By Māni Dunlop of RNZ A Māori students association says the Government has been too general in its messaging and they are having to take matters into their own hands to ensure their tauira are informed.The Government…

NSW Police has ended its investigation into a historical rape allegation made against a Cabinet minister.

The allegations date back to 1988 when the woman involved was 16 and visiting Sydney.

The unnamed Cabinet minister is expected to address the allegations in front of media tomorrow, Nine Political Editor Chris Uhlmann has said.

The MP has "vigorously denied" the claims.

Uhlmann said the minister had been contemplating coming forward for the past couple of days.

Nine understands the minister will not stand down, and there will not be a parliamentary inquiry into the allegations.

The woman took her own life last June.

https://twitter.com/jekearsley/status/1366578561146966016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

NSW Police said in a statement today it had sought legal advice about the case which determined there was "insufficient admissible evidence to proceed".

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said yesterday he had spoken to the Cabinet minister at the centre of the allegations and the MP had "categorically denied" the claims.

The woman first attended Adelaide police station in November 2019 to seek advice about reporting her rape claim, NSW Police said.

The matter was then referred to NSW Police and an investigation was launched by the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad, which formed a special team to investigate the claims, known as Strike Force Wyndarra.

However, the woman never made an official statement to NSW Police.

Friends of the woman are now pushing for an independent investigation.

https://omny.fm/shows/the-ray-hadley-morning-show/afp-commissioner-reece-kershaw-addresses-investiga/embed?style=cover

Mr Morrison, whose office received documents detailing the claims, said allegations made against a person of the parliament were not enough to stand someone down. 

"We can't have a situation where the mere making of an allegation and that being publicised through the media is grounds for, you know, governments to stand people down simply on the basis of that," he said yesterday.  

"I mean, we have a rule of law in this country and it's appropriate that these things were referred to the Federal Police. They have been." 

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has confirmed it received a complaint in relation to the historical rape allegation on Sunday.

This morning, AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw told 2GB's Ray Hadley the claims did not fall within the jurisdiction of the Federal Police.

Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.

Originally published by The Spinoff The breaches that have put Auckland back into lockdown have sparked anger across the country, but the Prime Minister says there’s nothing she can do about people breaking the rules – that’s…

People travelling overseas and returning to New Zealand should be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccine – above the vulnerable and elderly – if New Zealand wants to continue its elimination plan of stopping Covid-19 at the border,…

A commercial pilot banned from carrying passengers due to fears he might commit murder suicide with a plane had his medical certificates suspended after just two emails from his ex wife’s new husband.Auckland man Captain Graham…

A Government manager who planted a spy camera in a gym bathroom was due to be named just after midnight after an order for permanent name suppression was overturned. But he has mounted an appeal to try to keep his name secret. In…

It was a weekend to remember for one lucky MyLotto player from Christchurch after winning $22.5 million on Saturday. The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, was feeling lucky after recently winning two raffle prizes, so when he…

Residents of Queensland's far north are bracing for more destruction as Cyclone Niran strengthens.

The now category two cyclone has put neighbouring New Zealand and Papua New Guinea on high alert as it could be headed their way.

Meteorologists anticipate the storm could increase again to a severe category three in coming days.

READ MORE: Far North Queensland on cyclone watch

Hundreds of kilometres of the Queensland coast needs cleaning up and more is expected.

The cyclone is sitting about 250km off the north coast.

READ MORE: Woman charged after she allegedly consumed wine behind the wheel

Areas between Cape Flattery and Lucinda are still likely to feel the effects but not as severely as they did yesterday.

However a cyclone watch remains in place.

Meanwhile, the clean-up continues across Cairns.

There are still several trees and powerlines down, parts of the Bruce Highway remain cut off and homes have been down.

The State Emergency Service have received 127 calls for assistance.

Energy companies are still working tirelessly to restore power to some 42,000 homes due to weather conditions.

In the past 24 hours or so a developing Tropical Cyclone Niran off north Queensland has generated the strongest wind gusts in nine years in Cairns (85km/h), two years in Lucinda (89km/h) and 13 months at Bouganville Reef (115km/h).

READ MORE: RBA keeps interest rates on hold at historic low 0.10 per cent as property booms

The strongest wind gusts recorded from this system have been 117km/h at Arlington Reef, a six-week high for that location.

The system has also help deliver 200-400mm in the past four days, including 400mm at Cardwell Range, 367mm at Bingil Bay, 358mm at Macknade, 351mm at Lucinda and 320mm at Alva Beach.

This is 60mm more than the monthly average at Alva Beach.

In the past 24 hours alone, more than 200mm was recorded at Cowley Beach and Bingil Bay.

It has been the heaviest rain in three years for Innisfail (171mm in 24 hours) and2 years at Cowley Beach (216mm in 24 hours).

For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster Management Services website or for emergency assistance, call the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500.

The mother of a little girl whose name was shortened by teachers because it was too hard to pronounce says she is stunned by how many others have had to deal with the same issue.Paris Tautu spoke out about her daughter Mahinarangi’s…