck by a tyre on Auckland's Southern Motorway last week.

'We should be dead': Truck tyre strikes family's car on Auckland motorway

An Auckland family is badly shaken after the incident on the Southern Motorway.

Sat, Jun 27

Coronet Peak on June 17, 2026.

Gales, snow, rain: More warnings likely as low bears down on NZ

MetService says watches and warnings already in place from Northland to Wellington are likely to be upgraded as the system develops.

Tue, Jun 23

Matt Ringot says the 96.7kg tuna is by far the biggest catch he's ever hauled in.

Jet ski fisherman lands 95.6kg tuna after shark bites off its tail

Matt Ringot's 90-minute battle in rough seas off the Bay of Plenty took a dramatic turn when a mako shark joined in.

Mon, Jun 22

1:11

DNA testing confirmed remains found on an offshore Coromandel island belonged to Waihī father of three Samuel McAlister, who vanished in September 2023.

'Mama finally found you': Mum's words after DNA confirms son's remains

Haidee Ainsley has farewelled her son Samuel McAlister, whose remains were found on an offshore Coromandel island after he vanished in September 2023.

Mon, Jun 22

1:31

National campaign chair Simeon Brown.

Peters fires back, Seymour calls for unity after Nats 'Mum and Dad' dig

National's coalition partners have responded after campaign chairman Simeon Brown likened coalition dynamics to parents managing misbehaving children.

Sun, Jun 21

A knife-wielding man allegedly threatened a dairy owner during a shoplifting in the central city

Pie sign becomes shield as bystanders confront knife-wielding shoplifter

Police allege a 34-year-old threatened people with a weapon in Hamilton's CBD yesterday.

Sat, Jun 20