Updated 29 min ago
Brownlee's 'stupid error'
Prime Minister John Key says he was "really disappointed" after Gerry Brownlee bypassed airport security this morning, but he has been quick to back him.
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Leading Headlines
Updated 25 min ago
NZ dollar slides to six-week low
The New Zealand dollar dropped to a six-week low today after Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler called the kiwi's strength "unjustified."
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Cunliffe may boycott leaders' debate
Labour leader David Cunliffe is refusing to rule out withdrawing from TVNZ's election debate if it insists on having presenter Mike Hosking as the moderator
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Commonwealth Games: What to expect
The Glasgow Commonwealth Games are officially open and the action begins tonight. Here's a rundown of which New Zealanders are in action on the opening day.
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Updated 4 min ago
West Ham loss 'not a big concern'
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce says he always expected a spirited challenge from the Wellington Phoenix during their trip to New Zealand.
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Teen pilot dies during record attempt
A teenage US pilot attempting to set a round-the-world flight record has died in a Pacific Ocean crash that also killed his father, the charity he was trying to raise…
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Cold weather set to continue
The cold weather biting the country is set to continue into the weekend, with a chilly wind hitting both islands.
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MH17 tragedy: Today's developments
A round-up of the top developments in the MH17 tragedy today, including Ukraine accusing Russian rebels of shooting down more fighter jets near the crash site.
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Teen fights for life after balcony fall
The 19-year-old Australian visitor to Queenstown who fell from a hotel balcony remains in a serious condition in Dunedin Hospital, police say.
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Dying inmate gasps for two hours
A condemned Arizona inmate gasped and snorted for more than an hour and a half during his execution before he died.
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Police apologise for rape case failure
Police have apologised to Malcolm Rewa's victims over the length of time it took to catch the serial rapist and prevent his offending.
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Opinion: Few MPs leave in high regard
Politicians come and politicians go. Some are loved, some are ridiculed, some are despised. Claire Trevett looks at two who will leave this week, respected.
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Glasgow Games: Opening Ceremony
The 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has opened today in Scottish style - with bagpipes, kilt-clad singers and jokes about the weather.
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Fall in reading standards
The number of young school children achieving or bettering the national standard in reading has fallen or flat-lined in half of the country's regions.
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Games: Opening ceremony
Kiwi's viral surf-rage video
Staff protest to get boss back
Five hot upcoming games
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Best of the Herald
Crash driver smoked drugs
Lawyers should stop whining
Aunty: Paki needs redemption
Parking warden bashed
Sideswipe: Hey, single ladies
Quizzes
3pm distractions quiz: July 24
National
Puppies to sniff out biosecurity risks
Beagle puppies Darcy and Darwin were introduced to the world today at the Auckland Biosecurity Centre. They are the Ministry…
NZ@Noon: Grateful drivers want to honour mystery saviour
Some stories that are making headlines across the regions today include: Who is the mystery Northland driver being called a hero? Archers have targeted animals in Masterton's…
Landmark Ngai Tuhoe settlement passes reading
Greens launch solar schools policy
Business
Murdoch's blockbuster bid
Murdoch had been organising the biggest deal of his career: a US$80 billion ($92.2 billion) bid for Time Warner by 21st…
Dollar dives after rate hike
The Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler has raised the official cash rate as expected - leading the kiwi dollar to instantly take a tumble.
South Island platinum tender awarded
Tag Oil of Canada has been awarded five mineral exploration permits to hunt for platinum in the South Island.
Facebook earnings soar
The world's largest online social network posted sharply higher earnings as revenue from mobile advertising continued to grow and more people used it, more often.
Politics
ACC back-tracks on cuts to petrol levies
ACC has back-tracked on proposed cuts to petrol levies, cutting them 2 cents to 7.9 cents per litre, rather than 4 cent…
Taxis - why you're paying so much
MP admits further misuse of charge card
Outgoing National MP Claudette Hauiti admits using her parliamentary charge card to buy petrol for her personal car in a further breach of the rules on card use.
Bryan Gould: A new weapon of mass distraction
87CommentsKindies beat Greens on free for 2-Y-Os
World
47 dead as plane crashes in Taiwan
A plane attempting to land in stormy weather crashed on a small Taiwanese island overnight, killing 47 people and wrecking…
Plane crashes in Taiwan
Video
Alien life? Pollution could provide the answer
Earthlings often wonder if life exists on other planets, and researchers said this week that hunting for traces of pollution from distant worlds could provide the answer…
Rhino poacher jailed for 77 years
Costa Concordia makes her final voyage
Life & Style
Painkillers reduce risk of post-natal depression
Women who use pain relief during childbirth may have a lower risk of depression after their babies are born, a leading psychiatrist…
The truth about eating for two during pregnancy
Shelley Bridgeman: Has your husband stopped noticing you?
I sprained my wrist two days before Mother's Day. In the middle of a show-jumping lesson, I lost my balance over a jump and my right hand came down heavily on my horse's…
13CommentsThis year's Booker Prize contenders announced
Flexible working good for happiness
Your Money
Inside Money: How to share and enjoy finance again
I don't ever recall enjoying waiting in queues or arguing with a person behind a plexiglass panel about cheque clearance…
1CommentsInside Money: Why KiwiSavers can't fly to Australia
Tamsyn Parker: Is KiwiSaver really unaffordable?
More than two million people have joined KiwiSaver, but a significant chunk of the working population are still not in the scheme, saying they can't afford it.
23CommentsInside Money: Back office terrorism threat has advisers up in arms
8CommentsAndrew Bruce: Why are house prices so high?
202CommentsRugby
Rugby: It's a fine line between hero and zero
It's a very fine line between hero and zero. No one is more acutely aware of that than Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder. There…
Rugby: Sharks beat Stormers to finish third
Rugby: McCaw, Flynn to start for Crusaders
The Crusaders have been bolstered by the return of Richie McCaw for their semifinal against the Sharks on Saturday, with hooker Corey Flynn also recalled to the starting…
Rugby: Australian semifinal has plenty of edge
Rugby: Crusaders tipped to fight fire with fire
Sport
Great night - but where were the fans?
The Wellington Phoenix and West Ham served up a classic contest in Auckland last night - with the only disappointment being…
65CommentsFootball Highlights: Phoenix 2 West Ham 1
Video
Kris Shannon: Let the Games begin
With a vigorous wave of the New Zealand flag, Valerie Adams kicked off the Kiwi presence at the 20th Commonwealth Games this morning (NZT). The Glasgow Games opened…
