NZDF proposes cuts to civilian workforce, teen runner Sam Ruthe breaks sub-four minute mile, and the New Zealand Breakers are under new ownership.
1 NZ Defence Force proposing cuts to civilian workforce, union says
The Defence Force is proposing a major restructure of its civilian workforce, which could mean a net reduction of 374 roles, according to the Public Service Association.
Fleur Fitzsimons, national secretary for the PSA, said cuts to civilian jobs would mean heavier workloads for uniformed staff, worsening the defence force's retention.
2 New Zealand climbs out of recession with 0.7% increase in Gross Domestic Product
The New Zealand economy has climbed out of recession after GDP rose by 0.7% in figures released today.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis said Kiwi families and business could "look forward to a better future" due to today's GDP figures.
The economy had previously met the widely accepted definition of recession, with two successive quarters of contraction.
3 Fifteen-year-old Sam Ruthe breaks record sub-four minute mile
With a time of 3 minutes and 58.35 seconds, the Tauranga teenager became the first 15-year-old to break the benchmark for middle-distance runners at Auckland’s Mt Smart yesterday evening.
“It’s definitely sunk in a lot more than it had last night – it’s starting to feel a bit crazy,” he told Breakfast this morning.
4 NZ Breakers shaken up by new owners as Kiwi brothers take over
1News understands staff at the Breakers were issued letters earlier this week stating they would lose their jobs, including chief executive Lisa Edser.
The New Zealand Companies Register showed an entity named NZ Breakers Club Limited had been established on February 28, formed by brothers Leon and Stephen Grice.
The pair, who founded Rako Science and introduced a non-invasive saliva PCR test to the country during the Covid-19 pandemic, were listed as 50/50 shareholders.
5 Three charged with extorting customers at an Auckland Pak'nSave
The incidents involved some external security contractors at Pak'nSave Manukau, police said in a statement.
Five alleged victims filed complaints with police, Detective Senior Sergeant Kevin Tiernan, Counties Manukau Central CIB, said.
In a statement following the arrests, Pak'nSave owner Foodstuffs told 1News it "would be inappropriate to comment on matters that are before the courts".
ONE HAPPY-AS COUNTRY
Finland was named the happiest country in the world for the eighth year in a row, according to the World Happiness Report 2025 published today.
New Zealand ranked 12th overall, between Australia and Switzerland and the United States recorded an all-time low result.
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