The dragon in the room: Cooks v NZ v China

One of the bestIn 2025, Super Rugby Pacific has delivered an exceptionally entertaining season marked by unexpected upsets and standout player performances, particularly from the Chiefs and Crusaders, with Emoni Narawa and Will Jordan shining. The competition has proven to be one of the most thrilling starts since its inception in 1996, sparking enthusiasm even after 29 years of reporting on it. However, the Blues are currently facing challenges after a disappointing loss to the...

Fei Wei was sentenced to 11.5 years for her significant role in a methamphetamine syndicate, despite her claims of never having used drugs. Judge Kevin Glubb recognized her financial desperation—after her Auckland home-staging business floundered during the Covid-19 pandemic, her debt to loan sharks escalated from $50,000 to $700,000 due to high-interest rates. Wei pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including drug importation and money laundering involving nearly $2 million, after reluctantly agreeing to help the...

A Kiwi with a history of driving offences, Daniel Phillip Hancy, 39, has been deported from Australia after crashing into a motorcyclist and two cars while intoxicated, resulting in significant injuries to one individual. He has been held in a Brisbane immigration detention center pending an appeal regarding his immigration status. However, the Administrative Review Tribunal of Australia upheld the immigration minister's decision to cancel Hancy's visa due to his criminal behavior, leading to his...

A live yellow-bellied sea snake was discovered in the sand dunes at the southern end of Ōmaha Beach, north of Auckland, prompting the Department of Conservation (DoC) to issue a warning due to the snake's venomous nature. Senior ranger Karl Fisher confirmed the sighting, which was reported by a member of the public, and urged people and their dogs to avoid the area while rangers assess the situation. This marks the second sighting of such...

SummaryA Northland woman in her 70s is raising awareness about rat bite fever (RBF) after being hospitalized for the illness five years ago, despite trapping rats for over 30 years. She contracted RBF after briefly touching a live rat with her bare thumb while trying to secure it and immediately washed her hands and applied antiseptic cream afterward. Her experience highlights the importance of understanding the risks associated with handling rodents, especially as winter approaches...

An Auckland beneficiary is under investigation for allegedly going on a spending spree after mistakenly receiving $158,000 due to an account transfer error. The funds belonged to 78-year-old Mt Roskill pensioner Andrew Che Sit Bong, who lost his life savings when he accidentally entered the wrong account number while transferring money from the UK to his Westpac account. Although Westpac managed to recover $28,000, the remainder was reportedly spent on cars and cash transfers, with...