Latest breaking news NZ | Stuff.co.nz

April 16 2023

Kia Ora, Aotearoa!

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True Story

Being stood down by a robot boss

newsable

'Listening' phones and targeted ads

the commune

What haunts members of a '70s commune

the long read

The loved - and loathed - doll

Watch: Armed police chase after stolen Porsche, appear to arrest man

Videos capture an armed police officer yelling "stop the vehicle" before a man put his hands up after being cornered by three officers. 3 were arrested in total.

9m ago

Waikato reporters

Flagpole resurrected in Christchurch suburb despite earlier fears of offending China

A flagpole has returned to Sumner's civic centre after the council originally refused to put one up over fears it could hurt international relationships.

Tina Law

Well-known Dunedin activist shot in early morning attack

The man is in a stable condition in Dunedin Hospital after being shot early on Sunday morning.

5:34pm

Landlord ordered to pay $1000 for breaching 'quiet enjoyment' of tenancy

A tenant set up CCTV cameras to show evidence that the landlord, who lived in a sleepout nearby, breached their "quiet enjoyment".

McCullum's reputation takes a hit from betting advertising campaign

New tax rules to cost landlord extra $6k - is that fair?

Recent UFO sightings could be probes from an alien mothership, Pentagon says

Authors of a new academic paper claim that aliens could be visiting Earth from a nearby parent craft.

Rugby wāhine no longer have to shower in men's changing rooms

The female team would often stay in their sweaty rugby gear after a game to avoid the risk of male players walking in while they showered.

5:12pm

Powerless 66,000 tonne ship drifted over shallow Wellington sandbank

The latest maritime mishap has the regional council chairperson wondering how long the capital's luck will hold.

What Antonia Prebble wishes she'd known before a 'big detox' diet

latest headlines

6:43pm

Group linked to Hutt City councillor investigated over election returns

editors’ picks

Quiz: Afternoon trivia challenge

Benee wraps herself in NZ flag at Coachella

Sasse delights and disappoints as Phoenix draw with Roar

6m ago

Eddie Jones forced to make several Wallabies changes for pre-RWC camp

5 of the coolest back street wine bars in NZ

Move over Succession, Murdoch's real life drama is set to play out in court

4:56pm

Eight great shows to stream this week

How to find love, according to a psychologist who went on 100 dates

national More

Watch: Nasa launches balloon from Wānaka

The latest attempt comes after five failed attempts last year.

Man arrested after two people left with 'serious injuries'

The incident happened in south Auckland's Takanini, police said.

What happens when you track down a convicted killer living on a boat

We found Mark Pakenham in a remote bay in the Far North, and grilled him about his ever-changing story about what happened to mum-of-three Sara Niethe.

Politicians reveal their supermarket habits ahead of 'cost of living' election

One leader is shopping online, one's doing it in person while another has given up entirely and favours $4 pizzas.

No nana naps for paddler still getting amongst it at 89

Among the sea of pink at Lake Karapiro, Joyce Thomas epitomises what these survivors are all about.

49m ago

What a sexist joke says about National's plan to diversify

OPINION: Pale, stale and male? How National selects its candidates is more than a bad joke.

What a sexist joke says about National's plan to diversify

New tax rules to cost landlord extra $6k - is that fair?

Recent UFO sightings could be probes from an alien mothership, Pentagon says

What Antonia Prebble wishes she'd known before a 'big detox' diet

What happens when you track down a convicted killer living on a boat

Two ramraids in Canterbury in under an hour

Politicians reveal their supermarket habits ahead of 'cost of living' election

Super Rugby mid-term burning questions: Winners, grinners and ABs under the gun

She spent 500 days alone in an underground cave - and didn't want to leave

Despite the challenges of life without human contact or internet access, Beatriz Flamini said she enjoyed her experience.

Tonga volcano eruption was bigger than any US nuclear blast

Researchers estimate the strength of the last blast wave to be equivalent to 15 megatons of TNT exploding simultaneously.

The Sydney school charging $21 for a haircut or sending kids home

Waverley College is warning parents that students with non-compliant cuts would have their hair trimmed on site.

The Kiwis behind the world's biggest concerts, festivals and tours

For Auckland-born Molly Leishman, being up close with celebrities is just another day at the office.

