Articles by Ben Tomsett
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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...
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National
Dead snapper washing up, warning issued after trawler sinks
Wednesday, 15 January 2025, 1:30pmFish that wash up on north Auckland beaches after the sinking of a commercial fishing vesselare not safe to eat, Fisheries...
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National
'Real buggers': Woman scammed by fake Facebook meat business
Tuesday, 14 January 2025, 5:59pmAroha Hicks lost $250 to a scam advertising locally-sourced meat on Facebook. The scam involved a page called “NZ Meat...
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Upper South Island
‘Our hearts are broken’: Family, friends pay tribute to 17yo killed in Canterbury crash
Tuesday, 14 January 2025, 2:39pmFamily and friends are devastated by the loss of a “beautiful, powerful” 17-year-old killed in a high-speed crash in North...
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Entertainment
Big budget, small town: Florence Pugh turns heads as Netflix films down south
Sunday, 12 January 2025, 2:19pmA classic of American literature is being adapted into a Netflix series, starring Florence Pugh, and with parts of New Zealand...
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National
Recalled bathroom heaters linked to two house fires
Wednesday, 8 January 2025, 10:24amThe public is being urged to stop using certain Serene bathroom heaters in the wake of two recent house fires in Christchurch. The...
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Crime
Feilding park robbery: Man shot during $2000 marketplace shoe transaction
Monday, 6 January 2025, 11:48amA man has been shot and robbed at a Feilding park while attempting to purchase a $2000 pair of shoes. Police are investigating...
