Bryce Edwards: Political round-up - Banks could hang on
If John Banks does go it will be to save John Key and National, not himself.Being stood down as a Minister would certainly be the end of Banks' political career and, surely, the end of the Act Party....
View ArticleCollins refuses to express confidence in ACC's story
ACC Minister Judith Collins this morning refused to express confidence in the ACC's version of what took place when claimant Bronwyn Pullar met with corporation executives in December.This week it was...
View Article'A measured and responsible Budget' - PM
Prime Minister John Key has signalled changes to the student loans scheme in the Budget - though not to them being interest free."The Government remains committed to keep student loans interest free...
View ArticleAuckland man pleads guilty over balcony death
An Auckland man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a mate who clung to a balcony railing before his fingers were prised and he fell to his death.In the High Court at Auckland today, Barry...
View ArticleSex offender teacher report received by minister
Minister of Education Hekia Parata says she has received an interim report into how a convicted sex offender obtained work as a school teacher.Terito Henry Miki, 41, pleaded guilty in April to seven...
View ArticleGang was 'armed and ready'
Mob members were armed and on "red alert" for retaliatory action at their HQ when a man with links to Black Power was shot and hit by 40 shotgun pellets, a court has been told.The 17-year-old man who...
View ArticleGwaze trial: Police describe 'detailed' scene exam
A homicide detective who investigated the death of a 10-year-old girl at her family home in Christchurch rated it today as one of the "most detailed'' crime scene examinations of his career.The trial...
View ArticleShark surfing no breach of Animal Welfare Act - officials
The Ministry for Primary Industries says it has found no breach of the Animal Welfare Act after complaints over a shark `surfing' incident.A spokesperson for MPI said the matter would not be...
View Article'Worst case' of child exploitation
A man caught with more than 6000 child sex photos only four months after leaving prison has been sentenced to five years in prison.Stephen John Laing used the account name "babyrape'' to share images...
View ArticleBanks' Dotcom call: 'I'd do it again'
Act leader John Banks has admitted he may have tried to lobby a government minister on behalf on Megaupload millionaire Kim Dotcom more than once, and says he would do it again.Mr Banks has found...
View ArticleFire victim still in serious condition
A teenager who suffered burns to 70 per cent of his body in a Rotorua house fire remains in a serious condition in hospital.Rangitihi Tamati, 14, is in Auckland's Middlemore Hospital after the fire at...
View ArticleHeroic teens rescue elderly walker from stream
Getting into mischief is something Rotorua teen Ryan Heremaia is familiar with but he isn't averse to jumping in when someone needs help.The 16-year-old reluctant hero is one of a group of youths who...
View ArticleNZ schools lacking effective science programmes - report
Less than a third of schools have effective science programmes for Year 5 to 8 students, according to the Education Review Office.An ERO report,
View ArticleBus driver's death was result of medical condition
A 64-year-old bus driver found unconscious beside his bus in Lower Hutt died as a result of a medical condition, a post-mortem has found.Epuni man Herman Curry was discovered unconscious - with his...
View ArticlePrisoner escapes from Christchurch court
A prisoner escaped from custody at the Christchurch District Court at Nga Hau e Wha Marae this afternoon.Jayson Nopera Rule, 31, was remanded after appearing on charges of assault and breach of home...
View ArticleMurder accused 'watched as wife came to niece's aid'
Murder accused George Gwaze stood at his niece's bedroom door and watched his wife Sifiso struggle to clothe the unresponsive and "helpless'' 10-year-old, a court heard today.Mrs Gwaze found the girl...
View ArticleDrinking age debate to hit Parliament
A decision over whether to raise the drinking age to 20 will be put to a conscience vote in Parliament next month.The Alcohol Reform Bill, which will introduce a raft of changes to tighten up alcohol...
View ArticlePM invited to receive Gisborne rail petition
More than 8000 signatures have been collected on a petition urging the Government to save the Gisborne to Napier rail line.Mayor Meng Foon is taking the petition to the capital tomorrow and will...
View ArticleAircraft search for signs of missing fishing boat
Aircraft including three helicopters are searching the area where a fishing boat was believed to have sunk in Doubtful Sound.A search and rescue operation began this morning when the boat, believed to...
View ArticlePetrol prices should be cheaper - AA
Petrol prices should be four cents cheaper at the pump, according to the Automobile Association.While the imported cost of diesel and petrol fell three to four cents per litre since the last price rise...
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