Today is Thursday May 1st.

Here are you key Business headlines for today

Westpac's online banking platform, Westpac One, experienced a technical issue, leaving customers frustrated and unable to access digital services

The outage occurred this morning and lasted for several hours

Both browser and app users, including those on iOS and Android, were affected

Customers took to social media to vent their frustration, as they were unable to pay bills or use certain services

Westpac apologised for the inconvenience and said the issue had been resolved

However, this is not the first time the bank has faced online banking issues

On March 18, March 20, and April 9, Westpac also had problems with its digital services

During the outage, card services and ATMs were unaffected, and scheduled payments continued to work as normal

One customer shared their experience of being unable to pay for petrol, causing them to be late for work

The extent of the impact can be seen with 581 people reporting the outage on Downdetector

Westpac assured customers that it was investigating the technical issue with urgency

Today is Thursday May 1st. 
Here are you key Business headlines for today 
Westpac's online banking platform, Westpac One, experienced a technical issue, leaving customers frustrated and unable to access digital services 
The outage occurred this morning and lasted for several hours 
Both browser and app users, including those on iOS and Android, were affected 
Customers took to social media to vent their frustration, as they were unable to pay bills or use certain services 
Westpac apologised for the inconvenience and said the issue had been resolved 
However, this is not the first time the bank has faced online banking issues 
On March 18, March 20, and April 9, Westpac also had problems with its digital services 
During the outage, card services and ATMs were unaffected, and scheduled payments continued to work as normal 
One customer shared their experience of being unable to pay for petrol, causing them to be late for work 
The extent of the impact can be seen with 581 people reporting the outage on Downdetector 
Westpac assured customers that it was investigating the technical issue with urgency

Rich Test

TTS Test 1

Today is Thursday May 1st. 
Here are you key Business headlines for today 
Westpac's online banking platform, Westpac One, experienced a technical issue, leaving customers frustrated and unable to access digital services 
The outage occurred this morning ...

Welcome to the Test Business Daily Podcast

Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli airstrikes on Sunday killed more than 40 Palestinians, including at a market and a water distribution point, as talks for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas stalled.

Delegations from Israel and the Palestinian militant group have now spent a week trying to agree on a temporary truce to halt 21 months of devastating fighting in the Gaza Strip.

But on Saturday, each side accused the other of blocking attempts to secure an agreement at the indirect talks in the Qatari capital, Doha.

On the ground, civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal said at least 43 people were killed in the latest Israeli strikes, including 11 when a market in Gaza City was hit.

Elsewhere, eight children were among the 10 victims of a drone strike at a water point in the Nuseirat refugee camp, in central Gaza, Bassal said.

Israel's military said it had been targeting a member of Hamas ally Islamic Jihad, but "as a result of a technical error with the munition, the munition fell dozens of metres from the target", a statement read.

"The incident is under review", and reports of casualties were being examined, it added.

Khaled Rayyan told AFP he was woken by the sound of two large explosions after a house was hit in Nuseirat.

"Our neighbour and his children were under the rubble," he said.

Another resident, Mahmud al-Shami, called on the negotiators to secure a deal.

"What happened to us has never happened in the entire history of humanity," he said. "Enough."

150 targets in 24 hours

The Israeli military, which has recently intensified operations across Gaza, said that in the past 24 hours, the air force "struck more than 150 terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip".

It released aerial footage of what it said were fighter jet strikes attacking Hamas targets around Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza, showing explosions on the ground and thick smoke in the sky.

Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency and other parties.

The war was sparked by Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which led to 1219 deaths, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Of the 251 people taken hostage by militants that day, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.

Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry says that at least 58,026 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed in Israel's retaliatory campaign. The UN considers those figures reliable.

UN agencies on Saturday warned that fuel shortages had reached "critical levels", threatening to worsen conditions for Gaza's more than two million people.

"Only 150,000 litres of fuel have been allowed in over the past few days - an amount that covers less than one day's needs," the head of the Palestinian NGOs Network in Gaza, Amjad Shawa, told AFP on Sunday.

"We require 275,000 litres of fuel per day to meet basic needs."

