Increased police patrols at Auckland bus station, NZ First introduces controversial bathroom bill and 1News' Barbara Dreaver receives an ONZM.
1 Increased police presence at Akl bus station over mass brawl fears
Patrols by police and council staff increased over fears of a planned mass brawl after school at New Lynn station this afternoon.
Western Springs College and Green Bay High School both emailed parents, urging them to warn their children to avoid the area.
Auckland Transport confirmed it was aware of the reports.
"Our ops and transport staff are in contact with police and will support as needed," a spokesperson said.
2 Time almost up for WoF and Rego stickers on our windscreens
Is it time to scrap paper stickers that display vehicle registrations, warrants of fitness, and road user charges and digitalise the whole process?
The Automobile Association (AA) says yes, believing it could save road users and the taxpayer a fair chunk of money. And the Government seems to be of the same mind, so change may not be far away.
Vehicle registrations and road user charges are significant funding tools for the Government's transport projects. According to NZ Autocar, they add roughly $470 million to the Government's budget and cost $50 million to administer.
3 NZ First introduces controversial bathroom bill
The bill would require all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms.
Leader Winston Peters said: "New Zealand First has listened to New Zealanders and we know that there is a silent majority anticipating such legislation".
Labour leader Chris Hipkins wondered "how on earth" the bill would be enforced, while Green MP Kahurangi Carter said it was a "blatant attack on our transgender whānau".
4 $571m for Defence Force pay, equipment - Collins
Defence Minister Judith Collins made the pre-Budget announcement today at Burnham Military Camp in Christchurch.
""NZDF personnel are at the frontline of New Zealand's security but they cannot do their jobs without the right equipment and conditions."
$163 million would go towards increasing the pay of Defence Force personnel, while $408 million would go towards upgrading equipment and infrastructure. The additional funding included $99 million worth of savings found in the NZDF budget.
5 TVNZ ordered to enter mediation with union over show redundancies
Sunday, Fair Go, Midday and Tonight were all dropped by TVNZ, leading to the union taking the network to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA). A total of 68 proposed job losses across the company also impacted youth brand Re: News and other parts of the business outside news and current affairs.
The Authority found TVNZ breached clause 10.1.1 of the collective agreement that obliged consultation with staff. The broadcaster responded, saying: "We are disappointed by the decision today from the Employment Relations Authority. We will now take the time to consider the decision and our next steps."
ONE NEW YEAR'S HONOUR
1News Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit today for services to investigative journalism and Pacific communities.
"I didn't realise how special it was going to be until it actually happened. I'm so honoured, it's hard to put it into words which is unlike me."
ONE 'BABY REINDEER' INTERVIEW
The seven-episode Netflix show Baby Reindeer stars comedian Richard Gadd as Donny, a character based on Gadd's own experience of being stalked and the toll it took on his relationships and career.
In the interview shared to Youtube, Scottish lawyer Fiona Harvey tells Morgan she had been "forced" to respond after internet sleuths "outed" her as the inspiration for the central character, Martha, who stalked Donny throughout the show.
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