Author: Press Room

Walking access to the popular Mautohe Cathedral Cove is back after being closed to the public due to damage to tracks caused by extreme weather events nearly two years ago.Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka spoke from Mautohe Cathedral Cove, where he officially opened the track today.“This hike offers spectacular coastal views and is truly one of the most stunning beaches the world has to offer. The area has previously drawn an estimated 250,000 walkers annually,” said Potaka.“Mautohe Cathedral Cove plays an important role in supporting the local economy and this reopening is an exciting step in the region’s tourism recovery…

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has committed to keeping New Zealand out of the AUKUS security pact if his party returns to power.Hipkins revealed the policy position during his speech at the annual Labour Party conference, where he also committed his party to a “full rebuild of Dunedin Hospital”.He said any future government he leads would “restore New Zealand’s proudly independent foreign policy”.The former prime minister told party faithful: “Decisions about New Zealand’s best interests should be made here at home, not in Washington, Canberra or Beijing.”So today I can announce that under Labour, New Zealand will not be part of…

Tens of thousands of Spaniards have taken to the streets of Valencia a month after floods devastated the city. They’re demanding regional officials step down after fumbling the emergency response that led to the deaths of more than 230 people. ADVERTISEMENTAround 130,000 people took part in the second such major march since Storm Dana struck the eastern Spanish city last month causing Spain’s worst natural disaster in decades.  Protesters have repeatedly called for Valencia’s regional president, Carlos Mazón, to step down.  Mazón has acknowledged that mistakes were made but refused to be held solely responsible for the tragedy.  He said…

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has defended his Government’s progress on improving economic growth, and has been pressed about whether it is still committed to returning the books to surplus in 2027-28. Ahead of the Treasury’s half-year fiscal update, Finance Minister Nicola Willis earlier this week appeared to soften her language on the prospect of returning to surplus, saying she was “not going to chase a surplus at all costs”. Luxon spoke to Q+A’s Jack Tame for a wide-ranging interview this morning. He was questioned about his coalition’s progress one year into the government.On fiscal expectations, the PM said: “We are…

Polling stations have opened in Romania, where millions are casting their ballots in a crucial parliamentary election. The vote comes just one week after a highly controversial first round of the presidential race, which saw relatively unknown populist candidate Călin Georgescu win 23% of the vote. ADVERTISEMENTSunday’s parliamentary race is the most important vote in Romania, as it determines the country’s new government and prime minister. There are concerns however that it may be overshadowed by the chaos that ensued from last week’s presidential vote. While the president has significant decision-making powers in Romania, particularly in areas such as national security…

A helicopter is en route to help fire crews battling a grass fire west of Napier this afternoon.Fire and Emergency NZ were notified of the blaze behind the Napier Refuse Centre in Taradale at around 1.40pm.Five trucks were in attendance as of 2.50pm with more on the way, a spokeperson said.The public is asked to stay away from the area as well as the Tutaekuri River which flows behind the centre.

Two people have been injured, one seriously, after a serious crash west of Dunedin closed State Highway 1 in both directions this afternoon.Police were notified of the single-vehicle crash near Waihola at around 2.40pm.St John responded with one ambulance, one manager and one helicopter.”Our crews assessed and treated one patient in a serious condition airlifted and one patient in a moderate condition transported by road to Dunedin Hospital.”NZTA said State Highway 1 was closed in both directions near the Castle St intersection.”Please follow directions of emergency services and allow extra time for your journey.”

Georgia’s prime minister denounced what he called a ‘cascade of insults’ from EU politicians and declared that ‘the ill-wishers of our country have turned the European Parliament into a blunt weapon of blackmail against Georgia.’ ADVERTISEMENTProtesters have gathered across Georgia for a third consecutive night of demonstrations against the government’s decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union.More than 100 demonstrators were arrested as crowds clashed with police Friday night, the country’s Interior Ministry said.On the same night, police also used heavy force against members of the media and deployed water cannons to push protesters back along the capital’s central…

The two-month closure of State Highway 1 between Tūrangi to Waiouru – including the Desert Rd – for road rebuilding and repairs has been delayed a week to “try and reduce the impact on people’s summer holiday journeys”, Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) says.The key North Island route was initially to be closed from January 6 but will now be closed from January 13.”We appreciate this is a very critical piece of road, so while we can’t postpone for long, we understand summer holiday journeys are important and no-one wants to be stuck in their vehicle longer than…

A 19-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly indecently exposing himself to members of the public in Invercargill.Police are now appealing to the public for any unreported interactions with the man over the past fortnight.”This behaviour is concerning, and police are pleased to be able to prevent this offending from continuing,” police said in a statement. “If you have seen or interacted with a brown-haired, Caucasian man driving a green sedan in the North Invercargill area over the last two weeks, please let police know.”The man has been bailed to an address out of Southland and is due to reappear…