Zac Guildford

'Zac could not stand the distance'

6:59 AM  Zac Guildford quits France to find the stability and support he needs in New Zealand.

69 and living in a car

Jim has $100 spare for rent but cannot find anywhere in Christchurch that is affordable.

7:06 AM  Mervyn "Jim" Cross, 69, has lived outside Christchurch Hospital in a car for two months.

Heavy rain, gales to hit many areas

11 min ago  Heavy rain and severe gales are expected in many parts of the country.

Bylaw upsets horse riders

Bylaw telling riders to be careful round small animals is "an insult on the human race".

Wellington fishing bonanza video

A few dozen anglers stumbled on a rare windfall, with fish almost jumping on to the wharf.

'Bizarre' Abbott airport snub

Australia's ambassador to France offers resignation after incident while greeting PM.

national

Whanau Ora spend criticised

Finance Minister Bill English says teething issues with a concept like Whanau Ora can be expected.

Auditor-general questions management of flagship Maori Party policy Whanau Ora, saying it's difficult to work out what it is doing.

Drowning at Auckland home

Police are investigating a "water-related" death at a property on Auckland's North Shore.

05052015 News Photo: Supplied. Birkenhead?s Eleanor Hamlyn graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1975 and has now finished her PhD.

Doctor: Four decades later

Auckland woman graduates with PhD, exactly 40 years after graduating with Bachelor of Arts.

Video

Towers sing Don't Dream it's Over

To mark NZ Music Month, Wellington-based indie-pop band Towers will cover well-known Kiwi songs.

world

Islamic State claims responsibility

An aerial view shows the car that was used by two gunmen, who were killed by police, in a failed attack on a Prophet Mohammad cartoon exhibit in Garland, Texas.

Islamic State takes responsibility for a failed attack on a Texas exhibit of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad.

Ex IRA commander killed

Ex IRA commander linked to notorious killing shot to death at close range near his home in Belfast.

Nick Clegg: "If they try to stagger through with a messy and unstable minority government instead of putting the country first then they will risk all the hard work and sacrifices people have made over the last five years."

Second British election possible

Britain could face a disruptive second election if two main parties try to govern alone.

business

Tax 'freedom' falls on May 7

This year 'tax freedom day' falls on May 7.

Kiwis will pay off their collective taxes two days later this year.

Right royal money advice

HRH Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge is assured of cradle to grave financial security.

Waterview tunnel

$1.4 billion project hits a snag

Faulty concrete was supplied to a huge roading project in Auckland.

money

Mr Whippy lesson

Robbing a Mr Whippy is a poor risk/reward choice.

Two armed teenagers who robbed an ice cream van showed a bad grasp of risk and reward.

Why you need Pricemaker

Who has time these days to traipse from shop to shop when looking for a big ticket item?

Mai Chen's sells Bucket List

Seeking Islam-friendly mortgages

small business

Tax compliance costs fall for SMEs

The government says SMEs are paying less tax now.

OPINION: Tax compliance costs continue to fall for small to medium sized enterprises according to a government report.

Bribery report a wake-up call

OPINION: Eight ways to protect your business from bribery and corruption risks.

LeftBrain creditors wait

Shoe repair man walks

technology

How Apple changed Molly's life

Molly Watt, who is deaf and blind, says the Apple Watch has helped her navigate city streets.

Deaf and blind British woman says the Apple Watch has transformed her ability to navigate.

Treadmill accident killed exec

The husband of Facebook COO Sheryl Sanberg fell off the treadmill and hit his head in Mexico.

At least one of the new Star Wars Battlefront maps will be inspired by Iceland's lava fields.

The 4th will be with you, always

Battlefront gets 12 maps, Xbox teases Star Wars controllers, Google's Force-sensitive search.

life & style

What's the Dad Bod craze about?

Jon Hamm, pictured in Mad Men, was told not to work out for the TV series.

Leonardo DiCaprio has one. So does Jon Hamm. And apparently it's the hottest male physique right now.

Best & worst: Met Gala gallery

It's the biggest red carpet of the year, we're bringing you the looks as J-Law, Beyonce, Lorde and more arrive.

