Latest breaking news NZ | Stuff.co.nz

October 23 2021

Kia Ora, Aotearoa!

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Olivia Wannan

What NZ's fighting for at the climate summit

Thomas Manch

NZ-UK trade deal: The compromises

Liz McDonald

What new housing rules mean for Christchurch

Rachel Thomas

New children's hospital could be used for Covid

New Covid-19 plan 'unethical', experts say

The Government's "traffic light" system for managing the virus in the future could make history – but not in a good way, an immunologist warns.

Brittany Keogh and Ellen O'Dwyer

The $50 million school with no students

Who's behind the mysterious Waihi Academy, one of Waikato's grandest properties?

Tony Wall

PM: Vaccinated Aucklanders should be able to cross border for Xmas

There is some light at end of the tunnel for Aucklanders, the Prime Minister revealed in an interview with Stuff.

'Bit of a push' needed to reach 90 per cent vaccination rate

It’s time to take the battle to get vaccinated door-to-door as old initiatives have “done their dash”, Ngāi Tahu kaiwhakahaere Lisa Tumahai says.

Alec Baldwin on prop gun fatality: 'My heart is broken'

5:46am

The man who saves threatened species - five minutes at a time

How reopening at 90 per cent vaccinated stacks up globally

NZ will shift to a new "traffic light" system once 90 per cent of eligible people in each DHB are double-jabbed. The plan is much more cautious than many other countries' approaches.

The relentless battle between Robert Walker and Dave Henderson

He was once the hunted debtor. Now Dave Henderson is a creditor and he wants blood.

Phil Goff says it's the 'overall number' that counts as 90 per cent

Auckland's mayor hopes Māori vaccination rates can be lifted in Auckland, but says getting people to follow lockdown rules will get harder.

'Hunted by the Taliban': Former Afghan commander pleads with Govt to help abandoned comrades

latest headlines

7:01am

The new traffic lights look good, but 90 per cent will be hard to hit

editors' picks

Quiz: Morning trivia challenge

Quiz: Kids trivia challenge

The broken child support system that hurts the poorest

MIQ: The problems with the self-isolation trial

This couple fell in love after an ear-piercing mishap

Man's sustainable townhouse transformations

All Blacks hope to honour Wainui the right way

Victoria scraps quarantine for vaccinated travellers

coronavirus More

The new traffic lights look good, but 90 per cent will be hard to hit

OPINION: The post alert-level world looks to make sense, but it will be tough going if you aren't vaccinated.

At-home Covid isolation 'close to impossible' for poorer communities

People with Covid-19 are now allowed to isolate at home, but many Māori and Pacific families will miss out, Pasifika leader says.

Where to get Covid tested or jabbed in Auckland over Labour Weekend

Need a Covid-19 swab, or want to get a dose of Pfizer? Here's what you need to know.

Spoon, vege villages keep Aucklanders entertained in long lockdown

Teddy bears in windows are so 2020. Now it's all about spoons – and cucumbers, pumpkins and carrots.

Covid-19: The game of our lives

The traffic light system makes the Covid very clear and puts the onus on all of us.

Auckland businesses owners in 'urgent' need of Covid-19 package landing soon

Help for struggling Auckland business owners is welcome recognition that they're not just faceless entities, says Auckland Business Chamber CEO.

lockdown life

Why the movie you need (this long weekend) is Nanny McPhee

REVIEW: Providing some of the most entertaining 90 minutes you'll spend this spring, this is proof children's entertainment need not be an oxymoron.

Living in a 'grown-up tree house'

Nothing is quite straight or serious in the 1980s pole house Laura Borrowdale shares with her daughters and partner.

How does your garden grow?

The soil's warming up, the frosts should be behind us, and it's Labour Weekend. What will you plant?

How to tidy your eyebrows at home

In this step-by-step video, Brow Theory manager Kiara Sumague shows us how to handle an at home brow tidy like an expert.

TOM SCOTT

Nicola Willis

Let's join forces to say yes to more housing

OPINION: NZ is facing a housing emergency, and Kiwis have a right to expect elected officials to work together to fix it, National MP Nicola Willis says.

Janet Wilson

Fear is dividing the country

Andrew Gunn

It's time for liftoff. Don't get hung up on the details

Jenny Nicholls

Bring on the vaccination certificates

national More

The new Covid traffic light system explained

Everything you need to know about the new traffic light system, and NZ's path to using it and easing Covid restrictions.

Motorcyclist dies in crash in Burnham, Canterbury

A motorcyclist has died in a crash on State Highway 1 in Burnham, Canterbury, on Friday night.

2m ago

Students urge action after school racism claims

The Ministry of Education is advising Wellington East Girls' College after some students say a fight broke out at a party over the use of racist language.

'He’s not a monster': Family of teen who died in crash feel bullied and judged

Tyson O’Neill, 16, died when the stolen car he was driving at speed crashed into a tree. His mother says he paid the ultimate price for his mistakes.

