Tavatavanawai joins Highlanders for 2024 Super Rugby PacificTavatavanawai joins Highlanders for 2024 Super Rugby PacificTimoci Tavatavanawai. [Image: stuff.co.nz]Fijian wrecking ball Timoci Tavatavanawai has signed a 2-year contract with the Highlanders for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific competition. Tavatavanawai, who enjoyed a stellar 2023 season with Moana Pasifika will bring his barnstorming game to Forsyth Barr Stadium in 2024. Tavatavanawai was part of the Crusaders and Highlanders wider training groups in 2021 and made his first-class debut for Tasman during the NPC later that year. Following some eye-catching performances in the NPC, Moana Pasifika Head Coach Aaron Mauger signed him for the 2022/23 seasons.

An 18-year-old motorcyclist has been taken to Dunedin Hospital with minor injuries after being hit by a car. Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said the incident occurred at about 1.30pm today. The rider was hospitalised as a precaution, he said. Sgt Bond said he was struck by a 62-year-old man who failed to give way at the Midland St and Ōtaki St intersection in Dunedin. laine.priestley@odt.co.nz

As a mix of light and dark steam begins rising from Whakaari’s crater, a group of tourists look on in awe. Walking turns to running and running turns to sprinting as the group quickly takes refuge from volcanic missiles behind large rocks. Panicked screams fill the air and one tourist falls to their hands and knees before the ash cloud engulfs the group. The island sat at Volcanic Alert Level 2 at the time - a fact shared by a guide in another raw video played to the court today. WML has arrangements with multiple tourism businesses that operated tours to the island.

Police have taken a man into custody following a short lived pursuit through Wakari this afternoon. Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said the 54-year-old man was seen speeding down Taieri Rd. He refused and police pursued the driver, who reached speeds over 80kph before stopping on Strathearn Ave. Bail for the man was opposed and he will appear in court tomorrow for two historic charges of shoplifting and one of burglary. He also faces charges of dangerous driving, possession of cannabis, breach of bail and a fines warrant.

In This Story: White IslandThe volcanic island Whakaari / White Island in New Zealand’s northeastern Bay of Plenty region explosively erupted on 9 December 2019 at 14:11 NZDT (01:11 UTC). Twenty-two people were killed, including two who are missing and declared dead, and a further 25 people suffered injuries, many of whom suffered severe burns. In April 2020 legal action was commenced in Australia on behalf of relatives and Ovation passengers against the cruise-ship operator Royal Caribbean International. The first court date is scheduled for 15 December at the Auckland District Court. 3 Recent Items: White Island

Announce protest actions, general chit chat or give your opinion on issues we haven’t covered for the day. Announce protest actions, general chit chat or give your opinion on issues we haven’t covered for the day. The Editor doesn’t moderate this blog, 3 volunteers do, they are very lenient to provide you a free speech space but if it’s just deranged abuse or putting words in bloggers mouths to have a pointless argument, we don’t bother publishing. EDITORS NOTE: – By the way, here’s a list of shit that will get your comment dumped. Sexist language, homophobic language, racist language, anti-muslim hate, transphobic language, Chemtrails, 9/11 truthers, Qanon lunacy, climate deniers, anti-fluoride fanatics, anti-vaxxer lunatics, 5G conspiracy theories, the virus is a bioweapon, some weird bullshit about the UN taking over the world and ANYONE that links to fucking infowar.

National is pulling away from Labour in the latest poll. Photo / NZMENational is pulling away from Labour in the latest poll. Commentary released with the poll said it is the first time National has been ahead of Labour by five points or more. The bad news did not stop there for Labour, with leader Chris Hipkins tumbling six points to 32 per cent in the Preferred Prime Minister poll. A fall that large is bad news for Labour, but National leader Christopher Luxon was unable to capitalise on Hipkins’ malaise.

A Southland mother is yet to receive an explanation or apology after Mongrel Mob gang members put her son’s life at risk while he was in an intensive care unit, she says. Anne-Maree Thomas has now made a complaint to the Ombudsman in her bid to receive an explanation from the hospital. The following day, several patched Mongrel Mob members arrived to visit the same patient, all without masks. “When [gang members are] patched up walking around ... who wouldn’t be scared? “I want an explanation why my son’s life wasn’t worth fighting for.

Police say a man seen loitering around a driveway claimed to be 'sleepwalking'. Photo / 123RFPolice say a man seen loitering around a driveway claimed to be 'sleepwalking'. Photo / 123RFA man caught allegedly attempting to break into a car on a Dunedin driveway explained he was sleepwalking. The owner of the car called police after seeing the man in his driveway attempting to break into his car on Morris St late last night. When confronted by the homeowner, the 45-year-old man said he was sleepwalking before leaving the property.

Nato’s military commander — US General Christopher Cavoli — has reportedly drafted a 4000-page strategy for Nato’s operations throughout Europe. It could also strengthen his case with voters when making the case to lift New Zealand’s military spending. New Zealand spent just under 1.4% of its GDP on the military in 2021, according to World Bank figures. Mahuta told Reuters that neither New Zealand nor Nato considered the ITPPs to be a new grouping. In China, Hipkins told New Zealand media that his forthcoming participation at the Nato summit was not discussed during his face-to-face meeting with Xi.

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The Telegraph published this video item, entitled “Holland and Spain mock the Haka ahead of Women’s World Cup in New Zealand” – below is their description. Spain and Holland appeared to mock the Haka ahead of the Women’s World Cup co-hosted in New Zealand. The clip of the Dutch players was published on the team’s official Instagram account. The Spanish players, like the Dutch, are coming under fire for appearing to make fun of Māori culture. The competition kicks off on July 20 and is being hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

1News published this video item, entitled “Hawke’s Bay residents remain in limbo over Cyclone Gabrielle insurance pay-outs” – below is their description. The cyclone, combined with the Auckland Anniversary floods, resulted in over 100,000 claims. 1News YouTube ChannelGot a comment? Leave your thoughts in the comments section, below. Please note comments are moderated before publication.

Al Jazeera English published this video item, entitled “What’s behind the US decision to give Ukraine cluster bombs? Ukraine is to be supplied with cluster bombs by the US. Presenter: Adrian FinighanGuests: In Washington DC, William B. Taylor, Executive Vice President at the U.S. Institute of Peace and former U.S. In Moscow, Dmitry Babich, Editor at InoSMI Internet Media projectin Washington DC, Sarah Yager, Washington DC director at Human Rights Watch. –Al Jazeera English YouTube Channel

In a Westpac Economic Bulletin, senior economist Satish Ranchhod said the full impact of interest rate hikes is yet to be felt. "As a result, the average mortgage rate that households are paying is set to rise by a further 150 bps." That decline has mainly been due to the 17% fall in house prices since interest rates started rising in late 2021. "Those mounting financial pressures will see per capita household spending falling by around 2% over 2023 and 2024 combined. And with household spending accounting for around 60% of total economic activity, that will be a significant drag on economic growth."