Meth lollies are discovered in Auckland food parcels, the Reserve Bank makes a big call about interest rates and Wellington schoolkids set up on Parliament's front lawn.
1 Three people seek medical attention after spitting out meth lollies from food parcels
The Auckland City Mission is contacting hundreds of people after methamphetamine disguised as lollies was included in food parcels.
The Drug Foundation's Ben Birks said the sweets were essentially a "block" of methamphetamine each and had a street value of around $1000 per lolly.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said a child and a teenager each had one of the lollies before spitting them out. The drug was discovered when someone who received one said the pineapple-flavoured lolly tasted funny.
2 First rate cut in four years as Reserve Bank reveals its official cash rate decision
After two years of taming inflation, the bank's monetary policy committee made the call amid growing unemployment and poor economic growth.
Multiple banks have already cut their interest rates in response to the Reserve Bank's big decision.
3 Friend of Pauline Hanna's dramatic strangulation re-enactment
A long-time friend of Pauline Hanna has described confronting murder accused Philip Polkinghorne when he told her drugs found in their home belonged to his dead wife's.
Friends of Hanna and her husband, who's accused of her murder, are continuing to give evidence in the 71-year-old's murder trial in Auckland.
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4 Health NZ docs suggesting cutting 4492 staff 'should be dismissed' - commissioner
A copy of a presentation about "potential cost savings in hospital and specialist services" presented to senior leadership suggested a total reduction of 4492 staff – including 1491 nurses, 470 doctors, 338 allied staff, and more than 2000 managers and admin workers.
In total, that would save more than $700 million.
The Commissioner of Health NZ insists he knew nothing about the internal staff presentation and says it should be dismissed.
5 Man jailed for brazen 'execution' of gang boss at Auckland church
A man has been sentenced to life in prison for carrying out a "targeted" gang-linked hit at an Auckland church nearly two years ago. Head Hunters member Thomas Tahitahi, 42, pleaded guilty to the murder in April this year.
ONE UNUSUAL CLASSROOM
A group of Wellington high school students have set up class on Parliament's front lawn in protest over the upheaval at their school caused by buildings prone to damage in an earthquake. One student said they wanted to show how frustrated they were.
"We don't have a specific demand for the Ministry of Education other than we really just want an explanation and an apology. We're wondering if they have listening comprehension skills like they test us on."
ONE KILLER ... DESK JOB?
Analysis: Physical inactivity is a killer.
Historically, people became less active as they grow older. But now, younger people – especially those involved in sedentary work such as desk jobs – are becoming inactive, physically weak, taking more long-term sick leave, and retiring earlier.
Lack of activity comes at a terrible price, writes Ashley Gluchowski for The Conversation.
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