Latest news with #Ferndale
CBS News
6 days ago
- CBS News
Detroit-area man facing multiple charges in shooting near Ferndale nightclub
A Redford, Michigan, man accused of firing shots outside of a Ferndale nightclub last month has been charged. Coreyontai Deshawn Rmon Hammonds, 29, is charged with one count of assault with intent to murder and three counts of felony firearm, according to the Ferndale Police Department. Hammonds was arraigned on Friday and received a $500,000 cash bond. Ferndale police say that at about 12:30 a.m. on April 13, 2025, officers patrolling the downtown area heard gunshots coming from Nine Mile Road and West Troy Street. Ferndale Police Department Officers located a 29-year-old Warren man near the Orchid Theatre nightclub with a gunshot wound to the groin area, according to a news release. The victim was taken to the hospital and has since been released. An investigation revealed that the victim was standing outside the club when a car pulled up, and the victim walked toward the vehicle. Police believe the shooting happened after an exchange between the victim and someone inside the vehicle. Hammonds was taken into custody on Friday. The investigation revealed that the shooting was a targeted incident, and the victim and suspect knew each other, police say. "This highlights how swift action, advanced technology, and strong partnerships can lead to the apprehension of dangerous individuals," said Ferndale Police Chief Dennis Emmi. "Our officers responded immediately, provided critical support to the victim, and worked diligently to identify and arrest the suspect. Ensuring the safety of our community continues to be our top priority." Hammonds's next hearing is scheduled for June 2.
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Biggles Removals weekly update on Randburg's property, infrastructure and moving trends
A snapshot of property, economic, and infrastructure developments in Randburg, with a focus on the surrounding suburbs of Olivedale, North Riding, and Northcliff. Whether you're relocating or investing, we combine the latest property insights with our local furniture moving experience in these active northern Johannesburg areas. Randburg Randburg is a diverse area just north of Joburg's city center. Is the perfect mix – beautiful leafy suburbs where families have settled, combined with bustling commercial spots like Ferndale and the Randburg CBD. The proximity to Sandton is a huge plus, which is why it attracts both homeowners and tenants. Property trends: Randburg features a wide range of property types - from high-density apartments in Ferndale to family homes in Blairgowrie and secure clusters in Kensington B. There's strong first-time buyer activity in Randburg's more affordable nodes like Windsor West, President Ridge, and Randpark Ridge. Infrastructure developments: The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) has initiated improvements in the Randburg Central Business District (CBD), focusing on key intersections such as Bram Fischer Drive and Jan Smuts Avenue. According to IOL these enhancements aim to improve pedestrian and vehicle movement, promote a compact, pedestrian-friendly environment, and upgrade the quality of public spaces. Notable property developments in Randburg: - Nottinghill - Ferndale: A brand-new residential development in Ferndale, offering 2-bedroom apartments with top finishes. Prices start from R910,000. - 300 on York - Ferndale: Each unit at 300 on York is designed with sustainability in mind. The homes are equipped with energy-efficient appliances, low-flow water fixtures, and are pre-wired for solar and inverter systems. Prices range from R2,199,000 to R2,299,000. Investment appeal: Randburg remains a cost-effective base for investors seeking strong tenant demand, especially near transport links. Rental yields average 7%–9%, according to Private Property, with units in Randburg CBD and Windsor offering the highest yields. Sectional title snapshot: Units in Ferndale, Fontainebleau, and Randpark Ridge are popular with young professionals due to affordability and proximity to jobs. Rental demand: Randburg remains one of Gauteng's busiest rental markets thanks to its affordability, central location, and access to Sandton, Rosebank, and the Johannesburg CBD. Demand is strongest in areas like Ferndale, Randpark Ridge, and Windsor East, with one- and two-bedroom sectional title units renting from R5,000 to R11,000/month. Freestanding family homes in suburbs like Blairgowrie and Robindale fetch between R15,000 and R25,000/month, driven by tenants seeking larger spaces and work-from-home flexibility. Vacancy rates are low - under 6% according to TPN - with most tenants paying on time and units in secure complexes seeing yields of 7%–10%. Features like high-speed fiber, energy-efficient appliances, and modern finishes such as frameless showers are now standard expectations for many renters, especially professionals and corporate tenants. - Biggles Removals - Randburg Furniture Movers: This past month, we helped several families with their furniture relocations in Randburg. A question we often get is: 'Can movers safely handle electronics like TVs and computers?' Electronic equipment can be transported securely when properly packaged. Original packaging is optimal if available. However, in the absence of original boxes, most professional relocation services offer specialised protective materials and cushioning solutions at