Director-General of Health resigns, motorcyclist killed on Auckland motorway, and an Air NZ flight is diverted to Wellington due to a disruptive passenger.
1 Director-General of Health Diana Sarfati resigns
Director-General of Health Dr Diana Sarfati has announced she will be stepping down from her role — the third major resignation in the health sector this month.
Sarfati said she appreciated the privilege and responsibility that has come with leading the ministry during a time of "significant change" within the sector.
She said that she had decided to "leave promptly" after making the decision to go, with her final day being on February 21.
2 Motorcyclist killed in crash on Auckland's Southern Motorway
A motorcyclist has died in a serious crash that closed a section of Auckland's Southern Motorway near Greenlane this morning.
Police said the two-vehicle crash occurred on southbound lanes near the Greenlane on-ramp at around 8am.
3 Air NZ flight diverted to Wellington due to disruptive passenger
An Air New Zealand flight has been diverted to Wellington after a mid-air incident involving a "disruptive passenger".
Flight NZ679 from Auckland to Dunedin instead landed briefly in the capital this morning, said Air New Zealand chief safety officer Captain David Morgan, who said there was an incident involving a passenger.
4 Car left teetering off ferry ramp after driver moves cones
A motorist removed cones blocking off an Interislander ferry loading ramp before he stranded his vehicle teetering above the Wellington Harbour.
Interislander executive general manager Duncan Roy said the man had driven off a Kaiārahi sailing from Picton but entered "an unauthorised area".
5 Canterbury farming business fined after worker crushed to death
A large South Canterbury farming company has been fined and ordered to pay reparations after a worker was crushed to death by a hydraulic tailgate on a trailer in 2022.
Louis van Heerden, 45, was standing at the back of a dark, narrow shed at Turley Farms near Temuka as a spotter while grass seed was tipped off the trailer.
ONE AUCKLAND BIN CHANGE
A big change to how kerbside rubbish is collected for several Auckland suburbs is coming, with the council urging locals to "plan ahead".
Pre-paid bin tags will be tossed out, starting from March 3 for residents on the North Shore, followed by Papakura on May 1.
ONE VALENTINE'S MESSAGE
Sarah Catherall doesn't begrudge anyone their overpriced roses, but she would rather celebrate the freedom to choose to be partnered or alone, and equally fulfilled either way.
Catherall explains why she is sick of Valentine's Day and its "tired message".
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