Five Big Things That Happened Today: Wednesday, January 29

A woman driving a car (file image).

Speed limits increase on some parts of highways, DOC issues warning after orca are seen in Waikato and a cyclist is killed in a hit-and-run in the Far North.

1 Speed limits to increase on 38 sections of state highway network

The Government has revealed speed limits on 38 sections of the state highway network will increase.

It will also consult on potentially lifting the limits on a further 49 sections.

The first increase - on part of State Highway 2 in Wairarapa - will come into force tonight.

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2 Finance Minister reveals date for 2025 Budget

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has revealed the date of this year's Budget.

She teased "bold steps" which will be "squarely focused" on economic growth.

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3 'Serious harm': Orca activity in Waikato prompts DOC warning

The Department of Conservation is reminding people of the rules for interacting with marine mammals.

In the past fortnight, there have been sightings of a pod of orca in Raglan and Kawhia harbours.

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4 Cyclist, 19, killed in Far North hit-and-run

A 19-year-old cyclist was killed in a suspected hit-and-run in the Far North town of Ōkaihau last night.

"A criminal investigation is now underway, and detectives are working to piece together who is responsible," police said.

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5 Revenge fears as ambush takes down Melbourne underworld identity

Police are on high alert for retaliation attacks after gangland figure Sam "The Punisher" Abdulrahim was executed in a daylight ambush.

The 32-year-old Thomastown man was gunned down as he walked to his car with a woman in a car park on High Street at Preston in Melbourne's north about 10.30am on Tuesday, Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said.

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ONE GAME PLAN, EXPLAINED

He voted for Biden, Obama and Hillary Clinton, so what explains Musk's extreme shift to the right?

Henry Maher of The Conversation explains the political journey.

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ONE PRIVATISATION ANALYSIS

Massey University professor of politics Richard Shaw takes a deep dive into state asset sales, and why New Zealanders are "squeamish" on the subject.

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