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Why TV election debates are so crucial

Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern speaks during the TVNZ Vote 2017 debate. Photo: Getty Images

Why TV election debates are so crucial

They come around every three years. Everything from the studio sets and the position of the podiums, to the colour of the ties, is carefully thought out; and then they’re analysed to death.

'I knew it was something major'

The ute that crashed ended up on railway tracks, which were accessible to emergency services from...

'I knew it was something major'

The screech of tyres and then a bang alerted a former chief fire officer in Dunedin to a fatal crash near his house.

Body of missing South Island paraglider found in US

New Zealander James Oroc has been missing in Nevada since Saturday, local time. Photo: Instagram ...

Body of missing South Island paraglider found in US

The body of former South Island paraglider James "Kiwi" Oroc (Johnston) who has been missing in the United States for nearly a month has been found.

Foreign yachties say lives now at risk from NZ decision

A yacht sits anchored in the fog off Grassy Point by Portobello Rd yesterday. Photo: Stephen...

Foreign yachties say lives now at risk from NZ decision

Foreign yachties seeking refuge in New Zealand from seasonal Pacific cyclones are baffled by the response not to let them in.

Why NZ could be in for another unusually hot summer

A weak La Nina system and a marine heatwave helped fire the record hot summer of 2017-18. Photo:...

Why NZ could be in for another unusually hot summer

New Zealand could be on track for another unusually hot summer, with a top climate scientist already calling the arrival of a "humdinger" La Niña system, along with likely balmy seas.

Police shared private health details of Covid-positive people

Police passed on the private health details of six people with Covid-19 to potential employers, but the infected job seekers had no idea their information had been shared.

South Island waits to learn of Covid-19 alert level

New Zealand is fast approaching 1200 confirmed cases. Photo: Getty Images

South Island waits to learn of Covid-19 alert level

A new week, another Monday spent waiting for the announcement on whether the South Island will return to Covid-19 alert level 1.

Two new community cases not linked to Auckland cluster

There four new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today - two imported cases and two community cases not linked to the big Auckland cluster, the Health Ministry says.

Greens pledge to protect NZ oceans

Greens pledge to protect NZ oceans

The Green Party wants at least 30% of New Zealand's oceans to be protected by 2030 and a 10-year moratorium on all forms of seabed mining.

Goldsmith admits mistake in Nats' numbers

On the day of its official campaign launch, the National Party says it has made an error in its fiscal plan, admitting that wrong numbers were used.

Disability services provider fumes over tiny rise in funding

A disability services provider is furious with the Government for what it says is a paltry funding increase, despite a big deal being made about extra money in the May Budget.

Murdered mum brought close through strangers’ stories

She was just 2 when her mother was murdered in Dunedin. Now, Georgina Jacobs is learning more about a "creative and loving soul". The ODT's Molly Houseman reports.

Covid-19: One new community case, one imported

There are two new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand reported today - one a recent returnee in managed isolation and one case in the community being investigated.

Labour pledges to double sick leave, raise minimum wage

The Labour Party is promising to double minimum sick leave entitlements for workers to 10 days a year and raise the minimum wage to $20 an hour.

National unveils energy policy 'better for the environment'

National unveils energy policy 'better for the environment'

National wants to reverse the Government's ban on oil and gas exploration.

Getting a troubled school back on track

Mount Aspiring College limited statutory manager Madeleine Hawkesby, pictured in Christchurch....

Getting a troubled school back on track

Advertising for a new principal at Wanaka’s Mount Aspiring College has begun, fulfilling another of the tasks for Christchurch-based limited statutory manager Madeleine Hawkesby.

Paedophile who worked on kids TV show jailed over child sex abuse images

Convicted paedophile Nikola Michael Marinovich tries to evade cameras outside Auckland District...

Paedophile who worked on kids TV show jailed over child sex abuse images

A convicted paedophile and former cheerleading coach who worked on children's TV show What Now has been jailed for possessing, making and distributing graphic child abuse material.