Author: Press Room
High representative Kaja Kallas will travel to London this week for talks with defence officials while an EU-UK summit is to be held in mid-May. ADVERTISEMENTThe European Commission is “intensively” trying to get member states to give it a mandate to negotiate a security and defence partnership with the United Kingdom, a top EU official said on Monday.Negotiating such a partnership requires the unanimous approval of all 27 member states, but some countries, like France, have already signalled they want any security pact to be included in a wider reset in relations, seemingly returning to the Brexit mantra that ‘nothing…
An interactive storytelling game has made its international debut in Dunedin — bringing with it the chance to take a deeper dive into exhibits at the city’s museum. Launched at Tūhura Otago Museum last week, Hidden Aotearoa — an immersive storytelling game — is a collaboration between Dannevirke-based iwi Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua and Singapore-based social enterprise Hidden Experience. Hidden Aotearoa chief executive Andrew Te Whaiti said the game had been two and a-half years in the making and the museum was the first location in New Zealand — and outside Singapore — to feature it. It combined storytelling with technology to…
A man has been charged in relation to a fatal crash where one person was killed and another critically injured following an alleged fleeing driver incident in Auckland yesterday.The incident occurred shortly before 2pm when police observed a car speeding along Vestey Dr in Penrose. Moments later, the vehicle crossed the centreline and crashed into two other vehicles near the intersection of Great South Rd and Southdown Lane.The scene of a fatal crash in Auckland’s Penrose (Source: 1News)A passenger from one of the vehicles was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the vehicle remained in a critical…
Three young Māori sheep and beef farmers have been announced as finalists in the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer (AYMF) Awards.Coby Warmington (Te Māhurehure, Ngāpuhi), Grace Watson (Whakatōhea), and Puhirere Tau (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou) have been recognised as role models for upcoming young farmers.Lead judge Sam Vivian-Greer, of Te Tumu Paeroa – the principal sponsor of the award, said the three finalists had built strong networks and have mentored other young Māori.He said it was great to see another group of leaders emerge, especially with the growth of the sector, and the award has seen a constant stream of talented young…
Fake Wellington City Council signs promoting crocodiles in the Botanic Gardens and free scuba diving lessons at Te Aro Park are being removed in the capital.Over the last week, the signs have appeared which the council believed were the work of a local artist called Cameron Hunt.The first sign was noticed in Wellington’s Botanic Gardens Pond, warning people not to “feed the crocodiles”. The phone number on the sign was for the Platypus shoe store on Manners Street.A second sign popped up in the water feature at Te Aro Park — offering free scuba diving lessons at 11am every Saturday.…
Crash-landings have begun earlier than usual, as Kaikōura’s Hutton’s shearwater birds / tītī continue to battle against the elements and bright lights.Hutton’s Shearwater Charitable Trust chairperson Ted Howard said injured birds have already been rescued in the town, as new season fledglings leave the nest, only to become disorientated by the town’s street lighting.Efforts to protect the tītī led to the Kaikōura district obtaining international dark sky sanctuary status last year, with the Kaikōura District Council adopting new lighting rules in the District Plan.‘‘Normally we don’t see crash landings until late March or early April,’’ Howard said.‘‘This year we seem…
New figures have revealed the rate at which crime is steadily rising on transport networks nationwide.Police data released to 1News under the Official Information Act shows an increase of crime on transport and at transport hubs over the last year.The numbers show reported crimes against victims – whether in transit or at a transport terminal – increased by 6% between 2023 and 2024.That’s a total of 3277 offences last year, including acts intended to cause injury, burglary and theft.Crimes that didn’t involve a victim also increased by 14% between years – for example: Dangerous or negligent acts, illicit drug offences,…
Fluoride will start being added to Whangārei drinking water on Wednesday morning, subject to the outcome of a High Court hearing in Wellington tomorrow.Whangārei District Council this afternoon voted almost unanimously to back down at the eleventh hour on its months-long and highly-vocal refusal to fluoridate its drinking water by March 28 as ordered by the Director-General of Health, risking potential legal charges, up to $200,000 in fines $10,000 a day for failing to comply and more.WDC Cr Patrick Holmes said that refusal equated to a 3.8% general rates rise to cover the close to $5 million in extra unbudgeted…
A fresh corruption investigation hit the European Parliament this week as arrests were made by the Belgian authorities and the offices of Chinese telco Huawei were searched. But what are the rules lobbying in the European Parliament? ADVERTISEMENTInstitutional lobbying pushed too far – that seems to be at the heart of the corruption scandal shaking the European Parliament. Yet, lobbying activities are supposed to be regulated by rules designed to prevent such excesses. What constitutes lobbying and is it legal?The EU does not use the word “lobbyist” but rather “interest representative”, and defines this as “any natural or legal person, or…
A woman has been taken into custody and a man taken to hospital with serious injuries after reports of an altercation in Auckland’s Penrose this afternoon.Police said they were called to Mt Smart Road just after 5pm, where a man was then located with serious injuries.”Those injuries are not currently thought to be life-threatening,” police said.The man was taken to Auckland City Hospital, and a 26-year-old woman was found nearby. “Charges will be laid in this matter,” police added.