The Latest Breaking News from Wellington

Homicide probe as NZ police confirm deadly blaze was likely arson

New Zealand's deadly hostel blaze has become a homicide investigation, as police confirm it is a suspected arson.

The New Daily · May 17, 2023

Why does it take a deadly fire for New Zealand to pay attention to how its most vulnerable live?

The deaths of at least six people at Wellington’s Loafers Lodge has shone a light on the country’s long-ignored housing crisis

The Guardian - AU · May 17, 2023

New Zealand police suspect arson caused hostel fire that killed six

New Zealand police said on Wednesday a fire at a hostel in the capital, Wellington, in which at least six people were killed was suspected to have been arson and they had opened a homicide inquiry.

Reuters · May 16, 2023

Afternoon Update: PM dismisses push to cap negative gearing; Wellington hostel fire; and video of US guard killing trans man

Internal push for stronger housing policy reform comes amid fears Labor could bleed inner-city voters to the Greens over issue

The Guardian - AU · May 16, 2023

Wellington hostel fire – live: Survivors had to choose whether to ‘jump out the window or just burn’

At least six people are dead and 11 are missing

The Independent UK · May 16, 2023

‘Smelt like poison’: Harrowing details from deadly NZ hostel blaze

Authorities have described a "confronting" scene at a Wellington hostel where at least six people died in a blaze early on Tuesday.

The New Daily · May 16, 2023

Six people dead and 11 missing in New Zealand fire – as it happened

This blog is now closed. You can read our full story on the fire here:

The Guardian - AU · May 15, 2023

Wellington hostel fire – live: At least six killed after ‘once in a decade’ blaze engulfs New Zealand lodge

Authorities described it as ‘the worst nightmare for us’

The Independent UK · May 15, 2023

Six dead in New Zealand hostel fire as survivors had to choose whether to ‘jump out the window or just burn’

Four-storey, 92-room Wellington hostel was almost fully occupied at time of ‘once in a decade’ fire

The Independent UK · May 15, 2023

New Zealand hostel fire leaves 'six dead and 20 missing' as flames tear through building

Emergency District Manager Nick Pyatt has described the blaze at the Loafers Lodge hostel in Wellington as his 'worst nightmare'.

Daily Record · May 15, 2023