Source: Radio New Zealand

A person has died the day after a single-car crash near Whakatāne.

Emergency services were called to Tahuna Rd about 3.40pm on Saturday.

Two people were seriously injured in the crash initially, but police said one of the pair had now died.

The other person remained in a serious condition in hospital.

The road was closed but had since reopened.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A person has died after being struck by a vehicle in Northland’s Bay of Islands overnight.

Police said at 12.10am on Sunday, the pedestrian was hit on Puketona Rd, near the Garden Court intersection in Haruru.

The spokesperson said despite emergency services best efforts, the person died at the scene.

Puketona Rd was closed between Haruru Falls Rd and Te Karuwha Parade while the Serious Crash Unit did a scene examination, and had since re-opened.

Inquiries into the circumstances of the death were ongoing.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Drivers have been warned of flooding in some parts of Northland, after heavy rain, while some areas have been isolated by slips and floods.

On Sunday morning Whangārei District Council said drivers should not travel in or out of Ngunguru, Helena Bay, Ōakura, Punaruku, or Whangaruru.

MetService forecasters issued a heavy rain warning for Northland through to midday Sunday, with rain continuing to accumulate after flooding overnight.

Nearly 150 millimetres of rain was recorded at Ngunguru between midnight and 5:30am Sunday.

Whangārei District Council said heavy rain and surface flooding had closed roads, isolating some communities.

“Drive with great care expecting slippery roads and possible hazards like fallen trees or flooding,” they said on Facebook.

“Expect river and stream levels to be much higher than usual, and to be flowing with a lot more force. Levels may also continue to rise rapidly.”

Do you know more? Email iwitness@rnz.co.nz

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Pharmac is seeking clinical advice on whether weight loss medication should be funded.

New Zealand has the third-highest adult obesity rate in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

One in three people over the age of 15 are classified as obese and one in eight children aged between 2-14.

Pharmac received two applications to fund Wegovy or semaglutide – a GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight loss.

The first was in September, for people with an established cardiovascular disease (such as someone who has had a heart attack or stroke) and a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27 or higher. The second was in October, for chronic weight management in people with a BMI of 30 or higher, with at least one weight-related comorbidity.

Pharmac director of advice and assessment David Hughes said guidance was expected to be published later this month.

“Our expert advisors will assess how effective the medicine is compared with current funded options, and consider its impact on individuals, whānau, caregivers and the wider health system,” he said.

Hughes added that Pharmac also had an application to fund Saxenda or liraglutide for people with very high BMI.

That application was currently under assessment.

On Monday, Australia announced that Wegovy would be subsidised, after being listed on the country’s equivalent to Pharmac.

The ABC reported that Australia’s Health Minister Mark Butler committed to listing the drug on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for patients with an established cardiovascular disease and a BMI of 35 or higher. No clear timeline for was established.

However, that would reduce the cost to AU$25 (NZ$29) per script or AU$7.70 (NZ$9) for a concession card holder.

Wegovy costs $459.99 per month in New Zealand.

Associate Minister of Health David Seymour could not comment on what Pharmac should or should not fund.

“However, I am urging them to improve their budget bids for more money, by considering how funding new drugs might save the taxpayer money elsewhere,” he said.

“That shift could lead to drugs such as this one being funded sooner, but the final decision remains with Pharmac.”

Weight loss specialist Dr Gerard McQuinlan also believed that funding Wegovy would save the taxpayer money in the long run.

He told RNZ that obesity was related to more than 200 other diseases.

“If I just take one of them, like diabetes, the risk for developing Type 2 diabetes if you have obesity is about 12 times, right?

“If you look at the cost of Type 2 diabetes to the taxpayer – this is from the Ministry of Health – it costs about $2.1 billion per year, so just reducing just one disease, like diabetes, you can save a lot of money.”

He did not think funding Wegovy would create a shortage, especially once the pill form was available in New Zealand.

He said obesity was a chronic, relapsing and progressive disease, with a 95 percent chance the weight would return, if the disease was not managed through medication.

“We don’t want people to lose weight and then stop the medication, and the weight comes back on, because usually, they’ll gain more weight than what they started with,” he said.

“People put on more weight after dieting, eventually, because it’s not a willpower problem – it’s a hormone problem. It’s to do with hormones that regulate hunger, appetite and particularly the feeling that people have had enough food.

“That’s the problem with obesity – people don’t feel that they’ve eaten enough. The signal’s lost.

