Top stories
NZH
Kim Dotcom loses latest extradition bid, faces at least 30-year US jail term
Lawyer says the net mogul faces a sentence of up to 150 years with no chance of parole.
Village People star behind YMCA and Macho Man dies at 74
The group's disco hits topped charts worldwide.
Inside the fuel response: Document dump reveals Govt's advice on worst-case scenario
New documents have been released about how the Government handled the situation.
Who was snubbed at Michelin? Inside the night that changed NZ hospo forever
There was blood, sweat and snubs – but did the inspectors get it right?
1N
How much does it cost to eat at New Zealand's Michelin restaurants?
The restaurants have been recognised for their culinary excellence – but how much do they cost to experience?
ED death: Mum and daughter describe scenes of 'absolute chaos'
Sam and Deanne Browne said the man's death in an ED bathroom at Waikato Hospital was "horrific".
Does NZ have night shelters? PM stands by remark – Labour says 'out of touch'
"We don't think the evidence works where someone shows up for one day and moves on," Christopher Luxon said in Parliament.
'Angry': Woman's run-in with Thai teen's Australian alleged killer
Simon Peter Carman was arrested after the body of teenager Tunchanok Donhomla was found in a suitcase in Pattaya, south of Bangkok.
Teen who pulled knife on Australian police faces deportation to NZ
Harmony Rose Matthews was just 18 when she was surrounded by police with their firearms drawn at Morayfield, north of Brisbane.
Police separately seeking three dangerous men across North Island
Three individuals who "should not be approached" are being sought in Hawke's Bay, Bay of Plenty and Auckland.
Cat killed by 'menacing' dog ‒ but who attacked who first?
A nine-year-old German shepherd was given a "menacing" classification after causing the death of 18-year-old tabby Puss in Boots in Upper Hutt last year.
Four arrested in Ohio after 16 kids found in 'deplorable' conditions
“Conditions you cannot even imagine people being in, let alone children being in.”
Cocaine, Taser found after police tail fleeing wrong-way driver
The driver was "dramatically trying to avoid police" when he inadvertently led officers to his substantial but illicit haul.
PM's office breached OIA over climate note - Ombudsman
The Ombudsman warned of the "possibility" that government business may be routinely flowing through personal email accounts, which he deemed "concerning".
St
Rice bags, the ‘Ark’, and $2m in gold bars: How police identified a body in a bin bag, and exposed a cult
After a cult leader and his wife were found guilty of manslaughter, the detectives who led the case share exclusive details.
Revealed: The talking points Christopher Luxon failed to nail on Iran
The PM was told to say he was “horrified” by the deaths of children in a school bombing, he didnt.
New All Blacks coach to name his first team
All you need to know ahead of the first All Blacks team naming of 2026.
2026 Honda Super-One priced for New Zealand as quirky city EV lineup confirmed
Honda's Super-One small urban EV will arrive in New Zealand in a two-model lineup and offer a driving range of up to 253km.
See how much you know about FIFA World Cup history with our quiz
Calling all football buffs... Test your knowledge of past World Cup tournaments with out quiz.
When should you bring your sick kid in? Here’s what I actually look for
Most fevers and coughs in kids are just viruses doing their thing, annoying, exhausting for everyone, but self-limiting. But there are some signs that it’s time to get them seen.
How billions in KiwiSaver quietly fund Wall Street – and the case for backing NZ Inc instead
There’s a growing debate about how our KiwiSaver money is used.
You Pick A Side: Should you thank drivers for stopping at a pedestrian crossing?
Stuff’s weekly series dives into the everyday topics that get people talking.
Forestry directors face bankruptcy and loss of homes after losing appeal
The High Court rules three Samnic Forest Management directors are personally liable for cleaning up a massive slash mess near Gisborne.
No criminal liability after gang member fatally stabbed in the legs
A Coroners Court certificate of findings has confirmed that a resident who fatally stabbed a patched Mongrel Mob member during an armed home invasion acted in self-defence.
TP
Risk to NZ-India relations ahead of Modi's visit as coalition moves to restrict immigration settings
The Government has made decisions on tightening immigration settings for Indian nationals, but is worried about this news becoming public ahead of a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month.
The limits of Labour’s small-target strategy
EDITORIAL | Labour's low-risk strategy has seen it grow in popularity. But that so far successful caution may not be enough to win government – or to help govern well.
All Blacks fans wooed with discounted tickets in bid to fill thousands of empty seats in Wellington
Cheaper tickets as part of “family bundles” for $100 seek to take advantage of the earlier 5.10pm kickoff time.
If ComCom agrees, fractured Turners fruit and veg empire will be reunited
J&P Turner Limited is seeking clearance to buy Turners & Growers Fresh Limited.
RNZ won’t win young listeners through radio, says new chairperson
Brent Impey says RNZ needs to grow its audience beyond traditional radio listeners, but there is a target in place for how many should be tuning in.
‘Little chance of runaway house prices’ - Cotality
House prices have dropped again, and with them equity across the housing stock, but it’s “nowhere near disaster scenario”, Cotality says.
The Black Caps' many heroes of their series win, and how the masterplan came off
Even after a disappointing first test loss at Lord’s on an awful wicket, the Black Caps never lost faith in how they wanted to play against England.
The Green Green Room gives Wellington’s arts treasures a second act
A shared library for costumes, props and sets is rescuing everything from historical ballet costumes to giant puppets from landfill -- while preserving the capital's theatrical heritage and helping artists create more sustainably.
Health and safety bill passes final vote despite MPs’ doubts
Winston Peters has hinted at some support from within the National Party for a rethink after the election, in what might become an arm wrestle with ACT.
