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'Deportation best scenario': Kiwi teen released on bail after days in Thai jail

The 18-year-old was on his first overseas trip when he was detained last week.

'We just can’t afford it': School scraps camp due to rising costs

Papatoetoe Intermediate cancelled its camp after only 160 of 750 pupils signed up.

Tenant wins case against 'real estate guru' over leaky, mouldy rental

The tribunal found Patras Chaudhry intentionally failed to fix his tenant's leaky roof.

Former UK MP Ann Widdecombe ‘was hit over head with a hammer 21 times’

She was found face down on her kitchen floor after being attacked while eating lunch.

Govt says it can't deliver on coalition commitment to repeal controversial law

It's conceded it cannot repeal a controversial law and will have to wait until next term.

'Godzilla' star dead at 18

Police said the car veered off a two-lane highway and hit a culvert.

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Elderly drivers: Why GPs must now disclose family warnings about safety

There are now more than 11,000 people in their nineties who hold a current driver's licence.

The rise of AI appeals: University grades to legal claims and Parliament

Students are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to challenge university grades.

More intensification option wins out in Auckland housing vote

The vote, at a planning committee meeting yesterday, locks in the council's position for the next year on the Government's directive to zone for more homes.

What documents show about Immigration NZ's botched $35m project

Documents show senior Immigration officials repeatedly ignored requests from the minister's office and progressed work on a project the minister hadn't agreed to extra funding for.

Godzilla actor Kaylee Hottle dies in car crash at 18

"I'm so devastated to hear this. You will be deeply missed Kaylee," her Godzilla co-star Millie Bobby Brown posted on Instagram.

Evacuated Tūākau residents return home after chemical entered drains

FENZ confirmed firefighters had flushed the drains, and atmospheric readings showed air quality in and around the area had returned to safe levels.

Sports retailers are extra-time winners from FIFA World Cup

New Zealand stores selling official football jerseys have almost completely sold out, with one player's name a fan favourite.

Ex-UK MP Widdecombe was hit 21 times with a hammer, prosecutors say

Joshua Kerry, 28, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London over the killing that shocked the public and the political establishment.

Is releasing millions of sterile mosquitoes a good idea?

Google’s Debug initiative has asked the US government for permission to release sterilised male mosquitoes in California and Florida.

Extinction threat for the hoiho, one of the world's rarest penguins

The threat to the yellow-eyed penguin is reaching a critical point, conservationists say.

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Will Young passes 50 as Black Caps build nicely in fifth ODI against West Indies

Follow live coverage as the Black Caps take on West Indies in the fifth ODI from Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Coroner’s warning after ‘bunny hopping’ campervan killed Bay of Plenty man

Kenneth Charles Cotter died four days after he was crushed by his campervan in a tragic accident at his daughter’s Kawerau home.

Senior Comanchero jailed for nine years over wholesale meth ring

A senior gang member who supplied at least a kilogram of methamphetamine using an encrypted device has been jailed.

One of the most recognisable faces in the English Premier League calls it quits

English referee Anthony Taylor, who officiated at the 2026 World Cup, announced his retirement on Tuesday.

Kaylee Hottle, Godzilla v Kong actress, dies age 18

Kaylee Hottle, an actress best known for playing the character Jia in Godzilla movies, has died at age 18.

‘What I am supposed to do?’: Frustrated Liam Lawson moves on

When it comes to reviewing his Belgian Grand Prix, Lawson would do well to take on board Sir Steve Hansen’s famous advice from 2009.

Man raped partner after caesarian, and raped another woman when he was a guest in her house

A man who repeatedly sexually violated a mother recovering from a caesarean section and raped a woman while staying as a guest in her home has received a total prison sentence of 22 years.

Watch: Robbie Williams, explaining World Cup white substance, says he ‘had several more’

“I’d just like to apologise for the object that fell onto the microphone yesterday,” Williams said with a straight face.

Andrew Tate charged with possessing child abuse images

Social media influencer and brother appear in Miami federal court, where lawyers say they will fight extradition to the UK

A blast in a tunnel at an Indian hydropower project leaves 12 dead and 13 missing

GUWAHATI, India (AP) — A suspected gas explosion collapsed part of a tunnel under construction at a hydropower project in India’s northeastern Himalayan state of Sikkim, leaving at least 12 people dead and 13 missing, officials said Tuesday.

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Business leaders push for mandatory pay gap reporting, insist it’s a ‘non-political’ issue

The Coalition Government’s record in power includes axing a former, Labour proposal for mandatory pay gap reporting, icing pay equity claims, and suggesting the disestablishment of the Ministry for Women. But Global Women takes heart from recent comments by Christopher Luxon.

Energy security will be an election issue

EDITORIAL: Rising electricity prices, dwindling gas supplies and recent geopolitical shocks have pushed energy security back up the political agenda. That is overdue.

Willis looking ‘in detail’ at supermarket split, advice will be out before election

The prospect of NZ’s major parties including a supermarket break-up in their election policies appears to have risen from the ashes.

Already illegal: Simeon Brown says police should enforce law on meth pipes

Ministry of Health advice finds meth pipes are already illegal, but says there is a gap in enforcement.

Kiwipower to deliver real power to the people

OPINION: You don’t need to be a tree hugger to see that the most cost-effective, economically sensible investment we can make right now is in producing our own energy here, on our own shores.

Engineering students’ AI-generated perfume gains attention of French beauty giant

Third-year University of Auckland students Mihir Ojas Rallapudi, Nathaniel Brown and Maadhav Arora were recognised and flew to Paris for their innovation linking memory to smell and perfumes.

