It’s been a good day for one big bank and a bad day for one Cook Strait ferry.
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1 Dizzying bank profits – but what comes next?
Another day, another whopper bank profit lands. After BNZ and Westpac announced big hauls last week, ANZ has topped them both today with an eye-watering $2.26 billion profit for the 12 months to the end of September.
ANZ, however, warned that the first half of the year was much better than the second. CEO Antonia Watson said the bank was prepared for a potentially difficult year ahead as higher interest rates kick in and affect more homeowners.
It looks like our banks will be able to scrape by though - commentator Bernard Hickey explained on Breakfast why they’re in such a strong position.
2 Covid and gastro-riddled cruise ship docks
Like a horror flashback to 2020, a cruise ship riddled with Covid-19 and a gastro bug has docked in Adelaide.
South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas said: "It's been something we've been monitoring pretty closely over the last 48 hours." Anyone on board needing urgent care would be transported to hospital in a safe way, he said.
3 Luxon to miss APEC as coalition talks drag on
And so it continues – still no government coalition announcement, 31 days after the election. For incoming PM Christopher Luxon that probably means unpacking his suitcase and missing the trip to San Francisco where he would have hung out with world leaders including US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Putting a brave face on it, Luxon said: “I’d love to go, don’t get me wrong… But actually, there’ll be another Apec.” His focus remains on getting a government in place, he said.
4 Another Cook Strait ferry holed
Photos showed a decent sized hole in the hull of Cook Strait ferry Kaiarahi with Wellington harbourmaster Grant Nalder saying: "You can actually see through to the other side of the ship."
The ship was damaged as the Interislander came into the berth in Wellington at 10pm on Sunday. Last week, a Bluebridge ferry had a similar accident.
5 Australia-Tuvalu treaty: A good deal or an Oz win?
An agreement between Tuvalu and Australia has been hailed by some, including senior National MP Gerry Brownlee, as “a very good deal” to help the island nation tackle climate change and open up immigration paths.
Others aren’t so sure, with 1News Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver writing today that it’s effectively a defence treaty for Australia in Tuvalu with the big player coming out on top.
ONE GOOD SET OF OP-SHOP TIPS
Broadcaster and journalist Miriama Kamo has a rule when it comes to adding to her wardrobe - she'll only buy a new piece of clothing if it’s by a New Zealand designer, otherwise it must be pre-loved.
In a piece for our new Life section, Kamo and others explain how to get the best out of your op-shopping.
ONE BIG CAT ON THE LOOSE
An Italian town was left stunned as an escaped circus lion roamed the streets for hours before being caught.
"Mamma mia!" one woman can be heard exclaiming in a video filmed by one resident.
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