Author: Press Room

A South Auckland resident says she will feel a whole lot safer when the benches at a nearby park are removed after complaints of indecent behaviour.The Manurewa Local Board decided to remove two benches at Randwick Park on Magic Way, after nearby residents raised concerns about anti-social behaviour.The bench seats, which faced away from the park and directly into the roadway and residential properties, were a few metres from a primary school.A resident, who didn’t want to be named for safety reasons, said she’s complained to council for years about the inappropriate behaviour by some users.She said at one time,…

New figures show that Germany’s export of arms to Israel have increased sharply from August onwards, with a much higher figure than was previously reported for the year thus far. ADVERTISEMENTGermany’s arms exports to Israel are much higher than the government said they were, with new numbers showing the government approved exports worth €94 million since August alone. Last week, Berlin said it had approved €45 million worth of arms exports to Israel for the entire year up to 13 October — a significantly lower sum than before, all amid rumours that the government had stopped approving arms export permits…

A stretch of State Highway 51 in Napier has reopened after a chimney fire at a factory this morning saw it briefly close.A Fire and Emergency (FENZ) spokesperson said crews were called to the chimney fire at about 9.30am today.FENZ earlier had about 20 firefighters responding, the spokesperson said, adding “the chimney is about 40 to 50 metres in the air” so an aerial ladder fire truck was used.A stretch of State Highway 51 is closed both ways in Napier after a chimney fire at a factory. (Source: 1News)State Highway 51 was briefly closed between Awatoto Rd and Farndon Rd…

A new housing development risks creating an “elite enclave” within South Auckland, a local leader warns.Highbrook Living Limited plans to build a housing development at the landmark power station site on Sparky Rd, near Ōtara.Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board (OPLB) chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia said the development could have significant environmental impacts, cause traffic congestion, and is far from schools and shops.“The proposed development site is cut off from the rest of Ōtara, bordered by the Tamaki River, State Highway 1, and the busy main arterial Highbrook route,” he says.“The board is concerned an elite enclave will be built, disconnected from the…

An Air New Zealand flight was diverted on its way to Auckland this morning because of a “disruptive” passenger.Flight NZ-176, from Perth, made a stop in Melbourne where it was met by police.Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer, Captain David Morgan, said the flight then continued to Auckland and landed at 8.50am.He said incidents like this are distressing for customers and staff, and the airline has zero tolerance for such behaviour.He apologised for the 90-minute delay.It comes less than a week after passengers were held on an Air New Zealand flight at Sydney Airport after a bomb threat was reported…

The controversial founder of a marine conservation activist group has applied for political asylum in France to avoid a trial in Japan, where he faces up to 15 years in prison. ADVERTISEMENTA court in Greenland has extended the the custody of anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson until 13 November. Denmark is currently considering an extradition request from Japan, where the Sea Shepherd founder faces up to 15 years in prison for allegedly attacking a ship. Watson is accused by the Japanese coast guard of ordering the captain of his ship to throw explosives at a Japanese whaling vessel, in the process…

A charity that helps young people with disabilities through music, dance, and performance has proposed stopping physical workshops outside of the main centres as it attempts to find half a million dollars in savings.StarJam, which holds free weekly performance workshops across the country, revealed today it was consulting with staff over a strategic proposal aimed at saving $500,000.The charity, which has long relied on donations to sustain its services without government funding, said this past year had been its “toughest yet”.It said the rising cost of living, increased operational expenses, and a significant reduction in funding had forced the organisation…

As Georgia prepares for pivotal elections on Sunday, PM Irakli Kobakhidze spoke to Euronews about the country’s history of Christianity and EU aspirations, and dismissed Russia’s influence. ADVERTISEMENTGeorgia will hold parliamentary elections on Sunday, marking a pivotal moment as the country’s first under a fully proportional system.The stakes are high, and the outcome could potentially shape the nation’s future integration within the EU and its movement away from Russian influence.As the election date approaches, the political landscape in Georgia has become increasingly polarized, with opinion polls continuing to present unreliable and contradictory forecasts.While the ruling Georgian Dream party is framing…

The number of electorates in New Zealand will decrease from 65 to 64 at the next general election, with one fewer in the North Island.Stats NZ made the announcement on Wednesday morning after considering last year’s census results.The decision does not alter the size of Parliament — 120 seats, before any overhang — but means there will be one more list MP and one fewer electorate MP.”This means there will be one more list seat in a 120-member Parliament,” acting deputy government statistician Kathy Connolly said.New boundaries for the 2026 election will now be drawn up based on the data.The…

The BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has garnered more significance since the Ukraine war. What does the EU have to fear about this expanding club of Russian allies? ADVERTISEMENTWhat is there to fear for the EU about the BRICS summit, the group whose swelling ranks now account for 45% of the global population and 28% of the world’s GDP?Established in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the group aimed to reduce reliance on the US dollar, but has evolved into a geopolitical counterbalance to the G7, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi…