Needle found in capsicum bought at Tauranga Countdown over weekend
A stir-fry left a sharp taste in the mouth for one Tauranga couple as they discovered a needle inside a capsicum.
Will Taylor cooked the stir fry for his girlfriend on Sunday using a red capsicum purchased from Countdown Bureta Park the day prior.
Taylor said they inspected the piece of food and discovered a small needle had been inserted into the vegetable.
A Countdown spokeswoman said the store has referred the matter to the New Zealand police who will investigate.
"We take food safety incredibly seriously and will work closely with both the NZ Police and MPI to cooperate fully with their investigation," she said.
The capsicum was not the only fruit purchased last Saturday spiked with needles.
A strawberry was discovered to also contain a needle which was purchased at a FreshChoice supermarket in South Canterbury sparking an investigation from MPI.
Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?
What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?
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35.5% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
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64.5% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
Scam Alert: Bank cold calls
ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.
🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you’re unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.
Remember, banks will:
❌ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codes
❌ Never need to know your full credit card number – especially the CVC
❌ Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device
❌ Never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds.
If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.
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