Latest breaking news NZ | Stuff.co.nz

December 7 2021

Kia Ora, Aotearoa!

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Brianna Mcilraith

Aucklanders spent $7.2m on haircuts

Joanne Naish

Rare penguin saved after shark attack

Thomas Manch

Defence Minister has eye on Russia

John Anthony

Questions about My Vaccine Pass answered

Home detention for speeding, texting driver who killed teen

Sarah Walker will never forget the sound of hammering on her bedroom window. Outside were two policemen, arriving to say her daughter was dead.

Debbie Jamieson

Is Charles and Harry's relationship beyond repair?

As he continues his Californian lifestyle, the Duke of Sussex could not seem more estranged from the House of Windsor he once rallied behind.

7:44pm

Camilla Tominey

Watering down of 'townhouse bill' barely moves the dial in Auckland

Official analysis shows proposed changes to housing bill supported by Labour and National will only stop 1690 potential new dwellings in Auckland.

56m ago

Moving Houses: City headaches for movers in Remmers

Is this your car? It's just as well the housemovers could independently move wheels to crab this truck around a car that had been parked in the way.

29m ago

Watch: Luxon and Ardern spar for first time in Parliament

Steven Adams drops 17 points and one on-air f-bomb

Dog disappears from clinic after hip surgery, vet won't say how it vanished

A Hamilton vet surgery won't discuss how a dog being treated for a fractured hip was able to vanish into thin air. Taika's owner is devastated.

15-year-old found guilty of murder in Paihia homicide

The jury did not accept the teenager was acting in self-defence when he stabbed 22-year-old Bram Willems to death.

The impossible task: tackling violence without maligning men

OPINION: Most countries call it male violence. A new plan to eliminate abuse in Aotearoa has gone the other way. Does it go too far?

More cancellations, 66 in hospital, 98 new Covid cases: what happened in the outbreak today

latest headlines

8:37pm

Neon's young Robert Langdon tale Lost Symbol less Code, more formula

editors' picks

Quiz: Afternoon trivia challenge

Quiz: the three strikes trivia test

No jab, no play for NRL player John Asiata

35m ago

How climate-friendly is your Christmas gift? Take the quiz

Why the latest succession teaser has us worried for Kendall

53m ago

Black Caps skipper likely out for two months

The Antidote: Five happy things to read about today

Ultimate truck for the apocalypse is under the hammer

coronavirus More

Councillors introduce vaccine mandate at certain facilities

After close to three-hour discussion Invercargill city councillors have decided people will be required to show vaccination passports to enter certain council venues, including the pool and Invercargill library.

32m ago

More Omicron cases in Sydney as 'mystery' cluster traced to Nigeria

There are now 31 confirmed cases of the Covid-19 variant in New South Wales, 11 acquired either overseas or on an international flight.

No vaccine pass requirements from Kawerau and Ōpōtiki councils

Nearby Whakatāne District Council has already announced vaccine passes will be required to enter some of its facilities.

Hut in Fiordland considered high-risk location of interest

A Department of Conservation hut in Fiordland is the first location of interest announced on Tuesday.

Push to get Golden Bay, Upper Moutere vaccinated

The top of the south should reach 90 per cent in 10 days, but some pockets of the region are still well below that.

Two Fijians test positive for Omicron after flying from Nigeria

Health authorities in Fiji have confirmed two people who arrived in the country from Africa last month have tested positive for the variant.

Jeff Bell

Todd Niall

Rogue parking is symptomatic of Auckland's volatile mood

OPINION: At Pt Chevalier's Coyle Park, buses at weekends now terminate 1km early due to the jam of illegally parked cars. Ticketing those cars is complicated.

Verity Johnson

Auckland played its part, and now we want our lives back

Dave Armstrong

A week is a long time in politics

Mike Yardley

Let's see proof congestion charges will change behaviour

national More

Club rugby player admits injuring opponent in 'disgraceful' on-field brawl

Iosefo Kalolo Aukusitino's attack during a sevens match left Ridge Studd convulsing on the ground and needing facial surgery.

22m ago

Backlash against Northland's iwi-led checkpoints is racist: Davis

If the checkpoints were run by farmers, the business community or Rotarians they would be lauded, Kelvin Davis says.

'Cuba Street kisser' races to claim compensation

Supreme Court said disproportionately severe 'three strikes' sentence breached the Bill of Rights.

7:09pm

Neighbourly effort saves homes from rising waters

Neighbours are praising a "heroic" Peter Smith, whose late-night pumping prevented damage to homes during Raumati's worst flooding in a decade.

Father of girls allegedly murdered by mum returns to South Africa

The three young girls were killed about a week after the South African family moved to Timaru. Their mother has been charged with their murder.

