Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Auckland Council has voted down introducing Māori seats for the 2025 local body elections, after a tense debate today.

Councillors voted 11 to 9 against the decision.

Auckland Councillor Alf Filipaina has expressed disappointment with this rejection.

"This was about establishing Māori wards for 2025. The argument was a non-argument, because that work is getting done anyway- and it doesn't need to get completed until later on."

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Growing calls for Winston Peters to apologise for his incorrect claims about the March 15 terror attacks.

Peters said New Zealand only recently found out that the Prime Minister's office received information about the attack before it happened.

But then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed at the time her office had received the killer's manifesto.

ZB political editor Jason Walls says Peters has tried to appeal to the nation's fringe groups before- but it's perplexing as to why he's making these false claims now.

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A council plan to set up more paid parking at one of New Zealand's hottest summer spots has been met with community backlash.

Mount Maunganui was set to introduce more paid parking meters this summer season- but that plan has been delayed after residents and business owners voiced opposition.

Tauranga Business Chamber CEO Matt Cowley says paid parking has been regarded as an unpopular decision by Mount Maunganui business owners.

"We need the commissioners focusing on the bigger issues in the long-term plan, we don't want them to pick a fight with the community."

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Workplace sexual harassment is just as detrimental for employers, as it is for employees.

A new study has found about a third of the New Zealand workforce have experienced it, with around 36 percent of females and 30 percent of males targeted.

It shows employees may be more likely to suffer burnout, stress, or act counterproductively at work and call in sick.

Massey University Professor Jarrod Haar says they're also more likely to quit, which is just as bad for employers.

"They take the knowledge and the insights from the organisation with them and leave- they're less likely, if they haven't quit, to stay there and not perform as well as they used to."

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The Chairman of Federation of Islamic Associations says the Coronial inquest into March 15 is not the time for political posturing.

Winston Peters is refusing to apologise for falsely tweeting that Kiwis only just found out about the terrorist's pre-attack email to the Beehive.

It was revealed at a press conference the next day.

Abdur Razzaq Khan says it was also in the Royal Commission's report, which he says shows Peters didn't read it.

"And to come out after so many years now, on the day when people are trying to find out what actually happened to their loved ones- I thought that was very insensitive."

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Global superstar pop princess Britney Spears' just-released book is already set to become the highest selling celebrity memoir.

Leaked chapters from 'The Woman In Me' are making headlines, including the revelation Spears had an abortion while dating Justin Timberlake.

Fans of the singer advocated for years for her release from her father's overarching control of her life.

A Free Britney Movement leader, Kevin Wu, says he's so proud she's sharing her story.

"It's totally heart-breaking, what she went through. The way she was treated was so unfair, especially by her own family."

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Police today confirmed they've launched a homicide investigation into the death of a Lower Hutt toddler.

Ruthless-Empire Souljah Reign Rhind Shephard Wall was found to have suffered blunt force trauma, with authorities claiming his injuries were 'not accidental'.

NZ Herald senior crime reporter Sam Sherwood says police believe the toddler had suffered from injuries for 12 hours before he was taken to hospital.

"Police said when he arrived at hospital at 10:30 on Sunday, he was unresponsive. Efforts were done to revive him, but they were unsuccessful- he had multiple injuries to his body."

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A 21-year-old water polo instructor has been found dead at a prestigious Sydney CBD school, sparking a full-scale investigation.

Lilie James was discovered with serious head injuries by police after midnight on Thursday in a campus bathroom.

Authorities have launched a manhunt for her colleague, Paul Thijssen, who James had reportedly dated in the lead-up to her death.

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the school will be closed to all pupils until Monday.

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In the US, a manhunt is under way in Maine for a shooter who's killed 22 and injured about 60 in a Lewiston restaurant and bowling alley.

Police say 40-year-old Robert Card is a suspect, and have posted videos and photos of him and his car.

He's described as a certified firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserves.

US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says police will be following the facts - and trying to anticipate his moves.

"You're trying to guess where he may be going, what he might be doing next, now that we know that he is somebody with military experience- that's almost the worst nightmare that you can ask for in a situation like this"

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All Blacks coach Ian Foster is likely to make a couple of changes to his side to face the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup final.

In which order locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick are used is likely to be the biggest debate.

Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave shares his prediction here today.

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