A $25,000 electricity connection fee surprise, latest GDP figures revealed, and a helpful guide to get the most out of your health appointments.
1 'We thought it was a mistake': $25k power connection blindsides couple
Auckland couple Rishi and Pritha Bhattacharyya were left reeling after receiving an electricity connection fee of $25,000, which they described as "outrageous".
Naturally, they had anticipated challenges with demolishing the century-old, asbestos-ridden bungalow in Mount Eden and set aside around $3000 - $5000 for the connection.
However - the couple were shocked by a figure five times the amount they had budgeted for.
2 Recession: GDP falls 1% in September quarter
New Zealand's gross domestic product (GDP) fell 1% in the September quarter – and the figure for the quarter before that has been revised downwards as well.
Stats NZ made the announcement this morning, which means New Zealand's economy meets the widely accepted definition of recession, with two successive quarters of contraction.
3 Vanuatu quake: Experienced NZ USAR crew set to arrive today
An experienced crew of Kiwi urban search and rescue personnel will assist with search efforts in the wake of Tuesday's devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake which has killed at least 14 people.
An NZDF Hercules was set to land in Port Vila last night but needed to be diverted to Noumea due to an engine fire warning.
4 Prime Minister confirms he won't be at Treaty Grounds on Waitangi Day
In a statement, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon confirmed he will not attend events at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds on Waitangi Day net year.
He also said he won't attend the National Iwi Chairs Forum in Waitangi on February 4. He said he met with iwi leaders in Wellington today.
5 Wet weekend for most, blue skies early next week - MetService
Many Kiwis can expect a wet start to the weekend, which should ease to clear skies in the lead-up to Christmas.
MetService meteorologist Clare O'Connor said people wanting a window of "ideal travelling weather" before the holidays would be waiting until at least Monday.
ONE HELPFUL HEALTH GUIDE
From the minute you walk into a health appointment, the clock is ticking. You've got questions to ask and answers to get, so there's no time to waste.
Re: News asked experts how patients can make the most out of their health appointments and what to do if they don't go the way you expect.
ONE BRAZEN BOMBING
The killing of a senior Russian general in a bombing outside his apartment building in Moscow this week was the boldest assassination yet of a top military officer.
It again brought the war in Ukraine to the streets of the capital, and prompted questions about the attack and who is suspected of being behind it.
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