Latest breaking news NZ | Stuff.co.nz

June 25 2021

Kia Ora, Aotearoa!

regions

Auckland

Auckland

Canterbury

Ashburton
Christchurch
Timaru

Central North Island

Rotorua
Taupo
Tauranga
Whakatane

Hawke's Bay

Gisborne
Hastings
Napier

Manawatu

Dannevirke
Levin
Palmerston North
Whanganui

Marlborough

Blenheim
Kaikoura

Nelson

Motueka
Nelson

Northland

Dargaville
Kaitaia
Paihia
Russell
Whangarei

Wellington

Paraparaumu
Masterton
Wellington

Otago

Alexandra
Dunedin
Oamaru
Queenstown
Wanaka

Southland

Gore
Invercargill

Taranaki

New Plymouth
Taumarunui

Waikato

Hamilton
Te Kuiti
Thames
Tokoroa

West Coast

Westport
Greymouth
Reefton
Hokitika

Lucy Craymer

Antarctic bases uninspected as tensions grow

Keith Lynch

The K factor: A key Covid variable

Mark Geenty

A cricketing 'told ya' to the Aussies

Bridie Witton

Wellington's Covid vaccines redistributed

What does $920 per week in rent get you? Wellington's mouldiest flats

The photos are disgusting but sadly familiar to anyone who has flatted in the capital: mould, fungi, rotten floors, and even mummified rats.

58m ago

Finishing touches to $350m Auckland waterfront revamp

Aucklanders are about to experience a new downtown waterfront park which is 30 months in the making.

31m ago

Todd Niall

Live: Lockdowns in Sydney; no community Covid cases in NZ

Wellington has no community Covid-19 cases, but the virus is spreading in Australia.

2:12pm

$1 billion 'nightmare' for DHBs to untangle holiday pay errors

It may be two years before payments are made to an estimated 200,000 staff.

43m ago

Pilot says moment before fatal crash was 'like a hand grabbed the helicopter'

1:56pm

Collapsed Florida condo had been sinking since the 90s

34m ago

Shaun Johnson 'coming home' to Warriors

A two-year deal has been signed on Friday morning, with Johnson returning to the Warriors from next year.

1:49pm

Vehicle falls off transporter truck onto person

One person has been injured after a vehicle fell off a transporter in Mount Maunganui.

32m ago

NZ's Covid tools not enough to battle Delta variant

The tools that were used to fight Covid-19 last year are not enough to battle the Delta variant, a top Covid-19 modeller says.

52m ago

Why the Sydney traveller apparently spent an hour in a pharmacy

latest headlines

3:19pm

Quiz: Afternoon trivia challenge: June 25, 2021

editors' picks

Quiz: Afternoon trivia challenge

24m ago

Is New Regent St really NZ's most beautiful street?

The discovery of a new species of human

'We pushed the boat out': Black Caps' big night

1:39pm

Remote working supercharges provincial house values

1:43pm

Jennifer Aniston recalls rude Friends guest star

Ben Smith's surprise return to Dunedin club rugby

Athlete's choice: Breastfeeding or Olympics

EMMA COOK

James Nokise

Dawn raids apology raises questions we're not good at answering

OPINION: To apologise properly for the dawn raids, we should first understand the depth of Pacific people's grievance.

Rosemary McLeod

The dumb things we do with the best of intentions

Richard Knowler

World Rugby has got red card rule wrong

Ben Groundwater

The world's 10 greatest bite-sized meals

national More

Bridget Simmonds' family relieved after guilty verdict for her murder

Samuel Hemuera Pou punched Bridget Simmonds about 100 times before dragging her body to a shallow ditch and burying her.

50m ago

PM delivers soft toys from Neve to tornado victims

Jacinda Ardern says her daughter, 3, heard about the tornado in south Auckland and wanted to give something to the affected families.

14 groups protected under hate speech law reforms

It will be an offence to incite hatred against these different groups, including political opinion, with punishments of jail and fines up to $50,000.

Driver in race car believed to be seriously injured after crash

Fire crews have been called in to cut a person from a race car after crashing into a wall at Ruapuna Raceway in Templeton, Christchurch.

6m ago

Three arrested over $100k electronics ram-raid in Pukekohe

Three men have been charged after a stolen vehicle was rammed into a shop, where a large number of electronics were taken.

