Tributes in Parliament to victims of severe weather; NZ Post to remove mail services at 142 urban retail locations; 'Absolute disgrace' to consider Trump's Board of Peace, Hipkins says.
Live: Tributes in Parliament to victims of severe weather
Tributes in Parliament were offered by MPs today to those who had lost their lives as a result of the severe weather last week.
Earlier, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said there is a "strong case" for an independent Government inquiry into the fatal landslide at Mount Maunganui.
The Government is also making $1.2 million available for affected regions through mayoral relief funds, on top of the annual government contribution already in place.
NZ Post to remove mail services at 142 urban retail locations
Mail services at 142 of NZ Post's urban retail partner stores across New Zealand will be withdrawn from later this year, the postal service has announced.
The state-owned enterprise confirmed the changes this morning, noting that there would be no changes to rural stores "at this time".
'Absolute disgrace' to consider Trump's Board of Peace - Hipkins
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has labelled the Government's so-far refusal to rule out joining US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" an "absolute disgrace".
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been invited to join the new organisation, saying last week he would give it "due consideration" and, on Tuesday, confirming it was still a possibility.
Watch: US winter whiteout claims lives, hundreds of thousands without power
Flights across North America have been cancelled with almost half of US states declaring a state of emergency.
ONE FINANCIAL RECOVERY
If your bank account looks a little scorched right now, you’re not alone.
Finance journalist Frances Cook has four tips for getting back on track after this Christmas holiday period.
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