Author: Press Room

The overseas investment offer to rescue red meat processor Alliance Group has got even sweeter. Irish company Dawn Meats has increased its proposed investment from $250 million to $270m, following stronger-than-expected year-end results from Alliance. Dawn Meats’ proposed 65 percent stake in Alliance remained unchanged despite the higher investment. Alliance chair Mark Wynne said as part of negotiations in July, the co-op had to commit to a year-end profit and net debt target. The co-op’s unaudited profit projection of $18m to $24m was above target prompting the extra cash, which would be distributed through a dividend. “So we both agreed on…

Four people have been charged after police found clan lab equipment and firearms during searches at three properties in Northland and West Auckland.Officers, including the armed offenders squad, carried out two warrants simultaneously in Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai Heads and Birdwood Rd, Massey during the early hours of this morning.During the search at Mangawhai Heads, police located two kilograms of ephedrine, along with ingredients and equipment used for manufacturing methamphetamine. Two people were arrested.Inquiries at the Massey location led police to a third location in Kumeū, where police found equipment sufficient for a clan lab, as well as a loaded double-barrel…

Oscar-winning actor Diane Keaton’s cause of death has been revealed. The Godfather star died in California surrounded by her loved ones on October 11. She was 79. In a statement, her family told People magazine the Annie Hall actor died of pneumonia.”The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11,” the statement said. Keaton’s loved ones added that the actor loved her animals and was a passionate advocate for the unhoused community.”Any donations in…

A prominent Mongrel Mob leader in Napier felt trapped in his position in the gang in the months leading up to his death, a Coroner has found.Warning: This story discusses suicide. Helplines are provided in this article. Coroner Mark Wilton ruled former Mongrel Mob Barbarians’ Napier president, Neil Angus Benson – also known as Angus Ratima and ‘Heil Dogg’ — died by suicide on December 8, 2024.Benson was 35 when he died. His tangi in Napier drew hundreds of mourners and extra police.In his report, Coroner Wilton said Benson had mental health difficulties, and had three stints in care between…

The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including calls for driving fines to go up, how a doorbell leaked politicians’ phone numbers, and a scary moment at a gorilla enclosure. The AA says driving fines should be going up. Several major roads remain closed in the central North Island after flooding and slips. Israel is refusing to reopen the Rafah crossing, while some bodies of Israeli hostages remain in Gaza. ADVERTISEMENTR’n’B singer D’Angelo has died after a long battle with cancer. Australian politicians have had their private phone numbers leaked, after a computer was connected to a digital doorbell. American zoo…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ GrabOne has gone into liquidation. Daniel Stoneman and Neale Jackson of Calibre Partners said on Thursday they had been appointed liquidators of Global Marketplace New Zealand, which operates GrabOne in this country. “Due to funding constraints, the business has ceased trading and the liquidators are immediately commencing a sales process for the company’s business and assets. “As a result, the company will not be promoting any existing or future deals whilst in liquidation,” they said in a notice on the website. “For consumers who hold unredeemed vouchers, the company is unable to provide refunds. Consumers…

Early risers across parts of New Zealand were treated to a “space jellyfish” this morning – the aftermath of a Rocket Lab launch streaking across the sky. A Rocket Lab spokesperson told 1News the ‘Owl New World’ Electron successfully completed a launch at 5.33am from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A on the Māhia Peninsula. “Funnily enough, what residents are likely seeing is commonly known as a space jellyfish which is a phenomenon that can happen when sunlight reflects off the exhaust plume from the rocket’s engines,” the spokesperson said. It was pictured streaking across the early morning sky and shared…

More than half of primary school teachers say their students are getting better at maths, an Education Review Office report shows.But it said students were not being taught enough complex things like algebra.The report assessed how curriculum changes from term one this year – as well as the ‘hour a day’ reading, writing and maths requirement – affected students’ English and maths achievement.ERO said there were “positive signs” that achievement in both subjects had improved.The Government already revealed this week that double the number of students were exceeding literacy expectations, based on phonics tests.There was no similar data available for…

Four Auckland properties valued at approximately $36 million have been frozen following a two-year investigation linked to the death of a young man who unwittingly drank meth-laced beer.This week, the Commissioner of Police initiated civil proceedings pursuant to the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act against five people and one company connected to the Honey Bear methamphetamine laced beer manslaughter and drug importation investigation, also known as Operation Lavender.The second phase of this operation, the civil asset recovery investigation, began after the death of Aiden Sagala in 2023.Aiden Sagala. (Source: Supplied)Sagala, 21, had unknowingly consumed liquid methamphetamine, disguised as a can of…

Several state highways across northern Taranaki and Waikato remain closed today as rising river levels threaten roads already damaged by yesterday’s heavy rainfall.There are no active MetService weather alerts in the central North Island. Communities were cut off in parts yesterday due to torrential rain, which caused widespread road closures. If you have images or video, please send them to [email protected] the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) said slips, debris and sodden ground mean that some roads in the area remain unsafe despite the rain having stopped. Ōhura, Maitere and Tokorima townships were isolated by slips and flooding across local access…