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Auckland entertainer loses bid to ban cameras from sex abuse trial
The judge said a 'dock photo' might be 'more neutral' than current public images of him.

First-home buyers buck slump as property sales fall for fifth straight month
First-time buyers lifted market share from 25.8% to 27.7% in 2026 in the face of a slump.

Poll of polls: Coalition’s re-election odds slip as election nears, Top on cusp of power
The most recent poll of polls shows the coalition Government continues to struggle.

Jesse Mulligan reviews Den Ramen: This Izakaya bar is almost perfect – but be prepared to wait
Den Ramen draws constant queues with izakaya vibes, cocktails and standout ramen.
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Nearly half of Marlborough could be sold or developed under new bill
Lobby group Forest & Bird releases maps showing that up to 60% of NZ’s conservation land could be affected by the Conservation Amendment Bill.

More than 680,000 guns added to digital Firearms Registry
In the three years since the Firearms Registry was launched, nearly two-thirds of NZ's 219,955 gun licence holders have registered their guns.

Aus police to review interactions with Epstein accuser before her death
Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre died by suicide in April last year in her property north of Perth.

Urgent fix needed for Carterton bridge being 'shaken to death'
The state of the Atiwhakatu Bridge on Norfolk Rd was first brought to the council table in February 2025.

'Wall of silence' frustrates police on Far North dirt bike death
Detective says witnesses and their supporters are "choosing to say nothing, actively resisting the investigation".

More weather warnings issued with heavy rain, big swells and snow
MetService said the forecasted heavy rain could lead to "localised flooding, slippery roads, and disruptions to public transport, especially during peak hours".

'A difficult process': Kaitāia mill to close after no buyer found
The proposal reflected "challenging market conditions, falling demand in key markets, rising costs and insufficient work to keep the mill operating sustainably".

NZ's biggest illegal lottery: Organiser sentenced for $11m operation
Waiariki McIlroy-Jones generated $11m in little over a year by selling illegal lottery tickets via online platforms, with prizes including high-value cars, boats, caravans, cash, and a freehold house.

'Entirely at your mercy': Melbourne Uber driver jailed for rape
Uber driver Mohamad Yahiya was on Wednesday jailed for up to seven-and-a-half years for putting his victim through this experience.

