This week in numbers

205

-day journey for Nasa lander InSight completed as it settled on Mars, the first spacecraft to touch down on the red planet since 2012.

6.1

million people had Parkinson’s disease in 2016, making it the world’s fastest-growing neurological disorder.

1.8

million smuggled cigarettes found hidden in sea containers by a Customs investigation in Auckland.

9

NZ-born players were on opposing sides in the All Blacks’ end-of-year tour tests against Japan, England, Ireland and Italy.

57

-year-old Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of the megahit Nickelodeon cartoon series SpongeBob SquarePants, died this week from motor neuron disease.

11

per cent rise in online retail spending in October over the same month last year. Spending at NZ online sites was up 14 per cent.