Jessica Murais

Outfit envy: Jessica Murais gallery

The Aussie actress sure knows how to work a sharp suit - here's how to follow in her lead.

well & good

Beards are as dirty as toilets

Hairy-faced men, pay attention: wash your beard well and try not to touch it too much with your hands.

Attention hipsters: you are growing a bacteria-catching net on your face.

Working out and still no leaner?

Some women's genes protect their bodies from fat loss even in the face of heroic body-sculpting efforts.

A person's weight doesn't always reflect their willpower attempts.

Why diets do not work

"Everyone is blaming dieters for regaining weight they lose, and that's just wrong," says one expert.

home & property

House of the week: Auckland gallery

A creative empty-nester's colourful apartment is just right for one

This creative empty-nester's colourful and historical rooftop apartment is just right for one.

Auckland sales hit 10-year high

Barfoot & Thompson says that "lack of choice is an issue" but they do have homes under $500,000.

Toddlers love to help and can find fun in the most unlikely activities.

Home lessons learnt from kids

"Please tidy your room" doesn't work nearly as well as "Where does this teddy want to sleep tonight?"

food & wine

Vanilla: don't fake it

Zucchini, vanilla and lavender cake is a good way to use up overgrown zucchini.

Forget essence, the real deal has the most intense flavour - but pre-bought paste can be useful.

The legend behind River Cafe

Ruth Rogers' London restaurant is celebrating 28 years in business.

A hearty autumn soup

Mushroom and lentil mash-up

nz farmer

Fonterra's auction prices fall again

A screen from the GlobalDairyTrade auction website showing recent trends.

6 min ago  Prices have continued to fall on Fonterra's GlobalDairyTrade auction.

Genetics the best beef answer

New Zealand is in serious trouble with its beef industry, according to angus breeder Gerald Hargreaves.

CSI dog: whodunnit?

Toxic swede truth demanded

entertainment

Madonna regrets kissing Drake

Madonna gets up close and personal with Drake at Coachella.

Madonna has poked some fun at rapper Drake after he appeared disgusted by their surprise snog at California's Coachella music festival.

Watch: TV dating 80s style

With the final episode of The Bachelor upon us, NZ On Screen have found for our viewing pleasure episodes of Blind Date.

Cyrus is promoting the Happy Hippie Foundation, which aimed to help homeless and LGBT young people.

Cyrus hasn't always dated men

5 min ago  Miley Cyrus hasn't always been in "straight, heterosexual" relationships.

travel

Can tourists win at haggling?

Tourists look for souvenirs nearby Wat Pho temple in Bangkok, Thailand.

It's an unfair fight – the equivalent of Muhammad Ali going into the ring with, well, me.

It's my room, I'll cry if I want to

In Japan, you can check in to a hotel room to have good bawl when life gets you down.

Train ride from Curitiba to Morretes, Brazil.

A one-way ticket to paradise

The countryside collapses into an ocean of rolling green, huge karst peaks and a valley that stretches to the horizon.

stuff nation

Two-horse Super Rugby race stuff nation

Hurricanes' Nehe Milner-Skudder (L) is tackled by Crusaders' captain Kieran Read during the Super Rugby Hurricanes v Crusaders rugby match at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday the 2nd of May 2015. Photo by Marty Melville / www.Photosport.co.nz

With Super Rugby heating up, it is arguable the championship has become a two-horse race.

More than 'just a mum' stuff nation

My mum is the living example of the total sacrifice that comes with being "just a mum".

Bruce the cat and Lulu the lorikeet - Pets of the day

Pets of the day stuff nation

All Bruce the cat wanted was to snuggle in a blanket and sleep, but Lulu the lorikeet had other ideas.

motoring

'Musclecarmania' auction gallery

A 1967 Shelby 427 CSX3356 that is to go under the hammer at the annual Mecum Musclecarmania auction in the US.

When it comes to musclecarmania it is hard to go past this annual auction in Indianapolis.

New Camaro reveal teased

The countdown is on for the release of the new Camaro and Chevrolet has teased with photos of the rear and bonnet.

The new Bond car for the 24th James Bond film Spectre is revealed, the Aston Martin DB10

Bevy of bespoke Astons video

Eight bespoke Aston Martin DB10s have been delivered to the set of the latest James Bond movie, Spectre

sport

Campbell 'on par with Hillary'

New Zealand golfer Michael Campbell's career was one of swings and roundabouts

Former US Open champion's father and coach reflect on his career following his retirement.

