Today's latest news
![House-hunting for diplomats: I had one property turned down because of sniper fears](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_p.png?d=820)
House-hunting for diplomats: I had one property turned down because of sniper fears
What ambassadors look for in a Kiwi home.
!['Kiwis helping other kiwis': Cyclone bravery award winners continue to help community](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_p.png?d=820)
'Kiwis helping other kiwis': Cyclone bravery award winners continue to help community
'It still puts a lump in your throat thinking about it.'
![Inside Economics: Do we really need to spend more on infrastructure?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Inside Economics: Do we really need to spend more on infrastructure?
OPINION: And Liam Dann looks at the economic policy debate ahead of the US election.
![Sweet as: Lolly shop venture fulfils childhood dream](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Sweet as: Lolly shop venture fulfils childhood dream
A sweet pop of colour is soon to make its debut in Dannevirke's High St.
![Ellerslie trials successful for Pike](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Ellerslie trials successful for Pike
“We’ve got through the day well, the jockeys have been happy."
!['Lost everything that mattered': How he went from prison to fulltime work](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
'Lost everything that mattered': How he went from prison to fulltime work
'This service is truly one in a million ... I have never known or seen anything like it.'
![The next Wahs generation: NRL scouts swarm NZ high schools competition](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
The next Wahs generation: NRL scouts swarm NZ high schools competition
After years of ignoring South Island talent, the Warriors are looking south for new stars.
![Editorial: Rich-listers call for tax reform - why are political parties afraid of the debate?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Editorial: Rich-listers call for tax reform - why are political parties afraid of the debate?
OPINION: Bruce Plested this week said he would support a wealth tax - with a catch.
![Hockey: Gisborne Boys' High make top four at Founders Cup](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Hockey: Gisborne Boys' High make top four at Founders Cup
Gisborne Girls' High 10th out of 22 at Jenny Hair Cup.
![Govt eyes 120km/h speed limits for new roads, but at what cost?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Govt eyes 120km/h speed limits for new roads, but at what cost?
There are no existing state highways in New Zealand built to accommodate the higher limit.
![Watch: NFL star arrested before game - what he did when he scored a touchdown](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Watch: NFL star arrested before game - what he did when he scored a touchdown
The celebration instantly went viral on social media.
![Two rough years: Wētā FX books losses of $190m](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Two rough years: Wētā FX books losses of $190m
Financials of Sir Peter Jackson's special effects group made public for the first time.
![Gisborne students engage with role models at Duffy Books anniversary event](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Gisborne students engage with role models at Duffy Books anniversary event
Nearly 15 million books given away as Duffy programme marks 30 years.
![Victim speaks of 'horrific' dog attack: 'I was screaming hoping someone would come help'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Victim speaks of 'horrific' dog attack: 'I was screaming hoping someone would come help'
'It was like they were taking turns, biting into my arms and lower legs.'
![Ryan Bridge: Can MPs ever agree on infrastructure - or do we need a dictatorship to get things done?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Ryan Bridge: Can MPs ever agree on infrastructure - or do we need a dictatorship to get things done?
OPINION: There’s one simple way to fix all our problems overnight: Let’s ditch democracy.
!['Burdened': Greece hits cruise passengers with tourist fee](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
'Burdened': Greece hits cruise passengers with tourist fee
Levy to be introduced in 2025 in a bid to curb over-tourism.
![Sara's side hustle is blooming](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Sara's side hustle is blooming
Sara Patetrson creates unique, handmade greeting cards using locally grown flowers.
![Steve Braunias at Polkinghorne trial: Two forensic pathologists walk into a bar](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Steve Braunias at Polkinghorne trial: Two forensic pathologists walk into a bar
OPINION: Steve Braunias on Day 28 of the Polkinghorne murder trial.
![Experts warn shallow aquifers increase vulnerability to contamination on East Coast](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Experts warn shallow aquifers increase vulnerability to contamination on East Coast
Survey reveals aquifer depths of 5m-48m, raising concerns about future water availability.
![Thomas Coughlan: Is Wellington dying or just feeling sorry for itself?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Thomas Coughlan: Is Wellington dying or just feeling sorry for itself?
ANALYSIS: The capital appears to be doing much better than the rest of the country.
![Colossal new Kmart for Auckland: Biggest NZ store planned](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Colossal new Kmart for Auckland: Biggest NZ store planned
Vast new discounter to be built on greenfields site opposite Westgate Lifestyle Centre.
![Intimate performances by Dave Khan return to the Small Hall Sessions](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Intimate performances by Dave Khan return to the Small Hall Sessions
Dave Khan returns to the Small Hall Sessions for intimate performances.
![Body in burnt-out car: Locals anxious after second homicide on Kaipara beach](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Body in burnt-out car: Locals anxious after second homicide on Kaipara beach
A local farmer believes he knows the victim, described as 'a real honey'.
![Māori education advisory group set up to improve outcomes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Māori education advisory group set up to improve outcomes
Education Minister says group will focus on lifting achievement for Māori learners.
![Young guns on show in women's knockout final](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Young guns on show in women's knockout final
Natalie Land's goal proves the difference in entertaining cup match.
![Generous rural spirit shines through tough times at stock donation drive](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Generous rural spirit shines through tough times at stock donation drive
About 370 sheep were donated by farmers from throughout the region.
![Alwyn Poole: Teaching teens resilience — the 'Auckland Grammar way' is a destructive anachronism](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Alwyn Poole: Teaching teens resilience — the 'Auckland Grammar way' is a destructive anachronism
OPINION: Even David Seymour described Grammar as a ‘barbaric’ place for some students.
![Financial help considered as more disruption looms for struggling Wellington businesses](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Financial help considered as more disruption looms for struggling Wellington businesses
A major project to 'revitalise' Wellington's Golden Mile starts next year.
![Letters: Seymour sowing discord and wasting money with Treaty bill](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Letters: Seymour sowing discord and wasting money with Treaty bill
OPINION: 'The aim of the legislation appears to be to raise the public profile of Act.'
![Expert highlights mental health crisis among construction workers post-Covid](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Expert highlights mental health crisis among construction workers post-Covid
Suspected suicide in the sector has hit a new high in one survey.
![Cost to hold Māori ward referendums revealed for 12 councils](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Cost to hold Māori ward referendums revealed for 12 councils
Officials have criticised the additional cost as "significant" and a "waste of money".
![Richard Prebble: We need an alternative to the Govt’s tax and spend model](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Richard Prebble: We need an alternative to the Govt’s tax and spend model
OPINION: We need policies that recognise we are both taxpayers and consumers.
![Bee Aware Month: Beeing there for our tireless workers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Bee Aware Month: Beeing there for our tireless workers
The humble honey bee is critical for the survival of the planet.