Archives for 7 March 2018

Today's huge blaze the third fire at same Auckland scrap metal yard in 10 months

There've also been fires at Sims Pacific Metals in Otahuhu last May and in 2007.

Auckland •March 7, 2018

Wellington councillors set to vote on $1 million plan to give beggars 'more meaningful' activities

The council wants beggars to find other things to do during the day.

Wellington •March 7, 2018

Secrets behind the lodge with the best service in the country according to TripAdvisor

Seven Sharp's Michael Holland put Abel Tasman Lodge to the test.

Tourism •March 7, 2018

Woman builds $30K wall to protect her family from cell tower radiation near her Auckland home

Marta Fisch of Waiheke Island says she's "pissed off".

Auckland •March 7, 2018

'We need action and accountability' - Me Too movement's global impact: Big in some places, scanty in others

International Women's Day is tomorrow.

March 7, 2018

Regions still seeing highest house price growth as Auckland market sluggish

House prices rose 6.5 per cent nationwide in the year to February but only one per cent in Auckland.

Property •March 7, 2018

Ross Taylor's superb unbeaten 181 guides Black Caps to series levelling ODI win against England

The Black Caps have beaten England by five wickets with three balls remaining in their fourth ODI at University Oval in Dunedin.

Black Caps •March 7, 2018

North Korea reportedly willing to hold nuclear talks with US

Kim Jung Un has expressed a willingness to discuss nuclear disarmament with the US, a South Korean official said.

Asia •March 7, 2018

'Testing ourselves against the best' – Jordie Barrett relishing Hurricanes v Crusaders clash

The two Kiwi powerhouses will come face-to-face in Wellington this weekend.

Hurricanes •March 7, 2018

Hurricanes confirm John Plumtree as new coach for 2019 season

The popular assistant coach will take over from Chris Boyd at the end of the current season.

Hurricanes •March 7, 2018

Russia officially denies 'wild' claims of involvement in illness of former spy

Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, are in a critical condition after collapsing in Salisbury.

UK And Europe •March 7, 2018

Prime Minister lands in Tonga as Pacific tour continues

Jacinda Ardern will meet the Tongan Prime Minister and attend a woman's leadership breakfast.

Pacific Islands •March 7, 2018

Daughter in captive Californian 'House of Horrors' secretly posted sad original songs to YouTube

A 17-year-old in the Turpin family somehow found a way to post online.

North America •March 7, 2018

Video: Outgoing Steven Joyce offered 'my choice of portfolios' - except finance

The outgoing National MP says his failed run for party leader left him with few new challenges in politics.

Politics •March 7, 2018

Video: Car dramatically flips three times across Aussie highway, narrowly avoiding oncoming traffic

Thankfully the driver escaped without serious injury.

Australia •March 7, 2018

Ardie Savea blunt over poor start Super season – 'actions speak louder than words'

"I'm pretty disappointed with my own personal performance in the first game," he said.

Hurricanes •March 7, 2018

'More people will die' if Coroner's Christie Marceau recommendations fall on deaf ears, family spokesperson says

The teenager was stabbed to death in her Auckland home in 2011 by Akshay Chand, who was on bail for kidnapping and assaulting her a month earlier.

Crime And Justice •March 7, 2018

'We’re behind the eight-ball' – health professor says NZ should follow UK ban on sale of energy drinks to teens

Otago University's Tony Blakely approves of a ban on energy drinks.

Health •March 7, 2018

Batten down the hatches Auckland! Heavy rain likely, as Cyclone Hola eyes NZ from the Pacific

Parts of the Wairarapa and Tararua District will receive between 120mm and 160mm today.

Weather News •March 7, 2018

Fancy working in Portugal? Up to 50 young Kiwis eligible for working holiday each year

A new deal means young New Zealanders could spend a year working in Portugal.

Travel •March 7, 2018

Daughter of outgoing National MP Steven Joyce delighted dad will have more time to take her to school

Mr Joyce reckons he's only been able to take Amelia to school once,

Politics •March 7, 2018

'There's a few murmurs' – Breakfast Club on who could take National's finance portfolio

Chris Bishop kept his cards close to his chest when asked who could take the much-desired job.

Politics •March 7, 2018

'I've had to go around the world a couple of times' – John Plumtree delighted to finally be named Hurricanes coach

Plumtree will take over from Chris Boyd at the end of the 2018 season.

Hurricanes •March 7, 2018

'Comprehensive' review of Charities Act now underway, minister Peeni Henare says, as calls to change tax treatment of religious charities grow

The Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector has publicly confirmed the review, as new calls from the public emerge for religious charities to be taxed.

Religion •March 7, 2018

'Makes me feel like a second-class citizen' - blind Wellingtonian calls Census process inadequate

Jonathan Mosen wants an inquiry into yesterday's census.

March 7, 2018

Video: Itchy dolphin remarkably uses Marlborough Sounds cruising boat hull as scratching post

Captain Jim Baillie said he’d never seen anything like it.

Animals •March 7, 2018

'We know you need more than books' – PM gives Tonga $10m for Cyclone Gita rebuild

The PM announced the pledge to Tongan children who had their school damaged in the cyclone.

Pacific Islands •March 7, 2018

Tax boost lifts Government's first half surplus above forecast

Crown's half-year operating surplus comes in at $2.4 billion.

