Author: Press Room

The Government remains committed to meeting 2028 child poverty reduction targets, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis, despite forecasts released during this week’s Budget suggesting they’ll be badly missed.The annual Child Poverty Report, released alongside Budget 2025, shows the Government is not on track to meet any of the three targets, despite PM Christopher Luxon’s commitment on the campaign trail to lift 80,000 children out of poverty by 2028.Treasury forecasts project the after-housing-costs measure will reach 18.4% by 2029, well above the 10% target for 2028. The before-housing-costs measure is forecast to be 11.9%, more than double the 5% goal, which…

A damaged Air New Zealand plane will fly at a lower altitude while it returns to Auckland this evening after it hit an airbridge at Brisbane Airport.The Boeing 777 will return without being pressurised and at around 10,000ft after suffering puncture damage while pushing back from its gate on Thursday.The plane’s service to Auckland had to be cancelled as a result, with a full inspection undertaken by a ground engineering team.”We sincerely apologise for the disruption and appreciate the patience of our customers as we work to rebook them on the next available flights,” Air New Zealand chief operating officer…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ Insurers can pay billions of claims each year, but many people are still disappointed when they have a claim turned down or receive less than they expected. Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman Karen Stevens says her office is dealing with more complaints than ever before from people for whom the process has not gone as expected. “For years and years, we would do around 3000 complaints a year and 300 investigations,” she said. “By the end of this financial year, we’ll be over 500 investigations – it’s gone way up. “Last year, we had just…

Police have appealed for witnesses to a series of assaults that occurred in Gisborne’s central city on yesterday afternoon.Several people were allegedly assaulted in an around Gladstone Rd and Lowe St at around 1.30pm on Saturday.Police said most of the victims had been identified but that they wanted to hear from anyone who witnessed the assaults, particularly a yet to be identified couple.A 26-year-old man was expected to appear in Gisborne District Court on May 25 facing several charges including assault.

A 110km/h speed limit will take effect on a 5.5km section of State Highway 1 north of Auckland from tomorrow.Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced today that the Northern Gateway Toll Road, from north of Orewa to south of the Johnstone’s Hill Tunnel, would see its speed limit rise.”Economic growth and productivity are a priority for the Government,” he said,”With around 11,000 vehicles per day travelling on the Northern Gateway, 9% of that being heavy vehicles, the new higher speed limit of 110km/h will help ensure people and freight can get to where they need to go, quickly and safely.”NZTA consulted…

A pedestrian has been critically injured after being struck by a vehicle in Dannevirke, in what police said appeared to be an “intentional” act.Police were called just after 9.30am after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on Victoria Ave.”At this stage it appears one person has suffered critical injuries.”Detective Sergeant Shelley Ross said police were speaking to the driver of the vehicle.”Early indications are the crash was intentional.”The serious crash unit attended the scene.St John said it responded with one ambulance, one rapid response unit and one helicopter.”Our crews assessed and treated one patient who was airlifted to Wellington…

Heavy rain and strong winds are expected to hit the country’s west from late Sunday as a front approaches from the Tasman.MetService has issued several warnings and watches.”A front sweeps over southern and central New Zealand from the Tasman Sea during Sunday and Monday, bringing a period of heavy rain and strong north to northwest winds,” the forecaster said.Orange heavy rain warnings were issued for Buller, the Westland ranges, parts of Canterbury and parts of Otago from Sunday evening through until Monday morning.Up to 200mm of rain was expected for the ranges of Westland and the headwaters of Canterbury lakes…

A section of State Highway 1 has been closed in Canterbury south of Timaru after a crash involving a cattle truck this afternoon.Police said they received reports of a single-vehicle crash involving a cattle truck on the Waimate Highway near Stowells Rd at around 1pm.”The driver sustained minor to moderate injuries, the road is currently blocked.”St John said it responded with one ambulance and two rapid response units.”One patient was taken to Timaru Hospital in a moderate condition.”Fire and Emergency said they were assisting police and animal control to deal with injured and trapped cattle.Cattle were wandering State Highway 1…

Published on 25/05/2025 – 19:03 GMT+2ADVERTISEMENTRomanian President-elect Dan met with Prime Minister Tusk at the Prime Minister’s Office a week before the second round of the presidential election kicks off in Poland. Two large marches in support of the two leading candidates – Rafał Trzaskowski and Karol Nawrocki – are being held in central Warsaw on Sunday. Nicușor Dan, the pro-European mayor of Bucharest took part in the so-called ‘Great Patriots March’ in support of Civic Coalition candidate Rafal Trzaskowski. The Romanian leader’s support for Trzaskowski, who is currently the Mayor of Warsaw, is above all a sign of support…

While the government has been focused in recent times on trying to reduce expenditure to balance the books, the announcement of the new Investment Boost in last week’s Budget should help improve business confidence by bringing forward a tax deduction for businesses investing in productive assets. The Investment Boost will allow New Zealand businesses to elect to take a 20% upfront deduction for new capital assets bought for their business. These assets must be used or available for use for the first time on or after May 22, 2025. Businesses already committed to building new assets before this date may…