competitive rates to ensure safe transit. Olivedale Olivedale is a leafy northern suburb of Randburg with a village feel, known for its proximity to Sandton, excellent medical facilities, and secure estates. Property trends: According to Lightstone, over 60% of Olivedale's recent sales are sectional title properties. The area is especially popular with retirees and young families. Average home prices range from R850,000 to R1.8m for sectional titles, and R2-3m and for full-title cluster homes. Secure lifestyle estates dominate recent buyer interest. Infrastructure developments: Olivedale benefits from its strategic location near major transport routes, including the N1 Western Bypass, facilitating easy access to Johannesburg's central business district and surrounding areas. The suburb's infrastructure supports a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial properties, contributing to its dynamic growth. Notable property development in Olivedale: - Amsterdam Estate: A modern complex featuring apartments with contemporary finishes, including energy-efficient appliances and open-plan living spaces. - Sonata Square: A secure townhouse complex known for its pet-friendly policies and convenient location. Investment appeal: With stable rental yields of 7%–9%, Olivedale offers excellent value for investors focused on lock-up-and-go units with strong resale value. Sectional title snapshot: Olivedale's sectional title market is experiencing steady growth, attracting a diverse range of buyers, including young professionals, retirees, and investors. The suburb's appeal is bolstered by its strategic location near major transport routes, reputable schools, and healthcare facilities. Developments like Amsterdam Estate and Baltimore Lifestyle Estate offer modern amenities and security features, catering to the demand for lock-up-and-go lifestyles. Rental demand: Two-bedroom units rent from R8,500 to R12,000/month, with demand highest for units offering modern finishes and fiber. - Biggles Removals - Olivedale Moving Company Services: 'Will movers transport my pets?' Standard relocation service providers do not accommodate animal transport due to regulatory compliance requirements and safety protocols. This restriction applies to all live specimens including fish, birds, and other pets. Most furniture movers will be able to refer you to a professional pet relocator. North Riding North Riding continues to thrive as a mid-market suburb combining affordability and new development appeal. The area has seen significant growth, with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial developments enhancing its appeal to both investors and residents. Property trends: Sectional title properties dominate, making up 70% of sales according to Seeff. Prices range from R750,000 to R1.6m, making it attractive to investors and first-time buyers. Infrastructure developments: North Riding is benefitting from ongoing infrastructure investment, particularly around the Witkoppen Road corridor, a major arterial route under review for decongestion strategies. According to Anvil Property, the area's industrial parks and mixed-use zones are seeing upgrades to support expanding logistics and residential activity. Notable property developments in North Riding: - Sant'Ana: A secure residential development offering villas and grand apartments, situated on Belairs Drive. - Canvas82: A modern apartment complex located on Witkoppen Road, featuring 24 units starting from R1,495,000. Investment appeal: North Riding is a proven performer for property investors targeting stable income and strong rental occupancy. Sectional title units here enjoy gross yields of 7%–10%, particularly in high-demand developments such as Amsterdam and Bellairs Park. The suburb is especially attractive to young buyers entering the market and investors who benefit from relatively low levies, good rental returns, and quick turnover. Its mix of affordability and secure living means demand remains strong - even during economic downturns. Sectional title snapshot: Sectional title units dominate the North Riding market, accounting for over 70% of recent transactions, according to Lightstone Property. Many newly renovated units now include modern finishes such as frameless showers and quartz countertops, offering a classy feel at accessible price points. Complexes like Amsterdam Estate by Balwin offer modern amenities - clubhouses, gyms, and pet-friendly parks - at price points starting under R1m. Rental demand: According to TPN Credit Bureau, rental performance in North Riding is above national averages, with low arrears and a vacancy rate consistently below 6%. One-bedroom units typically rent for R6,500 to R8,500/month, while two-bedroom apartments range from R8,500 to R11,500/month. Larger duplex townhouses and freestanding cluster homes fetch between R12,000 and R16,000/month, depending on finishes and estate features. - Biggles Removals - North Riding Furniture Movers: 'Can moving companies transport my car?' Many furniture removal companies can handle vehicle transport themselves or through specialised partners. Schedule this service 2-4 weeks ahead of time, as additional paperwork may be required. Always review the vehicle transporter's insurance coverage details before proceeding. Northcliff Perched on the city's ridges, Northcliff is an exclusive suburb known for its elevated views, prestige homes, and low-density living. Property trends: Northcliff is mostly