Updated 41 min ago
Reserve Bank backs down
New rules restricting low deposit home loans will now not apply to new home builds, says the Reserve Bank.
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Leading Headlines
Man accused of plot to murder parents
A Tauranga security officer who is accused of trying to arrange for someone to kill his parents has appeared in court and been released on bail.
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Updated 15 sec ago
Charges proven over pipeline explosion
A company has been found guilty of failing to take all practicable steps to protect employees over the Onehunga pipeline explosion that killed a woman in 2011.
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Poisoning trial: We were offered money
Helen Milner offered her son and his partner a slice of Phil Nisbet's life insurance cash if they contracted a hitman to kill him, a court heard today.
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Updated 1 hour ago
More Kiwis stub out smoking habit
Adults' rate of smoking has declined to 15 per cent in the latest census, down from 20.7 per cent in 2006.
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UK opens supermarket for beneficiaries
In a UK first, shoppers in South Yorkshire are being offered food at up to 70 per cent of normal prices - but they have to prove they're on benefits to get the bargains…
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Merger creates world's biggest airline
American Airlines emerged from bankruptcy protection and US Airways culminated its long pursuit of a partner as the two completed their merger deal today.
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Henare: Surveillance log? No worries
A police log the Maori Party claims shows extended surveillance of those associated with the Ruatoki raids contains nothing to be worried about, National's Tau Henare…
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Govt unveils monopoly laws review
The Govt is to review legislation around the Commerce Commission following its ruling to cut wholesale copper based internet prices, Finance Minister Bill English says…
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Missing tennis coach's wallet found
Hamilton police have confirmed the wallet and keys belonging to a missing Australian tennis coach had been found.
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Opinion
A great man - not a great president
When we look at Nelson Mandela's legacy as South Africa's post-apartheid leader, we must acknowledge serious failings, writes John Minto.
14CommentsFallow: Housing shortfall not so dire
The Auckland Council reckons Auckland is 20,000 to 30,000 dwellings short of what it needs, writes Brian Fallow.The NZ Institute of Economic Research begs to differ…
13CommentsFrom the guest editor's desk
Southsiders' talent making waves
South Auckland sometimes gets a bad rap. But many who have called the place home have gone on to make an impression internationally in their chosen fields.
Far better lifestyle than London
Paying the bills can be tough in NZ's biggest city, so the Herald has examined what we're paying more for and why. We look at the stories behind the prices.
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Editor's Picks
Are you 'almost alcoholic'?
JK's day as Herald editor
Butter or marge for health?
Metallica amped in Antarctica
NZ@Noon
Fire claims last dairy in town
Video Pick
Video
Herald Editor: Sir John Kirwan
Sideswipe
Berms done Brazilian style
Cartoon
Times are changing...
NZer of the Year '13
Author in world spotlight
Don't take me seriously
Quizzes
Herald daily quiz: December 10
National
Arrests made after Kaka Point home invasion
Two men have been arrested after a south Otago woman was assaulted during a home invasion at Kaka Point on Sunday night.
Mosgiel mates in big Lotto win
"I thought 'That's some lucky bugger'," said a Mosgiel man - without realising after 18 years of buying Lotto with his friend they were finally first division winners…
Inquiry now homicide investigation
MP quits Parliament for funeral sector
Business
Tech giants lobby to fight spying
Big tech companies across the US have joined forces to pressure government to curb its big surveillance programmes that…
Home loan queries dive
Rules slash number of low-deposit mortgages but house buyers still encouraged to ask.
Loan curbs boost for mortgage brokers
Reserve Bank home-loan cooling measures have driven business into mortgage brokers' hands, says Jeff Royle.
Inside Money: Children of the GFC - are the KiwiSaver kids alright?
While going for coffee with an investment consultant last week he reminded me that it's been five years since the GFC became a leading media acronym. Disappointingly…
World
11,000 soldiers deployed for Mandela's funeral
South African security forces had only days to implement a rough plan for Nelson Mandela's grand funeral, based partly on…
Tributes outside Mandela's Johannesburg home
Video
Thai protests set to continue
Thailand's premier may have called a snap election to try to defuse the kingdom's political crisis, but protesters vowed to keep up their "people's revolution".
Accused: UK soldier's death necessary
Crowds smash hated symbol
Technology
Tech Universe: Tuesday 10 December
RECURSIVE WASTE: Jet engines are notoriously noisy. Using piezoelectric material, engineers built an extremely sensitive…
NSA turns eyes to online games
Stories carried overnight by international media say US and UK spies have spent years trawling online games for terrorists and informants.
Phone addicts unhappy - study
Avid mobile phone users are less happy and suffer from higher anxiety, a new study shows.
Healthy eating app a hit
A smartphone application to help consumers make healthy food choices has been snapped up, with 30,000 downloads since its launch in August.
Politics
Harawira making own way to Mandela funeral
Mana Party leader Hone Harawira is making his own arrangements to get to Nelson Mandela's funeral to represent anti-apartheid…
Sharples: I'll represent protesters
Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples says he will represent anti-apartheid activists at Nelson Mandela's funeral.
How will Auckland cope with growth?
Ensuring Auckland copes with growth and has enough offices, apartments and shops is one of the biggest challenges the city faces.
David Tua for the Maori Party?
The Maori Party is seeking talks with retired boxer David Tua to discuss the possibility of his standing for the party at the next election.
Sport
Chiefs to play Blues in New Plymouth
The Chiefs today confirmed their new Super Rugby licence agreement, including their new partnership with the Taranaki Rugby…
NRL: Tomkins up to task - manager
Sam Tomkins, the most anticipated and exciting Warriors signing for years, will comfortably handle the high expectations according to one of the men who helped seal…
Rugby: Elliot puts season on hold after neck surgery
Chiefs hooker Hika Elliot has put his season on hold due to a neck injury which left him struggling to walk. Elliot's neck issue, which he has been playing with for…
Tennis: Goerges, Hlavackova named as wildcards
ASB Classic organisers will welcome back this year's second seed as one of two wildcards for the next edition of the tournament. Germany's Julia Goerges, a regular…
Small Business
Small Business: App creators - Daniel Too
Daniel Too, a Flash and iPhone developer at Regen, one of the pioneers of creating apps in New Zealand.
