Biodiversity is declining at unprecedented rates worldwide, and debate continues on how to combat this.One idea that has gained traction globally is to grant legal rights to nature.Ecuador became the first country to legalise the rights of nature in 2008, and other ecosystems around the world have followed suit -…

After years of searching for the perfect tool belt, a Dunedin contractor decided to design his own. Peak Toolbelts is a Dunedin bespoke tool belt company, which began trading in July last year. The man behind the operation and a contractor of 10 years, Paddy Collings, first conceived of the…

It was the mid-1800s, and New Zealand mothers faced a dilemma. Photography was sweeping the nation, and they wanted a likeness of their babies – but could not leave them sitting alone while the image was captured, which could take up to 45 seconds.Enter a phenomenon that book editor Shaun…

A man has been charged with murder over the death of Hāwera man Whatitiri Whakaruru, police say.The 46-year-old man was arrested earlier this week and is now due to appear in the New Plymouth High Court on May 17.On Wednesday, police named Whakaruru, 26, as the person who died after…

A man has been arrested in Christchurch after “a report of disorder” overnight, police say.Officers were called to a report of a “disorder between people known to each other” at about 11.15pm last night, on Harrow Street in Phillipstown. The 29-year-old has been charged with “unlawfully possessing a firearm, unlawfully…

Outgoing Green MP James Shaw says he got “really close” to resigning from his ministerial posts during the previous Labour government, over perceived inaction on climate and indigenous biodiversity. Shaw will give his valedictory speech in Parliament on Wednesday after announcing his resignation earlier this year. For six years under…

Former deputy prime minister and National MP Paula Bennett has been named as the board chairperson of drug-buying agency Pharmac. Bennett served as a prominent Cabinet minister under John Key’s National government and later held the position of deputy party leader during Simon Bridges’ leadership in opposition. Since retiring from…

The small settlement of Karaka has been rocked by the death of a child in a driveway crash, a local councillor says.Police were called to Karaka Road, in rural south Auckland, about 3.30pm Saturday. However, the child died at the scene.Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillor Daniel Newman said the community had been…

National remains “very resolute” about only supporting the Treaty Principles Bill to first reading in Parliament, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says, adding that “there will be no referendum”.Supporting the legislation to first reading was part of National’s coalition deal with ACT, which allowed Christopher Luxon to form his government…

Paris Hilton believes her life’s “real” calling is to rescue abused kids from “hell hole” schools.The hotel heiress, 43, was left traumatised by the abuses she suffered at the institutions for troubled teens she was packed off to in her youth, and now travels the world to help children feared…