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Man jailed after painting fake pedestrian crossing on main route
NZTA said Josiah Brooking's actions put people's lives at risk, caused costly disruption.

Frosty mornings ahead as clear skies return for Matariki weekend
Clear skies promise prime skiing around Queenstown and Wānaka.

'Tears pouring': 25-year heartbreak behind Mark Sainsbury's new venture; TVNZ set for $48.8m hit
Inside Sky's 'super intense', $400m-plus NRL rights win; Govt mulled axing screen rebate.

Inside the collapse of Burger Burger – and Mimi Gilmour's fight to save it
'I'm going to have to start again ... I'm not afraid of that.'

Heartbroken dad reveals social media's role in daughter's death
Robb Evans says social media manipulated Liv – but NZ can now learn from Australian ban.
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Mayor Brown's texts to minister reveal AT contempt, reform lobbying
While the Auckland mayor's frosty relationship with AT was not new, the texts lay bare just how blunt he was in private messaging.

Hundreds of drivers to be re-tested after NZTA suspends 16 examiners
NZTA has suspended 16 driver testing officers and stood down another seven following an investigation into abnormal test results.

'Big menu' for Matariki breakfast as Ngāti Whātua make final prep
The iwi is hosting tomorrow’s national Matariki hautapu ceremony at Takaparawhau (Bastion Point), Auckland.

Last woman executed in Britain given a conditional pardon
Ruth Ellis, 28, was hanged on July 13, 1955, for the murder of race-car driver David Blakely outside a London pub.

All Blacks: Beauden Barrett missing again in strong team to play Italy
Dave Rennie and his selectors have retained the spine of the team that beat France, but still could not find a place for their most experienced player.

Waikato ED death deemed to be an 'acute unexpected incident'
1News reported that the man, aged in his mid-50s, died in a toilet at the hospital's emergency department after waiting more than nine hours to be seen.

Missile alerts in Gulf countries after US launches airstrikes against Iran
Kuwait’s military said it was actively intercepting incoming drones and missiles.

Missing Cambridge cat turns up 630km away on Canterbury farm
A tortoiseshell cat missing from Cambridge for a year has turned up on a North Canterbury farm, after apparently crossing Cook Strait alone.

Police release photos after copper theft disrupts Wellington rail
The damage in Tawa caused multiple signal issues and disrupted services, police said.

