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

Auckland War Memorial Museum's popular Te Marae Atea Māori Court and Pacific galleries are closed indefinitely due to detected asbestos, with estimates suggesting a four-year closure. The museum had previously reopened sections after an initial closure in May, but remediation continues in affected areas, including the Grand Foyer. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: The Auckland War Memorial Museum has to keep two of its favorite places closed for a long time because they...

Reality star Julia Lorimer, 56, recounted a disturbing encounter with eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne during a creative writing class, where he revealed more personal information than expected. Unaware of his past trial for murdering his wife, Lorimer felt shaken by the interaction, prompting the tutor to reach out to her afterward for support. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: A lady from a TV show met a doctor in a writing class, and she...

The daughter of Helen Gregory, 79, who was found murdered in her Wellington home, described the shock of discovering a scene like a "warzone" upon returning. Julia DeLuney, 53, denies the charges, claiming another person is to blame, while the Crown alleges financial troubles led her to attack her mother before returning with her husband. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: A woman is in trouble for her mother's death in their home, and...

An Auckland club rugby stalwart, 42-year-old Dan “Dansun” Arakawa, died after suffering a heart attack during training with East Coast Bays Rugby Club on June 12. He passed away three days later in the hospital, surrounded by his wife and young daughter, leaving behind a legacy as a beloved member of the community since arriving in New Zealand in 1999. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: A kind man named Dan, who loved playing...

A convicted paedophile and former deputy principal, James Parker, had his sentence increased after another victim came forward, revealing more serious offenses that included a "sadistic flavour" and predatory behavior. The charges involve the sexual violation of two young boys between 2009 and 2011, during which Parker used a taser to exert control over one of the victims. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: A man who hurt children and was almost let go...

A truck carrying 10 tonnes of dirt rolled over a barrier on Auckland's Southwestern Motorway, causing traffic delays in the southbound lane near the Puhinui Rd off-ramp around 2:15 PM. Fire and Emergency NZ responded with three fire trucks to assist police at the scene after being alerted at 1:53 PM. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: A truck carrying dirt crashed on a big road in Auckland, causing some traffic delays for people...