Latest breaking news NZ | Stuff.co.nz

January 24 2022

Kia Ora, Aotearoa!

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Georgia Forrester

Booster jab: What you need to know

Keith Lynch

Current Covid approach not 'sustainable'

Geraden Cann

Couple lose first home after price increase

Virginia Fallon

The people we've lost to Covid-19

'Potentially dozens' of undetected Omicron cases already

Exposure events have included large gatherings and flights, and the chain of transmission is still unknown.

Ellen O'Dwyer

Covid-19: Mass cancellations rock the entertainment industry

Many major events have been cancelled and more are expected following the move to the red traffic light setting and the 100-person cap on gatherings.

Tina Law and Piers Fuller

The three 'stages' of the Omicron response

The Government will change what tests to take and how long you need to isolate as Omicron cases shoot up into the thousands.

Girl flying home for urgent surgery on shattered arm

A nine-year-old that was stuck in Papua New Guinea has been granted an emergency exemption to fly back to NZ to have surgery on her arm.

'Mad' three hour wave of panic-buying over

Wellington's Tommy Millions pizzeria kiosk to close in March

Sussexes launch new entertainment businesses

The couple, who have signed deals to produce Netflix shows and a Spotify podcast, are to pursue entertainment after stepping away from their royal life.

Luxon: 'We are not prepared for Omicron'

Christopher Luxon has hit out at what he saw as weak spots in the country's Covid-19 readiness for Omicron.

What life will look like under red traffic light setting

All of NZ would move to the red setting instead of going into lockdown in the event of an Omicron community outbreak, the Government says.

'Such is life': PM admits red light will disrupt her wedding plans

latest headlines

11:08pm

Sussexes launch new entertainment businesses

editors' picks

Quiz: Afternoon trivia challenge

What to include in your at home Covid kit

Venus to face Kyrgios in doubles quarterfinals at Australian Open

The perfect dairy free cheese could come from lab grown milk protein

Travel under the red light setting: Flight cancellations expected

Eight great shows to stream this week

Aus Open: 'Where is Peng Shuai?' shirts, banners confiscated

Kanye West wants a cut of paparazzi’s earnings

coronavirus More

Auckland Pride Festival cancelled amid omicron threat

Organisers say they are heartbroken but determined to keep the community safe from the threat of omicron.

Covid-19: Rest home, Air NZ flight key new locations of interest

The New Lynn Totara Event Centre joins the Summerset by the Park retirement village as a location of interest linked to an Omicron case.

No new Manawatū Omicron cases

Manawatū has avoided any further cases of the infectious Omicron variant of Covid-19 since Friday’s first case in the region.

Supply-chain disruption 'inevitable'

As Omicron spreads in the community there will be some impact on the supply-chain, but officials are working hard to minimise it, Grant Robertson says.

Covid-19 outbreak situation report: What happened today, January 23

Everyone will begin the week in the red traffic light setting after nine Omicron cases were confirmed in the community. Meanwhile, 24 new cases of Covid-19 were reported on Sunday.

Omicron confirmed in Nelson-Tasman

The now 10 cases of Covid-19 cases confirmed in the Nelson-Tasman region are the Omicron variant. More locations of interest are expected.

SHARON MURDOCH

Polly Gillespie

There's a big Covid divide between Auckland and Wellington

Wellingtonians seem to think they're too posh to get Covid.

Neha Paranjape

Dear Jacinda: Please let Kiwis come home

Michelle Duff

Cheeky bikinis on the beach a win for feminism

Tracy Watkins

We need a full toolbox for Omicron

national More

False alarm after earlier report of person in distress on Lake Pukaki

Police were called to a report of a person in distress, but now say that after enquiries, it is believed no one is missing.

Human remains found in Northland by family of missing man

Police confirmed the remains were found near where Kukama Waa was reported missing.

Person dies after fall at workplace in Wairarapa

A man fell at a workplace in Carterton about 8.45am on Sunday and later died, police say.

Golden summer of Waikato festivals ends in red traffic light sunset

Hamilton's Soundsplash festival squeezed in before a change to the red traffic light setting restricted events, but One Love and Festival One weren't so lucky.

Police focusing on 24 hours before woman found dead in her home

The 37-year-old woman was found dead in her Addington home on Saturday night.

Body located in Tauranga Harbour identified

Police have identified the man whose body was located in Tauranga Harbour on Sunday morning.

world More

Tonga a week on from devastating eruption

A week on from a huge volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga, residents evacuated from the devastated islands of Nomuka and Mango have been rescued.

