Here are the top pay packets at the top private schools. St Kentigern, a network of four private schools in Auckland, has been found to pay its senior staff – mostly principals – an average of more than $370,000 a year. Its combined roll of 3506 makes it easily the largest private school in the country and among the largest schools in New Zealand. $205,875 ($1.6m, 8)Founded in 1850, Christ’s is the oldest private school in the country and was modelled on the upper crust of the English public school system. Half the size of its crosstown private rival St Andrew’s, the elder institution still boasts – outside eccentric colossus Dilworth – the country’s largest private school investment portfolio.

We’ll see in 2026 whether that support holds (Labour may vote against the RMA at third reading but not vow to repeal it). Labour's Rachel Brooking has come to the fore when considering candidates for politician of the year. Ardern won politician of the year in part because she won elections (two of her politician of the year victories coincided with elections). Rightly or wrongly, it’s hung like an albatross around the neck of the Labour Party. Associate Finance Minister, Transport Minister, Housing Minister, RMA Reform Minister, Bishop has very obviously donned the mantle of “minister of everything”.

Harness racing journalist Jonny Turner has found five horses that look well placed to deliver gifts for keen holiday punters. The 4-year-old returned to racing at Winton recently and ran an excellent second, importantly making a good beginning. It is probably an understatement to say that moving from barrier 14 to barrier 2 will be a big help at Gore. As far as each-way plays go, Tua Lipa looks as good as any at Gore. PYRAMID ROSERace 11An excellent third placing at the recent Harness 5000 meeting at Ashburton has this mare primed for a big Gore outing.

The Super Smash might have an uncertain future but the Sparks seem keen to go out with a bang. Otago yesterday announced the signings of two overseas players for what could be the last domestic T20 season as we know it if New Zealand Cricket decides to let overseas interests take over. Veteran Australian top-order batter Laura Harris and English medium-pacer Eva Gray are expected to make their first appearances for the Sparks when they play Canterbury in Alexandra tomorrow. The elder Harris is known for her clean ball-striking and ability to apply pressure from the outset, and those attributes and her experience should be vital for a Sparks team missing some big guns. The Sparks play the Canterbury Magicians at Molyneux Park tomorrow, and remain in Alexandra to play the Central Hinds on Tuesday.

Newly returned Dunedin resident Bill Fortes has been camping out in his home after a furniture delivery organised in April failed to arrive in time for Christmas. Mr Fortes and his wife Lisa Fortes spent the past four years living in Auckland. They started planning their move back in April 2024 and got in touch with the moving company. The lack of furniture meant the time-honoured tradition of Christmas spent at the Fortes’ house was not going to be possible. Christmas presents to share with their family on the day had also been stored away in the container.

Associate agriculture minister and Act New Zealand MP Andrew Hoggard in his happy place, down on a farm. "I knew all the people, well, most of the people within the bureaucracy," Mr Hoggard said. It also helped that Mr Hoggard remains a hands-on farmer. "We had to go through a consent renewal then, but our old consent actually prohibited us from doing what was considered best practice. "I think everyone can sort of have a ‘what happens on the field, stays on the field’ sort of attitude," Mr Hoggard said.

Photo: Gerard O'BrienA 27-year-old Dunedin woman has effectively been put into menopause while she waits for surgery in New Zealand’s poorly performing health system. "I’m still waiting to get my surgery date, and see the pain specialist. "My life has been put on hold, and I can’t move forward with wanting to have children or anything like that until I’ve had surgery and I’m off this menopause drug. The region does not fare much better when it comes to the wait times for a specialist appointment, with only 56% waiting less than four months — making it the third-worst region. Have you been affected by excessive surgery wait times?

Luxon’s critics might argue the work was mainly done by Trade Minister Todd McClay and MFAT’s trade negotiations team. Modi and his Trade Minister, Piyush Goyal, also of the BJP, surely noticed the signal. New Zealand is also the first country to promise new student mobility and post-study work visas specifically for Indians. Maintaining alignment on foreign and trade policy wherever possible is also part of a Prime Minister’s job. After getting any sort of deal agreed so quickly, Luxon will be praying Labour falls into line.

