National is promising that grants for first-home buyers on modest incomes will be doubled - to up to $20,000 for a couple buying a newly built home - if it is re-elected next month. The existing KiwiSaver grants of up to $10,000 a couple will remain for qualifying buyers of existing homes, but the cap on the value of the properties that can be bought has been lifted throughout the country. It will be $550,000 in Auckland.
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Philip Polkinghorne murder trial has officially retired
The jury in the Philip Polkinghorne murder trial has officially retired to consider their verdict.
70 police officers to be added to community patrol teams
Christopher Luxon announced that a further 70 police officers will be added to community patrol teams across the country. Video / Mark Mitchell
All Blacks v Australia
Scott Robertson makes four changes for side to to face Wallabies. Video / All Blacks
Focus live: Andrew Coster speaks to media
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has today confirmed further details around the allocation of the 500 additional officers following funding from Budget 2024.
PM says tunnel option to replace Wellington’s Mt Victoria tunnel is “a really attractive option”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the long-tunnel option to replace Wellington’s Mt Victoria tunnel is “a really attractive option”.
Rocket Lab aborts mission at final second, with engines firing
Rocket Lab 'Kinéis Killed The RadIOT Star" Launch from Launch Complex 1 at Mahia aborted at the last moment.
Hawke's Bay Airport's new fire truck "Judy Drench"
Hawke's Bay Today takes a ride on Hawke's Bay Airport's new fire truck "Judy Drench". Video / Mitchell Hageman
Moment Titan sub wreckage discovered on seabed
Footage shows OceanGate sub’s damaged tail cone on bed of Atlantic Ocean as inquiry examines doomed final descent. Video / US Coast Guard
Polkinghorne’s fate looms and The Sims movie | Focus Morning Bulletin September 19, 2024
Jury set to deliberate Phillip Polkinghorne’s fate, fresh wave of explosions in Lebanon plus The Sims is coming to the big screen.
Inside the Rovers: The Ice Man
By day, Cameron Emerson packs ice and delivers it by truck around Hawke’s Bay. On the weekends, he’s cool under pressure for Napier City Rovers. Video / Neil Reid
Judge summation in Philip Polkinghorne murder trial
Justice Lang provides instruction to the jury as they head into deliberations on Thursday morning.
Vincent Farane on Company B’s The Next Wave at Herald Theatre
Vincent Farane discusses Company B The Next Wave, mentoring young dancers at the Herald Theatre. Discover the creative process behind this inspiring initiative!Video / Dean Purcell
Winston Peters unleashes on standards in Parliament
New Zealand First leader delivers fiery speech. Video / Parliament TV
Matt Heath is leaving Radio Hauraki
Matt Heath is leaving Radio Hauraki’s breakfast show to become the new co-host of Newstalk ZB’s Afternoons programme. Video / Radio Hauraki
Rich: The meaning of wealth in New Zealand
Commerce commissioner Andrew Bayly laments 'extraordinary attitudes to wealth' in NZ. Video / RNZ
Police investigate East Auckland firearms incident
Armed police scope out the scene on Waddell Ave, Pt England. Video / Supplied
GDP explained: What is it and why does it matter?
Business editor-at-large Liam Dann talks about GDP and explains why it matters. Video / Corey Fleming
Cold snap and exploding pagers | Focus Morning Bulletin September 18, 2024
Power under pressure, exploding pagers in Lebanon plus jury to begin deliberations in Phillip Polkinghorne trial.
Listen: Rotorua hunt hounds howling at 4am
Tom Stephenson says he hears the hounds from his property daily. Video / Supplied
Focus: Calls for change after Auckland construction site’s block walls collapse
Scaffolding and up to eight block walls, each around 3m high toppled over like dominoes on a site in Auckland’s Glen Innes on May 16. Video / Carson Bluck, Cheree Kinnear
Chris Hipkins speaks about the latest poll results
Chris Hipkins believes he has the backing of the Labour Party caucus as he prepares to jet off to the United Kingdom.
Polkinghorne case: A summary of the closing submissions from Crown and defence
The jury charged with deciding whether Auckland eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne murdered his wife is expected to begin deliberating soon.
Police to prosecute the Comancheros as an organised criminal group
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster announcing the latest phases of several linked investigations that has led the police to prosecute the Comancheros as an organised criminal group.
Commissioner on abuse claims
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has addressed claims of sexual abuse against former Cabinet minister Aussie Malcolm who died last week aged 83. Video / Mark Mitchell
The Horokiokio Pā site overlooking the Waipā River
The Horokiokio Pā site will eventually be accessible to the public via the Ngāhinapōuri Walkway along the Mangahia Stream. Video / NZ Herald
MetService Severe Weather Warning: Tuesday 17th September
MetService Severe Weather Warning: Tuesday 17th September Video / MetService
Focus Live: Police update investigation into the Comancheros
Police announcement on an investigation into the Comanchero Motorcycle Gang.
Tory Whanau on the cost of living crisis
Wellington mayor Tory Whanau says she is feeling the cost of living crisis. Video / Mark Mitchell
Wanaka St opening
Tikipunga Primary School students greet visitors at the opening of Kāinga Ora's 55-home Wanaka St development, at the former Tikipunga Tavern site. Video / Kāinga Ora
More wild weather to hit the country
Thunderstorms, snow and strong winds are expected across the North Island.
Breanna Muriwai disappearance
Police guard property linked to search for missing woman’s remains after ‘deliberately lit’ fire
Breanna Muriwai search and chilly blast hits NZ | Focus Morning Bulletin September 17, 2024
Police search property in hunt for Breanna Muriwai's remains, wild weather hits parts of the country and suspect in Trump assassination attempt appears in court.
Special students give the Olympics a try at Try Games 2024
Olympic fever has hit Mt. Richmond and Rosehill Special Schools! Reporter Madeleine gets an exclusive preview of the prep for Try Games 2024.
MetService Weather: 16th of September - 18th of September
MetService Weather: 16th of September - 18th of September. Video / Metservice
Family appeal for more information after car rammed
A ute rams Jonzy Brandt's unoccupied car during a late-night hit and run in Hastings. Video / Supplied
Te reo Māori is everyday for Far North District Council
Ngā Puawai Ō Ngāpuhi rings out in celebration of Far North District Council voting to keep its Ngā Tai o Tokerau Māori Ward for the next local elections in 2025.
Cellphone ban and patch laws | Focus Morning Bulletin September 16, 2024
Mount Albert Grammar hails cellphone ban, Waiheke Island vineyard’s $600,000 fine and the new gang patch law causing an uproar.
Markets with Madison: Super Fund
Our sovereign wealth fund is set to double in the next decade. How will its new CEO meet its growth demands? Video / Cameron Pitney
Kiwi hip hop kids show Raygun how it’s done
Reporter Grace checks out Aotearoa’s finest young hip hop teams as they battle it out at the Zespri AIMS Games 2024. Who will take the gold? Video / KKN