Quality work, fewer candidates: Inside Tauranga’s legal recruitment problem
All three law firms reported a common misconception of Tauranga legal work: a lack of quality projects. However, employees said Tauranga law firms offer a standard rivalling projects available in big cities or overseas. Photo / SuppliedCooney Lees Morgan associate Jasmine Daroch, 33, said the firm’s quality of work attracted clients from Auckland and overseas. She said people assumed leaving Auckland meant taking a pay cut, but in her experience, Tauranga law firms were willing to match Auckland salaries. She said Tauranga law firms encouraged a work-life balance, compared to the longer hours she worked in Sydney.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 21:10 UTC
Army rescues 31 civilian hostages
Nigeria's army said it had rescued 31 civilians who were taken hostage during an attack on a church in northwest Kaduna state, while five people were found dead at the scene. The army said the attack had taken place during an Easter church service in Ariko village in the Kachia local government Area. The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria for Kaduna state, Caleb Maaji, said that two churches were attacked in Ariko village on Sunday. He said that seven people were killed and an unknown number taken hostage. Northwest Nigeria has struggled for years with violence, including mass kidnappings for ransom and village raids, with armed groups operating from vast forest hideouts across the region.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 05, 2026 20:56 UTC
Leeds through to semifinals after shootout heroics
Leeds United goalkeeper Lucas Perri (centre left) celebrates with team-mates after winning the penalty shoot-out during their FA Cup quarterfinal against West Ham at London Stadium this morning. Photo: Getty ImagesLeeds United keeper Lucas Perri was their shootout hero as they edged hosts West Ham United 4-2 on penalties to reach the FA Cup semifinals for the first time since 1987 after surrendering a commanding 2-0 lead in a dramatic finale. West Ham scored twice within four minutes in second-half stoppage time to wipe out Leeds' comfortable advantage before the contest finished 2-2 after extra time and went to penalties. West Ham were in control going into extra time and found the net twice early on, but both efforts were ruled out for offside. In the shootout, Herrick dived to his right to deny Piroe, but West Ham's celebrations were halted swiftly as Perri kept out Bowen's shot to keep the teams level.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 05, 2026 20:56 UTC
Easter road toll rises after pair of fatal crashes
File photo: NZMEThe Easter holiday road toll has risen to three, after the death of a motorcyclist in Northland. Police said the single vehicle crash occurred on State Highway 1 in Waipu on Sunday morning about 9.40am, near the intersection with Waipu Gorge Road. Emergency services were called to that crash near the intersection of North Road and Farrimond Place at 10.30pm on Saturday. One person died at the scene, while a second person was moderately injured. The Easter road toll period ends at 6am on Tuesday.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 05, 2026 20:44 UTC
Trump draws criticism with expletive-laden rant on Iran at Easter
Our country deserves so much better.”For Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, who opposes the war in Iran, Trump’s attitude was “completely, utterly unhinged”. Murphy added: “If I were in Trump’s Cabinet, I would spend Easter calling constitutional lawyers about the 25th Amendment”. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the former congresswoman who was once a staunch Trump backer but is now a fervent critic, slammed his message, especially on Easter Sunday. Conservative firebrand commentator Laura Loomer, who speaks regularly with Trump and has described herself as an Islamophobe, had nothing but praise. “Trump said he’s going to bomb their infrastructure in Iran, and then he said ‘Praise be to Allah’.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 20:36 UTC
Artemis astronauts begin fifth day on historic moon mission
The moon taken by an Artemis 2 crewmember through the window of the Orion spacecraft on April 3, 2026. Photo by Handout / NASA / AFP)“This mission marks the first time the entire basin has been seen with human eyes,” Nasa said. This screengrab from a NASA live broadcast video shows (L-R) NASA astronaut and Artemis II Mission Specialist Christina Koch, NASA astronaut and Artemis II pilot Victor Glover, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Artemis II Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen and NASA astronaut and Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman. “We’re focusing very much on the ecosystem, the life support system of the spacecraft,” Nasa chief Jared Isaacman said on Sunday in a televised interview with CNN. On the schedule for day five, according to Nasa, is testing of the astronauts’ “survival” suits.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 20:26 UTC
Ambulances operating as normal in wake of fuel crisis, for now
Photo: NZ Herald/fileHato Hone St John says it is still able to operate as usual, despite some ambulance crews reporting occasional problems getting diesel. Paramedics have been making sure the service's 629 ambulances are topped up at the end of each shift whenever fuel drops below three-quarters of a tank. Some petrol stations have been running out of fuel as the conflict in the Middle East drives up prices. He said the government's National Fuel Plan ensured St John services would have prioritised access to fuel supplies if things become tight. Paramedics were keeping ambulance fuel tanks topped up in case there were localised fuel shortages.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 05, 2026 20:14 UTC
