Police said they were notified of the two-vehicle crash near Poroutawhao about 10.45am.

A Hato Hone St John paramedic and the truck driver were both seriously injured and taken to Palmerston North Hospital for treatment.

Hato Hone St John MidCentral area operations manager Gareth Collings confirmed one of the service’s rapid response vehicles was involved.

Two ambulances were sent to the scene to assist.

“The rapid response vehicle will be assessed today to determine whether it is road worthy,” Collings said.

“Hato Hone St John takes the safety of the public and its people seriously and will be supporting Police with their investigation.

“Our thoughts are with those impacted by this incident and we are offering support to our people who were involved.”

The New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said the highway reopened about 2.10pm, but motorists were warned to expect delays while traffic cleared.

A passing motorist, Geoff Lewis, told 1News the crash involved a gas bottle delivery truck and an ambulance. He said the road was closed because the site was considered hazardous.

Police said the Serious Crash Unit is investigating the cause of the crash and earlier asked motorists to delay travel and check the NZTA Journey Planner for alternative routes.

Mayor Bernie Wanden says the event is always a highlight for the district. “Christmas is a time to connect, celebrate and enjoy being part of a community. The Parade and Carnival bring out the very best of Horowhenua and it is wonderful to see so many families coming together for this special day. We are very grateful to Higgins for supporting the event again this year.”

The parade will start at 2pm from the corner of Victoria Street and Weraroa Road, travelling along Weraroa Road, turning onto Bath Street and finishing at the Levin Domain on Salisbury Street, where the Christmas Carnival will be waiting with food stalls, games, live entertainment and activities for the whole whānau.

To help the event run safely and smoothly, several streets will be temporarily closed on Saturday 6 December 2025.

• Victoria Street will be closed from 11am to 2.30pm for float assembly, with resident access allowed but no parking during this time.
• Salisbury Street between Queen Street and Bath Street will be closed from 1pm to 6.30pm for the Christmas Carnival.
• Weraroa Road, Bath Street, Hannan Street and Carlisle Street will be closed from 1.45pm to 2.30pm.

Detours will be clearly marked and emergency vehicles will have immediate access if required.

Other Christmas Events Across the District

Foxton Christmas Fair – Saturday 29 November 2025, 10am to 3pm

A lively market day in Foxton with food trucks, craft stalls, live music, kids activities, a petting zoo, classic cars and photos with Santa.

Candlelit Christmas – Stories and Carols – Saturday 6 December 2025, 7.30pm to 8.45pm

A peaceful evening of carols and storytelling led by HYPE Youth at Levin Uniting Church, with hundreds of candles creating a warm and reflective atmosphere. Free entry.

Thompson Memorial Cultural Centre, from Saturday 6 December 2025

The Centre and Gardens will be transformed with Christmas lights and displays, creating a festive Christmas house experience. The Centre will be open to the public on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December, with Father Christmas attending and a model railway in the gardens.

Shannon Christmas Parade & Celebrations – Sunday 14 December 2025, 9am to 3pm

A full day of festive fun in Shannon with live music, food stalls, bouncy castles, free tamariki activities and a welcoming Kaumātua Space. The parade begins at 11.30am.

Christmas Avenue of Trees – Friday 12 to Sunday 14 December 2025

A magical display of decorated Christmas trees, festive lights and Santa’s Lounge at the Levin Uniting Church and Community Centre. Entry is a non-perishable food item or two dollars, supporting local food banks.

With so many events happening across Horowhenua, it is the perfect time to gather your whānau, enjoy the celebrations and soak up the Christmas spirit.

Road Closures

• Temporary Road Closures – Horowhenua Christmas Parade

The Levin real estate market has demonstrated consistent activity over the past year, with slight variations in property prices and rental demand. Recent statistics offer valuable insights for potential buyers, sellers, and investors.

Market Overview

• Median Sale Price: $528,000 (increase of 1.3%)
• Median Asking Price: $545,000 (decrease of 1.4%)
• Median Days to Sale: 44 days
• Median Days on Market: 63 days
• Median Weekly Rent: $550 (increase of 5.8%)
• Median Days to Rent: 21 days

Property Supply & Demand

The market remains vibrant, with 64 properties listed for sale in the past month and 438 properties sold over the past year. Rental availability is also robust, with 52 properties listed for rent in the last month.