Injured Guptill to miss warmup

In-form New Zealand opener facing a race against time to be fit for the first test against England at Lord's on May 21.

Kiwis prop Jesse Bromwich pushes away from Australia's Johnathan Thurston during New Zealand's 26-12 Anzac test win in Brisbane on Sunday night.

Reason: Kangaroos gone soft

OPINION: The Kangaroos forward pack were shamed by the Kiwis in Brisbane.

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good reads

A one-way ticket to paradise

Train ride from Curitiba to Morretes, Brazil.

The countryside collapses into an ocean of rolling green, huge karst peaks and a valley that stretches to the horizon.

Genetics: high quality beef

Gerald and Sue Hargreaves: staunch believers in genetics.

New Zealand is in serious trouble with its beef industry, according to angus breeder Gerald Hargreaves.

40 years in the beekeeping game

Beekeeper Paul Bartrum with his hives at Pleasant Point in South Canterbury.

Beekeeping runs in the family for Paul Bartrum.

The uncertain fate of Nepal's heritage

A man walks through the famous Swayambhunath stupa after it was damaged in the April 25 massive earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal. Swayambhunath, which dates back to the 5th century, is one of at least 68 cultural heritage sites in Nepal that were damaged by the earthquake.

The blue-rimmed eyes of the gold-spired stupa have long stared silently across this sprawling city.

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Horoscopes

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What do the stars have in store for you today?

Puzzles

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Test your mind with our puzzles

Cartoons

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Dilbert, The Little Things and more.

oddstuff

The face of boy Jesus

Shroud of Turin is believed to be the burial cloth of Jesus.

New technology has revealed what Jesus looked like as a child.

Customs a killer for Darth Vader video

Tilena Jackson with Cadence Nixon, 4, share a laugh with Darth Vader on the Main Highway in Otaki.

Sith Lord, in Otaki yesterday, explained it could cost an arm and a leg going through customs.

It's my room, I'll cry if I want to

A hotel in Japan is offering women a special room to cry in.

In Japan, you can check in to a hotel room to have good bawl when life gets you down.

Woman seeking kiss man hears from wife

Runners head to the finish line in the 119th running of the Boston Marathon.

A woman searching for a man she kissed while running the Boston Marathon has heard back – from the mystery man's wife.

Parenting

Why I hate play dates

The thought of keeping more than two small people entertained for longer than it takes to watch The Muppets Take Manhattan fills me with panic.

Oh, to be one of those mothers who can calmly deal with a house full of other people's children.

First Mother's Day without mum

If you're a mother yourself, I know this day is doubly as important.

This Mother's Day, please spare a thought for little old me – the girl who's lost her mum.

Babies on planes: Apologies due?

Should parents have to say sorry when travelling with babies?

As a parent, taking your baby on a flight can be nerve-wracking. How is the baby going to react?

What my toddler taught me 

Having a toddler has taught me to be at peace with chaos.

My standards at home were never that high but having a two-year-old has taught me to be cool with chaos

kiwi traveller

No refuge at The Church

Sunday services are shutting down.

Notorious London party bar, frequented by Kiwis, is closing down.

Readers' travel pics of the week gallery

Our family went to Hanmer Springs just before the school holiday finished. On the day of leaving Hanmer Springs we decided to go for a short walk in the mountains. So we drove to Jack's Pass. The short walk actually turned to a full-length tramp. The girls were tired and wanted to stop at two thirds of the way. But we persisted and reached the summit. The panoramic view was magnificently rewarding. Mt Isobel is 1319m and we climbed 449m from Jack's Pass which is 870m. Well done for my 8 year old (Jasmin)and 12 year old!

This week's entries this week take us from the villages of Siem Reap all the way to the massive Grand Canyon.

Why everyone should travel solo

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Copyright : mihtiander
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When you travel alone, you're in charge. That means you can plan your days however you want.

10 etiquette rules for travellers

Your actions create ripples that affect people you will never meet.

Your actions create ripples that affect people you will never meet. So what are the essential rules for 21st-century travel?