The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) advises State Highway 1 will be closed to northbound traffic between the Drury Interchange and the Manukau Interchange overnight tonight, February 26, and tomorrow. The closure will also impact the below on- and off-ramps. Drury northbound on-ramp Papakura northbound off-ramp Papakura interchange (Loop and Diamond) northbound on-ramp Takanini northbound off-ramp and on-ramp Hill Road...

Counties Manukau Police say they’ve recovered a cache of firearms at a property overnight. Earlier yesterday evening, just before 8.30pm, the Police Eagle helicopter located a vehicle of interest from a previous firearms incident. Inspector Dave Christoffersen, the Area Commander for Counties Manukau West Police, says in that incident a firearm had allegedly been presented at a person on Monday night. “After...

Newly arrived to the city and keen to make new friends, Shayna and Grant Perkins invite their neighbours around to their half-finished home for dinner. Former showbiz couple the Faltermans are a seemingly idyllic pairing, while the psychiatrist Veronica Dunn-Dudet and her engineer-turned-novelist husband appear anything but. In between multiple drinks and slightly burnt spring rolls, things quickly become...

There’ll be a whole lot more brilliant live music concerts across our Auckland territory and beyond around New Zealand over the next few days, but here’s what's on PJ’s Gig Radar… Tony Painting and Blues Power, at Bosuns Bar, The Prospect of Howick/Good Home, Friday, February 28. Bar ticket sales $25. I’ll write it once, I’ll write it a thousand...

East Auckland’s Fencibles United AFC’s players and coaches are looking to build on last season, which was one of the most successful and exciting in the club’s history. Club chairman Aaron Carson says registrations for the upcoming season are now open with record numbers of juniors and youth players joining. Their men’s first team won promotion to the Northern League competition...

By Sergeant Brett Meale of Howick Police We continue to receive numerous complaints from community members who have fallen victim to Facebook Marketplace scams. While the platform offers a convenient way to trade goods, fraudsters are exploiting unsuspecting users, resulting in financial loss and frustration. There are a few different ways fraudsters may try to scam you via Facebook Marketplace, whether...

Alterations to qualifying criteria is expected to make it possible for more young people to be aided by an assistance dog. The Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust (ADNZT) says: “We have made some changes to our application eligibility criteria to improve access for those we can support most effectively.” The trust says the aim of the adjustments is “to consolidate its...

Two men have been charged following a ram-raid burglary at an east Auckland liquor store. Just before 12.30am today, February 26, a burglary was reported in progress at the store in Bishop Dunn Place, Flat Bush. Detective Inspector Karen Bright, of Counties Manukau Police criminal investigation branch, says two stolen vehicles had arrived at the scene. “One of the vehicles was used...

The high cost of living and tough economic conditions in New Zealand continue to bite with news Hell Pizza is increasing the price of some items on its menu. In a message sent to customers on February 25, the business says since 1996 it’s been “serving up premium pizzas, packed with generous toppings and made from ethically-sourced, high-quality ingredients”. “We wouldn’t...

Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith say data shows violent crime has fallen for the first time since 2018, “indicating the Government’s tough-on-crime and victims-first approach is working”. “After year-on-year increases in violent crime since 2018, it is encouraging to see a reversal of this rise with a two per cent drop in the numbers for 2024,”...

Police are calling for information from the public following an aggravated robbery at a business in east Auckland. A police spokesperson says officers were called to the store, Four Square Pakuranga Heights on Reeves Road, after two people armed with hammers entered the premises at about 5.20pm on February 22. “A quantity of cash has been taken from the business before...

Watercare says Aucklanders have been responding well to its Easy Does It campaign over summer, using about 905 million litres less water than they did last summer. However, the dry conditions mean the region’s water storage dams have collectively dipped below 70 per cent full for the first time since August 2021. Watercare chief operations officer Mark Bourne says the Waitākere...

Counties Manukau Police say a 19-year-old who was reported missing earlier today Tuesday from the Ōtara area has been located safe and well. Police say they thank the members of the public who provided information. Earlier today, Counties Manukau Police were appealing for any sightings of 19-year-old Reo Yorke, who had been reported as missing from the Ōtara area. Reo was last seen...

By Times’ Junior Journalist Alina Jiang You may know many community groups throughout your area and enjoy participating in them so much that you think: ‘Hey, how can I start a community group of my own?’ Sometimes they require more steps to create one than you think, so here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to create one! To create the group, you...

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) says a former Auckland Council building inspector has been sentenced to 11 months’ home detention in the Manukau District Court after pleading guilty to 21 charges of corruptly accepting bribes as a public official. Nicholas Bright admitted to the charges in August, 2024, for offending that occurred between 2018 and 2020. Bright received discounts for pleading...