Today's latest news

Elderly vendor 'gob-smacked' after her damaged home sells for $507,000
Bidders went hard for "as is, where is" property.

The big switch: ‘I don't care about the banks. I'll take the $8000 cash'
Mortgage chief expects banks will continue to drop rates even if the OCR stops at 3%.

NZ’s UFO house for sale - Starship Enterprise meets Bond villain lair
The unusual-looking property boasts out-of-this-world views and interior design.

'The public have a right to know': Judge denies man with cache of child abuse files anonymity
'I must denounce your conduct in the strongest possible terms,' the judge told him.

'We’re confident': Payne on tackling Townsville's challenges
Matthew Payne is third in the V8 series with 1289 points, close behind Will Brown.

Green light for fires on Napier beaches after council quietly revokes bylaw
It's open season for some winter marshmallow toasting.

St John defends decision not to send ambulance to toddler who broke jaw in fall
'When we went to open her mouth, the whole thing was like a flap.'

'Courage is contagious': The return of the Rainbow Warrior and other Auckland news
Opinion: Love this City looks at Auckland Council and other city news of the week.

Editorial: It’s time to toughen the drink-driving laws
OPINION: The problem spans across our communities and society.

'Merry hell' in Mamaku: Village held 'to ransom' by hoons
Their gatherings involve burnouts, doughnuts and fireworks.

'Powerful example': Mum overcomes addiction to build a life helping others
'I discovered a renewed sense of purpose.'

Letters: Drugs may have a place but they’re not the foundation of a healthy society
OPINION: Road cones, a Buddhist statue, shoplifting and bringing back the moa.

Opportunities in America for NZ red meat
OPINION: The Power of Meat study author says meat sales have started strongly this year.

'Favourable conditions': Avocado industry predicts export boom
The avocado industry predicts better times after two tough seasons.

Woman awarded $500k after deceitful sale of rotting Auckland house
One defendant used a dehumidifier to falsely claim the house was dry.

Your ultimate guide to Auckland's arts and culture this weekend
Baby, it’s cold outside, but Auckland’s arts and culture calendar is heating up.

Missing German backpacker found alive in Aussie outback
Carolina Wilga was found alive nearly two weeks after going missing.

Transforming waste into eco-friendly fruit trays
Hawk's trays are used by NZ & Australian producers to export apples and avocados globally.

'Dastardly deed in dead of night': Ex-Nats president slams Govt on pay equity
Sue Wood says she feels disconnected from the current party's direction.

Thomas Coughlan: Regulatory Standards Bill shakes coalition and breaks Parliament
Opinion: Act has made it clear if the bill doesn't pass, the coalition is over.

Kāinga Ora scraps 450 new Northland houses, deepening shortage
Kāinga Ora halts 40 housing projects in Northland amid $12.3b debt

Tearful hunter admits shooting and killing friend
Mark Jefferson was on a hunting trip when he accidentally killed Stuart Stobie.

Polkinghorne: Steve Braunias on his new book on the trial of the century
Steve Braunias called the Polkinghorne murder trial "the apex of a very long career".

Fashion power couple selling their multi-million dollar art villa
Dame Denise L'Estrane-Corbet and Francis Hooper open up about their private home.

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill six, including five at school shelter
Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza received casualties after firing near an aid point.

Legal hook means some buyers risk losing thousands on Kāinga Ora homes
Iwi have right of refusal on Hamilton state homes.

'S*** happens': Injured motorcyclist's gracious response to being hit by car
A moment’s inattention by a driver at an intersection led to severe consequences.

O’Connor returns as Wallabies prepare for British and Irish Lions
The first test against the Lions is set for July 19 in Brisbane.

‘Honour’ murder: Father kills daughter over TikTok account
The family tried to portray the murder as a suicide in Rawalpindi.

'Challenging conditions': Luxury retail giant DFS closing Kiwi stores
Duty Free Shoppers is exiting the Oceania market after 30 years.

Macca's confirms rumour of fan favourite's return after eagle-eyed Kiwis spot error
Eyebrows were raised when the McRib began showing up on kiosks in-store.

Peeni Henare likely favourite to stand for Labour in Tāmaki Makaurau byelection
Labour's candidate could be confirmed as early as Sunday.

'It's not about being powerless': Experts explain submissive kink amid Sabrina Carpenter backlash
Warning: This article discusses sexual themes and is suitable for adults only.

'It's not about being powerless': Experts explain submissive kink amid Sabrina Carpenter backlash
Warning: This article discusses sexual themes and is suitable for adults only.

Rising tension: Drone strikes kill two in Russia, multiple injuries reported
Two people were killed in drone attacks in the Lipetsk and Tula regions.

Market close: 'Green shoots' for Ryman – positive reaction to earnings outlook
Rural services group PGG Wrightson rose 14c or 6.9% to $2.17.

Push Gummies halts sales amid creatine content controversy
A British fitness influencer has questioned the level of creatine in the product.

Watch: 'My raging backyard river' - North Shore homeowner fears stormwater torrent
'Land eroding, health and safety of young kids has been at risk for the last three years'.

I’m a longevity doctor. These are my daily habits to stay young
Telegraph: Dr Mohammed Enayat starts every day barefoot in the garden.

'Serious injuries': Crash closes highway
Emergency services are responding to a two-vehicle crash which has closed SH29.

'Not over yet': Chung won't drop out of mayoral race over lewd Tory Whanau email
In an interview on Newstalk ZB, Chung said he sent the email because he wanted advice.

Watch: Video shows chaotic, chilling moments before fatal stabbing
Joeli "Skunks" Rankin was filmed yelling taunts while holding a machete, smashing window.

Mixed verdicts delivered for Tribesmen accused of murdering one of their own
Mark 'Shark' Hohua died in June 2022 after a violent assault over money.

US State Department to begin layoffs to downsize government
The Supreme Court cleared the way for plans for mass firings at 19 agencies, departments.

Trump hits Canada with new tariff threat
Canada faces a 35% export tariff to the US starting on August 1.

Fourth measles case in Wairarapa linked to overseas travel cluster
Locals are being urged to get immunised as another case is confirmed.

Wellington Chamber of Commerce boss resigns abruptly
Simon Arcus has been the CEO of the Wellington Chamber and Business Central since 2021.

Aussie sporting first in racial abuse arrest
Basketball Australia and Victoria Police made the first-ever such arrest in Australia.

Trump tariffs: What’s the latest on the trade war?
New York Times: Canada, Brazil, and copper are Donald Trump's latest targets.

'Dumbfounded': Murder accused allegedly asked about dead mum's money at funeral
Julia DeLuney is accused of murdering her mother, Helen Gregory, in Wellington.

‘Huge upheaval’: Big Govt department's tech team to be cut
The Ministry of Social Development says most of those affected will be redeployed.

'Skyrocketing levels of Jew hatred': Why NZ is not immune to rising antisemitism concerns
A Melbourne synagogue was set alight in an alleged antisemitic attack.

The story so far: Tafa set to begin new chapter in UFC career
'I never knew this could be a possibility. So, now I want to take full advantage of it.'

Substation fault cuts power to thousands in Tauranga
Power was cut to 21,529 customers at 12.30pm in Tauranga.