Six absurdist signs resembling official city council information boards have popped up across New Zealand’s second-largest city Outside an abandoned building in New Zealand’s second-biggest city, a sign reads “slightly haunted but manageable”. In the middle of a busy shopping strip, pedestrians are warned to keep to a 2.83km/h walking speed. In another part of … Read more
UN committee raised concerns over government policies including scrapping the Māori Health Authority and funding cuts for Indigenous services A United Nations committee has warned New Zealand is at serious risk of weakening Māori rights and entrenching disparities for the Indigenous population, in its most critical review of the country’s record on racial discrimination. Last … Read more
Six days after alleged incident, evidence emerges without requiring medical intervention, New Zealand police say Police say they have recovered a Fabergé egg pendant from a man accused of swallowing the item in a jewellery story. New Zealand police have spent six days monitoring every bowel movement of the suspect, a spokesperson said, and the … Read more
The surprise visitor waddled around the pub during what’s known as ‘silly season’ where seals pop up in unexpected places On a wet, lazy Sunday evening a baby fur seal waddled into a craft beer bar in Richmond, at the top of New Zealand’s South Island. Accustomed to seeing animals in the pet-friendly bar, co-owner … Read more
New Zealand police allege 32-year-old ingested the 18-karat gold egg – a James Bond Octopussy locket – and say the object has ‘not yet been recovered’ A New Zealand man has been charged with theft after allegedly swallowing a Fabergé James Bond Octopussy egg pendant worth more than $33,500 (US$19,200). Police were called to a … Read more
Hakyung Lee was found guilty of murdering her children and concealing their remains in a storage locker A mother who murdered her two children and hid their bodies in suitcases stored inside a rented locker has been sentenced to life imprisonment in New Zealand. Hakyung Lee, a New Zealand citizen originally from South Korea, was … Read more
Critics warn move could have devastating impact on lives and wellbeing of those affected New Zealand has announced it is banning new prescriptions of puberty-blocking drugs for young transgender people, in a move that critics warned could worsen the mental health of those affected. The step comes amid growing global debate about the number of … Read more
Ockham Book Awards dropped two titles from contention after new guidelines introduced on artificial intelligence use The books of two award-winning New Zealand authors have been disqualified from consideration for the country’s top literature prize because artificial intelligence was used in the creation of their cover designs. Stephanie Johnson’s collection of short stories Obligate Carnivore … Read more
Six coloured sand products recalled in New Zealand after testing in Australia found asbestos in similar items Multiple schools have temporarily closed in New Zealand and hundreds of education facilities are seeking advice from officials after asbestos was detected in several brands of widely used coloured play sand. Last week, the ministry for business, innovation … Read more
Members of the public have pleaded for a reprieve for the remaining lions, while former staff members hope the sanctuary will reconsider putting them down A troubled New Zealand wildlife park says it has been forced to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the fate of its remaining five lions unclear, after it ran … Read more