Author: Press Room
A Canterbury teenager likely died because the government has failed to protect against the unsafe furniture now common in New Zealand homes, a coroner has found.Lizzy Marvin, 16, died after inhaling the toxic fumes which spewed through her Burnham home after embers from a fireplace landed on a foam-filled sofa bed on May 8 last year.Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale has chastised the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), describing its hands-off approach to regulating foam-filled furniture as deplorable.She also took aim at the government, saying its decision to continue with a non-binding policy statement over mandatory regulation is the “triumph…
By Stephanie Ockhuysen of RNZ Alliance Group is urging shareholders to vote to accept a $250 million investment, saying if they do not, the company risks insolvency due to the level of debt. The red meat cooperative released more details on Thursday about the proposed investment by Irish-based Dawn Meat Groups ahead of a vote by farmers next month. Dawn Meats Group proposes to buy a 65 percent stake for $250m. It is one of Europe’s largest meat processors with annual revenue of $5.8 billion. Group chairman Mark Wynne encouraged farmers to read the new booklet that features financial, operational and governance information…
The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including an injury blow for the Black Ferns, the main suspect in Madeleine McCann’s disappearance is out of jail, and self driving cars are here. Jorja Miller has been ruled out of this weekend’s World Cup semi final against Canada. Police are appealing for help to identify two men after a central city assault in Whangārei.The main suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has been released from jail. Thousands have protested Donald Trump’s visit to the UK, as he’s hosted by the royal family. Self driving cars are on New Zealand roads for…
ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show following comments he made about the killing of Charlie Kirk drew reactions from across the entertainment and political worlds, including from President Donald Trump.Fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert got the news Thursday while taping an episode of his own show in New York, telling a stunned studio audience that Jimmy Kimmel Live! had been suspended.“It was a mix of shock and bewilderment,” said audience member Monserrat Lopez, recounting how Colbert left the stage before coming back to say he would call Kimmel to talk privately.Remarks on Charlie Kirk murder that got talk show host…
A Department of Conservation (DOC) promotional video showing a woman sitting on her front porch shooting a possum from a tree has been taken down in response to a complaint.The video titled ‘Marjorie’s helping. Are you?’ is part of DOC’s Always Be Naturing campaign and focuses on pest control.The agency confirmed it had “paused” the video in response to questions.The video showed a woman in a fur hat with a rifle on her lap sipping tea then shooting a possum from a pohutukawa tree – the possum falls to the ground.Deer Stalkers Association national president Callum Sheridan said it raised…
Commuters in Auckland are being warned to expect speed and lane reductions, as well as possible closures, on the Harbour Bridge due to high winds. MetService had advised the NZ Transport Agency that some gusts could potentially reach between 75 and 85km/h between 9am and 2pm.”Speed restrictions and lane reductions are likely, while temporary full closures may be required,” the agency said. “Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and pay attention to electronic message boards on the motorway, which will advise if any lane closures and reduced speed limits are required.”If there is potential for sudden and high…
A large-scale search is ongoing today for a missing 66-year-old woman in Christchurch who police hold “grave fears” for. Tracy, 66, was reported missing after she did not show up to a planned lunch date Wednesday, September 17 shortly before 1.30pm. Her Tesla was found along Taylors Mistake Rd in Scarborough about 2pm, but there was no sign of her.Constable Kieran Palmer said police, search and rescue volunteers, Fire Emergency New Zealand, and Sumner Coastguard volunteers have been involved in the search.”We’re very concerned for Tracy’s welfare, and her family wants her to return home.“Police have carried out inquiries through…
Alliance Group released new information yesterday including an “insignificant” rebate to its farmer-shareholders if they accept a proposal to sell a majority share of their red meat co-operative to an international company, a Central Southland farmer says. Farmer-shareholders were given more information on a proposal for Irish company Dawn Meats Group to buy a 65% stake in their co-operative for $250 million. They will be able to vote to accept or reject the proposal at a special meeting in Invercargill on October 20. Sheep and beef farmer and Alliance shareholder Ben Dooley, of Mimihau, said a proposed rebate seemed “pretty…
A Māori academic has created the world’s first AI-generated voice that speaks Māori uniquely in the Waikato-Maniapoto dialect, and the technology has the potential to include other iwi dialects in the future.Te Taka Keegan, associate professor at Waikato University’s software engineering department, said as Māori he and his colleagues have long been thinking about how to build their own AI tools and this was the first step in that process. He said they follow in the footsteps of Northland’s Te Hiku Media which has made trailblazing moves into the AI language tools space.“This is really kind of supporting what they’re…
The New Zealand economy contracted in the second quarter of 2025, with gross domestic product falling by 0.9% in new figures released by Stats NZ this morning. It followed a revised 0.9% increase in the previous March quarter. According to Stats NZ, activity decreased across two out of three high-level industry groups during the June quarter. Goods-producing industries fell 2.3%, primary industries fell 0.7%, and service industries were flat. “The 0.9% fall in economic activity in the June 2025 quarter was broad-based with falls in 10 out of 16 industries,” economic growth spokesperson Jason Attewell said. “GDP has now fallen…