Debate on MPs' suspension deferred until June, IT contractors jailed over private sector corruption, safety improvements for Matamata after schoolgirl's death.
1 Debate on Te Pāti Māori MPs' suspension deferred until early June
The move was put forward by Leader of the House Chris Bishop, with government MPs voting in favour and opposition MPs against.
Bishop said the Government's position on the recommended punishments "remains unchanged".
"Deferring consideration of the debate means all members will have the opportunity to debate and vote on the Budget."
2 IT contractors jailed in NZ's largest private sector corruption case
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) filed charges against two IT contractors — Australian citizens Sean Bryan and Mark Lester — in April 2023.
Lester received more than $4m in kickbacks for continually recommending Bryan's company to test upgrades to Spark NZ's customer services IT platform.
The pair were sentenced to three years in prison for their roles in the case.
3 'We'll keep trusting our players' - Razor lifts lid on All Blacks' game plan
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson’s squad of 35 for the three-Test series against France in July may include a few newcomers but not a new game plan.
It will be based on possession, power and pace – elements of which the All Blacks did well last year after winning 10 of 14 Tests during Robertson’s first year in charge.
4 'Look in the mirror, sunshine' – Peters clashes with heckler at rail announcement
Minister for Rail Winston Peters had his media stand-up in the capital go off track this morning when a heckler interrupted his announcement on new rail funding.
The heckler could be heard saying, "a load of bollocks, Winston".
Peters replied: "Who said bollocks? You look like you look like bollocks mate. Go look in the mirror, sunshine."
5 Safety improvements for Matamata rail corridor after schoolgirl's death
Sarie Morton, 13, was fatally hit on the railway tracks alongside Firth St, near the intersection with College St, at around 3.15pm on March 12.
KiwiRail and Matamata-Piako District Council announced they would remove around eleven trees that currently obstruct visibility for train drivers of anyone approaching the tracks. Fencing would also be put up in some areas.
ONE MENOPAUSE EXPERIENCE
Each woman’s hormonal profile is as individual as her fingerprint: pregnancy, breastfeeding, contraceptive use and lifestyle choices can all influence hormone levels in unique ways.
Jessica Piasecki writes that researchers found women's responses when asked about their menopause experience "eye-opening" and that it highlighted the importance of support.
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