Stories from Auckland · New Zealand

The Education and Workforce Select Committee is currently discussing the Employment Leave Bill. Part-time and shift workers testified to the committee that proposed changes to leave allowances could result in losses of thousands of dollars per year.

Students and staff were evacuated from the Albany campus of Massey University in Auckland following a fire in a top-floor classroom. Fire and emergency crews responded to the incident.

A man in his 60s has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges of historical sexual offending at Dilworth School in Auckland. The man has been a target of police for several years, according to the report. His arrest is the 14th made under police investigation known as Operation Beverly. Police stated they have been seeking the individual for a number of years. A man appeared in the Auckland District Court facing 10 charges of sexual offending. His application for continued name suppression was denied, though a lawyer's appeal currently prevents his name from being released. The defendant has opted for a trial by jury and is expected to reappear in court in July. An appeal by his lawyer means his name remains suppressed for now. A man is facing charges related to sexual offending against boys at Dillworth School. The case involves allegations of sexual offending at the institution.

ASB bank has increased its fixed home loan rates across 12-month to four-year terms by between six and 16 basis points. The bank's five-year term rate increased by 20 basis points. The two-year rate rose from 5.09% to 5.00%.

The New Zealand Breakers have signed Australian guard DJ Veles Vasyljevic for the upcoming NBL season. Vasyljevic is a two-time NBL champion. The basketball team is based in Auckland.

Sam Altman was present in Auckland today to attend jury selections. The broadcast noted that Altman and Elon Musk have been critical of one another. During preparations, OpenAI sought to include testimony regarding Elon Musk's potential use of ketamine, though the request was denied. The two individuals are expected to provide conflicting testimony.

Parents of three-year-old twins are accusing Kmart of downplaying the risks associated with asbestos-contaminated sand. The family expressed concern that the retailer's instructions were to simply dispose of the material rather than investigate further. Al Crisp and David Dingwall are seeking compensation from a dispute tribunal after discovering tremolite asbestos in their home. Consumer NZ head of research Gemma Rasmussen stated that under the Consumer Guarantees Act, goods must be of acceptable quality and safe to use. The testing process for the residents cost tens of thousands of dollars. The couple alleges Kmart downplayed the risk in a recall notice on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website. They have lodged complaints with WorkSafe, MBIE, and the Commerce Commission. Al Crisp noted that for everyday people, determining responsibility is difficult.

Local authorities in Auckland are deciding today whether to permit the installation of a bronze statue of a 'Japanese comfort woman'. Auckland is making a decision regarding a statue representing Japanese 'comfort women' from the Second World War. The discussion centers on the history of sexual violence associated with these women. The discussion centers on the historical context of the military-enforced brothels. The women were forced to work in brothels and undergo forced abortions by Japanese military personnel between 1932 and 1945. The source noted that Japan has expressed opposition to the monument. The source noted that the proposal has met with resistance from Japan. The discussion follows historical tensions regarding such monuments, including a statue removal in Berlin last year.

More than 400 early childhood services closed nationwide between March 2022 and July 2025. Almost 200 of these closures occurred in Auckland alone, according to the Early Childhood Council. The data was reported by RNZ National. Council Chief Executive Simon Loebber stated that aggressive childcare discounts are unsustainable.

A long-awaited underground rail system has opened to the public in Auckland. The project is a five-and-a-half billion dollar tunnel called the city rail link. Broadcaster John Bridges commented that the city can do a lot better than the current situation.