freehold, with a focus on luxury homes and heritage properties. However, small-scale clusters and boutique sectional titles are increasing. Property24 lists average home prices from R2.5m to R6m, while top-end homes exceed R15m, but there's rising interest in modern lock-up-and-go units with panoramic city views. Infrastructure developments: Smart Traffic Systems through the JRA Smart Mobility Plan are improving commute times along Beyers Naudé Drive. Cresta Mall's redevelopment is bringing new anchor tenants and extended retail hours, drawing in regional shoppers. However, rapid development has also strained existing infrastructure. According to the Northcliff Melville Times, new residential projects, ranging from student communes to multi-storey buildings, are placing additional pressure on essential services like water and electricity. Notable property developments in Northcliff: - Northcliff Terraces: Luxury development with just 12 units, solar integration, and sweeping views. - Berario Estate Villas: Secure modern clusters targeting professionals and executive families. Investment appeal: Northcliff offers a compelling case for property investment. The suburb's blend of established infrastructure, scenic views, and proximity to key economic zones makes it attractive to a range of buyers. The anticipated increase in property values, spurred by new developments like the private hospital, further enhances its investment potential. Additionally, the suburb's resilience in maintaining property values, even amidst broader market fluctuations, underscores its stability as an investment destination. Sectional title snapshot: Sectional title properties in Northcliff cater to a diverse demographic, including young professionals and retirees. The suburb has a healthy mix of apartments and townhouses, with 2-bedroom units being particularly popular. According to Property24, there has been consistent activity in this segment, reflecting steady demand. Rental demand: Northcliff's rental market is buoyant, driven by its strategic location and quality of life offerings. 2-bedroom units typically rent for R7,500 to R13,000/month, depending on location and features. Larger homes, including 3- to 4-bedroom houses and townhouses, range from R13,500 to R26,500/month with premium rentals offering garden space, security, and scenic views. - Biggles Removals - Northcliff Furniture Movers: 'How do moving companies calculate costs?' The biggest factor is how many items you're moving. The more items you have the more truck space is required and often a bigger team as well. The second factor is distance, which is calculated by fuel, toll fees, travel time, and possible overnight costs. Access challenges like truck size restrictions, stairs, and long driveways may have an effect as well, and lastly, any additional services you may need such as packing and wrapping. Furniture removal costs in Randburg and surrounding areas Depending on the distance, volume of your furniture, and any additional services, Randburg furniture movers have the following average prices: Local moving company prices in Randburg and surrounds: 1-2 bedrooms: R1,500 – R5,000 3-4 bedrooms: R6,000 – R12,000 5+ bedrooms: R12,000 – R20,000 Long-distance moves: Within 200 km: R6,000 – R15,000 Over 200 km: R15,000 – R30,000 Additional furniture moving services: Packing/Unpacking: R500 – R3,000 Furniture Disassembly/Reassembly: R300 – R1,500 per item Storage Solutions: R500 – R2,000 per month
CBS News
09-05-2025
- CBS News
Metro Detroit man accused of killing DoorDash driver appears in court
A man accused of murdering a DoorDash driver in Ferndale, Michigan, had his day in court Thursday. The crime reportedly is the first homicide in the city in nearly a decade. "I believe the defendant, with these circumstances, would be a danger to society, and I deny a bond," said the judge. Terrell Simms, of Oak Park, who is accused of killing Mamadou Diallo, will continue to sit in jail after facing a preliminary hearing. "The senselessness of the interaction, I still can't wrap my head around it," Seydi Sarr, a friend of Mamadou Diallo. On March 9, Mamadou Diallo had just picked up an order. As he merged onto Woodward Avenue, Simms allegedly sped down the road, causing the two to almost crash. Authorities allege Simms shot Diallo's car several times. Diallo suffered a gunshot wound to the torso and was taken to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Diallo was a Detroit resident but was originally from Senegal. He was killed one day before his birthday. "There is nothing that the public or Mr. Diallo could have protected themselves from Mr. Simms," the prosecution said. While in court, Diallo's friends got to face his alleged killer. "It's important the system knows we care for him, and that we are here for him," Sarr said. Sarr says that now that he's gone, his relatives are crushed. "They are sad," she said. Diallo was in the U.S. to provide for his family. His body was sent to Senegal to be buried. Locally, the community rallied together to pay for it, to lessen the burden on his family. "And they raised another $5,000 to $6,000, and it was given to them (family)," Sarr said. While the defense says there's no evidence that Simms pulled the trigger, those close to Diallo hope it's a learning experience for him. "Make better choices, not for me, not for Mamadou, but for his children," Sarr said. Simms' bond was denied. His case is set to go to trial next.
