Top Stories for Wednesday 6 December 2017

New Zealand is being urged to follow Australia's lead and tighten security laws to prevent foreign governments influencing domestic politics. Auckland Council has voted against closing the Waitakere Ranges as a way of stopping the spread of kauri dieback. Education Minister Chris Hipkins says he expects 80,000 people will benefit from free tertiary fees next year. A push is on to ditch an old law blamed for causing a travesty of justice for the 115 victims of the CTV building collapse. Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says unannounced prison visits have revealed alarming levels of violence.