Ivan Cleary's blunt NRL warning over New Zealand expansion
Talk of expansion comes at a time when the Warriors have enjoyed regular sellout crowds in the years since the pandemic.
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Man ‘killed in most brutal way’ in stone circle on solstice
Man arrested on suspicion of murder after body of 26-year-old found at Peak District site
‘Heat dome’ over Europe again topples records; UK has hottest June day ever
Authorities in France, Italy and Spain have also issued warnings about the risks of extreme heat for tens of millions of people.
Progressive candidate concedes Colombian presidential election to Trump-endorsed outsider
Election results showed de la Espriella, a businessman and lawyer who had never run for office, defeated Cepeda, a lawmaker, by 1 percentage point, or nearly 251,000 votes.
Strike success for Auckland player while Powerball jumps to $15m
The winning ticket was purchased at Station Mart in Auckland.
Olympic athletes to get cash grants from new $177M fund created by IOC
The IOC's cash commitment came after growing calls were strongly resisted in recent years to pay prize money at the Olympic Games.
Property investors are stepping back - and why housing’s winter slowdown could last until February
A “new normal” could set in for a while, with one broker noticing a drop in those lined up and ready to buy.
NZTA: NZ TikTok Agency? The most bonkers govt ‘Big Tech’ spending revelations
From the IRD not providing receipts, to NZ On Air spending half a million bucks with Silicon Valley, there are many ironic, bizarre and funny revelations in Stuff’s public sector ‘big tech’ spending investigation.
Shane Jones refuses to confirm if hotel was three-minute walk from Toronto mining conference
Jones kept a private driver on standby to take him to meetings in Toronto but the receipts suggest his accommodation was right next door to the conference he was attending.
The Kiwi dream isn't dead yet. But it is running out of time
Relying on Kiwi resilience alone to get us through the next crisis simply won’t be enough.
What happens if the Opportunity Party actually gets to Parliament?
The Opportunity Party has tried for nine years, failing at three elections, to get into Parliament.
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SMART assessments lag as teachers report glitches and workload strain
It was “sold as a finished project”, but schools are being asked to upload data to help bolster new assessment tool.
Winston Peters says law change will result in deaths, but party won’t block it
Anna Osborne who lost her husband in the Pike River Mine disaster voices disappointment NZ First won’t back its concerns over bill with immediate action.
A tale of two captains: Tom Latham's big chance to heighten Ben Stokes' England turmoil
ANALYSIS: The NZ skipper is now the country’s most successful test cricketer, but runs in the final test could decide the series in his favour.
Community-led housing development attracting Harvard attention
A community-led Porirua housing development set out to support Pacific families into home ownership. Now, it’s attracting international attention.
Why is the UK now changing prime ministers so frequently?
OPINION: This is not the UK’s first leadership transition in government, and it is unlikely to be the last. These events have, however, been rare until recently.
Rates debate misses the future city we’re not talking about
OPINION: The decision before councillors is whether Wellington should have a serious conversation about replacing a tax on improvement with a tax on land.
UCSA staff member falsified records after more than 160 students got food poisoning
The chicken, which was cooked and frozen three days before it was reheated, prepared and served, was found to be “unsafe and unsuitable for human consumption”.
Mayor makes public apology to councillors after calling them ‘f....n critters’
Max Brough has made a public apology to two of his district councillors for calling them “f....n critters” in their absence during a private workshop.
We will defy: Wellington City sends salvo to Beehive over ‘stupid’ move-on orders
Mayor Andrew Little has slammed move-on orders as the “antithesis of a solution”.
Articulate Episode 21: Emele Ugavule
WATCH: What happens when we rethink time itself? Storyteller and researcher Emele Ugavule joins Articulate to discuss the concepts of temporal sovereignty and digital colonialism, the power of silence, plus why creative practice can be a space for healing.
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Christchurch man, 81, using sleeping bag to cut costs as report finds cold bedrooms failing NZ households
New research shows that despite warmer homes overall, many New Zealand bedrooms still fall below healthy winter temperatures.
The $50m secret: City leaders won't talk about Christchurch's NRL future
Christchurch’s mayor and city council are staying silent on whether the city is backing a push for a National Rugby League franchise.
US fast-food chain Popeyes scraps central Christchurch drive-through plan for Papanui site
A Canterbury family has sold the Papanui Rd land it has owned for almost 70 years to the American franchise.
UCSA staff member falsified records after more than 160 students got food poisoning
The chicken, which was cooked and frozen three days before it was reheated, prepared and served, was found to be “unsafe and unsuitable for human consumption”.
Priced out of the market, architect designs and builds own home
Sharlene Browning and family couldn’t get into their first home in Christchurch, so they moved south and built new - an award-winning home.
There's a Bill in Picton sitting on a six-figure secret
Somewhere in Picton, a man named Bill is trying to act normal after cashing in the grand prize in the Coastguard Lottery.
Discharge without conviction request declined for car park attack
A Tongan meatworker is facing deportation after a two-punch attack in a Timaru car park which left his victim facing significant lifelong consequences.
Pūkaki Observatory joins global network tracking space debris for Nasa
A new fireball tracking system at Pūkaki has joined a nationwide network helping Nasa to protect the International Space Station from meteors and space debris.
Fan spending doubles as new stadium injects $21m into Christchurch economy in 60 days
Christchurch’s new stadium has generated $21m for the local economy in its first 60 days, almost half what it was forecast to bring in across an entire year.
Christchurch prisoners offered extra blankets after heating ‘temporarily shut down’ in -3C weather
Staff looked after prisoners by offering them extra blankets and escalating the issue to contractors, the prison’s general manager said.
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Taupō’s CBD ‘simply too dangerous’, warns Judge
In an unusual move, a District Court Judge has warned people away from the heart of one of the country’s premier tourism towns, claiming it’s ‘too dangerous’ after dark.
Ministers back farmers on concerns about ‘unbearable’ PC1 rules
One minister called new restrictions ‘unbearable’, another met with a colleague to plead the Waikato cockies’ case.
Big men with a bigger tradition - sumo thrives in Waikato
There’s ‘no smack talk’ in sumo, says a regular who got hooked on the sport during his honeymoon.
Rugby league captain decries officials after hubby’s head injury
She says ‘malicious behaviour’ is not being addressed so she’s walked away from the game.
Who will bear the brunt of water meters in Hamilton?
Fears solo parents could bear the financial brunt of the roll-out of water meters in Hamilton will be addressed through a consultation period.
Film funding battle 2: Waikato Screen gains another backer
Waikato Screen is meeting success in scraping up funding from smaller councils, but the region’s biggest city is not committing to a sequel just yet.
Conservation land won’t be ‘treated lightly or on a whim’ - minister
OPINION: Many New Zealanders have expressed their concerns that large areas of PCL could be sold or exchanged.
‘It hurt’: All Whites use pain of Egypt’s post-game party as fuel for must-win clash
At halftime in Vancouver the All Whites dared to dream. Now, stung by their defeat to Egypt, they’re still chasing the biggest result in NZ’s football history on Saturday.
A tale of two captains: Tom Latham's big chance to heighten Ben Stokes' England turmoil
ANALYSIS: The NZ skipper is now the country’s most successful test cricketer, but runs in the final test could decide the series in his favour.
Fire rips through couple’s Raglan home leaving them to rebuild from scratch
They face a long road to recovery after their cottage was destroyed, wiping out years of memories, belongings and work equipment.
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The Greens need to commit more crimes
The polling evidence is becoming more clear by the day. Steve Abel must rob a store.
The milk bandit of Alexandra is back – and now the mayor has weighed in
He’s back – and he’s got a new weapon in his arsenal.

The shows we’re most excited to watch on HBO Max
The best recommendations for upcoming and returning shows to watch on the new streaming service.
Raising interest rates at a time like this? Shamubeel calls bullshit
The Reserve Bank has signalled an imminent lift in the official rate. Mr Eaqub is not impressed.
Gone By Lunchtime: Simeon Brown and the family feud
A bumper week of policy and the launch of a striking new infantilisation strategy.

Dating Files: A 33-year-old who’s ‘not attractive enough for run clubs’
An occupational health worker is looking for a man ‘ideally a different ethnicity to mine’.

The time has never been better for a Christchurch-based NRL team
The stars are aligning for a second New Zealand rugby league team to enter the competition.

Jennifer Ward-Lealand on overrated gnocchi and the financial advice she regrets taking
One of New Zealand’s most celebrated actors gives her take on the state of the world.

Grey power politics
How the retirees of today and tomorrow might shape the 2026 election.

Why Wellington can’t build
The Golden Mile, the housing crisis, and the problem with progressive cities.