Auckland meth ring: Guilty pleas after global FBI Anom app Trojan Shield sting
Of those who pleaded guilty this week, all but one will face up to life imprisonment when they return to the High Court at Auckland in May for sentencing. Solomone – the highest-ranking of those who pleaded guilty but not the leader of the group – admitted to 24 charges. Photo / NZ PoliceIn addition to the 24 charges he pleaded guilty to, another 24 were withdrawn by the Crown. Polaulu, who pleaded guilty to seven charges, “acquired large amounts of methamphetamine to supply to lower-ranked members of the syndicate”, court documents state. Lea’aetoa, known as Rambo, is set to be sentenced for a single charge of conspiring to supply methamphetamine, punishable by up to 14 years’ imprisonment.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 08, 2026 07:32 UTC
Benjamin Cudby sent to prison for repeated violent attacks, strangulations of his partner
Cudby had strangled the woman more than 40 times over the course of their relationship, the court heard. Cudby then chased her with a spade, smashing a door in their Alexandra home, overpowering her before police arrived. Judge Elkin outlined how the abuse had started three months into the pair’s relationship and spanned 20 months. Judge Elkin said Cudby would be subject to a first strike under the new Three Strikes law. “If you commit a further serious offence, the consequences will be serious,” Judge Elkin told him.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 08, 2026 07:23 UTC
Shipwrecked Festival traffic chaos: Te Arai locals slam rural road safety
“Many people arrived early and all at once.”The spokesperson said traffic volumes were affected by large numbers of people travelling to Te Arai Links, which was “likely also because of the public holiday”. Despite the slow start – and some festivalgoers spending up to four hours in traffic - the spokesperson said Shipwrecked’s traffic management plan had performed better than expected. Te Arai Links North Course. Some drivers heading into Shipwrecked Festival in Te Arai, Auckland, reported waiting in queues for more than four hours on Atkins Rd in the heat. Photo / Tiffany Firth“Shipwrecked is an annual event but the golf course and development traffic is ongoing.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 08, 2026 07:00 UTC
Sussan Ley reunites Liberal and Nationals coalition after Bondi shooting split
Opposition leader Sussan Ley with Liberal and Nationals MPs behind her, during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday February 3, 2026. Photo / Getty ImagesOpposition leader Sussan Ley with Liberal and Nationals MPs behind her, during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday February 3, 2026. Photo / Getty ImagesAustralia’s right-leaning Opposition coalition reunited on Sunday after splitting in a public spat over the legislative response to the Bondi Beach mass shooting. The centre-right Liberal Party and the rural-focused Nationals, which have jointly governed Australia for most of the past century, said they had overcome their differences. We’re squarely focused on representing the Australian people and fighting for their needs,” Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley told a news conference in Canberra.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 08, 2026 06:58 UTC
MEDIAWATCH: Why is Hooton the only one having an adult discussion about the reality of Climate Change?
This isn’t climate denial. Why is Mathew Hooton the only one having an adult discussion about the reality of climate change? Yes, they are responsible for watering down all our climate change mitigation programs. Climate Change Is No Longer a Debate — It’s the Age of ConsequencesThe last 3 years are the hottest on record temperature wise, what do you think that means mathematically? The reality of climate change is that it means a vast reset of our culture, economy, society, community and politics.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 08, 2026 06:34 UTC
Two people hurt in motorcycle crash on State Highway 1 near Gore, helicopter on scene
Police said the road would be partially blocked while emergency services were in attendance. Hato Hone St John said two ambulances, one helicopter, and one operations manager were called to the scene about 4.45pm. “One patient in a serious condition and one in a moderate condition were taken to Dunedin Hospital via helicopter.”Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 08, 2026 05:22 UTC
Sir David Beckham posts message to estranged son Brooklyn Peltz Beckham
A source told the Sun “he wanted it gone” because “there is so much hurt and pain on his side, it would not be genuine to keep such a tribute on his body”. Detailing the events of his 2022 wedding to the American actress, Brooklyn Peltz Beckham alleged his mother had cancelled making the bride’s wedding dress at the last minute and danced inappropriately with him at the reception. Brooklyn Peltz Beckham was last publicly seen with members of his family in 2024. Photo /AP Photo, Vianney Le CaerPeltz Beckham went on to allege that “Brand Beckham” has always come first, claiming his parents value “promotion and endorsements above all else”. They have talked extensively about it”, a source told the Daily Mail.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 08, 2026 05:14 UTC
3 Doors Down frontman Brad Arnold dead at 47 after cancer diagnosis
The lead vocalist and drummer of 3 Doors Down, Brad Arnold, has died. Photo / 3 Doors DownThe lead vocalist and drummer of 3 Doors Down, Brad Arnold, has died. Photo / 3 Doors DownThe lead singer and drummer of American rock band 3 Doors Down, Brad Arnold, has died aged 47 after a battle with kidney cancer. In a post on Instagram, the band announced Arnold had died “peacefully” in his sleep on Saturday (local time), with his wife Jennifer Arnold by his side. “He was a devoted husband to Jennifer, and his kindness, humour, and generosity touched everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 08, 2026 02:08 UTC
Jury duty woes: Aucklander slams process, calls for reform
Justice Ministry acknowledges issuesActing Ministry of Justice courts and justice services policy acting general manager Megan Noyce acknowledged van Rooyen’s concerns and apologised. “The ministry appreciates the effort and contribution members of the public make when serving on juries, as it is a crucial part of our justice system. “Is the jury system working at its best to ensure they are best reflection of the community? “This is not new, there have been a number of people looking at it.”Money said she did still see the importance of juries within the justice system. “Juries are really important in our justice system, but are we looking at them in terms of $31 for a half day, if someone can’t get childcare, are we excluding certain populations?