The Handala - a former Norwegian trawler loaded with medical supplies, food and children's equipment - left Italy, with the pro-Palestinian activists on board hoping to reach Gaza, despite Israel having recently detained and deported people aboard a previous vessel.

Forced displacement fears

Talks to seal a 60-day ceasefire and hostage release were in the balance on Saturday after Israel and Hamas accused each other of trying to block a deal.

Hamas wants the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, but a Palestinian source with knowledge of the talks said Israel had presented plans to maintain troops in more than 40% of the territory.

The source said Israel wanted to force hundreds of thousands of Palestinians into the south of Gaza "in preparation for forcibly displacing them to Egypt or other countries".

A senior Israeli official said Israel had demonstrated an openness "to flexibility in the negotiations, while Hamas remains intransigent, clinging to positions that prevent...

Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli airstrikes on Sunday killed more than 40 Palestinians, including at a market and a water distribution point, as talks for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas stalled. 
Delegations from Israel and the Palestinian militant group have now spent a week trying to agree on a temporary truce to halt 21 months of devastating fighting in the Gaza Strip. 
But on Saturday, each side accused the other of blocking attempts to secure an agreement at the indirect talks in the Qatari capital, Doha. 
On the ground, civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal said at least 43 people were killed in the latest Israeli strikes, including 11 when a market in Gaza City was hit. 
Elsewhere, eight children were among the 10 victims of a drone strike at a water point in the Nuseirat refugee camp, in central Gaza, Bassal said. 
Israel's military said it had been targeting a member of Hamas ally Islamic Jihad, but "as a result of a technical error with the munition, the munition fell dozens of metres from the target", a statement read. 
"The incident is under review", and reports of casualties were being examined, it added. 
Khaled Rayyan told AFP he was woken by the sound of two large explosions after a house was hit in Nuseirat. 
"Our neighbour and his children were under the rubble," he said. 
Another resident, Mahmud al-Shami, called on the negotiators to secure a deal. 
"What happened to us has never happened in the entire history of humanity," he said. "Enough." 
150 targets in 24 hours 
The Israeli military, which has recently intensified operations across Gaza, said that in the past 24 hours, the air force "struck more than 150 terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip". 
It released aerial footage of what it said were fighter jet strikes attacking Hamas targets around Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza, showing explosions on the ground and thick smoke in the sky. 
Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency and other parties. 
The war was sparked by Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which led to 1219 deaths, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. 
Of the 251 people taken hostage by militants that day, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. 
Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry says that at least 58,026 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed in Israel's retaliatory campaign. The UN considers those figures reliable. 
UN agencies on Saturday warned that fuel shortages had reached "critical levels", threatening to worsen conditions for Gaza's more than two million people. 
"Only 150,000 litres of fuel have been allowed in over the past few days - an amount that covers less than one day's needs," the head of the Palestinian NGOs Network in Gaza, Amjad Shawa, told AFP on Sunday. 
"We require 275,000 litres of fuel per day to meet basic needs." 
The Handala - a former Norwegian trawler loaded with medical supplies, food and children's equipment - left Italy, with the pro-Palestinian activists on board hoping to reach Gaza, despite Israel having recently detained and deported people aboard a previous vessel. 
Forced displacement fears 
Talks to seal a 60-day ceasefire and hostage release were in the balance on Saturday after Israel and Hamas accused each other of trying to block a deal. 
Hamas wants the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, but a Palestinian source with knowledge of the talks said Israel had presented plans to maintain troops in more than 40% of the territory. 
The source said Israel wanted to force hundreds of thousands of Palestinians into the south of Gaza "in preparation for forcibly displacing them to Egypt or other countries". 
A senior Israeli official said Israel had demonstrated an openness "to flexibility in the negotiations, while Hamas remains intransigent, clinging to positions that prevent...

Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli airstrikes on Sunday killed more than 40 Palestinians, including at a market and a water distribution point, as talks for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas stalled. 
Delegations from Israel and the Palestinian...

Gaza civil defence says Israeli strikes kill 43 as truce talks deadlocked

Each week in Travel, we check out some of the latest happenings from Aotearoa and beyond to inspire your next adventure.

