The trial begins for a murder-accused Auckland eye surgeon, bad weather is coming for much of the country, and could you be getting a tax cut this week?
1 Philip Polkinghorne accused of strangling wife, staging the scene as suicide
Philip Polkinghorne strangled his wife and staged her death to make it look like a suicide before calling 111, the Auckland High Court heard today.
The jurors, lawyers and the murder accused himself watched closely as a prosecution lawyer revealed the Crown's case in her opening remarks today.
He denies killing his wife, Pauline Hanna.
Alysha McClintock said Polkinghorne was "leading a double life" involving methamphetamine use and extramarital sexual encounters.
2 Snow, wind and rain: Multiple warnings issued as weather system hits NZ
The wettest weather is expected in the east of the country, alongside a "wide-reaching snow event" in the lower and central South Island.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said forecasters were keeping a close eye on the southeastern South Island where heavy rain is anticipated over the next 48 hours in North Otago, Dunedin, and Clutha.
"It's not often we see persistent rain like this in this part of the country, and the area does not need large amounts of rain for impacts to be felt."
3 'Point of difference': How new halfbacks can change the game for All Blacks
The inclusion of halfback Noah Hotham in the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship squad at the expense of Finlay Christie is a signal towards a more attacking mindset under head coach Scott Robertson and, it could be argued, a major break from the Ian Foster era, Pat McKendry writes.
4 Images reveal 'horrendous' state of NZ Defence Force housing
A military advocate has called living conditions in Defence Force homes a "national disgrace", launching a campaign asking for submissions from families impacted by the "horrendous" houses.
"In our bedroom the black mould was so bad, once a month I had to scrub the walls with bleach and vinegar. Myself and my partner were constantly sick and same as our child," one family wrote as part of an open letter.
5 Sinead O'Connor's cause of death revealed
The singer died in July 2023, aged 56, and a copy of her death certificate has now been obtained by the Irish Independent.
John Reynolds, O'Connor's ex-husband, formerly registered her death earlier this month, when it was certified by a South London coroner.
ONE CHANGE TO YOUR PAY SLIP
Millions of New Zealanders are set to have a little more in their pay packets with the Government's tax cuts officially taking effect from this Wednesday.
The tax policy changes will apply to around 3.5 million people, according to Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.
Learn about how much money you'll get and what you need to do to get it.
ONE VIEW ON THE OLYMPICS
You have to hand it to the Olympic movement, they sure know how to do smoke and mirrors. And yes, I'll watch along like everybody else, writes Scotty Stevenson.
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