MIQ spot granted to pregnant couple who took government to court

Pregnant Aucklander Roshni Sami has won the battle to get her husband home. But she's vowing not to give up on her fight to make pregnancy an MIQ priority.

Positive cases of Covid-19 in Northland

The two cases recently travelled from Auckland to Kaikohe for permitted travel reasons.

world More

Robert Durst charged with 1982 murder of wife

US millionaire real estate scion Robert Durst, who was sentenced to life in prison for killing a confidante, has been charged over the death of his wife, Kathie Durst, who vanished in 1982.

Family of Brian Laundrie seek answers after remains found

The FBI has confirmed human remains found in a Florida nature preserve belong to Brian Laundrie, who was a person of interest in the death of his girlfriend Gabby Petito.

China: 'No room' to compromise over Taiwan

China's latest comments about Taiwan came after US President Joe Biden reiterated his nation's commitment to defending the island if it was attacked.

US couple died of Covid-19, leaving five children behind

Before he died of covid-19, Kevin Mitchem told his parents that he regretted not getting a vaccine.

Pranksters have already defaced Trump's new social network

Truth Social said it reserves the right to ban users and safeguard itself from lawsuits, the same measures Trump complained about during his long battle with Big Tech.

Alec Baldwin fired prop gun that killed cinematographer, sheriff says

A woman has been killed and a man injured after they were shot by a prop firearm at a movie set in the US.

How reopening at 90 per cent vaccinated stacks up globally

The traffic light system explained

Alec Baldwin fired prop gun that killed cinematographer, sheriff says

New Covid-19 plan 'unethical' and could cause 'irreparable harm', experts say

US couple died of Covid-19, leaving five children behind

The $50m school with no students

Large Lower Hutt scrub fire under control, police seeking drone user

Quiz: Afternoon trivia challenge: October 22, 2021

Celebrate the long weekend with this smoked salmon, asparagus & potato salad

Maybe it’s time to stop caring if Sex and the City is un-feminist

'Absolutely overjoyed': Christchurch restaurateur Alex Davies thrilled about new traffic light system

All of Supreme's Nike collaborations, ranked from worst to best

A scarf is perfect for spring: Here's our picks

The 15 best (and worst) celebrity fragrances

Ensemble’s guide to being a great friend to someone diagnosed with breast cancer

Al Brown's breakfast of kings

The Ensemble Edit: Five stylish things to have on your radar this long weekend

Sex, Love & goop: Gwyneth tackles bedroom taboos in new series

travel More

The out-of-the-way seaside settlement worth a visit

Take the winding, mostly unsealed West Coast Road through farmland and forest to Mitimiti.

The breathtaking region this lodge owner calls home

Plus her favourite backyard spot complete with great swimming spots and pristine bush.

Three of the best upcoming Wellington events

Head to an 'Alice in Wonderland'-themed tea party, sink your teeth into a literary festival, and see award-winning films from across the globe.

Travel offers: Hike three Great Walks in five days

How domestic travel will work under the traffic light system

Opening Auckland border at 90 per cent target 'unwise'

Aroha for Auckland: Sharing the love for our biggest city

business More

High cost of not being vaccinated

OPINION: There will be a price to pay for the unvaccinated in our workforce.

The infrastructure-housing blame game

Councils and planners showed us exactly why it was a good idea they weren’t consulted on Labour and National's housing announcement within hours of it being announced.

How the ski season was saved

OPINION: Despite closed boarders, a halt on visas and Auckland's mega-lockdown a ski-field operator faced the season's challenges head on.

New MacBooks are probably much, much too powerful for you

OPINION: I would suggest that fewer than 0.01 per cent of the world has a genuine use-case for the amount of power these new MacBooks bring.

Energy stocks weaken ahead of report

Electricity stocks, which make up a big part of the sharemarket, were weaker ahead of a report next week which could see the sector face increase Government regulation.

Businesses that do not implement vaccine certificates will 'not operate as normal'

The future looks quite different for businesses that do not operate require customers to be vaccinated.

prosper More

How do you run a secondhand bookshop online?

Mark Rogers, owner of Masterton's Bear Flag Books and Retro says people who come to his shop are looking for a different experience.

Businesses also deserve our care and protection from Covid-19

OPINION: We are determined to vaccinate our medically vulnerable, but what are we doing to ensure our most vulnerable small businesses survive?

National’s plan to get small businesses back in the game

Covid-19: 'I have no idea when the uncertainty will end'

Small business needs help to survive and recover

climate change More

Climate change impact on Māori wellbeing, culture 'sobering' yet 'insightful'

A new report highlighting the effects climate change will have on Māori in the coming decades is a “sobering” read, but it presents an opportunity to adapt.

New Zealand is failing in climate change education

OPINION: Like many others, we are still falling below a reasonable standard in our climate change education, urgent action is needed to integrate the education sector in climate policy and decision making.

