Author: Press Room

Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi adopted a daughter, the first child for the married couple, they announced today.“We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy,” the couple wrote in a social media statement. No further details were released.Brown, 21, and Bongiovi, 23, were married in a private ceremony in May 2024. Representatives for Brown and Bongiovi did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment.Brown gained recognition for her starring role as Eleven in the Duffer brothers’ sci-fi series Stranger Things. The fifth and final season will…

Two men have been arrested following a series of search warrants in Southland over illegal hunting and associated criminal activity.Police seized three firearms, ammunition, methamphetamine, cannabis and a four-wheel drive vehicle in Invercargill and Mataura Island as a part of Operation Hawk, which targets illegal hunting activity. Senior Constable Nicky Herbert told 1News that illegal hunting posed serious risks to public safety and the environment. “The presence of firearms and drugs in these contexts significantly escalates the potential for harm.”These actions are not only criminal but dangerous, and they will not be tolerated.”The two men now faced charges of unlawful…

A typical new borrower is now about $270 a month better off thanks to drops in interest rates.BNZ chief economist Mike Jones said the average mortgage rate paid in June was 5.66%.That is down from 6.39% when rates were at the highest point of this cycle.He said it was likely that the average rate being paid would drop to 5% by the end of the year.At a rate of 6.39%, the average new first-home buyer mortgage of $575,000 would cost $3593 a month or $829 a week.At a rate of 5.66%, that drops to $767 a week or $3323 a…

Budget airline Jetstar has apologised to New Zealand customers as it anticipates a hefty fine after pleading guilty to misleading passengers about their rights.The Commerce Commission took Jetstar to court over charges that it discouraged consumers from seeking compensation they were legally entitled to for delayed or cancelled flights.Representatives from both parties appeared in the Auckland District Court on Thursday for sentencing, however Judge Brooke Gibson reserved his decision for a later date.The Commerce Commission argued that Jetstar’s offending was not just careless but reckless, and continued despite multiple warnings and similar charges from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission…

Award-winning Christchurch real estate professional Sam Staite has no plans to stop after selling more than $1 billion of commercial and industrial property. Another award has been added to the mantelpiece after he was named individual commercial and industrial salesperson of the year for the third year in a row at the REINZ Awards for Excellence. Colliers’ Canterbury industrial sales and leasing director has played a part in most of the major industrial properties changing hands in the South Island. Among highlights have been the $75 million Countdown Fresh Distribution Centre, a nearly $54m group of 13 buildings known as…

Two men have been arrested after methamphetamine and more than $67,000 were seized during searches of properties in Christchurch and Dunedin this week.The searches of the three properties were carried out on Monday, as part of a five-week police investigation. During the searches, police found over half a kilogram of methamphetamine, worth around $192,000. Around $67,000 in cash was also seized from the properties.Cash seized by police in Christchurch and Dunedin. (Source: Supplied)A 38-year-old man was remanded in custody to appear in the Christchurch District Court on September 17, charged with supplying methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine for supply, and breach…

The detective in charge of the hunt for Tom Phillips and his three children says negotiations with the fugitive had “always been on the table”. Speaking with Paddy Gower Has Issues last night, Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders said police were open to discussions with Phillips to ensure his children were returned home safely. Phillips and his three children – Jayda, Maverick and Ember – went missing from Marokopa in December 2021. Despite multiple police operations and rewards offered to find them, there has been no success. They are currently in the middle of their fourth winter in hiding. Saunders…

ADVERTISEMENT In a much-watched TikTok video, a French-speaking presenter claims that, as soon as a person boards an aeroplane from France to a country outside the European Union, they are signing up for an automatic tax audit upon their return. It is not clarified who exactly would be affected. “Starting on 1 September 2025, every traveller leaving the EU will be systematically reported to the French tax authorities via a new procedure,” the author of the video states. The system is referred to by the author as the DVAD (Dispositif de vérification automatique des déplacements, or Automatic Travel Verification System).…

A homicide investigation has been launched after a man died following an assault in Rotorua this afternoon.Police said they were still seeking those responsible for the death.Initially, emergency services were called to an assault on Trigg Ave around 12.20pm.Detective Senior Sergeant Mark van Kempen said a man was found in a critical condition but died at the scene.”Police would like to reassure the community that, while an area of Trigg Ave is cordoned off, there is not believed to be any risk to the public.”He said officers were making inquiries to find those responsible.”Police ask anyone who may have seen…

An assault charge has been upgraded to murder following the death of an 84-year-old woman in Auckland’s Papatoetoe earlier this month.Police had been investigating the death of Joan Beale since she was found dead at her home in Ashlynne Ave on August 9 at around 10.30am.A 50-year-old man was initially charged with assault and was due to reappear in the Manukau District Court today.Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward said a murder charge was laid following inquiries.”I acknowledge these events will have upset the local Papatoetoe community, but please be assured that this matter is now in the hands of the…