Five Big Things: Monday, March 11

News agencies pull a 'manipulated' photo of Princess Kate and her children, some major banks trim their mortgage rates, and Chlöe Swarbrick becomes Green Party co-leader.

A major news organisation removed a photo of the Princess of Wales and her children this morning – saying the source may have “manipulated the image”.

The photo released on Instagram and X showed the princess sitting with her three children.

Soon after the photo was shared, questions began circulating about some details in the picture.

Former National Party leader Simon Bridges has been named as the new chairman of the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Bridges, the party's former transport minister, will serve as the board's chairman for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown said today.

Brown said Bridges "brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role".

ASB, one of NZ's major Australian-owned banks, has lowered some short-term mortgage rates for the third time in two weeks.

However, some term deposit rates have also been lowered.

New Zealand-owned Kiwibank has also reduced its fixed home loan interest rates.

Chlöe Swarbrick says it's been a "wild and surreal experience" since she was announced as Green Party co-leader yesterday.

Speaking to Breakfast this morning, she said it's "pretty cool" to have two women co-leading a party, a first for New Zealand politics.

Media and Communications Minister Melissa Lee has indicated some of what she intends to do to support New Zealand’s struggling media industry.

Lee said she has been working with officials to develop a plan.

She said her team is looking at “levers” which “need legislation or changes in the regulatory setting".

Tooth gems are apparently rising in popularity. So much so, it's inspired one Christchurch woman to open her own business.

Tooth gems are a type of jewellery bonded to the enamel of the tooth.

An analysis of data released by the Electoral Commission shows how candidates funded their campaigns.

Notably, the analysis shows the National Party donated more money to its own candidates than candidates from all other parties combined.