“The Wegovy, that is the hormone that controls satiety, the feeling that you’ve had enough to eat.”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Staff at Te Nukuau Wellington Zoo are mourning the death of Sundar, one of the zoo’s popular red pandas and a familiar face to generations of visitors.

Sundar was euthanised last weekend at the age of 12 after his health declined, with keepers and veterinarians concerned he was experiencing ongoing pain from a hip condition and age-related dental disease.

Acting animal care manager Rob Harland said the decision was not taken lightly, but was made in the interests of Sundar’s welfare.

“He was a pretty old animal,” Harland said.

“Red pandas in the wild typically live between eight and 10 years. In human care they can live a bit longer, and Sundar was over 12 and a half, so he was quite elderly.”

Harland said Sundar had been closely monitored and received a series of medical interventions, but arthritic changes in his hips were increasingly affecting his ability to climb, a vital behaviour for the largely tree-dwelling species.

“If they lose the ability to climb efficiently, their ability to behave in a species-typical way is impacted quite a lot,” he said.

“We felt it was the kindest thing to do.”

Zoo staff said Sundar’s loss had been felt deeply by the team, many of whom had cared for him for more than a decade.

“It’s been a sad week for the keepers, the veterinary team, and everyone at the zoo,” Harland said.

“He was a beloved animal, and when you’ve invested so much time and care over so many years, saying goodbye is really hard.”

Sundar arrived at Wellington Zoo from Auckland Zoo more than 11 years ago as part of an international conservation breeding programme for the endangered species. He later became a father, with his son Ngima born at the zoo in a rare and celebrated breeding success.

Harland said Sundar was also one of the zoo’s standout animal ambassadors, particularly through the Close Encounter programme.

“Over the years he met thousands of visitors, helped people learn about red pandas, and even met prime ministers and other well-known guests,” he said.

“He was an incredible ambassador for his species.”

Red pandas are classified as endangered, with an estimated wild population of around 2,500.

Habitat loss remains the biggest threat to their survival, with many populations living in remote and politically complex regions.

“That’s what makes the work we do in zoos so important,” Harland said.

“It helps build understanding, knowledge, and support for conservation efforts in the wild.”

Wellington Zoo is now home to two red pandas: Sundar’s breeding partner Khusi and their son Ngima, who live separately in line with the species’ typically solitary nature.

While keepers believe the remaining pandas were unlikely to have been affected by Sundar’s passing, Harland said staff will take time to grieve.

“One of the things we focus on in zoos is making sure an animal’s welfare is prioritised at the beginning, middle and end of their life,” he said.

“As sad as it is, we know this was the right decision for Sundar.”

The zoo may look to bring in another red panda in the future as part of the international breeding programme, but for now the focus is on caring for Khusi and Ngima.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Orcas have been spotted scouting the waters of Wellington Harbour.

Footage, captured on Saturday from Seatoun Wharf, shows two orcas exploring Wellington Harbour.

The orcas are reportedly named Funky Monkey and Pickle.

According to the Department of Conservation, orcas commonly venture into Wellington Harbour throughout spring and summer looking for food, often stingrays.

Orcas are often seen exploring the northern end of the harbour, oriental Parade, Frank Kitts Park, the Lagoon, and the Kapiti Coast.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A warning has been issued after a sewage leak in Wellington.

Wellington Water said partially treated wastewater was released into the ocean after a mechanical failure at the Seaview treatment plant around 6pm on Saturday.

It said the water near the leak may look cloudy and could smell.

People are advised to avoid the water near Pencarrow.

An investigation is underway into what went wrong.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Two people have been seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash on Tahuna Road, Whakatāne, on Saturday afternoon.

Police said the crash occurred between Secombe Road and Jackson Road, after the vehicle drove off the roadway.

The incident was reported at about 3.40pm.

Tahuna Road was closed, while emergency services worked at the scene, and motorists were advised to take alternative routes.

The Serious Crash Unit was called in to carry out a scene examination.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A person has suffered moderate injuries in a unprovoked attack on an Auckland bus last Thursday.

Police say the victim was travelling alone on a bus in Onehunga between 1.15-3.40pm, when they were confronted by a group of people, “who have carried out an unprovoked attack”.

They said the victim needed medical treatment following the attack.

“The incident was reported to police later on that evening, Enquiries are ongoing to identify those involved.”

Police are asking anyone with information to contact them via 105 and quote the file number 260115/7104.

Information can also be given anonymously through Crime Stoppers’ website or by calling them on 0800 555 111.

