Stories from New Zealand

The Court of Appeal dismissed a request by Brenton Tarrant to appeal his 92 convictions and life sentence without parole for the March 2019 terror attack. The 35-year-old claimed he was forced to plead guilty due to torturous prison conditions and requested a trial.

Staff members visited a site near Long Beach near Dunedin twice but found no signs of disturbance or evidence that bodies were buried in the sand dunes, according to RNZ National. Mr. Hanken reported that penguins had been killed by a dog at the location. Hanken is requesting anyone with photos of the attack or information regarding the removal of the birds to come forward.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is seeking information regarding New Zealanders who may have been involved when Israeli military patrols intercepted a flotilla of 50 boats. The discussion said that the action violated international law and put the lives of numerous civilians from various nations at risk. The discussion raised questions regarding the potential responses from Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom within the United Nations. Six New Zealand nationals were among those caught in the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla attempting to reach Gaza. 22 of the 58 boats in the flotilla and their crews were attacked and intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters. Sources describe the intervention as improper. Two New Zealanders, Ha Hauna Ormsby among them, avoided capture during an incident involving a flotilla.

The decision follows a February hearing where the judge dismissed his lawyers. The ruling comes amid reports of harsh conditions and solitary confinement at the Auckland prison where he is held.

Four injured and weak albatrosses were brought to Wild Base Hospital in Palmerston North following recent storms in the lower North Island.

A Hamilton City Council Committee voted to investigate options regarding unhealthy food and drink marketing to children. Victoria Egley stated that children are exposed to such marketing 68 times per day.

National Party deputy leader Nicola Willis stated that Winston Peters' office acted in bad faith regarding the release of emails. The correspondence concerns Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's stance on a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran.

Air New Zealand is receiving $17.2 million to support regional connectivity. Blenheim-based Sounds Air will receive $4.5 million to upgrade its fleet and refinance debt. The funding aims to maintain connections for regional towns, including Tauranga and the Chatham Islands.

A 21-year-old member of the Roman Jewish community has admitted responsibility for a shooting incident. Investigators identified the suspect through surveillance footage showing the ambush and a subsequent escape on a scooter.

A court in Wellington has turned down an appeal by Brenton Tarrant, a 35-year-old white supremacist. Tarrant admitted to carrying out New Zealand's deadliest modern-day mass shooting, which killed 51 people. The incident resulted in 51 deaths.