Archives for 13 August 2026

Why do National and Labour both struggle with effective leadership?

With the 2026 election fast approaching, a sitting prime minister facing a crisis within his own party, and the opposition leader not faring well either, writes Grant Duncan.

Politics •Thu, Aug 13

West Coast gold mine recruiting after $400m development

The gold in the hills behind Reefton is about to be mined again at the brand new Snowy River mine, established by Australian company Endura.

West Coast •Thu, Aug 13

Mayor criticises ACT councillors for motion copied from another council

Malcolm Taylor filed a notice of motion in June proposing more rigorous requirements for reports presented to councillors.

Politics •Thu, Aug 13

France bans unsolicited telemarketing calls, introduces hefty fines

Authorities estimate that about three-quarters of people in France receive at least one unsolicited sales call every week.

UK And Europe •Thu, Aug 13

Sir Anthony Hopkins' debut album and Bradley Cooper's role in making it

Legendary actor, 88, completes his first album, Life Is A Dream, to be released on August 21.

Music •Thu, Aug 13

What next for the National Party?

Former defence minister Wayne Mapp believed Penk had been made a sacrificial lamb.

Christopher Luxon •Thu, Aug 13

'Most challenging of recent times': SIS warns of intensified security threats

The NZSIS is warning that geopolitical upheaval has intensified threats to New Zealand's safety and security.

Defence •Thu, Aug 13

Rob Reiner's son lay in wait before parents' deaths, indictment says

The grand jury, which had been meeting in secret, returned the indictment on July 20, and it was unsealed overnight, when Nick Reiner entered a not guilty plea.

North America •Thu, Aug 13

Quake tests Colombia's new government as rescuers race the clock

Colombian forensics authorities said Thursday that more than 200 people died in the 7.4 magnitude earthquake, and the true number likely higher.

Central And South America •Thu, Aug 13

Crowds pack Spain to witness first total eclipse in over a century

The crowds brought lawn chairs, umbrellas and hats as they eagerly awaited the celestial spectacle, which began early in the evening.

Space •Thu, Aug 13

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to leave role

Donald Trump described her as one of his "most trusted aides" in a social media post announcing her departure.

US Politics •Thu, Aug 13

Watch: Chris Bishop grilled on National's leadership drama

National minister Chris Bishop said he backed Luxon, and emphasised that the meeting was called due to the leadership threat from Penk.

Politics •Thu, Aug 13

Crime proceeds, debt to an ex: What people have tried to claim in tax returns

Every so often, people try to claim expenses that don't qualify for a return.

Personal Finance •Thu, Aug 13

US high school football player finds venomous snake in his helmet

The player wore the helmet for nearly an hour and was fortunate he wasn't bitten by the deadly serpentine.

Animals •Thu, Aug 13

The dairy farmer behind latest grocery price comparison app

CheckMyTrolley is the latest grocery comparison tool to hit the market as the cost of living continues to bite into household budgets.

Business •Thu, Aug 13

New skipper Root scraps midnight curfew on England cricket team

The restriction was put in place by England managing director Rob Key after controversial late-night incidents on the winter tours of New Zealand and Australia.

UK And Europe •Thu, Aug 13

Rakesh Naidoo's manager apologises for 'confusion' over Labour bid

Assistant Commissioner Tim Anderson apologised to Naidoo and Richard Chambers for "the confusion, which has resulted in incorrect information being provided to media".

Crime And Justice •Thu, Aug 13

Opportunity Party leader on poll surge, working with Winston Peters

Qiulae Wong believed her party could find "common ground" with Winston Peters and New Zealand First if it were part of future coalition negotiations.

Verian Poll •Thu, Aug 13

Josh Kushner and Bob Iger agree to buy Lakers for reported $21.3b

The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold for the second time in a year, going to businessmen Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a record-breaking price.

Business •Thu, Aug 13

Motorcycle officer's high-speed pursuit before fatal crash unjustified

In its findings released today, the IPCA said the officer hit speeds of up to 192km/h before the rider he was chasing crashed.

Crime And Justice •Thu, Aug 13

'Captains of our future': Iwi invests in rangatahi and tech

Ngāti Whātua is investing in its future with a new leadership and technology scholarship aimed at ensuring the success of the next generation of leaders.

Te Ao Maori •Thu, Aug 13

Young children living at Hastings property where guns, drugs found

Three people, including a patched Mongrel Mob member, have been arrested after police found shotguns and a haul of drugs in a Hastings raid last week.

