Controversial Wellington mayoral candidate Graham Bloxham quits race

Former National MP Christine Fletcher has criticized Minister Chris Bishop’s housing proposals for Auckland, deeming his targets "bully-boyish" and his RMA reforms "blunt and disproportionate," warning they threaten the city's heritage and unique landscape. Bishop dismissed her remarks as "hyperbole," but Fletcher, alongside Ōrākei Local Board member Troy Churton, expressed concern over the potential collapse of Auckland's suburban and cultural diversity. Want More Context? 🔎

As New Zealand households face rising electricity costs, the New Zealand Herald's Power to the People campaign suggests reforms like best-price promises and abolishing disconnection fees, though critics argue that deeper market changes are needed. Former energy minister Simon Bridges highlights the dominance of four companies—Mercury, Contact, Genesis, and Meridian—that control 85% of the market and made daily profits of $7.8 million last year. Want More Context? 🔎

Armed police responded to an aggravated robbery at an Auckland bus station where a watch was reportedly stolen. After suspects were seen boarding a bus, police apprehended three men at the Akoranga Bus Station on the North Shore without incident. Want More Context? 🔎

The lawyer for Black Power member Royden Haenga, accused of murdering Hori Gage, claims the intent was to intimidate, not kill. Haenga and co-defendant Robert Richards are on trial for Gage's death, which the Crown alleges was retaliation for a previous attack on a gang president, despite Gage being uninvolved in that incident. Want More Context? 🔎

Details surrounding Adrian Orr's unexpected resignation as Reserve Bank governor are emerging, revealing he left a meeting with Finance Minister Nicola Willis and senior officials early, just a week prior to his resignation announcement on March 5. Meeting minutes indicate Orr expressed disagreement over proposed government funding for the Reserve Bank and voiced frustration about the relationship between the RBNZ and the Treasury. Want More Context? 🔎

Roy Arbon, a 75-year-old former Erebus disaster recovery worker, went missing after leaving his Rūnanga home on July 23. His phone's last location, transmitted on July 24 at 2:39 PM, indicated he was in a clearing, but aerial footage taken shortly after showed no signs of him, and his phone has since been inactive. Want More Context? 🔎