Wales Online
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
The best rugby team in every part of Wales at every level this season
The best rugby team in every part of Wales at every level this season The 2024/2025 campaign comes to an end Pontycymer went through their Division 5 East Central campaign unbeaten (Image: WRU ) May represents the end of another dramatic season in Welsh rugby, and, with that, there is another list of winners. Heading into last weekend's action, there was just one league left to determine the full list of winners - Division 4 East Central. Dinas Powys went into the final weekend at the top of the table, but were threatened by Ferndale in second place. The latter duly won their game against Brackla 24-17, which made them champions. Despite finishing on the same amount of points as Dinas, Ferndale had won one more game than their rivals, 15 to their 14, so the title went to Greenwood Park, along with promotion. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. The Super Rygbi Cymru season has not yet concluded, with the play-offs taking place this weekend. Cardiff will face Newport, with Ebbw Vale taking on Llandovery. The WRU Premiership has not yet finished, with a round of games left to play this weekend. However, Merthyr have been crowned champions, and marked their success with a 104-0 win over a depleted Neath outfit last weekend. Article continues below Here's all the winners, promoted teams and relegated outfits for the 2024/2025 Admiral Leagues in Wales. Championship East* *More matches to be played Beddau are currently top of the table and within touching distance of the title with 107 points. Cambrian Welfare and Ynysddu are in the relegation zone but it is possible for them to escape it this weekend. Champions: TBC Promoted: N/A Relegated: TBC Championship West* *More matches to be played this weekend. Llanelli Wanderers are currently top of the table with 100 points, and that won't change with Tata Steel, in second place, having played all their matches. Maesteg Quins have gone down but Gowerton are still in the fight and one point away from safety. Champions: TBC Promoted: Llanelli Wanderers Relegated: Maesteg Quins + 1 East 1 Champions: Abertillery BG Relegated: Senghenydd, Pontypool United This league was wrapped up two weeks ago, with Abertillery BG winning by just a single point. Nelson finished in second with 69 points. Senghenydd and Pontypool United drop down to Division Two, with the latter getting just two wins all season. East 2 Champions: Blackwood Promoted: Blaina Relegated: Garndiffaith, Risca Blackwood got their hands on the Division Two trophy after hammering relegated Garndiffaith 54-15 on April 17. Blaina finished in second place, two points behind the champions. Also relegated were Risca, who did not win a game all season. East 3 Champions: Rhymney Promoted: Newport Saracens Relegated: Abertysswg, Oakdale Relegated Oakdale also finished the season with no wins and were brutally put to the sword on May 3, losing 69-0 to Caerlon. Rhymney won the league quite convincingly, with Newport Saracens earning promotion. Abertysswg go down with Oakdale. East 4 Champions: Gwernyfed Promoted: RTB Ebbw Vale Relegated: Bettws, Forgeside Gwernyfed were crowned champions with 87 points and 17 wins. Bettws and Forgeside are relegated with only 35 points between them. RTB Ebbw Vale have been promoted alongside Gwernyfed, according to the WRU. East 5 Champions: Tredegar Ironsides Promoted: Deri Relegated: Magor Magor won just one game all season with 17 points to their name. Tredegar Ironsides and Deri go up, with the aforementioned side winning the league by five points. East 6A Champions: New Tredegar New Tredegar marked their status as champions by defeating Old Tyleryan 47-0, they were clear of Trinant by four points. East 6B Champions: Glyncoch Llanrumney were deducted points and it costs them the title, with Glyncoch pipping them by four. Sully Sports were also deducted points but they finished second from bottom. East Central 1 Champions: St Joseph's Relegated: Rhiwbina, Porth Quins There was a lot of drama towards the tail end of this campaign, with Penarth beating eventual winners St Jospeh's 25-22 to inflict their first defeat of the season. Abercynon's victory meant they went level on points with St Joseph's, but the latter would win based on losing the least number of matches, given that both teams had won the same amount of games. Rhiwbina and Porth Harlequins managed only three wins between them and were relegated. East Central 2 Champions: Caerphilly Promoted: St Alban's Relegated: Cilfynydd, Gilfach Goch Champions Caerphilly finished the season