New rules restricting low deposit home loans will now not apply to new home builds, the Reserve Bank has announced.
 
Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Grant Spencer says the bank has consulted with the building industry and banks on the impact of loan-to-value (LVR) restrictions on residential construction activity, and the exemption will help to support the supply of new housing.

About 280,000 Kiwis are waiting for elective surgery, and more than half are not on waiting lists, new research shows.

The report, by TNS for the Health Funds Association and the Private Surgical Hospitals Association, also found those on waiting lists had been waiting an average of 224 days.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11169539

Drunks will not be allowed in bars from next week, and if they are caught, the bar-owner will face a fine of up to $5000.

Police will also film patrons, to prove their intoxication, as part of new measures aiming to reduce alcohol harm in the community.

What do you think of the new rules?

Former South African President Nelson Mandela has died.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11168116

New Zealand great allrounder Chris Cairns is one of three players being investigated by the ICC over allegations of match fixing.

Bowler Daryl Tuffey and batsman Lou Vincent are the others.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11167575 Photo / Getty Images.

New Zealanders pay nearly $1 more to download Lorde's hit single Royals and 50c more for a Big Mac than fans around the world.
 
In a special Sir John Kirwan-commissioned report, we look at the cost of living in Auckland compared to Sydney, London and Vancouver.
 
Do you think New Zealand is an expensive place to live?

Prime Minister John Key has defended his decision not to take anti-apartheid campaigner John Minto to Nelson Mandela's memorial service in South Africa.
 
Labour leader David Cunliffe said this morning that if he was Prime Minister he would have taken Mr Minto, who led protests against New Zealand-South Africa rugby tours during apartheid.
 
Should the delegation include someone from New Zealand's anti-apartheid movement?
 
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11169387

Cartoonist Rod Emmerson pays tribute to anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, who has passed away aged 95.
 
Find our full coverage the death of South Africa’s first black president, including reaction to his passing, and photos and videos commemorating Mandela’s life, here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/former-south-african-president-nelson-mandela-has-died-at-age-95/news/headlines.cfm?c_id=1503574 #Mandela #Madiba #RIPNelsonMandela

A brazen thief who ran from a North Shore jewellery store wearing a $13,000 sapphire ring yelled "thank you very much" to staff as she ran to her getaway car.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11167753

"The chances are billions to one, but I like those odds."

Reese McKee, 25, is hoping the magic of Christmas and the power of social media will reunite him with the mystery woman he met in Hong Kong last New Year's Eve.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11167145 Photo / Mark Mitchell