Auckland's housing future: Council pares back intensity plans, suburbs untouched

Councillors have voted to take the boldest planning visions off the table.

'A true legend of Ponsonby Road': Tributes flow for Nutana Nathan Andrews

He worked for years at SPQR, with friends remembering his warmth, wit and humour.

Last call? The stand-off over (and possible demise of) New Zealand’s remaining telephone booths

Spark has a plan to modernise payphones but Auckland Council wants a slice of the revenue.

'Extremely cold but talking': Elderly woman found after days missing

Police said finding the 81-year-old safe is a 'great result'.

I’m a GP and sleep expert. This is why you keep going to the loo at night

Telegraph: Frequent bathroom trips in the night could be signalling a health issue.

Watch: Mum links black mould in damp rental to son’s life-threatening lung disease

Montoya Fitimase says the black mould spread through bedrooms, lounge and toilet.

'Constitutionally abhorrent': Expert reveals his advice to govt on climate law change

A legal boffin who was consulted on the government's law change that would prevent companies from being sued over climate change explains his opposition.

Orthopaedic patients waiting nearly three weeks for surgery due to ACC delays

ACC says some recent periods of higher demand led to a decline in timeliness of decision-making, but that this is improving.

Booming rural economy on display at sold-out Fieldays

The annual agricultural showcase kicks off in Mystery Creek on Wednesday morning.

Will Chris Wood be unleashed at the Football World Cup?

Analysis - Chris Wood is the All Whites' captain, record appearance-holder and biggest goal-scoring threat. But how many minutes can their star striker play at the World Cup?

Labour set to announce first policy in six months, on cost-of-living

Less than a third of SMEs still in business 10 years later

Another World Cup winner joins Breakers

Auckland Council clears path for high-rises on busy bus routes

'Go find Harley before these guys do': Friend's warning to police before homicide victim vanished

How many times has Trump claimed an Iran deal is around the corner?

US military helicopter crashes near Strait of Hormuz

What caused the crash remained unclear but President Donald Trump says both crew members were fine.

Bid to strip Auckland housing plan to bare minimum defeated

Auckland Council's planning committee has agreed to consult with local boards and iwi on two options for scaling back divisive housing intensification plans.

Digger rescues Lola the pony from Auckland sinkhole

Lola's owner Amanda Harrison found the 25-year-old pony by spotting her nose poking above the ground.

A $400 lunch: Three pilots fined after carrying undeclared food

An Auckland detector dog sniffed out a raw vegetable salad, a banana, and a chicken sandwich carried by pilots all within the same month.

Police boss orders review of officer's actions after Labour list bid

"I need to be reassured information he has been privy to through the course of his duties has been handled properly," says Richard Chambers.

'Danger has reduced': Relief in Wellington as huge swells ease

“We’ve seen waves as high as 11 metres but they’re not coming as frequently as MetService was predicting,” Mayor Andrew Little said.

Mum wins fight for memorial bench where her son was found dead

A mother’s wish for a bench at Whangaparāoa to honour her son and a community that came together to find him has finally been granted.

Rowdy reception for Trump prior to NBA Finals game

Donald Trump was booed loudly by fans inside Madison Square Garden when he was shown on video screens during the national anthem prior to Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday.

Venus and Jupiter align in NZ night sky – what to look for

The two brightest planets in our sky, Venus and Jupiter will reach conjunction on the evenings of June 9-11, when they will appear just 1.5° apart.

'Great result': Police find missing 81-year-old Canterbury woman

Police said she was extremely cold, but is talking and will be sent for a medical examination.

Ukraine is ready to share drone technology with Nordic and Baltic countries, Zelenskyy says

Estonia hosted the summit in its capital of Tallinn amid Russia's 4-year-old, full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

‘I’m addicted’: The All Whites staffer who knows their World Cup rivals inside out

As soon as the draw was complete at the start of December, Logan Hughes began learning everything there is to learn about Iran, Egypt and Belgium.

