This week marked the shortest day in the southern hemisphere, but in the far north of Europe it's a different story. For the next few weeks, those living north of the Arctic Circle will be treated to extended daylight hours, with the sun still visible at midnight local time. With the help of Booking.com, we've compiled a list of some great places you can stay if you'd like to experience this natural phenomenon for yourself.
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Watch: Dramatic rescue in Manukau Harbour
Two boaties rescued when their boat capsized on the Manukau Bar. Video / Auckland Reescue Helicopter Trust
Erica Stanford outlines her top six priorities in education
Education Minister Erica Stanford outlines her top six priorities in education. Video / NZ Herald
PM ‘unilaterally’ sacking Act minister would breach coalition agreement
Act leader David Seymour saying he would not expect a leader of another party would sack an Act minister. Video / NZ Herald
New Statue Of Queen Elizabeth II unveiled
A statue of Queen Elizabeth II by Hywel Pratley stands in Oakham, the county town of Rutland in the East Midlands of England. It was unveiled on 21 April 2024. Video / AP
Papatoetoe High School hold tribute for student killed in hit and run
A video montage of Kaea's final drive through Papatoetoe High School. Time stood still as students, staff and friends honoured Kaea one final time.
Heartbroken Barbara Wright speaks after dog mauled on popular walking track
Barabara Wright was walking with her two dogs, Kippa and Hugo, when they were attacked by a large pack of dogs, Kippa was mauled and had to be euthanised a week later.
Push for rainbow crossing in Tauranga
Labour list MP Jan Tinetti, comedian Ben Hurley and LGBTI advocate Gordy Lockhart spoke in the public forum. Video / Alex Cairns
Devastation left by a deadly tornado in China
Five people were killed and 33 others injured by a tornado that hit Guangzhou in China. Video / AP
Govt boosts Pharmac funding by $1.7b
The Government will boost Pharmac’s budget by more than $1.7 billion over the next four years. Video / NZ Herald
Driving test fees, Kiwibank scam victim and MIQ fees | Focus Morning Bulletin April 29, 2024
Why the free ride for resitting driver tests could come to an end and how a bank boss helped a victim send $300k to scammers in the latest NZ Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald
Why are kids skipping school?
With the Government trying to crack down on truancy, New Zealand kids have their say on why they are skipping school. Video / Alyse Wright
Kea Kids News: Sidemen and Logan Paul hire South Auckland teen artist
Logan Paul, Sidemen, and Beta Squad, influencers with millions of subscribers, are all hiring Kiwi kid Klaksy for his art! Kea Kids News reporter Rien finds out how it all started.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim downing US Reaper drone
Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saturday claimed shooting down another of the US military’s MQ-9 Reaper drones, airing footage of the destroyed drone. Video / AP
Paul Kent allegedly filmed in Sydney street brawl
Rugby league journalist and pundit Paul Kent has been captured in what appears to be an altercation outside a Sydney restaurant
Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned
"Under our system of justice, the accused has a right to be held to account only for the crime charged.", Judge Jenny Rivera Video / AP
Prince Harry ‘snubs the King’
The Duke of Sussex appears to have snubbed his father by opting not to wear his Coronation medal alongside others as he presented a military award.
Israel Adesanya buys into one of Auckland's most popular new eateries
Israel Adesanya has bought into Broke Boy Taco. Video / BBT
Auckland council submissions, NZ water findings | Focus Morning Bulletin, Sunday April 28
Auckland Council to deliberate over submissions for long-term plan. Research finds NZ water largely free of forever chemicals. Explosion in Cambodia kills 20. Video / NZ Herald
Super Rugby: Blues overcome Reds in tightly fought game
The Blues defeated the Reds in a highly contested game that ended 41-34. Source / Sky Sport
Midwest tornadoes cause severe damage in Omaha suburbs
A tornado plowed through suburban Omaha, Nebraska, on Friday afternoon, damaging hundreds of homes and other structures. Video / AP
Health sector and the NZDF in trouble, USA warns China | Focus Morning Bulletin April 27, 2024
The hospitals are being asked to save an unrealistic amount of money, there is a shortage of GP's and a third of NZDF's navy ships aren't being used due to staffing shortages.
Broken footbridge: Restaurants suffer over 'mindblowing' delays
The Conservatory bar and restaurant owner Tricky Hartley outlines the impact of the Wynyard Quarter crossing bridge being out of action for months. Video / Jason Oxenham
Where central Rotorua's water comes from
Rotorua Lakes Council water operations engineer Owen Jansen explains the significance of the facility. Video / Laura Smith
Great Kiwi yarn: Inside the woollen goods factory keeping a small village going
Norsewear's new owner talks about hopes for the company as it looks to survive and then thrive. Video / Neil Reid
Big reveal: What’s coming next to Ayrburn hospitality precinct near Arrowtown?
Winton Land CEO Chris Meehan reveals what is in store for the project, where a number of new bars and restaurants opened in December. Video / Jason Oxenham
Hailstorm hits Christchurch Airport
A Christchurch resident was caught in a hail storm at Christchurch Airport. Video / Kelly Watson
Turkey’s abandoned Disney-inspired ghost town Burj Al Babas
Burj Al Babas, a lavish development inspired by Disney’s iconic architecture, now stands abandoned and unfinished, eerily towering near the coast of the Black Sea.
Firefighters bring massive Hastings scrub fire under control
Hamish Smith, group manager Fire and Emergency Hawke’s Bay, describes the situation at the scene of a six-hectare scrub fire in Waiwhare, Hastings district.
Is this the biggest feijoa in the world?
Chevon Hunapo-Love grows some impressive feijoas - but has her 441g whopper broken the world record? Video / Chevon Hunapo-Love
The Surge debut their first vinyl with Vine Street Vinyl
Three-piece band The Surge in collaboration with Vine Street Vinyl in Whangārei debut their first ever vinyl on World Record Store Day on April 20. Video / Northern Advocate
Good Local Pyes Pa struck by fire
The electrical fire happened overnight at the restaurant and bar.
AI threat to authors and Weinstein conviction overturned | Focus Morning Bulletin April 26, 2024
Lawyer appeals High Court decision over Children's Minister's summons, and one of Harvey Weinstein's rape convictions is overturned. Video / NZ Herald / Getty / Newstalk ZB
Markets with Madison: Luxury trade
Some of the largest luxury groups are experiencing a decline in demand for designer goods, as shoppers seek deals in the second-hand market. Video / Carson Bluck
Urbano reopens
Mark Solon and Jane Solon inside their newly refurbished restaurant, Urbano Bistro, which reopened this week after a car crashed inside nearly six weeks ago.
Winston Peters speaks at Gallipoli dawn service
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters gives speech at Gallipoli Anzac dawn service. Video / Whakaata Māori
'Bonnet' a solution for EV users
The app can help manage Road User Charges, which many EV drivers may now also have to pay.
Attendees move car before New Plymouth's Anzac Day dawn service
A group of people attending New Plymouth's Anzac Day dawn service manually lift a car before proceedings could begin. Video / Reuben Doyle