Articles by Ben Tomsett
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National
Severe thunderstorm warning lifted for Auckland
Saturday, 19 April 2025, 12:40pmMetService says the red thunderstorm warning in Auckland has been lifted. Dozens of Aucklanders were hit by flooding inside...
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National
Lachie Jones: Coroner to deliver findings into Gore toddler's death
Friday, 18 April 2025, 12:41pmA coroner will deliver final findings into the death of Gore toddler Lachie Jones in June. On Thursday, Coroner Alexander...
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National
Dunedin hospital: Construction on inpatient building to resume mid-year
Wednesday, 16 April 2025, 3:31pmFollowing months of delays and public backlash, work on the new Dunedin hospital’s inpatient building will resume mid-year. The...
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National
Is Ashburton's water supply a health risk to babies? Council denies Greenpeace claims
Tuesday, 15 April 2025, 12:58pmGreenpeace tests found nearly 20% of Ashburton water samples exceeded allowable nitrate levels linked to blue baby syndrome. The...
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National
High-profile Dunedin man facing multiple sex charges keeps name secret for now
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 11:50amA Dunedin man facing six sex charges will keep his identity suppressed. He pleaded not guilty to rape and unlawful sexual...
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National
‘A delightful person’: Community mourns loss of prominent businessman after plane crash
Monday, 31 March 2025, 12:08pmThe Gore community is mourning the loss of a well-respected businessman who died in a plane crash at Hawea on Saturday. Ivan...
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National
Why there’s no public transport between two of NZ’s top tourist towns - yet
Tuesday, 25 March 2025, 2:52pmThe Otago Regional Council has no immediate plans for a bus service linking Queenstown and Wanaka. Economic viability and...
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National
‘Wow, that’s a moose’: US tramper claims rare sighting, but DoC workers have their doubts
Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 12:20pmA new moose sighting in Fiordland by an American tramper is deemed “most compelling in years”. Norbert Nigon reported seeing...
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National
Couch fires, ‘wallaby BBQ’, and 6am beers: Scarfies celebrate St Patrick’s Day
Monday, 17 March 2025, 2:34pmDunedin students celebrated St Patrick’s Day with fireworks, binge drinking, and couch fires. Police are investigating a...
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National
Dunedin bus hub stabbing: 14-year-old guilty of manslaughter
Monday, 17 March 2025, 10:43amA 14-year-old boy has been found guilty of manslaughter for a fatal stabbing at the Dunedin bus hub last year. The jury has...
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Crime
Teen adopted ‘gangster ways’ in lead-up to fatal stabbing, court hears
Monday, 10 March 2025, 2:50pmA teenager accused of a murder had adopted “gangster ways” in the lead-up to a fatal stabbing, a forensic psychologist told...
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Crime
‘I feel horrible with myself’: 14yo recalls horror at realising he had stabbed older boy
Thursday, 6 March 2025, 1:25pmA 14-year-old boy accused of murder described the moment he realised he had stabbed another teenager during a confrontation...
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National
Watch: Beachgoers attempt rescue of mako shark at Christchurch’s Sumner Beach
Saturday, 1 March 2025, 2:31pmA Christchurch beachgoer has described the moment he and a stranger attempted to save a stranded shark, only for it to wash...
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National
‘Can we afford this?’: Patients shocked by $1000 after-hours medical fees
Saturday, 22 February 2025, 10:24amWānaka residents face after-hours medical fees up to $1000, prompting some to seek help elsewhere. Wānaka Medical’s fees...
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National
Hundreds evacuated at Otago Uni after suspected gas leak
Wednesday, 19 February 2025, 2:31pmHundreds of staff and students were evacuated from University of Otago buildings in Dunedin following a suspected gas leak. Fire...
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National
One of NZ’s largest solar farms on hold after tiny village fights back
Tuesday, 18 February 2025, 11:12amHelios Energy’s Māniatoto solar farm would be one of the largest in New Zealand, with 560,000 solar panels. Naseby locals...
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National
‘Unacceptable’: Popular burger joint apologises after racial slur on customer receipt
Tuesday, 18 February 2025, 10:45amQueenstown’s iconic burger joint, Fergburger, has publicly apologised after a customer was given a receipt containing a racial...
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National
Armed stand-off: Police surround house, negotiating with man inside
Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 11:10amArmed police have surrounded a rural Otago house after tracking down a man believed to have had a number of guns. Officers...
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National
Man spotted luring, beating then capturing swan at Auckland's Western Springs
Sunday, 2 February 2025, 3:47pmA man was spotted luring, beating then capturing a swan at Western Springs park this morning, before stuffing the injured,...
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Crime
Road rage hammer attack victim undergoes head surgery, two youths charged
Thursday, 30 January 2025, 1:21pmA teenager brutally attacked with a hammer remains in hospital following a road rage brawl in Dunedin. Senior Sergeant Anthony...
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National
Covid-19 ‘brain fog’ likely factor in near head-on train crash
Thursday, 30 January 2025, 12:55pmA KiwiRail engineer experiencing after-effects of Covid-19 failed to stop at a red signal nearly causing a train collision...
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National
No shoes, no shirt, no worries: Nudist sparks debate with public walks
Thursday, 23 January 2025, 2:53pmIn the quiet seaside community of Kaka Point, a local naturist has stirred discussion by advertising nude walks in the area. Lloyd...
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Sport
‘He wasn’t going anywhere': Elite cyclists' high-speed chase of bike thief
Monday, 20 January 2025, 1:55pmAn opportunistic thief in Invercargill learned the hard way that stealing a bike from a group of elite cyclists is a losing...
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National
Elite cyclists chase down bike thief
Monday, 20 January 2025, 10:40amAn opportunistic thief did not stand a chance of outpacing a group of elite cyclists from who he had just attempted to steal...
