Author: Press Room

Linda Clark is taking temporary leave from TVNZ’s board while she acts for former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.Clark, a lawyer with the firm Dentons, has sought an injunction preventing media organisations from publishing information about a criminal inquiry into McSkimming.He resigned from his police role last week after media reports stated that pornography had been found on his work computer.McSkimming remains subject to a criminal investigation and an Independent Police Conduct Authority inquiry stemming from a complaint from a member of the public.On Friday Clark went to the High Court seeking an injunction blocking new details being published about…

By Susan Edmunds and Louise Ternouth of RNZ It was organised chaos this week at Costco when another delivery of butter arrived. This butter is not just any butter – while the other supermarkets are selling a 500g slab for up to $10, Costco’s butter is $9.99 for a kilogram. Jody Middleton was among the crowd waiting to stock up on Monday. “I have to say most people were pretty polite about it,” she said. “We all knew what we were there for, Costco staff came out and had a chat before they even opened the door, answering questions.” She…

Parliament has adjourned a on whether three Te Pāti Māori MPs should be suspended from the House.Last week, the Privileges Committee recommended the suspensions of co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke in the wake of a haka that was performed during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill last year.A 21-day suspension was recommended for Waititi and Ngarewa-Packer, while a seven-day suspension was recommended for Maipi-Clarke.MPs were due to vote on those recommendations at the end of today’s debate. But that has now been adjourned until after Thursday’s Budget.

Robbie and Judy Bruerton have said farewell after more than five decades of service at their Canterbury garage and petrol station. The couple have sold their business, the Sefton Garage, after nearly 53 years and are retiring to spend more time with family and on their lifestyle block near the North Canterbury village. Sefton locals Dan and Jasmine Gardiner have taken over the business. Jasmine will take over he reins as site manager, while Dan will continue to work for Smiths Cranes in Christchurch. But he will turn his hand to continuing Robbie’s little business “sharpening everything from shearing gear…

Safety improvements are being made to the rail corridor through Matamata following the death of a schoolgirl struck by a train earlier this year.Sarie Morton, 13, was fatally hit on the railway tracks alongside Firth St, near the intersection with College St, at around 3.15pm on March 12.KiwiRail and Matamata-Piako District Council announced they would remove around eleven trees that currently obstruct visibility for train drivers of anyone approaching the tracks.More than sixty others would have branches lifted and canopies trimmed to improve view lines, while vegetation along the embankment next to Swap Park would be removed.KiwiRail acting chief operations…

A debate on the Privileges Committee’s report into the actions of three Te Pāti Māori MPs – including their proposed suspension – has been adjourned until early June. The move was put forward by Leader of the House Chris Bishop, with government MPs voting in favour and opposition MPs against. In a statement, Bishop said: “Our position on the recommended punishments remains unchanged”.”Deferring consideration of the debate means all members will have the opportunity to debate and vote on the Budget.”‘Wasn’t what I expected’Prior to the motion, there was little indication the debate was going to be adjourned.Yesterday, Prime Minister…

Dunedin-born Glenn Renwick — described as a highly influential figure in the American insurance industry — has died in a car crash in Florida. Mr Renwick (69) attended Pine Hill School, Dunedin North Intermediate and Otago Boys’ High School before his parents moved to Christchurch at the end of his year 13 year. He attended the University of Canterbury, where he studied mathematics and economics, and later pursued a master’s degree in industrial and systems engineering at the University of Florida. He had two properties in Wānaka and a net worth of at least $115m, Stuff reported in 2022 In an…

Three Wairoa men are before the courts following three separate, unrelated incidents in the town this weekend. Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Darren Pritchard said the first incident occurred in Ruataniwha Rd at around midday on Saturday when a man allegedly presented a firearm.”Soon after, officers located the man in a vehicle and arrested him.”The 50-year-old man subsequently appeared in Gisborne District Court facing several firearms and drug-related charges.The second incident was a house fire in Frasertown, north of Wairoa, at around 7.30pm on Saturday.Pritchard said the house was totally destroyed, with the blaze determined to be suspicious.A 37-year-old man was…

With diagnoses of ADHD on the rise, the spotlight is on this most common of neurodevelopmental disorders. Yet our understanding about what causes ADHD and exactly how it’s defined is still murky. Alison Poulton reports.Neurodevelopmental disorders are a diverse group of conditions that affect the brain from early development. They include attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and learning disabilities, such as dyslexia.These conditions usually become more evident over time. This is because delays in the skills a child is expected to have developed at each age become more apparent.’A day in my life with ADHD’ – watch on TVNZ+ADHD is…

The controversial new sport Run It made its New Zealand debut in west Auckland last night, but some are concerned about the risk of brain injuries. The Run It Championship League took inspiration from the physical collisions seen during rugby league or union games as two participants – a runner and tackler – stand at each end of a 20m by 4m field and run toward each other at speed. Event organiser Billy Coffey said the goal was to “either run over your defender or take out the ball runner”. “There’s nowhere to hide, it’s you one-on-one. And usually as…