News from New Zealand

ODT

• Crews battling big vegetation blaze in Southland. 5 Dec 2025  

  Fire and Emergency crews battled a large vegetation fire in Southland's Otapiri Gorge today.

• Korean jailed after gecko-smuggling sting. 5 Dec 2025  

  Gunak Lee was sentenced to 14 months' jail when he appeared at the Manukau District Court for sentencing today. Photo: RNZ By Kim Baker Wilson of RNZ A South Korean man who expected to be paid a few thousand dollars for smuggling rare geckos out of the country has instead been jailed for 14 months.

• Jail after undercover gecko-smuggling sting. 5 Dec 2025  

  Gunak Lee was sentenced to 14 months' jail when he appeared at the Manukau District Court for sentencing today. Photo: RNZ By Kim Baker Wilson of RNZ A South Korean man who expected to be paid a few thousand dollars for smuggling rare geckos out of the country has instead been jailed for 14 months.

• Kapa-Kingi reinstated as member of Te Pāti Māori. 5 Dec 2025  

  MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith By Lillian Hanley of RNZ  MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi has been reinstated as a member of Te Pāti Māori, following an interim ruling by a High Court judge, and will now attend the party's annual general meeting this weekend.

• Rub of the Green - Dunedin Lawn Bowls LIVE. 5 Dec 2025  

  Dunedin Lawn Bowls LIVE - coverage of the Dunedin Bowls Saturday morning games in and around the Dunedin club's. Coverage proudly brought to you by;

• Jones raises concerns over fish heading south. 5 Dec 2025  

  Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones. Photo: RNZ By Lillian Hanly of RNZ  The Oceans and Fisheries Minister has raised concerns about fish "heading to Te Waipounamu" due to warming waters.