Author: Press Room

ADVERTISEMENTThe return of Donald Trump to the White House and the trade war between the United States and China have put the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) back in the spotlight.This logistics corridor project, which was officially launched in 2023 at a G20 summit in Delhi, aims to facilitate trade in goods, energy and data.This new trade route would bypass the Suez Canal and link Europe to India via Israel and the Gulf monarchies.”We need a corridor like this more than ever, because not only do we have to deal with the problems we have with China, but we also…

The theme for this year’s Matariki holiday is ‘Matariki mā Puanga’ highlighting the communities who observe the star Puanga in their astronomical traditionsPuanga is the star Rigel, the brightest star in the Orion constellation. In the late autumn and early winter night sky Matariki is seen below Puanga and to the left of Tautoru (the three stars of Orion’s Belt).While it is visible throughout the year, Puanga becomes especially prominent in the evening sky towards the end of autumn and in the predawn sky during the first month of the Māori new year.Puanga will feature at this year’s nationally broadcast…

Key diary datesTuesday 6 May – Commission expected to publish roadmap on its REPowerEU initiative to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports.Wednesday 7-Thursday 8 May – Informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Warsaw, Poland.Wednesday 7 May – Annual competition policy report presented in the European Parliament.In spotlightADVERTISEMENTCommemorations for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II will take place this week as EU-US relations appear at their lowest ebb since that time.EU foreign ministers will gather at the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw for their twice yearly informal – so-called “Gymnich” – meeting with continued uncertainty over…

The country’s second most powerful police officer remains on leave, four months after he was suspended pending a criminal investigation.Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming is under investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority and the New Zealand Police.The nature of the allegations against him cannot be reported.A police spokesperson confirmed to RNZ on Monday there was no update regarding the investigation.On Monday, his lawyer told RNZ McSkimming had no comment.In January, in a statement from his lawyer, McSkimming confirmed he had been suspended since before Christmas on full pay, pending a criminal investigation.”He remains on full pay, pending a criminal investigation.…

A Dunedin apprentice plumber has sealed the top spot at a nationwide plumbing award show. On Friday, 21-year-old Masterlink apprentice plumber Trent Toomey was named the overall winner of the Plumbing World Scholarship, presented by the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Awards Ceremony held in Brisbane. He was awarded a $1000 credit at Plumbing World and a registration to the 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Conference, which includes flights, accommodation and a guest ticket for the New Zealand Plumbing Awards. His employers, Gas and Water owners Shelley and Sean Reynolds, said Mr Toomey turned up to work every day with a “smile…

A large fire which caused “significant damage” to a McDonald’s restaurant in east Auckland this afternoon is now being treated as suspicious.Emergency services were notified of the fire at around 3pm on Monday.Fire and Emergency NZ said the building was “totally involved” in flames by the time crews arrived.Six fire trucks from Howick, Ellerslie, Mt Wellington, Otara, and Papatoetoe were in attendance at the blaze. One was a ladder truck, a FENZ spokesperson said.”Everyone was out at the time and there are no reports of injuries.”FENZ said the fire was being treated as suspicious.”A fire investigator is attending to determine…

An Indonesian man has been denied entry to New Zealand after he attempted to smuggle five cartons of cigarettes through Wellington International Airport.The 35-year-old man — who arrived off a flight from Jakarta via Sydney — was a frequent traveller to New Zealand, having been employed by and working on New Zealand-flagged fishing vessels.Customs said the body-packing of the more than 1600 cigarettes was “an attempt to defraud Customs revenue”.The border agency posted a photo of the concealed cartons, highlighting the methods used in the failed smuggling attempt.”Collaboration between border agencies saw a total of 1620 cigarettes seized with revenue…

A piece of Second World War history has recently been uncovered during safety upgrades of State Highway 3 in Taranaki.Two Home Guard rifle pits were found to the north of the intersection of SH3 and De Havilland Dr in Bell Block on the outskirts of New Plymouth.The Transport Agency said they were likely to have been constructed between 1941 and 1942 as a defensive position to protect the Bell Block Aerodrome on Te Arei Rd, which was being used as a Royal New Zealand Air Force training base, from a potential invasion by Japanese forces.The Home Guard was formed in…

Dunedin’s newly launched emergency and after-hours veterinary clinic is going seven-days from May 12. Since opening in March, the clinic has been open from close of business on Friday until opening of business on Monday, except when clinics were open on Saturday. The clinic was the brainchild of Dunedin women Isobel Topham, Lucy Wilson and Ellen Andrews to help deal with the issue of after-hours calls in the profession. Dr Topham said the clinic had been very busy. There had been a lot more daytime cases than they had expected and fewer surgeries, but about what they had expected for…

President Donald Trump is opening a new salvo in his tariff war, targeting films made outside the US.In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he has authorised the Department of Commerce and the Office of the US Trade Representative to slap a 100% tariff “on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands”.”The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,” he wrote, complaining that other countries “are offering all sorts of incentives to draw” filmmakers and studios away from the US. “This is a concerted effort by other…