Stories from New Zealand

Police reported a crash and a vehicle on fire on State Highway 1 in Waikato. A section of Great South Road or Whinneyway between Sutherland Slane and the Waikato Expressway is currently closed. Authorities advised motorists to avoid the area or expect delays.

The electricity authority has requested that power companies explain their current pricing structures. One resident stated they have had to set aside extra money from their paycheck to cover the higher bills.

A rural community in Central Hawkes Bay is recovering after flooding destroyed fencing and culverts. The source did not specify the exact extent of the property damage. The event occurred in the Hawkes Bay region.

New Zealand business confidence fell to minus 10.6 in April, down from 32.5 in March according to a weekly survey. The construction sector recorded the largest drop in activity.

The Medical Council reported that South Canterbury has the highest proportion of international medical graduates in New Zealand at over 61%.

Tauranga City Council estimated it could be months before Mount Maunganui is fully reopened following a deadly landslide in January. A residents group attended a meeting with over 300 locals to discuss the slow progress. Residents expressed that while council recovery intentions seem genuine, there are concerns regarding governance and experience. The recovery process is currently described as being behind safety requirements. Hundreds of Mount Maunganui residents attended a community meeting last night regarding the reopening of the track to Moal Summit. The track has remained closed since a fatal landslide occurred in January. Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford attended the meeting and stated that the council admits there has been a communication gap with the community. Repairs on the track are currently being discussed.

Holger Reinecke and his wife are selling their property on Axis Road after 24 years due to concerns over a proposed mine. The property is located near the Dunstan mountains and sits under a proposed tailings dam.

Crusaders skipper David Havili will play his 150th game for the franchise tonight. The match features the defending champions against the Hurricanes in Wellington. Crusaders coach Rob Penny stated Havili's leadership and influence on the side is.

Associate Professor Joanna Blacks reported that children aged 7 and 12 are experiencing unexplained vision loss in Mount Manganui. Some affected children have already been referred to ophthalmologists for evaluation.

A political party launched its election manifesto at Parliament on Thursday morning. The manifesto includes a commitment to spend $21 million per year on healthcare initiatives. The plan aims to achieve a 90% HPV immunisation target by 2030. The launch included personal testimonies regarding cancer diagnoses and smear test results. The program is estimated to cost $21 million per year. During the launch, Jen Jewel shared her experience of being diagnosed with abnormal cells via a smear test at age 35. The platform aims to address disparities in treatment protocols compared to international standards. An MP based in Epsom has been handed the health portfolio following the retirement of Dr Shane Reti in March. The new minister stated a commitment to engaging directly with Pacifica communities.