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Update: Man speaking to Police in relation to Ruatiti homicide

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Central District Commander Superintendent Dion Bennett:

The 29-year-old man Police required to speak to about a double homicide in Ruatiti on Saturday 13 December has handed himself into Police custody.

Police launched a homicide investigation following the deaths of 56-year-old Brendon Leigh Cole and 54-year-old Trina Michelle Cole at a rural property in Ruatiti.

The man was identified as someone Police needed to speak to in relation to the investigation.

He has presented himself to Whanganui Police Station today about 1.30pm and was arrested on an active warrant, due to appear in the Whanganui District Court tomorrow.

Police on ground in the area will now be making further enquiries in the investigation.

Police thank the public for their patience and support.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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In review: New Zealand sporting highs and lows in 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

All Blacks Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett, showing the strain, at the disastrous game against South Africa, at Wellington’s Sky Stadium, on 13 September. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

Nothing incapsulates the joy and agony sport had to offer for New Zealand in 2025 more than what the All Blacks experienced in just the span of a week.

From keeping their 31-year Eden Park record intact, to suffering their biggest-ever defeat just seven days later, Kiwi sports had plenty of highs, but unfortunately, just as many lows over the last 12 months.

Here is a look back at the roller coaster that was 2025 in New Zealand sport.

All Blacks Eden Park record intact

It’s hard to ignore the All Blacks extending their unbeaten streak at Eden Park with victory over their biggest foes, the Springboks, in their Rugby Championship clash in September.

While the following week’s horror result in the rematch at Wellington undercuts this performance – and we’ll get to that – it was still more than worthy of a mention.

New Zealand kept their 31-year record intact at the Auckland venue with a gutsy 24-17 win over South Africa.

The All Blacks led throughout the fixture but had to fight off a determined comeback in the second half.

An Ardie Savea penalty – in his 100th test – near the tryline secured New Zealand the win and perhaps more importantly, kept the record at Eden Park alive.

Aridie Savea wins a penalty and celebrates with Quinn Tupaea and Fabian Holland. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Kiwi teen Sam Ruthe breaks record sub-four-minute mile

Kiwi teenager Sam Ruthe became the youngest runner to break four minutes for the mile, with sensational performance in unfavourable conditions at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium in March.

Ruthe crossed the finish at 3m 58.35s with the help of training partner and two-time Olympian Sam Tanner pacing him.

Track athlete Sam Ruthe, at Mt Smart Stadium on 19 March. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

The Tauranga teen was 24 days short of his 16th birthday and beat his own previous age best of 4m 01.72s, set at Whanganui in January.

Ruthe teen became the first 15-year-old to duck under the mythical benchmark for middle-distance running – and did it in the wet and cold.

High-jumper Hamish Kerr soars to gold

In front of an enthralled 37,000 Tokyo crowd, high-jumper Hamish Kerr soared to gold at the world championships in September.

The Olympic champion posted a best of 2.36 metres to pick up New Zealand’s second top gong after Geordie Beamish’s shock victory in the men’s 3000m steeplechase.

It also equalled his New Zealand and Oceania record, which followed his Diamond League title win in August.

Hamish Kerr celebrates after winning the men’s high jump final during the World Athletics Championships, in Tokyo, on 16 September. ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP

Kerr capped off a memorable 2025 with the New Zealand Olympic Committee’s highest honour – the Lonsdale Cup.

Wellington woes return with record-defeat

I said we’d get to that disaster night in Wellington and unfortunately, it’s impossible not to include it as a sporting low in 2025.

Just a week on from the fortress-solidifying result at Eden Park, the All Blacks fell to their heaviest defeat in history.

South Africa overcame a slow start riddled with injuries to put New Zealand to the sword in the last 20 minutes, winning 43-10 to retain the Freedom Cup.

The Springboks were the ones celebrating, on 13 September, in Wellington. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

The loss was one thing – which has become all too familiar at Sky Stadium – but the nature of the second-half capitulation is what particularly stung.

New Zealand led 10-7 at halftime, only to concede 36 unanswered points after the break for their biggest defeat, home or away, in history.

