Author: Press Room

Search and rescue teams are heading to Milford Sound this morning to look for a hiker who failed to return.Police were told late yesterday that the man not returned home after he had gone out hiking in the Mitre Peak area of Milford Sound.A helicopter will also be used in the search today, a police spokesperson said.

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ Kiwibank is lowering the interest rate it charges on its three-, four- and five-year home loan rate fixes. The special rate, available to those who have more than 80 percent equity, drops to 5.35 percent for three years, from 5.58 percent. For four years, the special drops to 5.59 percent from 5.79 percent and for five years, the special drops from 5.89 percent to 5.79 percent. The standard rate will be 6.15 percent, 6.39 percent and 6.59 percent, respectively. The changes are effective from Monday. Last week, ASB senior economist Chris Tennent-Brown warned that longer-term fixes might…

Organisations trying to help people get off meth in Northland towns such as Kaikohe say they are overwhelmed by “a tsunami of need”.More funding — and residential care for addicts trying to quit — is desperately needed to tackle the problem, they say.Wastewater testing has shown methamphetamine use tripled in Northland last year, which now has the unenviable title of meth capital of New Zealand.Tia Ashby heads Te Hau Ora o Ngāpuhi, a Kaikohe-based iwi organisation that provides housing, health services and programmes like Paiheretia, which helps men caught up in the Corrections system.She said the meth crisis was “real,…

The country’s most valuable state house sits on a large plot of land that cannot be subdivided because it is in one of Auckland’s sought-after heritage areas.The state house is a 1900s villa on a leafy street in the inner city suburb of Ponsonby and is worth close to $4 million.It is a neighbourhood associated with celebrities from sailors to pop stars — last year, Lorde sold her luxury villa next door for $4.3m.Auckland Council records show the state house is on 619sq metres of land and is subject to hefty development restrictions because it is in both a special…

A popular Dunedin attraction is advocating for tourism funding to get a big boost. A submission from Larnach Castle on the Dunedin City Council’s 2025-34 draft long-term plan said a significant increase was needed. “As the tourism sector continues to be a cornerstone of New Zealand’s economy, it is imperative that Dunedin capitalises on this opportunity to bolster its local economy, enhance community vibrancy and position itself as a premier destination for both domestic and international visitors,” castle general manager Adrian Clifton said. “The city’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant arts scene and proximity to unique wildlife and natural attractions make…

Police in Brazil said overnight that two people have been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to detonate explosives at a free Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro.The Rio event on Sunday was the biggest show of the pop star’s career that attracted more than 2 million fans to Copacabana Beach and had crowds screaming and dancing along.Even as Brazilian authorities said they arrested suspects in the hours before Lady Gaga’s show, the event went ahead without disruption — leading some to question the seriousness of the threat. Serious security concerns typically lead organisers to cancel such massive…

There are calls for New Zealand to follow England’s footsteps and make uniforms cheaper in a bid to remove a barrier preventing some children from attending school. The British government is planning to reduce the number of compulsory branded items its four million students must own and wear to three branded pieces, and a tie for secondary students. The change will save families an estimated 50 pounds (NZ$112.80) per student.Now, there are calls for similar policies to be adopted here. Variety Children’s Charity’s Susan Glasgow said limiting branded clothes students much wear “would alleviate so much pressure on families who…

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…

Christchurch’s Court Theatre has made its grand return to the city, more than a decade after losing its home due to damage caused caused by the February 2011 earthquake.The original theatre, founded in 1971, was housed in the Arts Centre. A new location was found in Addington following the quake.Today, people queued to get a look at its brand new forever home, that cost $61 million to complete.The first reactions as people walked through the doors were all very positive.“It’s beautiful. I’m really excited to see lots of shows here,” one theatregoer said. “It’s just magical. It’s such a moment…

Frustration is mounting among residents in Wellington who have been without power since early Thursday.Thousands of homes lost power during the storm which battered the region this week.Most have since been restored, but Wellington Electricity says some repairs will continue until the middle of next week.Natasha Eagle and her two children have been coping without electricity at their Island Bay home for four days. She said communication had been muddled and sparse, and it was difficult having no idea whether restoration was hours or days away.That view was backed up by Brooklyn resident Sean Keaney. He said he and his…