Live weather: Thunderstorms, heavy downpours tipped for Auckland and North Island during rush-hour commute

Ex-con Brent Jeremy Allen faced legal issues after police discovered two illegally purchased guns with a fake firearms license during unrelated arrests in Auckland. His sentencing in Auckland District Court included multiple firearms charges and drug deals involving cannabis, MDMA, and GBL, revealed through his phone records. Want More Context? 🔎

Lotto's Powerball is set for a $20 million prize this Saturday, yet investment experts suggest that instead of spending on tickets, individuals could achieve a more certain financial gain by saving consistently, leveraging the power of compounding. With odds of winning the top Lotto prize at one-in-3.84 million and Powerball at one-in-38 million, the likelihood of achieving a significant return through savings is much higher. Want More Context? 🔎

Kolini Tatafu, the ringleader of an immigration scam, was sentenced to prison at 71 after previously serving home detention for swindling Tongan overstayers out of their money. In her latest scheme, she defrauded 26 victims, mostly from a Māngere church, out of $63,000 by falsely claiming connections to a High Court judge and promising to resolve their visa issues. Want More Context? 🔎

Global country superstar Jelly Roll will perform his first concert in New Zealand at The Outerfields in Auckland on November 8 as part of his Down Under 2025 Tour. Pre-sale tickets go on sale today at 3pm, with general sales starting on August 11, featuring songs from his upcoming album Beautifully Broken and hits like "Liar" and "I Am Not Okay." Want More Context? 🔎

A snorkeling trip in Bali turned tragic for a married couple from Tauranga when a wave capsized their ferry, leading to chaos as passengers were thrown around inside the cabin. Dale and Jason Clark described the horrifying scene, with children and adults screaming as they struggled to hold on before being tossed against others by the violent wave. Want More Context? 🔎

The principal of Auckland Girls' Grammar, Ngaire Ashmore, condemned a violent brawl among students, describing the behavior as "totally unacceptable." An investigation by the school and police is underway following the release of footage showing girls fighting, with authorities taking the situation very seriously. Want More Context? 🔎