Author: Press Room

Tararua Mayor Tracey Collis says her council will refuse to take back the maintenance of three detour routes if the region’s replacement state highway is tolled.Collis, whose council recently submitted against tolling Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway, said charging people to use the replacement highway would be a “kick in the guts”.A massive slip permanently closed the Manawatū Gorge in 2017, forcing people to use Saddle Rd, Pahiatua Track, and Ballance Valley Rd to travel between Wairarapa, Manawatū-Whanganui, and Hawke’s Bay.These roads were formerly maintained by the council but the New Zealand Transport Agency had been footing the…

Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was officially made a Dame in a ceremony in the UK.She was appointed a Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours for her services to the state, a few months after her shock resignation as prime minister.Last week it was announced she would formally receive her damehood from Prince William at a ceremony in Windsor Castle in London.NZ’s former Prime Minster received the honour at Windsor Castle. (Source: Other)In a social media post, Prince William and wife Kate called her a friend, an extraordinary advocate, and…

ASB has once again reduced some of its mortgage rates, following the banking sector’s recent trend – but it’s also announced two new rates that buck the pattern.The announcement follows yesterday’s news that inflation has fallen to 2.2%.This morning, ASB announced new fixed home lending rates of:6.39% for a six-month term (down from 6.75%)5.99% for a one-year term (down from 6.19%)5.79% for an 18-month term (down from 5.89%).The bank also adjusted its four-year and five-year fixed home lending term rates – in the opposite direction. The new rates for both of those mortgages are 5.79%, up from 5.69%.”We know there’s…

More than 28 firefighters, including a crew from Auckland, were called to a blaze at a business premise in Whangārei overnight. Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson told 1News that crews responded to a fire in Whangārei shortly before 11.30pm. At its peak, six fire trucks and a ladder appliance were on scene involving 28 firefighters. Fire and Emergency crews have extinguished a large blaze in Whangārei overnight. (Source: Kelly Sproule)There were no people reportedly involved. Currently, one truck and four firefighters remained to dampen down hotspots and a fire investigator was at the scene.

This article was originally published in French The three most right-wing groups of the European Parliament and their members are all known as “far-right” — but they have some crucial differences. ADVERTISEMENTThe members of Patriots for Europe met in Brussels for the first time on Thursday, convening on the sidelines of the European summit.The group is one of three at the right-wing end of the European Parliament, joined by Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).The parties making up these three parliamentary groups are generally nationalist, sovereigntist, conservative and Eurosceptic, thoguh their positions differ on Russia…

A man is fighting for his life in hospital after being found lying on the road in Auckland’s Queen St early this morning.Police were alerted to “a report of a man lying on the road with significant injuries” at about 1.20am today.”At this stage, it appears the man has suffered a serious assault,” a spokesperson said.”He was transported to hospital in a critical condition, where he remains.”Two people were taken into custody at the scene.”Enquiries are ongoing to understand the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”Anyone with information was urged to call 105.A St John spokesperson confirmed the man was taken…

A law expert says a bill allowing family violence survivors with protection orders to leave marriages “immediately” is the first legislative recognition that people should not have to live in abusive situations.Under current law, there is a minimum two-year separation period, only after which couples could file for a disillusionment, or divorce.The Family Proceedings (Dissolution for Family Violence) Amendment Bill has now passed its third reading, and would allow family violence survivors with a protection order to dissolve their marriages immediately without going through a court process.University of Auckland law professor Mark Henaghan told Breakfast the move recognises the “very…

Analysis: A chronic workforce shortage will limit the benefits of funded continuous glucose monitors, write researchers Lynne Chepulis, Hamish Crocket and Martin de Bock.Pharmac’s decision to fund continuous glucose monitors and automated insulin delivery systems for the approximately 18,000 people who currently live with type 1 diabetes in Aotearoa New Zealand is good news.The decision comes after years of advocacy from patient groups and clinicians.But there are problems within the broader system – particularly around workforce shortages – that mean full patient access to training on how to use the insulin pumps will likely take years.Failing to address these issues…

Zelenskyy was in Brussels on Thursday to present his Victory Plan to European Union leaders and reiterate calls for additional support. ADVERTISEMENTNorth Korean army officers are already on temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory, Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed on Thursday. The Ukrainian president also said the country’s intelligence services had found evidence suggesting that about 10,000 North Korean troops are being trained to join Russian forces in Ukraine.”Here we see the first step to the world war,” Zelenskyy added during a one-day summit of EU leaders in Brussels. The Kremlin has previously dismissed reports of North Korean involvement. Ukraine has previously warned of…

A “mystery animal” found in New Zealand waters has finally been identified by scientists as a species never seen here before. NIWA scientists werestumped earlier this year after finding the “unusual” specimen during a three-week voyage to the unexplored Bounty Trough.The expedition was part of a 10-year planetary census to discover life in the ocean and collected a “brilliant selection” of fish and vertebrates from 3500m deep. After being unable to identify what the creature was, the scientists simply started referring to it as “the thing”. “It looked kind of like a sea star, but we thought it could also…