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The Alps to Ocean trail runs alongside Lake Pukaki and the community has warned it could be impacted.

‘Potentially devastating’: Fast-track bid to take more Lake Pukaki water

Meridian Energy’s fast-track proposal to draw more water from Lake Pukaki has sparked concerns it could hurt Mackenzie's tourism industry and threaten its pristine image.

Cari is receiving warmth and protection at Gisborne SPCA Centre.

Puppy abandoned on cold night outside SPCA safe and 'well-loved'

A young puppy was found in a carboard box outside SPCA Gisborne centre, and is now being "well looked after" by staff.

A Kmart store pictured in Hamilton in 2021. File photo.

Kmart returning checkouts to exits in Australia

Two dozen more Kmarts will be refurbished with a new format that moves the cash registers back to the store entrances, and the group is also trialling a new concept store for home goods.

Affected health workers included psychologists and counsellors, physiotherapists, administrators, social workers, and those in cancer support services.

Frontline jobs to go in 'significant' Health NZ restructure, union says

According to the Public Service Association, roles across Taranaki, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Tairāwhiti are proposed for disestablishment.

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Winter power: How much does an electric blanket cost to run?

It's the season of higher power bills, but just how much are your appliances contributing to your overheads?

The Reserve Bank said ASB's transaction monitoring system and its anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism programme were "inadequate" for around six years, which it called "unacceptable".

ASB penalised $6.7m over 'inadequate' anti-money laundering systems

It was the largest ever penalty of its kind imposed in New Zealand.

Police were called to Masjid As-Salam on Akatea Road, Glendene at around 7.20pm

Five charged after man sustains head injuries at Auckland mosque

Police were called to Masjid As-Salam on Akatea Rd in Glendene shortly after 7pm on Tuesday.

Microsoft's Bill Gates attends a dinner with President Donald Trump in the State Dining Room of the White House, Sept. 4, 2025

Bill Gates to testify in US Congress panel's Epstein investigation

The Microsoft co-founder was asked to testify after he appeared multiple times in the Epstein files.

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Twelve dead, more injured in mass shooting in Johannesburg

Police believe more than 10 suspects were dropped off in a minibus in an informal settlement in the Cleveland suburb of Johannesburg and opened fire on people.

The fernery at Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton closed on Wednesday due to people pooing inside it.

Faeces in the fernery: Town's attraction closed by people pooing

Masterton's historic fernery was forced to close on Wednesday after people defecated inside it.

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Basketball players coached by ex-Tall Blacks coach drown during team-building exercise in Philippines

Two student basketball players coached by the most successful Tall Blacks’ coach ever, have died in a drowning incident at a team camp in the Philippines.

Europe Israel Sanctions

NZ, UK, France and other Western nations issue new sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank

A coalition of six countries issued new joint sanctions on Israeli settlers and settlements in the West Bank, including a hard-line Israeli cabinet minister already sanctioned, escalating pressure on Israel over a wave of violence.

Israel and Iran exchange strikes after Beirut attack, in photos

US fighter jets bomb Iran after drone destroys attack helicopter

Fighter jets have launched retaliatory strikes on Iranian military sites following a mid-air collision over the Strait of Hormuz.

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Has Police Commissioner Richard Chambers made his own position ‘untenable’?

The police response to one of their own becoming a Labour candidate risks undermining the very thing they’re trying to protect: their political neutrality, writes Jenna Lynch

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Iconic dinosaur slide could face extinction under redevelopment plans

Yabba dabba do, or Yabba Dabba don’t? The case for Dunedin’s beloved dinosaur slide.

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‘No one deserves this’: Young man left unresponsive after alleged assault at Auckland station

A witness said police “came sprinting” to the scene.

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‘We need to grow our economy’: Luxon says sustainability goals ‘not the end-game’ at Fieldays

Prime Minister and National Party leader Christopher Luxon has made his party’s intentions clear on the first day of Fieldays.

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One person seriously injured as police appeal for witnesses to Taranaki crash

One person remains in hospital with serious injuries as investigators appeal for dashcam footage and witnesses following a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 43.

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'More diamond than steel': F1 champion praises Liam Lawson's resilience

The 2009 title winner says few drivers recover from being unceremoniously dumped by a top team like the Kiwi has, praising his resilience.

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Northland and Auckland raids underway as police target methamphetamine supply

Police raids are underway in Northland and Auckland.

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A $20 ticket to the suburbs: Labour targets commuters with first big policy play

ANALYSIS: Cheaper public transport is aimed squarely at voters who can swap the car for a bus or train. The policy may be affordable, but its appeal is unlikely to be universal.

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PSA says police are overreacting to Labour’s cop candidate

Fleur Fitzsimons says public sector workers don’t have to disclose being active in a political party, just if they are standing for one.

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Officials say WOF changes will result in more crashes - but be worth it

The Government’s upcoming changes to Warrants of Fitness requirements will result in an increase in fatal crashes - but still be worth it, according to official advice.

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Government MPs scatter the lollies to a friendly crowd at Fieldays

One of Federated Farmers’ biggest wishes is for a less intrusive, costly and onerous consenting process - the PM promised them just what they wanted, and then some.

ACT proposes leaving Paris climate pact if it can't make pledge weaker

ACT proposes leaving Paris climate pact if it can't make pledge weaker

ACT wants a “split gas” approach under which agricultural emissions contribute to “no additional warming” while other carbon emissions would actually drop.

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Fashion brand Huffer sends legal letter to model who spoke out on alleged AI use

Elijah Timmins-Scanlon, who has previously modelled for Huffer, claimed in a series of social media videos last week that the fashion brand had used his likeness to create an image of an artificially-generated model.

