Author: Press Room

ASB is the latest major lender to cut its mortgage rates as banks respond to falling short-term wholesale interest rates. The bank is cutting its six-month, one-year and 18-month rates by 20 basis points each, with the one-year term at a market leading rate of 5.59%. It came after Westpac cut its six-month rate on Thursday to 5.99%, with both banks matching the BNZ’s move from late last year – which came after the Reserve Bank’s 50 basis point official cash rate (OCR) cut in November. “We want to help customers looking to refix, or Kiwi looking to buy, get off to…

Animal management officers Ginny Mason and Kevin Gregor have become familiar faces in South Auckland.They said they visited so often that residents had started waving as they passed by.After watching several roaming dogs sprint back home when they pull up, Mason said she thought dogs also recognise their white van with cages in the boot.The pair patrol an area spanning from Māngere to Orere Point, covering some of the most problematic parts of the region for roaming dogs.They are part of a wider team under Auckland Council responding to a constant stream of calls about dogs roaming the streets, behaving…

It Ends With Us actor and director Justin Baldoni has sued his co-star Blake Lively and her husband, Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds, for defamation overnight in the latest step in a bitter legal battle surrounding the dark romantic drama.Baldoni’s suit seeks at least US$400 million (NZ$713 million) for damages that include lost future income. The lawsuit from Baldoni and production company Wayfarer Studios, which also names publicist Leslie Sloane as a defendant, comes about two weeks after Lively sued Baldoni and several others tied to the film, alleging harassment and a coordinated campaign to attack her reputation for coming forward…

ASB has announced changes to some of its fixed mortgage rates.The bank has dropped its 1-year term 20 basis points to 5.59%, from 5.79%.Its 18-month term has also dropped 20 basis points to 5.39% from 5.59%.The six-month rate dropped from 6.19% to 5.99%.The rates are for those with minimum 20% equity.”Today’s rate changes reflect the recent fall in short-term wholesale rates,” ASB’s general product manager Emma-Jayne Liddy said.”With more than two-thirds of our mortgage customers opting for a term of 18-months or less, we expect these changes to be popular,” she said.ASB has also reduced some of its term deposit…

Police are investigating after a person was shot in East Auckland last night.In a statement, a police spokesperson said police were called after three males entered a premises on Dunrobin Place, Highland Park and assaulted a man.A shot was fired and one person received serious injuries. St John said it sent one ambulance, one rapid response unit and one operations manager was sent to the scene.”One patient, in a critical condition, was transported to Middlemore Hospital,” a St John spokesperson said. Police are investigating and ask anyone with information to get in touch.

David Lynch, the filmmaker celebrated for his uniquely dark vision in such movies as Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive and the TV series Twin Peaks, has died just days before his 79th birthday.His family announced the death in a Facebook post on overnight. The cause of death and location was not immediately available, but Lynch had been public about his emphysema.”We would appreciate some privacy at this time. There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the doughnut and not on the hole’,” the post…

A jetty in the Marlborough Sounds important for emergency services and residents has been closed due to safety concerns.A routine inspection found some of the structural components in the Waitaria Bay jetty, next to Kenepuru Rd, have “deteriorated significantly” since its last inspection in mid-2023.Marlborough Roads transport recovery manager Steve Murrin said the jetty was “well past its prime” and over the last 18 months its deterioration had “accelerated quickly”.”Our contracted inspectors, WSP, have recommended the jetty be closed immediately.”Murrin said the Marlborough District Council and Marlborough Roads supported the recommendation, and in the meantime it was recommended that people…

AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla will attend Trump’s inauguration, while Alice Weidel stays in Germany for the election campaign. Beatrix von Storch will also attend. ADVERTISEMENTAlternative for Germany (AfD) co-leader Tino Chrupalla will be attending US President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, the party confirmed to Euronews on Thursday.Meanwhile, co-leader and chancellor candidate Alice Weidel will be staying behind in Germany to concentrate on the election campaign despite also receiving an invitation.Deputy chairwoman of the AfD parliamentary group Beatrix von Storch will also attend the event. So far, neither Chancellor Olaf Scholz nor German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier have been invited. Scholz was…

Precious pieces of punk fashion icon Vivienne Westwood’s jewellery collection are about to tour around the world – and Wellington is getting the first look. Dame Vivienne – named by Sky Arts as one of the most influential British artists of the last 50 years – died in 2022 at the age of 81. The late British designer brought punk fashion into the mainstream, with her work worn by some of the world’s biggest stars, including David Bowie and Dua Lipa.More than 550 custom-made designs spanning 40 years of Dame Vivienne’s career travelled thousands of kilometres to Te Papa ahead…

Held at Notre-Dame du Val-de-Grâce, the service brought together the far-right leader’s family and National Rally officials — all protected by tight security. ADVERTISEMENTMore than 1,000 people have attended a memorial ceremony for Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of France’s main far-right party, National Rally.A small crowd arrived at Paris’ Notre-Dame du Val-de-Grâce church at 11 am on Thursday to attend the mass in homage to Le Pen, who died last week at 96.Family members, including his daughters Marie-Caroline, Yann, and Marine Le Pen, the latter of whom succeeded him as president of his party, joined other National Rally officials…