Five Big Things That Happened Today: Thursday, August 7

Auckland District Court (file photo).

Auckland man jailed over $1.7m fraud; Which KiwiSaver funds are still going strong; Richie Mo'unga confirms when he'll make his NZ return.

1 Auckland man jailed over $1.7m Covid-19 relief scheme fraud

An Auckland man has been jailed for nearly six years over more than $1.7 million worth of fraud related to Covid-19 relief schemes.

Luke Daniel Rivers, also known as Mai Qu, pleaded guilty to 29 charges, including Wage Subsidy and Small Business Cashflow Scheme fraud and money laundering.

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2 The KiwiSaver funds that are still going strong

Total KiwiSaver assets rose nearly $9 billion in the second quarter with strong market returns across most funds.

Financial research company Morningstar, which tracked the data, said KiwiSaver assets hit $129.1b in the three months ended June.

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3 Star playmaker Richie Mo'unga confirms when he'll make his NZ return

Richie Mo’unga, New Zealand Rugby’s most wanted man, has announced he will return from Japan to play for Canterbury next year and the Crusaders in 2027.

Mo’unga, 31, who has played 57 Tests for the All Blacks, has agreed to an 18-month deal that will take him to the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027.

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4 Road user charge a 'good idea', but privacy is a concern – Automobile Association

An expert says he has concerns about privacy and data collection as the Government plans to expand the use of road user charges.

Yesterday, the Government signed off on the first steps towards scrapping petrol tax and shifting all vehicles onto electronic road user charges.

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5 Man tasered after Masterton Police Station front counter staff threatened with knife

A man has been arrested after allegedly threatening a staff member at Masterton Police Station with a knife, putting the station into lockdown this morning.

Wairarapa Area Commander Inspector Nicholas Thom said the man entere the Masterton Police Station at 11.37am and "presented a knife" at the staff member on the front counter.

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Watch: The national park photos that saw woman cop $400 fine

The photos include damning evidence of the woman smiling while holding one of her dogs in front of a "no dogs" sign.

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ONE DATING FLASHBACK

After years of swiping, ghosting, and dating app fatigue, a growing number of young New Zealanders are ditching the apps for something that once seemed old-fashioned — meeting in person.

Breakfast producer Claudia Toxopeus has the story.

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