The attack comes after several violent incidents on Auckland buses recently – including an attack on a bus driver on board a Mount Eden route this week and the fatal stabbing of a passenger ona Glenn Innes bus in December.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The Chief District Court judge could be called to give evidence in the hearing of a judge accused of disrupting a New Zealand First event.

District Court Judge Ema Aitken will appear before a judicial conduct panel, after allegedly disrupting a function at Auckland’s exclusive Northern Club in 2024.

She is accused of shouting that NZ First leader Winston Peters was lying.

Judge Aitken said she didn’t shout, didn’t recognise Peters’ voice when she responded to remarks she overheard and didn’t know it was a political event.

A judicial conduct panel will review her conduct at a hearing in February.

A minute from last December indicated an intention from Judge Aitken, represented by David Jones KC, to call Chief District Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu.

“The Panel requests that the application foreshadowed by counsel for the Judge for a direction that a summons be issued to a witness should be filed by no later than Friday, 23 January 2026,” it said.

“That request applies to both the summons to the Ministry of Justice employee… and to the summons to the Chief District Court Judge.”

The panel overseeing the inquiry is led by retired Court of Appeal Judge Brendan Brown KC, and includes sitting Court of Appeal Judge Justice Jillian Mallon and former Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae.

It will determine facts and write a report to the attorney-general, including whether the removal of the judge is justified.

The inquiry is scheduled for Auckland next month.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Police are appealing for information after a fatal crash in Rotorua’s Tikitere.

The two-vehicle crash happened around 4.20am on Thursday on State Highway 30.

Two people were found dead at the scene and another person had moderate injuries.

Police would like to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage between the areas of Fenton Street, Rotorua and Curtis Road.

Officers say they are looking for footage of a Green Honda Spike, or any information on the vehicle’s movements during the early hours of Thursday morning.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Forensic experts are spending a second day examining a house in the Auckland suburb of Onehunga where a man was shot.

Police were called to the property on Arthur Street late on Friday morning following reports that several people had arrived at a house and fired shots.

Detective Senior Sergeant Matt Bunce said a man has been in a critical condition in hospital.

He said it looked like a targeted incident and there was no ongoing risk to the public.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A third investigation into the death of preschooler Lachlan Jones is nearing completion.

The three-year-old’s body was found in an oxidation pond in Gore seven years ago.

Coroner Alex Ho instructed the Police to look into the case again in June last year.

Two police investigations concluded it was an accidental drowning, but Lachlan’s father Paul Jones maintains he was murdered.

Coroner Ho found Lachlan most likely fled home and accessed the pond himself, but he could not rule out foul play.

Detective Inspector Darrell Harpur from Waikato is leading the investigation, overseen by Detective Superintendent Ross McKay.

They were in contact with the Coroner’s office on Thursday to provide an update.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A man has died after being pulled from the water at a beach in Mount Maunganui.

Police said they were called to Pilot Bay on Saturday, just before 8:30am.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Police are appealing for information after a fatal crash in Rotorua’s Tikitere.

The two-vehicle crash happened around 4.20am on Thursday on State Highway 30.

Two people were found dead at the scene and another person had moderate injuries.

Police would like to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage between the areas of Fenton Street, Rotorua and Curtis Road.

Officers say they are looking for footage of a Green Honda Spike, or any information on the vehicle’s movements during the early hours of Thursday morning.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A local helicopter pilot helped bring stranded people to safety last night, after they were trapped in the Waioeka Gorge.

A police-led rescue was launched on a stretch of State Highway 2, between Gisborne and Ōpōtiki on Friday night, after dozens of people were stranded by huge slips caused by heavy rain.

Bay of Plenty Helicopters pilot Luke said he had made two rescues of four people, before being asked by police to begin taking people to Maunganuku carpark.

Luke said many people were confused.

” A lot of them just had a slip in front of them, they didn’t know there were multiple slips, so they were asking ‘are we going to be stuck here for the day, will it be cleared tomorrow, and what is going to happen to my car?’”

Luke said the people could have been taken to safety a lot sooner, if it was up to the local pilots.

“We could have got everyone out quite quickly and easily given we had most of the afternoon to do it, but things were sort of pushed out to the afternoon.

“It’s a very dangerous environment in there, there’s a single strand wire that criss-crosses all the way up so a lot of us operators we fly that a lot so we know the area.” he said.

It is believed Motu Helicopters were also involved in the rescue operations.

Police said more than 40 people were evacuated.

Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Nicky Cooney said by midnight, helicopters had brought out everyone stuck between the slips.

