Author: Press Room

The glittering new centrepiece of Whanganui city’s $70 million art gallery redevelopment reflects a changing city where iwi heritage and partnership are valued, the gallery’s director says.Andrew Clifford said local and tribal stories are front and centre in the expanded Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery and its contemporary new wing. The gallery was named as one of the top 20 cultural spots in National Geographic’s “Best of The World” list for 2024.A grand reopening on November 9 is expected to be one of the year’s most significant creative industry events. The black-granite addition – named for Whanganui River rangatira,…

More details have emerged about a worker who Cabinet Minister Andrew Bayly admitted calling a “loser” during a business visit, and which he has since apologised for.The workers’ account of Bayly’s conduct first emerged publicly last Friday, when the Small Business Minister made a “fulsome” apology over the interaction. 1News has since obtained an unredacted copy of the workers’ complaint after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon faced more questions about the incident at Parliament today.The unredacted letter reveals the worker identified themselves as a former member of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) when complaining to the Government.The worker wrote: “I…

‘The EU budget cannot be a prisoner of interest rates by reducing our programmes,’ said leading lawmaker Victor Negrescu, as MEPs signalled clear opposition to proposed cuts setting stage for tense negotiations over the EU budget for 2025. ADVERTISEMENTMEPs rejected the EU Council’s proposed €1.52bn cuts to key EU programmes such as the Erasmus+ student mobility programme and the Horizon Europe research programme on Wednesday and called for more funding. “By cutting the budget, we will not be able to deliver [on citizens’ needs],” leading MEP Victor Negrescu (S&D/Romania) told reporters in Strasbourg, adding that the EU budget also needs some flexibility…

Police are seeking the public’s help locating a man wanted for arrest in Northland.Michael Invictus-Sirius, 35, has a circular tattoo on his forehead. Anyone with information on Invictus-Sirius’ whereabouts has been asked to contact police.Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

In the first public confirmation by the US, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday there is evidence that North Korean soldiers are present in Russia, and it remained to be seen what they would be doing there. ADVERTISEMENTWashington has proof North Korean troops are present in Russia, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters in Rome on Wednesday.”There is evidence that there are DPRK troops in Russia. What exactly they are doing? Left to be seen. These are things that we need to sort out,” Austin said.Austin’s comment is Washington’s first public confirmation of previous statements made by Ukraine…

Police have released the names of two people killed in a State Highway 1 crash, near Waiouru, last week. Kahu Alexandra Martin, 60 was from Taupō and Katarina Kaihau, 6, from Lower Hutt. Police are continuing to investigate the collision between the car and truck involved. The crash occurred on State Highway 1, south of Waiouru, on Tuesday, October 15. “Our thoughts are with their family at this incredibly tragic time,” police said.

Heat pumps are set to play at least as important a role in Europe’s energy transition as electric cars, but a drop in demand following record sales during the 2022 energy crisis has manufacturers looking to Brussels to address what they see as a taxes and subsidies that favour gas. ADVERTISEMENTReports out this week suggest governments and the EU are doing too little to promote the replacement of fossil fuel-fired heating systems with heat pumps, with support schemes of variable quality and gas prices artificially low compared to electricity.According to the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), sales fell 47% in the first…

A major police investigation has resulted in 28 arrests, and the seizure of “significant quantities” of illegal drugs and firearms after officers executed search warrants at gang pads across the North Island this morning.Police said their investigation also prevented a planned shooting at an Ōpōtiki gang tangi and the attempted murder of a rival gang member in Hamilton.Thirty search warrants were executed in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Auckland, Rotorua, Taupō and Hawke’s Bay as part of Operation Highwater – launched late last year following an increase in violent crime and other offending in Ōpōtiki.Police said the “concentrated operation…

Multiple crews and helicopters are working to fight a large fire affecting 200 hectares of scrub on Defence Force land in Canterbury.Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said it was notified about the incident near Tekapo just before 11.30am.”We can confirm that a scrub fire has broken out following planned ammunition disposal at Tekapo Military Training Area today. No personnel were injured,” a Defence Force spokesperson said. “Additional NZDF resources are moving to Tekapo to support our response.” The blaze, which has affected 200 hectares of scrub, is not yet contained. “There is currently no threat to any people or…

A water and shoreline search has been launched in Northland after an 83-year-old man, not seen since Saturday, was reported missing. The search in Onerahi, which is being carried out by police, Coastguard and Surf Life Saving, commenced after the man was reported missing yesterday. “The man goes for a daily swim in the Whangārei Harbour and wears a wet suit and pink swim cap,” a police spokesperson said.Police and search and rescue squads from Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving Club Whangārei Heads Volunteer Surf Life Saving Patrol, along with volunteers from Northland Coastguard Air Patrol and Coastguard Whangārei, are…