File photo: NZMEWhat began as a routine trial quickly veered off course as jurors appeared to fixate on the complainant, her underwear choice and her sexual history. Within hours, their questions seemingly exposed outdated misconceptions about women and sex, forcing the judge to abandon the trial altogether. Two hours later, the jury submitted three further questions that brought the trial to a sudden halt. Crown lawyer Jeremy Cameron applied for a mistrial, submitting the questions indicated the jury was engaging in impermissible reasoning. You are discharged.”A new trial began the following week, where a new jury found the defendant guilty of sexual violation.

Photo: RNZThe government has announced that hospitals will get hundreds more staff and extra beds as the health system prepares for winter pressure. Health Minister Simeon Brown said Health New Zealand would invest an extra $25 million to boost hospital capacity and staffing across the country ahead of the colder months. The funding would provide up to 378 additional full-time staff across nursing, medical, allied health and support roles and 71 extra winter hospital beds. Brown said emergency department visits continued to rise as the population grows and ages, putting increasing pressure on hospitals during winter. "While hospitals undertake seasonal planning each year as part of normal operations, winter demand still places significant pressure on services and frontline staff.

Rocket Lab founder and boss Sir Peter Beck has spoken of the likely cost and logistics of the Venus Life Finder mission. Photo / SuppliedOnce above Venus’ clouds, time will be of the essence for the probe that will be deployed during the Rocket Lab mission. But Beck said the timeline was delayed while the company got its next-generation Neutron rocket fully operational – a milestone expected later this year. “Although Nasa’s missions are more advanced, Rocket Lab’s Venus mission could strengthen support for low-cost space missions designed to answer specific science questions,” it said. US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth (left) with Rocket Lab founder Sir Peter Beck.

A pre-trial ruling was made that the complainant was not to be cross-examined on her sexual experiences or perceived sexual interest in others. Two hours later, the jury submitted three further questions that brought the trial to a sudden halt. Crown lawyer Jeremy Cameron applied for a mistrial, submitting the questions indicated the jury was engaging in impermissible reasoning. Judge Hastings agreed the jury was “entrenched” in misconceptions that could not be corrected with a simple reminder. You are discharged.”A new trial began the following week, where a new jury found the defendant guilty of sexual violation.

Health NZ told RNZ on Monday it was working to address the workforce gaps and capability issues identified. 'As quickly as possible'The government two years ago castigated Health NZ for loose financial controls, sacked its board and under a reset the new commissioner Lester Levy embarked on a $2 billion savings plan. Health NZ Te Whatu Ora subsumed all 20 of the old district health boards - DHBs - almost four years ago. Health system commentator Ian Powell had long called for devolution but said that required the right capabilities. Photo: SuppliedBrown in his letter of expectations to the board chair late last year said it was "clear to me that Health NZ is too centralised".

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the Government is mindful of supply chain issues as the Middle East conflict rumbles on. Bennett said Bonson was fortunate that one of its central materials is exported out of Australia and the supplier has indicated there are no issues with supply. Bennett said his business started preparing early after there started to be “whispers” of supply issues, noting that most of the stock the company secured early was probably not available now. A Fletcher Building spokesperson said the business was monitoring the situation and is regularly assessing potential impacts on its supply chain. Should there be significant disruptions, we will take steps to ensure continuity of supply for our customers,” the spokesperson said.

Alex Little leads the pack on his way to victory in the New Zealand Super Truck Championship at Teretonga at the weekend. PHOTO: DAVE LOUDON PHOTOGRAPHYLower Hutt driver Alex Little always enjoys a trip to Invercargill. Little continued his long run of success at Teretonga when he piloted his Freightliner Century to win the Mobil Delvac 1 Trophy for the seventh time at the weekend. He claimed overall victory across three races in the New Zealand Super Truck Championship, accumulating 55 points to head off Auckland drivers Troy Etting and Ron Salter. Little, Etting and Salter each won a race at the Teretonga round.

A lot has changed since the days of protest against the stadium, when vitriol was thrown about by both sides of the argument for building a new stadium. We got acts that filled the house who would never have come if there was a venue available in Christchurch. With the completion of their new stadium Dunedin’s brief reign as a South Island concert centre is well and truly over. There are other events that the stadium has proved to be an excellent venue for, the craft beer festival being a case in point. We have a stadium the envy of many cities of our size and larger.

