Follow live coverage as North Harbour host Bay of Plenty at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland in round five of the National Provincial Championship. Read...

Critics fear a new law in Texas will prove discriminatory - but officials say it is vital to combat `adversaries`. Read...

With an average age of 24, Tony Popovic’s squad for Australia’s Soccer Ashes showdown with New Zealand suggests a new dawn is upon the national team, as the fight for World Cup spots begins. Read...

Chinese national Tingjun Cao was jailed for life for killing Bao. Read...

The country`s sole carillonist, Timothy Hurd, has been playing the bells - 74 of them, totalling 70 tonnes - for about 40 years. Read...

Audrey Werro finishes first in the women`s 800m at Diamond League Zurich, claiming a national record as Britain`s Georgia Hunter Bell claims second with a personal best. Read...

The Department of Conservation (DOC) has chosen One New Zealand (One NZ) as a new National Conservation Partner, bringing mobile services and industry-leading technology to the frontline of conservation. Read...

The government spent $10 million to do up a bell tower, but is now getting rid of the only person who plays it. Read...

The Government is proposing several changes to the laws governing the sale and supply of alcohol, including making it easier to allow bars to open during major sporting events.  Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee today unveiled proposed reform of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, claiming it focuses on “restoring fairness and practicality to the system without compromising public safety”.  Among the changes, soon to be introduced to the House, was a “fairer” licensing process which would only allow objections to a licence application to come from those residing in the same council area.  It would also allow applicants a right of reply to any objectors.  The changes would enable hairdressers and barbers to supply small amounts of alcohol to customers without a licence, a change previously announced by the Government.  Premises like wineries, such as breweries and meaderies, and distilleries, would also be allowed to hold both on- and off-licences to support cellar door sales.  Digital identity credentials would be considered approved evidence of age for alcohol purchases under the new bill.  The reform also addressed calls for a simpler process to allow bars and other venues to open and serve alcohol outside their licensed hours during major sporting events.  It was an issue raised almost every time a sporting event like a World Cup was being held outside typical hours and would require the Government to pass special legislation each time to allow pubs to open.  McKee’s reform would enable the responsible minister to declare a “stand-alone exemption” to licensing requirements for national televised events.  This would be achieved through the Order in Council legal instrument, in which members of the executive advised the Governor-General to give effect to a government decision.  McKee’s bill was expected to be introduced to the House in the coming months and reach select committee by the end of the year.  Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangarei and the Herald in Auckland.  Read...

Visitor-reliant industries are lauding the Government’s decision to establish an investment fund for drawing major events to New Zealand. Duco Events founder David Higgins called the move “music to our ears”. Yesterday Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he’d approached Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston and requested a “total rethink” on how Aotearoa approaches major events. “I think that is something that is genuinely stimulating economic activity. You need to because it’s a pipeline of activity,” Luxon told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking. “You’ve actually got to stuff it with things that may not pay off just this month, but actually will pay off in a year or two ahead as well. “And you’ve got to signal that. So I’ve asked for a total rethink on major events.” He told Herald NOW’s Ryan Bridge that Auckland has some “massive conferencing” coming up, and SkyCity’s International Convention Centre (NZICC) coming on stream should further bolster the pipeline. Thousands of people are already booked to attend events at the NZICC. Photo / Michael Craig The new fund, however, would specifically target major events such as SailGP and Eden Park concerts to help drive New Zealand’s economic recovery. Tataki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill said that pre-Covid Auckland was recognised internationally as an events city, which had encouraged steady investment in hotels. “We hit a wall at the beginning of 2020 ... Our reputation’s been affected because we haven’t been in the market.” Luxon said he would look at following a similar model to that of the former Premier of Victoria, Jeff Kennett, who hosted a major event every quarter to help grow the economy. Higgins said Melbourne takes event attraction ”very seriously” by investing tens of millions in advance and anticipation of events. “I don’t want to sugarcoat it. It takes money, real cash, and substantial investment to achieve what some role model Australian cities like Melbourne have in this space. Duco Events founder David Higgins has welcomed the Government`s plan to commit millions to an events fund. Photo / Photosport “If they’re talking about it now, that’s great. Then it’s a matter of those who set the budgets budgeting cash to invest, and then having good panels of decision-making on what events they try to secure for New Zealand.” Tourism, hospitality and accommodation leaders have long advocated for a coherent national strategy to attract major events, and Hospitality NZ chief executive Steve Armitage said the new fund will provide much-needed reassurance for local businesses. “Many of our members report their best trading days when major events are in town, with bars, cafes and restaurants filled with patrons, and high accommodation bookings for visitors.” Restaurant Association NZ’s chief executive Marisa Bidois agreed. “Hospitality businesses feel the immediate flow-on benefits when New Zealand attracts major events. “Visitors don’t just attend a concert or a sporting match – they dine out, stay in local accommodation, and spend in communities right across the country.” Prime Minister Chris Luxon spoke of establishing a major events fund while in studio with Newstalk ZB`s Mike Hosking yesterday. Photo / Michael Craig The Prime Minister’s comments, while welcomed, reflect “what our industry has been saying for a long time”, Bidois said. Adrian Williams, Accor’s chief operating officer in the Pacific region, said they have seen the impact major events have on stimulating local economies and showcasing New Zealand to the world. “Accor’s 15 hotels across Auckland experienced a surge in bookings for the Coldplay concerts in November 2024. “That surge of activity and vibrant energy flowed through the city, filling hotels, restaurants and bars, and creating a huge positive buzz.” Armitage thought the Government’s call not to progress with a bid to host the 38th America’s Cup in 2027 was a “missed opportunity”. He said having a national strategy with con... Read...