• Popular Sales: Three-bedroom houses and sections are in high demand among buyers.
• Popular Rentals: Two-bedroom and three-bedroom houses are the top choices for tenants.

Upcoming Property Auctions

Schedule for Thursday, 20 February 2025, Thursday, 20 February 2025, 1.00pm. Te Takere (Levin Library) 10 Bath Street, Levin presenting an opportunity for interested buyers:

This auction offers a significant opportunity for buyers aiming to secure a home in the competitive Levin market.

Buying by Auction

Auctions are a prominent method for purchasing property in Levin, known for their transparency and efficiency. Bidding is open, and once the reserve price is met, the property is sold. Prospective buyers should register their interest with the agent, and a successful bid results in a legally binding purchase agreement.

Selling a Property

For those considering selling, understanding the process is crucial. Decisions between private sales or engaging an agent, careful evaluation of offers, and thorough planning for settlement day are essential steps, each involving important legal considerations.

These insights aim to assist prospective buyers, sellers, and investors in making informed decisions within the Levin property market. For more detailed analysis or information on specific investment opportunities, consulting with local real estate professionals is recommended.

18 Rata Street – Open Home: Sunday 16 Feb, 1 – 1.30pm.

This plug in is put_ad_on_story_here.php (You can only see this message because you are logged in as an admin… normal humans won’t see this message! The category of this page is OR Arts = 1 OR Arts = 2 OR Community = 1 OR Community = 2 OR Education = 1 OR Education = 2 OR WhatsOn = 1 OR WhatsOn = 2
The following ads appear here: Jeff, Otaihanga-Landscaping, COW-Coming-Soon, CoastSecurity-2, PeterJackson, Enrich-Retirement, Real-Estate, HowardandCo, Hawkins-Plumbing, North-City-Motors, Tatum-Park, greenvan

Book lovers in Porirua are in for a treat this week with a special promotion at the Red Cross op shop in the Megacentre, opposite Rebel Sport. The store is offering a “buy one book, get one free” deal on all books, encouraging locals to explore a wide selection of pre-loved titles.

One happy customer, says she recently stopped by the shop and left with a haul of books and clothes. “Very happy 😊 thank you Red Cross Porirua,” she adds.

The sale runs throughout the week, providing an excellent opportunity for readers to stock up on new reads while supporting a good cause. Don’t miss out!

Red Cross Op Shop Porirua:
📍 12 Semple Street, Porirua City Centre

🕒 Opening Hours:

• Monday – Sunday: 9 am – 5 pm

This plug in is put_ad_on_story_here.php (You can only see this message because you are logged in as an admin… normal humans won’t see this message! The category of this page is OR Arts = 1 OR Arts = 2 OR Community = 1 OR Community = 2 OR Education = 1 OR Education = 2 OR WhatsOn = 1 OR WhatsOn = 2
The following ads appear here: Jeff, Otaihanga-Landscaping, COW-Coming-Soon, CoastSecurity-2, PeterJackson, Enrich-Retirement, Real-Estate, HowardandCo, Hawkins-Plumbing, North-City-Motors, Tatum-Park, greenvan

Book lovers in Porirua are in for a treat this week with a special promotion at the Red Cross op shop in the Megacentre, opposite Rebel Sport. The store is offering a “buy one book, get one free” deal on all books, encouraging locals to explore a wide selection of pre-loved titles.

One happy customer, says she recently stopped by the shop and left with a haul of books and clothes. “Very happy 😊 thank you Red Cross Porirua,” she adds.

The sale runs throughout the week, providing an excellent opportunity for readers to stock up on new reads while supporting a good cause. Don’t miss out!

Red Cross Op Shop Porirua:
📍 12 Semple Street, Porirua City Centre

🕒 Opening Hours:

• Monday – Sunday: 9 am – 5 pm

This plug in is put_ad_on_story_here.php (You can only see this message because you are logged in as an admin… normal humans won’t see this message! The category of this page is OR Arts = 1 OR Arts = 2 OR Community = 1 OR Community = 2 OR Education = 1 OR Education = 2 OR WhatsOn = 1 OR WhatsOn = 2
The following ads appear here: Jeff, Otaihanga-Landscaping, COW-Coming-Soon, CoastSecurity-2, PeterJackson, Enrich-Retirement, Real-Estate, HowardandCo, Hawkins-Plumbing, North-City-Motors, Tatum-Park, greenvan

Book lovers in Porirua are in for a treat this week with a special promotion at the Red Cross op shop in the Megacentre, opposite Rebel Sport. The store is offering a “buy one book, get one free” deal on all books, encouraging locals to explore a wide selection of pre-loved titles.

