Kenneth Barnard, right, helping the man accused of lighting the deadly Loafers Lodge fire.

Loafers Lodge fire: Man killed in blaze helped accused get in

The trial for the 50-year-old, charged with arson and murder, is in its second week.

Mon, Sep 1

2:40

CCTV cameras captured movements of a man on the night of the deadly blaze that killed five people.

Jury watches footage of man lighting couch on fire at Loafers Lodge

Footage tracked the man's every move in the lead up to the fire being lit, leading to the deaths of five people.

Fri, Aug 29

2:43

Toetu Tui Salli called emergency services, saying, “I don’t want to die like this”. 

Former Loafers Lodge resident begged for his life

Toetu Tui Salli called emergency services, saying, "I don’t want to die like this".

Thu, Aug 28

2:58

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

Loafers Lodge survivor: 'It was either burn in my room or jump'

It's the third day of the murder and arson trial for the man accused of lighting the deadly Wellington blaze more than two years ago.

Wed, Aug 27

2:32

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

Loafers Lodge fire: Tears in court as first responders testify

It's the second day of the trial for the man charged with murder and arson in relation to the blaze at Loafers Lodge on May 16, 2023.

Tue, Aug 26

2:34

Mark Jones is still haunted by what he witnessed on the night of the tragedy.

Loafers Lodge: Crown says accused lit fires as he didn't like accommodation

The man charged with murder and arson after a fatal Wellington hostel fire in 2023 had only been living there for a week when he started the blaze.

Mon, Aug 25

3:27

Ian Wilson in court in March 2021.

Former Dilworth senior master's sixth parole bid declined

Ian Wilson, 73, is still considered "an undue risk" to society, after historical offending against 11 students.

Thu, Aug 21

July 2025
More than 250 people died in the tragedy in 1979.

Focus for Erebus memorial sites turns to Christchurch

More than 45 years on from the disaster, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage continues to face delays in its memorial plans.

Wed, Jul 16

Chinese tourists injured after their bus overturned on black ice on the way to Milford Sound.

Four injured in Southland tourist bus crash discharged from hospital

Twelve passengers – all Chinese nationals – were on board when it crashed on the Athol Five Rivers Highway at 8.30am on Tuesday.

Wed, Jul 9

2:29

Parts of the Nelson Tasman cycle track will need to be rebuilt from scratch. (Source: Nelson Tasman Cycle Trails Trust).

Tourism fears as Nelson Tasman bike trail faces ‘months’ of flood repairs

A full survey of the 200 kilometre network is still underway.

Tue, Jul 1

0:38

June 2025
Tingjun Cao

Yanfei Bao: Killer removed from courtroom during sentencing

Yanfei Bao's murderer frequently disrupted the court at his sentencing hearing.

Fri, Jun 13

December 2024
Tingjun Cao

Yanfei Bao: Jury begins deliberations in murder trial

Justice Lisa Preston summed up the case against the accused, Tingjun Cao, at the High Court in Christchurch today.

December 4, 2024

November 2024
Tingjun Cao.

Yanfei Bao murder trial: Police detail scratches on accused's hands

Tingjun Cao was stopped during a police vehicle check before he was arrested later the same day at Christchurch Airport.

November 19, 2024

Floral tributes are seen outside the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch.

March 15 terrorist's lawyers get name suppression

Name suppression has been given to the lawyers representing the mosque terrorist in a highly unusual court decision.

November 15, 2024

More than 150 students from University Hall fell sick after a meal on November 3, in the middle of the busy end of year exam period.

Cause of mass illness at Canterbury Uni hall confirmed

More than 150 students fell sick due to unsafe preparation of a key ingredient.

November 14, 2024

July 2024
The crash, filmed on Saturday, occurred on the same stretch of highway near Lake Pukaki as yesterday's double bus crash.

Dashcam captures aftermath of head-on collision on icy highway

The crash, filmed on Saturday, occurred on the same stretch of highway near Lake Pukaki as yesterday's double bus crash.

July 19, 2024

0:48

Initial results of an independent review into the disability support system is expected in the coming weeks.

'We can do better': Mum of disabled 8yo calls for funding changes

An initial report from the independent panel reviewing the disability support system is expected in the coming weeks.

July 14, 2024

2:50

June 2024
Karla, Maya and Liané Dickason

'I failed them': Lauren Dickason 'horrified' by her actions

Dickason today was sentenced to 18 years for the murder of her three young daughters in Timaru in 2021.

June 26, 2024

2:53

May 2024
The flight marked the start of New Zealand Sign Language week which celebrates one of the country's two official languages.

'World-first' as NZ Sign Language used at 35,000 feet

Flight attendants operating the service used NZSL during passenger announcements and while distributing the onboard refreshments.

May 7, 2024

2:27

April 2024
Laurie Anderson was Angela Blackmoore's partner when she was murdered in 1995 – she was carrying their child at the time of her death.

Partner vows to 'haunt' Angela Blackmoore's murderers

Laurie Anderson, who's been fighting for justice since his 21-year-old "dream woman" was killed in 1995, spoke outside the High Court in Christchurch.

April 19, 2024

0:43

Manager of Auckland Council's Animal Management Team Elly Waitoa said dogs weren't the problem, but neglectful owners were to blame.

Second Christchurch dog tests positive for exotic parasite

Dogs that were close contacts of the animal were tested, as part of the MPI's investigation, and this has turned up another case.

April 11, 2024

2:37

Test results are due back in the coming days for playmates of the first New Zealand dog to be found with an exotic parasite that can be deadly.

Exotic parasite: Dog owners asked to be 'alert but not alarmed'

A Christchurch Staffordshire bull terrier found with the exotic parasite Babesia gibsoni had to be euthanised due to its illness.

April 7, 2024

2:37

March 2024
Questions are being raised about how many kids could be affected by the Government policy — and what will happen to those kicked out.

Kāinga Ora tenant describes 'traumatising' experience growing up

She now lives in a Kāinga Ora property with a family of her own, and is worried about what the changes will mean for them.

March 19, 2024

2:30

November 2023
Ross Browne.

More jail time for ex-Dilworth chaplain and prolific sex offender

Ross Browne, 75, has been sentenced for offending against five further boys at the Auckland school.

November 21, 2023

September 2023
More than 175 boys were targeted by sex criminals at the school over decades dating back to the 50s.

Calls for former Dilworth leaders to face criminal charges

More than 175 boys were targeted by sex criminals at the school over decades dating back to the 50s.

September 19, 2023

3:11