Holy Family Villa fundraising committee chairman Malcolm Farry outside the new $8million accommodation units, next to the Sacred Heart Home and Hospital in Brockville. Now they are asking the community they have served for more than 120 years to help them complete the transformational housing project. If we can help those most in need live with dignity and security, then we must try. ‘‘I hope this project inspires others to give in whatever way they can, whether that is big or small. Residents can enjoy independence and privacy, while remaining connected to a caring community and having access to Sacred Heart Home’s facilities, gardens and support network close by.

A worst-case scenario has been modelled with, to use Ms Willis’ words, ‘‘heavy caveats’’. Oil tankers anchored in Muscat, near the Strait of Hormuz. Ms Willis stressed yesterday that supplies for Air New Zealand, for both travel and cargo, were nationally critical and non-negotiable. One possible source could be Russia — a country subject to extensive embargos, including of its oil exports, due to its illegal invasion of Ukraine. Storm in a teacup though this might be, the fact that so many were prepared to give it credence is worrying for Mr Luxon.

Jolanda and Richard Foale are closing their business Coffee and Burger Afloat on the waters of Lake Dunstan. For one, the food and coffee is sited on Lake Dunstan in the Cromwell Gorge. Owners Richard and Jolanda Foale said they had put their lives on hold for three years while the business was on the market but no buyer could be found. Mrs Foale was born in Switzerland and brought up in Kenya, where Mr Foale was born. They’re all on holiday, they’re all positive, they’re all loving what they’re doing.

A man who has twice been ruled insane after committing two separate killings can now be named. The revelations of a second killing prompted the Chief Victims Advisor to call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into forensic mental health facilities. Photo: SuppliedIt can now be reported that Parr killed his partner Maulolo in April 1997. TIMELINEAugust 1995: Parr admitted to hospital under the mental health act after twice cutting his wrists and attempting to hang himself. He is detained in a hospital as a special patient under the Mental Health Act.

Smoke rises from an area near the Dubai International Airport after a drone attack hit a fuel tank, according to authorities. Photo: Reuters/StringerDubai's international airport was gradually resuming flights on Monday, authorities said, after a fire caused by a drone attack forced a temporary suspension, further disrupting traffic in one of the world's busiest air travel hubs. Some flights were diverted to the Al Maktoum International Airport. The United Arab Emirates, which normalised relations with Iran's arch-foe Israel in 2020, has faced the brunt of the attacks. On March 11, two drones fell near the international airport, which suffered damage on the first day of the conflict during an Iranian attack across Gulf states.

PHOTO: REUTERSUS President Donald Trump's demands for a coalition to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz appeared to fall on deaf ears on Monday as allies Japan and Australia said they were not planning to send navy vessels to the Middle East to escort ships through the vital waterway. Markets in Asia reacted cautiously, with Brent crude rising more than 1% above $US104.50 and regional share markets mostly weaker amid concerns about the risk to Middle East oil facilities and after Trump's request for allies to get more involved. In a weekend social media post he hoped China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and others would participate. “I think China should help too because China gets 90% of its oil from the Straits,” Trump said. DRONES CAUSE FIRE, DISRUPT TRAFFIC AT DUBAI AIRPORTThe disruption to energy markets caused by the Iran war is an "abject lesson" in the risks of relying on fossil fuels, according to the UN climate secretary.

Billie MooreBusinesses are already feeling the pinch from Air New Zealand’s latest cuts to flights, and the ongoing impact to regional connectivity is becoming ‘‘significant’’, a Dunedin business leader says. That represented about a 5% reduction of its total domestic and international schedule, and would impact an estimated 44,000 passengers. Business South chief executive Mike Collins said the changes by Air New Zealand risked undermining business connectivity and regional growth across Otago and Southland — particularly at a time when the regions were experiencing strong economic growth and contributing significantly to New Zealand’s recovery. When flights were reduced and prices rose, people travelled less — meaning fewer visitors, fewer business trips and fewer opportunities for investment and collaboration, he said. ‘‘I do think that Air New Zealand has been taking care with how they're doing it.