Author: Press Room

Hollywood star Jason Momoa is bringing his latest action movie, The Wrecking Crew, to the South Auckland suburb of Ōtāhuhu.The sound of screeching tyres, vehicle crashes, and small explosions may be heard in the neighbourhood as the film crew takes over some streets from tomorrow until November 6. Manukau ward councillor Alf Filipaina said it will put the suburb on the big screen and provide a boost for local businesses.“It really is [cool] not only for Ōtāhuhu, but also I think for Tāmaki Makaurau and New Zealand, because the more movies getting shot here, the better for New Zealand.”And it’s…

The debate is growing about whether the Reserve Bank should make a jumbo-sized cut to the official cash rate next month.Financial markets are pricing in a 20% chance of a 75 basis point cut in November, and there are suggestions it may be necessary with the next meeting not taking place until February next year.BNZ’s head of research Stephen Toplis said it is not out of the realm of possibility, but a 50 basis point cut is far more likely.He said there have only been three times the central bank has moved rates by 75 points or more.”During the Global…

A link road on Wellington’s Transmission Gully is being ripped up — just two years after it was opened.Porirua City Council, Wellington Electricity, Wellington Water and Kāinga Ora are partnering up to carry out the “critical infrastructure” service upgrades on the Waitangirua Link Road and the adjoining Whitby link road, Te Ara Kāpehu.The council said the work was to improve electricity network resilience and increase drinking water services for the fast-growing eastern suburbs.Porirua City Council said the Waitangirua Link Road would be closing from November 4.The council said the road will be closed for up to five months while new…

Police did not use excessive force while detaining a 16-year-old, but his arrest and a prior traffic stop were unlawful, the police watchdog has ruled. The details of the incident, which took place in Whangamatā on New Year’s Eve in 2022, are detailed in a recently released report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA). The incident occurred at around 6.45pm on December 31, when the teenager was in the back seat of a silver Holden Commodore with three other occupants.  The Holden was travelling along Port Road when a police van approached it from the opposite direction. The van…

François Durovray met with cycling associations following the tragic death of 27-year-old Paul Varry. ADVERTISEMENTThe French transport minister François Durovray vouched to take concrete action against motorized violence after meeting with cycling associations on Monday.It follows the death of 27-year-old Paul Varry, who was allegedly deliberately run over in Paris last Tuesday by an SUV driver, who now faces preliminary charges of murder. Varry’s death sparked protests calling for safer roads for cyclists, and an end to motorized violence.Durovray, who is an avid cyclist himself, said on X that he will launch the new mission “against violence, protect all road…

By Jemima Huston of RNZ The debate is growing about whether the Reserve Bank should make a jumbo sized cut to the official cash rate next month. Financial markets are pricing in a 20 percent chance of a 75 basis point cut in November, and there are suggestions it may be necessary with the next meeting not taking place until February next year. BNZ’s head of research Stephen Toplis said it is not out of the realm of possibility, a 50 basis point cut is far more likely. He said there have only been three times the central bank has…

A close friend of the man who died in a boating accident on Sunday said his relatives were in shock.A boat with seven people on board capsized on Auckland’s Manukau Bar.Sudesh Kumar said the man who died was 52-year-old Māngere East resident Parama Siwam Sami, know as Bimal.Kumar said Sami came to New Zealand from Lautoka in Fiji 20 years ago, and leaves behind a wife and four children in their 20s (three daughters and one son).He said the tight-knit family was grieving the loss of a kind, good-hearted man.”Bimal is one of my close brothers. He’s also my wife’s…

A man charged with manslaughter after the death of a man who was allegedly assaulted on Wellington’s Courtenay Place can now be named.Siale Siale, 29, appeared in the Wellington District Court on Monday morning after the death of Luke Smith two weeks ago.Smith, 21, was rushed to hospital in the early hours of October 6 and died when his life support was removed.Supporters of Luke Smith gathered outside the court.Luke Smith died after an assault in Welllington on the weekend. (Source: Give A Little )Police said at the time the assault happened about 3.15am outside the old Reading Cinema building.Siale…

Former Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman’s second bid to avoid convictions for shoplifting has failed. In March this year, Ghahraman pleaded guilty to four counts of shoplifting. The charges related to three incidents in Auckland and one in Wellington late last year.The items taken were worth about $8900 in total.In June, the ex-MP’s application to be discharged without conviction was denied by Auckland District Court Judge June Jelaš. Ghahraman was fined $1600 and ordered to pay court costs.Then, earlier this month, Ghahraman appealed the District Court’s decision to decline her application.But today, High Court Justice Geoffrey Venning denied that appeal.Annabel…

A homicide investigation has been launched after a man’s body was found in a Levin park last week.Police were notified at around 5.40pm on Thursday after the man’s body was found in a building at Muaūpoko Park, near Lake Horowhenua.The death was originally treated as suspicious and following a postmortem and scene examination which were completed yesterday, police have launched a homicide investigation.”Members of the deceased’s family and Muaūpoko iwi were present at the conclusion of the scene examination, where a karakia was performed,” Detective Senior Sergeant David Thompson said.A rāhui has been placed on the Lake Domain by Muaūpoko,…