Archives for 28 July 2026

'Students will be harmed': teachers react to Government's new curriculum

As the Government rolls out the biggest overhaul of New Zealand's school curriculum in nearly two decades, five high school teachers explain why the reforms have them very concerned.

Education •Tue, Jul 28

Will lozenges or medicated hot drinks make my cough go away?

There are few things more irritating than lying in bed exhausted, ready to settle in for a good night’s sleep, only to be kept awake by a cough that won’t quit.

Health •Tue, Jul 28

All Blacks: Joy for three new caps – and Beauden Barrett too

The All Blacks' squad of 44 for South Africa contains three uncapped players and some overdue good news for the most experienced of the lot.

All Blacks •Tue, Jul 28

'Forever home' found after three-plus years in transitional housing

An elderly woman spent three-and-a-half years waiting for social housing to become available in Gisborne.

Te Ao Maori •Tue, Jul 28

France and Spain race to contain huge wildfires before new heatwave

"We're facing a completely unprecedented fire," Emmanuel Macron said, describing the situation as France's worst fire-related crisis since World War II.

UK And Europe •Tue, Jul 28

Police arrest teen after festival shooting kills 3 in Seattle

The gunfire erupted in the waning hours of the Bite of Seattle, an annual three-day festival that draws hundreds of food and retail vendors and performers.

North America •Tue, Jul 28

Government to consider future of cost of living payment

The finance minister has hinted that, given the "s-shape in which prices have gone up and down", the relief will stay.

Politics •Tue, Jul 28

Mediators see progress in efforts to halt Iran war

A fragile pause in US-Iran hostilities has sparked fresh hopes for talks, but tensions across the Middle East remain far from over.

Middle East •Tue, Jul 28

Lewis Clareburt wins NZ's first Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow

The 27-year-old, who had qualified second for the final, looked well out of the running at the halfway mark - before storming home to defend his title.

Swimming •Tue, Jul 28

Rapist who blamed arson on local Māori released on 10th parole attempt

Prominent Northland farmer and anti-Treaty activist Allan Titford has been granted parole on his 10th attempt, after serving almost 13 years behind bars.

Crime And Justice •Tue, Jul 28

Singer Carly Simon diagnosed with Parkinson's, treated for skin cancer

"Some days I’m so tired I can’t get the day moving at all. On others, it gives me a little more room to move, think, work, and feel like myself.”

Music •Tue, Jul 28

Baby missing as mum, toddler found dead in water off SA coast

Emergency services rushed to the state's southernmost coastal town yesterday and encountered the horrific and tragic scene.

Australia •Tue, Jul 28

FIFA's Infantino says critics spread 'hate and false rumours'

One week after the World Cup final, FIFA President Gianni Infantino attacked perceived critics for "spreading hate and false rumours" about the tournament.

FIFA World Cup •Tue, Jul 28

News in 90 Seconds July 28

The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a man’s arrested for allegedly spying for New Zealand, and when to expect a fresh cold snap.

Tue, Jul 28

Another cold and frosty start to the day, as one spot records -7C

Meteorologist John Law told Breakfast said some areas in the North Island overnight recorded their coldest night of the year.

Weather News •Tue, Jul 28

Timeline: Mt Maunganui landslide, inquiry and the road to reopening

Experts were assessing the site on Monday after Tauranga City Council warned of a "major regression" at the site of January's deadly slips.

Tauranga And Bay Of Plenty •Tue, Jul 28

Minor injuries after bus crashes near Queenstown

Emergency services were called to Glenorchy Queenstown Road at around 9am.

Accidents •Tue, Jul 28

The prank costing Invercargill City Council $5000 a year to fix

Council general manager for water services Matt Keil said the clean up process was undertaken about 50 times a year by staff - time that would be better spent elsewhere.

Environment •Tue, Jul 28

Hipkins: 'No way' Labour will support Opportunity's tax policy

Yesterday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon appeared to rule out working with Opportunity, and said National didn't want to "do business" with anyone seeking to impose new taxes.

Politics •Tue, Jul 28

Rocket Lab wins $460 million contract with US military

The New Zealand-founded aerospace company said the contract, its biggest to date, had been awarded by the US Space Force.

Business •Tue, Jul 28

Kiwi shares footage of moment he was bitten in Fiji shark attack

Henry Gibbs posted a video to his Instagram account of the moment he was attacked, explaining what happened leading up to the bite.

Animals •Tue, Jul 28

Final report deadline for Phillips inquiry extended to 'clarify a matter'

Attorney-General Chris Bishop said "there is an issue I wish the inquiry to clarify".

Politics •Tue, Jul 28

Wellington church locks doors after items stolen from altar fail to return

"We pray for those who have taken the icons and request that you would return them... no questions asked," a note on the door read.

