Author: Press Room

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has warned lawyers that “unique” court rulings recognising tikanga Māori could cost the country investment.Speaking at an event hosted by the Law Association, Goldsmith said he worried that New Zealand was developing a “bespoke” legal system that incorporated concepts of tikanga Māori.”A clear, internationally recognised legal system is very important and I’m worried about the extent to which we’re going down this bespoke New Zealand view of the world [with] concepts that are hard to replicate and understand,” Goldsmith said on Wednesday, as reported by Law | News.He emphasised the government was “absolutely prepared” to legislate…

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand has met with abuse survivors in Dunedin at a harrowing public apology today.The apology follows the six-year Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, which uncovered widespread failures across state and faith-based institutions.Faith-based abuse survivor Frances Tagaloa, during a speech about abuse, said: “They tried to break us, one by one. But together now we are unbreakable.”Right Reverend Rose Luxford, offering an apology on behalf of the church, said: “I extend our sincere and unreserved apology to those that our church and the people in it, have harmed.”It remains unclear how many…

One person has died after they were allegedly injured by a person inside a car that later crashed in the Bay of Plenty this afternoon.A second person was taken to hospital in a moderate condition, with a third person taken into police custody.Emergency services were called to the intersection of Flax and Matatā Rds at around 3.50pm on Saturday to reports of two people having been injured by a third person while in a vehicle.Police said the vehicle had then left the road and crashed.”Emergency services have carried out CPR on one of the victims, however sadly they have died…

Mourners from across the country are converging on to Tāpeka Marae in Waihī Village, near Tūrangi, over the next few days to pay their respects to Ariki Sir Tumu Te Heuheu, who died on Tuesday.Today, Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po was welcomed on to the marae early this morning. Tā Tumu’s final public appearance was at Te Arikinui’s first Koroneihana earlier this month. Kiingitanga spokesperson Rahui Papa said there were strong kinship ties between the two ariki houses of Te Wherowhero and Te Heuheu.Tribes from Te Tairāwhiti were called on to the marae this morning too,…

A sense of relief and justice was palpable at the High Court in Wellington as the man who lit the fatal Loafers Lodge fire was convicted of five murders.But it was underscored by incredible heartache.The jury of 10 were unanimous in finding Esarona Lologa guilty of five counts of murder, and one of arson, for setting the Wellington hostel alight in 2023.The families of the five victims – Michael Wahrlich, Melvin Parun, Peter O’Sullivan, Kenneth Barnard and Liam Hockings – gathered in courtroom one to hear the verdict.There were whispered exclamations of “yes” as the jury foreman said “guilty” to…

Motorists are being advised to take care on the Auckland Harbour Bridge tomorrow afternoon as strong winds are expected to sweep through the city, with severe gusts also on the way for other parts of the country. According to MetService, gusts of 75 to 85km/h are possible across Auckland between 1pm and 5pm tomorrow. Electronic message boards on the motorway will update drivers if speed limits need to be reduced or lanes closed, New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said.”Lowering the speed limit gives motorists time to react and take more care if there is potential for sudden and high wind…

Seafood giant Sealord has proposed making its Nelson wetfish and by-products factories and fresh fish trawler seasonal rather than year-round – a change that would affect dozens of jobs.This proposal would lead to the disestablishment of 59 roles if it went ahead, and followed the proposed closure of its coated-fish factory earlier this month.Under the new proposal, the wetfish and by-products factories and fishing vessel Thomas Harrison would operate from May to September during the busy hoki season.Sealord chief executive Doug Paulin said the proposal followed a review of the company’s business model, which identified the need to reduce costs…

A new measles case has been discovered in the Bay of Islands, Health NZ says.The Northland case was notified to public health services on Thursday and was likely to be linked to overseas travel. They were no longer infectious.National clinical director Dr Susan Jack said there were currently six other individuals associated with the case who were being assessed for measles infection.”The six individuals being assessed were identified as part of initial contact tracing efforts. Public health is still identifying close contacts and possible exposure locations.”Jack said Health NZ “strongly urged” people in the Bay of Islands area to watch…

The Wellington City Council is investigating after reports a stash of confidential documents was found by a member of the public in an old mayoral desk bought from the tip shop.The NZ Herald is reporting there are hundreds of papers.The council told RNZ it was “taking the situation extremely seriously and are working with our legal and privacy staff – along with staff and contractors involved with the disposal of the Town Hall furniture – to understand what has happened”.They had also contacted the member of the public who found the documents, and alerted the Privacy Commissioner.The building was shut…

Police have appealed to the public for information on a man believed to have committed a series of aggravated robberies before fleeing on an e-scooter each time.Three food outlets at the Dinsdale Shopping Centre had been targeted in the last few days, police said.Detective Sergeant Matt Lee said the man arrived on a black e-scooter and entered the store demanding money while brandishing a knife.”On September 24, he robbed one shop, on September 25, he robbed two shops before fleeing the scenes on the e-scooter.”A victim was assaulted by the man during the second robbery.The man allegedly committed aggravated robberies…