Meet superstar tortoises

Five radiated tortoises - Yoshi, Peach, Bowser, Donkey Kong and Toad - have arrived at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary's new Tortoise Village, and they're stealing hearts fast. Rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, these critically endangered creatures have found a forever home on Australia's Gold Coast, and just in time for the July school holidays, guests can now meet them in person.

The new tortoise encounters give visitors a rare chance to get up close with the slow-moving superstars, feed them and learn about their incredible journey to safety. For Kiwi families heading across the ditch this winter, bookings are now open at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. currumbinsanctuary.com.au/visit/see-and-do/animals/radiated-tortoise

Celebrate Bastille Day in Auckland

Bastille Day, France's national holiday on July 14, is best known for fireworks over the Eiffel Tower, street parades, live music and picnic baskets filled with wine and cheese. While most Kiwis can only dream of spending it in Paris, one local travel company offers a delightful alternative right here in New Zealand.

Boutique Tours France hosts four-day French language immersion ateliers in Akaroa and West Auckland. Limited to eight guests, each retreat includes conversational French lessons and classic experiences like pétanque, live French music, long-table dining, and plenty of good wine. Created during the pandemic to bring a taste of France closer to home, the ateliers have since become a go-to for New Zealand's Francophiles. boutiquetoursfrance.co.nz

Party with artists at the Gold Coast

Bleach* Festival returns to the Gold Coast in 2025 with its most ambitious programme yet, running from July 31 to August 10. Under the creative direction of guest artistic director Michael Zavros, the 11-day event features more than 100 performances across iconic locations like Hota, Kurrawa Beach, and Emerald Lakes. The lineup includes three world premieres and spotlights everything from live music and bold installations to culinary delights. Whether you are chasing festival energy, creative conversations, or beachside performances, this is one of Australia's most unique contemporary arts experiences. Full programme and ticket info available at hota.com.au/bleach.

Crocheted wharenui

It's not every day you see a wharenui made entirely of neon crochet. Wharenui Harikoa, created by artists Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole, is a joyful and immersive art experience now on show at The Civic in Tāmaki Makaurau. Crafted from vivid yarn and inspired by Māori tradition, the large-scale installation blends ancestral storytelling with light, sound and colour. Visitors step barefoot into a glowing world of tukutuku panels, sensory touch walls and a shifting soundscape led by taonga puoro and karanga. Inspired by Matariki and the celestial family, this is the first time the wharenui will stand while Matariki is visible in the night sky. Guided tours with the artists are free but limited, so book ahead. Entry is free and open daily. Walk-ups welcome. Visit aucklandlive.co.nz to plan your experience.

Each week in Travel, we check out some of the latest happenings from Aotearoa and beyond to inspire your next adventure. 
Meet superstar tortoises 
Five radiated tortoises - Yoshi, Peach, Bowser, Donkey Kong and Toad - have arrived at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary's new Tortoise Village, and they're stealing hearts fast. Rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, these critically endangered creatures have found a forever home on Australia's Gold Coast, and just in time for the July school holidays, guests can now meet them in person. 
The new tortoise encounters give visitors a rare chance to get up close with the slow-moving superstars, feed them and learn about their incredible journey to safety. For Kiwi families heading across the ditch this winter, bookings are now open at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. currumbinsanctuary.com.au/visit/see-and-do/animals/radiated-tortoise 
Celebrate Bastille Day in Auckland 
Bastille Day, France's national holiday on July 14, is best known for fireworks over the Eiffel Tower, street parades, live music and picnic baskets filled with wine and cheese. While most Kiwis can only dream of spending it in Paris, one local travel company offers a delightful alternative right here in New Zealand. 
Boutique Tours France hosts four-day French language immersion ateliers in Akaroa and West Auckland. Limited to eight guests, each retreat includes conversational French lessons and classic experiences like pétanque, live French music, long-table dining, and plenty of good wine. Created during the pandemic to bring a taste of France closer to home, the ateliers have since become a go-to for New Zealand's Francophiles. boutiquetoursfrance.co.nz 
Party with artists at the Gold Coast 
Bleach* Festival returns to the Gold Coast in 2025 with its most ambitious programme yet, running from July 31 to August 10. Under the creative direction of guest artistic director Michael Zavros, the 11-day event features more than 100 performances across iconic locations like Hota, Kurrawa Beach, and Emerald Lakes. The lineup includes three world premieres and spotlights everything from live music and bold installations to culinary delights. Whether you are chasing festival energy, creative conversations, or beachside performances, this is one of Australia's most unique contemporary arts experiences. Full programme and ticket info available at hota.com.au/bleach. 
Crocheted wharenui 
It's not every day you see a wharenui made entirely of neon crochet. Wharenui Harikoa, created by artists Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole, is a joyful and immersive art experience now on show at The Civic in Tāmaki Makaurau. Crafted from vivid yarn and inspired by Māori tradition, the large-scale installation blends ancestral storytelling with light, sound and colour. Visitors step barefoot into a glowing world of tukutuku panels, sensory touch walls and a shifting soundscape led by taonga puoro and karanga. Inspired by Matariki and the celestial family, this is the first time the wharenui will stand while Matariki is visible in the night sky. Guided tours with the artists are free but limited, so book ahead. Entry is free and open daily. Walk-ups welcome. Visit aucklandlive.co.nz to plan your experience.

