Consent-free granny flat rules expanding, parent prosecuted in truancy crackdown, and spider webs blanket parts of the North Island
Consent-free granny flat rules to be expanded
The Government has announced it will be expanding its consent-free granny flat rules.
The new regulations for granny flats came into force in January and allowed for units up to 70 square metres that met clear national standards to be built without consent.
Today, RMA and Housing Minister Chris Bishop, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk and Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones announced an expansion to the scheme.
'Predatory': Woman charged with stealing patients' belongings from hospitals bedsides
A woman who allegedly stole from the bedsides of hospital patients in a "predatory" spree has been arrested.
The 30-year-old woman, who is also waiting to be sentenced for stealing from open homes, is believed to have committed 16 offences at Auckland and Hamilton hospitals between January 12 and March 24.
Patients had their belongings stolen from their bedsides while they were undergoing treatment.
Parent prosecuted over absence as part of school truancy crackdown
The Government is taking a parent to court over their child's chronic absence from school as part of the truancy crackdown heralded by Associate Education Minister David Seymour.
Seymour last year promised the Government would be tougher on non-attendance using "coercive power", including prosecution.
He said it was not changing rules but ramping up enforcement.
Watch: Breakfast hosts address Luxon’s decision to skip regular interview
Tova O’Brien and Chris Chang revealed what will be replacing the Prime Minister’s slot.
ONE WHIRLED WILD WEB
Spider webs have spun their way across the North Island in recent days, with the arachnids leaving homes, fences, trees and reserves draped in gossamer from parts of Auckland to Hawke's Bay — but an expert says there's nothing to fear.
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