New Zealand

Rocket Lab signed about $1.78 billion in new launch contracts across its Electron, HASTE and Neutron rockets, bringing its total launch backlog to 117 launches.

The online business delivered sales growth of nearly 6 percent, while full-year net profit is expected to reach up to $55m, against $59.2m the year earlier.

RNZ broke the law by setting up a $5m overdraft without approval, and expects to lose another $7.8m this financial year.

Operating costs were trimmed by $29.8m and gross profit margin rose to 32.6%, helping operating profit climb to $22.6m from $1.3m the previous year.

Almost 30 incidents involving stolen Subaru vehicles have been recorded around the Otago Coastal area since August, with a "notable" increase in offending during October.

The Mainlander will shift from monthly excursions to a regular timetable between Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, Gore and Invercargill.

About 309,876 people cast their votes in the first three days of advance voting, up from 235,515 in 2023.

Two crew suffered serious burns and a third received bruising — all three were taken to Invercargill's Kew Hospital after the accident on board the Malta-flagged M.V Olivia.