The move followed revelations that people with convictions for violence or sexual abuse were adopting children overseas.
Politics
6:22pm
2:08
Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton will present the petition – signed by 15,469 people – to Rangitīkei MP Suze Redmayne at midday, before it is lodged with the House.
Business
12:31pm
The Commerce Commission would be restructured with stronger tools to seek a High Court injunction to require companies to comply with the Commerce Act.
11:26am
3:07
They have invited the minister to "break bread" with them and discuss the Government's actions over the war in Gaza.
9:30am
1:15
A group of Christian clergy prayed at electorate offices in Auckland and Wellington, demanding a timeline for proposed sanctions against Israel.
Monday 3:03pm
Donald Trump has made many promises during his presidency, but how much progress has he made on them?
Monday 11:34am
1:33
Speaking to Breakfast, the Prime Minister said he would expect "reasonable questions" to be answered with some form of inquiry.
Monday 9:25am
2:23
New funding aimed at helping attract global acts, support local events, and drive regional visitor growth.
Sun, Sep 14
Locals fear return of dust storms and dry bores under fast-track hydro proposal, while Contact Energy says move could cut emissions and ease power prices.
Environment
Andrew Little's emergence as the frontrunner in the race comes after incumbent mayor Tory Whanau pulled out in April.
A resident said people were woken by up to seven gunshots just before 2am on Monday.
Sat, Sep 13
Only 42% of people voted in the last local elections, but your council is responsible for everything from traffic lights to bin collection.
Dame Cindy Kiro's tenure was due to end on October 21, 2026, but will now end in March, 2027.
Fri, Sep 12
Peters said today's move was a "calculated step to curtail crucial oil revenues fuelling Putin’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine".
Māori Affairs Correspondent Te Aniwa Hurihanganui says the voters suffer when political parties shut out reporters.
Te Ao Māori
It's the latest Māori ward error to crop up since local election voting packs were sent out on Wednesday.
Thu, Sep 11
Legislation is expected to be introduced to Parliament by the end of the year – with the ban to kick into effect no later than May 2026.
The former Labour MP apologised for comments he made on The Platform, and has also parted ways with the board of the pressure group NZ Taxpayers’ Union.
Education Minister Erica Stanford said the changes will allow for "purposeful pathways" to the professional world.
One candidate has called for the Māori ward referendum running alongside the election to be scrapped.
Wed, Sep 10
A Facebook post has been circulating on local community pages advertising the Meet the Candidates event.
In a post to Instagram on Tuesday night, Tākuta Ferris said seeing members of other ethnic communities campaigning for Peeni Henare should be "unacceptable".
Andrew Maxwell Clark has a checkered past but is running for mayor at both ends of the South Island.
Forest and Bird's advocating for proactive regulation, including desexing and identification of owned cats.
Tue, Sep 9
Mike and Karen Sanson were at their wits' end after ongoing requests that have repeatedly stalled their plans.
Mon, Sep 8