Parker’s battle in and out of the ring

It wasn’t supposed to be this way.

Kiwi heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker went into his bout with Brit Fabio Wardley riding a six-fight win streak and with a squeaky clean record.

But after 11 rounds, that all came crashing down as Wardley stopped Parker in front of a packed O2 Arena in London in October.

Parker was up on the scorecards and looked to be closing in on a victory that would have all but guaranteed his shot at the undisputed championship.

Fabio Wardley TKOs Joseph Parker. Richard Pelham/Getty Images

But a ‘Hail Mary’ right hook sent Parker rocking and forced the referee to step in and call the bout off.

To make matters worse, just over two weeks later, it was revealed the Kiwi heavyweight failed a dope test on the day of the fight.

He tested positive for traces of cocaine – which Parker has outright refuted – and could face a lengthy ban from the sport.

Kiwi sailing star Peter Burling announces move to Luna Rossa

It would be too easy to include the entirety of the NZ Netball saga which saw coach Dame Noeline Taurua stood down and then reinstated, and has been covered at length.

Instead, Kiwi sailing star Peter Burling announcing his intentions to join Italians Luna Rossa for the 38th America’s Cup in June makes the list.

Burling is one New Zealand’s greatest sailors, with nine world championship crowns and Olympic medals – one gold and two silver – to his name, usually in tandem with Blair Tuke in the 49er class.

Peter Burling, co-CEO and driver of Black Foils SailGP Team looks on after sustaining a finger injury, Abu Dhabi, 2025. Christopher Pike for SailGP / Supplied

Losing him to a rival hurts enough, but Burling revealing that Team New Zealand’s control over him forced him out after 12 years with the syndicate stings even more.

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

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Churches open doors for Christmas celebrations and thanks

Source: Radio New Zealand

Princy Christian (third from left) joined the morning service straight after her night shift. She’s at the service with her family. Ke-Xin Li

After spending Christmas Eve working a long night shift at the Waitakere Hospital, healthcare assistant Princy Christian drove 30 minutes to attend a 9am Christmas service at her local church.

“I was so excited to come to church. Because I know there will be a beautiful service, with Christmas carols and beautiful sermons.”

She said the morning service is an important ritual that helps her connect with her faith and community.

Nearly 200 people attended the service at Auckland’s Gracecity Church in Greenlane. The church is one of many that hosted a Christmas event.

Chris Porteous has been attending services at the church for almost 42 years. This is his first year as the lead pastor, and he was pleased to see the occasion bringing the wider church network together.

Chris Porteous is the lead pastor of Gracecity at Greenlane. He says the service saw a good turn out. Ke-Xin Li

“As a church we are united by the origin of Christmas. It’s the story of how we know God came to save us.

“We have heaps of people [today], we have people from other locations, which is great. The thing I love Gracecity as a church, is it’s so diverse.

“We just have people from all walks of life, from so many nationalities and ethnicities.”

Joining the service from East Auckland is Tsitsi Kavumbura and her daughter Sam. Tsitsi looked forward to meeting some of her church friends at the service.

“It’s such a wonderful thing to see people on Christmas day, just the joy and peace it all brings and helps us to refocus again and celebrate together.”

Tsitsi Kavumbura (right) is attending Christmas service with her daughter Sam. Ke-Xin Li

Half of their family have to stay at home and prepare Christmas lunch, but the mother and daughter are glad they represented them at the service.

“My husband is making a smoked brisket that takes eight hours to cook. So that’s something we look forward to now.”

Akinola Dairo is dressed in his Christmas outfit – a neatly tailored red checkered suit.

Akinola Dairo, a churchgoer at Auckland’s Gracecity Church, says it’s heart-warming to see the community coming together. Ke-Xin Li

He has been attending the church for four years, and this year, he was on a nativity float during Auckland’s biggest Santa Parade, as was one of the three wise men.

It’s the first time in years that the parade had a nativity float, and Dairo said the community made it possible.

“This church particularly is a multi-national church, about 50 nationalities are here. Jesus bands us together.

“Singing together, rejoicing together, sharing together, before the service, during the service and even after the service.

