Author: Press Room

Police have today formally named a 77-year-old man who died of his injuries at a house near Northland’s Kaikohe last week.He was Daniel Hepehi, also known as Danny Whiston.Hepehi was found with critical injuries at a home on Waikerikeri Rd in Horeke in the early hours of May 22. He received medical attention but died at the scene.A homicide probe was launched following his death. Officers were sent to the property after speaking to a man who had arrived outside the Kaikohe Police Station around 8.30pm the previous day.Police are now appealing for sightings of Hepehi on Wednesday, May 21.Detective…

New Zealand audiences will get their first glimpse of the Pike River film, with the official trailer released ahead of its arrival in theatres this October.The film follows the aftermath of the Pike River mine disaster that killed 29 men on November 19, 2010.It tells the true story of two women, Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse, who lost loved ones and became central voices in the families’ fight for justice.The roles are portrayed by Melanie Lynskey and Robyn Malcolm respectively, two of the country’s most respected actors.The film also features Lucy Lawless as union leader Helen Kelly, and Tim Gordon…

One of the 32 fighters involved in a controversial and unregulated backyard fight contest at the weekend has been referred to the police.The man, whom RNZ’s Checkpoint understands to be a senior Mongrel Mob member from the Bay of Plenty, was wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet in footage of his fight released to social media and was supposed to be attending a rehabilitation programme.Over 30 fighters gathered on Saturday in an undisclosed Auckland backyard to compete for a $50,000 prize. Social media posts show the event promoted by well-known MMA fighter Dan “Hangman” Hooker.It was billed as 32 fighters going…

Climate resilience is back on the agenda — literally. KPMG has released its 2025 agribusiness agenda which drew on insights from nearly 200 industry leaders and outlined their priorities. Biosecurity remained the number one priority, for the 15th consecutive year, but climate resilience was back in focus — increasing by more than 40% to 18th place, after slipping last year. In his forward, KPMG New Zealand global head of agribusiness Ian Proudfoot said one of his biggest surprises in last year’s report was that the need to proactively consider managed retreat and farm system transition to more climate resilient options…

A Christchurch food bank is “absolutely heartbroken, mad, and gutted to the core” after thieves broke in and stole frozen and chilled food meant for hundreds of families in need, but are “overwhelmed and humbled” by support from the community.Two men dressed in balaclavas and gloves were caught on CCTV breaking the locks of the food bank’s walk-in freezer and chiller on Sunday night before making off with large quantities of meat and other items.In all, around four to five months worth of stock was taken.”You have completely depleted all supplies of any meat and frozen and chilled items that…

Creditors of Titan Bulk Haulage — one of the companies owned by beleaguered Otago businessman Malcolm Burns — have been left out of pocket by more than $1 million. Administration of the liquidation of the Mosgiel trucking company has been completed and the final report this month said $3.33 had been recovered from its bank accounts. Titan Bulk Haulage was placed into liquidation in the High Court at Dunedin in May last year on the application of Inland Revenue, the cause appearing to be related to a failure to account for taxation. The liquidator’s final report said Kiwi Asset Finance…

The South Island’s largest wildlife sanctuary is scrambling to fix a large hole in its predator-proof fence after heavy rain struck Nelson yesterday. While staff at the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary are still getting to the bottom of the damage, initial estimates put the repair cost at more than $50,000. Around half a month’s rain fell in just a few hours yesterday, causing widespread flooding in the centre of Nelson, forcing a number of businesses to close. But the sanctuary is tucked away in the hill behind the city and the rain on Monday was worse than the 2022 storm which…

ADVERTISEMENTEurope began to wean itself from its dependence on Russia after the full invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which led to a spike in energy prices.Sanctions have led to significant cuts in imports over three years: oil fell from 27% in 2022 to 3% in 2025, gas fell from 45% to 19% in the same period and coal, which at the time accounted for 50% of EU consumption, stopped entering the EU altogether.However, the EU continues to contribute significantly to Russia’s budget, with energy imports in 2024 bringing €23bn into Moscow’s coffers. The EU executive now wants to phase out all such imports by 2027,…

A kura kaupapa Māori in Wellington is set to get a long-awaited upgrade to its buildings after decades of operating from dilapidated and rundown classrooms.Education Minister Erica Stanford made the announcement at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna in Seatoun.“When [their teachers] said there would be a library, and a multipurpose space – so a gym and it can be used for other purposes as well – the excitement on their faces was just, it was so worth it,” she said, “and they deserve it.”Construction on the new build is expected to start before the end of the year…

By Thomas Blade & Maud Zaba Published on 27/05/2025 – 17:31 GMT+2•Updated 17:32ADVERTISEMENTIn 2014, just over a quarter (26%) of EU citizens aged 25–74 had completed higher education. By 2024, that share had risen to 33.5%.Ireland, Luxembourg and Cyprus lead the pack, with more than 60% of young adults (25–34) holding university degrees. Romania sits at the other end of the spectrum, with fewer than 30% of that age group pursuing higher levels of education, the lowest rate in the EU.The generational divideThe figures reveal shifting attitudes toward education across generations. Among adults aged 25–54, 82.7% have completed at least upper-secondary education,…