Author: Press Room

A Dunedin building firm inundated with work to repair flood-damaged houses is working hard to get people back in their homes before Christmas. Brent Lucas Builders had received “a large number” of insurance-related jobs since the flooding at the beginning of the month. The firm was busy before the claims and owner Brent Lucas said work began last week on repairing many South Dunedin homes. “We’ve always got a lot of insurance work [but] this is fairly similar to 2015.” In 2015, $138million of property damage was caused by flooding in South Dunedin. Many of the same issues were being…

The Ministry of Health has apologised to the Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello for failing to inform her that one of its officials advising her on tobacco reform had a conflict of interest.It comes after NZ First leader Winston Peters named the official in Parliament’s debating chamber, accusing her of attending meetings with Costello without telling her she was the sister-in-law of Labour’s health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall.Speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon, Peters also suggested — without providing evidence — the official had been leaking material to assist Labour’s attacks: “Now I know where half the rubbish came from.”Something…

Russian forces are pushing to enter the city of Selydove and could take control over the city within days, according to the Ukrainian military. ADVERTISEMENTRussian forces are on the verge of gaining control of a key city in the eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian military reported on Wednesday, adding that Moscow had attacked the town 19 times that day.The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) confirmed Russia’s “significant tactical advances into and around Selydove in recent days.” However, the ISW also noted that Moscow’s focus on securing the city has come at the expense of Russia’s ability to sustain a…

Nearly 30 flights in and out of Wellington have been cancelled as strong winds buffet the capital tonight.Twenty-eight inbound and outbound domestic flights were cancelled as of 9pm this evening, a Wellington Airport spokesperson told 1News.MetService issued an orange strong wind warning for Wellington, Wairarapa, and the Marlborough Sounds from today until 10am tomorrow.Severe gale northwesterlies were forecast and expected to gust up to 120km/h in exposed places.”Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.”Passengers were advised to check with their airlines for the latest information.

Prize-winners underline European Parliament’s tough stance against the presumptive incumbent Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who’s re-election the hemicycle decries as bogus. ADVERTISEMENTMaría Corina Machado and Edmundo González were rewarded ‘for their brave fight to restore freedom and democracy in Venezuela’ backed by centre-right and right wing groups.Parliament’s President Roberta Metsola announced the winners on Thursday in Strasbourg, following a meeting of the presidents of the political groups, who made the decision. Hailing María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González for their brave fight to restore freedom and democracy in Venezuela, Metsola added: “In their quest for a fair, free, and peaceful…

Nine southern businesses will place on the Deloitte national Fast 50 index when it is announced next month. Regional winner announcements, which were made this week, were the first step in the Fast 50 awards process which will culminate in the national celebration in Auckland on November 20. At that event, the Fast 50 index, national category winners and national Master of Growth index will be revealed. Deloitte Dunedin-based partner Kyle Cameron said there was an excellent turnout from lower South Island businesses and special mention should be made of the representation of tourism businesses. Air Milford, xtravel and Over…

Key points:A wind farm proposal for Taranaki has been shut down, with ‘key uncertainties’ including allocation of seabed, the company saysThe Infrastructure Minister says both seabed mining and wind farms are priorities for the GovernmentLabour’s Energy spokesperson disagrees and a local MP says she’s gutted for her community.A major offshore renewable energy company has cancelled plans to build wind turbines off the coast of Taranaki and Waikato. The decision has been blamed due in part to a fast-tracked seabed mining decision made by the Government. Spanish company Bluefloat Energy had multi-billion dollar plans to harness wind out at sea off…

The Czech Republic signed a treaty with the Vatican, ensuring religious freedom and recognising Catholic marriages. It needs parliamentary approval to take effect. ADVERTISEMENTThe Czech Republic signed a treaty over its relations with the Vatican on Thursday, becoming one of the last European Union countries to do so.The document was signed Thursday in Prague by conservative Prime Minister Petr Fiala and the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.Fiala called it a “balanced” document that “fully respects our legal order.” The full text was not expected to be made public until after the treaty is ratified.Among its provisions, the country…

After nearly two decades in fashion retail in Dunedin, Wendy Jones is calling it quits. White By Design, originally established in Roslyn Village in 2006, has most latterly been based in the Centre City Mall,but the end-of-lease closing down sale signs are up and Ms Jones will close the doors by the end of the year. Born into the Dunedin rag trade, Ms Jones shifted from Roslyn to George St in 2014, when the area began losing its vibrancy, and was in two different locations in the main street before moving to Centre City Mall. Retail was very tough, particularly…

A group set up to ease tensions over access to a popular Hawke’s Bay beach has proposed permanently banning most vehicles, and requiring permits for the two vehicle types that would be allowed.A summer ban for vehicles begins again on October 25 (under a bylaw) along a 1km strip of Waimārama Beach near the township, with Hastings District Council voting to extend it from Labour Weekend to April 30, 2025.Councillor Marcus Buddo said it had already been a lengthy and at times fraught process just to get to this point, with more work to come.”There have been thousands of submissions,…