“It’s been a significant effort to reach so many people who were trapped, and I want to acknowledge the efforts of local helicopter pilots, New Zealand Defence Force staff, local and regional councils, and Police Search and Rescue staff.

“It’s been a long operation, but we’re just thankful that everyone is safe – everyone we know about has been accounted for.”

Inspector Cooney said helicopters took the evacuated motorists to a local campsite, where an NZDF NH90 helicopter ferried them to evacuation centres at Matawai and Ōpōtiki.

“The recovery of the vehicles will take some time given the significant damage and number of slips through the gorge, but the main thing is nobody was hurt.”

Another eight people in two private addresses will be evacuated on Saturday morning.

Police said it will take some time to recover the vehicles given the significant amount of damage.

The Transport Agency said the stretch of road will be closed all weekend.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

An OE in London is often viewed as a right of passage for New Zealanders and Australians, but UK-based recruiters say it is a difficult time to secure work in the city, even for experienced expats.

Oliver Tattersall, 28, has been working as a software developer for six years.

He moved to London from Auckland in June to begin his OE, and was initially looking forward to the job hunt.

“There are a lot of exciting job opportunities in London, especially in software development, so I had pretty big dreams of all these cool companies I could work for,” Tattersall said.

However, the reality of finding work soon became clear.

Tattersall sent off 200 applications during his search – many never returned a response.

On several occasions he progressed through to the end of an interview process, only to miss out to another candidate.

“Those were the down days, when you’d go through an interview process and miss out after the second or third round, and be back at square one, when you’re just sending off several applications a day and hearing nothing,” he said.

After months of unemployment, Tattersall was relying heavily on his savings, and had signed up for temporary work.

He also started posting about his job hunt on social media, to give himself something creative to focus on.

The posts were viewed by his friends, but he received several messages asking questions about what type of work he was looking for, and what experience he had.

“If you know people it’s a lot easier to get a job, and so I thought sharing my journey was a way to put myself out there,” Tattersall said.

Finally, after four months of searching, Tattersall secured a position as a senior associate developer in financial services.

However, other London jobseekers have not been as lucky.

Imogen Haylock, 29, has temporarily moved back home to Adelaide after being unemployed for six months.

She secured a marketing job when she first moved to London in 2024, but was later made redundant.

Finding work for a second time has been significantly harder.

Haylock eventually had to move out of her flat, and live with her sister in London to save rent.

She made the difficult decision to return to Australia, after a particularly promising job opportunity fell through.

“I realised, it has been six months, and I am back at absolute scratch on this job hunt,”

“It just felt like absolute logic to leave and go home at that stage, and just recoup and actually have the chance to stop job hunting for a minute and just reset, because it is very draining,” Haylock said.

She has also been sharing the highs and lows of unemployment on social media, and started a Whatsapp group of 150 followers who are also seeking work in the city.

“I wanted to be really honest and be like, yes I’m unemployed, and yes I can be optimistic about this temporary break and this ability to enjoy London in my spare time, but the reality is that it’s really hard and I’m really struggling with this,”

“I didn’t realise how many people were going through what I was going through, particularly in marketing,” Haylock said.

Deb Brown, a recruiter at Armadillo Connect, which specialises in helping New Zealanders, Australians and Canadians find work in accounting, marketing, and legal roles, said it has been a challenging time for London jobseekers – and that’s likely to continue.

“Corporate and commercial lawyers, who usually have found it fairly easy to secure work in London, particularly if they’re coming from the top tier legal firms in Australia and New Zealand, this year, even those guys are struggling, and in some instances we’re suggesting people just to hold off coming to the UK,” Brown said.

She said London companies are struggling, and cutting back on recruiting to save money.

Brown advised New Zealanders who are thinking about moving, to make sure they have at least several years of industry experience, and have started planning for their job search before arriving.

She said clearly stating whether you have the ability to obtain a longer-term visa on your CV is also a good idea.

“What I will say is Australian and New Zealand professionals are highly regarded in the London job market, and we have all those Aussies and Kiwis before us to thank for that because they have created a great work ethic and a great reputation.”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A man has been injured after being hit by a vehicle in the Wellington suburb of Newtown.

Emergency services were called to a report of a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian in Riddiford Street about 6.40pm on Friday.

Police said the pedestrian had moderate to serious injuries.

“There will be some disruption to traffic flow while emergency services work at the scene, especially in the south bound lane of Riddiford Street.

“Motorists are advised to take alternative routes,” police said.

“Police will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and the Serious Crash Unit has been notified.”

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