Latest breaking news NZ | Stuff.co.nz

May 19 2021

Kia Ora, Aotearoa!

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Thomas Coughlan

National's in better shape than you think

Cate Broughton

Brain surgery cancelled amid bed shortage

Damian George

New deal in $500m Shelly Bay development

Nile Bijoux

EVs will be cheaper option in 6 years

Govt paid $1300 a week for the room where a boy was fatally beaten

The room was tiny, but Work and Income NZ was prepared to pay the emergency housing costs. Then it became a murder scene.

7:02am

Tony Wall

Social housing tenant's award-winning vegetable garden ripped up

Zhang Wang lovingly nurtured her veggie patch more than 10 years. The housing trust landlord had it flattened in one day.

Tina Law

Email attachment opened door to cyber attack on Waikato hospitals

Someone who opened a message and clicked on a link thought to have caused the "absolute chaos" at Waikato hospitals.

28m ago

Kiwi nurse who cared for Covid-struck PM Boris Johnson quits

Jenny McGee refused to be a part of a publicity event and said nurses weren't getting the respect or pay they deserve.

6:45am

Panic as Chinese skyscraper starts to sway

40m ago

Naomi Campbell announces she's a mum at 50

7:11am

Wellington Airport fights to put planes on golf course land

In a three-day hearing starting on Wednesday, the airport is moving to reclassify 15.6 ha of land, previously a golf course, to accommodate planes.

Covid vaccine hits legal snag, as Government vows to fix law

A legal challenge to the vaccine has forced Andrew Little to respond with an urgent law change.

5m ago

How much do home renovations actually cost?

Here's what different renovation budgets might get you in key areas like the kitchen and bathroom.

Defence launches new Southern Ocean patrol vessel project, price $300m+

latest headlines

8:18am

Lamborghini announces plan to release first all-electric car by 2030

editors' picks

Quiz: Morning trivia challenge

Tattoo Gold article unfair and inaccurate

Roll up! Paul McCartney's anti-aging eye yoga

6:50am

Is this tri-wing jumbo jet the future of flying?

23m ago

Welsh Kiwi Hadleigh Parkes set for Beauden Barrett clash

Dolphins at lunch: Is this NZ's best cafe view?

Some free advice for Harry: Put a sock in it

52m ago

England select uncapped duo to face Black Caps

Sharon Murdoch

Susan Hornsby-Geluk

Something must be done about violence directed at shop staff

OPINION: The attack at a Countdown in Dunedin has led to questions about the responsibility of employers to ensure employees' health and safety.

Sam Stubbs

Could KiwiSavers own their own water pipes?

Jacqueline Rowarth

Making farming harder will hinder national debt repayments

Joe Bennett

Nature v naturist: With 30-50 feral hogs, there can only be one winner

national More

'Significant' jump in car theft amid social media trend

Due to the age of some offenders, they are being released back to their caregivers, only for the "cycle to repeat", police say.

Refusal to waive MIQ fees for Kiwis in financial hardship could breach Bill of Rights Act

The Ombudsman is investigating a number of complaints about government decisions to decline applications to waive MIQ fees because of financial hardship.

4m ago

Children miss out due to 'unfair' school funding

The principal of a decile 9 school says it is not immune to the challenges of drugs, alcohol and gangs, and should not be excluded from the new donations funding scheme.

Seven-year wait for inquest takes its toll on family

A 30-year-old father of one died in a suspected suicide at Palmerston North Hospital's mental health ward in 2014. His family want to make sure there's no repeat.

Congestion and quiet city centre threaten Auckland recovery

Fewer people in the city centre and a sharp rise in online shopping could prolong the impact of Covid-19, according to the council’s chief economist.

'Non-urgent' brain surgery cancelled due to Christchurch Hospital bed shortage

A swollen blood vessel in Fiona Wilson's brain could cause a stroke, or death, at any time. But that didn't stop her operation being dropped last-minute.

7:01am

world More

Lamborghini announces plan to release first all-electric car by 2030

Lamborghini has detailed its strategy for the next 10 years, including plans for both a transition to hybrid and an eventual move into the all-electric market.

45m ago

Two killed in fresh strike launched from Gaza

Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers continue to trade attacks, as the death toll rises and truce efforts stall.

Australian surfer dies after shark attack

The man was bitten on his upper thigh while he was surfing before his friends dragged him out of the water and got help from a former paramedic.

Israel-Palestine conflict: When is an attack a war crime?

EXPLAINER: The ongoing attacks between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in Gaza has led to fierce accusations of war crimes, on both sides.

