Star News

Report says town hall project was 'beset with some significant issues'

An audit report into the $167 million town hall restoration has found the project was "beset with some significant issues".
Surf legends feature in new book

A new surfing book features Sumner surfers from the 1940s until now.
Arborists bring Daisy back down to earth in 'challenging' rescue

A team of professional arborists were called to take part in a spectacular rescue last week.

More readers turn to The Star

More readers turn to The Star

The Star has seen a big jump in readership - the biggest percentage increase of any metropolitan newspaper in New Zealand.
Trailblazer breaks another 'glass ceiling'

Trailblazer breaks another 'glass ceiling'

Canterbury University's first female professor of political science has received another prestigious honour.
The moment a grandmother was carjacked

The moment a grandmother was carjacked

This dramatic photo shows the moment a woman in her 70s was allegedly carjacked in a suburban Christchurch street on Monday afternoon.

Christchurch

Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla arrive in Christchurch tomorrow.

All you need to know to catch a glimpse of the Royals

Almost 50 years later, the Prince of Wales will return to Cashmere High School.

Community wins battle to stop controversial bottle shop opening

Community wins battle to stop controversial bottle shop opening

The liquor licence application for a contentious planned liquor store in Christchurch has been withdrawn.
Woman accused of murdering Angela Blackmoore released on bail

Woman accused of murdering Angela Blackmoore released on bail

A 47-year-old woman accused of murdering Christchurch woman Angela Blackmoore nearly 25 years ago has been released on bail.
Storm damage closes Selwyn Aquatic Centre

Storm damage closes Selwyn Aquatic Centre

The storm on Wednesday afternoon damaged the Selwyn Aquatic Centre ceiling, causing the facility to close.

National

Two kittens saved from a car wreckers' yard on Wednesday. Photo: Supplied

Lucky escape from car wreckers for abandoned kittens

There was a lucky escape for two kittens who were found in a vehicle ready for demolition at a Wellington car wrecker.

One killed in Invercargill crash

One killed in Invercargill crash

One person has died following an early morning crash in Invercargill.
Millane trial: Crown says accused 'eroticised' death

Millane trial: Crown says accused 'eroticised' death

The Crown is closing its case against the man accused of murdering Grace Millane, telling the jury the defendant "eroticised" the death of the British backpacker.
Nine sunscreens fail protection tests

Nine sunscreens fail protection tests

The Cancer Society is being asked to recall all batches of one of its sunblocks because it doesn't give people the protection claimed on the label.

Districts

The Selwyn Aquatic Centre was damaged in a storm on Wednesday.

Storm damage closes Selwyn Aquatic Centre

The storm on Wednesday afternoon damaged the Selwyn Aquatic Centre ceiling, causing the facility to close.

Doyleston water clear of E. coli - district council

Doyleston water clear of E. coli - district council

Residents in Doyleston no longer need to boil their water.
Canterbury man killed in rockfall named

Canterbury man killed in rockfall named

Police have released the name of the Canterbury man who died after his vehicle was struck by a falling boulder near Murchison.
Police abandon chase in North Canterbury

Police abandon chase in North Canterbury

A police pursuit was abandoned in North Canterbury on Wednesday morning.

Sport

Medbury School's cricket team celebrate their national title at Lincoln. Photo: Ken Baker...

School cricketers make their mark at national tournament

The Medbury first XI won the national primary school cricket tournament on Wednesday.

Young athlete eyes up more Paralympic medals

Young athlete eyes up more Paralympic medals

Christchurch track and field star William Stedman will vie for medals in two disciplines at the Tokyo Paralympics next year.
Christchurch college finally in Gillette Cup

Christchurch college finally in Gillette Cup

After 18 years of missing the cut, St Andrew's College will compete at the Gillette Cup for the first time.
Mains gutted field for NZ coach so diluted

Mains gutted field for NZ coach so diluted

Former All Black coach Laurie Mains says the field for the new national coach has been gutted and he is disappointed top candidates have walked away.

Life & Style

The lounge sports period carpet and curtains, and opens to a classic Kiwi view.

Kiwiana kitsch of yesteryear

Philanthropist Christine Fernyhough’s new book celebrates a golden era in our history, the 1950s and 60s.

Pollinator-friendly perennials

Pollinator-friendly perennials

Want to attract bees and other pollinators to your garden? These easy-to-grow perennials are proven to benefit everyone, writes Rebecca Lees.
Climate change action starts with small steps

Climate change action starts with small steps

The first steps towards lower-carbon lifestyles are available to us all, writes Kate Oktay.
Starchy staples a sustainable way of living

Starchy staples a sustainable way of living

Carbohydrates have had a bad press recently. However, we shouldn’t be afraid of carbs, Dr Bernard Venn tells Charmian Smith.

World

Hong Kong students' sewer escape thwarted

Some anti-government protesters trapped inside a Hong Kong university tried to flee through the sewers, but firefighters prevented further escape bids by blocking a manhole into the system.

Andrew steps down from public duties

Andrew steps down from public duties

Prince Andrew has stepped down from public duties, saying the controversy surrounding his "ill-judged" association with US financier Jeffrey Epstein had caused major disruption to the royal family's work.
US diplomat: 'I followed the president's orders'

US diplomat: 'I followed the president's orders'

A senior US diplomat has told lawmakers President Donald Trump expressly ordered him and others to help pressure Ukraine into investigating a political rival of the president.
Microsoft's Office 365 down worldwide

Microsoft's Office 365 down worldwide

It doesn't look like Office 365 will be up for all 365 days of this particular year.