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Boss threatened to leak intimate footage of worker captured in store, court hears
Snehal Patel and his company face 15 charges over alleged migrant exploitation.
'We owe it to them': Auckland RSA to close bar after mounting losses
President Gaye Mantell says funds must support veterans, not prop up a bar.

'Shadow loomed large': Jim Grenon, Julian Batchelor ordered to pay costs to TVNZ, academic after failed defamation case
Pair ordered to jointly pay more than $230,000 as judge criticises 'abuse' of process.
Mum charged with manslaughter after son's death in Devonport
The woman appeared in the North Shore District Court this morning for the first time.

Michelin-winning Auckland restaurant's battle to stay trading
Temporary stay granted after Auckland Council issued an abatement notice for demolition.

Gregor Paul: What surprise Jacobson selection reveals about Rennie’s thinking
ANALYSIS: Luke Jacobson's shock selection at No 7 marks Dave Rennie’s boldest call.
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Gaza future uncertain 1000 days after the Hamas-led attack on Israel
Here’s a look at what has happened over the 1000 days and what may lie ahead.

Charlie the chihuahua was seconds from safety when fatally mauled
Ashlei Sherwood says she's "living in a nightmare" after the death of her 11-year-old chihuahua cross Charlie last month.

Ex-Lotto host was paid by ministry for five years during criminal case
The Justice Minister has asked for a please explain after Russell Harrison kept his salary through a five-year suspension after his arrest on money laundering charges.

Christchurch fans hope maiden All Blacks Test at Te Kaha is first of many
The scenes reflected a city eager for the return of international rugby.

NZ experiences 'warmest June on record' – one city hit 26C
Earth Science New Zealand's monthly climate summary said the average temperature was the highest since records began in 1909.

Jim Grenon must pay costs over 'wholly unsuccessful' TVNZ defamation case
"Mr Grenon may not have been a party in name, but it is clear from the evidence his shadow loomed large over the proceedings," Judge Clark said.

Wakari Hospital ward closed after Ombudsman 'disturbed' by findings
Chief Ombudsman John Allen said inspectors found "some of the worst practices we have observed anywhere" at the ward.

Fairytale at MSG: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding all set
The elaborate event is the latest development in the superstar singer and football player's relationship, which has continued to thrill and fascinate millions around the world.

Women devastated wetland forest may be felled for highway
Two towering stands of kahikatea trees form a natural gateway to the history town of Waipū in Northland but their days may be numbered.

