Good evening. It's been a day of a Govt Minister being told off, some potentially good news about petrol prices, and wild excuses for speeding tickets.
1 Brooke van Velden gets public ticking off by environment commissioner
Parliament's environment watchdog has written to ACT deputy leader Brooke van Velden to say she is sharing misinformation about his findings on oil and gas exploration.
Parliamentary Commissioner Simon Upton says van Velden was "incorrect and misleading"when she said on TVNZ's Breakfast that the commissioner has concluded the ban on offshore exploration would likely "increase global emissions".
2 Te Pūkenga calls halt amid new instructions from Govt
Hundreds of staff at Te Pūkenga are in limbo after the super-institute halted its multimillion-dollar transformation.
The organisation's chief executive Peter Winder told staff he had been sent new instructions for the organisation, which combined 16 polytechnics and nine workplace training providers on January 1 this year.
The Government did not want a centralised organisation for vocational education and training but it would take time to come up with a replacement plan, he said.
3 Petrol prices could see unexpected fall over holiday period - AA
In a twist of good petrol-related news, prices could fall further over the summer period according to AA.
This would both defy earlier predictions and offer relief for Kiwi motorists.
The welcome news follows a slump in international oil prices. The AA had predicted prices could rise as high as $3.50 but that is now looking unlikely.
4 'Ate too many berries': Police reveal wildest speeding excuses
Have you ever heard of someone who feels the need to speed after eating berries? Police have, and are revealing the other most memorable excuses officers have heard to try and justify speeding on the roads, as part of a new campaign for motorists to slow down.
Highway Patrol officers have "heard it all' as some Kiwi motorists try "just about every excuse in the book to get out of a speeding fine", police say.
5 Christchurch’s largest foodbank to close just days before Christmas
Foodbank Canterbury, the largest of its kind in Christchurch, is set to close its doors just days before Christmas.
With rising costs, the charity provider has been forced to introduce a service fee, meaning it's become ineligible for council funding. In a statement to staff, it said: "This was not an easy decision to make and came only after considering all possible alternatives."
ONE SPIN ON A CLASSIC
Everyone loves a pav, and for Christmas this year, Vanya Insull is sharing her recipe for the mini pavlova wreath, which she said has been crazy-popular since she first released the recipe in 2020.
This take on the Kiwi classic is festive, easy to make and even easier to eat. Every part of this dish can be prepped ahead of time, and assembled on the day – giving you one less thing to worry about come December 25.
ONE RAIN MAKER
It's as though the country can't catch a break. Severe weather is again on the cards for much of the South Island this weekend, with heavy rain and strong wind expected.
"Another rainmaker is on the horizon for Saturday and Sunday," MetService warned. "Wet and windy weather returns to the South Island this weekend."
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