Wild weather washes out a Canterbury rail bridge pillar, OJ Simpson dies of cancer, and Team NZ offers a sneak peek of its latest America's Cup boat.
1 Wild weather lashes north, cancels flights, washes out roads and rail
Wild weather has impacted much of the country today, cancelling several flights and causing power cuts as the weather system moved across the North Island.
While the South Island got a bit of a reprieve, it did not escape unscathed as one of the piers of a 610m long rail bridge in southern Canterbury was washed out by high floodwaters, halting trains on the main south line.
Meanwhile, photos have revealed the extent of damage to State Highway 6, which has since reopened, following days of heavy rain.
2 OJ Simpson dies, aged 76
The ex-NFL player and Hollywood actor who was acquitted of charges he killed his former wife and her friend has died of prostate cancer at 76.
Simpson earned fame and fortune through football and show business, but his legacy will forever be intertwined with the murders of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman in 1994.
There was varied reaction to news of Simpson's death, from his family mourning his loss to Caitlyn Jenner bidding him "Good Riddance" in a tweet.
3 Arrest made following K Rd rainbow crossing vandalism
A 31-year-old man has been arrested and charged in relation to the incident where white paint was splashed across the crossing on Auckland's Karangahape Rd last month.
Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick said a "whirlwind" of imported misinformation and hate drove the "sad and bizarre" act. "This anger and bigotry wasn't born on our shores, and it doesn't belong here."
4 Waikato teen in critical condition after being 'run over by car multiple times'
A 15-year-old was walking in Ngāruawāhia on Wednesday when he was struck down, suffering multiple serious injuries and taken to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition.
Detective Inspector Darrell Harpur said police believe this was a targeted attack and the driver of the car purposely hit the victim before then driving the car over him more than once.
The vehicle, a black Toyota Auris, was found abandoned in a rural carpark with police appealing to the public for information or footage.
5 Pseudoephedrine cold and flu products back on shelves this winter
Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced Medsafe had approved 11 medicines containing pseudoephedrine today.
Pharmaceutical suppliers indicated they may be able to provide the first products by June this year, much earlier than the original expectation of 2025.
Pseudoephedrine is a key precursor in the manufacture of methamphetamine which is why it was made prescription only in 2011.
ONE SNEAK PEEK
A 23m monohull was wheeled out by Team New Zealand at Wynyard Point today to have its rigging checked in preparation for its launch and first sail next week.
"So much of any America’s Cup campaign goes on behind closed doors and with the utmost secrecy protecting designs and plans but there always comes a time when you need to show some of your cards," said Team NZ chief operating officer Kevin Shoebridge.
QUIZ: KING CHARLES PLAYED HIMSELF IN BRO'TOWN AND WHAT OTHER SHOW?
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