ECan reshuffle could trigger council breakaway

A single ticket from Christchurch in the South Island has won the $20 million Powerball draw, totaling $20,250,000. The winning numbers were 19, 21, 11, 35, 6, and 33, with a bonus ball of 27 and Powerball of 3; the ticket was sold on MyLotto and includes a quarter share of First Division winnings. Want More Context? 🔎

Sherwin Ampaguey Tumapang, a manager at Bunnings Warehouse's Bell Block Trade Centre in Taranaki, embezzled over $38,000 from his employer by processing numerous fake refunds over eight months to support his gambling addiction. He stole a total of $38,639.85 between April and November of the previous year, as detailed in a police report. Want More Context? 🔎

Multiple female lawyers have accused former senior partner James Gardner-Hopkins of using social media to intimidate them after he was suspended for drunkenly groping interns at a Christmas party. His inappropriate conduct, revealed in 2022, inadvertently made him a prominent figure in New Zealand’s #MeToo movement, yet he has since sought a Practising Approval Certificate to return to the legal profession. Want More Context? 🔎

A suspicious fire at Tairua Police Station on the Coromandel Peninsula destroyed a garage and a police car early this morning, causing minimal damage to the station itself. Emergency services responded at 5:20 AM; fortunately, no injuries were reported, and authorities are treating the incident as suspicious, according to Inspector Mike Henwood. Want More Context? 🔎

Daniel Aperahama Hannett, an Auckland businessman and patched Mongrel Mob member, has been convicted of money laundering for advising a gangster on transferring $388,800 in suspected drug money overseas. He was the primary target of Operation Weirton, which led to New Zealand's largest drug bust, uncovering 613kg of methamphetamine, although direct evidence of his involvement in importing drugs was not found until this operation. Want More Context? 🔎

Blood cancer patient Maureen King has traveled to China for experimental treatment in hopes of extending her life, while her former partner, Jeff King, has been diagnosed with the same condition, multiple myeloma. Their son, Alexander, described the situation as traumatic, noting that such a double diagnosis is extremely rare, occurring in about one in 10 million cases. Want More Context? 🔎