Articles by Ben Tomsett
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National
Charge laid after death of grandmother-of-13 at town's transfer station
Tuesday, 5 May 2026, 1:22pmWorkSafe New Zealand has filed a charge in relation to the death of Te Anau grandmother-of-13, great-grandmother of one,...
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National
Real estate agent sorry for AI warzone ad linking sales to Middle East conflict
Friday, 24 April 2026, 5:09pmA Queenstown real estate agent has apologised after posting an AI-generated image linking her sales success to conflict in...
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National
Fast-track green light for major Queenstown film hub despite planning concerns
Tuesday, 14 April 2026, 4:22pmA major film and television production hub planned for Queenstown’s Wakatipu Basin has been approved under the Government’s...
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National
Dunedin stadium boss departs after 18 months as concert gap stretches past two years
Tuesday, 14 April 2026, 4:14pmThe chief executive of Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin has resigned after 18 months in the role, as a wait for major concerts...
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Crime
'What on earth were you thinking?': Duo, including uni student, convicted over drug scheme
Friday, 10 April 2026, 3:35pmTwo men involved in an international drug importation scheme have been sentenced in the Dunedin District Court, with one...
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National
'Incredibly high level of brutality': Dunedin murderer jailed for life
Wednesday, 1 April 2026, 11:59amThe man who murdered Dunedin resident Gurjit Singh in a frenzied knife attack has been sentenced to life in prison with a...
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National
Woman admits dumping shoes tied to husband's murder case
Tuesday, 31 March 2026, 10:31amA woman has pleaded guilty in the Dunedin High Court to disposing of evidence linked to a murder investigation involving...
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National
Serial sex offender who broke into Dunedin flat and raped student jailed indefinitely
Tuesday, 10 March 2026, 2:09pmA Dunedin man with a history of sexual abuse against children has been jailed indefinitely with a minimum prison term of...
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Sport
'You never know': Jamie Joseph gutted but not ruling out All Blacks' top job in future
Thursday, 5 March 2026, 2:13pmJamie Joseph says he was disappointed to miss out on the All Blacks head coaching job but has praised the selection process...
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National
Port Chalmers crash victim named as Milton man John Douglas Taylor
Friday, 20 February 2026, 3:39pmPolice have released the name of the man who died after a crash in Port Chalmers. He was John Douglas Taylor, 44, of Milton. Emergency...
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National
Controversial councillor has building access restricted over claims of 'accosting' staff
Wednesday, 18 February 2026, 8:16amA Dunedin City councillor says a temporary restriction on his access to the Civic Centre is retaliatory, while the council’s...
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National
‘Don't destroy it’: Rowing great pleads for stolen Olympic gold medal’s return
Monday, 2 February 2026, 3:12pmAn Olympic gold medal won by a New Zealand rowing legend has been stolen during a burglary at his Christchurch home. Former...
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National
McApproved! Fast food giant wins 24/7 Wānaka restaurant consent without public input
Thursday, 22 January 2026, 4:26pmMcDonald’s has been granted approval to open its first Wānaka restaurant, several months after an earlier proposal was rejected...
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National
New police investigation into death of toddler Lachie Jones 'near completion'
Saturday, 17 January 2026, 9:27amA fresh police investigation into the death of Gore toddler Lachie Jones is nearing completion, with senior detectives from...
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National
Mould, damp, broken heat pumps: Dunedin student flats fall short in major government sweep
Friday, 12 December 2025, 2:04pmA government-led inspection of student rentals in Dunedin has uncovered widespread maintenance failings, prompting substantial...
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National
'Justice has prevailed': Guilty verdict in brutal Dunedin murder case
Thursday, 4 December 2025, 11:14amA High Court jury in Dunedin has found 35-year-old Rajinder guilty of murdering Gurjit Singh. The jury returned its verdict...
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Crime
Crown argues Dunedin man found partially decapitated died in a 'targeted' killing, not 'theft gone wrong'
Tuesday, 2 December 2025, 4:07pmThe killing of Gurjit Singh was a targeted, premeditated attack fuelled by rejection and personal resentment, the Crown has...
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National
‘A terrible accident’: Coroner releases findings into Dunedin hunter’s death
Monday, 1 December 2025, 8:30amA Dunedin woman who died during a hunting trip suffered an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound after losing her footing...
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National
Rescue helicopter sent after Wakatipu HS student injured at remote school camp
Thursday, 27 November 2025, 1:34pmA rescue helicopter has been dispatched to the Waikatipu High School Branches camp after a student was injured. Principal...
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National
Scarfies dump couches, mattresses, rubbish in student quarter streets after final exams
Tuesday, 11 November 2025, 4:10pmAn infamous party street in Dunedin’s student quarter has been inundated with rubbish as students empty their flats after...
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National
Move to allow freedom camping on shores of picturesque Central Otago lake gets backlash
Wednesday, 5 November 2025, 4:13pmQueenstown Lakes District Council has officially adopted the Freedom Camping Bylaw 2025, though not everyone is happy. Freedom...
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National
Tramper found dead on West Coast a 27-year-old German woman
Tuesday, 4 November 2025, 10:44amA woman found dead on the West Coast over the weekend after being reported missing is understood to have been a German national. The...
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National
Meth-addled truck driver jailed over crash that killed beloved grandfather
Thursday, 30 October 2025, 8:58pmA truck driver who caused a fiery crash near Waimate that killed a beloved husband and grandfather has been sentenced to...
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National
Communities rally after wild storm leaves thousands without electricity for days
Tuesday, 28 October 2025, 3:20pmCommunities across Southland and Otago have banded together after a week of wild weather left thousands without power for...