by drawing 24-24 with Cowbridge, leaving them with a 21-point cushion in their title victory. Securing promotion alongside them is St Albans, with Cilfynydd and Gilfach Goch going down. Taffs Well escaped the drop despite being deducted points. East Central 3 Champions: Wattstown Promoted: CRICC Relegated: Tonyrefail, Treharris Wattstown secured the title with 77 points, pipping CRICC, who finished with 70. The winners lost a single game all season, drawing one and winning 16. Tonyrefail and Treharris won just five games each and were relegated, with Penygraig escaping the drop by three points. East Central 4 Champions: Ferndale Promoted: Dinas Powys Relegated: Treherbert, Cardiff Saracens As previously mentioned, Ferndale were crowned champions, with their victory over Brackla crucial in their win, which went to the last day of the season. Treherbert and Cardiff Saracens go down, with the latter failing to acquire more than 10 points for the season, with just one win. East Central 5 Champions: Pontycymmer Promoted: Ogmore Vale Relegated: Hirwaun This campaign was wrapped up on April 12, with Pontycymmer winning the title by a 20-point margin. Ogmore Vale, with 46 points, finished second place and earned themselves promotion. Hirwaun really struggled this season, picking up three points the whole year, with no wins to their name. East Central 6 Champions: Cardiff Met Athletic Promoted: Bridgend Athletic, Bargoed Athletic Cardiff Met Athletic, Brecon Athletic and Bargoed Athletic all go up, with no relegation in this league. Just five points separated the promoted teams at the top of the table, in a very tightly contested battle. North 1 Champions: Nant Conwy Relegated: Mold, Dinbych There are two more games to be played this week in Admiral National League One North. However, Nant Conwy have been crowned champions, with Mold and Dinbych going down. The latter had a particularly disappointing campaign, with only one win in their 22 games. North 2 Champions: Welshpool Promoted: Colwyn Bay Relegated: Abergele, Caernafon Athletic Welshpool had a comfortable lead in the end, clear of second place Colwyn Bay by 13 points thanks to 14 wins over 16 matches. Unfortunately for Abergele and Caenarfon Athletic, it's relegation. Those two sides battled well and finished on 27 points a piece, with Machynlleth and Rhyl & District escaping the drop by just two and three points respectively. North East Champions: Llanidloes Llanidloes clinched the title despite finishing with the same amount of points (66) as second placed Wrexham Athletic, due to their superior amount of victories - 14 to their 13. Dinbych Athletic finished the season with 0 points and 0 wins, but were also deducted points during the season. There is no relegation in this league. North West Champions: Bro Ffestinog There are still games to play in this league, but the title is decided and there is no relegation. Bro Ffestiniog were better than Bangor, with 77 points over their 72. The two sides met on April 5, with the champions winning 29-17. West Central 1 Champions: Bridgend Athletic Relegated: Birchgrove, Morriston Bridgend Athletic had a seven-point title victory in the end, with 14 wins over 18 games. Skewen may have finished higher than fourth had they not been deducted points. Birchgrove will be playing Division Two rugby but tried their best to stay in the league with six wins and 34 points. Builth Wells did well to avoid the drop on eight points more. Morriston struggled with just two wins and 13 points. West Central 2 Champions: Heol y Cyw Promoted: Abercrave Relegated: Resolven, Maesteg Celtic Heol Y Cyw had a commanding lead in the end, with 14 points more than Abercrave in second. However, Wales legend Adam Jones' Abercrave will still be pleased about their promotion to Division One. Resolven and Maesteg Celtic managed just seven wins between them, but Resolven will be particularly gutted after Mumbles escaped relegation with just two more points than them. West Central 3 Champions: Neath Athletic Promoted: South Gower Relegated: Cefn Cribwr, Bridgend Sports Neath Athletic finished the season 17 points clear of South Gower, who will be going up a division with the champions next season. Cefn Cribwr had a tally of five wins and 26 points but finished the season nine points adrift of safety. Bridgend Sports were deducted points and finished with no wins and no points. West Central 4 Champions: Seven Sisters Promoted: Rhigos Relegated: Pontrhydyfen Pontrhydyfen were relegated with only three wins and 17 points, with Seven Sisters securing the title with 15 wins and 71 points. Rhigos go up with Seven Sisters next season. Pontardawe and Briton