Author: Press Room

ADVERTISEMENT More than one in ten European Union citizens wants to leave their region out of choice or necessity, according to the latest Eurobarometer poll. Within the next five years, 7% would like to move out of choice, while 4% would move out of necessity. The highest percentages of people willing to leave were found in Portugal and Hungary, with 16% each, followed by France (15%), and Greece and Poland, at 12% each. On the other side of the spectrum, the highest shares of respondents who ruled out voluntarily moving away from their region soon were found in the Netherlands…

How long has it been since you last cleaned your bathroom? If it’s been longer than you planned, you might see a build up of scum, slime or mould around your taps, between the tiles and on the edges of the bath or shower floor.But why is this sometimes pink or orange? And can this pink slime make us sick? Fungi expert Michael Taylor explains.Sometimes it’s mouldIn some instances, the pink slime may be a microfungi (also called a mould) named Rhodotorula.Rhodotorula is a yeasty little fungus that makes sticky red stains appear on plastics and other wet items left…

A Coroner has called out New Zealand’s “persistent and troubling tolerance” for unlicensed driving after investigating the death of an elderly man who was struck by a motorcyclist while travelling on a mobility scooter.Coroner Ian Telford’s findings were released to the public on Wednesday.He found Edward Duffy, 88, died as a result of blunt force injuries when the mobility scooter he was riding was struck by a motorcycle ridden by Colin Rondon who was unlicensed and speeding.On November 21 2023, Duffy had been riding his mobility scooter across a pedestrian crossing in Rotorua town centre.”As he was crossing – against…

Thousands of secondary school teachers are walking off the job today as collective agreement negotiations stall. The Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) said the Government’s offer of a 1% pay rise every year for three years is the lowest in a generation.The Government condemned the industrial action the day it was announced on Wednesday last week.Public Service Minister Judith Collins and Education Minister Erica Stanford said the union’s “drastic action” was disproportionate, saying that a fair and reasonable offer had been made.The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including teachers walk off the job, explosion at vet clinic caught on camera,…

One year after Maxine Puhi was found dead, RNZ can reveal it’s suspected she was murdered by her partner, who then died by suspected suicide while their two children were inside their Tūrangi home. Warning: This story contains content some may find disturbing.Her family have spoken of the mother’s years of living in fear, unable to leave an abusive relationship and their message to other women.In the eyes of her family, Maxine Puhi was “blooming”.Life hadn’t been easy for the 28-year-old, but she was determined to provide the best future she could for her two children.She kicked off 2024 by…

ADVERTISEMENT In a summer when radio failed to deliver a single memorable hit, one subject managed to keep everyone talking: Europe’s troubled relationship with air conditioning. It’s not a new debate. Every few years, as temperatures climb, the transatlantic divide on cooling habits resurfaces. But this year, it grew unusually fierce, straining cultural ties between Europeans and Americans almost as much as Trump’s tariffs or disagreements over Ukraine’s future. Americans, baffled that Europeans can live without constant cooling, defended their beloved AC with the same bitterness Italians judge other cultures’ pizza toppings or the French bristle at foreigners mangling ‘la…

A Dunedin gin distillery is “thrilled” to have been named best in class at a national awards – for the fourth time in a row. Sandymount Distillery was awarded a trophy and named the best in the “Navy Strength” gin category at the 2025 New Zealand Spirit Awards for its Ladybird Navy Strength Gin. More than 400 entries in total were received at this year’s awards. Sandymount Distillery owner Richard Wilson said they were “thrilled” to take home the award. It showed that their momentum was building. “The whole business has snowballed considerably since I started it. “It was just…

One person has died following a crash involving a truck and car on State Highway 1 in Otago this morning.Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash on Allanton-Waihola Rd/ SH1 southwest of Allanton, in Otago about 1am.A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson earlier confirmed the crash involved a truck and car.They sent three fire trucks from Outram, Lookout Point, Willowbank and assisted police and ambulance. St John was sent one ambulance and one rapid response vehicle to the scene. One patient was assessed and treated at the scene in a minor condition. The serious crash unit was in…

Fletcher Building has reported another full year loss, with a number of large one-time costs as well as a drop in revenue.Chief executive Officer Andrew Reding said the year just ended had been one of the most demanding in recent memory, with tough market conditions as well as costly measures to address legacy issues.Key numbers for the 12 months ended June compared with a year ago:Net loss $419m vs $227mRevenue $7.0b vs $7.683bUnderlying profit $384m vs $509mNet debt $999m vs $1.77bFull year dividend nil vs nilReding said the outlook was more positive with a strategy to focus on manufacturing and…

The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including teachers walking off the job, explosion at vet clinic caught on camera, and a diamond heist doesn’t pay off. Teachers are striking for a day today, as they reject a 1% pay offer from the Government. US President Donald Trump has confirmed American troops won’t be on the ground in Ukraine as part of any security guarantee. A dramatic explosion at a North Carolina vet clinic has been caught on camera. The upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup final is already setting records. Dubai police foiled an elaborate heist, as three thieves attempted to…