Each week in Travel, we check out some of the latest happenings from Aotearoa and beyond to inspire your next adventure. 
Meet superstar tortoises 
Five radiated tortoises - Yoshi, Peach, Bowser, Donkey Kong and Toad - have arrived at Currumbin Wildlife ...

Travel Alerts: Tortoise encounters, french feasts, and a crocheted wharenui

THE FACTS

The All Blacks face a decision on continuing with Tupou Vaa'i at blindside and Billy Proctor in the midfield.

Vaa'i's role is complicated by Scott Barrett's injury, with options to keep him at blindside or move him back to lock.

Proctor's potential requires more test experience, despite some inexperience showing against France, to develop his skills.

Having not necessarily obtained conclusive answers as to whether Tupou Vaa'i is a genuine option at blindside and whether Billy Proctor can deliver his all-court game in the higher intensity world of test rugby, the All Blacks face a stick-or-twist scenario this week in selecting their team.

Will the coaching panel double down on the two, first-test selections that arguably created the most dramatic sense yet about what type of rugby Scott Robertson's All Blacks want to play?

Or will they pause the Vaa'i and Proctor projects in pursuit of answers about other possible experiments they may be pondering?

The picture with Vaa'i is slightly changed due to the injury to captain Scott Barrett, which, as assistant Scott Hansen confirmed, has left the coaches working through their replacement plans.

For the second test in Wellington, there is a relatively simple option of elevating Patrick Tuipulotu to the starting team at lock alongside Fabian Holland and retaining Vaa'i at blindside.

The alternative would be to restore Vaa'i to his usual position of lock, pick Samipeni Finau at No 6 and have one of Tuipolutu or Holland start and the other on the bench.

The first option appeals as less disruptive and more productive.

Tuipulotu has the experience and maturity to guide the one-cap Holland through another test, and if the All Blacks coaches are serious about Vaa'i becoming a hybrid tight-loose forward, then the commitment to get him to that point has to be greater than one test.

Throughout the past 20 years, the All Blacks have dabbled in what could be called lock-conversion therapy - periodically they have been taken with the athleticism, mobility and size of various players and tried to develop them into dual options in both the second and back rows of the scrum.

The list includes Troy Flavell, Jackson Hemopo, Scott Barrett and now Vaa'i - while so too at various times were the likes of Reuben Thorne, Steven Luatua, Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read considered loose forwards with the capacity to cover lock.

It's been an ongoing theme, but the success rate would be considered low, primarily because coaches have only ever dabbled and never properly committed to the concept.

And if Vaa'i is to become what this coaching panel wants him to be, then he needs to play more than one test at blindside to develop greater affinity for and understanding of the role.

His performance in Dunedin was good enough to suggest he's worth another look, but not so good as to say he can now be ticked off as a blindside option and put back into cold storage, as it were, by being returned to his first home in the locks.

Presumably the long-term plan is to build Vaa'i to the point where he comes under consideration to start against South Africa later this year as the antidote to the supremely influential Pieter-Steph du Toit.

