Author: Press Room

A rare partial solar eclipse has wowed Kiwis who were lucky enough to catch a glimpse this morning.The eclipse began before sunrise and reached its peak around 7am, with the moon covering up to 70% of the sun in parts of the lower South Island.Partial solar eclipse as seen from New Brighton Beach, Christchurch (Source: Tim Doornkamp)In Auckland, the coverage was expected to be closer to 60%.The partial solar eclipse as seen from Maryhill, Dunedin (Source: Robert Aberdeen)Parts of the South Island had the best view, with people sharing their photos with 1News.Partial solar eclipse as seen from Shag Point,…

By Krystal Gibbens of RNZ A popular Wellington cafe is calling on the government to provide more pathways to residency for hospitality workers, saying its currently losing them to other sectors. The Chocolate Fish Cafe owners John and Penny Pennington have written an open letter to Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston saying that they are currently losing workers because they can’t get any pathway to residency working in the hospitality industry. John Pennington said to gain permanent residency currently, hospitality workers needed to be highly qualified, or be paid a rate the industry couldn’t afford. He said as a result some…

Patient care is being severely affected at Christchurch Hospital, with the emergency department hitting code red almost every day, and a senior doctor saying they need more resources.And Christchurch’s not alone, with ED doctors nationwide backing a call for help, saying the immense pressure is compromising both patient care and staff safety. Emergency department doctors penned an open letter to Health New Zealand on September 5, pleading for a set of solutions to be rolled out as soon as possible.Christchurch ED doctor Dominic Fleischer told 1News patients were dying because of substandard care, and the situation was hurting staff and…

The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including Liam Lawson’s best result, recognition for a Palestinian state, and the best view of today’s partial solar eclipseLiam Lawson scores his best finish yet, in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Tens of thousands of people have gathered for a memorial service for Charlie Kirk. Australia, the UK, and Canada have recognised a Palestinian state, prompting a scathing response from Israel. Investor confidence has hit lows not seen since the Covid pandemic. Clouds spoiled the view of a partial solar eclipse for many of us but clear skies in Christchurch gave people a “spectacular” view.

When Christchurch’s Tri-Rugby team was founded in 2020, they dreamed of one day having international fixtures. Now five years on, that’s becoming a reality.”It’s a big game.. nice to have a big game on an anniversary weekend,” said Brendan Tindall.The team based out of High School Old Boys’ Club in Christchurch will host Australia in a two-match series.When asked what it will be like to run out against the trans-Tasman rivals, player Josh Christie said:”Oh, pretty nervous cause I get pretty emotional for my game … I get involved, put my head down, focus.. don’t want to let the fans…

Police say it is “by good fortune only” that a driver – suspected to be under the influence of a substance – did not seriously injure or kill someone when his van and trailer jackknifed in rural Auckland overnight.Officers responded to a report of a crash on Runciman Rd at around 12.43am on Monday.Counties Manukau South Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Matt Hoyes said a Mitsubishi van and trailer had jack-knifed and completely blocked the road.”When units attended the driver was asleep at the driver’s wheel, and it was suspected he was under the influence of a substance.”Methamphetamine and other substances…

Disgraced former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming instructed staff to make changes to the firearms vetting process, after he was contacted by an acquaintance who told him they would lose their firearms licence, if they got any more driving demerit points.Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said he was of the view “better judgement could have been exercised and a more robust process followed” by McSkimming.The Firearms Safety Authority has confirmed it’s considering reversing the changes.RNZ earlier revealed McSkimming was investigated over allegations he acted inappropriately in relation to the firearms licences vetting process.The investigation found he had the appropriate delegation to…

Waitangi Mountain Bike Park has just undergone its biggest expansion since the first trails opened a decade ago with the opening of a new, adrenaline-inducing jump zone.Pekenui Jump and Skills Park, which covers an entire hillside at the bike park’s entrance, features three jump lines, two climbs, a scenic ridge descent, and an area for honing bike handling skills.It is hoped the new facility will further boost mountain biking’s popularity in the Bay of Islands, and help attract visitors to Northland outside the busy summer months.Park manager Tiffany Holland, the driving force behind the project, said Sunday’s opening was the…

Tonight’s Good Sort is Dave Cattermole and his partner Gill Kane, who run free gyms across the South Island for those who’ve faced cancer. The idea began after Cattermole’s own kidney cancer diagnosis, when he struggled to find connection with other men in a similar situation to him. What started as a small support group had since grown to five gyms across the South Island. Cattermole died last year, but his legacy continued in the Blue Brothers gyms. “We owe him so much,” Kane told 1News. Members said the classes offered more than just strength, and helped them cope mentally…

Confidence among New Zealand investors dropped to its lowest levels since the Covid-19 pandemic during the last quarter, according to new numbers from ASB. ASB’s Investor Confidence Survey found net investor confidence, which was the difference between those who think investment returns will improve versus worsen in the coming year, had dropped from 9% in Q1 to just 1% in the June quarter. The drop in numbers, released after it was revealed New Zealand’s GDP had slumped 0.9% in the June quarter, was driven by the “flat” housing market, share market volatility, and global economic uncertainty. “It’s been a challenging…