9+ min ago (902+ words) Opponents of Auckland's planning rule changes for greater intensification argue that Christchurch has been given a softer target. Character Coalition chairwoman Sally Hughes said RMA Minister Chris Bishop had allowed Christchurch 30 years of zoned development, while she claims Auckland must provide more than 100 years. Auckland councillor Christine Fletcher and "r'kei Local Board member Troy Churton highlighted the contrast between the country's two largest cities, saying Auckland had capitulated to the Government's "golden number" that had to be met or exceeded. However, Bishop said Auckland Council was not required to zone for 100 years of development, and noted that the requirements for the two cities differed. Public consultation is under way on Plan Change 120, a controversial council proposal for a major makeover of Auckland's skyline. It would allow for greater intensification, which opponents claim would provide capacity for two million homes over…...

9+ min ago (425+ words) Auckland Airport says salmon exports are taking off. Export volumes have been increasing at an average rate of 10% a year since 2017. And exports in the year to September were worth $140 million. More than 5200 tonnes of New Zealand salmon were sent overseas from the airport in the past year to September. Auckland Airport said more than two-thirds of air freighted salmon, 3445 tonnes, went to the US over the past year. China, Australia, Japan and Canada were the next largest markets. China was the fastest-growing market, with demand up 85% on the prior year. About 732 tonnes of salmon were sent to China. "We're seeing strong demand for high-quality seafood around the world," said Auckland Airport's chief customer officer, Scott Tasker. "Thanks to the speed and reach of air freight, New Zealand's salmon is arriving fresher than ever, going from our regions to restaurant…...

9+ min ago (1019+ words) Ueneku Lodge is a 17-bedroom property on 217 Ponsonby Rd that is up for sale with a CV of $4.05 million. A couple who were among the largest recipients of the Government's emergency housing grants during the Covid-19 pandemic are selling their second multimillion-dollar motel this year. Auckland-based entrepreneurs Suresh and Seema Chatly ran nine motels in the region at the height of the Government's efforts to house rough sleepers during the pandemic. The Herald revealed the couple had received $22.4 million in Government emergency housing grants as of June 2022 over a six year period from 2017. But the pair are now selling a second large motel, Ueneku Lodge, in a prime Auckland location this year. The 17-bedroom property on 217 Ponsonby Rd is advertised as the "hottest trophy site in Ponsonby" with a CV of $4.05m. Data from the Ministry of Social Development show that,…...

9+ hour, 9+ min ago (715+ words) The Government is still considering allowing KiwiSaver withdrawals for farm purchases, despite warnings this could erode the scheme's credibility and hamper efforts to get people to contribute more to it. Finance Minister Nicola Willis, around the time of Fieldays in June, said that if someone could withdraw funds from their KiwiSaver to buy their first home, they should be able to do the same to buy a farm. While a spokesman for New Zealand First said the party was "very reluctant to expand the use of KiwiSaver withdrawals" and the matter would be discussed by the party's caucus "when appropriate", Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson said the potential change was still being pursued. "I am considering official advice, and Cabinet is yet to make any decisions on this matter. I will have more to say in due course,…...

10+ hour, 8+ min ago (485+ words) The United States" top vaccine regulator has laid out a stricter approach for federal vaccine approvals, citing his team"s conclusion, without detailing the evidence, that coronavirus vaccines ... The United States" top vaccine regulator has laid out a stricter approach for federal vaccine approvals, citing his team"s conclusion, without detailing the evidence, that coronavirus vaccines contributed to the deaths of at least 10 American children, according to an internal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) email obtained by The Washington Post. Vinay Prasad, an FDA official whose approach to vaccine policy has been championed by US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy jnr, told agency officials that the FDA will rethink its framework for annual flu shots, examine whether Americans should be receiving multiple vaccines at the same time and require vaccine makers to show far more data to prove the safety…...

10+ hour, 9+ min ago (1331+ words) Convicted robber Shontayne Solomon was at it again. In March, the former inmate " whose history of heists included a $124,000 smash-and-grab at an Auckland cellphone store " was seen on CCTV waiting in his car as a group of five males pulled off the violent robbery of a West Auckland clothing and jewellery store. He then gave one of the bandits a ride after they abandoned a stolen car. In the days that followed, he made arrangements to sell some of the stolen jewellery. Although Solomon, now 25, has previously been imprisoned for similar offending, a judge gave him a break last week after the long-time gang member expressed a desire to start focusing on family rather than the Bloods " the first step, he hoped, in putting his criminal lifestyle behind him. "I think that a different you would have placed yourself in…...

11+ hour, 24+ min ago (687+ words) A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Auckland and several other northern regions as the wild weather is expected to ramp up this evening. Torrential rain has already hit areas of Auckland with cars spotted traversing surface flooding that reaches door height in the suburb of Onehunga. MetService warned a second band of fast-moving thunderstorms is also expected to threaten Auckland later tonight once the first lot clears. The warning was lifted at 5.45pm this evening. The earlier MetService alert said Kaipara, Auckland City, Waikato, Hauraki, Waitakere, Franklin, Rodney, Gulf and Albany should brace for these severe thunderstorms, which are moving towards the southeast. "These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain," MetService warned in its alert. People in affected areas should be cautious of flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and be aware driving conditions could…...

12+ hour, 7+ min ago (1079+ words) This is the first phase of the inquest that aims to re-establish the facts of the case and make findings and recommendations to prevent similar disasters. It follows WorkSafe's criminal prosecutions of several parties involved. "Unfortunately, I think the patients who died," a rescuer said of the survivors who showed faint signs of life but breathed their last on the island, "were destined to die." After Law's two days of evidence, Judge Elliott said to him, "You made an immediate decision to go out that day and put your life at risk. You did that to help people. You put others first. Your actions were truly heroic. I acknowledge that, and I thank you." Law replied, "Okay. Yep. Bye-bye." He presented as Good Kiwi Joker incarnate but the reply was pretty much the only time he spoke in a laconic…...

13+ hour, 8+ min ago (435+ words) Hardy Construction has been recognised for the best new build up to $500,000 at the Master Builders House of the Year awards. A Hardy Construction-built beach house in Koitiata, at Turakina Beach, has been awarded the best new build under $500,000 at the Master Builders House of the Year awards. The Koitiata house, owned by Dan and Nic Marsden, was also awarded the Central North Island regional category winner. Hardy said the project required lots of hard work and concentration between other builds. "It's a pretty big achievement for little old Whanganui," he said. "The design was perfect, it suited the site and location, and the team pulled together to do a fantastic job." Hardy said the home was proof that clients with a limited budget did not need to settle for a "cookie-cutter home". "People need to try and understand that…...

14+ hour, 3+ min ago (236+ words) Police have discovered the remains of a missing Austrian woman after her ex-boyfriend reportedly confessed to her killing. Stefanie Pieper's body was recovered from a suitcase in the Slovenian forest following a week-long search, according to the Daily Mail. Austrian publication Kronen Zeitung reported the woman's ex-partner led the authorities to her remains after confessing to strangling her to death. Styrian State Police had been questioning the 32-year-old man for several days following his arrest on November 24, according to People. His father and brother were also arrested in the days that followed. "The man is believed to have travelled to Slovenia several times in his car. He could not be contacted by the investigating police," a November 26 press release stated. He was located following reports of a car burning in a "entilj casino carpark close to the border with Austria....