Two key City Rail Link commitments confirmed ahead of opening
1News understands the system will open between late August and early September.
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Behind Christopher Nolan’s 6-country epic undertaking to bring ‘The Odyssey’ to the big screen
All Nolan films are epics in their own ways. But for “The Odyssey,” he knew he had to do something fitting of the Homeric poem and its foundational place in Western culture.
Watch: World Santa Congress brings Christmas cheer to the height of European summer
The packed agenda features events like gingerbread eating, gift wrapping, balloon modeling, and several noisy parades.
It’s complicated: A relationship expert sizes up Greater Christchurch’s merger drama
Christchurch says its neighbours already share the jobs, the money and the lifestyle. Selwyn and Waimakariri say that's no reason to merge. We asked a relationship expert what happens when one partner wants commitment - and the other doesn't.
This Australian owns seven NZ rental units; Why he’d rather buy here than back home
Property professionals say more Australians are looking across the Tasman as prices, rental returns and tax settings shift. Experts say the picture is more complicated.
'Is that the competition where guys have no shirts on?' The fitness craze taking over gyms
Hyrox is conquering the fitness world, one gym at a time.
Naps, no stairs, and snipers? Modi adds extra layer to NZ arrival
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi touches down for a whirlwind visit to New Zealand on Friday evening.
Jeweller of 30 years 'shocked' after bank accounts frozen over money laundering concerns
Penelope Barnhill had her accounts frozen incorrectly, followed by a series of communication failures that her bank has since apologised for.
Why ABs plan to unleash rookie off bench ‘early’ against Italy
"We are keen to get him into the game reasonably early,'' All Blacks coach Dave Rennie said in reference to Anton Senger. "We will give him some time to find his feet.
Warriors make call on State of Origin stars backing up against Tigers
All you need to know about the Warriors clash with Benji Marshall’s West Tigers in round 19 of the NRL.
How begging and rough sleeping made it into the move-on orders bill
Stuff looked through more than 600 pages of emails and draft advice prepared by government agencies so that you don’t have to.
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Roads to nowhere: Why the Government has had to back down on RoNS
Transport Minister Chris Bishop released a transport plan which put construction of some of the roads into the distant future
Editorial: Finding ourselves under Matariki
EDITORIAL: Public holidays help tell a nation's story. Matariki is becoming an important chapter in New Zealand's own.
Reserve Bank governor responds to rate rise critics
RB governor Anna Breman says the bank’s monetary policy committee members reached a decision “relatively quickly” to raise the OCR, with their views on inflation the decider.
Everyone’s promises crash into fiscal reality
Chris Bishop has done an abrupt u-turn on his Roads of National Significance but, to be taken seriously, all parties must slash their spending plans
Government misses immunisation targets; drop in cardiac patients getting timely care
The number of heart patients receiving timely surgery has fallen 8.1% due to a sharp rise in demand for urgent procedures, but several health targets improved, Health NZ figures show.
Entranced by the stars: Why Miriama Kamo flew to the coldest place on earth
The journalist, broadcaster and author never wanted to visit Antarctica - but a journey to film Māori star knowledge beneath the world’s darkest skies changed her mind.
Alan Hall case: Evidence cops removed was ‘crucial ... absolutely fundamental’
Former police officers deny perverting the course of justice.
Dropping tunes and dropping kilos: All Blacks giant embraces reinvigorating Rennie regime
Pasilio Tosi might have met his musical match in the new national coach, whose high-octane game-plan is also requiring some shifts from their biggest man.
The vital return of two key figures to boost the Warriors for testing run-in to NRL playoffs
Mitchell Barnett gave the Warriors an instant uplift against the Cowboys and James Fisher-Harris can supply the same spark in Sydney against Benji Marshall’s Tigers.
Wellington’s 13 Garrett St to be redeveloped into new events space, offices
The legendary 13 Garrett St flats, one of Wellington’s best-known creative spaces, will be vacated later this year and forced to stop hosting publicly promoted events as the building undergoes mandatory earthquake strengthening ahead of a major redevelopment.
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New location, bigger supermarket part of New Brighton vision
Plans for a much larger supermarket in a new location have resurfaced as part of efforts to revive New Brighton, with developers saying the suburb has long had demand for a store more than twice the size of the existing Woolworths.
Wilson Parking claims against rival branded ‘unreasonable’ and ‘conspiratorial’ as trial nears end
Christchurch man and Mainland Parking founder Peter Turner is trying to avoid a multimillion-dollar claim.
Ancient Kaikōura pā site returned to local hapū after more than a century in private ownership
A significant ancestral pā site near the mouth of the Clarence River in Kaikōura has been returned to Ngāti Kurī, marking the end of more than a century of the land being in private hands.
One Eye leads race for favourite kiwi as tiny West Coast flock help raise funds for conservation
From devoted dad One Eye to lovestruck Tupuārangi, seven great spotted kiwi are starring in a fundraiser to help protect their growing population.
No need for alarm - it’s only China
China, like the US and France, is using the vast Pacific Ocean to test its submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Is this really a big deal?
Government misses immunisation targets; drop in cardiac patients getting timely care
The number of heart patients receiving timely surgery has fallen 8.1% due to a sharp rise in demand for urgent procedures, but several health targets improved, Health NZ figures show.
Concerns over flying instructor’s conduct raised years before student fatally crashed
Four years before his gyrocopter student died on his first solo flight, a series of incidents prompted an aero club to stand him down as chief flying instructor.
Owner claims dangerous dog dead
The owner of a dangerous dog with an “extensive history” has been told to produce evidence supporting claims in the Timaru District Court that it has been put down.
Roads to nowhere: Why the Government has had to back down on RoNS
Transport Minister Chris Bishop released a transport plan which put construction of some of the roads into the distant future
Entranced by the stars: Why Miriama Kamo flew to the coldest place on earth
The journalist, broadcaster and author never wanted to visit Antarctica - but a journey to film Māori star knowledge beneath the world’s darkest skies changed her mind.
WT
Reserve Bank governor responds to rate rise critics
RB governor Anna Breman says the bank’s monetary policy committee members reached a decision “relatively quickly” to raise the OCR, with their views on inflation the decider.
Hamilton accountant faces fraud charges over alleged $1.3m theft
A Hamilton accountant has appeared in court accused of stealing over a million dollars of client funds.
Extra monitoring would not have changed Waikato ED death - review
The findings were released on Thursday, just over a week after the patient died while waiting for treatment at Waikato Hospital.
Fuel bump from renewed US-Iran fighting likely to be modest
The US has resumed strikes on Iran, but motorists are unlikely to see the sharp fuel price spikes experienced earlier this year.
Stolen mere pounamu returned to Temple View museum
Police have recovered a treasured pounamu mere stolen from a Temple View church museum, with two men now facing charges.
The councillor coming for bad school-gate drivers
A Hamilton City councillor is calling for a citywide school-gate safety campaign as the city’s school-run problems mount by the day.
Here’s how your weather’s shaping up for Matariki
Fine weather should make for good Matariki stargazing, but overnight frost will bring sub-zero temperatures.
Bishop signals rethink on PC1 as farmers voice concern
New rules that will affect thousands of Waikato farms are on a ‘collision course’ with planned RMA changes, Minister Chris Bishop says.
NZ Surf Pro proves a business winner for Waikato
The New Zealand Surf Pro gave a boost to international visitor spending and commercial accommodation nights across the region.
Bestsellers: Couple from Uruguay win over Tairua with empanadas
After years on the road, a Uruguayan couple swapped food festivals for a permanent home in Tairua.
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Why you should watch Hinemihi: The House with Golden Eyes
A story of survival, loss and belonging.
Vera Ellen on what it feels like when AI takes your music
Deeply personal music about painful experiences have been scraped for parts.

What to watch this Matariki weekend
From historical docudramas to heartwarming family films, these are our viewing picks for Matariki 2026.
How Puanga is helping me to grieve te reo Māori
The revival of tātai arorangi provides an opportunity to connect with our whakapapa and reo.
The pick of the Matariki picture books
A selection of Matariki-themed books to share with friends and whānau – updated for 2026.

A view from the junction of media and politics
Mike Munro’s career spans gallery journalist in the time of Muldoon and Lange, spin doctor to Helen Clark and chief of staff for Jacinda Ardern.

A brief guide to the stars of Matariki
In te ao Māori, each star plays an important role for the year to come.

The Spinoff Books midwinter quiz
Are you a lit legend, or do you need to get thee to a library?

Ladi6 would really like you to take a break because busyness is overrated
The queen of New Zealand hip hop gives her take on what’s important in life.

Help Me Hera: I can’t tell if my writing is any good or not
I haven’t lost my taste when it comes to the work of others, but I’ve lost all ability to judge my own.