Author: Press Room

The governing body for high school sport in New Zealand is considering changes to its eligibility rules as a group of principals push for a ‘year 14’ ban to be implemented across all national secondary schools events.It comes after schools voted overwhelmingly in favour of a rule change for rowing’s Maadi Regatta last month, making students returning for their sixth year of high school ineligible to compete at the prestigious event.The rule change will erase what one Auckland principal describes as a “black mark” on rowing’s national secondary schools event, with the controversial practice having been a source of tension…

Major banks are continuing to jockey for rate advantages following last week’s OCR cut, with Westpac joining ASB and ANZ by cutting its two-year special rate to 4.99%.ANZ was the first to cut its two-year fixed home loan rate special to 4.99% on the same day as the OCR cut last week. ASB cuts two-year rate to 4.99%Earlier today, ASB lowered its one-year mortgage rate by 24 basis points to 5.25%, its two-year rate by 30 basis points to 4.99% and its three-year rate to 5.35%.ASB Bank (file image). (Source: 1News)”We are serious about giving our home loan customers and…

The number of New Zealanders expecting house prices to rise has returned to 2020 confidence levels.ASB’s latest Housing Confidence Survey for the three months that ended in December found a net 33%of respondents thought house prices would rise and a net 23% thought it was a good time to buy a house.However, there was a slight drop in the proportion of people expecting interest rates to fall to a net 51% from a net 57%, though the survey predated the Reserve Bank’s (RBNZ) most recent cut to the official cash rate to 3.75%.ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley said the results…

Many motorists have seen it towering over State Highway 1 in Auckland’s Manukau – but few so far have seen its interior.The massive new temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is set to open soon, and, for a short period of time, it has invited members of the public to take a look inside.The recommend desk inside the temple. (Source: Supplied)It is the second temple of its kind in New Zealand. The first was built in Hamilton in 1958, and resource consent for a proposed 37-metre tall temple in Porirua has been granted.Elder Peter Meurs told…

MP Andrew Bayly has resigned from all of his ministerial portfolios after an incident of “overbearing” behaviour towards a staff member last week.National’s Bayly, who was ACC and Commerce Minister, said concerns had been raised about a recent incident in which his conduct towards a staff member was “overbearing”.The Port Waikato MP said he had been “impatient to drive change” in his portfolios and that he had engaged in an “animated discussion” with a staff member about work.”I took the discussion too far, and I placed a hand on their upper arm, which was inappropriate. I have apologised to the…

The world’s largest companies and trade associations from the big tech, banking, energy, and chemicals/agri sectors have significantly increased their EU lobbying budgets in recent years. ADVERTISEMENTThe 162 biggest corporations and trade associations collectively spent €343 million on lobbying EU legislators and officials over the past year, according to a new analysis. Between February 2024 and February 2025, annual lobbying expenditures rose by 13%, and by nearly a third since 2020, according to a report from non-profit groups Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) and LobbyControl. However, these estimates remain conservative, as only entities spending over one million euros are required to disclose their…

By Krystal Gibbens of RNZ Data from petrol price comparison app Gaspy has found that Timaru was the cheapest place for fuel, while Greymouth was the priciest in recent weeks. Gaspy’s price comparison of 91 petrol prices in mid-February found consumers could face stark price differences depending where they were in the country. As of February 19, Greymouth was the priciest town for fuel, followed by Tauranga, Kaitaia, Wānaka, Thames and Whangarei. Timaru conversely had the lowest fuel prices, followed by Nelson, Richmond, Blenheim and Hamilton. Gaspy Director Mike Newton said having the majority of the cheapest pricing in the…

While you won’t find any roaming animals or Noah himself, a unique building in Sumner is a modern-day twist on Noah’s Ark.The story began in the late 1950s where two Canterbury residents envisioned transforming a bushy hillside in Sumner into a spiritual garden, a place where people could come together to celebrate their faith. Over the years, their dream materialised into the Gethsemane Gardens and Noah’s Ark Canterbury, with the ark built in 2004. For a number of years the space served as a Christian-based venue for weddings, funerals, and celebrations. In 2013 the original owners sold the property, which…

A former building inspector for Auckland Council has been sentenced to 11 months’ home detention after pleading guilty to 21 charges of accepting bribes as a public official.Nicholas Bright accepted the bribes, which included cash payments and home renovations, in connection with his role as a building inspector, the Serious Fraud Office said.It added the “corrupt activities” lasted for over two years.The renovation work included gas fitting work, installation of a heat pump, double-glazed windows and a new carpet. The cash payments totalled more than $35,000.Auckland Council referred the matter to the SFO after an internal investigation identified irregularities in…

All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke has admitted to driving dangerously and says he is “extremely apologetic and embarrassed”.He said he made an error of judgement while riding his motorbike in Auckland in 2024.”Last year, I made an error of judgement while riding my motorbike in Auckland. I’ve taken full responsibility for my actions and have entered a guilty plea today. I’m extremely apologetic and embarrassed. The court and employment processes are ongoing and I am now going to focus fully on my rugby,” Clarke said.Through his lawyer Rowan Butler, Clarke pleaded guilty in the Auckland District Court today to failing…