Airborne microplastics could directly affect climate change, scientists find

Kiwis happy to recycle, but feeling flat about meaningful climate action

New Zealand to quadruple climate cash for poor countries

pou tiaki More

Taranaki iwi trains own vaccinators

A Taranaki iwi has trained its own vaccination team and launches its own vaccination drive today because they say the Government rollout is failing them.

New film reimagines controversial artist Theo Schoon

Theo Schoon was described as racist at a 2019 exhibition, but Luit Beiringa is urging people to reconsider the artist's relationship with Māori.

'Trailblazer' programme to keep Māori children out of state care

Oranga Tamariki says a new iwi-led programme to prevent tamariki going into state care is just the start of its commitment to working with Māori.

Covid-19: Young Māori least protected group with low vaccination rates

A little more than half of the Māori population aged between 20 and 29 have had the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

NZ-UK free trade deal 'game changing' for Māori

The New Zealand-United Kingdom free trade agreement could be a huge boost for the Māori economy, with indigenous trade explicitly included in the text.

More Māori needed in the tech industry

OPINION: There is an opportunity to add more horsepower into an industry that thrives on creativity and innovation, but the tech sector must look beyond its current practices.

No-one will be left behind in race to reach 90 per cent vaccination rate - minister

Covid-19 restrictions will continue until all groups reach 90 per cent vaccination rates, Health Minister Andrew Little says.

Home is where the good health is

It was home to a large and proud whānau for more than 50 years. Now the converted house hosts Blenheim's newest general practice.

sport More

Golfer Daniel Hillier secures maiden Challenge Tour win

Daniel Hillier showed nerves of steel to birdie the final hole and claim his maiden European Challenge Tour title at the Challenge Costa Brava in Spain.

13m ago

No jab, no entry for sports fans

Sports fans will require a vaccination certificate to get into sports events and venues this summer

T20 World Cup's Super 12 stage set to start with a bang as old foes collide

OPINION: Four of cricket's big guns meet in a mouthwatering double-header this weekend – and all of them have plenty to prove, writes Kristy Havill.

All Blacks 'pup' de Groot out to prove he's a prop with bite

Daisy Cleverley ready for more as journey to home World Cup begins

All you need to know about the T20 World Cup

6:12am

Grounded Courtney Duncan refusing to get caught up in WMX three-peat hype

homed More

Super sale in New Lynn sees vendors 'bawling their eyes out'

Forget Lotto - the owners of these three properties each scored $2 million on Wednesday when an auction soared into the stratosphere.

Kitchen of the Week: 'Expect the unexpected'

Traditional panel cabinetry in this heritage bungalow in New Plymouth has a very modern twist.

4 simple steps to create the ultimate living and dining space

We expect a lot from an open-plan living and dining space. Here's how to get it just right.

Where people go wrong in kitchens and bathrooms

Patchworker's Taranaki garden a layered delight full of nostalgia

Your chance to live in an award-winning 'cliffhanger' house

Weaving a colourful community together through art

entertainment More

Can Sam Neill save the world in Apple's slow-burning sci-fi Invasion?

REVIEW: Trust me - there is at least one jaw-dropping moment in each episode of this Babel-meets-War of the Worlds that will leave you gasping.

Go to Juniper for Charlotte Rampling, stay for the quality Kiwi drama

REVIEW: We know how this film must end, but the getting there is nicely handled and always beautiful to look at and listen to.

Eight great shows to stream this long weekend

One of the world's favourite black comedies is back, while a new crime thriller is the latest hit sensation from South Korea.

Hollie Smith vents her frustrations on haunting new album

Netflix's Harder brings Black the western with an audacious bang

Netflix's best half-decent horrors to get you in the mood for Halloween

Succession's Roy family is the worst on TV, so why do we keep watching?

motoring More

Rare, mint-condition Renault Clio V6 to set auction records

A rare like-new Renault Clio V6 is expected to set auction records when it sells.

6:00am

Tesla crash probe finds driver at wheel, muting autopilot worry

US federal investigators say a Texas man who died when his Tesla slammed into a tree and burst into flames was behind the wheel and accelerating before the crash.

SsangYong finally finds a buyer

Modifying your bike might soon be illegal in the UK

kea kids news More

The kea with only half a beak, but a unique trick

Bruce the kea became world-famous after he was found using tools to preen his feathers — a rarity in the wild.

Kea Kids News: Meet the Canterbury farmer who turns junk into art

A life-size Thomas the toy train is among Kevin Jackson's creations made from recycled materials.

How DNA can solve the mystery of nature's 'monsters'

12-year-old sings for the people of Afghanistan and against Covid

spotlight More

‘Long-term’ side-effects of Covid vaccination are not a thing

Any side effects from the vaccine happen within days and weeks, not years (and it’s already been 18 months).

Bats may be scary, but we owe them

They make our skin crawl, but without some of the creepiest species we share Earth with, our very survival is threatened.

The case for Covid optimism

Some 5000 people were already dead when Ireland reached our current vaccination rate. Aotearoa is facing up to Delta from an almost unrivalled position.