Wellington faces flooding after severe storms hit NZ’s South Island, closing roads and causing chaos in the capital.
England cricketer Harry Brook apologized after a nightclub incident in Wellington on October 31. Initially claiming he was alone, he later acknowledged teammates Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue were involved. Brook expressed regret and is reflecting on his actions amid ongoing investigations.
As of February 2026, Brenton Tarrant, convicted for the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings, is appealing his 2020 guilty pleas in New Zealand's Court of Appeal. He claims harsh prison conditions caused mental illness, impairing his ability to plead rationally. The five-day hearing will decide if his pleas are quashed, potentially leading to a new trial and sentence appeal.
Brenton Tarrant, the Christchurch mosque shooter, is appealing his conviction, claiming prison conditions affected his mental state when he pleaded guilty. The Court of Appeal in Wellington is considering whether to discard his guilty pleas and order a new trial. Tarrant is serving a life sentence without parole.
Heavy rain, gales, and flooding continue across New Zealand and parts of Europe. New Zealand declared a state of emergency after floods and landslides disrupted communities, while Europe faces power outages and infrastructure damage from Storm Nils. The weather systems are intensifying and causing widespread impacts today.
A series of severe storms have caused flooding, landslides, and power outages across New Zealand, especially in Wellington and Canterbury. Emergency services are responding to widespread damage, with warnings of further heavy rain and dangerous sea conditions today.
New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a declaration in Rarotonga, clarifying their relationship and resuming aid funding. The move follows a period of tension caused by a secret Chinese deal and aims to strengthen security ties, with New Zealand reaffirming its role as the Cook Islands' main partner.
Wellington has experienced record rainfall, prompting a state of emergency. Authorities have responded with evacuations and road closures. No fatalities have been reported, but one person remains missing. The weather agency warns more rain is expected, increasing risks of landslides and flooding in the coming days.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has secured support from his caucus in a confidence vote amid declining polls and internal party questions. The vote was held privately, and Luxon has declared his leadership is confirmed, as the country prepares for the upcoming November election.
Severe flooding in Wellington has caused widespread damage, with a man missing after floodwaters swept through his property. Emergency services have been working in affected areas, and the city remains under a state of emergency as heavy rain continues to pose risks of landslides and debris. The search for the missing man is ongoing.