Six parties have been sentenced in the Whakaari trial, PM Christopher Luxon has been revealed to claim an annual $52k allowance on his own Wellington apartment, and up to 200 people have been involved in a brawl in Upper Hutt.
1 Whakaari: Judge says 'world is watching' as sentences handed down
More than four years after the eruption killed 22 and left 25 with serious injuries, six parties have been sentenced for health and safety failings.
Judge Evalengos Thomas handed down the sentences at Auckland District Court today. A total of $2.5m in fines were issued and victims have been awarded more than $10m in reparations.
Thomas told the court that the victims' stories had been "heartbreaking, but they have also been inspiring".
"It has been a humble privilege to hear them. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say, I wish you very well."
2 Luxon claims $52k allowance for own Wellington apartment
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is claiming $52,000 - provided by taxpayers - for his mortgage-free apartment in Wellington, while leaving Premier House vacant due to it requiring "a significant amount of work".
Luxon is the first prime minister in at least 34 years to claim the expense, with many former prime ministers residing in Premier House while in Wellington.
He told 1News he is "well within the rules" as it is part of an entitlement for an out of Wellington MP or Minister. He would not comment on if it was hypocritical given his government was asking for departments to find savings of up to 7.5%.
3 Auckland man, 49, arrested as he allegedly went to meet girl, 14
The man allegedly offered young people under 16 gift vouchers online in exchange for sex.
He was arrested after he travelled to Auckland Domain to allegedly meet a 14-year-old girl yesterday, police said.
4 'Up to 200' people - mostly youth - in Hutt Valley street brawl
Hundreds of mostly young people were involved in a huge street brawl in the Hutt Valley, police say.
Locals reporting a "large group of people fighting" on High St in Taita, around Walter Nash Stadium and the surrounding area.
"There were reportedly up to 200 people involved," Hutt Valley Area Commander Inspector Robert Rutene said.
"Mainly youth, including students from local schools."
5 Govt to extend Firearms Prohibition Orders to gang members
Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee has today announced a new policy to give authorities greater powers to stop gang members accessing firearms.
Under current laws, courts could prohibit high-risk offenders from accessing, using or being around guns.
The proposed new laws would mean any gang member or associate convicted of a "significant offence" wouldn't be able to access firearms.
ONE OPEN OCEAN SALMON FARM
New Zealand King Salmon has announced its plan for the country's first open ocean salmon farm will go ahead after nine years of regulatory challenges.
The farm called Blue Endeavour will be located in the Cook Strait, around 7km from Cape Lambert in the Marlborough Sounds. It will consist of 20 large pens of salmon as well as a barge to feed them.
ONE PROPOSED ALCOHOL RULE CHANGE
Proposed new alcohol rules could force some restaurants to close earlier and others from opening up close to marae and schools in Gisborne.
The proposed plan includes restricting new licences for class 1 restaurants located within 150m of sensitive sites such as marae, schools, and places of religion.
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