Police Refute Ray Chung’s ‘False’ Claims Amid Ongoing Controversy

Wellington District Commander Penelope Gifford has dismissed allegations made by former councillor Ray Chung regarding police conduct during a search operation in Karori. Inspector Dean Silvester previously alleged in a text message that Chung spread misinformation and engaged in inappropriate contact with emergency services and the missing person’s family, claims which Chung has labeled “far-fetched.” … Read more

Lindsay Lohan Reflects on Her Career ‘Mistakes’ at 40

Lindsay Lohan is returning to the Freakier Friday franchise as she enters her 40s, citing a shift toward family and intentional business growth. In a personal essay shared with her followers, Lohan stated she is “grounded” and “fulfilled” following her marriage to Bader Shammas and the birth of her first child, marking a departure from … Read more

Remains of Missing Waihī Dad Samuel McAlister Found After Two Years

The family of Samuel McAlister has received formal DNA confirmation that remains discovered on Motukaramarama Island in January belong to the missing kayaker. McAlister disappeared in September 2023 after failing to return from a fishing trip in the Firth of Thames. According to police, the remains underwent forensic examination and DNA testing before the results … Read more

HDC Finds Hospital Failed Māori Patient Requesting Womb Preservation

The Health & Disability Commissioner has found that a public hospital and a surgeon breached a patient’s rights by performing unauthorized laboratory testing on their whare tangata following a hysterectomy in October 2024. Commissioner Morag McDowell ruled that the hospital failed to provide culturally appropriate care, noting that while the surgeon apologized for the breach … Read more

Why the World of WearableArt’s Bizarre Bra Contest Returns in 2026

After a two-year hiatus, the World of WearableArt (WOW) is reviving its Bizarre Bra category, a staple of the competition that challenges designers to reinvent the everyday undergarment as a piece of high art. Sarah Nathan, WOW’s head of competition, notes that the category’s return taps into the complex, often contradictory relationship between the body, … Read more

Ryan Fox Bounces Back at RBC Heritage

The Evolution of Signature Events on the PGA Tour The landscape of professional golf is shifting toward a model characterized by “Signature Events,” such as the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links. These tournaments are redefining the competitive structure of the tour by implementing smaller, elite fields—limiting the competition to 82 players—and removing the … Read more

Media Insider: Nine acquires QMS for almost $1 billion – what now for QMS sister company MediaWorks and its NZ radio stations?

Media Consolidation: What Nine’s QMS Deal and Sky’s Position Signal for the Future of NZ Media The recent flurry of activity in the Australasian media landscape – Nine’s A$850 million acquisition of QMS and Sky TV’s ongoing integration of Three – isn’t just about balance sheets. It’s a powerful signal about the direction of travel … Read more

‘Smash the taniwha’: Riqi Harawira’s journey from addiction to redemption and being back on stage

From Rock Bottom to Redemption: The Evolving Landscape of Addiction, Trauma, and Healing Riqi Harawira’s story, a powerful narrative of battling addiction and finding purpose through helping others, isn’t unique. It’s a microcosm of broader trends reshaping how we understand and address substance abuse, trauma, and the path to recovery. His journey, from the heights … Read more

Year in Review: Bay of Plenty veteran truck driver Terry Hobart reflects on 30-year career

The Long Haul: How a Changing Landscape is Shaping the Future of Trucking and Beyond Terry Hobart’s story, a life spent behind the wheel traversing the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Auckland, isn’t just a personal reflection – it’s a microcosm of a profession undergoing seismic shifts. His eventual departure, prompted by a life-altering crash … Read more

Exploring Penang: From rainforests to record-breaking waterslides with families

Penang’s Enduring Appeal: From Childhood Dreams to Malaysia’s Eco-Tourism Future Penang, the “Pearl of the Orient,” isn’t just a destination; it’s a feeling. For many, like myself, it’s a place etched in memory, a blend of exotic scents, vibrant culture, and a surprising dose of adventure. Revisiting after three decades, with a family in tow, … Read more