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Rotorua Lakes Council is exploring redevelopment of Lucas Place, the city’s largest elder housing complex, sparking fears among residents who worry about losing their homes by Christmas. While the council assures no final decisions have been made and promises support for displaced tenants, the project could face legal hurdles due to land originally reserved for airport use. Tenants are being conta...

Modi’s surprise 24-hour Auckland visit drew massive crowds and security, marking his first official trip to New Zealand — as the country grapples with storm damage, a jetboat crash, and big economic questions. With a Kiwi AI startup raising $500M and debate swirling over the Reserve Bank’s policies, the week also saw a police incident in Hamilton under investigation. Listen in comfort: Get a disco...

Invercargill’s mayor is demanding a total reset of the city’s failing public transport system, calling for a blank slate approach after a damning report revealed buses are barely used while parking lots overflow — proving most residents still prefer driving. Councilors are frustrated with incremental fixes and want a bold, community-driven overhaul, inspired by how other cities succeed. With only...

Terrace Tunnel in Wellington hit pause today after a four-car pile-up around 1:50 PM blocked the southbound lane — a major city artery — causing massive traffic chaos. Thankfully, no one was hurt. NZ Transport Agency shut down the tunnel in both directions as crews and tow trucks worked to clear the mess. Traffic backed up for hours, with officials urging drivers to avoid the area. By 2:40 PM, the...

A dramatic crash on the Kawarau River near Queenstown has left six people injured after the Shotover Jet slammed into rocks—emergency crews responded swiftly, with five in minor condition and two taken to hospital. Ngāi Tahu Tourism’s general manager was on-site as authorities launch a full investigation to determine what went wrong. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solip...

Wairoa’s bracing for another flood disaster as ten streets are shut down and major highways blocked by slips and water—power’s out for 350+ homes in Wairoa and 150+ in Gisborne, with some houses submerged under six inches. Residents, still reeling from last year’s Cyclone Gabrielle, are pushing for urgent river control work—a $12M project stalled without government funding. Locals like Paul Toothi...

France storms into the semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Morocco, thanks to Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele’s clinical strikes, setting up a showdown against either Spain or Belgium. The French attack, powered by Mbappe, Dembele, Barcola, and Olise, has been unstoppable — dominating the group, dispatching Sweden, and narrowly beating Paraguay. Morocco, meanwhile, remains a force to be reckoned wit...

The government’s new transportation plan has quietly delayed major road projects for years—some not starting until the next decade—sparking frustration after last year’s bold promises. It’s a classic shell game: projects aren’t cancelled, just indefinitely postponed, echoing past governments that kicked big infrastructure down the road without clear timelines or funding. With national debt climbin...

A gentle 19-year-old with dreams of mentoring youth tragically died from self-inflicted injuries—but a coroner ruled it wasn’t suicide. The incident began with a home argument that spiraled, leading to his injury and a delayed emergency response due to a misclassified 111 call. Though St John has since trained the new operator and reviewed procedures, the coroner stressed the key distinction: inte...

Wairoa District Council is sounding the alarm—get ready to move NOW. An orange heavy rain warning means 100-130mm more rain is on the way, with peak rates hitting 10-20mm/hour. The Wairoa River is at risk of surging, especially in low-lying areas, as coastal swells block drainage and upper catchments feed in more water. Pack your emergency bag, know your escape route, and head to higher ground or...

Tauranga Hospital faced a major staffing crisis heading into the Matariki long weekend, with over a quarter of its medical registrars unavailable—forcing doctors to publicly beg for help, even offering flexible hours and pay. These registrars handle life-threatening emergencies like heart attacks and strokes, so their shortage meant crushing workloads and heightened stress for the remaining staff....

A police officer faces charges for possessing ten objectionable images—eight classified as adult bestiality, some reportedly cartoon or AI-generated—with his identity shielded for now to protect his family from public exposure. The court, citing psychological reports and his wife’s letter, deemed the public interest insufficient to outweigh potential irreversible harm, especially if acquitted. Thi...

The Moa Point sewage disaster in Wellington is spiraling out of control — untreated waste still dumping into Cook Strait while the government hides its first independent findings, citing legal risks. Despite public outcry and packed meetings demanding answers, officials say releasing the interim report could jeopardize ongoing investigations and legal action. The final review report is due by Augu...

In a dramatic 16-month battle that tore the nation apart, a lone lawmaker pushed through a bill to decriminalize sex between consenting men—facing death threats, bomb scares, and relentless hate. Amid fiery protests and overseas-backed opposition, she stood firm as the LGBTQ+ community rallied to defend her. Though the bill narrowly passed, it ignited a revolution, setting the stage for future equ...

Nathan Cleary lit up the decider as New South Wales crushed Queensland 30-12 in Brisbane, clinching their 18th State of Origin title and the second time in three years they’ve won on home soil. After a nail-biting, back-and-forth series featuring dramatic comebacks, the Blues dominated from the start, building an 18-point lead and weathering Queensland’s late rally. Despite a scare when James Tede...

Fifty-four closed cases—40 child protection, 12 adult sexual assaults, and 2 other crimes—are being re-examined after police discovered they were shelved without reaching court, sparking alarm among child welfare advocates. The Chief Victim’s Adviser called it one of the worst child safety failures she’s seen, while police launched an external review panel including her, alongside Oranga Tamariki,...

Labour’s bold new SolarSaver plan is set to revolutionize home solar access with low-interest loans — even for renters — aiming to slash energy bills and boost renewable adoption. But as the policy sparks debate over implementation and equity, political theatrics and the Reserve Bank’s latest cash rate decision add layers of complexity to the nation’s economic and political landscape. Listen in co...

A woman died after leaving a hospital due to a reported 25-hour wait, only to worsen en route to another facility—her family calls it a deadly gamble, while Health NZ insists wait times were normal, sparking outrage and a coroner’s investigation. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-...