Author: Press Room

An investigation is underway after a man’s “unexplained” death in Taranaki last night. At around 11.15pm, a man was found dead on Lear Street in Stratford. Police said he was found after deciding to return from an event on Miranda Street at around 10pm. “His death is being treated as unexplained, and enquiries remain ongoing to determine how he died.” Police are investigating the man’s death and appealed to the public for information. “If anyone saw anything between Miranda Street and Lear Street, Stratford, between 10pm and 11.30pm, or has any information they believe may assist in the investigation, not…

The final cost of salvaging the HMNZS Manawanui could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on what happens with the wreck. Salvors in Samoa are currently taking fuel off the sunken vessel – at least some of the bill is paid for by the equivalent of third-party insurance.Defence Minister Judith Collins said she couldn’t discuss costs because of commercial confidentiality.”But we do have insurance and essentially third party insurance, so we are doing what we can – I mean, obviously Defence Force is supplying a lot of staff, a lot of equipment, all these things happening, but…

Many European protesters hope the ceasefire, which Israel maintains is temporary, will lead to a lasting peace in the Middle East. ADVERTISEMENTThere have been rallies in major European capitals in support of Palestine and the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas which comes into force on Sunday morning.The Hamas incursion into southern Israel in October 2023 sparked some of the most brutal fighting between the militant group and the IDF.That attack saw 1,200 people killed and 250 others taken as hostages back to Gaza, where around 100 still remain.15 months of war in Gaza has decimated the Strip and left…

Heavy rains and strong winds are expected across the upper North Island over the next couple of days.MetService last week said it was likely Monday would see the first formal weather alerts of the year, and that has come to pass.The first is a heavy rain watch for Northland, from 7am Monday through to 10am Tuesday.”Periods of heavy rain are expected north of Kaikohe from Monday morning, especially in the east,” MetService said.”Heavy rain is expected to become more widespread through Northland from Monday evening onwards. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria. Thunderstorms and localised downpours are possible, especially from…

A police crackdown on unruly drivers in the Wellington region on Saturday night resulted in 10 vehicles pink or green stickered, three licences suspended, 32 infringement notices, three vehicles impounded, and three drivers charged with excess breath alcohol.Wellington Police said anti-social road user gatherings in the Wellington region were specifically targeted in Operation Kereru —a coordinated “zero-tolerance” approach in the Hutt Valley area.”Over the course of the night, 10 vehicles were either pink or green stickered, three licences were suspended, 32 infringement notices were issued, three vehicles impounded, and three drivers were summonsed for excess breath alcohol,” a police statement…

A large vegetation fire on the slopes of Auckland’s Māngere Mountain overnight was possibly caused by a bonfire, Fire and Emergency New Zeland’s group manager said at the scene today. The alarm was raised at 9.25pm when FENZ received multiple calls about a fire burning near the top of Māngere near Domain Rd.An emergency mobile alert was issued for residents within 2km to the southwest of the hill just before midnight as the fire ripped through grass and shrubs near the summit. FENZ group manager Dale Tawa told 1News there were reports that a bonfire had sparked the blaze.“There’s quite…

Protesters have expressed their frustration over what they say is the government’s poor communication and lack of clarity regarding the fate of relatives who went missing while fighting off Russia’s full-scale invasion. ADVERTISEMENTThousands of people have attended a rally in Kyiv to demand the Ukrainian government do more to secure the release of prisoners of war held in Russia.Protesters also demanded authorities step up efforts to locate service personnel registered as missing.The event began with a minute of silence after which the Orchestra of the Honour Guard of the Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky Separate Presidential Brigade played the Ukrainian national anthem.”We…

By Mary Argue of RNZ After a “gruelling year” for many businesses in the capital, owners who have survived till 2025 are hopeful the worst is behind them. A common theme among Wellington business owners spoken to by RNZ was that 2024 was tough – with very few exceptions. Many people were unaware of just how tough, Business Central chief executive Simon Arcus said. “It was a gruelling year. It was a recession that was very deep and had comparisons to some of the big recessions of the past.” He said job cuts, businesses closing, and a general feeling of malaise all…

Health Minister Shane Reti has been stripped of his portfolio and demoted from fourth to ninth in National’s rankings after the Prime Minister announced a major cabinet reshuffle today.Simeon Brown will be the new Health Minister, adding to his ever-increasing workload. Brown also picked up the state owned enterprises portfolio from Paul Goldsmith.Some of Brown’s other portfolios went elsewhere, with Chris Bishop picking up transport and Simon Watts taking local government and energy.In an interview with 1News last year, the Prime Minister acknowledged that health was the Government’s most challenging area.Sources told 1News that Reti had been struggling to deal…

Three whales have died, including one euthanised by the Department of Conservation, after a pod re-stranded in Golden Bay overnight.Thirty pilot whales remain stranded on Puponga Beach near Pakawau.People from Project Jonah will attempt to refloat the remaining whales early Sunday afternoon.It said high tide was expected between 1pm and 1.30pm, but the water will be in around the whales before then.Project Jonah was called to reports of up to 30 pilot whales coming on shore about 7pm Saturday.The department said the pod consisted of “a range of ages and sizes”.”Gusty easterly winds are not making things easy,” Andrew Lamason,…