Trump raised $34M so far in 2023, including indictment bump

US$4 million was raised after March 30, when former President Donald Trump was indicted by a grand jury in Manhattan on charges related to a hush money case stemming from the 2016 election

NATO member Finland breaks ground on Russia border fence

The main purpose of the three-metre high steel fence with a barbed-wire extension on top is to prevent illegal immigration from Russia. But border officials have acknowledged it was Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that prompted construction of the border fence.

lifestyle More

Melanie Bracewell: From 'ghostwriting the class clown' to writing for US TV

'Nothing made sense': Climate activist Lauren Craig on her transgender journey

Got zucchini? Make Sam Mannering's fresh & comforting weekend recipes

How to nail 90s 'masc dressing' in a skirt

Vagus nerve 'hacks': Fact or fiction?

Why you shouldn't throw out your old film cameras

The Caker's passionfruit mascarpone tart recipe

'I'm not done trying': Nadine Higgins opens up on the race to make a baby

'We've both closed the trap door and committed to each other'

Classic Kombis all in a row can be yours for $340k

travel More

There's more to Ningaloo Reef than the world's biggest shark

A shark is circling - more than seven metres in length, it's larger than any great white, but has infinitely more pleasant table manners.

Beyond the beach clubs: How to see a different side of Bali

Sure, you could spend your holiday ordering buckets of Bintang by the pool. Or you could have a more meaningful experience.

The NZ city to visit for a fun food-filled weekend

Alexia Santamaria finds delicious local produce, great restaurants and fun pop-ups in the Bay of Plenty.

Foodie heaven and adventure while cruising in Southeast Asia

A night at Sydney's supremely stylish Oxford House

Where to try America's iconic chopped cheesesteak sandwich in NZ

Travel deals: A thrilling jet boat experience for under $60

business More

Will outsourcing overseas become the new remote work solution?

Many firms are struggling to find workers and as the economic tide turns, they may look to move jobs overseas to save money.

Gas industry floats plan for switch to renewables

ANALYSIS: Is 5% from biogas and green hydrogen by 2030 the best we can do?

Charities sitting on millions more in cash than a year ago

Emerge Aotearoa and City Impact Church's cash holdings jumped $11.4m and $16m respectively, and in a year's time they may have to justify why.

If you're going to use fossil fuels at all, do it for joy

OPINION: I fly noisy oily petrol-burning aeroplanes on weekends, and here's why: Joy.

How to deal with rising mortgage rates

OPINION: If you own a home or are planning to buy, you’re probably feeling a bit squeamish. Here's how you can get through.

Pixelmon: the controversial Kiwi NFT that now has a studio behind it

People accused the 20-year-old Hamilton founder of a scam when he reportedly made $103m from the game, but he put the proceeds to making Pixelmon a game that aims to give back to investors.

Rural More

How farmers trapped in the past risk killing the Golden Goose

We've got great stories to tell about New Zealand farming, says sustainability pioneer Geoff Ross.

Cow numbers and milk production on slow downward trend

Cow numbers are down, milk production is dropping, and with less feed grown for cows, sector emissions could also come down.

Dreaded agriculture pest here to stay

'No Farmers, no bread and butter': Groundswell NZ launches new campaign

Farmer to lose $150,000 a year when last live cattle export ships set sail to China

prosper More

A feel good marketing lesson from Athens

OPINION: Marketing that makes people feel good can be the difference between a popular business and a struggling one.

How can you beat a poor money mindset in business?

OPINION: Often being successful in business comes down to mindset.

A four-day work week won't make your company more desirable

Have you tried Centre of Influence marketing?

Small business owners struggling to keep the doors open

the forever project More

This asthma inhaler produces the pollution of a car driving Auckland to Taupō

The push of a puffer offers life-saving relief to asthmatics – but also unleashes a potent planet-heating gas.There are other options.

Freshwater reforms cut greenhouse gases, says Climate Minister

Farms used less fertiliser, shrinking emissions of 'laughing gas', officials reported.

Keeping a low lid on coal and petrol prices puts climate goals at risk, top advisers warn

Five crucial questions to ask before you renovate

Edible cups, paperboard booze bottles and other wacky sustainable packaging materials

pou tiaki More

Overseas drivers on the way to help NZ but not everyone is happy

New Zealand's chronic bus driver shortage is set to impact its Pacific neighbours, a group of bus operators in Fiji has warned.

'Misinformed' debate blocking vital water reform, iwi say

It’s time to crack on with water reform, iwi leaders say, after a messy few years focused on co-governance rather than the health of a taonga.

Indigenous people at higher risk of death from the flu - study

Indigenous people are being hospitalised and dying from the flu at higher rates, and academics say inequities driven by colonisation are to blame.

Māori medium schools hit hardest by dearth of relief teachers

Of 9211 relief teachers, only 133 taught in Māori medium schools in 2022, the Ministry of Education says.

