Stories from New Zealand

Police have concluded an investigation to identify any accomplices who supported Tom Phillips. Detective Superintendent Ross McKay stated that the investigation resulted in no charges being filed.

Australian company Santana Minerals is seeking fast-track consent for a mining project. The company claims the mine can coexist with the viticulture industry and could generate billions in revenue and hundreds of jobs.

Guilford Timber Company plans to construct up to 2,000 houses in Upper Hart, located 250 metres from the Silverstream landfill. A report indicates that negative impacts on residents could significantly affect the landfill's operations.

NZTA is expected to share convoy timeframes today to assist motorists with weekend planning. A lane will reopen to single-lane escorted convoys starting tomorrow. The reopening follows a period of closures over the last year.

The New Zealand SailGP team will not participate in this month's Regal event. The team previously experienced a collision with the French team in Auckland in February. The Black Foils are currently targeting the Halifax round in June for a return to competition.

Two population studies are underway to investigate eye health in children aged seven and 12. University of Auckland Associate Professor and optometrist Joanna Black is leading the research.

Three men from Northland survived after their boat capsized in the Bay of Islands last night. Northern Rescue Helicopter pilot James Taylor stated his crew spotted a man on a rocky outcrop near Waitangi early this morning.

The United States has invited New Zealand to join a multilateral mission, according to Deputy Prime Minister Nicola Willis. Willis stated that more information is required before any decisions are made regarding the proposal. The government is also discussing a potential joint British-French mission. Willis noted that New Zealand is currently preparing for a potentially prolonged closure of the Strait. An issue causing widespread internet and call outages across the network and Two Degrees has been fixed. A paramedic reported winching a man to safety after he landed on rocks during the period of service disruption. Internet and phone calls were unavailable for many customers across the country. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated the government requires more information regarding plans for multinational missions to open the Strait of Hormuz.

A marine science team is bioengineering artificial mussel beds on harbor bottoms to encourage biodiversity. The team is using green-lipped mussel shells to create these structures to support species like sponges, worms, and fish.

A citizen campaign has successfully returned iconic kiwi birds to New Zealand's capital city. The birds were reintroduced after a century-long absence from the area.