Ahmed Zaoui released from Algerian prison after 28 months behind bars
“He was released along with other political prisoners, they had been arrested for writing a political communique talking about political freedom in Algeria. It was obviously a very difficult time for him in prison and he has already had his first meal of homemade couscous and is just enjoying being back home with them and looking forward to restoring his health.”Ahmed Zaoui has been released from prison after 28 months behind bars. “It has been a time filled with relief and much joy, it was really very good to hear him. The activist rose to prominence in 2002 after he was detained when entering New Zealand seeking asylum as a refugee and issued a NZSIS security risk certificate. Manning became a key figure in the campaign to have Zaoui’s security risk certificate overturned.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 10, 2026 11:34 UTC
Person in critical condition after fall from city library
Christchurch's central city library. Photo: RNZA person has been taken to hospital in a critical condition after a fall at Christchurch's central Tūranga library. The New Zealand Herald reports that by about 11.30am the person had been safely removed from a ledge above one of the main entrances by firefighters and taken into an ambulance. A man working nearby heard a loud scream before the person fell from a top balcony on to the ledge, the Herald reports. Christchurch City Libraries said “due to an unforeseen incident” Tūranga would be closed for the rest of the day.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 10, 2026 11:28 UTC
‘Grave concerns’ for missing woman Rowena Walker not seen for six months
“Rowena is a vulnerable person in the community, and we have to consider the possibility that she’s been the victim of foul play. We are keeping an open mind and exhausting all lines of inquiry, including that possibility. “They haven’t seen mum now for six months and don’t understand why that is, they very much want to have mum back. We just want to find out what’s happened to Rowena, so that we can let her family know”Carolan said there will be someone out there who knows what happened to Walker. Anyone with information is asked to please contact police online through 105.police.govt.nz or call 105, referencing file number 251022/9026.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 10, 2026 10:39 UTC
India Free Trade Agreement text revealed: What the Government says about the deal v what the secret text says
The text of the agreement says the opposite, that as a result of the agreement, a future government cannot cap Indian visa numbers. Trade Minister Todd McClay appearing to read from notes as he answers patsy questions on the India Free Trade Agreement in January. Photo / Parliament TVMcClay has consistently denied that the deal would take away New Zealand’s ability to impose a cap on student visa numbers. However, on Tuesday morning he conceded the agreement would prohibit New Zealand from imposing a cap on Indian student visa numbers specifically. “What I’m saying is the agreement and commitment is that we will not say that there is a maximum or a minimum [number of students],” McClay said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 10, 2026 09:01 UTC
Australian satanic child sex abuse ring has alleged links to NZ
Police are collaborating with Australian counterparts on a satanic child sex abuse material ring investigation. Photo / 123rfBy Sam Sherwood of RNZPolice are working with Australian counterparts on an investigation into a satanic child sex abuse material ring with alleged links to New Zealand. New South Wales police announced last week that detectives from their Sex Crimes Squad had charged a sixth man and were referring a further 145 suspects to international law enforcement agencies following an investigation into a satanic child sex abuse material ring as part of an operation called Strike Force Constantine. Police said investigators had identified offenders from New Zealand, US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America, and South East Asia. RNZ asked New South Wales Police for information on the New Zealand-based suspects and how many there were.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 10, 2026 08:43 UTC
Third US lawsuit against author Neil Gaiman dismissed by judge
Scarlett Pavlovich accused Neil Gaiman (pictured) of multiple sexual assaults while she was working as the family's nanny in 2022. Photo / Getty ImagesThird US lawsuit against author Neil Gaiman dismissed by judgeScarlett Pavlovich accused Neil Gaiman (pictured) of multiple sexual assaults while she was working as the family's nanny in 2022. Photo / Getty ImagesBy RNZAll three US lawsuits accusing author Neil Gaiman of sexually assaulting his children’s nanny in Auckland four years ago have now been dismissed. She accused Gaiman of multiple sexual assaults while she was working as the family’s nanny in 2022. The New York lawsuit was dropped last year, and the Wisconsin lawsuit was dismissed in October, with the judge saying Pavlovich needed to pursue the case in New Zealand.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 10, 2026 07:47 UTC
Waioweka River search: Body found in hunt for missing Bay of Plenty man David Roe
Waioweka River search: Body found in hunt for missing Bay of Plenty man David RoeA body has been recovered from the Waioweka River in the search for a missing Bay of Plenty man. David Roe, 52, had been missing since January 23 after falling from a boat while crossing the river near the junction of Waiata Stream, near Ōpōtiki. Eastern Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Nicky Cooney said police recovered a body from the Waioweka River about 9am on Tuesday. “This has been a long slow search, hindered at times by the weather as well as impacted by the slips on SH2,” Cooney said. The inspector thanked those who assisted in the search effort, in particular Land SAR volunteers, local jet boat and helicopter operators, and iwi.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 10, 2026 03:23 UTC
