Author: Press Room

A man has been arrested following an alleged road rage incident which saw several items – including alcohol containers and a hockey stick – thrown at another motorist on Auckland’s North Shore.The man allegedly got into a verbal altercation with another driver in Glenfield just before 3pm on Thursday.He then “followed the victim’s vehicle in his own car, throwing several items out of his window at the vehicle, including alcohol containers and a hockey stick, which damaged the vehicle”, Acting Senior Sergeant Andy Godsalve said.“He continued to follow the victim’s vehicle for several kilometres, causing them much concern.”The man then…

A transformation is underway for Old Papatoetoe with hopes it will revive the Auckland town centre.The plan aims to breathe new life into the area and provide new housing options, while maintaining its unique identity.Manukau Ward Councillor Alf Filipaina, who has also been a councillor for the old Manukau City since 2003, said he is pleased to see the progress in Old Papatoetoe.“With robust infrastructure, essential services, and excellent access to public transportation, I’m looking forward to the transformation over the next few years,” said Filipaina.Councillor Lotu Fuli, also from the Manukau Ward, says it’s encouraging to see the progress…

This edition of our weekly talk show focuses on the growing challenges facing the European economy: declining competitiveness, increasing potential for conflict in trade with China and diminishing scope for the public sector. ADVERTISEMENTThe challenges that have been weighing on the European economy have been building up for years. And Europe is becoming increasingly aware of its lack of competitiveness. This week’s EU summit once again addressed the question of how to boost the economy.David Rinaldi, director of studies and policy at FEPS, Almut Möller, Director for EU and Global Affairs at the European Policy Centre, and Niclas Poitiers, Research…

An Auckland charter vessel operator has been ordered to pay a $140,000 emotional harm reparation after the death of a woman who fell overboard.Danielle Tamarua and her work colleagues were guests on board the luxury charter boat Zefiro for a trip around the Hauraki Gulf on April 1, 2021.The 25-year-old had gone up to the bow of the vessel with another passenger when the weather worsened. Tamarua was heading back inside the boat as it returned to berth at the Viaduct when she slipped and fell overboard. Tamarua was struck by the vessel and died of her injuries.A second person…

Director Denis Villeneuve has started work on a third Dune movie.The 57-year-old helmed the 2021 sci-fi blockbuster and its 2024 sequel Dune: Part Two, and has now revealed he is currently immersed “deep” into novelist Frank Herbert’s space fantasy universe as he continues to work on the third instalment.Villeneuve initially thought he would be stepping back from the series for a time to focus on other projects.”Let’s say that I thought that after Part Two that I will take a break, that I will go back in the woods and stay in the woods for a while to recover,” he…

South Wairarapa and Carterton households could be faced with an average water bill of $7000 by 2035 if Wairarapa councils go solo for transformational water reform.This would be in addition to the rates charged by councils to fulfil other local government functions.In Masterton, the average water bill could reach $3000, and Tararua, $5000, if councils did not partner up.At a joint Carterton and South Wairarapa council workshop on Thursday, elected members were told that if councils joined forces, customers would have lower bills.As a combined “Wai+T” (Wairarapa plus Tararua) entity, the projected average annual water bill would be just over…

Mount Maunganui locals are calling for the “unique, essential” Mount Hot Pools to open earlier because the current time is causing “disharmony” among users.Julie and Jim Carle started a petition asking for the pools, which have sat at the base of Mauao for nearly 60 years, to return to the 6am opening time used before the Covid-19 pandemic, instead of the current 7am.The pair presented their petition with 127 signatures at a Tauranga City Council community, transparency and engagement committee meeting on Tuesday.Julie Carle told the meeting: “The Mount Hot Pools is a unique, essential rehab and health and wellness…

Liam Payne’s girlfriend is at a “complete loss” over the late One Direction singer’s death.Kate Cassidy, 25, had been on holiday with Liam, 31, in Argentina, where they watched his former 1D bandmate Niall Horan’s solo show – before she decided after two weeks away, she wanted to return to her home in the US.She left two days before Liam fell to his death from the balcony of his third-floor room in the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.The American actress has now said in a statement on social media about her shock over his passing: “Nothing about…

Two months of talking to Taranaki people has exposed the split between the farming industry and the rest of the region over polluted rivers.Taranaki Regional Council community meetings in June and July found most people want cleaner waterways as soon as possible – but the farmer lobby wants a slowdown, worried they’ll shoulder too high a cost.Iwi and hapū reinforced their consistent call for the highest freshwater standards at hui across the region, calling for awa healthy enough for people to collect kai.The council went out to ask Taranaki citizens what targets should be set in a new Land and…

Last week, Italy formally opened two return hub centres in Albania under Rome’s jurisdiction, where it plans to process thousands of asylum-seekers outside its borders. But the plan has proved controversial, especially among human rights campaigners. ADVERTISEMENTFrance’s Prime Minister Michel Barnier has said he doesn’t think the deal Italy has made with Albania to send asylum seekers there for processing will work in France.”I don’t think this example can be transposed (to France),” Barnier told reporters in Menton, a French town near the border with Italy.Barnier also said that the Albania deal wouldn’t work in France because of legal reasons.Last…