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Leading Headlines

A police roadblock in action in the Ruatoki Valley, near Whakatane, during the police raids. File photo / Alan Gibson

Police acted 'unlawfully'

Police acted "unlawfully, unjustifiably and unreasonably" in establishing road blocks, and detaining and searching people during the Urewera raids six years ago, the…

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Teachers saved students in Oklahoma

Lily Raymond, 17, rushes to embrace her brother Ethan Raymond, 11, as a teacher escorts him away from Briarwood Elementary school. Photo / AP

"All the teachers started screaming into the room and saying, 'Get into the hallway! We don't want you to die!' and stuff like that," said sixth-grader Phaedra Dunn.

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Thunderstorms, high winds expected

A severe thunderstorm watch was in place for Auckland, Northland and the northern Coromandel Peninsular. Photo / Thinkstock

Thunderstorms, hail and high winds are expected in Auckland, Northland and parts of Coromandel Peninsular this afternoon.

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Hamilton leads the way with 'living wage'

Workers in waste management, cleaning, catering, and security, were often paid just above the minimum wage. Photo / Thinkstock

Hamilton has become the first city council in New Zealand to approve paying all staff a 'living wage', and Auckland and Wellington are considering following suit, a…

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Kiwis lose confidence in info safety

The public believed their personal and credit card data was "significantly at risk". Photo / Thinkstock

Most New Zealanders have lost confidence that government departments, financial institutions and telecommunications companies can keep their private information safe…

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Murder accused found 'legally insane'

An Auckland man accused of killing his flatmate has been found to be "legally insane" at the time, according to a psychiatric report.

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7-year-old drives drunk grandfather

The man, who now has three drink-driving convictions, will be sentenced in July. Photo / File

An Auckland grandfather was two-and-a-half times over the legal alcohol limit when he let his 7-year-old grandson drive his car - a situation police say is becoming…

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US gay teen facing felony charges

Kaitlyn Hunt and her father Steve in Vero Beach, Florida. Photo / AP

An 18-year-old US cheerleader is facing felony charges that she had sexual contact with her underage, 14-year-old girlfriend, leading gay rights advocates to say the…

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NZ at Noon: Northland orca rescue

The freed orca, Koru, swims away into the sunset, accompanied by a female known as Nicky. Photo / Ingrid Visser, Orca Research Trust

Stories making headlines around the regions today include the successful rescue of a stranded orca in Northland and feral goldfish.

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Red sheds about to take giant leap

Mark Powell unleashed a stinging attack on competitors' behaviour. Photo / Dean Purcell

The Warehouse is about to embark on a radical new expansion strategy using television.

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Murder trial begins for Kiwi in Canada

Former Napier city councillor Peter Beckett pictured in 1998. Photo / Supplied

Former Napier city councillor Peter Beckett, 56, is standing trial at Salmon Arm Provincial Court for the murder of his wife Laura Letts-Beckett by allegedly pushing…

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Record-breaking glory on Mt Everest

Climbers Dean Staples (left), of Lake Hawea, and Mark Woodward, of Queenstown, celebrating a joint fifth ascent of Mt Everest from the summit in 2007. Photo / Supplied

Lake Hawea climber Dean Staples' hold on the record for the most ascents of Mt Everest by a New Zealander is expected to last just two days, before Queenstown climber…