New Zealand

Herald writer Steve Braunias spent a summer with Mark Lundy ahead of his retrial in 2015, during which Lundy was again found guilty of murdering his wife and daughter after seven weeks of evidence. Recently, a Parole Board agreed to release Lundy from prison. Braunias recounts his visits with Lundy and Geoff Levick at Levick's Kumeu property, highlighting Lundy's anger and suspicion, as well as the intense camaraderie between Lundy and Levick in their shared mission to prove Lundy’s innocence. Full Article

Double murderer Mark Lundy, who has maintained his innocence regarding the killings of his wife Christine and daughter Amber 25 years ago, is set to be released from prison next month after over 23 years behind bars. Found guilty initially, Lundy's conviction was quashed by the Privy Council in 2013, but he was retried and found guilty again in 2015. Following his third appearance before the New Zealand Parole Board, he will soon be released despite his continued claims that someone else is responsible for the murders. Full Article

Power Outage and Traffic Disruptions in SilverdaleOn Thursday around 2 PM, Silverdale experienced a power outage affecting traffic lights and the Z gas station's fuel supply. As New Zealanders embark on the long Easter weekend, strong winds from ex-cyclone Tam have led to fallen trees on roads, particularly State Highway 29 in Te Poi, resulting in hazardous driving conditions and multiple crashes on the Kaimai Range. Travelers are reporting frightening conditions due to the high winds. Full Article

Society Insider HighlightsIn this week's Society Insider, writer Ricardo Simich reports on Australian chef Pete Evans, who is expanding his presence in the US while he and his wife, Nicola Robinson Evans, await the completion of the sale of their wellness retreat, Evolve Sanctuary, in northern New South Wales. The property has been under offer since September but remains unsold. Additionally, multi-millionaire Matthew Horncastle is preparing for first-time fatherhood, and Dame Pieter Stewart's granddaughter is pursuing a career in fashion, following her grandmother's legacy. Full Article

The Consumers Price Index inflation rate increased 2.5% in the 12 months to March 2025, according to Stats NZ. This rise follows a 2.2% annual increase in December 2024 and slightly exceeds economists' forecasts, with a 0.9% increase in the first quarter of 2025. The annual inflation rate remains within the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s target band of 1 to 3% for the third consecutive quarter, a significant change from the period between June 2021 and June 2024 when inflation consistently exceeded this band. Full Article

National MP Hamish Campbell faces accusations of minimizing his involvement with the Two by Twos ministry, a secretive religious group under investigation by the FBI and New Zealand police for sexual abuse allegations. Sources have identified Campbell as an "elder" who has hosted weekly Bible meetings at his home in Christchurch. Initially claiming his connection was merely familial, Campbell later admitted to being a member of the group, stating, "I have hosted a small number of meetings at my home." Full Article

Ex-tropical Cyclone Tam has begun impacting the country, resulting in sunken yachts, power outages for around a thousand homes, and severe winds causing tree falls. Forecasters indicate that the storm is intensifying as it approaches, with a dozen severe weather warnings and watches issued across the North Island, predicting up to 200mm of rain and winds reaching 120km/h. The worst conditions are expected to hit Northland and Auckland around 7pm, continuing into the following evening, prompting Niwa to advise residents to prepare now for the escalating weather. Full Article

SummaryA teenager, Lawrence Wiki-Newman, was sentenced to six years in prison for severely attacking a man with a hammer, even after the victim lost consciousness. The incident, which occurred in November 2023, stemmed from a dispute over a car borrowed from a family member of his cousin, Savay Barnes-Manuel. It was Barnes-Manuel who intervened during the attack, urging Wiki-Newman to stop to prevent a potential homicide. Full Article

In a significant development in the rugby world, All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane will join Irish club Leinster next season, aiming to transition from being viewed as a villain to a world-class recruit. Committed to the All Blacks until the 2027 World Cup, Ioane will utilize a sabbatical clause in his contract to skip one Super Rugby Pacific season with the Blues for a six-month stint abroad. Despite offers from Japan, he has chosen to follow Jordie Barrett's path to Leinster, where he will join the All Blacks midfield in Dublin within a year. Full Article

A doctor involved in a workplace sex allegations investigation claims he filmed a woman to demonstrate her consent and protect himself from potential #MeToo accusations. The doctor and the woman, referred to as Ms G, reportedly connected through a sexual website, met at a bar, and agreed to engage in a secret sexual relationship due to her marital status. Their relationship, centered around a sexual fetish, involved the doctor as the dominant partner and the woman as the submissive partner; he is currently facing proceedings at the Health Practitioner Disciplinary Tribunal. Full Article