An arrest is made following the disappearance of a Sydney couple, a Rotorua emergency housing boss is fined and the mystery of Taylor Swift's popularity is unpacked.
1. Man arrested in case of missing Sydney couple
There were new developments in the investigation into the disappearance of ex-TV presenter Jesse Baird and his Qantas flight attendant boyfriend Luke Davies, with a New South Wales cop being arrested this afternoon.
Constable Beau Lamarre handed himself in to the Bondi Police Station after it was revealed the 28-year-old officer was missing following a search of his home.
Authorities said they have grave concerns for the missing couple who have not been seen since Monday night.
2. Rotorua emergency housing: Security boss fined and barred
Rotorua emergency housing and security boss Raymond 'Tiny' Deane has been slapped with a fine following an investigation decision released today by the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (PSPLA).
The Authority found Deane knowingly employed two security guards with gang affiliations for months at his emergency housing charity Visions of a Helping Hand and security company Tigers Express Security Ltd.
PSPLA head Trish McConnell said that while Deane got into the emergency housing sector with good intentions, his subsequent actions were "incomprehensible".
3. Efeso Collins' family thank public for support after MP's sudden death
Efeso Collins' family have expressed their gratitude for messages of love and support in the wake of the Green MP's sudden death earlier this week.
Collins is being remembered by the South Auckland and Pacific community as a voice for his people after he collapsed at a charity event in Auckland on Wednesday morning.
"Words cannot express our gratitude for all the messages of love, support and comfort received since Fa'anānā was called to rest," the family said, with details of his funeral service to be confirmed shortly.
4. Ukraine President Zelensky thanks New Zealand for 'timely' aid
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked New Zealand for its first contribution towards Ukraine's defence in nine months.
New Zealand's coalition Government announced it will provide $25.9 million in assistance, and an extension of its military training programme, bringing total financial support to just over $100 million.
"Up to 97 NZDF personnel will continue to train Ukrainian soldiers, and provide intelligence, liaison and logistics support," Defence Minister Judith Collins said.
5. 'Error' sees Dunedin residents fuel up for less than $1 per litre
Dunedin residents couldn't believe their luck when a "glitch" at the Waitomo Fuel Station saw 95 fuel advertised for only $0.82c per litre.
The error saw a "0" accidentally entered where a "2" should have been, catching the attention of Dunedin residents after the cheap price was posted on a local social media page.
"Some people just got a really good deal. From our perspective, it's fine, it is what it is," a Waitomo spokeswoman said.
ONE PONDERING OF POP MUSIC
It's no shock that Taylor Swift's fans think her music is great, but the obsession can be a little confusing for people who aren't swept up in Swift-mania.
1News reporter Sean Nugent is not a Swiftie and set out to discover for himself what makes the star shine so brightly through speaking to fans and experts alike.
Click here to find out what makes Taylor Swift one of the world's most popular artists and a global icon.
ONE POST-ELECTION PLATEAU
Speaking of popular people, Christopher Luxon doesn't appear to be one of them after seeing no change in his preferred prime minister rating in 1News' latest Verian Poll.
Luxon held steady on 25% rather than getting the traditional post-election popularity bump, and also remains notably lower than other first-term PMs in recent decades who have been in the 41-51% range.
One political scientist said the outcome was "unusual" for a new prime minister and could be a sign of rough waters ahead for the coalition.
SHARE ME