Author: Press Room

Auckland Council is taking “all necessary precautions” after pieces of asbestos-containing material began washing up on beaches along the city’s eastern coastline. The 5-10cm pieces of fibre cement board, likely decades-old construction waste, have been found at Glendowie Bay and, to a lesser extent, Karaka Bay. “Very small” amounts were also found further up the Tāmaki River towards Panmure.Asbestos-containing material is any product which contains more than 1% asbestos, as opposed to the mineral itself. Things like insulation boards, vinyl flooring, or roofing tiles could contain asbestos mixed with other materials. A spokesperson for Auckland Council said the washed-up material…

Food prices have risen at their fastest pace in more than a year driven by more expensive dairy products, and hinting that inflation pressures are gathering pace. Stats NZ said the food price index rose 3.7% in the 12 months ended April, the highest since January last year. “Price increases were widespread, with all five food groups recording an increase,” spokesperson Nicola Growden said. Groceries were a key part of the overall rise, increasing 5.2% over the past year, because of large increases for butter, milk, cheese, and coffee. The price of butter increased 65%, cheese was up 24%, and…

Ratepayers are urging Tauranga City Council to “rein in spending” and focus on the basics to curb a “wicked” 12% rates rise.The council christened its new chambers on Devonport Rd yesterday with a meeting to hear public feedback on its Annual Plan for 2025/26.The plan, which proposed an overall rates rise of 12%, received 968 written submissions and 96 people asked to speak to the council directly.Submitters on Tuesday asked for rates to be reduced, for more community facilities in Pāpāmoa, and gave feedback about Local Waters Done Well.Mark Kenyon-Slade said there was “great frustration and annoyance” because rates kept…

ADVERTISEMENTFrench lawmakers have revived one of the country’s most polarising debates on assisted suicide.MPs began examining two bills on Monday, focusing on boosting palliative care and legalising assisted dying for adults over 18 years old with incurable, advanced, or terminal illnesses.This would allow patients to receive or administer a lethal substance either themselves or with medical assistance. The proposed legislation, which would allow access to lethal substances under strict conditions, has sparked fierce debate across political lines. However, the legislation stipulates that only patients capable of freely and clearly expressing their informed wish to end their life would be eligible.This…

The Green Party has laid out its alternative Budget, pledging free GP visits and free childcare funded through new taxes and increased borrowing.It comes just over a week before the coalition government reveals its spending plans in Budget 2025.On Wednesday, the Greens released a suite of proposed policies and taxes – some new, some previously campaigned on.They include a wealth tax, a private jet tax, ending interest deductibility for landlords, restoring the 10-year ‘bright-line’ test, doubling minerals royalties and changes to ACC levies.The plan would see net debt climb from 45% of GDP to above 53% by the 2028/29 financial…

ADVERTISEMENTToo few women participate in conflict resolution worldwide which increases the risk of certain topics being overlooked during peace talks, the NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security told Euronews.”Women remain still a minority when it comes to conflict management and resolution,” Irene Fellin told Euronews on the sidelines of the Kyiv Security Forum which was held last week on the 80th anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany in World War II.”What the evidence shows, the research, (is) the absence of women in negotiation leads to the fact that certain topics are less addressed,” she added.October…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ  The businessman found guilty of insider trading over the sale of Pushpay Holdings shares can now be named as Peter Huljich. Huljich’s appeal against his conviction was heard by the Court of Appeal last month. His appeal was dismissed but the Crown’s appeal against his sentence was allowed, increasing his fine from $100,000 to $200,000. Name suppression was due to end on Friday morning, but Huljich said today he had chosen to disclose his identity early. He said he was disappointed with the outcome in the Court of Appeal but intended to seek leave to…

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has updated its travel advice for New Zealanders travelling to the United States in its first update since Donald Trump became president again.The strengthened travel advisory comes as the ministry tells RNZ 17 Kiwis have sought assistance since November 2024 because they have experienced immigration difficulties in the US.While travel advice to the US remains at level 2, meaning “exercise increased caution,” the advisory now includes more cautionary wording about the potential for detention at the border.It warns Kiwis could be detained, deported and banned from re-entering the US if they are judged to have breached…

ADVERTISEMENTDonald Trump has recently stepped up his threats to send Americans to foreign jails, saying he would “love” to deport “homegrown” US citizens who commit violent crimes to a notorious mega-prison in El Salvador.“I would love to do that if it were permissible by law,” Trump said in an interview with Time magazine last month. “We’re looking into that.”Apparently, that legal research hasn’t brought a clear answer yet, as Trump has also been on the lookout for more domestic space to house America’s top criminals.“I’m talking about violent people. I’m talking about really bad people. Really bad people,” Trump said,…

Kmart has recalled a physical therapy product after some people were injured.The Anko heated elbow pad was sold at Kmart stores from January 1 to April 4, 2025.It was a rechargeable heat pad, specifically for use on the elbow.Product Safety NZ said the elbow wrap could overheat if incorrectly positioned or wrapped too tight on the arm.There was a “risk of burns injuries to the skin, with increased risk for heat-sensitive customers”, the recall notice read.”Injuries have occurred.”Customers were urged to immediately stop using the product and return it to the nearest Kmart store for a refund.