11:08pm

Two men took corpse into a post office to claim dead man's pension

The body was propped up at the counter before the pair fled after being challenged, Irish media reported.

Renault rips up Nissan alliance script for China traction

Global aid effort underway for Tonga's recovery

A global aid effort is underway with vessels en route to Tonga from Australia, the UK, Japan and the US.

US police: Don't approach lab monkey that went missing after crash

State troopers urged people not to look for or capture the cynomolgus monkey: "Please call 911 immediately."

US-made arms bound for Ukraine

Anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles are being shipped to Ukraine, amid Kyiv’s escalating tensions with Russia.

'Mad' three hour wave of panic-buying over

The three 'stages' of the Omicron response

'Potentially dozens' of undetected Omicron cases already

Full coverage: NZ moves to red setting at midnight

Covid-19: Mass cancellations rock the entertainment industry

NZ moves to red after mystery Omicron cases

'Such is life': PM admits red light will disrupt her wedding plans

Chris Luxon: ‘We're not prepared for Omicron’

Smart takes on shirting

New Zealand’s best wines are being made by producers who don’t actually have their own vines

The body exfoliant Anna Fahey uses to cleanse away the day

Cloudy Kitchen's small batch cinnamon rolls

'I knew not to make him angry before a show'

Falling in love over laughter and late-night toast

Recipe: Stuffed Zucchini Flowers

Salad of bitter leaves, orange, pomegranate and buffalo curd

The time is nigh to pile your jewellery high

ACC home workout injury claims increase by 300 per cent

travel More

An underrated gem of the South Island

Although the top of the South Island is known for its perfect sandy beaches and sapphire bays, one of the real gems of the area lies inland.

The best international food experiences, according to travel experts

From tofu flowers in Hong Kong to currywurst in Bavaria, these are the Stuff Travel team's most memorable global food experiences.

Auckland Zoo's 135 species look comfortably at home

Visitors to the animal sanctuary are able to experience a range of living environments that look nothing like cages.

Gardens to visit in Queenstown Lakes

Eketāhuna - big love in a small town

Hawke’s Bay's quintessential Kiwi beach

Three of the best Southland museums

business More

Young couple lose first home after developer increases price by $150k

Fraser Galbraith and Marina Person are the latest buyers to lose their home after developers cited a sunset clause, and MBIE are now investigating.

Overseas travel costs expected to soar as pandemic changes the game

Prepare to stump up more for your overseas holiday once the border reopens, as existing costs rise and new costs emerge.

Can we trust our inflation numbers?

EXPLAINER: Inflation is at its highest level in 31 years. But how do we actually measure this and is it real?

Runaway NZ housing market not unique

New Zealand has experienced an unprecedented housing market boom over the last two years, but most countries have similar issues.

The treasure hunt for a fraudster's $18 million remnant

It was one of New Zealand's biggest investment frauds, wiping out at least $80m. But there was hope. Maybe there was still $18m left.

'Shocking': Would you give a loan company your bank login?

Alan Goodwin was surprised when a lender asked him to share his bank account password. The company claimed it is an “industry standard”.

prosper More

11-in-1 golf club aims to revolutionise golf

A Taranaki businessman has designed a club for the average golfer who doesn't want to lug a bag of 14 clubs around the course.

Local virtual reality game putting New Zealand on the world stage

An Auckland video game studio has created a virtual reality game in which players walk on the moon, visit ancient Mayan temples, and fend off crocodiles with a flare gun.

Focus on produce, staff and community the key for one of our Shop Local winners

What I've Learned: Dream big, but plan small

Couple push on to open restaurant despite pandemic

climate change More

Why seaweed could be the hot new trend for a green home

A student's idea to use seaweed in building materials could one day help our houses become carbon-neutral.

What is ExxonMobil’s new climate strategy worth?

Going green-ish. Big oil’s most reluctant decarboniser lays out its climate plan.

What should be done with millions from scrapped Auckland bike bridge?

Very dry conditions in parts of Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Southland

Turning cities into video games could boost understanding of the climate crisis

pou tiaki More

The mahi of the many: Protecting whakapapa from Covid-19

The impact of Covid could have been devastating if Māori hadn’t pulled together to keep the virus at bay.

Using computers to inspire, one person at a time

An Ōtautahi man found his purpose when his father brought home a computer. Now he’s using his skills to uplift his community, one person at a time.

