Author: Press Room

By Nona Pelletier of RNZ Westpac Bank New Zealand’s full-year profit rose 13% with increased revenue and a big drop in bad debts. “This result positions us well to support customers through what we think will be an economic upturn over the coming year, and we are investing heavily in our business to deliver better services for customers and communities,” Westpac NZ chief executive Catherine McGrath said. Net profit down $1.197b vs $1.061bNet income $3.089b vs $$2.869bExpenses $1.471b vs $1.369bImpairment charge $44m vs -$27m (an improvement of $71m)Net interest margin 2.32% vs 2.17% “Our focus on growth in key customer…

Emmy award-winning Kiwi-Japanese actress Anna Sawai has landed the role of Yoko Ono in the ambitious upcoming four-part Beatles biopic set to hit screens in 2028.Sawai, who won the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her breakout role as Lady Mariko in Shōgun, will portray the avant-garde artist and musician who became one of John Lennon’s most influential creative partners. Ono and Lennon married in 1969 and remained together until his death in 1980.Rounding out the actresses portraying the Fab Four’s partners are Mia McKenna-Bruce as Ringo Starr’s first wife Maureen, Saoirse Ronan as Paul McCartney’s…

Health experts say increased capacity has to be met with safe staffing, after the Government announced 140 additional beds at hospitals across the country yesterday.Health Minister Simeon Brown said four new hospital wards would open next year at Middlemore, Waikato, Wellington and Nelson hospitals.They would open at the same time as a new ward at Hawke’s Bay Hospital, announced in February.The minister said there would be enough staff for the new wards, but one doctor warned that understaffing posed a clear and present danger.The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including a stabbing attack in the UK is not a terror…

The New Zealand Screen Awards has unveiled its finalists for the 2025 Screen Personality of the Year, with TVNZ talent front and centre in this year’s fan-voted category.Finalists include Hayley Sproull, JP Foliaki, and Scotty Morrison representing the broadcaster across entertainment, reality and news.Other finalists are Anapela Polata’ivao for Tinā, Guy Montgomery for Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling Bee, Laura McGoldrick for Sky Sport, Nadia Lim for Nadia’s Farm, Nepia Takiura-Mita for Ahikāroa, and Samantha Hayes for ThreeNews.The winner is decided by a public online vote.Sproull, who appeared on Taskmaster NZ, said she was “elated” by the nomination.”All through school all…

Santana Minerals has begun the submission process for its Fast Track application to mine for gold in Central Otago. In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange on Friday the company said it had commenced the submission process including payment of the $390,000 application fee. The submission followed completion of all required technical works, studies and was the result of years of intensive environmental, social and engineering investigations, the statement said. Processing of the application would begin after formal acceptance by the Environmental Protection Agency with a decision expected in about six months. It was anticipated construction would begin the…

The New Zealand property market is showing renewed signs of confidence with fresh data revealing a nationwide lift in listings and record-breaking regional prices.According to realestate.co.nz, Central Otago/Lakes District has become the country’s first region to record an average asking price exceeding $1.6 million, reaching $1.65 million in October – an 18.9% increase year-on-year. The average high cemented the region’s status as New Zealand’s most expensive housing market.New listings last month were up 5.5% nationally compared to October last year, with the 12,209 houses put on the market the highest for October since 2018.Average national asking prices, while stable at…

Melissa Stokes has been revealed as the new 1News at Six presenter, with Simon Dallow confirming plans to step down at the end of the month.Dallow has spent nearly two decades as TVNZ’s news anchor, presenting significant events including the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, the city’s mosque attacks, the Covid pandemic and Cyclone Gabrielle.TVNZ Chief Executive Jodi O’Donnell said Dallow had been an “exceptional journalist and presenter”, known for bringing professionalism, integrity and dedication to the role.’End of an era’ – looking back Simon Dallow’s career as Melissa Stokes takes over – watch on TVNZ+“He’s part of why 1News at Six…

A coroner ruling on the death of a Far North man under a ride-on mower says it is a warning about the risks of DIY if proper methods are not used.Ian McLarnon, who lived at Pukenui, north of Kaitāia, was a skilled handyman who loved working on machines and his collection of muscle cars.But tragically the 75-year-old died in 2022 when the half-tonne mower he was fixing slipped off a forklift, pinning him underneath.More than three years later Coroner Rachael Schimdt-McCleave has released her findings – that McLarnon died of asphyxia caused by the weight of the mower.She also found…

Incredible staff and customers will be missed but the 5.30am alarm will not be, one of the Roxburgh supermarket owners said as he prepared to leave the business he has run for 13 years. Roxburgh Fresh Choice supermarket changes hands today after business partners and brothers-in-law Ian Cahill and Chris Toms move on. Mr Cahill is married to Mr Toms’ sister Ange, who pursued her own career in early childhood education. Mr Toms’ late wife Cath, who died unexpectedly a year ago, was also part of the supermarket business. Formerly a butcher in the town, Mr Cahill mentioned to the…

Explainer – It’s the time of year some people love – and some people dread.Between Guy Fawkes Night and Diwali celebrations, suburbs around Aotearoa have been echoing with the sound of fireworks late into the night. For many it’s a celebration, but for others it’s an infuriating time of year.Every November, social media reliably fills up with chatter about banning fireworks sales to the public, and yet nothing has changed.What exactly is happening with proposed fireworks bans, and how would they affect people? Here’s a rundown of an explosive ongoing debate.What are the current rules around fireworks sales?Fireworks can only…