Author: Press Room

A staff member at one of the country’s most prestigious schools who resigned over allegations of inappropriate online activity did not commit any criminal offences, police say.The staff member, who boarded at the school and was involved with football, admitted to the activity, King’s College confirmed last week.It was believed he had been engaging with a minor.The school notified police, and contacted parents and guardians, asking them to talk with their child if they had any concerns.In a statement released by the school last week, it said as far as staff were aware, the online activity did not involve any…

Eleven Vietnamese nationals have been deported and cannabis valued at $18 million has been destroyed after police hit the operations of an organised crime group across Auckland last week.Searches were carried out at 30 homes being used as “sophisticated indoor cannabis growing systems” across Counties Manukau, Auckland City, and Waitematā districts, Acting Detective Inspector Greg Brand said.Approximately 3385 cannabis plants at various stages of growth and 48kg of dried cannabis – worth an estimated $18 million – were seized and destroyed.Eleven people were arrested following the crackdown.”The majority of those arrested were in New Zealand illegally and a result, Immigration…

Former rugby star Matua Parkinson has been sentenced to nine months of home detention after admitting to on-selling several firearms he had purchased.Parkinson, 49, pleaded guilty in June to unlawful possession of five Alfa Carbine rifles which he supplied to an unlicensed person, police said.At the time, Parkinson “admitted travelling from his Tauranga home to two Gun City stores in Auckland where he paid almost $11,000 in cash for five Alfa Carbines in June 2022.”The firearms have not been recovered.”During the early 2000s, Parkinson captained the New Zealand Sevens team to victory in the world championship and played for the…

Pressure groups, known as PACs, with European ties are pouring money into US electoral campaigns. ADVERTISEMENTEuropean corporations have indirectly funnelled around $14.3 million (€13.2 million) in funds towards US electoral campaigns during the current voting cycle, Euronews’ analysis of data provided by non-profit Open Secrets reveals.Of those funds, around 56% went towards Republican campaigns, while 44% went to Democrats.Although foreign companies are technically barred from directly contributing to US electoral campaigns, they can easily bypass those guardrails by using their American subsidiaries to establish political action committees known as PACs.Those PACs collect money from their American employees, which is then…

ACT leader David Seymour says he does not support banning swastikas in public, because he likes “knowing who the idiots in society are”, despite the coalition recently prohibiting the display of gang patches.The comments come amid a large Mongrel Mob tangi in Lower Hutt and weeks out from the coalition Government’s ban on gang insignia kicking into effect.Speaking in Auckland on Tuesday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was asked whether the Government would follow Australia in also banning the Nazi salute and symbols, both of which are sometimes used by the Mob.Luxon gave no indication such a move was being actively…

Pacific people are disproportionately impacted by the housing crisis, but there’s also heartening signs of improvement in employment, youth suicide, and crime statistics, a new report shows.The Salvation Army’s State of the Pacific Peoples report highlights a decline in unemployment and crime rates within Pacific communities while exposing ongoing challenges in child poverty, education, and family violence.Social policy analyst Ana Ika, who authored the report, said at the heart of these issues lies the deepening housing crisis, which disproportionately affects Pacific families.”This report is ultimately an offering to our communities to put into their kete of knowledge and see how…

A man was allegedly assaulted and robbed at an Auckland train station this afternoon, after police say he was approached by a group of approximately 11 youths.Police were investigating the alleged aggravated robbery which happened at Puhinui Station, Papatoetoe, at about 12.40pm.”A group of approximately 11 youths approached a victim, with some assaulting him and stealing items from him,” police said.The man suffered moderate injuries in the assault and was recovering at home after medical treatment, according to police.”Police are speaking with several youths believed to be involved, and property belonging to the victim has been recovered.”Police have had a…

A former funeral director charged with misconduct in respect of human remains over burials at an Auckland cemetery can now be named as Fiona Bakulich.The former Tipene Funerals undertaker has also been charged with nine counts of obtaining by deception amounting to $15,002.Bakulich was arrested last week following a multi-month police investigation into “concerns around burials at Waikumete Cemetery” in Glen Eden.The 48-year-old appeared on the reality series The Casketeers, which has previously been broadcast by TVNZ.Bakuliuch was flanked by three family members before she made her first appearance in court on Friday, where she was remanded on bail without…

An increase in requests to fly flags at Invercargill City Council has led to a new policy detailing rules and protocols.But its creation raised concern with the deputy mayor, who says flying some international flags could be contentious.Yesterday, councillors discussed the new policy which clarifies which flags can be flown on council poles as well as giving guidance for things like raising and lowering.It follows a number of requests from communities to fly the flags of their home countries on national days.The policy determined only flags belonging to countries recognised by New Zealand as sovereign states could be flown.Deputy mayor…

A pioneering Dunedin eatery’s mission to provide healthy meals to the community at a minimal cost has received global recognition and a financial boost. The Bowling Club, which offers meals for as little as $4, was today announced as one of four New Zealand businesses to win $20,000 from the Xero Beautiful Business Fund. The Caversham-based eatery was also recognised as a global winner and will receive an additional $50,000 – bringing its total to $70,000. Co-founder Jackie Barron said the win brought “a sense of relief and also a new sense of responsibility, deepening our motivation to invest in the long-term…