Erica Stanford, the Minister in charge Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into Historical Abuse in State Care, has confirmed survivors of torture at Lake Alice will receive a $150,000 redress payment, or can request an independent arbiter make an individual assessment.

Stanford said the government has set aside up to $22.68 million for the redress scheme.

Six60 frontman Matiu Walters says he no longer cares about topping the charts and the band’s “legacy” as much as he once did, saying he now prefers to focus on being “creatively brave" instead. The reason for the change? Fatherhood.

Walters spoke openly and honestly about how being a dad has changed him on Paddy Gower's "The F#$%ing News" show this week.

Click here to watch the full episode, or search for "Paddy Gower's TFN" to listen on your favourite podcast player.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addressed questions put to him by media on a number of issues currently under the spotlight, including the Government's plan for the Cook Strait ferries, the changes to ACC levies, and an indecent assault of two women by visiting members of the Vietnamese Government.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis and newly-appointed Minister for Rail Winston Peters have announced it is establishing a new company to procure two new ferries for the Cook Strait. 

The ferries are expected to begin operation in 2029 as the existing ferries reach the end of their operating lives.

Willis would not disclose what the project will cost, saying that information is commercially confidential until procurement and negotiations for the associated landside infrastructure have been completed.

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts has released details of the Government's blueprint for emissions reduction over the next five years.

The second Emissions Reduction Plan sets the foundation to meet the net zero 2050 target as early as 2044, and will focus on eight key policies that have the greatest potential emissions savings.

Greyhound racing is to be phased out in New Zealand over the next 20 months Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced.

The decision was driven by multiple reviews and high injury rates, and has cross-party support.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis have outlined plans to improve competition in New Zealand's banking sector.

The government will accelerate moves to provide Kiwibank with access to more capital, and take steps to ensure the Reserve Bank places greater importance on banking competition.

Former All Black Ali Williams is now football-mad. He is not only a member of the Auckland FC ownership group, but, as he tells Paddy Gower, he is on a mission to make football bigger than rugby in New Zealand's largest city.

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This conversation featured as part of Paddy's "The F#$%ing News" podcast. Click here to listen to the full episode, or search for "Paddy Gower's TFN" on your favourite podcast player.

The large Canterbury wildfire in the Bridge Hill area that caused multiple evacuations is still not contained, according to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

The fire doubled in size overnight and is now nearly 1000 hectares, with one structure, Holloway Lodge, so far lost to the blaze. It's believed to be an old New Zealand forest service hutt.

In a wide-ranging conversation, Stuff's senior political correspondent Jenna Lynch sat down with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to talk about the state of New Zealand's health system, the coalition government, military academies, guns, cost of living, the treaty principles debate, and what 2025 could have in store.