'Tipping point': Robinson opens up on women's rugby and female leaders

The former Black Fern tells Stuff the women's game is about to separate itself commercially from the men's game, and implications will be profound.

Dr Jemaima Tiatia-Seath promoted at Auckland University

The School of Māori and Pacific Studies co-head is now Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific, the first Pasifika woman to hold a role at this level.

Why Lana Searle would be rubbish on The Block NZ

She grew up watching films like Richie Rich. So a backyard basketball court didn't seem so far-fetched.

NZ Asian rugby sevens team to debut in school competition

A new team hopes to grow the game of rugby in Asian communities across Aotearoa when it debuts in the World School Sevens on Saturday.

Working from home a game-changer for disabled woman

A woman who was injured in the Christchurch earthquakes says the normalisation of working from home is helping disabled people find employment.

$6.2m funding injection to help fix cancer inequities for Māori and Pasifika

Researchers are excited about their initial findings which show lung cancer screening combined with CT scans could significantly reduce mortality rates amongst Māori.

sport More

Cricket World Cup can go ahead in red setting - Robertson

Sports Minister says Cricket World Cup organisers have been planning for a 'red setting' scenario and the tournament will proceed.

Black Caps Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell shine in Canterbury T20 win

Black Caps' duo show their class with the bat as Canterbury Kings comfortably win last round game ahead of Super Smash elimination final.

Alker loses out to Jiménez in playoff in PGA Tour Champions

It needed two playoff holes for Miguel Angel Jiménez to beat the Kiwi at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Hawaii.

Sadowski-Synnott does it again with another gold at X Games

New Phoenix player wants to be his own man, not the next Ulises Davila

Nadal reaches Australian Open quarterfinals for 14th time

Barbora Krejcikova's stunning rise continues at Australian Open

homed More

A loft flat shared by six - or 30

The place is run-down and sometimes leaks. But it's the kind of creative hub it's hard to find in Wellington these days.

After 76 countries, these influencers got stuck in NZ - and built a tiny home

Covid forced Expedition Earth to pack away their passports. So they built a 50sqm home with incredible views.

Teal blue ex-state house kitchen gets modern makeover

Before and after: There's no point getting nostalgic for a '40s kitchen when your plates won't fit in the cupboards and there's no room for the fridge.

No garden too tough for hardy hebes

Cheap, but steep - Wellington section with 'potential'

Thinking of installing hardwood floors? Here's what to consider

Furry Friday: Laid-back cats

entertainment More

Why Julian Fellowes' fabulous uptown New York drama is the new Downton

REVIEW: Gorgeous production design and costuming, power struggles, frowned-upon romances and a scene-stealing, acerbic matriarch - what's not to love?

Harry Styles a 'fantastic boss', says Kiwi who toured US with him

Naomi Ludlow says working with the international pop star was "incredible, absolutely incredible. It's going to take a long time to even process".

Jacob Tomuri: Hollywood's ultimate wingman

The Kiwi stuntman has gone head-to-head with Hollywood heavyweights, but the blow he never saw coming was the “sucker punch” of mental burnout.

The Sisters Brothers a loose, funny, thoughtful, near-surreal western

New York Magazine podcast Cover Story investigates psychedelics

Meat Loaf died after contracting Covid-19, according to report

Meat Loaf's strong tour history with NZ

motoring More

Board game aims to help players pass their driving theory test

Probation officer Ian Elford had prisoners in mind when he designed a board game to help people with their driving theory knowledge.

Is a roadtrip in an EV as painless as we say?

We talk the 'roadtrip in an EV' talk enough, time to walk the walk.

Toyota production in Japan hit by parts crunch from Covid-19

One of the first women in automotive design has died

kea kids news More

Floating lessons — these Kiwi kids go to school on a hospital ship

The Pollard family left their home to live on "Africa Mercy," a hospital ship that offers both on-board operations and treatments and land-based healthcare around coastal Africa.

Ashley Bloomfield shares his best dad joke

Kea Kids reporters ask Bloomfield the important questions, including what his superpower would be if he had one and his favourite karaoke song.

Behind the scenes of an all-night vaccination event

What was Dr Ashley Bloomfield’s dream job as a kid?

spotlight More

Omicron is here. This is what happens next

In the short-term, Covid-19 will circulate until it runs out of people to infect. But this is not March 2020. Now there's much more hope.

The Paralympian and the money

Paralympic equestrian Rachel Hughes has been convicted of fraud and faces multiple other accusations of dishonesty, but she rides on with the blessing of the sport’s national body.