The Professional Firefighters' Union has decided to stop Boxing Day's one-hour strike that was meant to begin at noon. The withdrawal meant volunteers who would feel obligated to respond during the strike could relax. Collective bargaining between Fire and Emergency and the Professional Firefighters' Union broke down, and the Employment Relations Authority this month sent them into facilitation. Meanwhile, firefighters have put out a grass fire on the bank of the Waimakariri River near Swannanoa, north of Christchurch. The fire was reported just after 11pm on Thursday and when firefighters arrived, they found a blaze of about 80m by 10m.

Police are at the scene of the crash. Serious injuries after SH29A Tauranga crash, traffic backed upPolice are at the scene of the crash. Three people have been injured after a crash on State Highway 29A, in Tauranga. Emergency services were called to the crash, near the Oropi Rd roundabout at 1.45pm. “One person has sustained serious injuries and two other moderate.

Wellington's Lyall Bay and the surrounding bays are popular water recreation spots. Photo / RNZ, Mark PapaliiAll Wellington swimming spots have been marked with red “unsuitable for swimming” labels and warnings have been issued about pollution from two wastewater discharges. Warning signs were being put up along parts of Wellington’s south coast after the discharge of untreated wastewater, while all Lower Hutt swimming spots, including Petone and Eastbourne, had been marked as unsuitable for swimming after another discharge to an urban stream. Wellington Water said it was replacing its ultraviolet water disinfection system at the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant, which resulted in a discharge of partially treated wastewater about 2km off the coast of Lyall Bay. The water disinfection system upgrade is expected to take until May next year, leaving the plant at reduced capacity, Land Air and Water Aotearoa said.

A person died at Piha Beach, Auckland, today despite the efforts of police and surf lifesavers. Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Person dies at Auckland’s Piha Beach after being swept out by wavesA person died at Piha Beach, Auckland, today despite the efforts of police and surf lifesavers. Photo / Jason OxenhamA person has died at Piha Beach on Auckland’s west coast today after being swept away by waves. Police were called to the scene about 12.30pm after receiving a report of someone being washed away, a spokesperson said.

Two inflatable rescue boats and two jet skis were launched, joining a rescue effort including the Police Eagle, the Northern Rescue Helicopter and Coastguard NZ. Surf lifeguards retrieved a 5-year-old child from the water, leaving one male still missing, Surf Life Saving said. Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter, the Eagle helicopter and Surf Life Saving performed an extensive grid search for him. A rāhui has been placed over Port Waikato and surrounding areas until 8pm tomorrow by the people of Te Pūaha o Waikato. It affects Sunset Beach and the Waikato River from Port Waikato to Kariotahi Beach.

Stott, the head chef at the Old Packhouse Cafe in Kerikeri, tends to have Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, so he and his whānau can spend the next day at the beach. “It gives us the opportunity to be together ... and be grateful for everything.”Aqua Restaurant head chef Craig EstickAqua Restaurant head chef Craig Estick aims to keep things simple for the festive season. A few years ago, Aqua Restaurant head chef Craig Estick and his wife, Suzy, made two decisions to reduce Christmas stress. “I’d rather concentrate on downtime than be in the kitchen.”How to reduce Christmas food wasteShop smart: Make lists, estimate portions, and avoid impulse festive deals. Get creative with leftovers: Transform ham and turkey into new meals like fried rice, pies, frittatas, or soups.

The Commerce Commission said it was not convinced at this stage a takeover of Bremworth Carpets by US-based Mohawk Industries would not reduce competition. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDThe Commerce Commission has competition concerns about a takeover that would bring the country’s two biggest carpet manufacturers under a single owner.The regulator said it was not convinced at this stage that a takeover of Bremworth Carpets by US-based Mohawk Industries, which owns Godfrey Hirst and Feltex, would not reduce competition. Bremworth’s board agreed in October to a takeover by Mohawk Industries, for between $70 million and $77m, through an agreed scheme of arrangement, which requires a lower level of shareholder approval. It followed the launch of a strategic review in February, and the ousting of directors and the chief executive in a boardroom coup this year. At the time, Bremworth chairman Rob Hewett said the buyout agreement was the best outcome for shareholders after it looked at several potential buyers, and was unanimously backed by the board.