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December 5 2021

Kia Ora, Aotearoa!

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George Block

338 Defence personnel who served in MIQ quit

Dana Johannsen

Secret settlements at Cycling NZ

Rob Stock

Hospo gloom as traffic lights switch on

Dileepa Fonseka

'Team Granny Flat' versus the YIMBYs

Covid-19: Whanganui confirms first case in Delta outbreak

It was to be expected, says Whanganui mayor, as one person tests positive in Whanganui.

Carly Gooch

Ajaz Patel third bowler in test history to take all 10 wickets

'The stars have aligned,' says Black Caps spinner after rare feat in Mumbai, the city of his birth.

40m ago

Andrew Voerman

Live: Black Caps skittled for lowest total against India after Ajaz Patel stars

Incredible second day in Mumbai as NZ fold for 62 after Patel makes history by snaring all 10 India wickets.

Mother fears teen's severe needle phobia will leave her isolated

Severe anxiety is stopping a teen from getting the Covid-19 vaccine, but she's unable to get an exemption. Her mother fears she will become ostracised.

Black Caps waste 10-wicket haul with record low total in India

49m ago

Controlled canine chaos at annual Corgi race

Parents charged in relation to US school shooting captured after leaving town

James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of a teen accused of killing four students at a US school, are facing involuntary manslaughter charges.

Two dead after crash in Favona, Auckland

Emergency services were called to the scene at 9:10pm on Saturday night.

10:57pm

Doll's house made by WWII pilot mistakenly given away

The doll's house is a family heirloom made in secret during the war by RAF pilots.

Australian siblings separated at orphanage, reunited 80 years later

latest headlines

11:59pm

Man finds quick way to remove Christmas tree decorations. With his car.

editors' picks

Quiz: Afternoon trivia challenge

Quiz: Kids trivia challenge

Covid-19: What happened today

Ex-Shorty St actor Annie Whittle's own personal theatre

Can you give Gizmo a good home?

Why cashed-up Aucklanders head for Amberley

Black Cap Ajaz Patel enjoys dream return to Mumbai

'Locked out': Cooper sheds light on NZ-born Wallaby's struggle after passing test

coronavirus More

'It’s just not cricket': Kids' match stopped by vaccine mandate protest

Parents lined the boundaries as they tried to keep protesters off the pitch, but the disruptions forced the abandonment of at least one match.

Locations of interest: Bay of Plenty café listed as 'high risk'

A café in a Bay of Plenty shopping centre has been added as a high risk location on the Covid-19 locations of interest list.

New Covid-19 case reported in Canterbury

The case was revealed by the Ministry of Health on Saturday, although it’s unclear where in the region it is or how it's linked to the outbreak.

Wellington Pasifika celebrate 90pc first dose

But the fact the community is, again, one step behind the general population is not lost on Pacific community leaders.

Central Auckland bars and eateries quick to use vaccine passports

Bars and restaurants in Ponsonby and Viaduct are handling vaccine passes with ease on "Freedom Day" - Auckland's first under the "red" traffic light.

Covid-19: One new case brings Nelson total to 15

Just one new case was reported in Nelson on Saturday, but with a new "high risk" location of interest the Ministry of Health calls for people with even the mildest of symptoms to get tested.

TOM SCOTT

Luke Malpass

Luxon's year zero sets scene for a competitive 2022

OPINION: It's as if the past few years haven't happened for National. For now at least.

Janet Wilson

A rebellion of the ordinary troubled by new system's demands

Mike O'Donnell

Access to medicinal cannabis an issue for both patients and suppliers

Hannah McQueen

Are buy now, pay later platforms harming our kids?

national More

Person dies after falling off ute in Manawatū

Police are investigating after the person came off the back of the vehicle early in the evening.

Seven regions with new Covid cases, 73 in hospital

Canterbury records a new Covid case, in addition to 98 others nationally.

Career success and 'profound' loss in same week for new National deputy leader

A few days ago, Nicola Willis was playing Lego with her grieving kids, after the loss of her mother-in-law. Then the biggest moment of her career arrived.

Teens should not be in adult prison, says Assistant Children's Commissioner

Corrections has proposed using youth units for Covid-infected prisoners, and putting teens with the adult inmate population instead.

Diver dies in Wainuiomata water incident

Police were called to the scene after midday.

$300,000 inheritance swindle: 'What a dumb move'

Online scam promised 400-600 per cent returns, sucking in a Waikato man who's left only with regret, and knowing "Dad would be really disappointed".

world More

US intelligence finds Russia planning Ukraine offensive

US President Joe Biden has pledged to make it “very, very difficult” for Putin to take military action in Ukraine, which intelligence shows could begin as soon as early 2022.