“People are now in the foyer sharing time together, giving gifts. It’s good to have a community where you can belong and where you can share with people of common faith.”

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

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Storm warnings for Boxing Day, wet front still over South Island

Source: Radio New Zealand

MetService said a front was moving north over the South Island into Christmas Day, and was expected to affect areas from Waikato and Bay of Plenty north on Boxing Day. Supplied/ MetService

People in the Bay of Plenty and from Waikato northwards are being warned to batten down the hatches for a wild Boxing Day, with a slow moving storm front expected to shift north from the South Island.

Thunderstorms could be on the way for those regions, with localised downpours and gusts up to 90 km/h from the afternoon of 26 December, MetService said.

A yellow heavy rain watch was also issued by forecasters for the Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane, through to Saturday 27 December. People in those areas should expect periods of heavy rain, with downpours, and rainfall that could approach warning criteria, especially about the ranges.

Wet Christmas Day continues, as front lingers in some parts of the South Island

As expected, it has turned into a wet and windy Christmas Day for some parts of the South Island, with forecasters keeping heavy rain warnings and watches fixed for the West Coast and inland, as the front stays overhead for now.

For Christmas Day, MetService forecasters warned a front could move northwards over the South Island into early Christmas morning, but would then become slow moving around the northern parts of the island.

Orange heavy rain warnings issued late Wednesday for the ranges in Buller, Westland and Grey districts (from Arthur’s Pass northwards) and the Canterbury Headwaters (also from Arthur’s Pass northwards) remained in place through Thursday, with cautions thunderstorms were possible, and up to 120-130mm of rain could fall on top of what had already fallen.

These conditions that could still be in effect until 6am Friday for some areas, forecasters said.

Yellow heavy rain watches issued earlier for the Tasman District, the ranges of the Westland District (from Mount Cook to Arthur’s Pass), and the Canterbury Headwaters (also from Mount Cook to Arthur’s Pass) were also kept in place through Thursday. With the expectation of a moderate chance these watches could be be upgraded to warnings.

A strong wind watch for winds approaching gales in exposed parts of the Canterbury High Country and near the foothills expired during the morning of Christmas Day.

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

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Gull, NPD merger will drive down gas prices, companies say

Source: Radio New Zealand

The 240 Gull and NPD sites throughout the country would maintain their original distinctive brand if the merger goes ahead. Supplied/ NPD

Fuel companies NPD and Gull have announced plans to merge national operations.

While still subject to Commerce Commission approval, the move would combine NPD and Gull sites, teams and supply chains to form the largest independent, majority Kiwi-owned fuel company.

Each of their combined 240 sites would maintain it’s distinctive brand – Gull sites are most common in the North Island, and NPD in the South, the companies said in a statement released on Christmas Day.

The South Island-based Sheridan family would own fifty percent, with Barry Sheridan, the current NPD owner and chief executive, to become the head of the new company.

Australasian private equity firm Allegro Funds, which owns Gull, would hold the other half.

The Gull station in New Lynn, West Auckland Google Maps

The companies said the move should drive down pump prices, with Sheridan saying both companies were focused on making it easy for customers to pay less.

“NPD started doing so more than 55 years ago and Gull started shaking up the market 25 years ago,” he said. “Together, we’ll do even more, so motorists pay less.”

The companies had a combined staff of 130, and a combined buying power of one billion litres of fuel a year.

Gull chief executive Dan Gilbert said: “Joining forces means we’ll be everywhere, accelerating what we can do for more customers in more places.”

Duplicating systems and sharing services would help the new company continue to deliver market leading competitive pricing to motorists, the statement said.

The parties said they had already engaged with the Commerce Commission, and an application for clearance would be registered in January.

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

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Gull, NPD merger will drive down petrol prices, companies say

Source: Radio New Zealand

The 240 Gull and NPD sites throughout the country would maintain their original distinctive brand if the merger goes ahead. Supplied/ NPD

Fuel companies NPD and Gull have announced plans to merge national operations.

While still subject to Commerce Commission approval, the move would combine NPD and Gull sites, teams and supply chains to form the largest independent, majority Kiwi-owned fuel company.

