Helen Clark’s global wisdom on NZ/Cook Islands/China/US is the voice we need right now

New Zealanders are reportedly traveling to Thailand to illegally commission surrogate babies from Thai women, a trend that has raised concerns for Oranga Tamariki, the country's child welfare agency. The agency has identified five cases of surrogate parents violating international laws to have children, including a case where a gay man paid a significant amount to circumvent Thailand's strict surrogacy regulations. This practice highlights ongoing ethical and legal challenges surrounding surrogacy and adoption in New...

Liam Lawson will start 13th in the Spanish Grand Prix after being eliminated in the second qualifying session, falling just 0.152 seconds short of reaching Q3. Despite the disappointing result, Lawson's last lap was his fastest of the weekend, indicating progress as he prepares for the race. This qualifying outcome is a setback compared to his recent performance in Monaco, where he qualified ninth and finished eighth, leaving him feeling disappointed. Full Article

KiwiSaver is a significant financial asset for many New Zealanders, yet it can complicate matters for families when the sole account holder passes away. Since its launch in 2007, KiwiSaver has been a vital part of retirement planning, but the structure that supports its effectiveness during working years can lead to unexpected challenges for grieving families, who may struggle to access funds to cover funeral costs and settle affairs. Understanding these limitations is essential as...

For Liam Lawson, winning this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix would be a significant achievement, but receiving several Whittaker’s chocolate blocks from fellow Kiwi Todd Kirkwood is also a noteworthy moment. Kirkwood had carried the chocolates in his luggage for a month during a two-month holiday in Europe with his wife before presenting them to Lawson at a Formula 1 fan forum on Friday. Lawson, known for his love of Whittaker’s chocolates, surely appreciated the thoughtful...

Two Aucklanders have won $500,000 in the Lotto First Division draw, with winning tickets sold at Woolworths Manukau and Pak‘nSave Manukau. The $10 million Lotto Powerball jackpot was not won and will roll over to $12 million for the next draw on Wednesday. Additionally, a player in Dannevirke won $400,000 with Strike Four, purchasing the winning ticket at New World Dannevirke. Full Article

A man was sentenced to 10 years and eight months in prison after he deceived his partner's female relative into entering his vehicle under the pretense of needing help to buy a birthday present. He then took her to a secluded area where he repeatedly raped her. The woman ultimately escaped by locking the man out of his car and driving away from the harrowing ordeal. Full Article