Property investment still makes sense, expert says
After two decades as a property investor, which included surviving negative equity and punishing interest rates early on, Wolfe believes property investment still stacks up, but only for those willing to rethink traditional strategies. But rather than abandoning property, she argues investors need to find ways to create value, rather than sit and wait for capital gains. She argues property investing isn’t dead, but passive property investing might be. Watch or listen to the full episode of The Prosperity Project for more. The Prosperity Project is hosted by Nadine Higgins, an experienced broadcaster and financial adviser.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 19:01 UTC
Foreign Minister Winston Peters to visit Washington DC; Trump orders Iran to open the Hormuz Strait in expletive-ridden rant
Already a subscriber? Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Israeli search and rescue personnel work at a residential building that was destroyed by an Iranian strike in Haifa overnight. Photo / AFPIsraeli search and rescue personnel work at a residential building that was destroyed by an Iranian strike in Haifa overnight. Photo / AFP
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 18:56 UTC
Cynthia Erivo has been receiving ‘very, very worried’ messages from Ariana Grande
Cynthia Erivo is balancing a demanding performance schedule with marathon training, receiving support from her Wicked co-stars. Photo / Getty ImagesCynthia Erivo has been receiving ‘very, very worried’ messages from Ariana GrandeCynthia Erivo is balancing a demanding performance schedule with marathon training, receiving support from her Wicked co-stars. Photo / Getty ImagesBritish actress and singer Cynthia Erivo says she has been receiving “very, very worried” messages from Ariana Grande as she balances an intense performance schedule with marathon training. She discussed performing 28 characters in the West End show, as well as the support she has received from Grande and fellow Wicked co-stars Jonathan Bailey and Jeff Goldblum. I got some really beautiful messages, and Jonathan is constantly texting to make sure I’m okay.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 18:35 UTC
Herald morning quiz: April 6
The dried meat product biltong originated in which country? Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. The dried meat product biltong originated in which country? Test your general knowledge with the Herald’s morning quiz. Be sure to check back on nzherald.co.nz for tomorrow’s morning quiz.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 18:31 UTC
NZ Army ramps up combat training as Indo-Pacific security risks grow
Observing was Colonel Mike van Welie, commander of the 1st (NZ) Brigade – the Army’s largest formation and the core of its operational fighting force. “Whether you’ve served for one day or 30 years, there has never been more pressure on the security environment in our region than there is now.”Colonel Mike van Welie, Commander 1st (NZ) Brigade. Teams were drawn from across the 1st (NZ) Brigade, including infantry, armoured vehicle crews, support trades such as mechanics and chefs, and reservists, or part-time soldiers. The urban clearance task involved moving from room to room, shooting enemy targets with chalk pellets. The Skill At Arms competition is a barometer for combat readiness within the 1st (NZ) Brigade.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 18:31 UTC
Brass eagle lectern damaged at St Peter’s Anglican church in Wellington
A notice on the door at St Peter's Anglican Church in Wellington. Easter service at St Peter's Anglican Church. This brass eagle lectern was stolen from St David's Anglican Church in Raincliff. Photo / Canterbury PoliceLast month, a large brass eagle lectern was stolen from St David’s Church in Raincliff in Mackenzie. St Peter’s church has been approached for comment.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 18:30 UTC
Green stars as White Ferns win series
Green’s magnificent 141 not out powered the White Ferns to a 66-run win over South Africa in the one-day series decider at the Basin Reserve on Saturday. The White Ferns recovered from a disastrous start to post 306 for seven from their 50 overs, before dismissing the tourists for 240 in the 47th over. The White Ferns were deep in the hole when they lost their first three wickets for just three runs. The New Zealand pair had added a marvellous 211 for the fourth wicket, a White Ferns record. The White Ferns now sit atop the ICC Women’s Championship table with 10 points from their six games.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 05, 2026 18:02 UTC
Northland SH1 toll road plan sparks backlash from businesses and drivers
For heavy vehicles, tolls would cost $3 for the northern toll point and $6 for the southern, totalling $9. Motorists travelling the full length of the road would pass through both toll points, meaning return journeys would cost $9 for light vehicles and $18 for heavy vehicles. Adding the existing Northern Gateway toll north of Auckland, which isn’t being removed until 2038/39, light vehicles would pay $14.20 and heavy vehicles $28.40 per return trip between Northland and Auckland. Andrew said all toll roads in New Zealand are required to have a feasible, untolled, alternative route available to road users. The final decision on whether to toll each road rests with the Cabinet, on the recommendation of the Transport Minister.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 17:48 UTC