Articles by Ben Tomsett
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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...
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National
'Truly one of a kind': Tributes for young Irishman who died in Queenstown balcony fall
Tuesday, 28 October 2025, 10:53amTributes have been paid to a young “one of a kind” Irishman who died after a tragic accident in Queenstown. Dillon McDermott,...
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Emergency
Severe winds rip roof off supermarket as wild storm batters Otago
Thursday, 23 October 2025, 3:30pmWinds ravaging Otago this afternoon have lifted the roof off the Four Square supermarket in Tapanui, leaving the store closed...
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National
‘Intimidating’: Gun shots, bloody pig carcass on spike as tensions mount in remote village
Wednesday, 22 October 2025, 4:28pmResidents of a remote Otago village say they were left alarmed and intimidated after a pig carcass was found mounted on a...
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National
Police cordon off Queenstown address after suspected fatal balcony fall
Wednesday, 22 October 2025, 11:08amPolice have cordoned off a Queenstown address after a suspected balcony fall this morning. Emergency services were called...
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National
One dead, two injured after Port Waikato boat capsize
Saturday, 18 October 2025, 2:44pmA person has died after being airlifted to hospital after a boat capsized at Port Waikato. A police spokesperson said emergency...
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National
Drink-driver kills elderly motorist and himself hours after being banned from the road
Friday, 17 October 2025, 10:07amJust hours after walking from court free following a drink-driving conviction, a Canterbury man went drinking again, then...
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National
Officials plot tougher rules for freedom campers in holiday hotspots
Thursday, 9 October 2025, 7:27amFreedom camping across some of the South Island’s most popular holiday hotspots has surged to the highest levels in the country...
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Crime
Dunedin homicide: Police appeal for dashcam footage in murder probe
Tuesday, 7 October 2025, 1:11pmPolice are appealing to motorists and pedestrians who may have critical information regarding the death of a man in North...
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Crime
Homicide: Man charged with murder after body found at North Dunedin
Monday, 6 October 2025, 9:38amA man has been charged with murder after a body was found in Dunedin on Friday. Detective Inspector Shona Low, Crime Manager...
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National
538 votes to 2: The little South Island town fighting against a drive-through liquor store
Wednesday, 24 September 2025, 2:13pmPlans for a drive-through liquor store in a small Central Otago town have drawn fierce opposition, with hundreds of residents...
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National
'Distressing incident': Two cops badly attacked by dog during arrest
Saturday, 20 September 2025, 9:51amA routine arrest in Rotorua turned violent last night when a dog attacked two police officers, leaving one requiring surgery. The...
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National
Winery’s after-work sampling session ends in tragedy as young staff member dies in crash
Thursday, 11 September 2025, 7:14amA coroner has urged wineries and other rural businesses to strengthen alcohol policies after a young worker died in a car...
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National
High-profile sportsman cleared of causing infant's injuries in Dunedin trial
Monday, 8 September 2025, 3:57pmA jury has found a high-profile sportsman not guilty of causing injuries to an infant. The jury at Dunedin District Court...
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Crime
Disgraced Dunedin healer sentenced to home detention for indecently assaulting patient
Friday, 5 September 2025, 6:20pmA disgraced Dunedin healer has been sentenced to home detention for indecently assaulting a client who came to him for help...
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National
High-profile sportsman trial: Radiologist says infant rib fractures not definitive of abuse
Wednesday, 3 September 2025, 2:07pmA radiologist says swelling seen on scans of an infant’s chest reflected rib fractures, but did not indicate abuse. The trial...
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National
'Absolutely no evidence': Doctor dismisses rickets responsible for baby's fractured ribs in sportsman trial
Wednesday, 27 August 2025, 3:32pmA doctor has told a jury there is “absolutely no evidence” a baby’s bones were abnormal, rejecting defence claims of rickets...
