Heat alerts are in effect for parts of the Bay of Plenty as New Zealand heads into a warm long weekend. Forecasters predict hot days and little relief from the heat overnight, particularly for Whakatāne. Whakatāne Expected to Experience the Hottest Conditions MetService meteorologist Alec Holden stated that Whakatāne is expected to be most affected … Read more
“He simply went to take a shower, in the wrong place at the wrong time.” That is how the mother of 15-year-old Max Furse-Kee described the tragic circumstances surrounding his death in the Mount Maunganui landslide on January 22. Mount Maunganui Landslide Claims Six Lives Max was among six people who died when a significant … Read more
The Rise of Entertainment Sport: Beyond the Black Clash The annual Black Clash, pitting cricket and rugby legends against each other, isn’t just a fun spectacle – it’s a bellwether for a growing trend in sports entertainment. What began as a quirky charity match in New Zealand is indicative of a broader shift: audiences craving … Read more
A person from Tauranga died Saturday at the Poripori water hole, police have confirmed. This marks the second drowning at the popular Wairoa River swimming spot in as many summers. Recent Tragedies at Poripori In December 2024, 21-year-old Jontae Christopher Alden, also from Tauranga, died after jumping from a rock into the natural pools at … Read more
A 14-year-old girl is in serious condition at Starship Hospital after being struck by a vehicle in Tauranga, New Zealand, late Saturday night. Police have arrested the driver following the incident, which occurred on Kaitemako Rd in Welcome Bay around 11:30 pm. Incident Details According to Senior Sergeant Roger Schreuder, the incident involved a pedestrian … Read more
Three separate water-related incidents today have resulted in two confirmed fatalities and one missing person, according to police reports. The incidents occurred in Akaroa, Lower Kaimai, and along the Waikato River. Details of the Incidents The first incident was reported in Akaroa, Banks Peninsula, at 1:15 PM. Emergency services responded to a location near the … Read more
Three individuals required hospital treatment yesterday afternoon after encountering difficulties off the northern end of Tairua Beach in the Coromandel Peninsula. The incident unfolded just before 6pm, prompting a multi-agency response. Rescue Operation Details SurfCom received notification from police and ambulance services regarding reports of three people calling for help near the rocks, an area … Read more
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for portions of the North Island, beginning this afternoon. The forecast indicates potential for thunderstorms between 1pm and 9pm today. Storms Expected Across Multiple Regions The affected areas include inland Bay of Plenty (east of Rotorua), eastern Taupō, inland Gisborne, and the Wairoa District. MetService reports these thunderstorms … Read more
Severe storms brought flash flooding to streets in Wairoa on Saturday, prompting a series of severe thunderstorm watches and heavy rain warnings across the North Island. The disruption began with a severe thunderstorm warning issued for Wairoa at 11am, renewed twice before being lifted in the early afternoon. According to MetService, conditions were “favourable for … Read more
A powerful low-pressure system is sweeping across New Zealand, bringing widespread disruption as 2025 draws to a close. Weather alerts have been upgraded to warnings for much of the North Island and the northern South Island, threatening to impact summer plans and New Year’s Eve celebrations. Widespread Warnings and Disruptions Orange heavy rain and strong … Read more