The strategic risk of losing Golden Bay Cement

ANALYSIS: Handing a huge wad of cash to one of New Zealand’s major listed companies is the least worst option according to Nicola Willis. And it’s about a lot more than saving the country’s only domestic concrete manufacturer.

Houthis enforce Red Sea blockade, putting Saudi oil at risk for the first time

With both sides of the Arabian Peninsula now part of the theatre of war, the US war on Iran looks set to enter a whole new phase.

NZ could be at the cusp of faster, friction-free payments, if we ditch the rulebook

OPINION: It’s the easiest productivity win this country hasn’t yet made - ensuring the speed of our money is the same as the rest of much of the world.

Fox’s career-high rankings bump, golden ticket to Medinah and the hefty perks of being an Open champion

On top of the $5.48 million winner’s cheque and possession of the prized Claret Jug, Ryan Fox soared 34 places on the world rankings and watched plenty of doors fly open.

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‘Everything we’ve built’: Canterbury businessman says scammers have destroyed his reputation

A genuine Methven cleaning business has been devastated after a fake online profiled mimicked its online platform and scammed customers.

Ratepayer backlash: 18,500 sign petition against $15m Christ Church Cathedral grant

A petition calling on the council to revisit its decision to give Christ Church Cathedral $15 million has reached 18,500 signatures, but its unlikely to make any difference.

NZ’s longest suspension bridge to open in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park

The new $4.85 million, 189m Hooker Valley suspension bridge will open to the public next Tuesday.

Energy security will be an election issue

EDITORIAL: Rising electricity prices, dwindling gas supplies and recent geopolitical shocks have pushed energy security back up the political agenda. That is overdue.

Canterbury boy and his dad banned from rugby after teen ref assaulted during a game

An under-18 rugby player and his father have been banned from rugby after a teenage referee was assaulted during a Canterbury club game.

Canterbury man died fearing cancer had returned. It hadn’t, coroner finds

A Canterbury man who died by suicide while fearing his cancer had returned never learned that medical tests had found no sign of the disease, prompting a coroner to call for a change in how patients receive test results.

Govt quietly hands over $5.5 million in fuel subsidy

The Ministry of Transport has quietly subsidised public transport fuel costs across the country.

Some things about things

OPINION: Hustings is a strange word. Politicians are said to go to them during election campaigns, but I have never known what they are.

‘Contamination is the killer’: Christchurch's old bottles could become new ones under fourth bin proposal

Most of Christchurch’s kerbside glass collections are currently ground up for roading, but one recycler says this means it’s “gone forever”.

Retro Kaiapoi cafe serves up a slice of nostalgia – and cheese rolls

An award-winning coffee roaster has opened Ris’tretto Espresso Bar in Kaiapoi with an old-school theme.

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‘You can’t sleep well’: Move-on notices disrupt Hamilton car sleepers

Every night, while most people are at home in bed, Donna Ingham is among those who have to find somewhere to park and sleep.

The disability housing lifeline for Kiwis - paid for offshore

Sixteen residents will live at the new co-living ‘Project Paeroa’, with the $12 million development fully funded by overseas philanthropists.

Student who complained about teacher’s touching asked ‘were you lying?’

In a nondescript Hamilton hotel room, a teacher fights for his professional reputation and a 15-year-old is put under the microscope.

From farmland to forest: Waitomo couple restore native habitat

A Waitomo couple are on a mission to restore their slice of land to native bush and create a wildlife sanctuary.

Bishop doubles down against PC1 adoption, farmers want certainty

Minister Chris Bishop has doubled down on his stance against PC1, but a Waikato farming figure says the sector won’t believe it until they see it.

Some things about things

OPINION: Hustings is a strange word. Politicians are said to go to them during election campaigns, but I have never known what they are.

Pigeons and marge sarnies among Spring Hill inspection findings

While there were pockets of good practice, inspectors had some ‘serious concerns’, a report says.

Bird flu gloom looms over Sanctuary Mountain

Sanctuary Mountain says it has prepared for bird flu for more than a year but tourism, and kiwi translocations could still be affected.

Smoke, mirrors and the real cost to ratepayers

OPINION: We’re heading towards a system that looks cheaper on paper but delivers less, costs more, and erodes local control.

Willis looking ‘in detail’ at supermarket split, advice will be out before election

The prospect of NZ’s major parties including a supermarket break-up in their election policies appears to have risen from the ashes.

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The little parties coiling their springs for election 2026

Watch out threshold. They’re coming for you.

How much sport is too much sport? And which sports matter the most?

There’s so much sport in the news, we’re fighting over it.

Big feelings, small spend: a guide to birthdays on a budget

Smart ideas for making the people you love feel like a million bucks – without spending anything close.

Jump scare: The Commonwealth Games start in 48 hours

Everything you need to know to jump on the Team NZ bandwagon.

What not to miss at WORD Christchurch 2026

From Dave Dobbyn to small presses to memoir, WORD Christchurch packs a punch.

What to see in Chugoku, the Japanese region with something for everyone

It’s home to ancient traditions, epic outdoor adventures and one of the world’s most important historic sites – and that’s just the start of the story.

Fenz bosses grilled as fleet crisis inquiry returns to parliament

MPs failed to hide their frustration with Fire and Emergency NZ, with one prodding board members to resign.

Babysitting, a ball and a glass door. What could go wrong?

We stand in solidarity with Bryn and Ku’s brief, troubled stint as babysitters.

Survivors’ trust in police has taken another blow. If it’s to be rebuilt, what happens next is crucial

The problem is not a few individuals. It is a culture in which the safety of institutions is still, too often, weighed above the safety of victims.

How to keep watching football now the World Cup is over

Tips for extending your case of World Cup fever into a chronic lifelong affliction.