Bill Gates acknowledges an affair with a Microsoft employee

Confirmation of the affair and the investigation comes two weeks after Gates and Melinda French Gates announced plans to divorce.

Celebration as first travel bubble flight lands in Rarotonga

There were tears, singing and applause as the first quarantine-free flight from New Zealand landed in Rarotonga.

Christchurch social housing tenant's award-winning vegetable garden ripped up

Govt paid $1300 a week for tiny room where boy fatally beaten

'Lining up to kill someone': Truckies say no choice but to lie about work hours

YouTuber Caleb Jack's trip to Gloriavale surpassed his 'wildest imagination'

Covid vaccine hits legal snag, as Little vows to fix law

Bill Gates acknowledges an affair with a Microsoft employee

Quiz: Morning trivia challenge: May 19, 2021

'Significant' increase in car theft amid teen social media Mazda trend

Inside the boneyard: First footage of Air NZ's grounded planes

The video shows a number of the airline's giant 777s in a desert storage facility.

In photos: Snow blankets mountains across the south

The South Island saw below-freezing temperatures on Monday night resulting in snowfall and stunning mountain-top photos on Tuesday.

The penthouse being built into a cruise ship funnel

Disney has unveiled photos and plans for its newest cruise ship, the Disney Wish.

Celebration as first travel bubble flight lands in Rarotonga

Flight from Wellington to Auckland turns back due to abrasion to side window

Nine reasons to visit Wānaka

Luxury train to be packed up and shipped to a new country

business More

Property investors dominate Parliament

More than half the country's MPs own more than the house they live in.

Farming is vital to repay our growing national debt

OPINION: New Zealand is going into debt at an extra $5.3 million an hour. Making farming harder will make it harder to pay that back.

Could KiwiSavers own their own water pipes?

OPINION: While taxes seem the inevitable way government will fund infrastructure, could more money come from Kiwisavers investing in infrastructure also?

James Hardie had evidence that Harditex leaked — court told

James Hardie continued selling its Harditex exterior home cladding system for five years after it had evidence it was prone to leak, court told.

Corporate raider Ron Brierley no longer a knight

Brierley's loss of his knighthood has been published in the New Zealand Gazette.

Countdown 'misleading shoppers' with farmers' market bags

The reusable bags have sparked a complaint to the Commerce Commission.

prosper More

The case for putting case studies front and centre in your marketing strategy

OPINION: They validate the customer value you create and can be used and reused almost anywhere.

New economic research shows wellbeing is worth small business investment

New Zealand small businesses get up to $12 return for every $1 they invest in wellbeing programmes, research claims.

What’s the payoff to your customers for using your service?

Five tips to forge stronger connections with your valued customers

Why the social enterprise/for-impact business space is rapidly evolving

climate change More

EVs will be cheaper than combustion cars in the next six years

Price parity between EVs and internal-combustion vehicles will happen by 2027, according to a new report. And that's a conservative estimate.

7:21am

Budget's carbon savings equal about 5 days coal use at Huntly

ANALYSIS: But Genesis Energy chief executive Marc England says comparison is 'unfair'.

Climate crimes: Will you be found guilty?

$67.4m in Budget to help public sector buy electric vehicles, clean heating

Port commits to cut carbon footprint by nearly half in 14 years

pou tiaki More

James Roque tackles skin whitening at comedy show

The comedian says, as a child, he was told to stay out of the sun - in case his skin got darker.

46m ago

Public sentiment supports Māori wards in Hamilton

As leaders debate whether to establish Māori wards in the city, kuia Hekeiterangi Broadhurst draws on the words of a past leader for guidance.

Canterbury brewery owner resigns from company after offensive social media post

David Gaughan will no longer be part of Eagle Brewery after calling Māori the "scurge [sic] of New Zealand".

Council 'clearly out of touch', iwi say

The only Taranaki council not to establish Māori representation has been criticised again – this time by local iwi.

Māori participation in council 'shunned'

Several church leaders are praying for Manawatū District councillors to change their stance and support Māori wards.

Tararua Māori ward vote an 'historic affirmation of unity'

Emotions run high as Tararua Māori celebrate an historic vote that will grant iwi greater participation in the decisions that affect them.

3m ago

Te reo revival reflected in sold-out language conference

Visiting te reo Māori lecturer Hēmi Kelly says he has seen a huge increase in those wanting to learn the language, both Māori and non-Māori.

First female Samoa PM 'significant' – Jacinda Ardern

FAST leader Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is expected to call for Samoa's parliament to be reconvened so she can form a government.

sport More

NRL to consider limit on contact training after concussion spate

Chairman Peter V'landys admits he didn't realise how much contact training took place and the resultant head injury toll.