New US ambassador wants nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to visit NZ
The new US Ambassador to New Zealand has told media he'd like to host a basketball game on the flight deck of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in Auckland.
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Lawson qualifies ninth for Silverstone sprint
It is the Kiwi driver’s best sprint qualifying result and where he was once again best of the mid-pack cars that exclude Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull.
Zoo takes rare animals off display as New Zealand braces for bird flu
The only flamingos in Australasia are being protected for the “inevitable” arrival of disease.
Why Black Ferns great is sidelined for Warriors' NRLW opener
The Warriors kick off their 2026 NRLW season this Sunday, but one of their biggest off-season signings will have to wait a little longer.
Five Kiwis you’ve (probably) never heard of are dominating global tech
These five New Zealanders are running multi-billion dollar tech companies shaping the digital economy.
How All Blacks coach Rennie has started the clock on a new era
Publican-turned-rugby coach Dave Rennie knows all about adversity. Now he’s stepped into the toughest job of all with the All Blacks.
Four in 10 Kiwis are one $5,000 emergency away from debt. How do you compare?
An emergency fund is key in ensuring that you don’t fall into debt when a crisis hits.
Planning experts accuse Helen Clark of NIMBYism over her opposition to Auckland housing plan.
It comes as Clark published an opinion column arguing areas within 10km of the city centre are not where people who need an affordable home can, or perhaps even want to, buy.
Volkswagen ID. Polo EV hatch unlikely for NZ, but ID. Cross SUV is as stronger contender
While the petrol-powered Polo is set to return, the full-electric ID. Polo looks less likely, with Kiwis favouring small SUVs over lower hatchbacks.
White tablecloths or $10 street food? How to actually use the Michelin Guide on your next holiday
Now that New Zealand has its first Michelin Guide, joining some of the world's best-known food destinations, how should travellers actually use it on holiday?
‘It’s old-school NZ’: The town that’s a ‘gateway to Central Otago’ - without a hefty price tag
A decade after buying her first home for $95,000, one local says Ranfurly still offers an affordable taste of the past.
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The confounding case of Michael Colosimo: Falsely convicted or fraudulent conman?
For 15 year the former restaurant king has been trying to clear his name. But some say he got what he deserved.
Farewell after 30 years at the heart of events that shaped our democracy
Roland Todd will be a stranger to most members of the public but he’s played a part in the beating heart of New Zealand’s democracy for three decades.
Editorial: National’s KiwiSaver conversion is Labour’s historical victory
EDITORIAL: The National Party has embraced a national savings policy it has vehemently opposed for a half century. If Labour affirms its historic position, New Zealanders may finally enjoy a genuine long-term settlement.
Trump’s new man in Wellington will need a lot more than self-deprecation
OPINION: He’s more Roman Roy than Kendall, but that won’t be enough.
The eyebrow-raising All Blacks selections and how they explain the masterplan for France
Dave Rennie has made some bold calls to launch this new era in New Zealand rugby as test footy returns to Christchurch for the Nations Championship opener.
Forensic probe finds no evidence of AI model-copying claims, Huffer says
The brand has also engaged a high-profile public relations firm to handle its communications in the wake of a furore over its use of AI-generated images.
‘She could point’: Why children with high needs are still being denied support
With not enough learning support help to go around, a primary school principal says the system pits child against child.
Datacentres: Adding to NZ’s electricity woes or part of the solution?
Critics argue that giant facilities being used to train and host AI will consume scarce electricity and push up power prices, while some experts say they could have the opposite effect.
Wellington Opera, the little opera company that could
Six years after launching during the pandemic, Wellington Opera has gone from ambitious newcomer to selling out an entire season months in advance and proving there is still a strong appetite for opera.
End of an era for the White Ferns: Can they ever contend again at a T20 World Cup?
ANALYSIS: Fresh off a disappointing Women’s T20 World Cup title defence, the White Ferns must now move forward without three long-serving veterans.
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Christchurch real estate agent written into neighbour’s will shortly before his death keeps $300k
The man’s family said the woman was ‘in it for herself’ and argued a later will excluding her should be validated. A judge disagreed.
Large swathes of the South Island remain free of fixed speed cameras
A long-planned rollout of new speed cameras will leave large parts of the island with little or no permanent camera enforcement.
‘Magical’ meeting for 101-year-old lifelong All Blacks supporter as Christchurch counts down to sold-out test
Christchurch is uniting across generations as the city prepares to welcome the All Blacks to One NZ Stadium for the first time.
‘All it takes is one wild bird’: Lethal bird flu strain keeping free-range farmers on tenterhooks
The arrival of the lethal H5N1 bird flu strain could mean big changes for Kiwi free-range farmers – and some even fear it could spell the end for their farms.
‘Kiwis don’t take it seriously’: Migrants are driving Canterbury’s hospitality scene
Migrants from India, Korea, China and beyond are bringing ambition, culture and new flavours to Canterbury hospitality.
Radiation fears erupt over planned West Coast mineral processing plant
A scientist’s warning of elevated radiation levels has fuelled calls for independent monitoring of a proposed West Coast mineral sands processing plant, but the company involved says it has “nothing to hide”.
New era, fitting foes: Why Christchurch’s new stadium and France are the perfect combo for Rennie’s first test
ANALYSIS: The rich history between France and the All Blacks in Christchurch favours the hosts, but Les Bleus have always been welcome visitors.
Lonely Planet’s guide to the South Island’s best secrets
The travel publisher shines a spotlight on five extraordinary South Island locations where dramatic landscapes reward those willing to venture further.
Huge solar farm approval in doubt after ‘grave’ warning on rare birds
A fast-track panel says risks to one of New Zealand's rarest birds may be too great for the project to proceed.
‘You’ve got to start somewhere’: How one woman's town swap unlocked her first home
First home buyer Rachel Burkhart put in the long hours, saved hard, took advice - and moved islands and towns to get onto the property ladder.
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Echo Chamber: Death by a thousand amendments
Gerry Brownlee’s warning to the opposition did nothing to speed up a long week of bill readings.
The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending July 3
The Valley is on a roll.

Luigi and the Ferret ride again: the long, dazzling double-act of Michael Laws and Winston Peters
Michael Laws is running for parliament again, reuniting with New Zealand First and the ‘master salesman’ he first worked with almost four decades ago.
From ball-checking to bad grammar: The oddest ad complaints from the last year
We pay tribute to 10 of the most unusual TV ad complaints made to – and dismissed by – the ASA in the last 12 months.
‘Really mind-blowing’: The New Zealand coming-of-age film winning big overseas
It’s won big at overseas festivals and received glowing reviews in Hollywood. Now Big Girls Don’t Cry is coming home to Aotearoa.

El Niño is here! What’s El Niño, again?
The naturally occurring weather event has been officially declared in New Zealand.

Police denied making a complaint about Ray Chung. So, what’s this text?
The Spinoff tried to get details about concerns police raised with Wellington’s mayor. Three months later we’ve finally found out what happened.

The most memorable moments of the 2026 Fifa World Cup so far
From Ben Old’s trampled ballsack to Miguel Almirón’s covered mouth, here’s what we’ll actually remember about this World Cup once the football fever subsides.

The supposedly progressive campaign to restrict housing in posh suburbs
Helen Clark and the Waitematā Local Board want to dump Auckland’s growth on west and south Auckland, but in a nice, left-wing way.

What a ‘super El Niño’ could unleash on New Zealand
The rainfall and temperature prognosis for your region.