Whangārei shoplifting: Off-duty officer sucker-punched; one offender jailed, one sentenced to community work

A jury in New Zealand has convicted Abel Wira, 61, of manslaughter after his dogs fatally mauled his friend, Neville Thomson, marking the first conviction of its kind in the country. The verdict follows a week of deliberation, with the jury determining Wira's liability for the tragic incident. Want More Context? 🔎

Ryan Woodford was fatally shot in an execution-style killing at his emergency housing motel in Taupō, witnessed by his partner and children. Teina Williams, president of the Taupō Mongrel Mob, is accused of the murder, having allegedly escaped a rehabilitation facility to carry out the crime, but he pleads not guilty, claiming he was not present during the incident. Want More Context? 🔎

Jessica Jellick, a wedding and family photographer in Whangārei, lost nearly 4,000 social media followers overnight after Meta removed accounts linked to inappropriate activities. This loss came shortly after Meta's announcement of a significant purge of fake and impersonating accounts across its platforms. Want More Context? 🔎

When members of the Fitus gang arrived at an East Auckland playground for a planned confrontation with the Head Hunters motorcycle gang, they aimed to win at any cost, leading to the August 2023 shooting death of member Charles Pongi. Five defendants, including gang members and an associate, pleaded not guilty, as prosecutors described the chaotic scene involving a 22-car convoy in a family area. Want More Context? 🔎

Police have suspended a search for a missing vessel that issued a mayday call in Cook Strait around 10:10 PM last night. Emergency services scoured the area, approximately three nautical miles south of Karori Rock, but found no trace of the distressed vessel. Want More Context? 🔎

Film and television producer John Barnett has passed away at the age of 80. He served as managing director of South Pacific Pictures from 1992 to 2015, where he was recognized for championing Kiwi stories and significantly impacting the New Zealand film and television industry. Want More Context? 🔎