Lightning strike sparks house fire in Auckland, tornado damages Tauranga homes

Lightning strike sparks house fire in Auckland, tornado damages Tauranga homes

Two states of local emergency have been declared in the Manawatū-Whanganui region after heavy rain triggered flooding, slips, evacuations and state highway closures overnight.

7:46pm

A boat impacted by flooding at the Pauatahanui Stream.

Heavy rain triggers flash flooding, evacuations in parts of Wellington

More than two dozen homes have been evacuated and key state highways closed for a period as intense downpours overwhelmed parts of the region today.

Saturday 12:18pm

0:49

Refunds and pricing inaccuracies are common sources of complaint.

Consumer concerns: The companies most often flagged to official watchdog

New figures reveal the enquiries consumers lodged with the Commerce Commission.

Thu, Apr 9

'Unaffordable': PM again rules out broader diesel price relief

'Unaffordable': PM again rules out broader diesel price relief

Christopher Luxon says broad‑based support would be "unaffordable and irresponsible", as diesel prices rise faster than petrol and pressure grows on Kiwis.

Tue, Apr 7

A camera equipped trailer.

How much mobile speed camera trailers made in just six months

NZTA says the programme was aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries, not raising revenue.

Sat, Apr 4

Around $700 worth of diesel – roughly 200 litres – was siphoned from a digger at a forestry site where the Auckland Downhill Club is relocating its mountain bike park.

Diesel stolen from digger at volunteer bike park as fuel prices soar

About $700 worth of fuel was stolen from a digger being used by the Auckland Downhill Club, adding pressure as the group builds its new site amid rising diesel prices.

Fri, Apr 3

Roadside drug testing starts on Monday for the Wellington region, where drivers could be given a series of three tests (file photo).

Police gear up for nationwide roadside drug testing rollout

Training will begin across the country in the coming weeks, as police prepare to introduce oral-fluid drug testing at the roadside nationwide by mid-2026.

Fri, Apr 3

March 2026
Diesel is now more expensive than unleaded 91 octane petrol on average, according to user generated fuel price tracking app Gaspy.

Why diesel now costs more than petrol

Global conflict, rising refining costs and strong demand have flipped a decades‑old fuel pricing trend.

Mon, Mar 30

4:13

Extensive damage to gliders at Kaikohe Aerodrome.

Gliders damaged, tractor stolen in Northland aerodrome break-in

The Kaikohe Gliding Club could be forced to shut down after a break-in left multiple aircraft badly damaged and vital equipment, including a $70,000 tractor, stolen.

Mon, Mar 30

3:25

Composite image by Vania Chandrawidjaja (iStock/1News)

KiwiSaver, fuel relief, minimum wage: April changes affecting your wallet

1News breaks down the changes likely to boost or dent your wallet in the coming month.

Mon, Mar 30

4:30

Emergency services were notified of the two-vehicle crash at Beachlands Speedway at around 7.10pm on Saturday.

Driver killed in crash during racing event at speedway near Dunedin

"Speedway NZ extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased, as well as to our wider speedway community during this difficult time."

Sun, Mar 29

A camera equipped trailer.

Mobile speed cameras: Rules on where they can park up revealed

Documents reveal the strict checklist operators must follow before deploying a camera vehicle or trailer - and the locations where they're banned.

Tue, Mar 24

1:31

The subtropical low was expected to bring widespread heavy rain, strong winds and unusually large seas.

Subtropical low to bring heavy rain, strong winds and high seas

MetService says more watches and warnings are likely as a moisture‑laden subtropical system brings heavy rain, severe easterly gales and large seas from Wednesday through to Friday.

Mon, Mar 23

Empty gas pumps at Pak'nSave Petone on March 20, 2026.

Why New Zealand has weeks of fuel supply but still has empty pumps

A surge in demand and tightly scheduled deliveries are causing temporary outages, despite healthy national fuel supplies.

Fri, Mar 20

4:12

Police have a man in handcuffs on Karangahape Rd.

Four arrested after high-speed police chase across Auckland

A stolen ute was driven at high speeds, rammed police cars and crashed into vehicles during a dangerous pursuit from Auckland’s east into the city centre.

Tue, Mar 17

2:27

Dark clouds above Orewa Beach, Auckland.

Tropical low to graze upper North Island, prompting weather watches

Forecasters warn of strong winds, humid nights and possible thunderstorms as the system approaches, though the worst of the weather is expected to stay offshore.

Wed, Mar 11

Road Knights MC.

'Once-dominant' gang taken off list on minister's recommendation

The group has been struck from the Gangs Act list after police found no evidence of recent offending or ongoing activity.

Tue, Mar 10

No, you can’t have the licence plate ‘PCOOK’ – here’s the ones NZTA banned

No, you can’t have the licence plate ‘PCOOK’ – here’s the ones NZTA banned

NZTA rejected a number of custom plate applications, with drug references among the reasons to decline.

Sun, Mar 8

Flooding at Tairua, Coromandel.

'Extremely active' summer brought record rain, deadly storms

Lower air pressure, La Niña and warm oceans fuelled a season of floods, landslides and temperature extremes – a preview of New Zealand’s climate future in a warming world.

Thu, Mar 5

The footage shows the bottle arcing through the air moments before impact.

Watch: Thrown beer bottle strikes car on Auckland motorway

An Auckland dad says he’s grateful no one was hurt after a bottle smashed into his roof while he and his son were travelling through the CBD.

Sun, Mar 1

0:36

Illustration of cold weather.

'Seesawing temperatures' as icy blast pushes parts of NZ as low as 2C

Only Auckland and Northland will escape single‑digit lows on Monday into Tuesday, with inland centres dipping close to freezing and frost possible in the south.

Sun, Mar 1

February 2026
Flames erupt from Northcote College's old gymnasium.

'Aggressive' fire in Northcote College heritage building during strike

Dozens of firefighters were involved at the height of the blaze at Northcote College's sports pavilion on Friday afternoon.

Fri, Feb 20

0:39

More severe-weather states of emergency have been declared already this year than in all of 2025, as deadly storms, record rainfall and repeated flooding batter parts of the North Island.

Severe weather States of Emergency in 2026 already match last year

Eight severe weather-related states of emergency have already been declared this year, matching the total for all of 2025.

Mon, Feb 16

A deepening low will stall, strengthen, and then swing back towards Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and the Eastern Bay of Plenty on Sunday.

Why a rare looping low is set to hammer the North Island's East Coast

A deepening weather system trapped between two high‑pressure ridges is set to funnel tropical moisture back over Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Sat, Feb 14

1:16

Martin Boult pictured during the Rotorua Forest Run. Hours later, he would have a heart attack.

'It kept nagging at me': The ad that saved a man from a severe heart attack

A 61‑year‑old runner says recalling a Heart Foundation message led him to hospital just in time.

Sat, Feb 14