Author: Press Room

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has described New Zealand’s stance on Palestinian statehood as “disappointing”. In his United Nations address, Winston Peters said New Zealand would not be recognising Palestinian statehood at this time, citing several reasons, including that in the government’s view the criteria for statehood criteria hadn’t been met. He condemned the actions of both Hamas and Israel. Helen Clark spoke to 1News in New York following the foreign minister’s address. “I’m very disappointed at the statement,” she said. “Disappointed at the substance because New Zealand is really being left well behind other countries we would normally associate…

Workers at Carter Holt Harvey’s Tokoroa plywood plant will hear early in the week if they still have a job.The future of the factory has been up in the air for the last two weeks, but an announcement is expected on Tuesday morning.On September the 15th, Carter Holt Harvey announced it had begun consulting on closing the plant and importing plywood from overseas.That would result in the loss of up to 119 full-time jobs.The proposed closure followed OJI Fibre Solutions cutting 130 jobs and closing the country’s last paper-making machine at nearby Kinleith in June this year, with one local…

A Tauranga manufacturing company fears it could be forced to close its doors if the Government does not relax English language requirements for skilled workers.The warning comes after the Government announced a new business investor visa, which requires a much lower level of English than the skilled migrant category.GammInCo People and Culture Manager Melanie Hartwell told 1News the business relied heavily on migrant workers including Brazilian CNC machinist Ivan Inthurn — whose job is considered critical to operations.“I go every week for school and study. I go for church, for jiu-jitsu — good for me to practice my English. But…

Health New Zealand has confirmed four cases of measles in Northland, including one active case reported on Friday and three historical cases that are no longer infectious.One of the historical cases had recently travelled to Asia, where measles is circulating, and was considered the likely source of the outbreak.Four additional individuals linked to the confirmed case are currently being assessed for measles infection. All are in isolation, receiving public health support, and being monitored for symptoms.Authorities are working swiftly to identify close contacts and ensure those exposed are quarantined to prevent further spread.Health officials warned there may have been undetected…

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has warned lawyers that “unique” court rulings recognising tikanga Māori could cost the country investment.Speaking at an event hosted by the Law Association, Goldsmith said he worried that New Zealand was developing a “bespoke” legal system that incorporated concepts of tikanga Māori.”A clear, internationally recognised legal system is very important and I’m worried about the extent to which we’re going down this bespoke New Zealand view of the world [with] concepts that are hard to replicate and understand,” Goldsmith said on Wednesday, as reported by Law | News.He emphasised the government was “absolutely prepared” to legislate…

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand has met with abuse survivors in Dunedin at a harrowing public apology today.The apology follows the six-year Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, which uncovered widespread failures across state and faith-based institutions.Faith-based abuse survivor Frances Tagaloa, during a speech about abuse, said: “They tried to break us, one by one. But together now we are unbreakable.”Right Reverend Rose Luxford, offering an apology on behalf of the church, said: “I extend our sincere and unreserved apology to those that our church and the people in it, have harmed.”It remains unclear how many…

One person has died after they were allegedly injured by a person inside a car that later crashed in the Bay of Plenty this afternoon.A second person was taken to hospital in a moderate condition, with a third person taken into police custody.Emergency services were called to the intersection of Flax and Matatā Rds at around 3.50pm on Saturday to reports of two people having been injured by a third person while in a vehicle.Police said the vehicle had then left the road and crashed.”Emergency services have carried out CPR on one of the victims, however sadly they have died…

Mourners from across the country are converging on to Tāpeka Marae in Waihī Village, near Tūrangi, over the next few days to pay their respects to Ariki Sir Tumu Te Heuheu, who died on Tuesday.Today, Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po was welcomed on to the marae early this morning. Tā Tumu’s final public appearance was at Te Arikinui’s first Koroneihana earlier this month. Kiingitanga spokesperson Rahui Papa said there were strong kinship ties between the two ariki houses of Te Wherowhero and Te Heuheu.Tribes from Te Tairāwhiti were called on to the marae this morning too,…

A sense of relief and justice was palpable at the High Court in Wellington as the man who lit the fatal Loafers Lodge fire was convicted of five murders.But it was underscored by incredible heartache.The jury of 10 were unanimous in finding Esarona Lologa guilty of five counts of murder, and one of arson, for setting the Wellington hostel alight in 2023.The families of the five victims – Michael Wahrlich, Melvin Parun, Peter O’Sullivan, Kenneth Barnard and Liam Hockings – gathered in courtroom one to hear the verdict.There were whispered exclamations of “yes” as the jury foreman said “guilty” to…

Motorists are being advised to take care on the Auckland Harbour Bridge tomorrow afternoon as strong winds are expected to sweep through the city, with severe gusts also on the way for other parts of the country. According to MetService, gusts of 75 to 85km/h are possible across Auckland between 1pm and 5pm tomorrow. Electronic message boards on the motorway will update drivers if speed limits need to be reduced or lanes closed, New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said.”Lowering the speed limit gives motorists time to react and take more care if there is potential for sudden and high wind…