CoveragePost
May 5, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand ANZ spending data showed a large drop in grocery spending and a spike in fuel spending. RNZ / Quin Tauetau The fuel crisis has brought with it a spike to many household expenses and one economist says we could be headed into “choppy waters”. Prime Minister Christoper Luxon recently said even ... <a title="Fuel costs, household expenses on the rise as economy heads into ‘choppy waters’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/05/fuel-costs-household-expenses-on-the-rise-as-economy-heads-into-choppy-waters/" aria-label="Read more about Fuel costs, household expenses on the rise as economy heads into ‘choppy waters’">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 5, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Tonga Police is investigating the incident on 23 April. Facebook / Tonga Police A female journalist in Tonga has been threatened at gunpoint following the broadcast of a news story about an Australian criminal deportee serving a life sentence in Tonga for methamphetamine importation. The incident, in which an unknown individual ... <a title="‘Big concern’: Tongan journalist threatened at gunpoint after gang-related report" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/05/big-concern-tongan-journalist-threatened-at-gunpoint-after-gang-related-report/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Big concern’: Tongan journalist threatened at gunpoint after gang-related report">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 5, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Environment Southland chair Jeremy McPhail said the region had a limited window to determine its future. ODT/Supplied Southland’s regional council is calling for a united response after the government announced councils have three months to come up with plans to amalgamate or it will be done for them. The news comes ... <a title="Southland councils call for united response to govt’s amalgamation plans" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/05/southland-councils-call-for-united-response-to-govts-amalgamation-plans/" aria-label="Read more about Southland councils call for united response to govt’s amalgamation plans">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 5, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand 15-year-old Karnin Petera died during a Whangārei Boys’ High School trip to Abbey Caves in May 2023. SUPPLIED An instructor on a fatal Whangārei Boys’ High caving trip has described how the group faced a stark, life-or-death choice as a flash flood swept through the cave – stay put on top ... <a title="Abbey Caves inquest: Trip leader entered water without discussion, instructor says" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/05/abbey-caves-inquest-trip-leader-entered-water-without-discussion-instructor-says/" aria-label="Read more about Abbey Caves inquest: Trip leader entered water without discussion, instructor says">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 5, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Major bank economists expect the unemployment rate to stay unchanged at 5.4 percent or nudge slightly higher for the three months ended March. 123rf Unemployment expected to remain steady at 5.4 pct – data due 6 May, 10.45am Middle East conflict likely to dampen previous tentative recovery signs Labour market recovery ... <a title="Unemployment set to stay at near-decade high, economists say" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/05/unemployment-set-to-stay-at-near-decade-high-economists-say/" aria-label="Read more about Unemployment set to stay at near-decade high, economists say">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 5, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Interislander is hiking its fuel surcharge to 54 percent on commercial vehicles and trucks crossing the Cook Strait. Wikimedia Commons Crossing the Cook Strait is about to get a whole lot more expensive for commercial operators and likely consumers. The Interislander is hiking its fuel surcharge to 54 percent on commercial ... <a title="Consumers tipped to see price increases due to fuel surcharges in about a month" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/05/consumers-tipped-to-see-price-increases-due-to-fuel-surcharges-in-about-a-month/" aria-label="Read more about Consumers tipped to see price increases due to fuel surcharges in about a month">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 5, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Vigilant Standtrue was the boys’ teacher and supervisor at the time of the assaults. Jean Edwards A Gloriavale man has been sentenced to 10 months’ home detention for assaulting four boys he was supposed to be supervising with weapons including pipes and sticks. Vigilant Standtrue, 43, was convicted of seven assault ... <a title="Gloriavale man Vigilant Standtrue sentenced to home detention on assault charges" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/05/gloriavale-man-vigilant-standtrue-sentenced-to-home-detention-on-assault-charges/" aria-label="Read more about Gloriavale man Vigilant Standtrue sentenced to home detention on assault charges">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 5, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Clarkville residents protesting at Baynons Road. RNZ/Anna Sargent Canterbury’s Waimakariri District Council will examine alternative routes for trucks taking gravel from the Waimakariri River, after Clarkville locals expressed concern about someone being hurt or killed. Residents told RNZ gravel trucks had been pounding their narrow roads since the end of last ... <a title="Council to examine alternative routes for trucks taking gravel from Waimakariri River" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/05/council-to-examine-alternative-routes-for-trucks-taking-gravel-from-waimakariri-river/" aria-label="Read more about Council to examine alternative routes for trucks taking gravel from Waimakariri River">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 5, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand St John A person has been take to hospital in a serious condition after a large ambulance call-out in Auckland. Four ambulances and a rapid response unit were deployed to Swanson Road in Rānui just before midday. Crews treated two patients – one was taken to Auckland Hospital in the serious ... <a title="Two people taken to hospital, one in serious condition, after incident in West Auckland" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/05/two-people-taken-to-hospital-one-in-serious-condition-after-incident-in-west-auckland/" aria-label="Read more about Two people taken to hospital, one in serious condition, after incident in West Auckland">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 5, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Mercury has apologised to affected customers. Supplied / Mercury NZ Ltd Some customers of power company Mercury have mistakenly been told they have not kept up with their bills. Customers have received messages telling them Mercury had “noticed you may have had a couple of missed payments over the last few ... <a title="Mercury customers mistakenly told they hadn’t paid" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/05/mercury-customers-mistakenly-told-they-hadnt-paid/" aria-label="Read more about Mercury customers mistakenly told they hadn’t paid">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 5, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Angus Dreaver Two more police staff’s internet usage is being “assessed” for potential misuse, RNZ can reveal. A rapid review of staff internet usage was sparked by the resignation of former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming after child sexual exploitation and bestiality material were found on his work devices. RNZ ... <a title="Two further police staff having internet usage assessed for potential misuse" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/05/two-further-police-staff-having-internet-usage-assessed-for-potential-misuse/" aria-label="Read more about Two further police staff having internet usage assessed for potential misuse">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 5, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Police say the 11-year-old was found safe and well. Police say an 11-year-old Hamilton boy who had been missing since last Wednesday has been found safe and well. The boy was last seen in Glenview on 29 April but police say he has now been located. Earlier police had said that ... <a title="Missing Hamilton boy found safe and well" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/05/missing-hamilton-boy-found-safe-and-well/" aria-label="Read more about Missing Hamilton boy found safe and well">Read more</a>
