Author: Press Room

A new programme to teach young people with physical and intellectual disabilities surf lifesaving skills has launched in Canterbury.Organisers want all young people to have the opportunity to benefit from the skills, fitness and community Surf Lifesaving offers. Called “All Star Nippers”, the initiative was developed by Waimairi Surf Lifesaving Club’s Junior Manager, Maia Smith. “Our all-stars program really focuses on that water safety and that teamwork and just having that social interaction with each other. And it’s so much fun the kids just have a blast… all the while learning how to keep themselves safe at the beach,” she…

Three men have been winched to safety this morning after being reported missing overnight while rafting on a Southland river.Police were alerted at 9.30pm yesterday that the men failed to reach their designated pick-up point after a planned trip on the Waikaia River near Piano Flat.”After making initial enquiries overnight, police search and rescue began the search at first light this morning,” a spokesperson said.A Southern Lakes helicopter responded and located two inflatable watercraft in a gorge section of the river around 6.5km north of Piano Flat at around 11.30am.One of the men was seen from the helicopter near the…

Tourism operators want more certainty on the future of Milford Sound-Piopiotahi after years of waiting for a decision on a multi-million dollar infrastructure plan. Milford Sound Tourism chief executive Haylee Preston told 1News that visitors had returned in droves to the idyllic fiord in the South Island’s Fiordland National Park, which he said was “back up to 96% [of adult cruise passengers] pre-Covid”.”There’ll probably be [between] 3500 and 4000 visitors in there today,” she said. While high visitor numbers were great for business, they were also highlighting some “severe infrastructure challenges” for what’s been described as the “Eighth Wonder of…

Auckland Art Gallery says it has been forced to close its doors today due to “unexpected building issues”.Acting director Margaret Young said a leaking pipe had been detected on the second floor.”The safety of the collection, staff, and visitors are the Gallery’s top priority, and we are taking precautionary measures to ensure the building and collection are safe.”A comprehensive assessment is in progress after which time we hope to provide more information.”Ticket holders for Olafur Eliasson: Your curious journey can reschedule their visit or receive a refund.”The three Auckland Pride Festival events scheduled for today – Queer Zinemaking, Queer Yarns,…

The far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany is currently polling in second place as the country prepares to head to the ballot box on 23 February. ADVERTISEMENTMore than 200,000 protesters have rallied in the southern German city of Munich against far-right extremism ahead of the country’s general election.The far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is currently in second place in recent polls and that has prompted widespread protests across the country before voters head to the ballot box on 23 February.The protest at Munich’s Theresienwiese, where Oktoberfest takes place each year, attracted a significantly larger crowd than expected, according to the German dpa…

A change to corporate tax rates has been floated by the Finance Minister as part of the Government’s growth agenda, but a senior tax expert has warned that such a move could come with risks.Corporate tax rates are one of the factors businesses consider when choosing whether to invest in a country.Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the current rate was “reasonably high” compared to other countries, saying it made the country less competitive.At 28%, New Zealand has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the OECD.Of these 38 economies, only five have a higher corporate tax rate than New…

ACT Party leader David Seymour said he wrote to police about the treatment of Philip Polkinghorne because it’s an electorate MP’s job to pass on the concerns of their constituents.The former eye surgeon was acquitted last year of the murder of his wife Pauline Hanna at their Remuera home in 2021, but was sentenced to 150 hours of community work for possession of methamphetamine.The trial lasted eight weeks and heard from 80 witnesses before the verdict was delivered.On Sunday, the NZ Herald reported that Seymour wrote to police Auckland District Commander Karyn Malthus in 2022 after he was approached by…

The country’s new administration, the first since 2022, comes after an unusually direct intervention by the United States which said any Hezbollah involvement would be a ‘red line’. ADVERTISEMENTThe EU’s foreign policy chief has issued a statement congratulating Lebanon after Prime Minister Nawaf Salam formed the country’s first fully-fledged government since 2022.In her statement, Kaja Kallas said she wished the new administration “full success in delivering the aspirations of the Lebanese people.””The EU reaffirms its steadfast support for the Lebanese people and in particular for the rebuilding of state institutions capable of fulfilling their missions at the service of all…

A person has died following a single-vehicle crash near Hamilton this morning. Police were called to Kakaramea Road/SH39 in Ngahinapouri at around 8.55am this morning. “Sadly, despite the efforts of emergency services, one person died at the scene.” No other injuries were reported. The road was closed while the serious crash unit examined the scene. “Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible and expect delays,” police said.

The vote is seen as a key test for incumbent Prime Minister Albin Kurti and this is the first time since independence in 2008 that Kosovo’s parliament has completed a full four-year mandate. ADVERTISEMENTPolls have opened across Kosovo in legislative elections taking place against a backdrop of an ailing economy and renewed tensions between ethnic Albanians and Serbs.Eligible voters will cast their ballots to elect 120 lawmakers among 26 political groupings and one independent candidate in what’s being seen as a key test for incumbent Prime Minister Albin Kurti.This is the first time since independence in 2008 that Kosovo’s parliament…