Ferry would have finished higher if it wasn't for points deductions. West Central 5 Champions: Bonymaen Athletic Promoted: Penlan Cwmgwrach and Pyle also had points deducted, but there's no threat of relegation in this league. Jac Morgan's old club Cwmtwrch finished three points outside of promotion, to be pipped by Penlan, with champions Bonymaen Athletic securing the title with a 12-point lead. West 1 Champions: Aberystwyth Relegated: Pontarddulais, Penclawdd Aberystwyth pipped Tenby United to the league title by one point thanks to a win over Kidwelly last month. Pontarddulais and Penclawdd have been relegated, with the latter failing to register a win. West 2 Champions: Lampeter Town Promoted: Laugharne Relegated: Milford Haven Milford Haven were deducted points during the season and finished with 0 points despite their two wins. Lampeter Town were crowned champions with Laugharne finishing three points behind in second place. West 3 Champions: Tycroes Promoted: Aberaeron Relegated: Cefneithin, Pontyberem, Llangadog Tycroes won by 11 points over Aberaeron, but both sides will be playing Division Two rugby next season. Despite being deducted points, Haverfordwest finished fourth place with 56 points. Also deducated points were Cefneithin and Pontyberem, who were relegated. Llangadog's similar fate was recognised last weekend, with a 53-27 loss to Haverfordwest. West 4A Champions: Neyland Promoted: Narberth Athletic Neyland secured the title with 65 points, and despite being deducted points, Narberth Athletic did well to secure promotion with 48 points. St Davids were another side deducted points, but finished in fourth place. There is no relegation in this league. West 4B Champions: New Dock Stars Promoted: Trimsaran Article continues below Jonathan 'Jiffy' Davies' hometown club Trimsaran earned promotion, finishing second place behind champions New Dock Stars. Bynea were deducted points and finished bottom but there is no relegation in this league.
The Spinoff
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
‘We both burst into tears': The Happiness scene that made Harry McNaughton cry
Actor, writer and director Harry McNaughton takes us through his life in television. Years after leaving Shortland Street, Harry McNaughton still can't watch himself on the small screen. Having played hospital receptionist Gerald Tippett on Shortland Street for five dramatic years, he finds it difficult when vintage clips of him on the long-running soap pop up on the internet. 'It's quite confronting to watch yourself as an 18-year-old, particularly since I was six foot two, but I looked about 12,' he laughs over Zoom. 'It's like watching a giant man-child dressed in a three piece suit, stumbling around doing some things that he thinks are quite funny.' McNaughton has come a long way since leaving Ferndale, establishing himself as a writer, producer and showrunner on a variety of New Zealand television shows. From The Pact to Madam, Under the Vines to The Sounds, McNaughton has championed bringing New Zealand stories to the screen. Now he stars in Happiness, a musical comedy about an uptight Broadway director who returns home to Tauranga, moves in with his mum, and reluctantly finds himself involved with the local musical theatre company. After many years behind the camera, McNaughton admits he took some convincing to return to his acting roots and play the lead role of Charlie in Happiness. He said no to the audition three times, but was won over by the show's humorous script and light-hearted charm. He stars alongside local acting legends Rebecca Gibney and Peter Hambleton and a strong ensemble cast who bring the all-singing, all-dancing series alive. 'I just exist to set up their punchlines, which makes me so happy,' McNaughton says. He also reckons there's no better time for a show like Happiness on our screens. 'The idea of a show that exists just to bring people joy is quite neat, and the ability to make something like Happiness was so joyful'. Making Happiness was an 'extraordinary' experience, McNaughton adds, partly because he believes his character Charlie is the first gay male lead in a New Zealand primetime television series. 