10:32pm

Man finds quick way to remove Christmas tree decorations. With his car.

A man in the USA has been charged with careless driving after very efficiently removing the decorations from a town's Christmas tree, by driving into it.

10:15pm

Discovery of unexploded wartime bomb disrupts train services in UK

It comes just days after a WWII bomb exploded near a busy railway line in Germany, injuring four people.

Defence Force and police staff take off for weeks-long Solomon Islands mission

The Solomon Islands Government asked for help on Tuesday, following riots driven in part by anger over its ties with the People's Republic of China.

US homeowner uses smoke to battle snakes, burns down house

Seventy-five firefighters were needed to put it out. No humans were hurt. The remains of only one snake - its skin - were found in the ashes and one snake was found alive.

Meet ‘Director K’, an MI5 spy responsible for keeping Britain safe

In the first interview given by an MI5 officer at her level of seniority, the security service’s head of hostile states counterintelligence shares the true scale of threats facing the UK.

98 new cases of Covid-19, plus one in Canterbury

'It’s just not cricket': Kids' match stopped by vaccine mandate protest

Live: Black Caps skittled for lowest total against India after Ajaz Patel stars

Burger King staff yell and swear at Deaf man ordering dinner for his kids

Ajaz Patel third bowler in test history to take all 10 wickets

Quiz: Afternoon trivia challenge: December 4, 2021

'Disgraceful': Manager appalled businesses must pay out unvaccinated staff

Doll's house made by WWII pilot mistakenly given away

This couple met as teenagers at a martial arts class

Peas, love and joy: The families preparing a very vegetarian Christmas

Why skinimalism is hopefully more than a passing trend

Alice Mander, fighting for disability sector change

This exhibition looks back at the style and fabulousness of Aotearoa in the 1980s

Freedom Day: How I coped with 're-entry anxiety'

The Ensemble Edit: Five cool things to have on your radar

UK court backs Meghan in privacy dispute with newspaper

What to cook this weekend: 5 new ideas for burgers

Miguel Maestre's honey-glazed ham

travel More

The garden centre that's much more than just plants in pots

Yes, you can buy shrubs, annuals, seeds and compost at Kaipara Coast, but there are also 40 sculptures scattered throughout the garden.

An alpine playground happily lost in time

St Arnaud may be an unassuming small village, but its full of small town charm with stunning vistas in every direction.

Three of the best Southland surf spots

The bottom of the South Island is a hidden gem for surfing, dishing up unbroken waves, left-handers and plenty of swell.

One of the most 'understated' and 'beautiful' places in NZ

Travel offers: Three nights in a luxury lodge

Celebrate Freedom Weekend in Auckland's finest food districts

Five gorgeous Auckland hotel stays to revive and refresh your spirits

business More

Hospo gloom as traffic lights switch on

Decent first day for Auckland cafes and restaurants but "we're staring down the barrel of a dead summer", Ponsonby Road business owner says.

'Disgraceful': Manager appalled businesses must pay out unvaccinated staff

Businesses required to terminate unvaccinated workers owe them four weeks' paid notice. That has some in the hospitality sector furious.

Hairdressing on the black market

As the country moves into the traffic light system, and vaccine passes are required for operation, some business owners are moving trade underground.

Should employees be able to talk about their pay?

Greater transparency in pay should allow any discrimination to be more easily identified and remedied, says Labour MP Camilla Belich.

'Team Granny Flat' versus the YIMBYs

OPINION: Slum conditions are regularly tolerated because they do not harm the neighbourhood aesthetic.

Four in ten Kiwi workers are unhappy and it's costing businesses a bundle

Company culture coach Shane Green says a survey of 800 New Zealand workers is a wake-up call for employers in a tight labour market.

prosper More

How to really, really manage culture

OPINION: Every executive I have met passionately believes culture is critical to succeeding. And they all believe their company’s culture could be ‘better’.

What I've Learned: It's all about the people

Crushes' owners faced a choice - close the doors or go hard. They went for the latter.

The 'great resignation' creates fertile ground for flexible working

We need to take a sensitive and nuanced approach to vaccination

Delegate a workday for those guilt-inducing, must-do tasks

climate change More

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

November 2021 has claimed the dubious title from 2019, and three of the four warmest Novembers have now occurred since 2013.

Climate activism has changed how protesters get results

ANALYSIS: Fridays for Future and Extinction Rebellion have ushered in a new era of climate dissent by challenging conventional patterns of protest.