7:20am

Crusaders forwards coach Jason Ryan re-signs through 2024

Forwards coach Jason Ryan has recommitted to the Crusaders. Is head coach Scott Robertson next?

55m ago

Williamson excited to get going in England ahead of WTC final

The World Test Championship decider is less than a month away, but first the Black Caps' focus is on a rare series win in England.

6:29am

Giro d'Italia a career lowlight for champion New Zealand cyclist

Guildford picked for Wairarapa training squad after assault sentencing

'Sickening swinging arm tackle' has rugby victim airlifted to hospital

'I expect better from myself': Federer loses comeback match

6:40am

homed More

Grand Designs 'boyhood fantasy' for sale

Sky Mason's holiday home on Slipper Island, 10km offshore, was one of the most interesting Grand Designs NZ builds in 2017.

These houseplants don't want to live with you

Sorry to break it to you - you're spending a lot of money so you can bring them home to (probably) die.

How to choose the perfect housewarming gift

The number of homes sold this April was the highest for that month in 5 years - that means a lot of housewarmings.

The bedroom's biggest row: Top sheet, or no top sheet

How multi-million dollar mansions find a buyer

Mike Pero designed his home on Microsoft Word

Joan Rivers' opulent—and haunted!—New York penthouse is on the market

lifestyle More

Help! I think my friend might be toxic

The silver fox effect: Our obsession with men who age well

Colour me mad about white clothes

Watch the powerful trailer for Prince Harry's mental health series

You don't need a movie star's budget to get in shape

The destructive cycles of Ben Affleck

The volcanic rise of 'mum rage' and what we can do about it

Quitting coffee is great, but also awful

The Divorce Diaries: Should I stay or should I go?

TV ad depicting postnatal suicide back on TV

entertainment More

Netflix's stylish Ewan McGregor-starring Halston biopic lacks depth

REVIEW: While it showcases some amazing production design and costuming, this five-part series ultimately leaves you wanting more.

James Roque tackles skin whitening at comedy show

The comedian says, as a child, he was told to stay out of the sun - in case his skin got darker.

46m ago

Son of the South a solid, but unspectacular Civil Rights tale

REVIEW: It says a lot that the most high-profile biopic of a Civil Rights-era figure in cinemas for years should focus on the actions of a white ally.

Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop slams 'frivolous' $6 million lawsuit over vagina candles

32m ago

Barack Obama reveals how daughters felt having secret service on dates

40m ago

Olin the one bright spot in Artist's Wife's paint-by-numbers drama

Emma Watson addresses speculation about her relationship and 'dormant' career

36m ago

motoring More

Lamborghini announces plan to release first all-electric car by 2030

Lamborghini has detailed its strategy for the next 10 years, including plans for both a transition to hybrid and an eventual move into the all-electric market.

45m ago

EVs will be cheaper than combustion cars in the next six years

Price parity between EVs and internal-combustion vehicles will happen by 2027, according to a new report. And that's a conservative estimate.

7:21am

Kia likely to recall one of New Zealand's best-selling SUVs due to fire risk

BMW keeps the RWD flame alive

kea kids news More

How Lego therapy changed the life of a 4-year-old autistic boy

Samuel has gone from rocking on the floor to finding his passion - becoming a Lego master builder.

There's tomatoes coming out their ears

From pet food to make up, KEA Kids News discovers creative new uses for an excess of juicy, but unwanted, tomatoes.

The sport where picking the perfect poo is pivotal

Wellington Phoenix striker living every kid's footballing dream

spotlight More

Govt paid $1300 a week for tiny room where boy fatally beaten

The room was tiny, but Work and Income NZ was prepared to pay $1300 a week for a family to live there. It became a murder scene.

7:02am

An impossible choice for the child of an illegal overstayer

At 17, Eason Diao has a bright future ahead of him. Except that his home country, New Zealand, wants him to live it without his mother.

Focused and fierce: New book looks at the life of late union leader Helen Kelly

To some she was a hero. To others she was “a bloody pain in the neck”. Late union leader Helen Kelly was an ordinary girl who refused to be quiet.

What about the mess? The deadly danger still left in Afghanistan

New Zealand was slow to react, but finally did the right thing when it left Afghanistan: will others follow suit?

1 news More

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The McCaws hit the road

SPONSORED

SPONSORED: The McCaws go on tour to Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty.

How APEC will benefit New Zealand

SPONSORED

SPONSORED: The future of the Asia-Pacific’s post-Covid economy will be at the heart of conversations between its 21 leaders this year at APEC 2021, hosted by New Zealand.