The coalition Government introduces a 'one-stop shop' for fast track consenting, TVNZ proposes cutting up to 68 jobs, and Auckland Council looks at fortnightly kerb-side rubbish collection.
1 'One-stop shop': fast track consenting process established
RMA Minister Chris Bishop says the Government is determined to "cut through the thicket" of red and green tape and build a pipeline of projects to grow the economy and improve productivity.
Under his Fast Track Approvals Bill, ministers of infrastructure, regional development and transport will be able to refer projects for fast tracking .
Green Party co-leader James Shaw describes the Bill as "one of the most significant assaults on the environment" undertaken by any government in his lifetime. Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking says the Bill shows minister's ears are "well and truly taken by lobbyists."
2 'Devastating': TVNZ proposes cutting up to 68 roles
The state broadcaster proposes substantial cuts in response to falling revenue.
The company hasn't said yet said what areas of the business the roles are coming from. But it is understood current affairs show Sunday and digital youth platform Re: News are among those affected within News and Current Affairs.
The head of one programme affected calls the planned changes "devastating".
Meanwhile, the PM calls the news from TVNZ "incredibly unsettling."
3 Jury convicts armourer in fatal shooting by Alec Baldwin on set of Rust
A verdict against movie armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed assigns new blame in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Alec Baldwin was pointing a gun at the cinematographer on a movie set outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, when the gun went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza.
4 NZ's most complained about business in 2023 revealed
The big supermarket chains topped the list of businesses subject to the most complaints from Kiwis last year, according to new Commerce Commission data.
Data released under the Official Information Act also indicates the total number of complaints levelled against Kiwi companies has increased to a five-year high.
5 Auckland Council proposes fortnightly kerb-side rubbish collections
Auckland Council has proposed a move from weekly to fortnightly kerb-side rubbish collections among other measures to move to a zero waste future.
A total of 1.5 million tonnes of waste goes to landfill a year each year in Auckland, enough to fill Eden Park on a weekly basis. Without changes, this is expected to rise to at least 1.7 million tonnes a year by 2040.
ONE SPECIAL MILESTONE
ONE FURRY DISCOVERY
A red panda, snakes, parrots, monitor lizards and monkeys were among those seized at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, having allegedly been discovered in the passengers' luggage as they were set to fly to Mumbai.
Six suspects face a maximum 10 years imprisonment.
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