Tory Whanau bows out of Wellington mayoral race

Emergency services responded to a collision between a freight train and a truck in the Favona suburb of South Auckland around 7:45 pm. Police are on the scene conducting enquiries, while the train driver has been taken to Middlemore Hospital with minor injuries. Authorities continue to manage the situation as investigations proceed. Full Article

WARNING: This story is about family violence and may be distressing. A mother was in tears as she listened to the court reveal a man's six-month campaign of terror against her family, which included ongoing violence before he targeted her daughter. The emotional impact of his actions was further highlighted as the daughter described how they affected her as well. The courtroom atmosphere was charged with distress as both mother and daughter confronted the painful...

Smith & Caughey’s has announced its closure will occur on June 15, 2025, six weeks earlier than the previously scheduled date of July 31. The company expressed its regret in a social media post, inviting customers to visit the store for one last shopping experience and to share memories. Additionally, they plan to unveil a final window display on Queen St that will celebrate the business’s rich history and its people. Full Article

Economic ScorecardThe upcoming GDP figures for the first quarter of the year will provide clarity on the state of the economy, addressing concerns about potential growth stagnation. Preliminary indications suggest that growth may not be as negative as initially feared, with BNZ economists forecasting a GDP increase of 0.7%, matching the previous quarter's performance. A comprehensive preview of these figures will be published on Monday, further illuminating the economic landscape. Full Article

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) confirmed the resignation of Adrian Orr as Governor, primarily due to a disagreement over funding levels with the Government. The RBNZ stated that while the board, led by Neil Quigley, accepted a reduced funding amount, Orr believed he could not continue in his role with significantly less funding than he deemed necessary for the organization. Following discussions and the involvement of senior counsel for an exit agreement, Orr's...

Summary About 120 individuals, including politicians and notable broadcasters like Mike Hosking and Heather du Plessis-Allan, have been interviewed for a new unauthorized biography of Jacinda Ardern, described as the “real story” of her political career. Author David Cohen has confirmed a commercial arrangement with the Centrist website to support the book's marketing campaign, which includes recent billboard advertisements. This promotion coincides with the release of Ardern’s official autobiography, *A Different Kind of Power*, as...