Ideally, he would then develop through to the World Cup where his versatility could be hugely advantageous in how it would enable the All Blacks to vary their selections and adapt their bench to face different opponents.

Proctor currently finds himself in a group of six midfielders and a desire within the coaching group to give everyone in the squad game time against France.

His selection fate is also perhaps further compromised by the fact his inexperience at test level was exposed at times in Dunedin, nowhere more noticeable than midway through the first half when French fullback Théo Attissogbe beat him on the outside.

It was a classic case of a player used to Super Rugby Pacific being surprised by the pace of the international game. While some will have interpreted that incident as ...

THE FACTS 
The All Blacks face a decision on continuing with Tupou Vaa'i at blindside and Billy Proctor in the midfield. 
Vaa'i's role is complicated by Scott Barrett's injury, with options to keep him at blindside or move him back to lock. 
Proctor's potential requires more test experience, despite some inexperience showing against France, to develop his skills. 
Having not necessarily obtained conclusive answers as to whether Tupou Vaa'i is a genuine option at blindside and whether Billy Proctor can deliver his all-court game in the higher intensity world of test rugby, the All Blacks face a stick-or-twist scenario this week in selecting their team. 
Will the coaching panel double down on the two, first-test selections that arguably created the most dramatic sense yet about what type of rugby Scott Robertson's All Blacks want to play? 
Or will they pause the Vaa'i and Proctor projects in pursuit of answers about other possible experiments they may be pondering? 
The picture with Vaa'i is slightly changed due to the injury to captain Scott Barrett, which, as assistant Scott Hansen confirmed, has left the coaches working through their replacement plans. 
For the second test in Wellington, there is a relatively simple option of elevating Patrick Tuipulotu to the starting team at lock alongside Fabian Holland and retaining Vaa'i at blindside. 
The alternative would be to restore Vaa'i to his usual position of lock, pick Samipeni Finau at No 6 and have one of Tuipolutu or Holland start and the other on the bench. 
The first option appeals as less disruptive and more productive. 
Tuipulotu has the experience and maturity to guide the one-cap Holland through another test, and if the All Blacks coaches are serious about Vaa'i becoming a hybrid tight-loose forward, then the commitment to get him to that point has to be greater than one test. 
Throughout the past 20 years, the All Blacks have dabbled in what could be called lock-conversion therapy - periodically they have been taken with the athleticism, mobility and size of various players and tried to develop them into dual options in both the second and back rows of the scrum. 
The list includes Troy Flavell, Jackson Hemopo, Scott Barrett and now Vaa'i - while so too at various times were the likes of Reuben Thorne, Steven Luatua, Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read considered loose forwards with the capacity to cover lock. 
It's been an ongoing theme, but the success rate would be considered low, primarily because coaches have only ever dabbled and never properly committed to the concept. 
And if Vaa'i is to become what this coaching panel wants him to be, then he needs to play more than one test at blindside to develop greater affinity for and understanding of the role. 
His performance in Dunedin was good enough to suggest he's worth another look, but not so good as to say he can now be ticked off as a blindside option and put back into cold storage, as it were, by being returned to his first home in the locks. 
Presumably the long-term plan is to build Vaa'i to the point where he comes under consideration to start against South Africa later this year as the antidote to the supremely influential Pieter-Steph du Toit. 
Ideally, he would then develop through to the World Cup where his versatility could be hugely advantageous in how it would enable the All Blacks to vary their selections and adapt their bench to face different opponents. 
Proctor currently finds himself in a group of six midfielders and a desire within the coaching group to give everyone in the squad game time against France. 
His selection fate is also perhaps further compromised by the fact his inexperience at test level was exposed at times in Dunedin, nowhere more noticeable than midway through the first half when French fullback Théo Attissogbe beat him on the outside. 
It was a classic case of a player used to Super Rugby Pacific being surprised by the pace of the international game. While some will have interpreted that incident as ...

THE FACTS 
The All Blacks face a decision on continuing with Tupou Vaa'i at blindside and Billy Proctor in the midfield. 
Vaa'i's role is complicated by Scott Barrett's injury, with options to keep him at blindside or move him back to lock. 
Proctor's pot...

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