Author: Press Room

Bernd Lange, the president of the European Parliament’s trade committee, told Euronews how Europe could negotiate with US president Donald Trump if tariffs hit on European goods. ADVERTISEMENTToday Radio Schuman speaks with Bernd Lange, chairman of the European Parliament’s Trade Committee, who noted that Europe still has room to respond to Trump’s policies.In his inauguration speech, Donald Trump provided little detail regarding his earlier threats to impose tariffs on the European Union. His previously stated demand that Europe face tariffs unless it increased purchases of US oil and gas was already well-known, with many European politicians asserting they are prepared…

Voluntary administrators have been appointed to Body Shop NZ — with stores remaining open as stock is cleared.The Body Shop NZ has 16 stores across New Zealand with approximately 70 permanent employees and an online business. It sells skincare, make-up haircare and body products.Customers were told of the closure in an email on Wednesday afternoon.”We regret to inform you that after much consideration, our New Zealand business has entered voluntary administration and will be closing its doors. We want to express our sincere gratitude for your loyal support throughout the years,” the email read.A storewide discount of 40% would be…

The annual celebrations at Rātana, a small pā near Whanganui, are considered the unofficial start to the political year.The Rātana Church was founded around 100 years ago by Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana and members gather every year to mark his birthday, January 25, although the celebrations usually take place over several days.Today marks the start of a series of pōwhiri to welcome locals, other hāhi and religious groups, iwi, community groups, politicians and dignitaries in the lead up to the official day.Who was Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana?Born in 1873, Rātana first became widely known for his spiritual work before he turned his…

The potential new owner of the Whakapapa ski field has expressed interest in operating the famous Chateau Tongariro hotel.The building located near Mount Ruapehu was shut indefinitely in February 2023 due to its high earthquake risk.Whakapapa Holdings has expressed interest in redeveloping it and running the hotel.Its director Tom Elworthy said it was an integral part of the tourism offering around the Whakapapa Village and the national park area.”It’s quite a material number of beds during the off season for the summer tourism operation both on the mountain but also the Tongariro Crossing and mountain biking.”It would be very difficult…

NZ Herald owner NZME plans to cut 38 jobs as it reorganises its news operations.It called staff into a meeting this morning and told them its plans to “reorganise and resize” its news operations across the national newsroom, including the NZ Herald, BusinessDesk, and Newstalk ZB.It said it planned to publish and produce fewer stories, to focus on those that engage audience.It said it would also further invest in video.Journalists would be grouped into a team-based structure across live news, business, sport, lifestyle and politics. Each would be headed by an editor who would manage the team.A specialist print team…

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the Government has been taking the problem of economic growth seriously, and its work on that so far has been “significant”.He said the Government’s been working on a plan for economic growth in the last half of last year — focused on education, science and technology, and international investment.In his first public comments since Tuesday night kicking off National’s caucus retreat — which brought the party’s MPs together after the new year — Luxon also spoke about the Cabinet reshuffle announced on Sunday.One of the headline changes was handing Finance Minister Nicola Willis a new…

A once-in-a-lifetime comet has been spotted over New Zealand skies this week.Comet C/2024 G3 (Atlas), which last visited the Sun about 180,000 years ago, is expected to continue to be visible for the next few nights for those with clear skies.On its return, the influence of gravity as it travelled the solar system has curbed its trajectory, making it appear bigger, the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (RASNZ) said.But RASNZ comet section director John Drummond said the comet was going to be “headless wonder” now, getting dimmer as the effects from passing near the Sun about a week ago…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ The country’s biggest bank is cutting a range of shorter-term interest rates. ANZ Bank said it would drop its special interest rates by between 15 and 25 basis points. The six-month rate drops from 6.24 percent to 5.99 percent. The one-year rate drops from 5.79 percent to 5.57 percent. The two-year rate drops from 5.59 percent to 5.44 percent. Standard rates, which are usually available to those without at least 20 percent deposit, drop by a similar margin. Rates have been trending lower since the middle of last year. The Reserve Bank is expected to…

Beauty brand The Body Shop’s New Zealand business has appointed voluntary administrators. It comes after its UK parent company was placed into administration in February last year, with its international assets largely sold – but the sale excluded the New Zealand business. Administrators Daniel Stoneman and Neale Jackson of Calibre Partners said a buyer had not been found for the New Zealand business, leading to the appointment of administrators. “We are working closely with the management team to develop a strategy to sell all stock and begin to wind down the business,” they said. The Body Shop New Zealand has 16 stores…

New Zealand’s largest bank has cut home loan rates, ahead of quarterly inflation figures being released today. The standard rate six-month fixed-term home loan at the bank has been reduced by 25 basis points to 6.59% per annum. The special rate was now 5.99%.The standard rate for a one-year fixed-term home loan has been reduced by 22 basis points to 6.17% per annum. The special rate is now 5.57%.The standard rate for 18-month and two-year fixed-term home loans were also reduced by 20 and 15 basis points respectively, to 5.99% and 6.04% per annum.The special equivalent of these rates was…