Charges dropped in Mob homicide case

Two men previously accused of murdering Codi Wilkinson now face manslaughter charge, while ringleaders have kidnapping charges dropped.

27m ago

world More

Covid-19: Four areas in Sydney go into lockdown

People who live and work in Woollahra, Waverley, Randwick and the City of Sydney are now subject to a stay-at-home order for the next seven days.

2:16pm

The curious case of the US town marooned in Canada

Point Roberts has long prospered as an appendage of Canada, but Covid has changed all that.

Child pulled from Miami building wreckage as rescue efforts continue

Video emerges showing a small child being pulled from the wreckage of a collapsed apartment building in Miami, Florida, a wing of which gave way early on Thursday morning. One person is confirmed dead and up to 100 are unaccounted for.

The moment a UK warship meets Russian forces

After a confrontation between a British navy destroyer and Russian forces in the Black Sea on Wednesday, the BBC has released footage of the incident.

Kiwi faces deportation for kidnapping Australian man

A former NZ baseball player held his victim at knifepoint and threatened to kill him before forcing him in a car to find cocaine that never existed.

Covid: Sydney outbreak reaches ‘scariest period’ as virus jumps state borders

Health officials try to unravel four mystery cases in Sydney’s outbreak, which has now jumped borders and infected two people in Melbourne.

Live: Parts of Sydney go into lockdown; no community cases in NZ

Collapsed Florida condo has been sinking since the 90s

Why the Sydney traveller spent an hour in a pharmacy

How Russell McVeagh partner James Gardner-Hopkins destroyed his career

Quiz: Morning trivia challenge: June 25, 2021

Staff told of plans to close Warehouse Stationery shop

Their greatest day: Black Caps worthy world champs, despite Aussie grumblings

NZ risks Taiwan-style outbreak if Delta takes hold, expert warns

Traditional methods inspire epic Cook Islands vaka voyage

This voyage sees a crew of mostly young Cook Islanders sailing to all of the country's 15 islands and atolls.

1:31pm

Ōamaru: How one town moved forwards by going backwards

Goggles, airships, watches and waistcoats, brocade and boots. Could Ōamaru be the steampunk capital of the world?

Air NZ flying to Queensland hotspots year-round

If you love the hot weather as well as theme parks, rainforests and snorkelling the world's biggest coral reef, then you're in luck.

2:19pm

NSW travel bubble pause extended for 12 days

Walt Disney World's epic 18-month birthday party

Airline industry wants goal of net-zero emissions by 2050

MIQ spots booked out until November, more on the way

business More

Final day for cheques at Westpac

Friday is the last day that Westpac will accept cheques as payment.

Job prospects better than before Covid, Westpac survey finds

But workers less confident about pay and job security.

Women spend less than men, save more, but still worse off

ASB research shows women could be $750 million better off if they stepped up investments.

Tauranga electric motorcycle maker scores US$10m investment

Foreign backers are largely behind the investment, showing that global interest in New Zealand tech is high.

Teachers urged not to use farmer climate change resource 'uncritically'

Corporate lobbying of schools is not unusual, one researcher says.

'Incentivise landlords, improve renters' lives'

Exempting landlords providing long-term tenancies from the interest deductibility rule would make life better for renters, a property manager says.

prosper More

What I've learned: Giving up the 9-5

I’ve learned how to forget how work is supposed to look, figured out ways to use my strengths, maximise the fun and minimise the stuff I hate, says Kate Wright.

'Disruptive' film technology being developed by new business

The Granary in Wellington is being backed by investors in its development of more affordable 'virtual production' software.

Apprenticeship brings home the bread for young baker

Pipe manufacturer discovers some staff don't know how to turn on computer

Hospitality businesses start to bounce back

climate change More

Greta Thunberg on Kiwi climate activists, lockdown and Trump

"It really lifted the spirits up, so I want to thank [them] for that,” Thunberg says of the Kiwis who fought climate change while the rest of the world was locked down.

Free six-week email course on practical climate-saving habits

The journey to a lower-carbon lifestyle can begin with a few baby steps – easy and effective habits you can introduce today.

