All Blacks coach Scott Robertson speaks out on the struggles at the Crusaders, the number of Kiwis leaving NZ hits an all-time high, and police reveal a specialised National Gang Unit.
1 Razor on the collapse of the Crusaders: 'It's been a ride'
"How do I put this professionally? It's been a ride."
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has spoken on the struggles of the Crusaders, saying he had kept in touch with new coach Rob Penney as he had with the rest of the New Zealand franchises.
The man known as Razor — and a fans' favourite in Christchurch and beyond after leading the Crusaders to seven consecutive Super Rugby titles — was reluctant to say more on a Zoom call with Kiwi media this morning.
2 Record number of Kiwis leave New Zealand - Stats NZ
The number of Kiwi citizens leaving the country has hit an all-time high.
In the year ended March 2024, there was a net migration loss of 52,500 New Zealand citizens, according to estimates released by Stats NZ.
"This is the first time the annual net migration loss of New Zealand citizens has exceeded 50,000," population indicators manager Tehseen Islam said.
"That equates to 1000 more New Zealand citizens departing long-term than arriving long-term each week."
3 Fair Go: Home owner afraid to use leaky, rusting lift
Getting stuck in a lift is bad - but so is getting stuck with a $30,000 lift that doesn’t work.
Ulrika and Walter Haller purchased an enclosed outdoor lift from Auckland company Phoenix Elevators in 2021.
They made the decision to get the lift installed at their house when Walter’s health had deteriorated to the point that he could no longer get around on his own.
Ulrika hoped the lift would give him “the chance to get out because he could not go down the front door stairs”.
4 Gang crackdown: New national police unit established
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has revealed a specialised National Gang Unit to tackle gang crime across the country.
Speaking from the Auckland Central Police Station, Coster announced the National Gang Unit and District Disruption Units would target crime, harm and intimidation caused by gangs.
"The National Gang Unit will be established as a continuation of our work, and build our operational capability further," he said.
5 'Driven by ideology': Labour, unions hit back over charter schools
Labour says the Government's reintroduction of charter schools is "driven by ideology rather than evidence"and says it's going "too hard too fast".
Teachers unions have also rejected the idea, saying it's "wasteful" and the money could be better spent on programmes in state schools that support learning and attendance.
ONE EXCITING PARTNERSHIP
Netball New Zealand has confirmed a 12-month partnership with TVNZ for free-to-air coverage of ANZ Premiership Saturday matches next year.
The sport will also be broadcast on Sky next year, following confirmation today that Netball New Zealand and Sky have agreed on a one-year extension to their existing broadcasting partnership.
Further partnership conversations for 2026 and beyond were due to begin later this year.
ONE INTERESTING QUESTION
From January 1, 2025, all core law courses will have a compulsory tikanga Māori component.
This week, King’s Counsel Gary Judd filed a complaint over tikanga Māori becoming a requirement for law students. NZ First leader Winston Peters said: “Tikanga is not law. It is cultural indoctrination.”
Re: News asked lawyer and director at Whāia Legal, Tai Ahu (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Kahu (Te Paatu): Should tikanga Māori be taught in law schools?
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