Do you have to work a public holiday? You usually can only be required to work public holidays if it is stated in your employment agreement and the public holiday is on a day you will normally work. If you would not normally work but volunteer to, you might only get time-and-a-half. This year, Christmas Day is a Thursday so the Thursday and Friday are public holidays, as well as the Thursday and Friday the following week. Public holidays during a closedown still need to be paid if they fall on days that would otherwise be working days.

NSW Premier Chris Minns in the Legislative Assembly at Parliament House in Sydney. Photo: ReutersControversial anti-protest laws and tightened gun rules have passed after a marathon parliamentary debate running into the early hours of Christmas Eve. NSW Premier Chris Minns succeeded in pushing through legislation to cap gun ownership, limit magazine capacity and tighten regulation around licences after the Bondi terrorist attack that left 15 people dead. The laws passed with a last-minute amendment from the Greens to ban gun ownership for anyone investigated for terrorism-related offences, as well as members of their households. "Today's decision reflects the community's expectation that gun laws be rigorous, responsible and focused on public safety," he said.

Nelson elder care nurse Nithin Mankeel with his wife Aparna Jayandhan Geetha and five-year-old son Aidhan Nithin. Photo: SuppliedA Nelson nurse says he is living in fear as he tries to stop the deportation of his autistic child. Mankeel moved to New Zealand from India in January 2024, followed by his wife and son later that year. A second petition is calling on the House of Representatives to abolish the Acceptable Standard of Health immigration requirements. "We understand the challenges faced by Mr Mankeel and his family; however, immigration health requirements are very specific and can only be waived through ministerial intervention.

Here's a guide to what is and isn't open on Christmas Day. Christmas Day is one of four restricted trading days in New Zealand (Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and until 1pm on Anzac Day), meaning almost all retail shops will be closed. Select KFC stores, McDonald's, Domino's and Pizza Hut will be open on Christmas Day. If you need your Christmas Day tipple, it's a good idea to stock up early as no takeaway alcohol is sold or supplied on Christmas Day. HOYTS Cinemas are open on Christmas Day at select cinemas in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch.

As the video begins, Brown said his plans for the Christmas season were to escape the City of Sails and enjoy some time up north. Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick was a guest in Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s Christmas message. Photo / Wayne BrownBrown’s advice for Christmas Day was to keep politics out of the festivities. “Best to keep politics out of Christmas,” Brown said. Shortly after in the video, Swarbrick arrived at his door and provided partygoers with some safety advice for the festival season.

File photo: ODTA fire has destroyed a home and left one person injured in the Christchurch suburb of Mairehau. Up to four crews were called to Kellys Road shortly before 5am on Wednesday to find the single-storey property well ablaze. Fire and Emergency said the fire encroached onto the next-door unit, causing minor damage. A person has been taken to hospital in a moderate condition. A fire investigator is heading to the scene this morning.

“High Alert recommends extreme caution if consuming synthetic cannabinoids, especially in the Auckland region at this time,” the warning said. The alert recommended people who do choose to take synthetic cannabinoids lower their dosage, avoid combining the substance with other drugs and avoid using it alone. High Alert said it is unknown which chemical is responsible for the current wave of harm but testing is being carried out by PHF Science. People who have information should make anonymous reports through the High Alert website using alert ID N25/0056. More information on synthetic cannabinoids is available on the NZ Drug Foundation’s website, The Level.

A 14-year-old boy swam for his life in Lake Taupō after a boat fire. A 14-year-old boy swam for his life in Lake Taupō after a boat fire. Photo / Libby Kirkby-McLeod, RNZBy RNZA teenager was left swimming for his life in Lake Taupō while rescue helicopter calls were delayed by police, RNZ has learned. Police stood down a rescue helicopter crew that had rapidly assembled after a burning boat was spotted in Lake Taupō on Sunday evening. The crew quickly spotted a 14-year-old boy who had leapt from the boat and threw him a life-ring.

A report into facial recognition systems used on shoppers shows teenagers are the worst offenders for threatening supermarket staff. The company said the preponderance of teenagers among offenders did not undermine its expectation that adult-only facial recognition was a good way of combating the issue. The trial is also helping us understand the operational impacts and processes involved with using facial recognition in our stores." Facial recognition was a proportionate response because North Island supermarket trial had been effective at reducing serious threatening behaviour, the privacy assessment said. Facial recognition relies on biometrics, like a person's face or fingerprints.

Photo: RNZOne person has died after a house fire in New Plymouth early on Christmas Eve. Emergency services were called to a property on Trelawney Cres about 2.30am today after reports of a house fire. A person was found deceased, police confirmed. A scene examination is continuing at the property. Police will work alongside Fire and Emergency NZ to determine the circumstances of the fire.

The person of interest abandoned the first vehicle and got into a second one. Another pursuit was authorised but was also abandoned after a short time. The second vehicle then crashed into a car on Queen St about 2.20pm before fleeing again. Just before 2.30pm, the vehicle that had been followed by police came to a stop on Prouse St. One person was tasered and taken into custody, while two others were also apprehended. Police ask anyone who witnessed this incident or has footage to contact them via 105, either over the phone or online, using reference number P064901318.

Photo: RNZA boy with no lifejacket spent an hour swimming away from his burning boat on Lake Taupō while rescue helicopter calls were delayed by police, RNZ has learned. However, FENZ told RNZ today it reached the boat at 7.21pm. 'Found in time'Police today told RNZ it was "incredibly frustrating for police given the bylaw restrictions on people under 15 driving boats". A 7.18pm timestamp said they contacted a local rescue helicopter pilot "(not via AirDesk) in the event a helicopter was needed for the Search and Rescue operation". 6.54pm - Airdesk calls Taupō rescue chopper about a 'potential' incident to confirm if equipped for water rescue; told yes.

“It was probably just the choices that we made, that it was wrong and it cost my brother’s life,” Vaa’i said. In a video interview for Water Safety New Zealand, he said he could remember the desperate moments in the water as he scrambled to safety. Photo / Photosport‘Concerning trend’Vaa’i acknowledged the importance of improving water safety outcomes for Pasifika communities, which account for about 8% of drowning fatalities nationally, rising to 17% in Auckland. Water Safety New Zealand said a designated adult needs to be with every individual child around water. Water Safety New Zealand said if you have been drinking alcohol, don’t walk home near water.

Photo: ODT FilesThe New Zealand Transport Agency has commissioned an independent analysis of breath testing data to try and identify the full scale of falsely recorded tests. RNZ earlier revealed about 130 police staff were under investigation throughout the country after 30,000 alcohol breath tests were "falsely or erroneously recorded". NZTA has since halted $6 million worth of funding to police until it was satisfied they had met their breath test targets. "This independent analysis will identify whether any further irregularities (over and above any detected by NZ police) are discernible." "Police continued to deliver "very high levels of breath testing activity", Johnson said.

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