Each of their combined 240 sites would maintain it’s distinctive brand – Gull sites are most common in the North Island, and NPD in the South, the companies said in a statement released on Christmas Day.

The South Island-based Sheridan family would own fifty percent, with Barry Sheridan, the current NPD owner and chief executive, to become the head of the new company.

Australasian private equity firm Allegro Funds, which owns Gull, would hold the other half.

The Gull station in New Lynn, West Auckland Google Maps

The companies said the move should drive down pump prices, with Sheridan saying both companies were focused on making it easy for customers to pay less.

“NPD started doing so more than 55 years ago and Gull started shaking up the market 25 years ago,” he said. “Together, we’ll do even more, so motorists pay less.”

The companies had a combined staff of 130, and a combined buying power of one billion litres of fuel a year.

Gull chief executive Dan Gilbert said: “Joining forces means we’ll be everywhere, accelerating what we can do for more customers in more places.”

Duplicating systems and sharing services would help the new company continue to deliver market leading competitive pricing to motorists, the statement said.

The parties said they had already engaged with the Commerce Commission, and an application for clearance would be registered in January.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Posted on

New Zealand fuel companies Gull and NPD to merge

Source: Radio New Zealand

The 240 Gull and NPD sites throughout the country would maintain their original distinctive brand if the merger goes ahead. Supplied/ NPD

Fuel companies NPD and Gull have announced plans to merge national operations.

While still subject to Commerce Commission approval, the move would combine NPD and Gull sites, teams and supply chains to form the largest independent, majority Kiwi-owned fuel company.

Each of their combined 240 sites would maintain it’s distinctive brand – Gull sites are most common in the North Island, and NPD in the South, the companies said in a statement released on Christmas Day.

The South Island-based Sheridan family would own fifty percent, with Barry Sheridan, the current NPD owner and chief executive, to become the head of the new company.

Australasian private equity firm Allegro Funds, which owns Gull, would hold the other half.

The Gull station in New Lynn, West Auckland Google Maps

The companies said the move should drive down pump prices, with Sheridan saying both companies were focused on making it easy for customers to pay less.

“NPD started doing so more than 55 years ago and Gull started shaking up the market 25 years ago,” he said. “Together, we’ll do even more, so motorists pay less.”

The companies had a combined staff of 130, and a combined buying power of one billion litres of fuel a year.

Gull chief executive Dan Gilbert said: “Joining forces means we’ll be everywhere, accelerating what we can do for more customers in more places.”

Duplicating systems and sharing services would help the new company continue to deliver market leading competitive pricing to motorists, the statement said.

The parties said they had already engaged with the Commerce Commission, and an application for clearance would be registered in January.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

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Christmas Day marked with reflection, fun and shared lunch

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealanders are celebrating Christmas Day throughout the country, with traditional family get togethers, shared meals, gift giving and Christmas trees.

Here’s some of what Christmas looks like this year.

Auckland’s Catholic bishop Steve Lowe says Christians at home and around the world have been gathering in places of worship to remember the meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Day marks the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in the Christian calendar.

“It’s a day for us which holds great hope, and I think at the moment our world needs a lot of that – and the Prince of Peace can bring that,” Lowe says.

It’s an important and hopeful time for everyone, not just Christians.

“Whether you’re a Christian, or whatever other faith – or no faith at all, it’s a great day to think about peace and the desire for peace, in our world and in our homes.”

  • Read more Christmas stories: Anchors, camels and kayaks – a less traditional Christmas for Kiwi travellers

    • Sharing the Christmas love

    Auckland’s City Mission is providing Christmas Day lunch to scores more people than last year.

    It will host hundreds of rough sleepers, City Mission residents, and people who would otherwise be alone.

    The dining area was set up yesterday and the chef has been carving ham this morning.

    Head of fundraising Joe Rich says there were about 450 people last year but the Mission is prepared for 600 later today.

    It will be a traditional big Christmas meal of ham, vegetables, pavlova and treats, he says.

    Servers dishing up lunch, at Auckland City Mission’s Christmas in 2023. RNZ / Felix Walton

    Subdued pre-Christmas spending

    Today, New Zealand houses are filled with the sounds of presents being unwrapped, Christmas meals being prepared and enjoyed, and toasts to the day. But yesterday, the ching ching of cash registers resounded everywhere.

