The decision on Pharmac funding is "imminent", industrial action on Auckland trains paused for Super Rugby final, and a former Green MP and activist has died.
1 Decision on Pharmac funding boost 'imminent' - Seymour
It comes after The Post reported the Government was expected to announce a boost to the drug buying agency of at least $600m over four years.
The proposed 40% boost to the drug buying agency's medicine budget, as reported by The Post, would allow it to buy dozens of medications for cancer and other illnesses.
Seymour told 1News there were a "bunch of options for getting more drugs for people with cancer" up for consideration, but couldn't go into details.
"I think it's fair to say there's options on the table, either more money to Pharmac, a separate drug buying agency, or direct Pharmac to buy these specific drugs."
2 Industrial action by train staff paused for Super Rugby final
The Rail and Maritime Transport Union said in a statement today: "Auckland rail workers have temporarily lifted industrial action on Saturday, June 22 to make sure the public get safely to and from the big game."
The Blues and Chiefs meet in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific Final at Eden Park, just after 7pm.
Auckland Transport has advised that additional train and bus services will run on Saturday to accommodate increased usage of the public transport network.
3 Former Green MP and activist Keith Locke dies
Locke was a Member of Parliament between 1999 and 2011. He died in the early hours of Thursday morning "after a long illness".
Green Party co-Leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick said Locke "always understood the importance of, and advocated for, Aotearoa New Zealand retaining its independent voice" on the international stage.
"We must take heed of that message now more than ever," they said.
4 New Zealander dies in Saudi Arabia during Hajj pilgrimage
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said consular assistance was being provided to the person’s family.
Nearly two million people have attended the pilgrimage this year, with more than 1000 people dying amid temperatures that have passed 50C.
The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. It draws people from around the world to Saudi Arabia. Its timing was determined by the lunar Islamic calendar, and this year fell within the Saudi summer.
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5 Motorcylist 'lucky to be alive' after hitting cattle crossing ropes
A sharemilking company and farm owner have been fined and ordered to pay reparations after a motorcyclist was caught in bungy ropes strung across a public road in March 2021.
The speed limit was 100km/h, and there was "a lack of signage" to indicate cattle were being moved ahead. When the motorcyclist got to the sharemilkers, it was too late to stop safely.
He was caught in the ropes, which pulled tight, and he came off the bike and slid along the road before hitting a fence post. The man was taken to hospital with fractures to his right rib and a laceration on his right kidney.
ONE TURBULENT TRIBUNAL HEARING
A woman took her boyfriend to the Disputes Tribunal after he said he would drive her to the airport before a concert and look after her dogs while she was away, only to go back on his word.
Tribunal documents show the woman was in a relationship with the man for six years prior to the dispute. The woman's claim was dismissed. The New Zealand Herald has reported the pair have since broken up.
ONE RESTORED TAONGA
Seven metres in diameter, the large rose window used to sit 20m above ground on the west face of ChristChurch Cathedral. It fell from the historic Anglican building in the June 2011 earthquake.
Now, Graham Stewart is working to put the pieces back together.
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