Teen facing deportation offered visa, Trump and Zelensky trade barbs, and what was New Zealand's most common family name for babies last year?
1 NZ-born 18-year-old facing deportation offered resident visa
A New Zealand-born and raised teenager who had never left the country but faced being deported has been offered a resident visa.
Immigration lawyer Alastair McClymont said the Associate Immigration Minister had opted to intervene and offer 18-year-old Daman Kumar the chance to stay in New Zealand.
"Whilst we are delighted for Daman, the family now must face being torn apart so their delight at the news is mixed with great sorrow."
2 'Dictator without elections': Trump and Zelensky trade barbs as relations sour
Relations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump deteriorated rapidly overnight.
Zelensky said Trump was living in a Russian-made "disinformation space" and Trump called Zelensky "a dictator without elections" in comments that were sure to complicate efforts to end the war.
3 'We're in strong shape' — NZ Rugby boss bullish despite sponsorship blow
New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson is optimistic about his organisation’s financial future — despite major sponsor Ineos’ alleged breach of contract, which is heading to court.
Ineos — the petro-chemical giant whose branding appears on All Blacks’ shorts and training jerseys — has been accused of not paying the first instalment of its 2025 fee, leading to the collapse of the agreement.
4 Vehicle hits two houses in West Auckland — driver flees
Police are searching for a driver who crashed into two properties in Massey, West Auckland before fleeing on foot this morning. Footage from the scene shows debris strewn from both homes into the surrounding properties.
5 'Reset' needed with Cook Islands, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said there is an expectation that the government of the Cook Islands will not pursue policies "significantly at variance with New Zealand's interests".
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown arrived back in the Cooks to a 400-strong crowd protesting his week-long state visit to China, where he signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership" to boost its relationship with Beijing.
ONE PROMISE SINCE A CANCER DIAGNOSIS
Eight months ago, Nigel Latta was told he had incurable stomach cancer.
Since then, New Zealand's best-known psychologist has been doing everything he can to stay alive for as long as possible. He and wife Natalie Flynn tell Gill Higgins about the day their life changed — and the promise Nigel made Natalie.
ONE POPULAR NAME
The most commonly registered family name for babies born in New Zealand in 2024 has been released by the Minister for Internal Affairs.
It was the seventh consecutive year the name Singh topped the list. We have the top 10.
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