Captured killer Phillip John Smith has confirmed he received help in renewing the passport he used to flee the country.

Phillip John Smith will voluntarily return to NZ to escape harsh conditions in the Brazilian jail system, says his lawyer.

Should heads now roll in the upper echelons of the Department of Corrections in the wake of convicted murderer and child molester Phillip John Smith's absconding from temporary release from jail and getting all the to Brazil before being apprehended?

Phillip John Smith was so confident of his great escape that he had already placed a rental deposit on a flat in Brazil.

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.

Phillip Smith tried to extort $25,000 from a man who later killed himself, court documents reveal.

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.

Phillip Smith has moved jails in Brazil, as IRD confirmed he'd managed to defraud the taxpayer of $50k while behind bars.

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.

The man who was abused by escaped fugitive Phillip John Smith says he is disappointed with Corrections at not having done their job properly.

The sister of Phillip Smith's murder victim says the escaped prisoner's plan to make a public statement this week stems from wanting a "day of glory".

Snowmen in Brazil? Diana Clement checks it out.

Power of monetary policy to drive global growth is nearing its limit. Further progress depends on government leaders.

A $611 million unsolicited takeover proposal for Chiquita Brands could lead to the scrapping of its pending merger with Irish competitor Fyffes.

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.

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?

German supporters have outnumbered Argentine fans at The Fox in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.

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.

Little things have every chance of winning or losing the World Cup final. But first, let's address the big things.

Yes, Brazil were bad. But far more importantly, the Germans were sensational, writes Chris Rattue.

Rod Emmerson's take on Brazil's demolition.

There is only one place for fired up Kiwi-Chilean Mauricio Olmedo-Perez to be.

As the eyes of the world are on the carnival of sport at the Football World Cup in Brazil, we meet Kiwis who have made the South American mecca home.

NZ-based Brazil fans are thrilled their team is through to the Fifa World Cup semifinals - but their joy is tempered slightly by the loss of key player Neymar.

Andre Schurrle says that Germany expect to win the World Cup after he set up their quarter-final tie against France in Rio de Janeiro.

Three bites and you are out, writes Chris Rattue. That should be football's response to a third Luis Suarez biting scandal in four years, this one damaging the image of the World Cup.

The video circulating around a gleeful Argentina has not been lost on the long-suffering Brazilians, just across the eastern border.