One happy customer, says she recently stopped by the shop and left with a haul of books and clothes. “Very happy 😊 thank you Red Cross Porirua,” she adds.

The sale runs throughout the week, providing an excellent opportunity for readers to stock up on new reads while supporting a good cause. Don’t miss out!

Red Cross Op Shop Porirua:
📍 12 Semple Street, Porirua City Centre

🕒 Opening Hours:

• Monday – Sunday: 9 am – 5 pm

This plug in is put_ad_on_story_here.php (You can only see this message because you are logged in as an admin… normal humans won’t see this message! The category of this page is OR Arts = 1 OR Arts = 2 OR Community = 1 OR Community = 2 OR Education = 1 OR Education = 2 OR WhatsOn = 1 OR WhatsOn = 2
The following ads appear here: Jeff, Otaihanga-Landscaping, COW-Coming-Soon, CoastSecurity-2, PeterJackson, Enrich-Retirement, Real-Estate, HowardandCo, Hawkins-Plumbing, North-City-Motors, Tatum-Park, greenvan

Book lovers in Porirua are in for a treat this week with a special promotion at the Red Cross op shop in the Megacentre, opposite Rebel Sport. The store is offering a “buy one book, get one free” deal on all books, encouraging locals to explore a wide selection of pre-loved titles.

One happy customer, says she recently stopped by the shop and left with a haul of books and clothes. “Very happy 😊 thank you Red Cross Porirua,” she adds.

The sale runs throughout the week, providing an excellent opportunity for readers to stock up on new reads while supporting a good cause. Don’t miss out!

Red Cross Op Shop Porirua:
📍 12 Semple Street, Porirua City Centre

🕒 Opening Hours:

• Monday – Sunday: 9 am – 5 pm

This plug in is put_ad_on_story_here.php (You can only see this message because you are logged in as an admin… normal humans won’t see this message! The category of this page is OR Arts = 1 OR Arts = 2 OR Community = 1 OR Community = 2 OR Education = 1 OR Education = 2 OR WhatsOn = 1 OR WhatsOn = 2
The following ads appear here: Jeff, Otaihanga-Landscaping, COW-Coming-Soon, CoastSecurity-2, PeterJackson, Enrich-Retirement, Real-Estate, HowardandCo, Hawkins-Plumbing, North-City-Motors, Tatum-Park, greenvan

Book lovers in Porirua are in for a treat this week with a special promotion at the Red Cross op shop in the Megacentre, opposite Rebel Sport. The store is offering a “buy one book, get one free” deal on all books, encouraging locals to explore a wide selection of pre-loved titles.

One happy customer, says she recently stopped by the shop and left with a haul of books and clothes. “Very happy 😊 thank you Red Cross Porirua,” she adds.

The sale runs throughout the week, providing an excellent opportunity for readers to stock up on new reads while supporting a good cause. Don’t miss out!

Red Cross Op Shop Porirua:
📍 12 Semple Street, Porirua City Centre

🕒 Opening Hours:

• Monday – Sunday: 9 am – 5 pm

Book lovers in Porirua are in for a treat this week with a special promotion at the Red Cross op shop in the Megacentre, opposite Rebel Sport. The store is offering a “buy one book, get one free” deal on all books, encouraging locals to explore a wide selection of pre-loved titles.

One happy customer, says she recently stopped by the shop and left with a haul of books and clothes. “Very happy 😊 thank you Red Cross Porirua,” she adds.

The sale runs throughout the week, providing an excellent opportunity for readers to stock up on new reads while supporting a good cause. Don’t miss out!

Red Cross Op Shop Porirua:
📍 12 Semple Street, Porirua City Centre

🕒 Opening Hours:

• Monday – Sunday: 9 am – 5 pm