Articles by Raphael Franks
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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
'Stabbed so ruthlesslessly in back': Judge blasts ex-funeral director, sentenced to jail
Friday, 11 April 2025, 2:27pmAuckland funeral director Fiona Bakulich has been sentenced to jail for defrauding clients by mishandling bodies. Bakulich’s...
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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...
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National
Watch: Police slate 'appalling' high-speed motorway joyride video
Friday, 21 March 2025, 2:52pmPolice are criticising a young driver for posting videos of himself speeding at more than 200km/h on Auckland motorways. Inspector...
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National
Suburbs outside of central Auckland are hit hard by crime, why does CBD get the funding?
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 1:54pmThe Government announced $1.3 million for anti-crime measures in Auckland’s CBD, coming from the Proceeds of Crime Fund. Two councillors are...
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National
Ex-funeral director pleads not guilty to charge of interfering with human remains
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 11:54amA second person has appeared in court charged with interfering with human remains and deception. The charges follow ex-Tipene...
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National
Dogs maul woman in Northland: Man comes to rescue, also gets attacked
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 3:43pmA man and woman in Hakaru, between Kaiwaka and Mangawhai in Kaipara, north of Auckland, were attacked by dogs. Both victims...
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National
Multi-vehicle motorway crash causes delays in Auckland as storm batters NZ
Monday, 17 March 2025, 4:04pmA crash on Auckland’s Southern Motorway has caused delays ahead of rush hour traffic as rain bears down on the city. Flights...
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National
Storm disrupts flights around NZ: Dramatic turn as temps plunge, heavy rain hits
Monday, 17 March 2025, 11:54amFlights are disrupted with strong wind and rain forecast around New Zealand until tomorrow. Weather warnings cover the South...
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National
Cop hits couple after U-turn: Victims slate police response as ‘total bulls***’
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 11:37amA police officer was deemed at fault for a U-turn crash in Upper Hutt, Wellington, injuring Eden Webster and her husband. Webster...
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National
Auckland Transport plans to remove all parking on one of the city’s busiest roads
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 7:15amAuckland Transport is proposing to remove parking on Onewa Rd to make a full clearway and ease congestion. Changes to one...
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National
‘Never had a blind person’: Uproar after small-town museum bans woman's guide dog
Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 4:13pmBlind woman Maelie Johnston says she faced discrimination at Hillsborough Holden Museum in New Plymouth when staff denied...
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National
Unjust desserts: Cheesecake Shop ram-raided for single cake
Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 11:28amA South Auckland business had its shopfront wrecked when a man rammed a car into it and stole a $52 cake. Owner of The Cheesecake...
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National
‘Miracle she’s alive’: Mum-of-two fighting for life after days trapped in car wreck
Monday, 10 March 2025, 10:29amA single mother of two young boys is fighting for her life in hospital after she crashed her car and spent days in the wreck...
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National
Police admit mistake: Road spikes left on patrol vehicle’s roof fall off, puncturing tyres on seven cars
Friday, 7 March 2025, 3:23pmPolice say road spikes accidentally left on a patrol car’s roof fell onto Auckland’s Southern Motorway. Seven vehicles were...
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National
Surgeries, outpatient appointments off at hospital after water leak trips power
Thursday, 6 March 2025, 11:55amSurgeries and outpatient appointments at an Auckland hospital have been deferred after a water leak caused a power outage. Health...
