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Covid response broadly effective but some flaws, inquiry finds

Central Auckland during a Covid-19 lockdown in August 2021. Photo: RNZ

Covid response broadly effective but some flaws, inquiry finds

The second phase of the Covid-19 response inquiry has found the government's response was effective but late and not communicated well enough to people.

Motorcyclist killed in Karitane crash named

Motorcyclist killed in Karitane crash named

The man who died in a crash near Karitane on Saturday has been identified as Dunedin man Calum Rate.

No guarantee rates cap won't increase social housing rents

Local Government Minister Simon Watts Photo: RNZ

No guarantee rates cap won't increase social housing rents

The local government minister cannot guarantee a rates cap will not cause higher costs for tens of thousands of social housing tenants.

'Demons inside': Cosy Dell rapist gets rare open-ended jail sentence

Keith Wicks-Cairns in court today. Photo: Rob Kidd

'Demons inside': Cosy Dell rapist gets rare open-ended jail sentence

A man with "psychopathic traits" who broke into a Dunedin flat and raped a student will be subject to a rare open-ended jail term.

Teen allegedly spat in officer's face during arrest

Teen allegedly spat in officer's face during arrest

A Dunedin teenager allegedly spat in the face of a police officer after being caught red-handed breaking into a car.

Australia offers Iranian footballers asylum after daring escape

Iranian players saluting for the national anthem after being reprimanded for not singing in an...

Australia offers Iranian footballers asylum after daring escape

Five members of the Iranian women's soccer team are being protected by police after staging a dramatic escape from their handlers at a Brisbane hotel.

Conflicting messages over state of Iran war

Donald Trump, with his wife Melania and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff watch...

Trump sends conflicting messages over state of Middle East war

Donald Trump predicted the war in the Middle East could be over soon, even as Iran's hardliners staged a show of loyalty to new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in a sign that it was not prepared to back down any time soon.

Family of man killed in dementia unit don't want charges laid

Robin Walter Beets, 84, died in November 2023. Photo: Supplied

Family of man killed in dementia unit don't want charges laid

The death of an elderly man at a dementia unit following an altercation with another patient was a "tragic outcome that was preceded by a sudden eruption of anger without a known cause or warning", a coroner says.

Months of benefit, housing data not published by MSD

Months of benefit, housing data not published by MSD

Months' worth of social housing and benefit data haven't been published because of a broken system, and there's no fix in sight.

Man charged over fatal Port Chalmers crash pleads not guilty

Flowers have been laid at the scene of a fatal crash in Wickliffe Tce, Port Chalmers. PHOTO:...

Man charged over fatal Port Chalmers crash pleads not guilty

A man who allegedly caused a fatal crash in Port Chalmers has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and can now be named.

Almost 700,000 people forced from their homes in Lebanon

Members of the Lebanese Civil Defence inspect a damaged building after an Israeli strike on...

Almost 700,000 people forced from their homes in Lebanon

Escalating hostilities have forced nearly 700,000 people to flee their homes in Lebanon over the past week.

NZ may offer Iranian footballers asylum - Seymour

The New Zealand government may offer asylum to Iranian female football players in Australia who are likely to face persecution if they return to their home country.

Showreel pitching city to film-makers, visitors

A new showreel aimed at attracting film-makers to Dunedin includes James Mustapic acting in...

Showreel pitching city to film-makers, visitors

Dunedin is the star of a new promotional video it is hoped will attract both Hollywood and more visitors to the city.

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Ong found in breach of code

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Ong found in breach of code

Embattled councillor Benedict Ong tried to smear a witness in a conduct case he was pursuing — posing a serious risk to the Dunedin City Council’s integrity, an investigator has found.

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