Broken emergency comms led to delay in ambulance dispatch to fatal Hillpark fire

Power Outage and Traffic Disruptions in SilverdaleOn Thursday around 2 PM, Silverdale experienced a power outage affecting traffic lights and the Z gas station's fuel supply. As New Zealanders embark on the long Easter weekend, strong winds from ex-cyclone Tam have led to fallen trees on roads, particularly State Highway 29 in Te Poi, resulting in hazardous driving conditions and multiple crashes on the Kaimai Range. Travelers are reporting frightening conditions due to the high...

Society Insider HighlightsIn this week's Society Insider, writer Ricardo Simich reports on Australian chef Pete Evans, who is expanding his presence in the US while he and his wife, Nicola Robinson Evans, await the completion of the sale of their wellness retreat, Evolve Sanctuary, in northern New South Wales. The property has been under offer since September but remains unsold. Additionally, multi-millionaire Matthew Horncastle is preparing for first-time fatherhood, and Dame Pieter Stewart's granddaughter is...

The Consumers Price Index inflation rate increased 2.5% in the 12 months to March 2025, according to Stats NZ. This rise follows a 2.2% annual increase in December 2024 and slightly exceeds economists' forecasts, with a 0.9% increase in the first quarter of 2025. The annual inflation rate remains within the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s target band of 1 to 3% for the third consecutive quarter, a significant change from the period between June...

National MP Hamish Campbell faces accusations of minimizing his involvement with the Two by Twos ministry, a secretive religious group under investigation by the FBI and New Zealand police for sexual abuse allegations. Sources have identified Campbell as an "elder" who has hosted weekly Bible meetings at his home in Christchurch. Initially claiming his connection was merely familial, Campbell later admitted to being a member of the group, stating, "I have hosted a small number...

Ex-tropical Cyclone Tam has begun impacting the country, resulting in sunken yachts, power outages for around a thousand homes, and severe winds causing tree falls. Forecasters indicate that the storm is intensifying as it approaches, with a dozen severe weather warnings and watches issued across the North Island, predicting up to 200mm of rain and winds reaching 120km/h. The worst conditions are expected to hit Northland and Auckland around 7pm, continuing into the following evening,...

SummaryA teenager, Lawrence Wiki-Newman, was sentenced to six years in prison for severely attacking a man with a hammer, even after the victim lost consciousness. The incident, which occurred in November 2023, stemmed from a dispute over a car borrowed from a family member of his cousin, Savay Barnes-Manuel. It was Barnes-Manuel who intervened during the attack, urging Wiki-Newman to stop to prevent a potential homicide. Full Article