Author: Press Room

Surf Lifesaving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is warning beachgoers to swim between the flags after lifeguards rescued four people at Christchurch beaches over the weekend.And at Piha, an entire family was rescued by surfers after they were spotted in trouble at the West Auckland beach outside lifeguard patrol hours on Sunday.SLSNZ general manager of lifesaving Andy Kent said two swimmers became caught in strong winds outside the flags at Waimairi Beach in Christchurch on Saturday and had to be rescued.On Sunday another couple had to be rescued at New Brighton’s North Beach when they got into trouble swimming outside the flags.He…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ  Another parent handed a tax bill after incorrectly recording her relationship status for Working for Families says she has been told she now owes $47,000. Over recent weeks, a handful of parents have contacted RNZ after experiencing the same problem. When registering the birth of their children, they have assumed that the data they supplied for the birth certificate would be used in their application for Working for Families – and have missed or incorrectly ticked a box to say they were in a relationship. One mother of two children, who did not want to…

A man has been arrested and charged by police investigating a firearms incident at Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital earlier this month.Police said they had been investigating since January 4 when a firearm was allegedly fired from a vehicle following an altercation in the hospital carpark at around 6.30pm.”Over the weekend, our investigation team terminated a search warrant and arrested one of the offenders involved,” said Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers.He said it was fortunate no one was injured as a result.”Those allegedly involved showed no regard for the safety of those around them, given this occurred at a hospital.“We have no tolerance…

Trees on the brink of falling into the sea just north of Napier have re-sparked a decades-long debate about erosion at the once-popular sandy swimming beach.Napier City Council says the trees at Westshore Beach can’t and won’t be saved.Ahuriri councillor ward Keith Price said the trees were a visible reminder of the impact of the environment and the ocean, and the realities of living on the coast.Peter Perreaux, who grew up surfing at Westshore, snapped the photo of two Norfolk Pines being swamped by the sea in a southerly swell of 1.8m combined with a significant high tide recently.”I’ve been…

Police have referred the death of a woman in Whangārei over the weekend to the coroner after a post-mortem examination today.Emergency services were called to the Moody Ave address in Whau Valley shortly before 5pm on Saturday after the woman was found unresponsive.Her death was initially treated as “unexplained”, with a scene examination carried out at the property on Sunday.A post-mortem examination was carried out earlier today with police announcing they were no longer treating the death as suspicious.”Our thoughts are with the woman’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.”

Nearly 150 cobble skinks have been successfully relocated from Auckland Zoo to their natural home north of Westport on the South Island’s West Coast. The Department of Conservation (DOC) said the “insurance” population of 148 skinks were bred and cared for by expert herpetologists at Auckland Zoo since 2016, after their only known habitat was severely impacted by coastal erosion. At the time, it was thought there were less than 100 left in the wild, prompting the species to be classified as “nationally critical” and thought to be under imminent threat of extinction with every passing storm.Head of animal care…

A major New Zealand motorsport championship is again setting a new standard for the sport.The 2025 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship (CTFROC) is running over five weekends in January and February.And, with support from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand (TGRNZ), for the second year in a row all cars will be running on 100% fossil-free fuel supplied by P1 Fuels.TGRNZ Manager of Motorsport Nicolas Caillol says: “Toyota New Zealand and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand are leading the way in junior categories by being the first FIA Formula Regional Championship to run with 100% fossil-free fuel.“It is key for…

A group of elite cyclists swiftly put the brakes on a bike thief in Invercargill over the weekend – preventing a $15,000 racing bike from being stolen.Police sergeant Geoff Sutherland said the elite group was enjoying a meal after one of their races on Saturday, when they witnessed an opportunistic thief take one of their road bikes and pedal away.“Two of the cyclists mounted their trusty bikes and went into pursuit of the man.”Sutherland said the offender made it three blocks before “being sandwiched and apprehended”.“For him, the race was over.”A police patrol unit was also on-scene within a minute.“The…

Draft lyrics to Bob Dylan’s song Mr. Tambourine Man went for over a half-million dollars as part of a weekend sale of dozens of items related to the iconic American singer-songwriter.About 60 Dylan items — including photos, music sheets, his guitar, pencil drawings and an oil painting composed by the Nobel Prize for literature winner — were sold on Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee, through Julien’s Auctions.The items generated nearly $1.5 million ($2.6 million) in sales overall through in-person and online bidding, the auction house said. Julien’s said 50 of the items, including the lyrics that received the highest sale price,…

Gloriavale leaders say they are “deeply sorry” for historic abuse that took place within the community and has apologised to survivors, saying it failed to provide a safe and supportive environment. An apology letter issued by Howard Temple on behalf of the West Coast commune’s leaders acknowledged the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, which found abuse took place at Gloriavale. “The Church at Gloriavale acknowledges that the Royal Commission of Inquiry into historic Abuse in Care during the timeframe from 1950 to 1999 found that abuse happened in this church community. We accept the Royal Commission’s recommendation…