Latest FromBrazil
![Inquiry critical of killer's release](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Inquiry critical of killer's release
The Department of Corrections underestimated Phillip Smith when they planned his temporary release from prison, an inquiry has found.
![Phillip Smith inquiry details released](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Phillip Smith inquiry details released
The Government has confirmed the terms of reference for an independent inquiry into the escape of convicted killer Phillip Smith.
![Appeal for urgency in Brazil case](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Appeal for urgency in Brazil case
A week after Phillip John Smith's arrest in Rio de Janeiro, there's still no firm indication of when he will be back in New Zealand.
![Smith received help](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Smith received help
Captured killer Phillip John Smith has confirmed he received help in renewing the passport he used to flee the country.
![Smith to voluntarily return to NZ](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Smith to voluntarily return to NZ
Phillip John Smith will voluntarily return to NZ to escape harsh conditions in the Brazilian jail system, says his lawyer.
![Fugitive set up Rio pad](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Fugitive set up Rio pad
Phillip John Smith was so confident of his great escape that he had already placed a rental deposit on a flat in Brazil.
![Free trip for woman who turned in Smith](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Free trip for woman who turned in Smith
A Nelson lawyer wants to gift a New Zealand holiday to the person who tipped off Brazilian authorities to escaped murderer Phillip John Smith's whereabouts.
![Killer's $25K blackmail bid](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Killer's $25K blackmail bid
Phillip Smith tried to extort $25,000 from a man who later killed himself, court documents reveal.
![Killer's sister hurt by 'bombshell'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Killer's sister hurt by 'bombshell'
Phillip Smith's half-sister Joanne is focused on looking after her children after the "bombshell" news of the convicted killer's escape and recapture.
![Inside killer's Rio arrest, $50k fraud](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Inside killer's Rio arrest, $50k fraud
Phillip Smith has moved jails in Brazil, as IRD confirmed he'd managed to defraud the taxpayer of $50k while behind bars.
![Brazil jail 'worse than death'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Brazil jail 'worse than death'
The prison where Phillip Smith is being held was two years ago condemned by the UN as it packed in 30 inmates to a cell, was infested with roaches and was leaking.
![Victim thanks NZ police](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Victim thanks NZ police
The man who was molested by Phillip Smith as a child, and who watched Smith murder his father, says he can now carry on with his life "without having that fear over my shoulders".
![Brazil to combat image as fugitive haven](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Brazil to combat image as fugitive haven
Brazil has been trying to combat the country's image as a haven for fugitives seeking anonymity and refuge from the law for a number of years.
![Victim: 'He had a hit list'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Victim: 'He had a hit list'
The man who was abused by escaped fugitive Phillip John Smith says he is disappointed with Corrections at not having done their job properly.
![Central banks to lawmakers: You try growing this economy](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Central banks to lawmakers: You try growing this economy
Power of monetary policy to drive global growth is nearing its limit. Further progress depends on government leaders.
![Big banana deal in jeopardy](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Big banana deal in jeopardy
A $611 million unsolicited takeover proposal for Chiquita Brands could lead to the scrapping of its pending merger with Irish competitor Fyffes.
![Diana Clement: Don't moan - this is a land of opportunity](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Diana Clement: Don't moan - this is a land of opportunity
I'd just landed back in NZ after five "trip-of-a-lifetime" weeks at the Fifa World Cup, writes Diana Clement. If there's a lesson from Brazil, it's be happy.
![World Cup tourists praise Brazil - poll](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
World Cup tourists praise Brazil - poll
World Cup tourists have given a big thumbs up to the just-ended event in Brazil, according to a new study.
![Confederation salutes exiting Brazil coach](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Confederation salutes exiting Brazil coach
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has resigned after the team failed to win the World Cup.
![Football: Hard for Russia, Qatar to beat Brazil's carnival of football](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Football: Hard for Russia, Qatar to beat Brazil's carnival of football
To Russia, with love. But the renewal of the people's vows with the World Cup will be severely tested by its money-driven forays into the uncharted territories of Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022). Was Brazil the last great folk festival?
![Final fever in action at Auckland pub](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Final fever in action at Auckland pub
German supporters have outnumbered Argentine fans at The Fox in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.
![Football: Germany's Loew on a high](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Football: Germany's Loew on a high
If you think the All Blacks are consistent - take a look at the German football team. Just like their cars and appliances, German sides are uber reliable, in a much more global game.
![Sam Malcolmson: Detail and defence keys to final victory](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sam Malcolmson: Detail and defence keys to final victory
Little things have every chance of winning or losing the World Cup final. But first, let's address the big things.
![Opinion: Germany's always a contender](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Germany's always a contender
Yes, Brazil were bad. But far more importantly, the Germans were sensational, writes Chris Rattue.