Former mayor's naked walks 'embarrassing and quite disgusting'

A Pitcairn resident told the former mayor that locals want him to stop walking around the island in the nude, as he was convicted of public indecency charges.

world More

NZ quietly deploys navy ship to Solomon Islands

The vessel left Auckland on Monday evening, bound for the troubled Solomon Islands, which has been rocked by recent political unrest.

Kiwi in Fiji says nation is 'living proof' Covid vaccination works

Fiji was in "dire straits" four months ago, but has turned the tide – business is booming and people are "just getting on with it", Aucklander says.

Evidence for the 'great resignation' is thin on the ground

Job resignation numbers are not unusually high in many parts of the world.

Afghan museum's unlikely new fans – the Taliban

The Taliban once smashed through the National Museum of Afghanistan. Now they appear to be among its most enthusiastic visitors.

Viagra could help fight against Alzheimer’s, study suggests

The male-impotence drug could cut the risk of developing the illness by 69 per cent, as scientists hope it can be repurposed to treat dementia.

Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi's sentence halved

The sentence was originally four years but was reduced after a partial pardon by the head of the military-appointed government.

98 new Covid-19 cases, 66 cases in hospital

Father of girls allegedly murdered by mum returns to South Africa

Ardern, Luxon clash over ICU beds

Three sunscreens fail Consumer NZ tests for second year in a row

Backlash against Northland's iwi-led checkpoints is racist, says minister

Dying Australian mum of two writes heartbreaking letter to children's teachers

Quiz: Afternoon trivia challenge: December 7, 2021

Luxon's 'squeezed middle' versus Robertson's 'Bermuda triangle'

Would you pay $7 for a coffee?

The reign of kale is over, long live baby cos

Her dog isn't ignoring her – he only understands Spanish

Dying Australian mum of two writes heartbreaking letter to children's teachers

Six tips for baking a better batch of cookies

I'm obsessed with the 'feminine urge’ meme

There's something about Mary: Otago woman lives life in shades of pink

We need to pay $7 for a flat white if cafes are going to survive, says coffee boss

The rise of the ‘flexible’ drinker

Chanel's luxury advent calendar sparks outrage: 'This is a joke'

travel More

London-Auckland in zero emissions hydrogen-powered jet?

Hydrogen propulsion is seen as one of the most promising technologies for achieving carbon-neutral commercial flights.

Where Berlin's infamous wall once stood, humans and nature now flourish

I was intrigued to see what had taken the place of the Cold War's most formidable symbol.

Forms, tests and vaccinations: Is cruising still fun?

So cruising - and its many gratifying prospects - is back. But how has it changed?

I got lost on one of the world's greatest hiking trails

'Slay belle': T. rex gets into the Christmas spirit

Where to find New Zealand's best plate of chips

Saved: The abandoned NZ plane rescued from the scrapheap

business More

Sky TV shares jump 17pc after profit upgrade, NZX 50 inches up

The New Zealand sharemarket managed a 10-point gain on Tuesday despite a significant drop for top stock Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.

7:02pm

TVNZ, RNZ want 'in' on hypothetical collective talks with Facebook and Google

No reason why the state-owned broadcasters shouldn't be covered by exemption allowing media firms to negotiate en bloc, ComCom told.

KiwiRail strike averted as settlement reached

The strike would the first full national stoppage of the rail system since 1994, but was avoided due to a settlement being reached.

Aucklanders' big weekend of haircuts

Aucklanders spent $7.2 million on hairdressing and beauty on the weekend after more than 100 days in lockdown.

Covid-19 feeds need for almost 4000 more public servants

The public service has risen to 61,100 employees over the past year and battling the pandemic is responsible for much of the increase.

Cryptocurrency exchanges 'high risk' for money laundering

The FMA says high levels of anonymity and global reach are reasons the cryptocurrency sector has been highlighted as high risk.

prosper More

How to use facts and trivia to get your business noticed

OPINION: Sharing interesting facts and trivia about your business makes it easier for people to remember and talk about your business to their friends and family.

Small business tales: Rosie, Dan and the Kiwi dream

OPINION: Dan and Rosie Tong, owners of The Engineering Co have a vision of continuing a proud legacy and building a successful future over time.

I tweeted misinformation about KFC and it went viral

Giving up the day job to be your own boss

How to really, really manage culture

climate change More

NZ Post taps green finance to fund EVs

NZ Post is using green investment finance to help it fund 60 Mercedes eVito vans for its fleet.

Christopher Luxon's climate credentials

The National Party leader's corporate history could signal a new dawn for the party.

'Fingerprints of climate change' all over warmest November on record

Te Huia train service costing 10 times what it makes

Climate activism has changed how protesters get results

pou tiaki More

Government's decision-making a 'mystery' to its Covid-19 modeller

Professor Shaun Hendy told the Waitangi Tribunal he couldn't understand why the Government ignored the science and didn't prioritise Māori for vaccinations.