Crime And Justice •Thu, Aug 13

Exclusive: 'Obvious choice' - Mo'unga set to join All Blacks in South Africa

The 56-Test All Blacks first-five will travel to Johannesburg today as an injury replacement in time for the first Test against the world champions.

All Blacks •Thu, Aug 13

Heavy rain warnings for eastern regions of the North Island

NZTA is warning people on the east coast of the North Island to "drive to the conditions overnight and tomorrow" as heavy rain warnings come into effect.

Weather News •Thu, Aug 13

US man kills wife, daughter at home daycare after killing another relative

The 41-year-old man fatally shot himself after stabbing his wife and child at their in-home daycare.

North America •Thu, Aug 13

Analysis: Luxon survives, but how long for?

1News Politics Producer Tom Day reflects on where an extraordinary day in Wellington leaves the National Party.

Politics •Thu, Aug 13

ICE's plan to give officers electric shock gloves draws outrage

The gloves, which deliver a powerful electric shock, are intended to gain compliance from people who are resisting.

North America •Thu, Aug 13

Work to resume on stalled Wellington social housing development

The Kāinga Ora Arlington development will build 104 social homes – about a third of the original plan for 301 homes.

Wellington •Thu, Aug 13

Jobs reportedly affected at SkyCity as company reviews operating model

Chief executive Jason Walbridge said "the economic conditions facing our business are real, and they require us to make some hard choices about how we're set up for the future".

Business •Thu, Aug 13

Concerns potential buyers of state house not told of 'meth lab' history

The 1940s home was billed as a "project you don't want to miss" and was being offered for sale on an "as-is, where-is basis".

Housing And Infrastructure •Thu, Aug 13

Charlie Kirk's alleged killer did not endanger others, defence says

Tyler Robinson is on trial accused of fatally shooting the conservative activist on a university campus last September.

Crime And Justice •Thu, Aug 13

Erling Haaland stickers found on cocaine haul seized by Ecuador police

Police released a video showing the packages spilling out from the truck's false bottom, with the stickers of Haaland clearly visible.

Crime And Justice •Thu, Aug 13

'Journalism matters': Tech giants to share money with Australian media

The government's proposed laws will push companies to strike commercial deals with news organisations to use the publishers' content on their platforms.

Media •Thu, Aug 13

Teacher shared principal's 'sensitive' diagnosis with parents, colleague

The teacher took a photo of the personal document while in the principal's office and shared its details with multiple people, without consent.

Education •Thu, Aug 13

Police say man shot dead at Auckland's Sylvia Park was on bail

A restaurant worker at the mall told 1News they heard multiple gunshots as a major police presence swarmed the mall carpark.

Auckland •Thu, Aug 13

Five Big Things That Happened Today: Thursday, August 13

Auckland's Sylvia Park shopping centre in lockdown, gunshots heard; Luxon questioned on leadership stability; Opportunity Party leader on poll surge, working with Winston Peters.

Thu, Aug 13

The National Party's 92 political ads seen by only men

Out of more than 500 ads National has run on Facebook and Instagram this year, only one was solely seen by women.

Politics •Thu, Aug 13

China-born spouses face rising loyalty scrutiny in Taiwan

Fears of a military invasion by China have complicated Taiwan's policy toward so-called "mainland spouses".

Asia •Thu, Aug 13

NZ Warriors set ground rules for use of powerful new haka in NRL

Performance of Nga Tamatoa captured the imagination of rugby league fans, with some Australian commentators advocating it should be repeated as often as possible.

Warriors •Thu, Aug 13

Nursing Council chief executive quits amid wider resignations – union

"The council's executive are leaving in droves. This is the direct result of the minister's gutting of the council's board," opines a union representative.

Health •Thu, Aug 13

Pauline Hanna inquest: Unused Polkinghorne documentary footage shown

Unused footage shown at the Coroner's Court were filmed in 2022 inside the Remuera home where Hanna was found dead the year before.

Crime And Justice •Thu, Aug 13

Police clear senior officer turned Labour candidate after review

Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo followed police policy, a review has found.

Politics •Thu, Aug 13

Christopher Luxon finally faces questions about failed leadership coup

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will remain as the National Party leader following a confidence vote at a caucus meeting this morning.

Politics •Thu, Aug 13

Judge to rule whether Tate brothers remain in custody amid extradition fight

The polarising internet personalities are accused of rape and sex trafficking in the UK.

Crime And Justice •Thu, Aug 13

Taylor returns to All Blacks but star backline duo remain absent

Hooker Codie Taylor will captain the team against the Bulls but there is still no sign of wing Will Jordan or halfback Cam Roigard.

All Blacks •Thu, Aug 13