Formed in July 2024 to advise the New Zealand Government on urgent retail crime challenges, the group was initially made up of five members drawn from across the retail and business sectors.

Stand-up comedian Zakir Khan has announced that he will be taking a long break from comedy, possibly lasting four to five years, to prioritise his health and personal well-being.

Flash flooding was reported in Wairoa on Saturday after heavy downpours overwhelmed drainage systems, particularly in low-lying areas. Residents described floodwaters surging into properties, with one local telling 1News that water in his yard was “as deep as my red band gumboots.”