Articles by Raphael Franks
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National
Supermarket disputes woman's claim worker crushed toddler's fingers with trolley
Thursday, 12 June 2025, 8:17amA Palmerston North businesswoman has publicly claimed a supermarket employee rammed a trolley into her toddler, crushing...
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National
Watch: Police probe after 'distressing' footage emerges of youths hurling baby goat to death
Tuesday, 10 June 2025, 9:02pmPolice are investigating a “distressing and concerning” video spreading on social media showing a group of youths throw a...
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Crime
Pāremoremo hit-and-run: Man hands himself in to police over crash
Monday, 9 June 2025, 1:58pmA man has handed himself in to police and been charged after the hit-and-run of two women and their dogs in north Auckland. Mitchell...
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National
Swells reach 10m at Wellington Harbour entrance as polar blast hits
Saturday, 7 June 2025, 3:54pmWet, wild and chilly conditions to hit parts of the country over the weekend. Residents in the South Island woke to a power...
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National
Ferry crossings canned, motorists rescued from snow as polar blast hits
Saturday, 7 June 2025, 8:23amWet, wild and chilly conditions to hit parts of the country over the weekend. Residents in the South Island awaken to power...
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National
'There's a body in the water': Humble hero recounts saving drowning pensioner
Tuesday, 3 June 2025, 3:47pmA kitesurfer who saved a pensioner from drowning has given a second-by-second account of the rescue, and the humble hero...
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National
'Seconds to live': Woman flags down kite surfer to save pensioner from drowning
Monday, 2 June 2025, 9:15amJohn Schofield, 74, was rescued after being knocked out by freak waves while fishing at Ōtaki Beach. A nearby woman and a...
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National
'Block the pigs': Police brace for boy racer 'invasion' a year on from Levin violence
Friday, 30 May 2025, 7:09pmBoy racers plan to meet in Levin this weekend, a year after a violent gathering. Police are preparing a strong response,...
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Politics
Govt boosts spending on private schools to support ‘diversity, choice’
Thursday, 22 May 2025, 4:04pmThe Government is increasing funding for private schools in Budget 2025. Associate Minister of Education, Act Party leader...
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Crime
Patched Mongrel Mobster charged with arson over South Auckland funeral home fire
Monday, 12 May 2025, 3:32pmSouth Auckland police have arrested a patched Mongrel Mobster and charged him with arson over a fire at a funeral home. Just...
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National
Wayne's manifesto: Mayor wants bed tax, new China visa, population growth in plan for Auckland
Monday, 12 May 2025, 11:36amAuckland Mayor Wayne Brown has called for the Government to reconsider a bed tax and a reciprocal visa policy with China. Brown...
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National
Thunderstorms, heavy downpours tipped for Auckland and North Island during rush-hour
Friday, 9 May 2025, 3:50pmSevere thunderstorms and heavy downpours are due across the North Island this afternoon and evening - potentially causing...
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National
'Scene of utter devastation': Shopkeeper had only just moved in when Winz fire destroyed shop
Friday, 9 May 2025, 3:22pmWendy Li’s new shop in Glen Innes, Auckland was destroyed by a fire at the Work and Income office next door. The fire, understood...
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National
Severe thunder, rain for north; wintry blast hits south, 7m waves for Cook Strait
Tuesday, 29 April 2025, 2:05pmThunderstorms and downpours are hitting the top of the North Island and heading for Auckland, while the other end of the...
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National
Heavy rain, 100km/h winds: Severe storm approaching NZ upgraded to Tropical Cyclone Tam
Tuesday, 15 April 2025, 11:00amA severe storm is barrelling towards Auckland and the upper North Island. The Fiji Meteorological Service has upgraded the...
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National
‘Disconcerting, unnerving’: Anger at German backpacker’s alleged gang rapists getting bail
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 1:28pmThree men are charged with raping a German woman in central Auckland on New Year’s Day. Two men aged 19 and one aged 21,...
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National
Backpacker allegedly gang-raped by three men in ‘horrific’ Auckland CBD attack
Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 7:13amThree men charged with raping a German woman in central Auckland in the early hours of New Year’s Day are before the courts. The...
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National
‘Flames as big as a house’: Yachtie plucked to safety as inferno engulfs boat
Sunday, 30 March 2025, 2:06pmA yachtsman was rescued from his liferaft after his boat caught fire and burned to a wreck off the coast of Hawke’s Bay. Kyle...
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National
Driver’s name kept secret after pedestrians allegedly run down outside uni
Friday, 28 March 2025, 1:35pmThe man accused of hitting and injuring pedestrians on the footpath outside the University of Auckland’s engineering school...
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National
Cemetery squeeze: West Akl runs out of space for dead
Thursday, 27 March 2025, 2:21pmWest Auckland has run out of space to bury the dead. Waikumete Cemetery in Glen Eden has ‘capacity constraints’ and Auckland...
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Sport
Watch: Anti-vax ex-Māori All Black questions Efeso Collins’ grieving widow
Thursday, 27 March 2025, 11:38amAn anti-vax former Māori All Black questioned Efeso Collins’ widow Fia Collins outside a Coroners Court hearing. Shane Christie,...
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National
Auckland water restrictions by May? Dam levels keep dropping as dry spell persists
Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 1:44pmAuckland could be under water restrictions by late May without sustained rainfall, Watercare warns. Dam levels are 20% lower...
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National
Speedway crowds ‘less than go to a dairy’: Mayor sets ‘record straight’ on Western Springs
Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 12:56pmAuckland ratepayers are “burdened” by the costs of speedway at Western Springs and fewer people go there than to their corner...
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National
Jason Gunn’s ‘arse on camera’: TV icon’s heartfelt message to supporters after colonoscopy
Friday, 21 March 2025, 3:33pmJason Gunn took to social media to diary his colonoscopy experience. Gunn, an icon of New Zealand television, offered a heartfelt...