Auckland mayor proposes $1.10 weekly rate to tackle climate change

$100m 'world-leading' solar plant will be 50 times bigger than any in New Zealand

How we can protect the ocean from climate change

pou tiaki More

Landmark moment for Far North iwi as Crown moves to buy Taipa Point

The Government decision should see the return of the birthplace of Ngāti Kahu back into the hands of its people.

Letter writer sheds new light on New Zealand Wars

A debate about the conflict that started out in the pages of the Waikato Times 30 years ago has found a new audience.

Young mum wins first Antony Welton Fellowship

Young Invercargill mum Bailey Ives has been awarded Vodafone Aotearoa Foundation’s first Antony Welton Fellowship to further her education in restorative justice.

New campaign encourages Māori to get jab

In an effort to encourage more South Canterbury Māori to get vaccinated, the district health board has teamed up with Arowhenua Whanau Services and Māori leaders.

Govt support sought to boost Auckland Māori businesses

Covid restrictions have hit south and West Auckland hardest, and whānau face a "long,painful trudge back to the starting line", report shows.

Efeso Collins' desire to run for Auckland mayor

Auckland councillor Efeso Collins is keen for a run at the Auckland mayoralty, with it unclear whether Phil Goff will take another run at the city's top job.

Freedom as a disabled person is not straight-forward

OPINION: By prioritising accessibility and disability rights, we can increase freedom for disabled people. But we need more than one awareness day to make freedom a reality for everyone.

Job-seeker tool for people with disabilities amid 'employment crisis'

People with disabilities struggle to find work, or firms willing to employ them. Workbridge's new tool aims to help them find the right job.

sport More

"Welcome to the club', Anil Kumble congratulates Ajaz Patel

The only other player alive who has taken all 10 wickets in a test innings was one of the first to praise Ajaz Patel.

10:58pm

Mostert on pole for Bathurst 1000, van Gisbergen to start seventh on grid

Shane van Gisbergen says his Holden Commodore hit a wall during his lap in the Top 10 Shootout.

Wellington Phoenix men seek answers from referees boss after VAR howlers

Push on Callan Elliot in lead-up to Wanderers' opening goal leaves fuming Phoenix demanding answers from officials.

Why the TMO is making rugby unwatchable

Bold attempt by Storm to swap Brandon Smith for Tigers’ Stefano Utoikamanu

England aim to take pressure off Ben Stokes in Ashes series

Secret settlements at Cycling NZ

homed More

Building ultra-modern townhouses in a prime heritage area

Luke Pierson and his architects took on a tricky site, surrounded by period homes in Wellington's Kelburn. This is what they built.

How to choose outdoor furniture you'll actually use

Kitting out your garden with the right furniture is the difference between creating an extension of your home, and a space you ignore.

Crown Lynn 'baby' swan sells for $5500

It's only 19cms long, but it's worth about as much as a second hand car from the early 2000s.

See the Southland garden packed with prize-winning dahlias

Why you won't find Bolt of Cloth boss in-store on a Friday

Christmas gift guide: 9 fab finds for your favourite foodie

Kitchen of the Week: Builder's own is a beauty

entertainment More

Keaton steals the show in Kiwi director's action-packed Protege

REVIEW: After only helming a single feature film in the last decade, Martin Campbell is back with a bang, thanks to the former Batman's unique charms.

Hilma af Klint: The Secret Paintings curator Sue Cramer on bringing the works to Aotearoa

Nadine Rubin Nathan discovers how the curator of Hilma af Klint: The Secrets Paintings, now on view at Wellington’s Te Whare Toi City Gallery, got some of the world’s most sought-after artworks to Aotearoa.

Loneliness and rage of the internet's new rock stars

Ten hours a day, streamers are broadcasting lives of obsession and wealth for an unforgiving crowd. Here's what it's like to stay up all night with a Twitch millionaire.

TVNZ exhumes one of most awful comedies of the noughties

A few of my favourite things: Newshub's Laura Tupou

Eight great shows to watch this weekend

Even 20 years on, Sir Peter Jackson's Fellowship is still spellbinding

motoring More

Tesla is now selling Cyberquad EVs for kids

The vehicle manufacturer quietly rolled out the pint-sized ATV on its official website this week. As of Thursday night, the vehicle had sold out.

10:29pm

Polestar 2 an exercise in magnificent minimalism

Polestar happily admits the Polestar 2 wouldn't exist without the Tesla Model 3. But can it compete with New Zealand's best-selling EV?

Battery electric registrations nearing 1000-per-month

Toyota gets ready to sell only zero-emission cars in Europe

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.