Wall built to protect billionaire’s house from eroding into sea deemed illegal

114m wall built by billionaire’s company to protect his eroding property was constructed without a building consent.

Perform or perish: The All Blacks contenders under the microscope in Super Rugby semis

There's no better time to impress the All Blacks coach than during the Super Rugby Pacific finals. Which players will raise their hands with thrive or perish?

"If 'The Racist Hour' goes to air, do we just tell people to turn it off?

Important questions remain over the future shape of media safeguards in New Zealand, writes Broadcasting Standards Authority chief executive Stacey Wood.

She bought concert tickets for a friend’s birthday. The experience left her irate, earning an apology

Ticketek initially told Lisa Whyte her photo from the concert didn't reflect the actual view, sparking a formal complaint.

Big banks spend $100m on system designed to help their competitors

Open banking is already transforming the way we move and store our money.

Property poll: Should we be building more apartments, even if locals object?

New Zealand has never been big on apartments. But it feels like that might be changing.

‘Speed camera capital’: Backlash over cameras despite signs they are working

The AA says speed cameras work, but authorities need to explain why they are using them.

Lexus announces NZ pricing for all-new ES

Lexus ES luxury sedan to be offered here in the trim levels, starts at less than $100,000.

Rural boom drives strongest Fieldays outlook in years

Fieldays is set to have one of its biggest years yet with a buoyant rural sector leaving farmers with more cash in hand this year.

Wellington missing out on train safety system funded in Auckland

The European safety system would have slowed or stopped a Johnsonville train before it hit a concrete block at 30kph, concussing crew on board.

Becoming a politician could ruin your life, but it does pay well

OPINION: No one thinks the Prime Minister works ten times harder than a care worker - or ten times less than a CEO. But we pay him like he does.

New Zealand ‘firmly rejects’ Russian envoy’s claims of Kiwi ‘cancel culture’

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has firmly rejected comments from Russia’s ambassador-designate that NZ’s response to the war in Ukraine was shaped by Western “propaganda”.

What one minister's airport parking bill reveals about MP spending

A quirk in ministerial expense reporting has exposed nearly $17,000 in airport parking costs incurred by Children's Minister Karen Chhour, offering a rare glimpse into a category of parliamentary spending that is usually hidden from public view.

Rennie-ball: Japan title drops huge clues about how All Blacks will play

ANALYSIS: All Blacks fans should strap themselves in as high-quality Japanese final shows Rennie-ball is attack first, kick second.

The $400k bottle of wine and the friends who finally drank it

The rare wine was bought to be drunk one day. The trouble was finding the right day.

We need to talk about preparing for disasters, major insurer says

There have been 48 storms in the last year and counting and one of our major insurers says NZ needs a new approach to risk because we are not ready.

‘Like running a restaurant’: Air Chathams explains decision to leave Kāpiti

Air Chathams boss Duane Emeny compares running an airline is a bit like running a restaurant.

House prices by suburb: The growing divide

House prices are on the rise in many suburbs around New Zealand, but there’s a couple of key factors behind that, Cotality says.

What one minister's airport parking bill reveals about MP spending

A quirk in ministerial expense reporting has exposed nearly $17,000 in airport parking costs incurred by Children's Minister Karen Chhour, offering a rare glimpse into a category of parliamentary spending that is usually hidden from public view.

Christchurch councillor urges people to look beyond the multi-million price tag on Koukourarata/Port Levy water supply

Supplying drinking water to 45 homes and a marae in a Banks Peninsula settlement will cost Christchurch ratepayers between $5.7m and $16m - that’s up to $355,000 per household.

New Zealand ‘firmly rejects’ Russian envoy’s claims of Kiwi ‘cancel culture’

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has firmly rejected comments from Russia’s ambassador-designate that NZ’s response to the war in Ukraine was shaped by Western “propaganda”.

Tales from the bone-yard of the soul

OPINION: Sunday afternoon, and I was as bored and listless as a child in church.

