Wildlife Photographer of the Year opens
Bald eagles, a Weddell seal, a gentoo penguin, a three-toed sloth, a grey whale and a curious racoon are just some of the many animals featured in The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, opening on Friday at Auckland Museum.
This week, visitors to the Museum will get their first opportunity to immerse themselves in some of the most vibrant, fascinating images collected this year of the vast and varied nature of life on Earth. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is the world’s most prestigious international nature photography exhibition, direct from London's Natural History Museum.
The longest-running nature photography exhibition in the world, it is known for inspiring curiosity and wonder, while also reminding us of the fragility of our planet and our responsibility to protect it.
Among those featured is the work of 14-year-old Aucklander, Cruz Erdmann, who won the title of Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his snap of a bigfin squid illuminating the inky blackness of the ocean.
Don't miss your chance to see up close the images that have got the whole world talking. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is free with Museum entry.
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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9.8% Yes! New Year, New Me
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22% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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68.1% Nah - not for me
By-election for Otara-Papatoetoe area
Just to let everyone know that we have another by-election happening, and here is the reason why. Below are details and dates, so keep an eye on your letter boxes.
The Manukau Court’s Ruling
The Manukau District Court determined that the Papatoetoe subdivision result of the Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board election was invalid, ruling that the outcome had been “materially affected” by voting irregularities. Judge Richard McIlraith found that the scale and nature of the irregularities met the legal threshold required to void an election under New Zealand’s local electoral laws.
In his decision, Judge McIlraith stated that the evidence presented — including reports of stolen voting papers, fraudulent use of ballots, and other procedural irregularities — was sufficient to conclude that the integrity of the election had been compromised. The court noted that at least 79 voting papers were identified as having been cast without the rightful voter’s knowledge during a judicially supervised examination of ballot boxes.
While the judge acknowledged that the election had been administered “properly and in accordance with all requirements” by Independent Election Services and the electoral officer, he concluded that the fraudulent activity originated outside the official process and nonetheless impacted the final result to a degree that required the election to be voided.
As a result of the ruling, the court ordered that a new election must be held, with Auckland Council confirming that the fresh poll must be completed by 9 April 2026
Stolen car - LPP146 blue Daihatsu boon
Hi neighbours
Our locked vehicle was stolen from our driveway in the early hours of this morning - 27/12/25. It is a blue Daihatsu boon rego # LPP146. I am a carer to my 92yrs mum. Her walker was in the back with 4 boxes of washed clothes for hospice op shop. If you see this vehicle can you pls call the police and message me on neighbourly.
Thank you
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