A prison assault, fed up Franklin Road residents and bad plane behaviour.
1. Illegal vendors on famous Christmas road warned to stay away
Residents on Ponsonby's Franklin Road say they're "fed up" with opportunistic street vendors ruining the 30-year tradition of the festive lights and officers will now be patrolling the road to move on vendors who aren't meant to be there.
Auckland Council's compliance manager Adrian Wilson said he could "understand the frustration" of the residents over the illegal vendors who put pressure on visitors to spend money.
One resident said it is "dimming the tradition's philosophy" with many already on the brink of packing it all in and turning off the lights.
Read the full story here.
2. Robertson finalises All Blacks management group for 2024
New All Blacks coach Scott Robertson and New Zealand Rugby have confirmed the All Blacks management group for 2024.
The list features seven members who carry over from the previous management team under Ian Foster, eight members who have prior experience with senior international teams, and 11 who have come from Super Rugby Pacific management roles in 2023.
3. Inmate dead after assault at Auckland prison
An inmate has died after being assaulted by another prisoner while working in a kitchen at the Serco-run Kohuora Auckland South Corrections Facility in Wiri.
A second prisoner was also in hospital being treated for "non-life threatening injuries" while the perpetrator has been "secured".
A police spokesperson said they are actively investigating and that assaults in prison are "illegal, unacceptable" and not tolerated.
4. Man's 'repugnant' actions on Gold Coast Jetstar flight
A man's "disgraceful behaviour" has seen him kicked off a Jetstar flight before it had even departed from the Gold Coast Airport.
The man allegedly started arguing with cabin crew when he was asked to stop smoking an e-cigarette, then exposed himself and urinated over seats.
The plane swiftly returned to the terminal where police arrested the man.
5. Dunedin couple plan to keep working after $8.25m Lotto win
A Dunedin couple haven't let their "unreal" $8.25 million Powerball win on Saturday stop them from fronting up to work the next week.
The couple, who wished to remain anonymous, discovered they'd won the big prize while checking their tickets at a family barbecue.
Click here to read about their reaction to the win.
ONE INTERESTING ANALYSIS
Law professor Kris Gledhill analyses whether the coalition Government's new “get tough” policy on gangs will genuinely plugs gaps in existing legislation.
ONE BIG YEAR FOR MUSIC
Miley Cyrus, L.A.B and Six60 have topped the Kiwi music charts for 2023, as well as Time Magazine's Person of the Year, Taylor Swift, who was the highest-selling artist of the year.
Tune in to the full story here.
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