    Christmas Eve was the busiest shopping day of the year, with just under 10,000 sales a minute at its peak.

    Payments company Worldline says the peak was midday to 1pm, when more than 563,000 sales were recorded on its network.

    The company does not have a value for the spending, but says the peak number of transactions was the lowest in the past six years and well shy of the record 679,000 in 2019.

    Worldline noted sales picked up last week, but overall pre-Christmas shopping was lower than a year ago.

  • Read more: ‘Easier to get growth out of an economic hole’ – Did we survive 2025?

    • Christmas Day power cut

    More than 1000 Christchurch residents awoke to no power on Christmas morning.

    Power company Orion said 1400 properties in the suburbs of Beckenham, Cashmere, Huntsbury, St Martins, and Sydenham were affected. But the lights and power were back on by about 9am.

    Santa fun run

    Supplied / Ryan Watts Photo

    Earlier in December, a sea of red flooded Hobsonville on 18 December, as hundreds of Santas in sneakers dashed for cash, for a good cause.

    The inaugural 5 kilometre fun run and walk was organised by the Early Bird Run Crew and raised funds for West Auckland Hospice.

    Nearly 600 runners showed up.

    Club founder Duncan Oswald said themed runs and dressing up for events made it a lot of fun and the cause they had chosen to support touched a personal note with many of the crew who were involved.

    Supplied / Ryan Watts Photo

    Teo enjoying retirement and Christmas at home

    Teo under the Christmas tree, back home. Supplied / NZ Police

    Teo the police dog has worked to fight crime for seven years, but was retired after being injured in early October from falling into hot geothermal water during a search operation in Rotorua.

    She has been nursed back to health by a team of vets and nurses, and her handler Constable Adam Johannsen.

    Johannsen says Teo’s just about back to full health now, and is home for Christmas.

    “She’s quite a remarkable dog and just doesn’t give up,” he said.

    Christmas trees decorating city centres

    Auckland’s Te Manaaki Christmas tree, has been lit up since early December. Supplied / Sacha Stejko

    Auckland’s Britomart is home to the 18.5m Te Manaaki Christmas tree. This year it is bedecked with 10,000 LEDs, 200 stainless steel baubles, and thousands of flowers.

    Reactions to it have been mixed, with some loving the decorations jollying up the city centre, and others not convinced.

    People RNZ spoke to in Dunedin were also unconvinced by their city’s tree, in The Octagon.

    While a tree constructed by volunteers in Featherston was destroyed by vandals.

    The handmade, sustainable Christmas tree in Featherston, before it was damaged. Supplied

  • Read more: Kiwis have been ditching the traditional Christmas tree

    • The tree display in The Octagon, Dunedin. RNZ / Tess Brunton

    In Wellington, the city council has put up three large Christmas trees in different spots, including a film-themed tree in Courtenay Place, a sea-themed tree on Queen’s Wharf, and a more traditional tree in the city centre’s Midland Park. The city’s well-loved Bucket Fountain was also decorated for Christmas.

    The Queen’s Wharf tree was decorated with seagull and sailboat ornaments. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

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

    Posted on

    Aeroplane crashes into house in Pauanui

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Supplied/ Paul Baker

    A small plane has crashed into a house in the holiday hotspot of Pauanui, on the Coromandel Peninsula.

    Police said about 9:10am on Christmas day they received reports of a small plane crashing into an unoccupied house on Harvard Court, next to Pauanui Airfield.

    Two people are being treated for moderate injuries.

    Fire and Emergency shift manager Lauren Sika says a crew is in attendance and all people involved are accounted for.

    Supplied/ Paul Baker

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

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    Two injured in stabbing, police say

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    (File photo) RNZ

    Two people are injured following a stabbing in Ngaruawahia, north of Hamilton, late on Christmas Eve, police say.

    Emergency services were called to a commercial premises on Market Street, about 11 pm on Wednesday.

    Two people were taken to hospital in moderate condition.

    Police are investigating.

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