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 08, 2026 02:07 UTC
Viva Street Style: At Laneway Festival 2026, crowds dress to impress Chappell Roan, PinkPatheress and more
At St Jerome’s Laneway Festival 2026, an eclectic crowd signalled loyalty to indie princesses and Soundcloud rappers. A near sold-out crowd amplified a sense of festivity through themed dress at Laneway Festival on Thursday. If last year’s Brat summer forecast big boots and micro shorts, Chappell Roan conjured something a little more fantastical. Photo / Felix JacksonPhoto / Felix JacksonPixie and BunnyBoth Pixie and Bunny don lace and high contrast makeup looks. At Laneway Festival 2025, Big Belts, Tiny Mini-Skirts & Leather Boots Displayed Uniformed Rebelliousness.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 08, 2026 02:01 UTC
Car swallowed by flames, blocks off-ramp on Auckland’s Southern Motorway
A vehicle was seen engulfed in flames on the Khyber Pass offramp on Auckland's Southern Motorway. Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. A car has caught fire and blocked an off-ramp on Auckland’s Southern Motorway, sending smoke billowing over the central city. Police are at the scene of the incident and the off-ramp at Khyber Pass is closed to traffic. Video supplied to the Herald shows the front of the car completely swallowed by flames.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 08, 2026 01:56 UTC
Winds fan vegetation fire near Clyde
Residents have been told to prepare for evacuation as winds fan a vegetation fire near Clyde. Crews from Clyde, Alexandra, Dunstan and Tarras were called to a property near the intersection of Springvale and McArthur Rds about 1pm, following reports of a grass fire, a Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said. "When they got there, they had a grass fire that was basically out, but it was into some pine trees," the spokesman said. People had been told to prepare for evacuation, but it was unclear if an order to leave had been given, he said. Although fanned by wind, the fire was contained and crews were working to extinguish it.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 08, 2026 01:43 UTC
Washington Post publisher quits following mass layoffs
Washington Post publisher and CEO Will Lewis is leaving the newspaper, it has announced, after carrying out widespread layoffs this week. Jeff D'Onofrio, chief financial officer of the newspaper owned by Jeff Bezos, will serve as acting publisher and CEO, the Post said. Unions representing Post employees said Lewis' departure was necessary. "Will Lewis’s exit is long overdue," The Washington Post Guild said in a statement. Lewis' Post tenure was rocky even before the subscriber losses.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 08, 2026 01:31 UTC
Veteran French politician Jack Lang loses culture post over Epstein links
‘Baseless’ accusationsBefore news of his resignation emerged, Lang told AFP that the accusations against him were “baseless” and he welcomed the probe. His daughter Caroline Lang, a film producer, also appeared in Epstein’s will as a beneficiary of €5 million ($9.8m), according to investigative website Mediapart. Le Monde newspaper and Mediapart said no files released by the United States Justice Department suggested either Lang or his daughter had been implicated in Epstein’s sexual crimes. Lang is best known as an innovative and popular culture minister during the presidency of socialist Francois Mitterrand in the 1980s and 90s. Lang also oversaw major modern architectural projects such as the building of the Louvre Pyramid and the Bastille opera house.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 07, 2026 23:38 UTC
Heart attack warning for women as Northland midwife tells survival story
“I’m grateful to be alive.”Every 90 minutes, a family in New Zealand loses a loved one to heart disease. It aims to support research that leads to improved treatments for heart disease and to help prevent premature loss. Heart Foundation medical director, Dr Gerry Devlin, said heart disease was “the single biggest killer” in New Zealand and globally. Heart disease at a glance:Heart disease claims the lives of more than 6500 New Zealanders every year. More than 180,000 New Zealanders are living with heart disease.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 07, 2026 23:34 UTC