Author: Press Room

Firefighters say the vegetation fire at Bridge Hill has been “largely controlled” today, but would remain on high alert as MetService forecasts strong northwesterly gales with gusts of up to 150km/h for the area.In a statement, Fire and Emergency NZ said the fire had not grown beyond its existing boundaries overnight, remaining at 980 hectares. There were no helicopters operating due to the wind.Incident commander Colin Russell said the fire behaviour remains “relatively benign with good progress made in eliminating hotspots”.This work would continue today as conditions permit, he added.”The risk over the next 24 hours will be largely dependent…

One person has been critically injured after a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian in south Auckland last night.Emergency services were notified of the crash on Clark Rd in Pahurehure at around 9pm.St John said one ambulance, one manager, and two rapid response vehicles attended. “Our crews assessed and treated one patient who was transported to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition.”Police said the road was shut for a “short time” before reopening.

Two participants of the Government’s youth boot camp pilot programme have been found after going missing for several days.Children’s Minister Karen Chhour said she was “relieved” the pair have been found but that the “circumstances are disappointing”. 1News understands the two youths were taken into custody in Hamilton yesterday after allegedly fleeing from police with two others in a stolen vehicle.It later came to a stop after being spiked and its occupants fled on foot. Police allege the driver then tried to carjack a member of the public’s vehicle while carrying a machete.Detective Graham Pitkethley said following the incident three…

Paris’ iconic Notre Dame cathedral reopens five years after it was nearly destroyed by a devastating fire five years ago. 1,500 dignitaries, including sitting heads of states and royal figures attended the historic ceremony. ADVERTISEMENTThe iconic Notre Dame cathedral rises from the ashes. The gothic architectural masterpiece was closed for five years, undergoing restoration work after a devastating fire almost destroyed it in 2019.  The restoration, a remarkable achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build was seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline. It’s…

Four youths have been taken into custody after allegedly fleeing from police in Hamilton this morning.Inspector Hywel Jones said the incident unfolded after police received several reports of vehicles being stolen or broken into in various locations around the city.At about 9.30am, officers were alerted to a vehicle of interest in Grandview Heights.The police Eagle helicopter located the vehicle shortly before 10.30am in Hamilton East, enabling police patrol cars to move into areas ahead of the vehicle.Road spikes were deployed in an effort to stop the vehicle, which was being driven dangerously and at high speed, but it avoided them…

The 22-year-old Te Pāti Māori MP talks to John Campbell about her world-famous haka and what she’d say to New Zealanders who find her confronting.Watch this interview on our home for all news, indepth and consumer stories, TVNZ+.In Parliament on Tuesday, just under three weeks after she leapt, literally and figuratively, into a global spotlight, I asked Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke if she’d do her haka again.“Again and again.”She paused and smiled.“Just for that Bill. Not a haka every time.”I flew down to Wellington to interview Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke. People often ask me what I’m up to when I’m travelling. And when I…

Investigators say the cause of the explosion is unknown but police are looking for a car seen driving away from the scene at speed just after the blast. ADVERTISEMENTAt least five people have been killed after an explosion destroyed an apartment block in the western Dutch coastal city of The Hague.Emergency services said four people have been rescued from the rubble and taken to hospital but it’s unclear how many people may still be trapped.Mayor Jan van Zanen said he is considering the worst-case scenario and that the search and rescue operation has ended and work is now focussed on…

A pair of iconic ruby slippers that were worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz and stolen from a museum nearly two decades ago sold for a winning bid of US$28 million (NZ$48 million) at auction today. Heritage Auctions had estimated that they would fetch US$3 million (NZ$5.1 million) or more, but the fast-paced bidding far outpaced that amount within seconds and tripled it within minutes. A few bidders making offers by phone volleyed back and forth for 15 minutes as the price climbed to the final, eye-popping sum.Including the Dallas-based auction house’s fee, the unknown buyer will…

As we crawl to the end of a year that’s had its share of highs and lows for Aotearoa and the planet, we take a look back at some of the Kiwis who got New Zealanders talking in 2024.Words: Pat McKendry, Anna Murray, Emily Simpson and Mariana Whareaitu Then Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman, photographed in 2021, after speaking with striking healthcare workers outside Parliament. (Photo: Lynn Grieveson) (Source: Getty)1. Golriz GhahramanThe year kicked off with a feast of two of the country’s greatest passions: gossip and drama. Golriz Ghahraman – the bright, high-profile Green Party MP – was accused…

A man has been charged following an aggravated burglary at an elderly woman’s home in Hamilton last week that left the victim “shaken”.Hamilton CIB Detective Sergeant Johnny O’Bryne said the victim alerted police that two men had broken into her house about 9.30pm on December 1.After entering her home, the alleged offenders moved around the house before entering the victim’s bedroom while she was sleeping.”She was told to hand over money and some of her belongings,” he said.”The offenders then fled the scene in a stolen vehicle.”A 34-year-old local man was arrested during a search warrant at a Hamilton property…