Ceremony marks milestone for church

A fitting tribute to fallen tupuna, and the hope a new building built with peace and reconciliation in mind, were celebrated on Thursday, as the first phase of the $20 million Taranaki Cathedral project was officially blessed.

Mum who sold her hair grateful to Stuff readers for donations

Hayley bought her son some toy cars and will be able to take him to the movies over the holidays thanks to the generosity of Stuff readers.

Women predict tough times ahead

While Generation Z is the most ambitious in Aotearoa, more than half of women who participated in a new survey on gender equality in the workplace expect the economy and their personal finances to get worse in the year ahead.

Wellington footballers prepare for Special Olympics World Summer Games

The team heading to Berlin will be the first from Aotearoa to only be made up of Special Olympics footballers competing in the 7-a-side event.

sport More

Warriors' Dylan Walker good enough to play Origin again, believes coach

After playing a starring role in the win over the Cowboys, Andrew Webster believes Dylan Walker could represent NSW again for the first time in seven years.

Super Rugby mid-term burning questions: Winners, grinners and ABs under the gun

ANALYSIS: Stuff's senior rugby writers sift through the first half of the franchise competition, make their title tips and look at who's hot and who's not in the RWC race.

Tactix rally from seven goal deficit to beat Magic

Tactix step up their play defensively after halftime to fight back and beat Magic, who had led by seven goals in the second quarter.

48m ago

Fifa Women's World Cup trophy gets quick, guarded visit in Haiti

Scott Dixon top Kiwi qualifier for IndyCar Grand Prix of Long Beach

Joseph Parker's conqueror suffers stunning upset loss

Brilliant Babar blows away Black Caps

homed More

Flood-defying medium density housing developments - this is how they did it

A tale of two medium-density developments that withstood the devastating Auckland floods.

Auckland artist finds her feet in an extended family home

"We’re just a very family-focused family," says Emmaline Bailey, of the home she shares with her husband, children, father, and mother-in-law.

Negotiating a mortgagee sale 'sight unseen' - assume the worst

"The buyer is taking a massive risk." Sight unseen mortgagee sales can be bargains, but it's a case of buyer beware.

'Disappointed' by Sydney, Bulgarian artist finds her groove in NZ

How often should you clean your phone and computer?

Bend it, shape it - timber is hero in kitchen under $60k

Tips on living in a tiny home, from a woman who has built 50 of them

entertainment More

Neil Finn has 'appeared' in Bluey

He voiced a doctor dog which gives Dad a check over, but Kiwis won't get to see it just yet.

Three's creative Blow Up a little deflated compared to big brick rival

REVIEW: There’s jeopardy yes – one twist or tweak too many and things will go pop – but this just doesn't feel as inspiring, or compelling.

The Ten Tenors Kiwi members talk touring NZ and a love of black suits

All 10 members turned heads as they arrived in the office in sleek black suits, perfectly-shined shoes and "melt your face off harmonies" at the ready.

Consistently surprising and subversive, Barry enters its final season

Can drinking wine make me a better artist? Paintvine says yes

Coronation Concert singers include superstars Katy Perry, Andrea Bocelli

The best podcasts to listen to this week

motoring More

Hyundai commits to nearly $30 billion spend in shift to electric cars

Hyundai has set aside a huge sum of money for its EV offensive, set to include the Genesis and Kia brands as well.

Hi-po EV comparison: Kia EV6 GT vs Polestar 2 Performance

The Kia EV6 GT and Polestar 2 Performance might not be the first things you think of when reading ‘high-performance EVs’ and that’s partially why we’ve pitched them against each other.

Secret car registration causing headaches for owners

One of the world's strangest electric cars could launch in NZ

Ensemble More

Bring back the basic holiday

After outsourcing her summer break to Malaysia, Annabel writes in favour of holidays filled with not doing much to write home about.

How is an elected official supposed to dress?

City councillor Louise Hutt navigates the politics of style and fitting in at work.

Hot cross buns blind tested by people who've never tried them

Newsable co-host Emile Donovan on his digital diet

spotlight More

Why this man ran for 33 hours straight with broken ribs

At the end only two were left. One had broken ribs and two years of heartbreak to overcome. The other had been a national celebrity but never faced anything like this.

Instant noodles every day: the penniless Chinese builders who paid for 'fake' jobs

Qiang paid a lot of money to be in NZ - about $30,000. Now, all he can afford to eat is a packet of dried noodle at lunch, and the same for dinner.

The battle over Interislander’s new ‘mega ferries’ (and a notorious body of water)

The arrival of two new ‘mega ferries’ will have interisland travellers breathing a sigh of relief but locals say: "If something goes wrong here, it's going to be carnage.”