Ohinemuri River discolouration: Old mine shaft in Karangahake Gorge probed as potential cause

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is advocating for enhanced international free trade in response to tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration, emphasizing the potential disruptive second-round effects on global growth for New Zealand. In contrast, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has criticized Luxon's efforts as "premature" while voicing his concerns during a recent tour of the Pacific, signaling discontent within the coalition. This tension highlights the differing approaches to navigating the challenges posed by the evolving...

The coalition has instructed Health New Zealand to utilize the term “women” rather than “pregnant people” in health communications, emphasizing the importance of sex-specific language for clarity in women's health services, as stated by Associate Health Minister Casey Costello. In her letter to interim CEO Dr. Dale Bramley, Costello criticized recent documents that referred to women using terms like “people with a cervix” or “individuals capable of childbearing.” Conversely, Dr. George Parker condemned this directive,...

A Ponsonby chief executive, charged in connection with an alleged road rage incident involving a sight-impaired pensioner, was unable to testify at his co-accused’s trial due to being overseas, resulting in a delay. The businessman, a key witness for the Crown, was expected to provide evidence during the 74-year-old man’s judge-alone trial, where both men face charges of fighting in public, with the chief executive also facing a dangerous driving charge. As a result of...

A man named Mark Gregory Kimber has been found guilty of manslaughter for striking and killing Karen and Geoffrey Boucher on a pedestrian crossing, following a three-week trial in the High Court at Rotorua. He was acquitted of a dangerous driving charge related to his pillion passenger and has had his name suppressed until now to ensure a fair trial. Kimber, a 60-year-old with a criminal history including violence and drug offenses, identified as a...

A doctor is facing allegations for becoming "obsessive and extremely possessive" over a woman he met on a sexual website, with whom he engaged in sexual activity at his workplace after taking a swab from her. The pair, identified as the doctor and Ms. G, initially connected online before pursuing a secret relationship characterized by a sexual fetish, where the doctor assumed the role of the "dom" and Ms. G the "sub." The case is...

A South African family living in Warkworth since 2020 has had their residency application declined due to their son Joshua's health issues, which are deemed a burden on New Zealand's health and education systems. Joshua, who has a complex seizure disorder, developmental delay, and is non-verbal, requires constant care, leading to uncertainty about the family’s future in the country. They are able to make a final appeal on humanitarian grounds when Joshua's visa expires in...