Democracy or dysfunction? Decision finally made on Howick War Memorial Hall

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...

SummaryChristchurch woman Dante Aorangi, 20, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of British tourist Joseph Snode, who was visiting New Zealand. She received a sentence of three months' community detention, ordered to pay $5000 in reparation at $20 a week, and was disqualified from driving for a year. Snode’s family, particularly his mother Elaine, expressed horror at the sentence, highlighting their ongoing grief and loss after the incident, which occurred just 79 days...

Wellington Wind WarningWellington residents are advised to seek shelter due to a rare red wind warning issued by MetService, predicting gales of up to 140km/h that could lead to widespread damage, power outages, and hazardous driving conditions. Julie Paterson, a Lower Hutt resident, experienced a near-death incident when she narrowly avoided being struck by a falling tree branch while preparing to leave for a doctor's appointment during the storm. She described hearing a loud cracking...

This is a transcript of the Premium Politics newsletter, highlighting the recent realization that Donald Trump has been in power for only 100 days, which contrasts with the immense feeling of change his presidency has brought. Trump's statement on delivering "the most profound change in Washington in nearly 100 years" is underscored by the global impact of his policies, which have notably affected New Zealand as well. The article also hints at upcoming challenges related...

Residents of the Canterbury town of Little River are lauding their volunteer fire service for their remarkable efforts during severe weather conditions, which included torrential downpours that resulted in flooding on the town's main street. Fire crews successfully rescued two individuals and two dogs from a car trapped in floodwaters, earning the admiration of the community. State Highway 75, which connects Christchurch and Akaroa, experienced multiple road closures due to the heavy rainfall affecting the...