Author: Press Room

A church community worker is heartbroken a group of homeless people living on the church’s grounds are being forced to leave.About 10 people had been camping in a car park at Holy Trinity Avonside in Christchurch.The group had to leave on Friday after the Christchurch City Council issued an abatement notice in August.This was following several complaints to the council last December.The notice required the “property to cease being used, or allowed to be used, as a campground”.Community worker Iain MacInnes said most, if not all, of the group had left the church grounds by Friday afternoon.”We’re just keeping in…

The coronial inquiry into the 2019 Whakaari / White Island eruption has heard that although the island is the most active in New Zealand, the country did not seem ready for the disaster.Twenty-two people died and 25 were injured, most of them seriously, after they were caught on the island when it erupted on December 9, sending ash 3.6km into the air.The inquest on Friday afternoon heard an opening statement from the counsel assisting families of deceased and the survivors, Anna Adams.Adams said many, including those who died, were in hospital for months afterwards and endured more surgeries than most…

A chemical spill has forced the closure of a key on-ramp in Pōkeno this afternoon following a crash involving a track.Emergency services responded to the two-vehicle crash on the Great South Rd northbound on-ramp at around 5.20pm.While police said no injuries were reported, the spill would require a full cleanup before the road could reopen.Fire and Emergency responded with five trucks from Pōkeno, Tuakau, Papatoetoe, Ōtara, Papakura.Motorists were advised to expect delays.

Chopped peanuts from the FreshLife and Gilmours brands are being recalled as they may contain small metal pieces. The 100g FreshLife brand peanuts being recalled are dated best before 21/05/2026. They are sold at Woolworths, FreshChoice and Supervalue stores throughout New Zealand. The 3kg Gilmours branded peanuts have best before dates of 24/04/2026 and 05/06/2026. The batch numbers are NZ039567 and NZ040191. They are sold at Gilmours and Trents Wholesale stores throughout the country.  The Ministry for Primary Industries said people should not eat the peanuts and seek medical advice for any health concerns.  

Protesters gathered outside Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ home in Auckland in support of those on board the Global Sumud Flotilla.Several New Zealanders were on board ships taking part in the flotilla, some of who were detained by Israel when nearing Gaza.The flotilla involving more than 500 people, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, was trying to break Israel’s blockade.Videos from social media showed protesters outside Peters’ home on Thursday.Footage seen by RNZ shows people chanting, banging drums, waving Palestinian flags and holding posters.Messages had been written on the footpath in chalk, including the names of some of the New Zealanders…

The Government has unveiled a new Defence Industry Strategy aimed at strengthening New Zealand’s defence supply chain and growing local businesses as part of a plan to double defence spending within eight years.Defence Minister Judith Collins and Associate Minister Chris Penk launched the strategy at an Auckland naval facility today, saying it would ensure the NZ Defence Force can adapt to a “rapidly changing world” while creating economic opportunity at home.The strategy followed the 2025 Defence Capability Plan released in April, which committed $12 billion over the next four years.Collins said New Zealand must build resilience in its supply chains…

Whanganui mayor Andrew Tripe says he regrets speaking at a candlelit vigil for Amercian conservative Charlie Kirk, following an outburst of criticism in the community.Tripe said he knew little about the assassinated activist’s views when he spoke at Whanganui’s Remembering Charlie Kirk vigil, but wanted to condemn political violence and support free speech.“I went naively to an event I got invited to. I regret going. Had I realised he was a divisive figure, I wouldn’t have gone.“My message as mayor was for our community to stand against violence and in support of the right to stand and speak without fear.…

Taylor Swift has built a global empire fuelled by loyal Swifties whose devotion all but guarantees her success. When The Life of a Showgirl drops, it will be more than just the arrival of her 12th studio album. It’s another reminder that Swift is operating on a level few artists can ever hope to reach. The numbers and the strategy behind them prove one thing: she is built never to fail.Her newest album is already breaking records before its release, becoming the most pre-saved in Spotify history, with more than five million fans signing up. Physical editions sold out in…

More than 200 items stolen by a literal cat burglar in Hamilton need to be returned to their owners.Nico the Great has built a reputation for nicking knickers – which is not so great for the people whose knickers he is nicking.The feline has apparently sneaking onto people’s properties day and night, collecting their smalls and other bits and bobs.Nico trumpets his return to his Hamilton home, meowing repeatedly when its been a successful hunting party and displaying the ill-gotten gains for his whānau.His thieving has reached epic levels – he has collected about 200 items since April, all of…

Tinui Bar and Cafe has been granted a shorter renewal of its liquor licenses after the owner’s suitability was called into question by the council’s licensing inspector.At a compliance visit to the rural Masterton pub earlier this year, the venue owner’s behaviour towards the police attending was seen as rude and inappropriate by the licensing inspector.The official alcohol compliance inspection report said the pub owner was observed “making a sign with his finger” towards a police senior constable and saying words to the effect of “police are no friends of mine”.The visit had followed an incident in December where a…