Author: Press Room

A do not drink notice has been issued for consumers of the Lower Waihao rural water supply, including Waikakahi East, after nitrate levels breached the maximum acceptable value for drinking water. In a statement this afternoon, the Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai said it had been advised by the Waimate District Council that nitrate levels in the source water for its Lower Waihao rural water supply had breached the maximum acceptable value for drinking water of 50mg/L. As a result, a do not drink notice was issued. “An exceedance of the MAV for nitrates poses an immediate risk to…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ  Bird flu will be a tough blow to affected farmers and potentially their region, but so far does not look to be a significant threat to the wider New Zealand economy. As many as 80,000 chickens will be killed after an avian influenza outbreak of the highly pathogenic H7N6 strain was detected at a Hillgrove egg farm near Moeraki in North Otago,  the first such case to be reported in the country.  Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen said the number of chickens to be culled and the halting of exports was challenging, but the sector was not a…

Two whales have died following a mass stranding involving nearly 40 long-finned pilot whales in Golden Bay this afternoon.Thirty-seven whales stranded on Farewell Spit at around 1pm, the Department of Conservation (DOC)’s operations manager Ross Trotter said in a statement. Two of the whales have since died.”DOC is working with Project Jonah and volunteers on site to keep the whales wet and as comfortable as possible until a refloating can be attempted,” Trotter said. “The plan is to try to refloat the whales either on the incoming tide tonight before it gets dark or at high tide tomorrow at about…

The Government’s target to get tens of thousands of people off the Jobseeker benefit and into work by 2030 is not on track as the number of people receiving the support is on the rise.The Prime Minister today admitted the situation was challenging but announced several measures to support people into work.They include a more comprehensive needs assessment and a personalised job plan to help beneficiaries into work.One of those receiving a Jobseeker benefit is Napier woman Suzzy Fairbairn.A former truck driver, she’s spent the last nine months looking for work but has had no success.The Government’s target to get…

During a surprise visit to Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed two of Kyiv’s key demands: supplying German and Swedish-made Taurus long-range missiles and accelerating its NATO membership. ADVERTISEMENTGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine for the first time in more than two years on Monday and vowed to keep supporting Kyiv in its fight against Russia.However, he stood firm on his decision not to supply Taurus long-range missiles.While Germany has been one of Ukraine’s strongest allies, Scholz has resisted two of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s key demands: the delivery of German- and Swedish-made Taurus missiles and an expedited path to NATO…

By Christine Rush of RNZ  The high pathogenic avian influenza – otherwise known as bird flu – has been found on a free range chicken farm in North Otago. Laying hens foraging outside were thought to have been infected with the H7N6 strain through a low pathogenic virus from wild waterfowl. So how will this affect Kiwi consumers? And could it spread to our beloved native birds? Here’s what you need to know. Where and when was bird flu discovered in NZ? Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety Andrew Hoggard has given a timeline of the virus’s emergence in New Zealand.  A…

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has opened an inquiry after a flight bound for Sydney from Wellington yesterday experienced an “engine issue”.Flight NZ249 was diverted to Auckland yesterday afternoon following the incident. The plane landed safely.While Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) chief investigator of accidents Naveen Kozhuppakalam said it couldn’t confirm the cause of the incident, initial reports suggested an engine malfunction did occur.”We’re calling for anyone who was on board and noticed something unusual to contact the commission in confidence,” he said.”Getting the facts straight is vital, so we’re keen to hear as soon as possible from people who…

A baby died during birth after the midwife failed to act quickly enough when his shoulders got stuck, the health watchdog has found.In a just-released decision, the Health and Disability Commission found the locum midwife failed to do adequate monitoring during Ms A’s lengthy labour or call in medical assistance at an earlier point.On the day Ms A went into labour, her midwife was on leave and had handed over her caseload to the only other independent midwife working in the rural community.Following the birth, the locum midwife also failed to identify the woman was suffering from sepsis.Notes from the…

Business South — the business advocacy body for Otago and Southland — has posted a $7800 surplus for the financial year, which was well down from the previous year’s $33,000 result. In the annual report, board chairwoman Dominique Dowding said chief executive Mike Collins and his team had progressed much in the past year, despite several economic challenges for its membership and the organisation. Membership, advocacy, training and regional business partners had grown and the events had produced record numbers. In his report, Mr Collins said Business South’s strategic partnerships had grown both internationally and domestically. He also noted especially…

As of today, New Zealand women are effectively working for free until the end of the year because of the 8.2% gender pay gap.Based on that gap, the average Kiwi woman is paid 336 days for the equivalent of 366 days for men, according to the Ministry for Women.To help reduce the inequality, the ministry has launched an online tool for businesses to calculate their difference in gender pay.”The old adage of what gets measured, gets done is quite powerful,” Ministry for Women chief executive Kellie Coombes said.”We really hope that businesses understanding their gap will really give them the…