Toddler Ruthless-Empire, known as Baby Ru, died in October.

Baby Ru: Police take significant step towards solving case two years on

Police were assessing the evidence gathered during the investigation to determine criminal culpability.

Wed, Oct 1

1:30

In this photo released by the US Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand, FBI Director Kash Patel cuts the ribbon at the official opening of the FBI office in Wellington, New Zealand, July 31, 2025.

FBI boss gave Kiwi officials 3D-printed guns illegal to possess in NZ

The pistols were judged by gun regulators to be potentially operable and were destroyed, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said.

Tue, Sep 30

Closed sign on a shop window (file image).

How many more empty shops are there really?

There has been a jump in the percentage of empty retail spaces, as a proportion of overall space, in both Auckland and Wellington.

Tue, Sep 30

1:31

The Gordon Wilson Flats are now a step closer to being demolished.

Gordon Wilson's family want derelict flats renewed, not demolished

The 1950s-era apartment complex has sat unlived in on Wellington's hills just below Victoria University since 2012.

Mon, Sep 29

The celebration of the history and living art of moko kanohi is taking place at Te Papa.

Reviving whakapapa: Māori facial tattooing celebrated in public at Te Papa

Wellington's Te Papa is hosting a celebration of the history and living art of moko kanohi, led by national tā moko collective Te Uhi a Mataora.

Mon, Sep 29

Faecal pollution found in most monitored rivers and groundwater sites, while two-thirds of lakes are rated poor or very poor.

New data reveals widespread contamination in New Zealand's waterways

Two-thirds of monitored river sites and half of groundwater bores were affected by faecal contamination, while two-thirds of lakes were rated in poor or very poor condition.

Sun, Sep 28

Man shot at by police after armed standoff in Wellington suburb

Man shot at by police after armed standoff in Wellington suburb

Police deployed pepper spray, tasers and fired a single shot after a man allegedly entered a Wadestown home armed with a large blade and refused to surrender.

Sun, Sep 28

Water hose stock image

Garden hose, sprinklers now limited to alternate days in Wellington areas

Level 1 water restrictions are now in place in Wellington city, Lower Hutt, and Porirua.

Sun, Sep 28

Michael Wahrlich, Melvin Parun, Peter O'Sullivan, Kenneth Barnard and Liam Hockings died in the Loafers Lodge fire.

Loafers Lodge: Police were looking for arsonist for weeks before murders

Esarona Lologa had absconded from a mental health facility on April 21, 2023, three weeks before the fires.

Fri, Sep 26

A confidential document (file image).

Confidential Wgtn council documents found in mayoral desk brought from dump

The documents were found by a member of the public in an old desk they had bought from the tip shop.

Fri, Sep 26

A 50-year-old man is accused of lighting the fire which killed five hostel residents.

'Never forgotten': Families react to guilty verdict in Loafers Lodge trial

Esarona Lologa was found guilty on five charges of murder and one of arson following the fatal blaze in May 2023.

Fri, Sep 26

Esarona David Lologa

Loafers Lodge: Man found guilty of murder, arson

Five people died after two fires were lit at Loafers Lodge in Newtown on May 16, 2023.

Fri, Sep 26

Masterton's town hall will soon be demolished.

'That building is a dog': Masterton town hall debate gets feisty

The current town hall in Masterton, which is set to be demolished, was deemed earthquake-prone in 2016.

Fri, Sep 26

File image of houses from above (file image).

Huge shift between landlords and tenants as Wgtn rentals stay vacant

Landlords are offering all kinds of incentives to entice people to viewings, and those who are looking for a home have found they've got their pick of the bunch.

Fri, Sep 26

A police car (file).

One dead, one in hospital after Taitā vehicle fire

Police said they were called to Taitā Drive, Lower Hutt, at around 1.30am.

Thu, Sep 25

The rugged and remote coastline east of Cape Palliser is loved by hikers, campers, surfers, fishers, and hunters. (Source: Piers Fuller)

Cape Palliser paper road: Vehicle ban gets the nod

South Wairarapa District councillors scrapped an initial proposal to ban all access to an unformed legal road in the Cape Palliser area for three years.

Wed, Sep 24

The group has been responsible for causing damage to multiple fences and newly planted native trees.

Police seek dirtbikers accused of endangering public, scaring livestock

Porirua police are looking for the group of five who regularly ride dirt bikes from Waitangirua or Cannons Creek, across iwi land, into Belmont Park and then Belmont Farm.

Wed, Sep 24

Michael Wahrlich, Melvin Parun, Peter O'Sullivan, Kenneth Barnard and Liam Hockings died in the Loafers Lodge fire.

'Guesswork and speculation': Defence closes in Loafers Lodge trial

His lawyers say the man - who has schizophrenia and has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity - lit the fire when he was experiencing serious psychotic symptoms.

Tue, Sep 23

Matt Lamason sold People's Coffee after 21 years.

People's Coffee founder sells up after 'brutal' 18 months

Despite the illusion of a flourishing business with cafes in the city and the brand being sold into supermarkets, the reality of the tough economic environment was different.

Tue, Sep 23

State Highway 6 is closed between the Lower Buller Gorge and Punakaiki.

Slip closes West Coast highway, heavy downpours for lower North

MetService said a slow-moving front over central New Zealand was forecast to gradually shift eastward tomorrow, while another weather system approaches from the south, moving northwards over Fiordland and Westland.

Mon, Sep 22

Wellington Airport.

Landing plane allegedly targeted by laser at Wellington Airport

A man has been charged over the incident last night, which involved two aircraft.

Sun, Sep 21

Gates have gone up in front of the decaying house.

Relief for neighbours as demolition begins on mouldy, abandoned Wgtn home

The 1980s era large mouldy, abandoned home on Kabul Street in Khandallah had been decaying for years, bringing a strong smell to the area.

Sat, Sep 20

Tsukumogami by Dawn Mostow & Ben Gould.

Graphic latex bodysuit inspired by ancient Japan wins top WOW award

Judges said it was the "off-the-scale" intricacy and beauty of Tsukumogami that won American design pair Dawn Mostow and Ben Gould the 2025 Supreme WOW Award.

Sat, Sep 20

Weather warnings and watches in place for Saturday and Sunday.

Canterbury residents urged to prepare ahead of 'dangerous' winds

Civil Defense warned of destructive 150km/h gusts as severe weather threatens to batter much of the South Island and lower North.

Sat, Sep 20

The rugged and remote coastline east of Cape Palliser is loved by hikers, campers, surfers, fishers and hunters.

Council rethinks controversial coastline access ban

The council’s initial proposal, which was heavily opposed, was to temporarily restrict all access to a paper road in Cape Palliser for three years to allow the land to regenerate.

Sat, Sep 20