Govt reveals cost of new Cook Strait ferries, trust drops hostile takeover for Auckland school, and a show-stopping announcement on The Chase.
Government reveals the $1.8b cost of its new Cook Strait ferries and infrastructure
New Interislander ferries and portside infrastructure will cost $1.86 billion, in addition to the half-billion spent on the cancelled iRex project, the Government has revealed.
Rail Minister Winston Peters said the new "no nonsense" infrastructure programme was helping save the taxpayer money when the two ships enter service in 2029.
"The total programme will cost less than $2 billion, with the taxpayer contribution coming in under the $1.7 billion allocated at the start of this year," Peters said.
Trust drops hostile takeover for Auckland state school
A youth charity trust that launched what amounts to a hostile takeover bid for a prominent Auckland state school says it has withdrawn its application due to mounting public pressure and concern for the safety of students.
Bangerz Education and Wellbeing Trust lodged a proposal to the Charter School Agency to convert Kelston Boys’ High School into a charter school from term one 2026.
The controversial bid sparked a public outcry after the school’s acting principal Dan Samuelu announced the school did not support it, Indira Stewart reports.
The staggering numbers behind Metallica's Auckland gig
Metal stars Metallica are set to take the stage tonight at Auckland's Eden Park stadium, to an expected crowd of 55,000.
While Metallica is made up of four band members, it takes a team of hundreds to get set up for a gig like tonight's.
Watch: Tense exchange as Trump and Saudi Crown Prince asked about journalist's death
The moment came during an Oval Office meeting between the US President and Mohammed bin Salman.
ONE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT
The Chase host Bradley Walsh briefly halted the quiz show to deliver a surprise on-air announcement, marking a significant milestone for one of its biggest stars.
"We’ve got a special announcement to make," Walsh told viewers, turning the spotlight onto Chaser Mark 'The Beast' Labbett.
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