Five Big Things: Thursday, February 8

Christopher Luxon says relief is coming for Auckland motorists, blood donor rules under the spotlight, and one bugbear Taylor Swift apparently can't just shake off.

Auckland's regional fuel tax is set to end by July, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today, suggesting it would help with cost of living pressure in our biggest city.

But Auckland's mayor has warned the move will see residents either have to pay higher rates or miss out on infrastructure improvements.

Major new research could increase the number of blood donations by thousands if it leads to a rule change, with evidence suggesting a shift in criteria for donations from men who have sex with other men.

Right now, people need to meet particular criteria before they can donate blood in Aotearoa. So, what are the rules?

Labour MP Ginny Andersen has suggested the Treaty Principles Bill is a waste of the Government's time given the prime minister said yesterday he won't be supporting it past the first reading.

But senior minister Chris Bishop responded it's part and parcel of National's coalition agreement with ACT. Watch the pair's interview on Breakfast here

Police are seeking the public’s help identifying a man after a female jogger was assaulted before being robbed near a South Auckland creek.

With a second Test set to be followed by a mouth-watering series against Australia, here are five takeaways from the Black Caps' victory.

Re: News journalist Baz Macdonald shares the emotional rollercoaster of raising butterflies from swan plants every summer.

When it comes to dealing with a Florida college student who uses public data and social media to track the private jets of billionaires, politicians and other celebrities, Taylor Swift apparently can't just shake it off.