Labour loses support, Yanfei Bao search paused and nurses accept settlement

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LABOUR LOSES SUPPORT

There’s been a big drop in support for Labour, according to the latest Roy Morgan poll.

It’s crashed 4.5 points to 26 per cent support, while National has jumped 3.5 points to sit at 33.5 per cent.

With 14 per cent for Act, the centre-right could form a coalition with 61 seats.

The Greens are steady on 9 per cent.

Te Pati Māori has lost a point to sit at 6 per cent, while New Zealand First has gained two - reaching 5 per cent.

National Party leader Christopher Luxon. Photo / Alex Cairns

SEARCH EFFORTS PAUSED

High water levels are continuing to set back search efforts for missing Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao.

Searches for the 44-year-old aren’t likely to resume until tomorrow due to unfavourable conditions at the Halswell River and Lake Ellesmere.

Police believe Bao is dead, after she disappeared 13 days ago.

Investigators are still combing through more than 200 pieces of information.

NURSES SETTLEMENT

A historic pay equity settlement has been reached for more than 30,000 nurses.

Unionised and non-union nurses accepted the deal to bring pay rates into line with similar male-dominated professions.

The Nurses Organisation and Public Service Association brought a claim to the Employment Court early last year.

Te Whatu Ora chief executive Margie Apa says mediation with the unions has being going on for the past few months.

Striking Te Awamutu nurses take their message to the public on Alexandra St. Photo / Kate Durie

AUSSIE AIRCREW CONFIRMED DEAD

Across the ditch, the four crew members of the Australian army helicopter which crashed during a multinational exercise have been confirmed dead.

Officials say the helicopter hit the water with a “catastrophic impact” and there is no chance the crew survived.

The search and rescue effort has now changed to a victim-recovery operation.

WILD WEATHER

And back here, parts of the country are set to be lashed with wind, rain and snow.

A heavy snowfall warning will be in place today on Milford Rd, Lindis Pass and Crown Range Rd.

There’ll also be rain watches in parts of Canterbury and the West Coast.

Otago and the South Island’s east coast will see wind watches - with Wellington, Wairarapa and Marlborough getting wind warnings in the evening.