Category: Public Media

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Woman charged with allegedly bringing 22kgs of meth into the country in her checked luggage

Source: Radio New Zealand

The woman had arrived at Auckland International Airport from Singapore. (File photo) RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

A woman has been charged with allegedly bringing more than 20 kilograms of meth into the country in her checked luggage.

The 33-year-old was arrested at Auckland International airport on Sunday.

Court documents claimed she arrived on a flight from Singapore with roughly 22 kilograms of methamphetamine.

She had been charged with importing a class A controlled drug.

The maximum sentence was life imprisonment.

Court documents show the woman was both unemployed and had no fixed abode.

She was expected to appear in Manukau District Court on Monday afternoon.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Stuff files court injunction over Neighbourly data breach on dark web

Source: Radio New Zealand

Data from the Neighbourly website has been stolen. Screenshot

The Stuff-owned website Neighbourly – at the centre of a major cyber breach – has headed to court to try to stop the stolen information spreading.

The High Court at Auckland has confirmed it has received and accepted an application for an injunction.

The site was taken down for a time on New Year’s Day after the breach was found.

Information including names, email addresses, posts and messages has purportedly surfaced for sale on the dark web.

Cyber security experts say it is particularly concerning that GPS data from Neighbourly has also been taken. One said it could put lives at risk.

A court date has not yet been set.

It comes at the same time that the ManageMyHealth website was struck by a hacker attack that includes patient information.

The hackers, calling themselves “Kazu”, posted on Sunday morning that unless the company paid a ransom within 48 hours, they would leak more than 400,000 files in their possession.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Ruatiti homicide: No charges laid following deaths of Brendon and Trina Cole

Source: Radio New Zealand

Brendon and Trina Cole were found dead at a rural property in Ruatiti. SUPPLIED

No charges have been laid in relation to a homicide investigation in the central North Island where a couple were found dead.

It has been more than three weeks since since 56-year-old Brendon Leigh Cole and 54-year-old Trina Michelle Cole were found at a rural property in Ruatiti, west of Ruapehu, on 13 December.

A person of interest handed himself into police on Christmas Day.

The 29-year-old man was arrested on an active warrant, and appeared in Whanganui District Court on Boxing Day.

Police said no charges have been laid in relation to the deaths, and the homicide investigation was ongoing.

They said there were no significant updates.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Tonga’s Cabinet line-up announced for new parliament term

Source: Radio New Zealand

Lord Fakafanua receives appointment confirmation from King Tupou VI at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. 18 December 2025 Tonga Prime Minister’s Office

The inner circle of Tonga’s legislative assembly has been confirmed, with new prime minister Lord Fakafanua announcing his selection of cabinet ministers on Monday afternoon.

Fakafanua will take on the police, fire and emergency services portfolios for his government, as well as disaster management, climate change and communications.

He has named Dr Viliami Latu as his deputy. Among his portfolios are justice and economic development.

Crown Prince Tupouto’a Ulukalala returns as the minister in charge of foreign affairs and defence. He has been appointed from outside of parliament, which is permitted under Tonga’s constitution.

Former prime minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni is also back at the decision-making table as fourth in the cabinet line-up. He has picked up the health and public enterprises portfolios.

Dr Taniela Fusimalohi, who was former prime minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke’s deputy prime minister, has also made it into cabinet as Minister for Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources.

King Tupou VI has already appointed Fakafanua’s ministers to cabinet, according to Monday’s Tonga parliament announcement. This is a formal process enshrined in Tonga’s constitution.

The appointment of the King’s son, the Crown Prince, to parliament increases the size of the size of the legislative assembly, which has a base of 26 elected representatives from the general election. According to the constitution, up to four ministers can be appointed to Cabinet from outside parliament.

The only woman elected to Tonga’s parliament, Fane Fituafe, has also been named as a cabinet minister. Fituafe, who is a new MP, takes on a range of portfolios including women, social affairs and employment.

Monday’s cabinet announcement concludes the parliamentary election process that began with Tonga’s general election voting day on 20 November last year.

Twenty-six representatives (17 peoples’ representatives and nine nobles’ representatives) were elected by voters on that day – making up the country’s legislative assembly or parliament.

Following this, the group then conducted a vote for prime minister on 15 December, with Fakafanua winning over his predecessor Dr ‘Aisake Eke 16 votes to 10. Fakafanua was then formally appointed by the King to the office of prime minister, in keeping with Tonga’s constitution.

The King also appointed Lord Vaea as the speaker of the new parliament, and Lord Tu’iha’angana as his deputy. Both speaker positions can only be held by nobles’ representatives.

Cabinet lineup:

1. Lord Fakafanua

Prime Minister

Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Communications and Climate Change (MEIDECC)

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and Prisons

2. Dr Viliami Latu

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister for Justice

Minister for Trade and Economic Development

3. Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala

Minister for His Majesty’s Diplomatic Services

Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces

4. Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni

Minister for Public Enterprises

Minister for Health

5. Lataifaingata’a Tangimana

Minister for Finance & National Planning

6. Semisi Sika

Minister for Tourism

Minister for Infrastructure

7. Dr Taniela Fusimalohi

Minister for Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources

8. Dr Mo’ale ‘Otunuku

Minister for Education and Training

9. Sevenitini Toumo’ua

Minister for Customs and Inland Revenue

10. Viliami Sisifa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests

Minister for Fisheries

11. Fane Fituafe

Minister for Internal Affairs, Employment, Women, Social Protection, Youth and Sports.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Cricket Ashes live: Australia v England, test 5, day 2

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the action from Sydney Cricket Ground as England put on strong first inninngs in the final Ashes test.

