Author: Press Room

Education Minister Erica Stanford has sidestepped questions over the Government’s $153 million charter schools programme, repeatedly deferring to ACT leader David Seymour in a Q+A interview. The Charter School Agency confirmed this week it is currently considering just four formal applications for state school conversions into charter schools by Term 1 next year.It falls short of the 35 conversions that were allocated funding for through to the end of 2026. Seymour, whose party has championed the policy, is associate education minister with responsibility for charter schools, but Stanford holds the overall education portfolio. Speaking to Q+A, she repeatedly sidestepped questions…

The director of the Vatican’s astronomical observatory has talked up the value of “dark-sky” sanctuaries, ahead of a trip to visit to a sanctuary near Lake Tekapo. The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, which ranges across the lower South Island, is one of five dark sky sanctuaries in New Zealand, and when it was designated as an official dark sky sanctuary in 2012 it was the largest in the world.Brother Guy Consolmagno was in New Zealand for a series of lectures, public engagements, and astronomical work, and he sat down for an interview with Q+A.A practising Jesuit, Brother Guy…

The scammers who hijacked the identity of a Matakana business to run an imitation online clothing store have quickly changed their outfit following media exposure — this time rebranding as an Australian boutique.The original site, Matakana Boutique, copied the name of the legitimate accommodation and catering business owned by Amy and Simon Hope in the north Auckland town.First registered in April, the scam website aggressively marketed itself on social media claiming to be a New Zealand-based clothing retailer.Earlier this week, Amy Hope told 1News she was receiving multiple calls a day from women chasing up late packages, asking for refunds,…

Two sea lions have been killed, and a third has been injured after a shooting in the Canterbury region yesterday.A police spokesperson told 1News the incident took place near the Waitaki River mouth on Saturday. The two sea lion bodies were set to undergo a post-mortem examination to confirm the cause of death. A third sea lion was injured but swam away. “Officers are making inquiries into the matter,” they said. The Department of Conservation said they were also investigating, and urged anyone who may know anything about the attack to come forward. “Obviously, it’s incredibly upsetting and concerning that…

Several Cook Strait ferry sailings have been cancelled due to strong winds and large swells this afternoon. MetService said winds in excess of 80km/h and four metre swells were forecast between the North and South Island for Sunday.Interislander cancelled its 4pm sailing of the Aratere from Wellington and its 8.50pm return from Picton.Kaitaki sailings had also been delayed by around five hours.An Interislander spokesperson said rough weather had increased crossing and turnaround times.”Our crews are working hard to make up time, but safety is our top priority.”Bluebridge cancelled six sailings on Sunday and its early Monday morning sailing due to…

The government says it is introducing two new seasonal visa pathways to help New Zealand businesses get workers they need during peak periods, while also prioritising jobs for Kiwis. “We know the success of our seasonal industries is critical to growing the economy. These new visas will make it easier for employers to bring back experienced seasonal workers and to fill short-term roles that are hard to fully staff locally,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said in a statement today.  “We are making sure businesses can access the right people at the right time, while also protecting opportunities for Kiwis.”  The…

Several vehicles have slid off the road due to “extremely icy” conditions near Mt Taranaki this afternoon. Police said emergency services were called to Pembroke Rd in Egmont National Park shortly before 1pm after a report of several vehicles “sliding on ice and coming off the road”. “There are no indications of any injuries, however the road is currently extremely icy and will be closed,” a police spokesperson said. Motorists were advised to avoid the area if possible.Fire and Emergency NZ said it had left the scene in the hands of the council and St John said it was stood…

Growing up in a small rural town in Estonia under Soviet occupation, Wānaka business owner Anneli Glazebrook knows what stress and hard work look like. She also knows what stress can do to the body and, as a skin therapist, says it is the number one reason for ageing. Her schooling in the tiny commune town of Ravere consisted of compulsory work hours for children and as a little girl up to 7 years old, she was doing much of that work. “There was a park, but as students we had to clean up that park. Students were doing harvests,…

Two new work visas to support sectors like agriculture, forestry, and tourism will be open for applications in December, the New Zealand Government has announced. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced on Q+A a three-year Global Workforce Seasonal Visa for the likes of rural contractors, winemaking staff, and chairlift operators.Stanford said this visa aimed to attract specialised and highly-skilled workers. “The opportunity that I have in immigration are those short-term levers to help improve the economy,” the minister said.People with the visa would be able to enter New Zealand as many times as they like within the three-year period. Global Workforce…

Education Minister Erica Stanford has deflected questions over the Government’s charter schools programme, deferring instead to associate minister David Seymour.The Charter School Agency confirmed this week it is currently considering just four formal applications for conversions to open in Term 1 next year, falling well short of the 35 state school conversions the Government allocated funding for in last year’s Budget.In an interview on Q+A, Stanford told host Jack Tame, “you’ll have to ask David Seymour” when pressed about whether the $10 million establishment budget and $140,000 average salaries at the agency represented good value for money.”Those are questions for…