The first known major outbreak of avian botulism in Otago region led to the deaths of about 1000 waterfowl at the Waikouaiti wastewater treatment plant and has been followed by another suspected outbreak in Timaru

Queenstown area, home to some of NZ's most expensive properties, has seen a stable-to-rising housing market as global billionaires and Australians hit by new tax system look for crisis-proof housing market

The New Zealand fashion industry has seen a wave of business closures; in a shrinking manufacturing sector, it is harder to find people to make the 'Made in New Zealand' and for businesses to absorb rising costs

An award-winning Auckland bakery has temporarily closed after receiving E-grade, the lowest possible food safety rating for a risk associated with its pest control

Major changes to school curriculum and secondary qualifications bring "knowledge-rich" learning from this school year; The reform mandates evidence-based learning in literacy, numeracy and introduces subject-based assessment system in year 12,13