Good morning Canberra. The smoke haze will stick around but things will be slightly cooler at 29 degrees today. Here's what's making headlines.

Seven Australians confirmed dead in NZ

A trio of friends and a football-loving dad are the latest Australians to be identified as victims of the White Island volcanic eruption in New Zealand.

Sport

Powell's 2020 vision to take the Brumbies' reins

Subscriber only: Joe Powell admits the impending arrival of Nic White will give him extra motivation to perform next year.

Kiwi great urges NZ to unleash four quicks

Shane Bond wants the Black Caps to play Lockie Ferguson as part of a possible four-pronged pace attack against Australia.

Cavalry arrives to bolster Canberra bullpen

The Canberra Cavalry have bolstered their bullpen, but it's their misfiring bats that need help against their arch-rivals the Sydney Blue Sox.

Golf cheat call cost Reed as friend: Smith

Australian young gun stands by his comments about Patrick Reed despite it costing him his friendship with the Presidents Cup star.

Times Past

On the Monday after the 1949 federal election, some of the dust had settled and readers of The Canberra Times woke to the news that the Liberal-Country Party coalition had secured a majority in every state. In the fledgling capital, 10,867 people voted at 14 polling places throughout the territory, with independent Dr Lewis Windermere Nott expected to win the newly created division of the Australian Capital Territory. READ MORE