Students gambling away rent after getting 'bombarded' by betting ads
File photo: RNZMore university students are getting into financial trouble because they are being bombarded by ads for sports betting companies, the Problem Gambling Foundation says. Stories were emerging of flats of students gambling rent money and student allowances on sporting fixtures. PGF Services, also known as the Problem Gambling Foundation, was launching a campaign and claimed gambling was becoming increasingly embedded in sport, with young men being increasingly targeted and exposed to betting promotions. "Losing rent money, gambling away student allowances. "It almost sounded as though [university students] are completely hapless victims.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 10, 2026 02:44 UTC
Comancheros Operation Avon: Gang treasurer Lucane Bolstad jailed for major meth supply
Timaru drug supply networkThe High Court at Christchurch today heard he frequented gang meetings in Christchurch, but lived in Timaru, where he ran a drug supply network. Crown prosecutor Abbie Hollingworth said that while he was not the most senior member, he was an important link in the chain of a drug supply line between Auckland and Christchurch. Hollingworth said he had autonomy and a management function over the Timaru drug supply network. Defence lawyer Olivia Jarvis said drug addiction was a key driver in his offending, but Justice Jonathan Eaton disagreed, saying Bolstad was driven by gang membership. “It’s not addiction to drugs; it’s addiction to his gang.”Justice Eaton said Bolstad was at high risk of reoffending.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 10, 2026 01:47 UTC
US news anchor says ‘hour of desperation’ in search for missing mother
The 76-year-old, who has heart issues, vanished from her Tucson home. Photo / Getty ImagesA US TV host whose family has been at the centre of national attention for a week since her elderly mother was apparently kidnapped says she and her siblings have reached “an hour of desperation”. Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC News Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, is believed to have been snatched from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on the night of January 31 or early on February 1, sparking a massive hunt in a case that has gripped America. Savannah Guthrie on Monday (local time) released the latest video appeal for public help in tracking down her ailing mother, who suffers from heart problems and needs regular medication. “Law enforcement is working tirelessly around the clock trying to bring her home, trying to find where she was taken, and we don’t know where.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 10, 2026 01:46 UTC
Two students from different Auckland schools struck by cars on their way to class; both in Starship hospital
Whangaparāoa College principal Steve McCracken confirmed the “student was taken to Starship in an ambulance with mum next to them”. The second incident involved a Northcote College student, who had crossed the road to school. “The student was taken to Starship hospital and is now recovering at home. We are particularly concerned about Ōnewa Road. “Please reinforce our message to students that people must only cross Ōnewa Road at the traffic lights.”Northcote College has been approached for comment.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 10, 2026 01:13 UTC
Another Labour MP suggests party will work with Te Pāti Māori once issues resolved
Hipkins has repeatedly deflected questions about Te Pāti Māori, saying he would establish closer to the election which parties Labour could work with. Labour MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel says the party will work with Te Pāti Māori once it sorts out its issues. “When they sort their issues out, we’ll be able to work with them,” Tangaere-Manuel said of Te Pāti Māori. Labour MP Willie Jackson (right) has endorsed the position of his leader Chris Hipkins (left). He later clarified Te Pāti Māori had the freedom to choose its own policies but that some, like those he had mentioned, were not policies Labour would entertain in any future coalition negotiations.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 10, 2026 00:53 UTC
Neil Hawker named as man fatally hit by car in Wellington driveway
Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Neil Hawker named as man fatally hit by car in Wellington drivewayPolice have named Neil Hawker, 84, as the man who died after a crash between a car and pedestrian in a driveway in Miramar, Wellington. Hawker died in hospital on Tuesday after the crash on Maupuia Rd on January 30. The Herald understands Hawker lived at the property where the incident occurred. “Our thoughts are with Neil’s loved ones at this difficult time,” said police in a statement.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 10, 2026 00:38 UTC
NZ Post says deluge of UK passport applications causing delays
Some people following their applications' progress using online trackers noticed they were being held up at an Auckland mail centre before being sent to the UK. Photo / 123rfSome people following their applications' progress using online trackers noticed they were being held up at an Auckland mail centre before being sent to the UK. Photo / 123rfBy Gill Bonnett of RNZNZ Post says the volume of British passport applications is causing delays to them being sent to the UK. PostShop staff told customers they had to use an express service, which cost $121, to send their applications. But some people, following their packages’ progress using online trackers, noticed the applications were being held up at an Auckland mail centre before being sent to the UK.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 09, 2026 23:31 UTC