Wellington •Tue, Jul 28

Kiwi designers face-off with Aliexpress, Shein copies

New Zealand clothing brands say they've had a gutsful of offshore fast fashion giants using their images and ripping off designs.

Economy •Tue, Jul 28

Long-serving former Taupō mayor David Trewavas dies aged 63

Taupō District Mayor John Funnell has confirmed the death of former mayor David Trewavas, who served the district for over two decades.

Hamilton And Waikato •Tue, Jul 28

Singer D4vd ordered to stand trial in killing of teen girl

Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, had threatened to expose their relationship and crater D4vd's rising career just days before his debut album dropped.

North America •Tue, Jul 28

'Important for us' – All Blacks to alert officials about up-tempo intent

New Zealanders want to play at pace in South Africa and will ask the refs to rule accordingly – but the Tests will require an element of caution.

All Blacks •Tue, Jul 28

'High treason': Russian ambassador to NZ on suspected spy’s arrest

The Russian FSB said the man is a Russian citizen and proactively established contact with the NZ Security Intelligence Service.

Defence •Tue, Jul 28

'Haphazard' or 'no surprise'? Luxon's Opportunity rule-out under scrutiny

The Prime Minister was pressed by reporters on the issue today at Parliament.

Opportunity Party •Tue, Jul 28

Trump defends his tariffs, watches drag races on Michigan stop

Trump visited a sprawling General Motors facility in the Detroit suburb of Milford that is a testing ground for its vehicles.

North America •Tue, Jul 28

Watch: NZ Navy crew make dramatic high seas rescue off Hawaii

The warship Te Mana was participating in an exercise when it heard about a battered outrigger in distress.

Defence •Tue, Jul 28

Man arrested after recording device found in kindy staff bathroom

No children were identified in any of the recordings following the discovery at an early childcare education facility in Mount Maunganui.

Tue, Jul 28

Severe gales for Marlborough to Wairarapa later this week

MetService said there was "moderate confidence" the gales would affect the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington and Wairarapa.

Weather News •Tue, Jul 28

Burger Burger goes into liquidation

The gourmet burger chain's director says spending in restaurants had dropped "through the floor".

Business •Tue, Jul 28

Frustration growing as City Rail Link opening date still elusive

Officials are still refusing to specify even what month the country's biggest infrastructure project will open.

Transport •Tue, Jul 28

'My bloodline': Teen boxer brings Tuvalu fire to Commonwealth Games

The teenager was the flag bearer for the tiny island of Tuvalu at the Games opening ceremony.

Commonwealth Games •Tue, Jul 28

Five Big Things That Happened Today: Tuesday, July 28

'High treason': Russian ambassador to NZ on suspected spy’s arrest; Kiwi shares footage of moment he was bitten in Fiji shark attack; Teachers pan new curriculum.

Tue, Jul 28

'Tell us where to look': Savannah Guthrie's plea to mum's kidnappers

Nancy Guthrie, 84, disappeared from her home just outside Tucson, Arizona, on February 1.

North America •Tue, Jul 28

Straight to the pool room: Australian classic The Castle hits stage

The beloeved comedy film is responsible for oft-quoted lines such as "It's the vibe" and "tell him he's dreaming".

Australia •Tue, Jul 28

Auckland's local food safety info bylaw could be allowed to expire

A review found that Auckland's food bylaw was no longer fit for purpose, with one councillor saying it's no longer required.

Food Drink •Tue, Jul 28

US mum's lawyer says postpartum psychosis made her kill her 3 kids

Nineteen days after she was discharged from a psychiatric hospital, Lindsay Clancy strangled her children at their Massachusetts home.

Crime And Justice •Tue, Jul 28

US looks to boost anti-China spending by hundreds of millions

A State Department official said China’s economic activities in the Western Hemisphere pose risks to US national security and prosperity.

North America •Tue, Jul 28

Pōhutukawa trees on Coromandel beach 'drilled and poisoned'

The Department of Conservation says two trees were found with "clear evidence of drill and fill holes around the base".

Environment •Tue, Jul 28

Greyhound racing on home straight ahead of ban

Race clubs hold their final meetings, some attended by animal activists who lobbied for the closures.

Animals •Tue, Jul 28

French president visits fire zone, vows: 'We will win this battle together'

The blaze raging since last week has been wildly unpredictable, transforming at times into a self-feeding fire storm as it burned through an area four times the size of Paris

UK And Europe •Tue, Jul 28

New Hooker Valley suspension bridge opens in Aoraki Mount Cook

The marvel of design spans 189m across the Hooker River, making it the longest suspension bridge in the country.

Christchurch And Canterbury •Tue, Jul 28

Five cannonballs stashed in passenger's luggage at US airport

The relics were stashed inside a passenger’s check-in luggage at Gulf Shores International Airport in Alabama on July 18.

North America •Tue, Jul 28