Air pollution above safe levels found in 12 of 13 regions

SummaryErin Patterson is on trial for allegedly poisoning her in-laws with death cap mushrooms during a lunch at her home on July 29, 2023. Her husband, Simon Patterson, testified about their relationship breakdown, highlighting disputes over child support payments and describing Erin as “extremely aggressive.” Patterson, 50, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, asserting that the presence of poisonous mushrooms in her dish was unintentional. Full...

Speculation is rising regarding the future of the Kiwi television series Shortland Street, as TVNZ has not confirmed its return for the upcoming year. John Barnett acknowledged the show's challenges, including fewer episodes and difficulties in attracting audiences, yet TVNZ maintains that the show is not cancelled and is planning for the 2025 season. The prime-time soap opera has lost its head writer to the UK, and reports indicate that other staff members have been...

Emergency Response to Apartment Fire in East AucklandEmergency services are addressing a fire involving multiple apartments in East Auckland's Glen Innes area, specifically on Taniwha St. Fire and Emergency New Zealand reported receiving several alerts at 5:54 PM regarding the blaze in a single-storey block of units. Eight fire trucks are currently on-site to combat the fire, as authorities work to extinguish the flames and ensure safety. Full Article

Sir Bob Jones, a prominent New Zealand property magnate, has passed away at the age of 85 at his Wellington home, surrounded by his family after a brief illness. Known for his controversial persona, Jones built a substantial $2 billion property portfolio and established the New Zealand Party in 1983. He is survived by three sons and six daughters, and his family has requested privacy during their time of grief, with tributes already pouring in...

Westpac has been fined $3.25 million for misleading representations related to advertised discounts, which resulted in overcharging 24,621 customers by a total of $6.35 million. The bank admitted its conduct in December after civil proceedings were initiated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). A spokesperson for Westpac stated that the bank fully cooperated with the FMA's investigation. Full Article

SummaryFinance Minister Nicola Willis plans to increase net new spending in the Budget by $1.3 billion, reduced from an earlier announcement of $2.4 billion, yet she will still spend more than any finance minister in New Zealand's history. Labour leader Chris Hipkins criticized this reduction as an invitation for young New Zealanders to leave, suggesting it reflects a form of austerity. However, the article argues that Willis's spending cannot be considered austerity, as it continues...