Author: Press Room
New Zealand First Ministers are refusing to back down from comments they made towards immigrant MPs in the House this week.MPs were debating the Prime Minister’s statement on Tuesday when Shane Jones yelled “send the Mexicans home” across the floor.Winston Peters then told Green MPs Lawrence Xu-Nan and Francisco Hernandez to “show some gratitude” for being in New Zealand.The Green Party has now written to the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the House asking they take action, saying the comments were “outwardly racist and xenophobic”.Mexico-born Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March told Morning Report the comments had impacts outside the…
A 27-year-old man has been charged after a cyclist died in an alleged hit-and-run in the Far North town of Ōkaihau on Tuesday night.An investigation was launched after the teenage cyclist was struck by a vehicle on Settlers Way.Northland CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry said police had now located and arrested a 27-year-old Kaikohe man following the “tragic incident”.He said police has been in Ōkaihau conducting inquiries, including checkpoints to try and identify a vehicle involved.”We have had a number of locals make contact with us and provide information and I acknowledge them for that,” he said.Verry said the…
Masterton and Rotorua mayors are backing higher speed limits on local roads.On Wednesday, the government announced that 38 sections of the network will be reversed to their previous speed limits over the coming months. Another 49 sections of the network would be put out for public consultation.Some community leaders described the changes as “reckless” but the two mayors say it makes sense.In Nelson, the speed limit on State Highway 6 at Marybank, north-east of the city, will revert from 60 km/h to 80 km/h – and to 100 km/h in parts.Nelson City councillor Rachel Sanson said it was a reckless…
A community leader is frustrated over the lack of progress made on a promised after-hours medical centre in Rangiora.Rangiora-Ashley Community Board chairperson Jim Gerard said there’s been no progress on a new after-hours facility for North Canterbury, despite the strong need for one.The proposed Rangiora Medical facility was originally meant to open at the Rangiora Health Hub on Ashley St in 2022, but the project has been beset by delays, partly due to Covid.”There is no sign of anything and it is really disappointing because it is a service North Canterbury really needs,” Gerard said. “I just want to express…
Around 60 firefighters have been battling a large vegetation fire on Department of Conservation land at Tiwai Point, near Bluff, which broke out shortly after midnight last night. Fire and Emergency NZ community engagement coordinator Sally Chesterfield told 1News there were at least six fire trucks and three tankers in attendance, with around 60 firefighters on the ground. Five helicopters were in attendance, working to fight the blaze, She said the blaze was uncontained and around 250ha in size, with an 8km perimeter.Tiwai Point blaze burning overnight. (Source: Rita Baker)Chesterfield said FENZ was working to get more crews on the…
By Susan Edmunds of RNZ Things are about to get “very scary” for New Zealand’s coffee and café industry, one roaster and café owner is warning. Richard Corney, managing director of Flight Coffee, which also operates Wellington café The Hangar, had already warned that New Zealand retail coffee prices are unsustainably low. He now says the sector is in “uncharted territory” as coffee commodity prices hit levels not seen since the late 1970s. He pointed to the New York City price, which has been lifting year on year over the past five years. He said it now looked to have…
A 19-year-old cyclist was killed in a suspected hit-and-run in the Far North town of Ōkaihau last night.Police were called by residents in Settlers Way around 10.15pm, Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry said.”We believe the collision between a cyclist and vehicle has occurred between 10pm and 10.15pm on that road.“Tragically, it has resulted in a 19-year-old dying from his injuries at the scene.”A criminal investigation is now underway, and detectives are working to piece together who is responsible.“Police will be in the Ōkaihau township as part of our investigation, seeking witnesses and further information.”Verry said police would be looking out…
A man is due to appear in court today after allegedly fleeing police across central Auckland yesterday afternoon — causing damage to three patrol cars in the process.The 31-year-old Northland man will appear in the Auckland District Court on charges of aggravated assault, reckless driving, failing to stop and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, acting Inspector Scott Jones said. Yesterday, a blue Subaru with mismatched plates – which police say has since been confirmed as having been stolen – was spotted travelling city-bound on the Northwestern Motorway. The driver was approached by police when he allegedly fled at speed from…
The Budget Committee greenlit the construction of a new building for €250 million, though leftist MEPs don’t agree ADVERTISEMENTThe Budget Committee of the European Parliament approved on Wednesday a €250 million plan for a new headquarters for Frontex in Warsaw. Polish capital already hosts the agency in three different buildings at two different locations across the city. The decision was taken with 23 votes in favour, five against and 10 abstentions. Representatives from the European People’s Party, the European Conservatives and Reformists and Renew Europe voted in favour, the Socialists and democrats (S&D) abstained, while the Greens/EFA and The Left voted against. The investment…
A Taranaki local authority has revealed “fatbergs” caused around 70% of blockages across its wastewater network last year, prompting a plea to locals. Fatbergs are large solid masses that form in pipes — made up of fats, oils, and grease washed down kitchen sinks. As the material passed through wastewater systems, fatbergs collected other flushed items, including wet wipes and sanitary products, causing larger and messier clogs. The New Plymouth District Council said its team dealt with 124 blockages in 2024, “most of which could have been avoided”.Since the start of 2025, the council had already cleared seven fatbergs, three…