Author: Press Room
Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay’s heavy rain watch lasts until 6pm Wednesday. The government is changing rules to make it easier for lines companies to remove trees near powerlines, to prevent outages during high winds and storms. The move would ensure the power stayed on, particularly during severe weather events, Energy Minister Simeon Brown said. The changes will come into effect in September.
Two-time Olympic champ Mahé Drysdale wants to trade in his rowing oars for the mayoral chains, announcing today he’s running to become Tauranga’s next leader.The 45-year-old retired from international rowing in June 2021, after competing to become a five-time world champion and cementing himself in Kiwi sporting history.Drysdale now believes he’s the man for the moment in Tauranga. Voting takes place in July with local polls being held for the first time in five years. The sporting legend explained why he believed a former rower was the best candidate.Mahé Drysdale speaks to Q+A. (Source: Q and A)”People were surprised as…
New Zealand authorities have confirmed a Defence Force Hercules will be sent to rescue Kiwis stranded in New Caledonia. In a statement on X, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said authorities are now just waiting on approval from the French authorities to take flight. “Ever since the security situation in New Caledonia deteriorated earlier this week, the safety of New Zealanders there has been an urgent priority for us.”New Zealand authorities have now completed preparations for flights using NZDF aircraft to bring home New Zealanders in New Caledonia while commercial services are not operating. “We are ready to fly, and await…
Emerson’s Brewery staff are frothing with excitement after four of their beers were named winners in the 2024 New World Beer & Cider Awards Top 30. Awards judging chairman Michael Donaldson said it was the first time in the competition’s history that a brewery had earned four top 30 spots in the same year. This meant their beers were ranked within the very best from more than 600 entries, after a two-day blind tasting by an independent judging panel. “Four wins in one year is more than any brewer in the awards’ 10-year history.” The awards were for their London…
Increasing the attraction for tourists to stop off in Mid Canterbury may require setting the sights a bit higher. Reporter Jonathan Leask looks at the development of dark sky tourism in Canterbury.The sparkle of a million stars and the glow of the Milky Way on a clear night is something many in Canterbury take for granted.The damaging effects of light pollution mean that it’s estimated about 80% of people around the world have never seen a sky full of stars.The South Island’s glistening night skies are something people travel to see, and Canterbury councils are looking to cash in.Dark Sky…
Police are appealing for sightings of an Auckland woman missing since early May.Milika, 25, has been missing from her home on Great South Rd in Auckland’s Ōtāhuhu since May 9.”She was last seen on the morning of May 9 and there are significant concerns for her welfare,” police said.Anyone who may have seen Milika or who has any information which may help police find her is asked to call 111.
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says her party’s leadership are not taking a soft line on caucus behaviour after MP Julie Anne Genter shouted at a National Party colleague in a confrontation in Parliament. Genter has been subject to a “disciplinary process” over the incident where she confronted MP Matt Doocey on the floor of Parliament. However, she has kept her portfolio responsibilities for the Greens. Last year, then-opposition leader Christopher Luxon suspended Waikato MP Tim van de Molen from his portfolios, after Parliament’s Privileges Committee found he was aggressive and threatening towards a Labour MP during a select committee…
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has fronted an unapologetic defence of National’s first months in power, its pace of change and commitment to tax relief.The speech at National’s “central and lower North Island” conference in Palmerston North on Sunday followed several poor polls for the coalition and a concert of economists cautioning against tax cuts in this month’s Budget.Speaking to party representatives, Luxon said the coalition had no intention of changing tack.”It’s only just the beginning. We are moving at pace and we will continue to do so, quarter by quarter, year by year, to get us out of where we…
Palestinian Kiwis and Labour’s immigration spokesperson Phil Twyford are calling on the Government to introduce a special visa pathway for people in Gaza who have family links to New Zealand. “I honestly don’t know why the Government is being so tentative about this. They should just create a visa, make it available and then use every diplomatic means possible to get these people across the border,” said Twyford. “Both with Ukraine and with Afghanistan, the former Labour Government pulled out all the stops. “In the case of Afghanistan we sent Air Force planes to Kabul to uplift people. We brought 1700 people from Afghanistan to resettle in New Zealand. “In…
Two occupants of a home-built helicopter have been injured after their aircraft suffered a rough landing on a Northland beach earlier today.Emergency services were called to the scene on Uretiti Beach at around 12.15pm, just off State Highway 1 near Waipu.The crashed aircraft was a home-built kit helicopter, the New Zealand Herald reports.Two occupants were taken to Whangārei Hospital in a moderate condition, according to a St John spokesperson.An ambulance, helicopter and rapid response unit were deployed to the scene, they said.