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Labour to introduce caps on public transport costs for cities, regions

Public transport fares for main centres will be capped at $20 a week and $10 everywhere else if Labour wins power at the general election.

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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.

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Articulate Episode 20: Emma Hercus

WATCH: Artist Emma Hercus talks about how paintings emerge, what instinct and experimentation bring to art, and whether people can still feel the difference when something has truly been made by hand.

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What's your next move? Take our quick property poll

We want to know where you stand and see exactly how you are navigating real estate and home improvement right now.

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Sir Bob Charles backs fight to stop Pegasus Golf Course becoming a ‘concrete jungle’

Two times the population of the small North Canterbury town have signed a petition.

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Diamond Harbour ferry users ‘over the moon’ with Labour’s promise to cap public transport fares

Ferry users would be the biggest winners, while fewer than half of Christchurch bus trips would benefit from capping fares.

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How Wānaka earned $57m over a long weekend

A three-day airshow became a $57 million visitor surge for Wānaka, with Warbirds crowds staying nearly five nights on average.

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Companies fined $39,000 for moving thousands of mussels and oysters illegally

A Tasman freight company and a Marlborough mussel producer have been sentenced after unlawfully moving hundreds of tonnes of shellfish in breach of biosecurity controls.

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Skiers, stay home: Skifields cancel weekend openings as winter fails to deliver

Mt Hutt was due to open Friday. Now it’s watching and waiting — and forecasters say the cold snap skiers are hoping for is still weeks away.

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Police appeal for sightings of Christchurch woman last seen two weeks ago

Aimee was reported missing from Bryndwr and police believe she is still in the wider Christchurch area.

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Crusaders receive big boost ‒ literally ‒ for semi against Chiefs

All Blacks prop Fletcher Newell has been cleared to return from a knee injury for the blockbuster showdown between the fierce foes in Hamilton on Friday night.

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‘Potentially devastating’: Fast-track bid sparks fears for Lake Pukaki

Meridian Energy’s fast-track proposal to draw more water from Lake Pukaki has sparked concerns it could hurt Mackenzie’s tourism industry and threaten its pristine image.

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Grandmother’s family ‘hugging her a little tighter’ since she was found safe after four nights missing outdoors

The family of a missing woman who was missing for five days has thanked the community for joining the search for their mother and grandmother.

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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.

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Bestsellers: A Fieldays foodie feast

There’s plenty of good tucker for hungry punters at Fieldays and enough of it to satisfy a paddock-sized appetite.

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No conviction for racially-abused man who booted attacker in head

The altercation in the early hours in central Hamilton began with racial slurs being hurled and ended with a man being kicked hard in the head.

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A $20 ticket to the suburbs: Labour targets commuters with first big policy play

ANALYSIS: Cheaper public transport is aimed squarely at voters who can swap the car for a bus or train. The policy may be affordable, but its appeal is unlikely to be universal.

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Government announces $143m partnership to boost primary sector

A new partnership aims to help farmers produce more value from existing land through technology, innovation and more flexible farming systems.

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‘There is no normal any more’ - farmers’ energy warning

Amidst price rises and fuel uncertainty, farmers were told to look at energy resilience and be prepared for anything.

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Teenager faces manslaughter charge over crash that killed Filipina mum

Meriam Agot Agang’s children were in the car with her when a speeding BMW hit them in December last year.

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Staunch Morrinsville farmer first through the gates for his 58th Fieldays

David Harris is a staunch Morrinsville farmer who has been attending the event since that very first year in 1969, and today, he was waiting at 6am.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Huffer, the AI accusation and the question that remains

Huffer, the AI accusation and the question that remains

Aside from posting on Instagram, what can you do if you spot an AI image that you think looks like you?

Dating Files: Leaving NZ to ‘widen my dating pool’

A 36-year-old ‘evil bisexual’ realises she has no interest in dating French men.

‘Salad slinger’ Charles Williams knows how Aucklanders like to eat

‘Salad slinger’ Charles Williams knows how Aucklanders like to eat

‘So many people are budget-conscious, but also way more conscious about what they put into their bodies.’

‘Before Larry David there was Ignatius J Reilly’: Nick Sceats’ favourite reads

Nick Sceats on the cult American novel he loves, crying to Fay Weldon, and a fantasy fight with Hemingway.

A battle over the bare minimum at Auckland Council

One councillor said tall buildings contribute to global warming. Another said Auckland doesn’t have a housing crisis.

The case for Māori switching to the general roll this election

The case for Māori switching to the general roll this election

Māori are being urged to think about whether their vote would have more impact in a general electorate this year.

The LNG levy is dead – but who will pay remains a mystery

The LNG levy is dead – but who will pay remains a mystery

The government has scrapped its plan to fund New Zealand’s proposed LNG import terminal via a levy on power bills but gives no specifics on alternative funding sources.

NZ suspicion of US has surged in Trump 2.0 – it’s now seen as a bigger threat than China

NZ suspicion of US has surged in Trump 2.0 – it’s now seen as a bigger threat than China

A new poll reveals a dramatic change in the way New Zealanders see the global giants.

All the finalists in the 2026 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults

All the finalists in the 2026 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults

All the best children’s books from Aotearoa, as selected by an esteemed panel of judges.

Government spending $300k per year on unused limos for former PMs

Government spending $300k per year on unused limos for former PMs

Taxpayers spent $298,359 keeping the chauffeured cars on standby last year. They were used for just $10,921 worth of trips.