Author: Press Room

Orana Wildlife Park has appointed a new chief executive.The former Christchurch zoo boss Lyn Anderson resigned in November last year.1News has reported on the park’s culture and treatment of animals. The stories – first aired in July 2024 – included comments from 20 current and former zoo workers, some of whom said they were overworked and exhausted with too many animals in their care.MPI proceeded to investigate, and made a number of recommendations which were all accepted by the park. In a statement today, the park named respected zoo and aquarium professional Rachel Haydon as its new chief executive. Haydon…

TVNZ has reported earnings of $11.8m for the six-month period to the end of 2024, substantially up on where it was a year ago.The company also announced a total net profit after tax of $53.1m for the half-year period in its interim results, an increase of $69.8m compared to the first half of the previous financial year. This included a non-cash adjustment of $41.3m to remove costs already accounted for in the previous year’s impairment, the company said. The results come after a horror year for the network in 2024 when it went through two rounds of restructuring, losing scores…

The latest tsunami risk mapping shows the Kaikōura coast will possibly have very little warning, possibly just a few minutes, if there’s a large offshore quake.New GNS mapping, commissioned by Environment Canterbury, has revealed a worst case scenario based on a one in 2500-year earthquake event.On Tuesday night, Environment Canterbury’s natural hazard’s scientist, Helen Jack, met with the Kaikōura community to explain the new information to them, and show them the movement of a computer generated wave, triggered by a large earthquake at the southern end of the Hikurangi subduction zone.Jack, who has studied earthquakes for the past 20 years,…

A proposal to supply 200MW of power to Tiwai Point – above and beyond what it usually uses – closes today and interest is said to be strong. New Zealand Aluminum Smelter chief executive Chris Blenkiron said, in a Southland Express column this week, NZAS had gone to the market last year seeking a supply of additional power to restart the fourth potline, which shut in 2020 during the pandemic. The restarting of the potline would require 50MW of power and was not part of the deal reached last year, which locked in power supply for the next 20 years. Meridian Energy,…

A southern council has reported an increase in health and safety events, including abuse and “challenging behaviour”.Invercargill City Council released the information for a recent committee meeting, showing there had been an increase in events for 2024.The total number of incidents reported that year was 391, almost double the 203 reported in 2023.Psychosocial harm was deemed the highest risk category.A large portion of incidents were detected through phone monitoring system Genesys, which was used by customer service.In addition, regulatory roles such as animal control and parking have also experienced an increase in verbal abuse and threatening behaviour.Council group manager community…

Director Francis Ford Coppola, actor Viola Davis, director Paul Feig and actor-director Clint Eastwood are among those paying tribute to Gene Hackman after his death at age 95. Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog were found dead in their New Mexico home, authorities said Thursday.”The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity, I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.” — Francis Ford Coppola on Instagram.”There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false…

New Zealand and Vietnam have agreed to upgrade their diplomatic relationship to the highest level and the two countries will now negotiate a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Prime Ministers Christopher Luxon and Pham Minh Chinh announced the plan together in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi on Wednesday.Luxon told New Zealand media the new diplomatic partnership would have practical benefits for New Zealand and would hopefully put more money in their back pockets. Prime Ministers Christopher Luxon and Pham Minh Chinh announced the plan together in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi. (Source: rnz.co.nz)”This significant upgrade in the relationship is a major milestone and demonstrates the high…

The French president is doubling down on his social media presence – an approach that has positioned him as the EU’s top influencer-slash-leader for an internet-native audience in France and beyond, propelling himself at the forefront of Europe’s leadership during these crucial times. ADVERTISEMENTImages of Emmanuel Macron’s White House meeting with Donald Trump this week were Instagrammed by the Elysee under the title “Everything is possible, so let’s do it together!”, clearly signalling the French president’s seizure of prime spot as Europe chief interlocutor with the US president.Images of Emmanuel Macron skilfully negotiating tough questions from less-than-friendly US outlet Fox…

A lack of a sufficient warning from China about its live-fire naval exercises in the Tasman sea has been labelled a failure in the New Zealand-China relationship, by the Foreign Minister Winston Peters.The issue of China’s three navy ships being in the Tasman Sea and conducting live exercises, has dominated talks between Peters and his counterpart in Beijing overnight.Winston Peters has met with China’s FM Wang Yi for one of the more significant NZ China meetings in recent times.  (Source: 1News)Peters said while he didn’t seek any assurances or explanations about what China was doing in the Tasman, noting it had a…

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), at least 129 people trying to reach Europe have already disappeared or died in the Mediterranean so far this year. ADVERTISEMENTAround 112 migrants rescued off the coast of Libya have arrived in Tuscany, in Central Italy. The Ocean Viking ship, operated by the SOS Méditerranée, docked in the port of Livorno on Wednesday morning, local media reported.According to the NGO, the migrants, mostly from Bangladesh, Egypt, Somalia, and Syria, were rescued in two operations over the weekend. The group said its crew members stepped in to help a fibreglass boat on Saturday…