Author: Press Room

Blis Technologies has posted a 25% increase in revenue to $6 million for the six months to September 30 compared with the same period last year. In an update to NZX yesterday, the company said it had benefited from a clear focus on the key growth drivers of the business, built around its two “hero” ingredients, Blis K12 and Blis M18. An unaudited net surplus for the first half of the 2025 financial year (1HY25) of $200,000 compared with a loss of $700,000 for the same period last year. Ebitda was $300,000 which compared to a loss of $600,000 for…

A man who had been missing on the Kapiti Coast since Saturday was found after his dog led rescuers to him.The man and his dog, called Robey, were last seen on Kaitawa Rd in Ōtaki Forks at about 7am on Saturday.Over three days of searching, police received several reports of a dog barking in the Ōtaki Gorge area.”On Monday afternoon, Search and Rescue located Robey, by calling out to him after hearing more barking,” police said.”The search team were then able to follow Robey’s footprints to locate the missing man a short distance away.”The man was taken by helicopter to Wellington…

The country’s interior ministry said that an app would be designed for citizens to find their closest bunker. ADVERTISEMENTGermany is drawing up a list of public and private buildings that could be converted into bunkers if necessary, the country’s Interior Ministry said on Wednesday. The list would include car parks, underground train stations, state buildings and private properties.A phone app with a digital directory of bunkers and emergency shelters was also planned, the spokesperson said, adding that citizens would also be encouraged to convert their own basements and garages into shelters. Germany’s tabloid BILD first reported the plan on Monday,…

The Government says a funding boost announced today will enable the employment of 50 new senior doctors, as well as additional specialist nurses and other health professionals to help fill “critical” workforce gaps. The funding announcement made this morning by Health Minister Shane Reti would “help fill critical workforce gaps and support the health workforce to deliver on the Government’s health targets, particularly in regional or provincial hospitals”. “This will reduce wait times, enhance patient safety and support vulnerable specialties like dermatology,” Reti said.”Our senior doctors are key to keeping our hospitals functioning well, maintaining safety for patients and staff,…

A statement issued by European Parliament leaders called on the EU to step up its assistance politically, financially, militarily, and with humanitarian aid. ADVERTISEMENTMEPs reaffirmed their strong support for Ukraine on Tuesday, condemning the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea and calling on the bloc to boost its support for Kyiv’s embattled forces. The vote came after Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy personally addressed the parliament, saying that “Putin has brought 11,000 North Korean troops to Ukraine’s border” and that “the contingent may grow to 100,000”. Many of these troops have been recently deployed as part of Russia’s units in the Kursk…

Upper Whanganui River iwi Ngāti Hāua has initialled its Deed of Settlement for historical Treaty of Waitangi claims, describing it as an historic step forward.The milestone comes after “a long seven years” of negotiations with the Crown. It now goes before iwi members in a formal, two-month ratification process.If accepted by the iwi, Ngāti Hāua and the Crown will sign the Deed of Settlement next year in Taumarunui.Key elements of the settlement are statutory pardons for tūpuna whose wrongful convictions in 1846 remain a source of historical pain, the iwi said.It said the initialling at Parliament on Thursday of Te…

Kim Dotcom, the internet entrepreneur fighting deportation from New Zealand to the United States on charges relating to his file-sharing website Megaupload, has suffered a “serious stroke”, a post on his X account said Monday.”I have the best health professionals helping me to make a recovery. I will be back as soon as I can. Please be patient and pray for my family and I,” the post said.Dotcom’s US-based lawyer, Ira Rothken, confirmed to The Associated Press that the contents of the statement were accurate. Rothken would not say whether Dotcom or someone else wrote the post and did not…

The newest addition to the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Hercules fleet has touched down in Antarctica on its maiden journey, the first of six it will make this summer. Yesterday’s flight carried cargo to the ice that would support the New Zealand and United States scientific research programmes at Scott Base and McMurdo Station. Having already piloted 11 flight to Antarctica, Lieutenant Tristan Nysse said it was a rewarding experience becoming the first to fly the C-130J. “We are just a small team at the C-130J Transition Unit, so having completed our first flight to the ice is not…

Police have identified human remains located in Tokoroa earlier this month.They were confirmed as being 45-year-old Shane Edwards, who was reported missing in May 2022.Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Yardley said there were some unusual circumstances surrounding Edwards’ disappearance and police inquiries were ongoing.He was last seen at his home in Hawick St, Tokoroa, where he lived with his partner and three sons. Edwards mysteriously vanished shortly after cooking lunch for the family.”We are determined to uncover what happened and to provide answers for his family and loved ones,” Yardley said.”This is a tragic situation, and we extend our deepest condolences…

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who served for 16 years, reflects on her childhood, time in office, and her “worry” for the future in her new memoir. ADVERTISEMENTAfter Donald Trump’s election to the White House in 2016, then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave a speech pushing for unity for which she was labelled the “leader of the free world.”This general sense of respect followed the former German Chancellor when she left office in 2021 relatively popular both at home and abroad. Merkel steered Germany through multiple seismic events including the financial crisis, the 2015 migrant crisis and Russia’s annexation of Crimea…