An analysis into the latest migration trends, a huge funding boost for lifesavers and the divisive complexities of a humble fruit.
1. Jack Tame: Record numbers are leaving NZ – who could blame them?
Q+A's Jack Tame says it isn't hard to see why a record number of New Zealanders are choosing not to stick around in his latest analysis.
Provisional net numbers indicated New Zealand lost more than a thousand Kiwis every week for the year to March 31. But why?
Tame breaks down the possible reasons for the extraordinary exodus, saying "in the short term, at least, there is perhaps little economic reason to stay."
2. Algerian man held captive by his neighbour for 26 years
An Algerian man has been found alive in a cellar after going missing from Djelfa, in Algeria around 26 years ago.
Officials said they have arrested a 61-year-old man suspected of keeping Bin Omran, now 45, as a prisoner just 200 metres away from where he grew up.
3. Cyclone Gabrielle survivor on emergency response report: 'Nothing's changed'
A Hawke's Bay resident told 1News that "nothing has changed" following a NEMA report finding flaws in the emergency response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
The agency admitted its systems were geared for short-term responses, not prolonged emergencies posed by that of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Gareth Jones expressed concern over authorities' delayed warning, and questioned if there would be more "needless loss of life through lack of communication, lack of warning and lack of evacuation".
4. Budget 2024: Funding boost for Surf Life Saving, Coastguard
The Government has announced a combined boost of more than $63 million over four years towards Coastguard and Surf Life Saving services as part of Budget 2024.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown said the funding injection will cover rising costs for the "largely volunteer-driven organisations".
5. Kiwi in New Caledonia unrest: 'We've been asked not to go outside'
A New Zealander stranded in New Caledonia amid rioting said he was urged to stay inside his hotel amid heightened tensions between pro-independence and pro-France groups.
Hundreds have been arrested and five people are dead so far as unrest over voting reforms introduced by the French government intensifies.
ONE 'FRUIT OF THE GODS'
Misunderstood, underrated, and sometimes downright despised. Just some of the phrases used across Aotearoa to describe the humble persimmon.
Seven Sharp's Luxas De Jong unpacks the complexities of the fruit that are a far cry from the "bland orange orbs once reluctantly plucked from grandma's tree."
ONE TASTY TAP WATER
Eighteen samples of water from across the country were served to a panel of judges, but only one region could be crowned New Zealand's best tasting tap water.
For the first time, the competition also expanded to a Trans-Tasman battle, with the New Zealand champion competing against Australia's top drop.
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