Author: Press Room
By Craig McCulloch of RNZ The government has reopened applications for oil and gas exploration across New Zealand for the first time since a 2018 ban, with a new, faster route for awarding permits. Industry leaders hailed the move as vital for energy security, but the Green Party condemned it as a sign the coalition cares little for the climate crisis. From today, companies can apply for new prospecting and exploration permits anywhere – not just onshore Taranaki. In a statement, Resources Minister Shane Jones said a new “open market” pathway would allow firms to apply at any time for…
Dame Jacinda Ardern was just the second head of state in world history to become a mother in office, but the feelings of guilt and ambivalence explored in her new book will be familiar to many juggling parenthood with a career. Katie Pickles offers an adult take on Mum’s Busy Work. Jacinda Ardern’s second book released within four months, following her memoir, is a simple children’s story. Its title – Mum’s Busy Work – appears to still hold true, then, despite her no longer being prime minister.Dedicated to her daughter Neve (the narrator of this tale), the “busy work” in…
By Susan Edmunds of RNZ Someone is going to have to pay to keep the country’s finances in order while the population ages – but who and how need to be decided soon. That’s the message economists say the Treasury has delivered clearly with its latest long-term fiscal statement. It outlines the pressure an ageing population will put on finances including from the cost of NZ Super and healthcare. It suggests some solutions that could be unpalatable if they were introduced on their own. Stabilising debt, the report said, would require an increase in the average tax rate on labour…
Public toilets can be a “microbial soup” and the truth is the seat is the least of your worries. Molecular biologist Lotti Tajouri explains the risks of public toilets and how to keep yourself safe when using them. If you’re a parent or have a chronic health condition that needs quick or frequent trips to the bathroom, you’ve probably mapped out the half-decent public toilets in your area.But sometimes, you don’t have a choice and have to use a toilet that looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in weeks. Do you brave it and sit on the seat?What if it…
The Government yesterday announced a sweeping overhaul of employment leave legislation, including changes to how annual and sick leave is calculated.Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced on Tuesday that the Holidays Act would be repealed and replaced with a new Employment Leave Act.The changes aim to simplify leave entitlements by tying them directly to hours worked, allowing leave to accrue from day one, and introducing a single calculation method for all types of leave. Casual employees would also see their leave compensation increase from 8% to 12.5%, among other changes.Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden. (Source:…
Dairy giant Fonterra’s profit after tax result of $1.1 billion for the financial year ending July is down 4% but its farmer shareholders have enjoyed a record payout. The full year result of $26 billion in revenue for the 2024/25 season is up 15% with a total of $16.2b delivered to farmer shareholders. The result released today [September 25] saw the co-op lifting its final payout by a smidge to $10.16 per kilogram of milksolids. This is up on last month’s estimate of $10.15/kg when the range was narrowed to $10.10/kg – $10.20/kg. Unchanged is the co-op’s $10/kg midpoint forecast…
The recall of more than 20 popular snack products under the Tasti brand over the possible presence of small wire-like metal pieces has been extended to include additional batches. The “significant” recall was made on Saturday. It impacted various Tasti bars, peanuts, and snack ball products sold at supermarkets and retailers across New Zealand, with some exported to Australia, Fiji, India and Singapore.Images of the recalled products. (Source: MPI)Last night, New Zealand Food Safety extended the recall to include additional batches of Tasti products. On Saturday, NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said there was concern the products could cause injury.…
The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including Donald Trump’s climate denial at the UN, more popular food products recalled, and Emmanuel Macron’s unexpected walk. US President Donald Trump has used his speech to the UN General Assembly to deny climate change and criticise other member states. The most powerful storm on the planet this year is forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate in China, after it slammed into the Philippines. Dozens of popular food products are being recalled amid safety concerns. French President Emmanuel Macron was forced to take an unexpected walk through the streets of New York.
Eleven words with a New Zealand or te reo Māori origin have been included in the latest edition of the Oxford English Dictionary.Executive editor Danica Salazar said the update included a “variety of colloquial expressions characteristic of New Zealand English”.Among the standout additions was the well-used phrase ‘sweet as’, used to express approval or agreement.”It is also used frequently as an interjection expressing emphatic affirmation, agreement, or appreciation,” Salazar said.Also making the cut was the word ‘rark’, which appears in several forms.As a verb, ‘rark up’ meant to provoke, annoy, or scold, the noun referred to a telling-off or a…
Several warnings for rain have been issued as a front slowly makes its way across parts of the northern North Island this morning. Another front was also expected to move northwards over the lower South Island. An orange heavy rain warning was issued for the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty and the ranges of Gisborne/Tairāwhiti for 25 hours between 9am today and 10am tomorrow. Those under the warning could expect 110 to 150mm of rain with peak rates of 15 to 25mm/h. MetService warned streams and rivers could rise rapidly, with surface flooding and slips making it difficult to…