Driver Garth Thompson told police he heard a bang, sat up and saw ‘bikes everywhere’.

States of emergency remain in place as the wild weather begins to ease.

Popular Australian sushi chain Sushi Sushi has been bought by a Japanese dining empire in a deal estimated to be worth $160 million.

The food court staple, which began in Melbourne in 1998, has been snapped up by Tokyo-based fast food giant Genki Global Dining Concepts after being listed for sale in mid-2025.

Sources at the time told the Australian Financial Review that Odyssey Private Equity, which bought the sushi franchise in 2019, would be fielding offers above $160 million.

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Genki – which began as a sushi train in 1968 – is one of the biggest fast food giants in the world, with stores in the United Srtates, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Kuwait, the Philippines, China, Cambodia, Indonesia and Myanmar.

"Sushi Sushi is an iconic Australian brand with a powerful consumer proposition, strong franchise performance and significant runway for expansion, both in Australia and internationally," said Genki chief executive Mitsuzo Fujio.

The transaction has been described by Genki as part of its effort to become one of the world's leading Japanese sushi brands in terms of store numbers.

Sushi Sushi operates 190 stores across Australia.

It embarked on an aggressive growth strategy when acquired by Odyssey in 2019, adding 60 stores in the past seven years.

Sushi Sushi and Sushi Musa, another Odyssey brand, generated a yearly revenue of $88.7 million in the last financial year.

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The brand began in the back of a fish shop in Box Hill, Victoria.

"Our founder was working in the fish shop during the day and in a high-end Japanese restaurant at night," Sushi Sushi notes on its website of co-founder Anna Kasman.

"She realised that sushi was quality fish on rice; simple quality ingredients artfully made together for an exceptional taste, and she asked one of her chefs to create a Hand roll that they could sell to customers in a fast, fresh and affordable way."

Australia's sushi industry neared the $1 billion mark in 2025, according to IBISWorld.

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A man has been killed, thousands of properties are without power and flights have been cancelled as wild weather lashes large parts of New Zealand.

Met Service issued a red warning yesterday for a low-pressure system creating heavy rain and strong winds in parts of the North Island, with Wairarapa being hit the worst with 256.4mm of rainfall and 240km/h wind gusts overnight.

The conditions have eased slightly, but continue today as the system moves to the southern, central and eastern parts of the country.

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Images showed several roads underwater, rivers flooded, and trees and powerlines down across the affected areas.

Powerco said at least 18,025 of its customers are without power, while Wellington Electricity said 6500 of its customers were affected.

Water supply is also being affected, with Pirinoa residents told to boil all drinking water before use as floodwaters inundate the local water treatment plant and Taihape, Mangaweka, Hunterville and Rātana residents told to conserve water.

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A state of emergency was declared for several districts, schools were closed and flights were cancelled, aborted or delayed. 

Kate McEvoy was on one of the final flights to attempt a landing at Wellington Airport yesterday evening with her three-month-old son, Stuff reported. 

But at the last minute, the pilot pulled up from the approaching runway and turned back around to Christchurch. 

McEvoy told Stuff she was surprised Jetstar tried to make the journey.

"We were watching as all of the departures were getting cancelled, but ours was still going, and we're like 'oh my god, why aren't they cancelling it?'," she said.

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The wild weather has claimed the life of one man, who was found dead inside a submerged car on State Highway 39 in Puketotara last night.

He has been identified as father and keen fisher Brent Knowles.

"My beautiful dad. You were my world, I loved you so much. Life will never be the same. Broken," his daughter, Tanya Knowles, said on social media. 

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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon offered his support to those affected, but warned the country is not out of the woods yet.

"To those facing damage, everything possible is being done to help you get back on your feet," he said in a statement today.

"Some regions are still facing the worst of it too.

"Please take warnings seriously and don't take any chances."

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NZ First is continuing to trend upwards, according to the latest survey results.

The backpacker was lured into a van on K Rd and taken to an industrial area, Crown says.

‘I’ve got nothing to hide,’ the judge told a Judicial Conduct Panel today.

At 39, Superintendent Will Loughrin now leads the district.

Millions of Australians will be paying more for their private health insurance from April 1, but new data has revealed a single factor could mean you're paying $828 more per year than your fellow Aussies.

Australians who have stayed with the same health insurance provider for 10 years or more are paying an average of $306.88 per month on premiums, while those who purchased new cover a year ago averaged $237.84 per month, according to Compare the Market's latest survey.

Over one year, that adds up to a $828.48 cost difference.

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That means loyal long-term customers are paying 29 per cent more for their health insurance than those who have switched providers more recently.

The new findings come just weeks ahead of what is expected to be the largest increase to health insurance premiums in half a decade.

Private health insurance premiums are expected to increase by between 3.9 and 4.4 per cent, as the gap between premiums and health inflation closes post-pandemic.

That kind of premium rise would see singles on a combined hospital and extras policy pay an extra $127 to $144 a year, while families would face another $191 to $216 annually.

"Australians who stick with the same insurer may think they're being rewarded, but when premiums increase year-on-year, that's often not the case," Compare the Market's Economic Director David Koch said.

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"Your insurer isn't going to tell you if you're shelling out more than you need to. It's up to you to take control and look for better value."

"The number of people I speak to who have cover for pregnancy when they're well into their 50s and 60s is outrageous – I was one of them until my wife pointed it out."

Australians spend an average of $255.67 per month on their health insurance, which adds up to $3068 each year.

The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

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A man has been arrested after a woman was found dead in Melbourne's east this morning.

Officers found the woman's body at a property on Mountain Highway near Dorset Road in Bayswater just after 11am.

A 39-year-old man from Bayswater was arrested nearby about 11.40am.

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He is expected to be interviewed this afternoon.

Police said it is believed the parties are known to each other.

A crime scene has been established, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, with footage or further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)

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