Mike McRoberts, enthusiastic vegan

Teachers urged not to use farmer climate change resource 'uncritically'

The invisible carbon rising from the ground

pou tiaki More

Sir Māui Pōmare Day cancelled again

Te Rā o Pōmare, one of the biggest hui on the Taranaki Māori calendar, has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 scare in Wellington.

4m ago

Back up Dawn Raids apology with repeal of racist laws, leaders say

A little-known law was passed in 1982 as part of a "moral panic" over Samoans in NZ. Academics and activists say it's time for it to be scrapped.

Too few vaccinated and Delta variant 'hyper infectious', expert warns

With vaccination rates low in both countries, Covid-19 arriving through the trans-Tasman bubble was inevitable, says analyst Dr Rawiri Taonui.

New UB40 album features last recordings of late Herbs musician, Carl Perkins

“We were rushing for time...He was very sick but didn't want to show it and just wanted to keep working.”

181-year old Whitianga shipwreck at risk as museum struggles for cash

Six pieces of framing timber from the HMS Buffalo wreck have been found after stormy weather, indicating the ship might be disintegrating.

'Disruptive' film technology being developed by new business

The Granary in Wellington is being backed by investors in its development of more affordable 'virtual production' software.

Parliament to debate dawn raids

Parliament will discuss the Dawn Raids, after accepting a petition calling for a national debate.

Coffee lovers experiment with te reo Māori

People looking for a caffeine fix can get a discount of their kawhe by using te reo Māori at Awatapu College's pop-up cafe.

sport More

Highlander Solomon Alaimalo reveals depression struggle

The 25-year-old played just one game for the Highlanders in 2021 as he took time out to address his deteriorating mental health.

1:46pm

Lydia Ko's brilliant bunker birdie helps her stay in mix at PGA Championship

Clever bunker play and solid putting save Ko on day of tough scoring at latest major.

NZ Rugby boss Mark Robinson 'confused' by Aussie tactics

Rugby Australia is at it again. It wants more money, and it's own competition after getting thumped by Kiwi teams in Super Rugby.

22m ago

Havili could be the one who benefits from Ennor's unfortunate appendicitis

2:04pm

Two senior Football Ferns to miss Tokyo Olympics due to health concerns

46m ago

Starting midfielder among seven players leaving Wellington Phoenix

24m ago

Eight ways to fix test cricket's uncertain future

homed More

Kitchen of the week: Entertainer's dream in Cockle Bay

Marble at its best - in this kitchen it is bookmatched to stunning effect on both the island and splashback.

Teenage first home buyer relocating one of Hutt's oldest homes

The 160-year-old cottage has been lifted from the spot where it's stood since the 1850s, and will be restored.

Waikato garden helps heal after quake devastation

Creating a grand garden from scratch helped a couple cope with the heartbreak of the Christchurch earthquakes.

How much is this house worth?

Designing rooms on Zoom, from a Wellington rental

Up close with cats

The worst room reveals in Block NZ history

lifestyle More

Prince George told he would be King on his 7th birthday, new book claims

Why chunky knits are having a moment

Cheese named in Lorde's newsletter not available

Prince Charles funded Harry and Meghan even after they stepped down as royals

World's most premature baby defies odds to celebrate first birthday

Buckingham Palace releases ethnic makeup of staff

The Soldiers Rd Portraits team who are bringing Māori closer to their tūpuna

Axed MAFS star struggles to open pub

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's royal feud is centre stage in new movie trailer

What's good, Christchurch? Six of the best pizza slices

entertainment More

Britney’s testimony is a wake-up call for music industry

OPINION: How did we even get to a position where one of the biggest pop stars of our times winds up in court tearfully comparing herself to a victim of sex-trafficking?

Jennifer Aniston says she 'didn’t understand' Matthew Perry’s 'self-torture' while filming Friends

Jennifer Aniston explained that she didn't realise the anguish Matthew Perry felt on the set of Friends whenever the audience didn't laugh at his jokes—until he came clean at the reunion.

Britney Spears apologises for 'pretending' to have 'been ok'

Britney Spears addressed her riveting conservatorship testimony and explained why she was "pretending" to be okay, despite her contradictory statements.

Greta Thunberg on Kiwi climate activists, lockdown and Trump

Musician quits Mumford & Sons to 'speak freely' on politics

What to watch on TV this week

Netflix's stunning Pop series aims to burst a few modern music myths

motoring More

New Zealand could get GWM's awesome Tank SUV range

GWM's Tank range of rugged SUVs is going global. Australia wants it, could we get it here too?