Sisters dive in to help Coastguard to say thanks for ‘terrifying rescues’ 30 years apart

Ashburton sisters Vicky Jones and Julie Wiltshire are taking part in Coastguard's Big Swim fundraiser after volunteers rescued members of their family in two separate emergencies more than 30 years apart.

Police find missing Christchurch woman alive

Police have found missing 81-year-old Christchurch woman Valerie Hargrave.

Police file on Lachie Jones death remains open, says Coroner

After branding original police work a "shambles", Coroner Alexander Ho says he won't accept the final file until all lines of inquiry are exhausted.

Councillor continues to defend herself ahead of vote on whether she stays or goes

A Nelson city councillor has labelled a vote on whether she should be removed council “inherently wrong”.

Humble crumble gets its time to tantalise at Posh Puds

Posh Porridge has flipped the script on the breakfast, turning it into a dessert for Posh Puds.

Student housing project starts at Christchurch’s derelict Antonio Hall

Work has begun to redevelop Christchurch’s derelict Antonio Hall buildings as a major student accommodation centre.

Rural boom drives strongest Fieldays outlook in years

Fieldays is set to have one of its biggest years yet with a buoyant rural sector leaving farmers with more cash in hand this year.

Mission to make memories as Hamilton dad’s cancer turns terminal

After months of unsuccessful cancer treatment, family and friends are rallying to help Sam Smith make the most of the time he has left.

Action time for Waikato Screen after 50% funding cut

After having 50% of operational funding axed by Waikato Regional Council, Screen Waikato is looking for district councils to provide support.

Day in the Dock: Broken windows, stolen car keys and a pound of silver

Te Kūiti burglar’s remorse letter brushed off as ‘it is sentencing day after all’.

Waikato District Council strikes 2.8% rates rise - lowest in a decade

Waikato District home-owners can look forward to their lowest general rates rise in almost a decade.

Hamilton to get social supermarket amid cost-of-living crisis

Working families make up over two-thirds of food support seekers, prompting a new social supermarket.

Waikato businesses remain optimistic despite uncertainty, study finds

The 2degrees Shaping Business study found the Waikato region had above average optimism and “solid” growth expectations.

Legal challenge warning in amalgamation process

Waikato District Council has officially stated it will enter the Government’s Head Start process for local government amalgamation.

Rennie-ball: Japan title drops huge clues about how All Blacks will play

ANALYSIS: All Blacks fans should strap themselves in as high-quality Japanese final shows Rennie-ball is attack first, kick second.

Pool pitch for Raglan - but where to put it?

A local trust eyeing four sites for a 25-metre pool says what’s currently around is ‘seasonal, shallow’ and hard to get public access to.

What should we do about New Zealand’s soaring superannuation bill?

Raise the retirement age, institute means testing, or just leave things be?

Nī Dekkers-Reihana on why you should get off the internet

‘Go to live art experiences. It might be bad, but it might just be fucking brilliant and if it is, it will change your neural pathways for real.’

One MP, One Pint: Vanessa Weenink on leaving Labour to become a blue blood

When you’ve watched your dad get arrested and been an army medic in Afghanistan, switching political allegiances is just one chapter in a jam-packed life story.

Ah rats: What to do if your house is invaded by a plague of rodents

After a recent spate of rodent headlines, we find out the best way to deal with an influx – and ask if it’s a sign of an impending ratpocalypse.

The Fold: The creator economy goes mainstream

The latest development in the growing world of influencer marketing.

The cost of being: A 21-year-old software engineer who invests $500 a week

‘I eat as much as I can in the office for free.’

The ups and downs of Labour’s list announcement

Who’s on the ascent, who’s on the decline, and what signals does the party give about its future based on where it put first-time candidates?

Auckland Council’s culture of less

Auckland’s councillors will today weigh up a difficult choice between fewer apartments and way fewer apartments.

An update from The Spinoff’s CEO

A progress report on our ambitious goal for 2026.

New To Streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this week

Including a bunch of New Zealand comedians trying to escape, and a new British comedy-drama starring Jemaine Clement.