Masked boy enters class with 'gun'
A balaclava-wearing 14-year-old burst into a classroom full of children and fired an imitation firearm at a fellow pupil and a teacher as he sought to settle a score with a rival.The boy - who had been...
View ArticleFamilies Commission in for major shake up
The Families Commission will lose six out of seven of its commissioners under reforms proposed by the Government, and more than half of its budget will be redirected into a new research unit.Social...
View ArticleHeritage row: Owner defends modern build
Ian Webster says he was careful to ensure his new house in the heritage suburb of St Marys Bay would not be a concrete and glass bunker.Responding to the criticism about the house at 38 Hackett St, Mr...
View ArticleGovt cool on insulation extension
The Government has not committed any new money to a housing insulation scheme despite reports showing it had provided $1.2 billion in health benefits - a four-fold return on its funding.A series of...
View ArticleMost in favour of 'R' plates option
News that the Government will look at "R" plates for drivers on restricted licences has been welcomed by advocates, with some saying the move is overdue.Associate Minister of Transport Simon Bridges...
View ArticleSmokers save Govt cash, says report
A Treasury report has admitted that smoking saves the Government money because smokers die earlier and pay more in tobacco tax than their health problems cost.The regulatory impact statement on tobacco...
View Article'Rain upon the field' - a new title with a long story attatched
The words expectation, responsibility, family and - I can't help it - money, are on my mind as I sit waiting to be bestowed with a chiefly title.I'm sitting among a group of about 30 people who are to...
View Article'Loner' at centre of Waimate murder
A relative says the man at the centre of a police investigation into two violent deaths in South Canterbury has been a loner ever since his father died several years ago.Police are trying to piece...
View ArticleHearing on sludge discharge deferred
A hearing into a major spill that saw thousands of litres of sludge discharged into the Waikato River has been adjourned until July - almost a year after the incident happened.The Waikato Regional...
View ArticleBuildings in quake risk probe remain a mystery
Two Waikato District Council buildings which are potentially earthquake-prone are being investigated - but the council is not saying which buildings they are.The workers in the buildings were aware of...
View ArticlePolice seeking assets from ex-principal
Police have launched a civil case to recover $60,000 from a former Hamilton principal convicted of misusing school funds.Martin Elliott was convicted in January after pleading guilty to two charges of...
View ArticleUS bomb dumped at Albany landfill
Army experts were called to an Auckland landfill after a training bomb was found dumped at the gates.The bomb was discovered near the Constellation Drive Refuse Transfer Station in Albany on...
View ArticleDoha mall fire: Triplets feared dead
New Zealand triplets are believed to have died in a devastating fire which killed 19 people in a shopping mall in Qatar.13 children were among those killed in the fire in Doha, the interior ministry...
View ArticleMocking birds cause Kiwi rage (+video)
An expat New Zealander has been arrested following a violent meltdown over an Australian television advert mocking the New Zealand accent.The 44-year-old man, who lives in Griffith, New South Wales,...
View ArticleSchool cuts appal principals
Intermediate schools are fuming at the funding cuts to specialist subjects and the new class ratios, which one Auckland school says will cost it up to 10 teachers.And some principals say the...
View ArticleDead cyclist found in central Hamilton
A cyclist has been found dead in central Hamilton early this morning.Hamilton Detective Sergeant Daryl Smith said the man was found around 1.15am lying on the footpath on Victoria Street, near the...
View ArticleHouse gutted by fire north of Auckland
A house near Wellsford north of Auckland has been gutted by fire overnight.Fire fighters were called to the fire, on State Highway One at Wayby Valley, on the north side of Dome Valley south of...
View ArticleGwaze trial: Jury deliberations in third day
It's day three of jury deliberations in the George Gwaze trial.The group's six hours of considerations on Friday were followed by another six yesterday.They asked to go home at 4.30 yesterday...
View ArticleUS, NZ mending frayed military ties
US servicemen, veterans and a Marine band are visiting their New Zealand counterparts over the coming weeks as part of an effort by the two countries to forge closer military ties, a quarter-century...
View ArticleChristie's family take bail petition to Parliament
Tracey Marceau delivered a tearful plea to Parliament yesterday as she presented a 58,000 signature petition supporting the campaign, in memory of her slain daughter, to strengthen bail laws.Christie...
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