The Post (Wellington)

Kalyn Ponga, pictured on attack for the Knights against the Warriors in 2024, is getting closer to a Kiwis debut at the Rugby League World Cup.Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport NRL superstar Kalyn Ponga is on the brink of a Kiwis test debut after being named in New Zealand’s Rugby League World Cup extended training squad. The extended squad is yet to be officially announced by the New Zealand Rugby League. But it has been widely published by media outlets in Australia and England.

Police at a public meeting in Christchurch in August.Sinead Gill / The Press The police are monitoring election campaign activities as tensions at public meetings spill over and one party says it’s noticed an escalation in online abuse compared to previous elections. Officers have already had to step in at several public meetings to remove disruptive attendees or, as seen in Wellington on Tuesday night, stop harassment.

RNZ|RNZ September 9, 2026 • 10:05pm Sally was euthanised after being treated for end-stage septic arthritis - a painful and serious infection in her knee joint. This photo from 2018 when the zoo built a new habitat for the chimpanzees.Photo: MONIQUE FORD / The Post Wellington Zoo's chimpanzee troop has lost its matriarch with the death of Sally, a 41-year-old chimp. The zoo announced her death in a post on social media on Thursday.

Police at the scene of the firearms incident on Parkers Rd, Tāhunanui on Friday.Photo: BRADEN FASTIER / STUFF / Nelson Mail The two people who died after a firearms incident at a Nelson property last week were Brendon James Perry and Nicola Yvonne Perry. Police confirmed the pair’s names on Thursday, a week after they were found dead. They said they were continuing to provide support to the loved ones of both at this difficult time. Brendon Perry was 49 and Nicola Perry was 48.

Deputy mayor Desley Simpson is chairperson of the value for money committee.Photo: Jonathan Killick Auckland ratepayers are being warned some “tough decisions” will have to be made if the council is going to meet a savings target of $106 million - with potentially more to come. The savings hunt comes after Aucklanders received their new rates bills in August, with the average household paying $321 more this year after a substantial 7.9% rates increase.

Kiwis Against Seabed Mining has welcomed news four political parties agree to ban seabed mining if they are elected. (File photo)Tania Niwa Four political parties have come out in support of a ban on seabed mining in New Zealand. Labour had joined Te Pāti Māori, the Greens and Opportunity in supporting a ban, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM) said. The organisation had written to all political parties asking if they support a ban, and this week received confirmation from Labour.

Courgettes are one of the vege varieties the Commerce Commission has concerns for should J&P Turner be allowed to buy Turners & Growers Fresh.Photo: Craig Simcox The Commerce Commission isn’t ready to approve a deal that would see three become two in the fruit and vegetable wholesale trade after growers voiced concerns that it could erode the prices they got for their crops. J&P Turner has asked for permission to buy Turners & Growers Fresh from NZX sharemarket-listed T&G Global.

Angled pier legs were installed on either end of Mt Messenger’s new 125-metre bridge.NZTA / Supplied Progress has been made on a 125-metre bridge forming part of the $590 million Mt Messenger bypass, with its angled pier legs now in place. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said crews successfully lowered the 45-degree legs into position over the past week. The bridge forms part of the southern section of the 6km Te Ara o Te Ata bypass.

“We've identified those affected, restored entitlements, and paid arrears,” says MSD chief executive Debbie Power.Photo: ROBERT KITCHIN / THE POST A Ministry of Social Development review (MSD) is pinning an error, which saw thousands of New Zealanders miss out on benefits, on a gap in legislation and underestimating workloads. Last month, The Post revealed thousands of pensioners and veterans lost their Winter Energy Payment in winter.

Graham Bloxham starting his mayoral campaign dressed as a banana (because Wellington was allegedly a banana republic) in 2025.Photo: BRUCE MACKAY / The Post One-time Wellington mayoral candidate and controversial social media figure Graham Bloxham has had his trademark tiny car towed, with scrapping now an option. Bloxham on Wednesday copied The Post into an email to the Wellington City Council, saying his “tiny car” was towed “off private property” and crushed.