Author: Press Room

One person has died following a single-vehicle crash in Whanganui East this morning. The crash at the convergence of State Highway 4 and Anzac Parade was initially reported shortly before 10am. “Sadly, the sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services,” a police spokesperson said. St John said it sent one ambulance and one support vehicle.State Highway 4 had since re-opened and support was being provided to those involved.

The rarest stamp in the country has sold for a record price after going under the hammer for the first time this century. It was printed in 1902 with an inverted centre — showing Lake Taupō upside down — a mistake that’s made it New Zealand’s most unique and valuable stamp. The stamp was estimated to sell for $250,000, and sold today in Mowbray Collectables’ stamp and coin auctions in Wellington to the only bidder at $225,000 – with a total price tag of $263,250 including a buyer’s premium. “It was a two colour printing process and someone turned the…

Among those celebrating the 50th Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori are the thousands of non-Māori who speak te reo Māori, English and another language.In the last Census, 6399 New Zealanders fell into this category — up from 5328 in 2018 and 4893 in 2013.This number did not include those who speak New Zealand Sign Language.Some of those speaking te reo Māori now, were first introduced to the reo as tourists.Census data found more than 6000 non-Māori speak Te Reo Māori, English, and at least one other language. (Source: 1News)Queenstown kaiako Emily Chirnside has had ākonga (students) in her classes…

A joint initiative between the Government and Penina Trust aimed at boosting Pasifika home ownership has delivered a major win this week. Census data from 2023 revealed 16.8% of Pacific people owned their own home, compared to 42.1% of the general New Zealand population. New Zealand’s first Pacific-led housing provider, the Penina Trust, was working to close that gap.In Auckland’s Māngere, the Meredith family were among the first to benefit, moving into a brand-new four-bedroom home designed for multigenerational living.”It just means stability and security,” new homeowner Maria Meredith told 1News. Census data showed 16.8% of Pacific people owned their…

A weather radar tower has been damaged after being struck by a bolt of lightning near Hokitika yesterday afternoon.MetService meteorologist Katie Hillyer told 1News the radar north of the Hokitika River was struck shortly after 1pm yesterday, which is when the radar stopped transmitting. “Our radar towers are often the tallest object around, which is just what we need to get a great view of the weather, but it leaves them exposed to lightning strikes,” the forecaster said. She said there had been “very active” weather in the area, but it was not immediately clear what had caused the disruption…

A portable blender has been recalled amid concerns that it could self-activate when the base is immersed in water. The ANKO portable blender product was sold from January 23, 2025 to September 3, 2025 in stores as well as online.According to the Product Safety recall notice, the blender may self-activate without pressing the ON/OFF button when the base is immersed in water. “Risk of serious injury, including laceration from the exposed blades, if the product self-activates.”Owners are advised to stop using it and place it away from water.It can be returned to the place of purchase for full refund.Affected products43493081…

A woman has been charged with arson following a blaze that destroyed a former mental health facility near Hokitika last month.Emergency services responded to multiple reports of a large fire in the Seaview Terraces area, north of the West Coast township around 7am on August 10.At its peak, seven fire trucks, two water tankers, and several support vehicles from six brigades were at the scene of the blaze.It took firefighters the better part of two days to put out the blaze and for a scene examination to take place.A 42-year-old Hokitika woman was arrested on Wednesday when police executed a…

A south Auckland community has pleaded with a licensing board not to approve the opening of a new bottle shop in their neighbourhood “for the sake of our rangatahi”.SSB 2024 Limited has made an application to the District Licensing Committee to operate a new off-licence bottle shop at 70 Russell Rd, Manurewa.The site is the old Black Bull Liquor Manurewa which failed to re-establish a licence twice, the most recent last year. It has been closed since 2023.It is situated close to 16 early childhood centres and three schools — the closest, Manurewa Intermediate, is directly next door.There are also…

Six Mongrel Mob members have been sentenced following a “spree of violent crimes” in Southland three years ago as an internal gang feud spilled out onto the streets.In January 2022, the area began experiencing a slew of violent offending that spanned several months, including drive-by shootings and violent assaults that left people critically injured.Among the incidents were a drive-by shooting in Centre St, Invercargill in January 2022; attacks in February and in April last year, resulting in seriously injured people being dropped off at Gore Hospital; and a drive-by shooting on Elizabeth St, Invercargill in June 2022.Operation Pakari – an…

Health Minister Simeon Brown said he is confident Dunedin Hospital’s rebuild will finally be delivered on time and within budget.During a visit to the city on Friday, Brown confirmed CPB Contractors as the lead contractor for the new inpatient building.The project has faced years of setbacks and cost overruns, dating back to when Sir John Key was prime minister.Construction began under the former Labour government but was delayed, and was again paused while the current coalition reviewed the scope and costs.Work restarted in July this year.The inpatient building, once expected to be finished by 2028, is now due to accept…