Ferrari's awesome plug-in hybrid V6 has been revealed

Ferrari has unleashed another plug-in, this time paired with six cylinders of fury instead of eight.

Greg Murphy and Otis Frizzell team up to make art

Honda's bold approach to EVs is in stark contrast to Toyota

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 are 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

Why we might dodge the Covid-19 bullet

So far, so good. But how can an infected man spend a weekend in Wellington and not pass on the virus?

1:42pm

One suburb, 10 barbershops, a thousand stories

How chemical weapons, cumulative attraction and the internet explain the Birkenhead barbershop boom.

The relentless work and vast expectations of modern parenting

Three Kiwi families open their lives, sharing their struggles to raise healthy kids, build careers and stave off utter exhaustation.

'The same faces in the boys' homes would end up in prison'

Despite beginning on a violent pathway where the power of your fists got you respect, Fa’afete’ ‘Fete’ Taito has earned his mana through his head and his heart.

1 news More

from our partners

►Former NFL player Kevin Ware Jr. named as a suspect in death of missing girlfriend

►What's next for Britney Spears and her conservatorship?

►Jennifer Aniston says she 'didn’t understand' Matthew Perry’s 'self-torture' while filming Friends

►Britney Spears apologises for 'pretending' to have 'been ok'

►Channing Tatum shares first photo of daughter Everly’s face: 'My world and my heart'

►Teen swimmer's feel for the water takes her to the Olympics

►What a rest home Covid-19 vaccination day is like

►The Olympic boxer who was floored by the haka

►Kiwi sailors aiming to steer 'Little Charger' to Olympic glory

►ANZ Premiership: Renee’s self-belief strengthened with Steel

►Kiwi Indians honoured at Hall of Fame Awards 2021

►'Hero' builder who helped fix tornado-hit homes motivated by love not money

►Tornado victim's children lead tributes at his funeral

►Elder abuse rising in Indian community, cases double in past year

►Community comes together: Free funeral service for Janesh Prasad

►Authorities move to take down 'atrocious' mosque attack material

►NZ's Covid tools not enough to battle Delta variant

►Traditional methods inspire epic Cook Islands vaka voyage

►Fiji: 12 deaths, over 2000 cases since latest Covid outbreak

►What a rest home Covid-19 vaccination day is like

►Back up Dawn Raids apology with repeal of racist laws, leaders say

►Dirty air complaints rise as home fires burned in lockdown

►Uninsured families face 'terrifying' ordeal after tornado

►West Coast mental health unit worst in the country, Health Ministry survey says

►Property developers seek to gain from Auckland tornado

►Sex and intimacy after giving birth - a sex therapist's top tips

►A food blogger's guide to Wellington on a Plate

►Is a breathing coach worth the money?

►Nine winter coats to snuggle up in

►What to wear if you want to make a good impression

Fill a bag at New World

SPONSORED

SPONSORED: How you can help New World’s mission to help families in need

Ski and soak in Canterbury

SPONSORED

SPONSORED: Why mid-Canterbury is your ultimate winter adventure holiday destination.

Digital banking revolution

SPONSORED

SPONSORED: Many things have changed, but the move to digital banking is here to stay

Ford Transit: A van that can

SPONSORED

SPONSORED: New technology and safety specification helps to grow Ford Transit’s massive worldwide reputation – and to help keep Kiwi drivers safe and comfortable.

our network's top stories

►Wellington's mouldiest flats revealed

►Live: Parts of Sydney go into lockdown; no community cases in NZ

►Covid-19 NZ: No Covid-19 in Wellington wastewater, no new community cases

►New Covid testing sites in Wellington city

►Wellington today, June 25: Things to do in level 2, the capital set to go classical, and how high will buildings be allowed to go?

►Driver critically injured after crashing into raceway wall

►Pilot says moment before fatal crash was 'like a hand grabbed the helicopter'

►Christchurch schools and parents warned of increase in gastrointestinal illness

►Is New Regent St really the most beautiful street in NZ?

►Child rapist says online chat groups sparked abuse of young girls

►Vehicle falls off transporter truck onto person