Weather: Rain, thunderstorms, 100km/h winds forecast for Northland, Auckland

A former Wallabies midfielder criticized a crucial officiating decision in the Crusaders' victory over the Brumbies in Canberra, labeling it “disgraceful.” In the 75th minute, with the Crusaders trailing by three points, referee James Doleman allowed play to continue after Sevu Reece's apparent knock-on, asserting the ball “came off the foot.” This led to a penalty and a try by George Bell, ultimately securing the Crusaders' 33-31 win, which placed them second in the Super...

David Seymour has been sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister, succeeding Winston Peters.Seymour’s appointment marks a milestone for the Act Party, which now has 11 MPs.His Treaty Principles Bill has faced significant backlash, including a large protest and more than 300,000 submissions.David Seymour has officially become New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister, succeeding Winston Peters and marking a significant achievement for the Act Party, which now comprises 11 MPs. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Government...

SummaryIn Levin, boy racers and their supporters created chaos overnight with dangerous burnouts and skids, prompting police to respond in full riot gear. A TikTok video captured the scene, showing multiple cars performing burnouts amidst large crowds, fireworks, and cheers, while some onlookers expressed concern about the situation. Reports indicated significant police activity on Oxford St, the State Highway 1 route, as authorities worked to manage the disorderly situation. Full Article

A strong west to southwest flow will bring 130km/h winds and 6m waves this weekend. Warnings are in place for severe gales and large swells, particularly affecting the South Island, with MetService highlighting risks along western coastlines. For those planning beach getaways, these conditions will result in substantial southwest swells throughout the weekend. However, Monday is expected to be calmer, providing the best conditions for outdoor activities. Full Article

A 34-year-old woman, Terina Pineaha, was charged with the manslaughter of 11-year-old Emma-Jane Sylvia Kupa after a drunk and meth-affected driving incident. Pineaha was driving at speeds of up to 105 km/h in a 50 km/h zone when she struck Emma-Jane, who was biking with her sister on Chatham Rd in Flaxmere on January 30. Pineaha appeared in the High Court at Wellington via audio-visual link, where she admitted to multiple charges related to the...

Cabinet minister Chris Bishop expressed regret for his remarks during the Aotearoa Music Awards in Auckland, where he said “what a load of crap” in response to a performance by pop singer Stan Walker. Video footage captured him seated with a drink while attendees nearby danced and waved tino rangatiratanga flags, symbolizing self-determination. In a statement, Bishop clarified that his comment about “performative acclaim” referred to what he perceived as overtly political branding at the...