Online bookstore helping share positive representations of LGBTQIA+ people

Chelsea Adam's hopes her bookstore can help reduce New Zealand's youth suicide rates, which are disproportionately high for Rainbow and takatāpui youth.

'Barrier after barrier' — Māori health provider reveals battle to lift vaccination rates

It's the second day of the Waitangi Tribunal's special hearing into whether the Crown has breached Te Tiriti o Waitangi in its Covid response.

Māori health agency wins second case for sharing Covid-19 vaccination data

The High Court has found in its favour again, but the information won’t come soon enough to raise Māori immunity before the Auckland border opens.

Council boss faces backlash over 'offensive' remarks

Waikato Regional Council chairman Russ Rimmington is being asked to use the summer break to reflect on his responsibilities as council chair.

Delta has become a Māori pandemic, Waitangi Tribunal hearing told

Māori leaders across Aotearoa are gathering for a week-long tribunal hearing into the Crown's Covid-19 vaccination and protection strategy.

'So much more to offer': Teen pushes past disability to pursue career at 16

A car crash left Ava Hurst with traumatic brain injuries and a serious neck injury, but this 16-year-old won't let her disability stand in the way of pursuing her passion.

South Taranaki iwi buys former vicarage

An elegant villa which once served as a maternity hospital and later a vicarage has become a community facility again.

sport More

Black Caps coach even-handed in assessing Ross Taylor's form

The 37-year-old just had the worst series of his career and has been battling for two years, but he is likely to still be there come New Year's Day.

The numbers behind America's Cup venue saga as dispute rolls on

The warring parties in the America's Cup venue dispute clash over the money required for a defence.

Black Fern's mental health crisis shocks NZ Rugby, head coach

Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate's post in which she said she had a mental breakdown after alleged critical comments from Glenn Moore blindsided a coach already under pressure.

Wellington Phoenix receive apology for refereeing errors

'That semifinal defeat still stings' – dialled-in Sam Cane re-ups with NZ Rugby till 2025

Player Ratings: How the Black Caps fared against India

Black Caps captain praises team's character and effort in heavy loss to India

homed More

Christmas decorations you can even see from the air

Anyone flying into Queenstown is in for a treat - Liam and Kim's fantastic Christmas display lights up the night sky for miles.

Rejected by the banks, first home buyers turned to a friend

A Northland couple who paid double the going interest rate to secure their first home loan say the banks could do more to help.

Consider yourself an Ikea expert? Then take your quiz

You may think yourself au fait with all things Ikea, but can you tell your Flystas from your Fjällbos?

Dine in style: Products to make your table zing

Let's settle this: Which is better, a real or fake Xmas tree?

Can you help lovely Lulu find a new home?

See inside Taranaki design store owner's 1940s apartment

entertainment More

Sex & the City reboot: What should we expect from And Just Like That...?

OPINION: Much-hyped continuation must address original series’ failings while staying true to what made the show a cultural phenomenon. No pressure.

Back to the Future odyssey across America just what the Doc ordered

REVIEW: Absorbing viewing, not only fans of the film, but also motoring enthusiasts and those keen to know more about the inner-workings of Hollywood.

7:55pm

Watch the new trailer for The Matrix Resurrections

Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss return as Neo and Trinity on December 26.

One of the most thrilling, stylish movies of the last decade turns 10

7:25pm

Auckland Armageddon canned due to Covid-19 worries

Chris Noth defends SJP against Kim Cattrall’s 'toxic' comments

Neon's young Robert Langdon tale Lost Symbol less Code, more formula

49m ago

motoring More

Ram 1500 Night Edition is very large and almost in charge

If you wish you were American but not quite enough to actually move there, a great middle ground is buying a truck.

Urus turns four, Lamborghini gets all the presents

The Lamborghini Urus has been a massive success for the Italian company since it introduced it four years ago.

Toyota taps BYD for new battery tech

Aznom launches its mega-SUV in the Middle East and reveals new cars

kea kids news More

Thriving as arguably the smallest 5-year-old in NZ

OPINION: I know that this will be a different world for my son than it was for me.

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

Behind the scenes of an all-night vaccination event

spotlight More

The 'hellscape' of misinformation that's flared

Government documents reveal officials are increasingly alarmed by the seriousness of threats - and grasping for ideas on how to address the problem.

'Our greatest shame': Eliminating violence will take a generation's work

A new strategy aims to eliminate family and sexual violence within a generation, by drawing on Māori knowledge to create widespread societal change.

Mega landlord says market has shifted and prices could fall 20 per cent

Matthew Ryan, who owns about 100 properties, says he hasn't seen such a quick shift in buyers' attitudes since the Global Financial Crisis.

Kāwhia re-establish historic alliance to battle Covid-19

Eight Kāwhia marae have reconnected to a historic alliance to keep their community safe and to encourage Māori to use mātauranga, or traditional knowledge, in response to the pandemic.

1 news More

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