March 7, 2018

ANZ to voluntarily increase paid parental leave to 26 weeks - two years early

The new policy will take effect from July 1 this year.

March 7, 2018

State-owned insurance company under investigation after claims they hired private eyes to spy on Canterbury earthquake victims

The State Services Commission is looking into whether a "government agency and one of its contractors may have breached the State Services Standards of Integrity and Conduct".

Christchurch And Canterbury •March 7, 2018

NZ Rugby League CEO stands down after shambolic World Cup performance

Alex Hayton has resigned three months after the Kiwis were humiliated by Fiji.

Kiwis •March 7, 2018

Quick fire questions with National's Nikki Kaye and Labour's Michael Wood

We cover compulsory Te Reo Maori, if 16-year-olds should vote, and if they'd ever go on Dancing with the Stars.

Politics •March 7, 2018

Amy Adams named as National's new finance spokesperson by Simon Bridges

The desired portfolio has created much speculation, after Steven Joyce revealed he was not offered the role.

Politics •March 7, 2018

Isolated West Coast township of Haast to get cell phone coverage for first time

A 3G tower will be built to service the population of 240 people.

Technology •March 7, 2018

Storm waves devastate little blue penguin breeding colony on Auckland island

Variable oyster catcher and black back gull chicks were also swept away.

Animals •March 7, 2018

Video: World's oldest message in a bottle found near Perth - 'We thought it was a hoax'

The bottle's origin was traced to the German barque ship "Paula" in 1886.

Australia •March 7, 2018

'Pure harassment' - four-time gold medallist Sir Mo Farah says he was racially targeted by airport security team

"The guys were touching me up like crazy," Sir Mo said.

UK And Europe •March 7, 2018

'It's a dumb meme' - Alex Jones of Infowars sued by creator of Pepe the Frog cartoon for using image

Infowars is selling a poster featuring the character.

North America •March 7, 2018

Great Dane attacks three-year-old on bike in Australia partly ripping off his ear

It comes just days after a 12-month-old girl was mauled to death by a rottweiler in NSW.

Australia •March 7, 2018

Identity of man found dead outside Flaxmere Tavern revealed

A homicide investigation is underway.

Hawkes Bay •March 7, 2018

Stan Walker posts touching image of his mother comforting him in hospital as he battles health issues

"My mama always holding me down," reads the picture caption.

Health •March 7, 2018

Simon Bridges not expecting anymore National Party resignations soon but there could be more 'over time'

He said National needs a blend of "good experience, but with new talent coming through".

Politics •March 7, 2018

Zero Carbon Act must happen in New Zealand: commissioner

A UK-style Climate Act needs to be designed to be immune to multiple electoral cycles, the Environment Commissioner says.

Environment •March 7, 2018

Helen Clark on Jacinda Ardern's baby, Hillary Clinton and the #MeToo movement

The country's first elected female prime minister spoke about a range of topics at an event celebrating 125 years since women gained the vote in New Zealand.

Politics •March 7, 2018

Farm near Invercargill latest to be hit by cattle disease

Mycoplasma bovis can have serious effects on cattle.

Farming •March 7, 2018

Gun-wielding robbers make off with cash in brazen Auckland security van robbery

Police say the heavily disguised trio carried out the aggravated robbery just after 11am at the Takanini Southgate shopping complex.

Auckland •March 7, 2018

Watch: Michelle Obama dances with two-year-old fan in adorable video

Parker Curry was invited over after a picture of her transfixed by Ms Obama's portrait went viral.

North America •March 7, 2018

Mystery surrounds discovery of two bodies in central Auckland suburb

The property has been cordoned off while a scene examination is underway.

Auckland •March 7, 2018

Strike action at Port of Lyttelton avoided for now

The port company have agreed to resume talks so plans to strike from Friday to Monday have been put on hold.

Christchurch And Canterbury •March 7, 2018

How to DAD's explanation of difference between Aussies and Kiwis in new vid proving a hit on YouTube

Jordan Watson's video a top 25 clip on the site.

March 7, 2018

NZ steps up aid to Papua New Guinea as earthquake death toll feared to top 100

A second RNZAF Hercules aircraft carrying emergency relief supplies will depart for PNG tomorrow.

Natural Disasters •March 7, 2018

Motorcyclist seriously injured during Auckland rush hour crash

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified about the New Lynn accident.

Auckland •March 7, 2018

Golden Bay dairy farmers cut off by Cylone Gita struggling with limited milk pick-ups

The region's State Highway 60 is currently only open to escorted convoys.

Farming •March 7, 2018

Isolated town of Haast promised cellphone coverage by May after years of pleading by locals

Business owners say at the moment it's like working in the dark ages.

West Coast •March 7, 2018

'A special place' - New Zealand's top cafe revealed

Seven Sharp's Lucas De Jong was at Cafe of the Year Awards tonight.

Food And Drink •March 7, 2018

'Just felt like you were in there with one of the boys' - Kiwi heavyweight boxer Patrick Mailata on sparring Anthony Joshua

Mailata surprised his coach with a piece of his sparring sessions with British boxing superstar Anthony Joshua.

Boxing •March 7, 2018

Shooting of Grizz the dog at Auckland Airport could have been avoided, report finds

The aviation security dog was shot after he escaped across the tarmac last year.

Animals •March 7, 2018