'It seems crazy that it's 2025 and we're only just getting there, but that was incredible.' We sat down with McNaughton for an equally extraordinary conversation about his life in television, including his TV guilty pleasure, an early love of Captain Planet and the sheer terror of his real-life Shortland Street cliffhanger. My earliest TV memory is… Watching Captain Planet at home. I was only allowed to watch half an hour of TV a week, which probably says a lot about why I'm in this industry. I remember being transported. I was a massive reader, and I remember that feeling of, 'oh, this is like a book, plus some'. The TV show I loved when I was younger was… An HBO show called In Treatment. It was quite a formative show for me. Gabriel Byrne played a therapist, and it was just two people in a room. It was theatrical, but also inherently cinematic in the way it was shot and almost in real time. It was fucking with form and fucking with episodic structure. Nothing happened, it was just two people talking for half an hour. I couldn't believe they could make something like that and still have it be compelling. My earliest TV crush was… Ryan Phillippe in Cruel Intentions was a vibe. The TV moment that haunts me is… Hanging off a cliff in Shortland Street. We never got to do stunts, so it was really exciting. I remember being so stoked about it, like 'I'm going to do my own stunts, this is awesome, this is everything I want to do'. Then when I was hanging off the cliff, I realised I was terrified. I had to act terrified, so that probably wasn't hard as it could have been. The TV ad I can't stop thinking about is… I spent a lot of time as a kid thinking about those drunk driving ads, because they were so powerful. I've since learned it was a strategy of shock and awe, and then they moved into slightly more comic areas just like a show does with a narrative and a genre shift. Oh, and togs, togs, undies. My guilty pleasure TV show is… The West Wing. Kip Chapman, the incredible creator of Happiness, loves doing a West Wing re-watch every couple of years, and I've just started doing that. My memory is of stunning, scintillating dialogue, paced perfectly and those big, long tracking shots, all of which still exist. But my lord, the show is soppier than I realised. There's some pretty unforgivable sap in there. It's not as impartial as it likes to pretend to be, and it's more problematic than I realised in depictions of women. You've got the amazing Alison Janney, but in terms of a multiplicity of representations of women, it had a wee way to go. My favourite TV moment from my own career is… The argument between Charlie and Gaye in Happiness. The scene meant a lot to both Rebecca Gibney and me, but we were shooting an episode a week with full dance numbers and I was in almost every scene, so I was exhausted. We thought it was going to be an angry scene, but the first time we read it together, we both burst into tears. We were crying for two and a half hours on set, which was not at all what I thought the scene was going to be. We went with it, and it was beautiful. It turned into a scene with a mother and a son who love each other, a scene about how much you can hurt the other person and not mean to. I loved it. What I wish people knew about making television is… How collaborative it can be. From the outside, TV can be hierarchical and an ego game, where you talk about who's got top billing and whose face is on TV the most. For me, having spent my entire adult life in TV, it's a family. The shows that run well are incredibly ego-less, and everyone works together to make this product that's the sum of its parts. My favourite TV project was… The Pact. My husband and I had set up this production company and I was head writer at Shortland Street, and I decided that I was going to throw it all in and make a TV show. We self-funded it, remortgaged the house to do it. It was terrifying. I was so invested in the outcome, and then so bloody proud of it. It lived as this big, beautiful thing. My most watched TV show of all time is… I probably watched each episode of The Pact 100 times, and each episode of Madam 50 times. It's insane how much it lives in you. My controversial TV opinion is… I think New Zealand punches so far above its weight in TV, and I think we're hard on ourselves. We absolutely should be, because that way lies brightness, but we should congratulate ourselves for the shows that are getting funded. New Zealand on Air is funding some really adventurous stuff and networks like Three are commissioning really exciting stuff. This is a time where the rest of the world is struggling to get any shows up, and the shows that are getting made are cozy fucking crime dramas. Unpopular TV opinion: I never want to watch any cozy crime. The last thing I watched on TV was… The West Wing. I was deep in that last night, and before that, The White Lotus. I'm fascinated by the slow burn of White Lotus. It's been interesting to see people talking about how slow it is and how they haven't enjoyed that. That's the joy of watching it as another maker and being like, 'oh, this is a bold move. Is it going to pay off?'
