A tsunami warning issued for New Zealand’s South Island following a strong earthquake near Te Anau has been downgraded to an advisory after authorities revised the tremor’s magnitude from 6.3 to 5.9. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that while coastal inundation is not expected, the advisory remains in effect for the West Coast … Read more
New Zealand experienced its coldest night of the year so far in the early hours of this morning, with temperatures plummeting to -12.5C at Lake Tekapo. According to MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley, the widespread cold snap brought sub-zero air temperatures as far north as Auckland, with frosty conditions reported across much of the country. Temperatures … Read more
The Dunedin City Council is looking at a possible ban to tackle broken glass in its student quarter. The proposed policy could remove glass bottles entirely from alcohol stores near the university and polytechnic, aiming to mitigate the long-term issue of shattered glass on local streets. Why is Dunedin considering a ban on glass bottles? … Read more
A luxury estate in Queenstown is set to hit the market with an expected price tag of $35 million, positioning it among New Zealand’s most expensive residential property sales of the year. According to Mark Harris, managing director and co-agent at New Zealand Southby’s International Realty, the 4065 sqm property is a legacy estate that’s … Read more
Dunedin has shifted its annual Midwinter Carnival to a restricted-capacity format to manage crowd safety, limiting attendance to 8,000 people across two nights. According to the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival Trust, the change moves the event from open-street festivities to the grounds of the 153-year-old First Church to resolve long-standing overcrowding issues that previously saw up … Read more
A security company in Queenstown has lost its licence after five of its guards were arrested during a two-month drug investigation. New Zealand Police executed multiple search warrants across the area, resulting in eight total arrests and the seizure of more than $120,000 in cash, alongside quantities of cocaine, ketamine, GBL, and MDA. Why the … Read more
New Zealand is bracing for a significant weather event as a slow-moving, humid trough prepares to sweep across the country, bringing prolonged heavy rain to the North and South Islands. MetService has expanded its alert network, issuing fresh orange heavy rain warnings for Northland and Taranaki Maunga, while placing several regions under new watches. The … Read more
The King’s Birthday holiday weekend has begun with a tragic start, as two fatal crashes occurring within an hour of each other have pushed the preliminary road toll to two. Two Fatalities in Under an Hour The first incident occurred on State Highway 1 in Allanton, approximately 20km southwest of Dunedin. Emergency services were dispatched … Read more
New Zealand is preparing for a sharp transition in its weather patterns as the King’s Birthday weekend approaches. After a month defined by high pressure and exceptionally dry conditions, a significant weather system is set to sweep across the country, marking the start of the meteorological winter on June 1. MetService meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon confirmed … Read more
Waitaki Residents Face “Tough Ask” as Council Approves 22% Rates Hike In an extraordinary Waitaki District Council meeting on Tuesday, local councillors “reluctantly” agreed to a 22% rates increase for the upcoming financial year. The decision comes as the council attempts to address a projected $14 million operating deficit. A Long-Term Financial Struggle The decision … Read more