‘Knife in her skull’: Kāinga Ora tenant evicted after violent threat to neighbour
A tenant’s threat that his neighbour would “get a knife in her skull” and that there would be further violence has resulted in an order ending his Auckland social housing tenancy.
TPr
Parched Canterbury braces for potentially record-breaking El Niño
El Niño has been declared and could intensify into one of the strongest events on record, raising the risk of a dry, windy spring and a wider economic squeeze across the South Island.
‘We haven’t got any friends’: Christchurch mayor says neighbouring districts won’t merge with city
Selwyn and Waimakariri residents spend almost $1b a year in the city and hundreds use the city’s libraries and pools.
Prestigious Christchurch school’s future in doubt amid move to sell its land and buildings
St Thomas of Canterbury College has been served a court request by its owners, the Christian Brothers, to sell the school’s land and buildings.
Bookings for NZ Michelin star restaurants explode moments after awards announced
Restaurants around the country are already feeling the effects of the honour, as customers scramble secure a table.
Much-needed Christchurch dog rescue gets ratepayer grant for $2.7m expansion
Dogwatch Sanctuary will get $120,000 in ratepayer funds to more than double its capacity.
Risk to NZ-India relations ahead of Modi's visit as coalition moves to restrict immigration settings
The Government has made decisions on tightening immigration settings for Indian nationals, but is worried about this news becoming public ahead of a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month.
Christchurch Edgeware Rd double killer says he didn’t stop to think before prison assault
The man who murdered two teens by driving into a crowd outside a party says he did not use the anger-management strategies he had spent months learning before taking part in a violent prison assault last year.
‘Little chance of runaway house prices’ - Cotality
House prices have dropped again, and with them equity across the housing stock, but it’s “nowhere near disaster scenario”, Cotality says.
Jail ‘appropriate’ for repeat family violence offender
A 20-month jail term is the latest custodial sentence for a Waimate man with a “deplorable history” of family violence offending.
Mission complete: New rescue helicopter fleet delivers biggest patient care leap in 40 years
Celebrations are under way after the final helicopter in a new rescue fleet entered service, completing a two-year programme to modernise rescue helicopter operations across Canterbury, the West Coast and Nelson Marlborough.
WT
‘Blindness’ over building consent earns prosecution for hilltop couple
Whether Tracey and Stephen Frew deliberately ignored their obligations or were somehow ignorant of them is a point that may forever be up for debate.
Hamilton leads pack for property price growth
Hamilton led the pack for property value growth last month, bucking the national trend and outstripping other major centres
Minister reaffirms new ward to help struggling ED
A patient recently died while waiting in ED, and there’s still no sign of extra beds aimed at getting people through the department faster.
Robo-mowers on duty in city graveyards
Robot gardeners could be employed to tend graveyards and work at some of Hamilton’s hardest-to-access spots if they ace a new trial.
Thames High won't say why board called in Ministry help
A limited statutory manager has been sent to take over some of the school board’s responsibilities, and the board says it’s ‘very grateful’.
Screwdriver brandishing Hamilton home invader fails to appeal conviction
The Hamilton home invaders’ haul included a Playstation 4, handbag containing cash, bank cards, an iPhone and ‘a distinctive hat’.
Moments in time: Tokoroa photographer shares decades of local images
‘To me, my photos are my legacy,’ says Chris Williams, whose exhibition brings together almost four decades of film photographs around Tokoroa.
Waikato Waters pledge to take blame if things go wrong ahead of service takeover
Waikato Waters have pledged to take the blame if services go awry after they started their first operational takeover in Waipā, Waitomo and South Waikato on Wednesday.
Chiefs hard-hitter confirms offshore move, but All Blacks could beckon again
Samipeni Finau effectively ruled himself out of Dave Rennie’s squad when he agreed terms to head to Japan, but he could return at age 29 ready to rip in again.
Anonymous tip-off stubs out illegal cigarette sales across three regions
The six-month operation, leading to search warrants and arrests, started with a Crimestoppers tip.
Sp
Unity at last: the Opportunity Party is being hated on by both left and right
Qiulae Wong has called on our political parties to stop bickering and pursue common goals. It’s happened, but maybe not in the way she envisaged.
Dating Files: A 50-year-old who wanted ‘someone I could have sex and/or go out for dinner with’
A 50-year-old on her second marriage revisits her post-divorce dating.
A little better every day: ‘The garden was quite a healing process’
Inside Matariki at Amberley School, where they’re planting seeds of growth to honour a beloved teacher’s legacy.
The top tidbits and takeaways from New Zealand’s first Michelin ceremony
It’s taken the Michelin Guide 125 years to reach NZ. Was it worth the wait?
Who’s poor in New Zealand now?
A group of people the size of the population of Christchurch is in hardship – but there are ways to turn it around, a group of social service charities says.
Tokyo’s New Zealand-themed love hotel – that forgot New Zealand
It has a gold kiwi icon, koru-esque motifs and you rent the rooms by the hour.
A failing grade for the government’s school lunch programme
An inquiry has found David Seymour’s cost-cutting overhaul of the free school lunches programme beset by poor planning, inadequate monitoring, waste and low nutritional standards.
The world’s social media bans and NZ’s plans explained
Where our ban plans are at and how they compare.
Eleven moments that defined the Black Caps’ series win over England
It was a series of big moments, not big players.
‘Relentless attack’ or ‘fuel on the fire’? Brash v Hooton in the court of appeal
Lawyers for Don Brash say he was defamed by Matthew Hooton’s suggestion he was dishonest.