England enjoyed one of their better days of the series on Sunday, with a 154-run stand between Joe Root and Harry Brook helping them to 211 for 3 before the opening day was brought to a premature end.

Australia have already won the 5-match series 3-1.

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Couple surprised to find kiwi trying to have a sleepover

Source: Radio New Zealand

The kiwi was ushered outside where it ran off (file image). supplied

A couple staying with friends near Whangārei Heads has been surprised by a special guest over the holidays after finding a kiwi in the sleepout they were staying in.

The pair had left the doors open to cool down the room.

As they were getting ready for bed they spotted a little brown kiwi tucked in the corner.

The bird was carefully picked up and placed outside where it ran off into the dark.

One of the people involved posted what happened on social media, describing the experience as wonderful.

“I fetched the others who likewise thought I was joking!” he wrote.

“The kiwi was very calm, although I suspect the light would have blinded him. I carefully ushered him into a place where I carefully picked him up and placed him outside, where he scooted off into the night.”

Forest and Bird regional conservation manager for Waikato and Taranaki Elvisa van der Leden told RNZ she believed the kiwi might have been a lost juvenile.

“[Kiwi] have terrible eyesight,” she said.

“They navigate more with their sense of smell…”

It was more likely there was bush near the sleepout where the kiwi was found, van der Leden said, and that it just wandered into the house not realising it wasn’t outside anymore, rather than the bird actively seeking shelter inside.

Getting instructions from experts was important when dealing with a wild kiwi or other animal, she said.

“You can transfer germs or disease onto them without realising it, and they can do the same back to you.”

“Waiting for a [Department of Conservation] ranger to provide instructions is always the best thing to do as the first point of call.”

Van der Leden said it was very easy to accidentally hurt kiwi.

“They have a very specific biology, their ribcage area is actually quite vulnerable so it requires trained experts to handle them without harming them,” she said.

Department of Conservation biodiversity liasion Jess Scrimgeour said it was best to let kiwi find their own way out.

“Clear the way out and you can gently usher the bird if needed. Give it space if it seems stressed.”

She was urging people not to pick up kiwi.

“They have under-developed wing and chest muscles and lack a sternum (breastbone). This makes them particularly vulnerable to crushing injuries,” she said.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Four deadly crashes in a day

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / REECE BAKER

Four people have died in a series of separate crashes in 24 hours.

Emergency services were called to a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 24 in Waikato, south of Matamata at 9.45am.

“One person died at the scene, no further injuries were reported,” police said.

“The road remains closed, with diversions in place. Motorists are advised to expect delays.”

Meanwhile, a person was killed in a crash on Roche Street in Wanaka.

Police were called to the scene about 10.45am.

“An area of Roche Street remains closed while a scene examination is completed.”

Earlier on Monday, another person died in a crash on Jones Road in Rolleston.

Police also reported on Monday that a person died in a crash in Auckland’s Papatoetoe late Sunday night.

The official holiday road toll ended at 6am on Monday with seven provisional deaths.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Christchurch properties cordoned off as bomb squad called in

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / REECE BAKER

Cordons are in place around a Christchurch property where an ‘item of concern’ has been found.

Police were called to St Barnabas Street in Fendalton at about 9.15am on Monday.

The Defence Force explosive bomb disposal team is also responding.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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No doctors overnight in Wellington urgent care clinic

Source: Radio New Zealand

The urgent care clinic at Porirua’s Kenepuru Hospital was without a doctor overnight (file image). Google Maps

The urgent care clinic at Porirua’s Kenepuru Hospital was without a doctor overnight due to what Health NZ has called “unforeseen circumstances”.

The agency posted on social media that there was no doctor at the accident and medical clinic between 10.30pm on Sunday and 7am on Monday.

“During this time, nurses will assess whether patients are safe to wait until the following morning, when they can see a GP or return to the Kenepuru Accident & Medical Clinic, or if they need to go to ED,” it said.

“If you need emergency care, please visit Wellington Regional Hospital ED or the Hutt Hospital ED as you normally would.”

Were you affected? Get in touch: lauren.crimp@rnz.co.nz

Kenepuru Hospital services around 120,000 people in Porirua, Tawa, and the Kāpiti Coast.

In 2024, Health NZ signed a contract with telehealth company Emergency Consult to provide advice overnight if there was no doctor on site.

The agency said telehealth was optional for patients, and would only be offered in the accident and medical clinic if it was clinically appropriate.

The community rallied against the changes, telling a Labour Party-run public meeting that they needed a 24-hour service.

RNZ has approached Health NZ for comment.

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Dunedin bottle store’s plans to open earlier quashed

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

Plans to open a Dunedin bottle store earlier in the day have been quashed after being told it would have been inappropriate in the student quarter.

Bottle O Cumberland applied to increase its off-licence hours to 9am until 10pm at night each day.

Currently, it opens at 10am and the closing times vary.

But the applicant, Brendan McCarthy, amended the application to close by 9pm at a district licensing committee hearing in November after being opposed by the University of Otago Proctor, police, a Ministry of Health delegate, the Chief Licensing Inspector, and a member of the public.

The committee decided to renew the licence, but retain the original opening time.

“The committee has considered the matters presented and does not consider it appropriate to extend the opening hours, given the location of the premises is in an area of high alcohol-related harm,” the committee said.

“The committee is satisfied that the premises is run safely and responsibly.”

The licence is due for renewal in 2028.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand