Author: Press Room

Kāpiti Line services have resumed this afternoon after a downed overhead wire caused widespread disruption and left one train stuck on a rail bridge earlier today.KiwiRail Wellington metro general manager Andy Lyon said a cable came down at 7.50am on the line near Wellington Station.The resulting power loss affected three trains, forcing them to stop away from platforms.”Two were moved earlier this morning so that people could disembark,” Lyon said in a statement.A third train was moved into Wellington Station by a diesel locomotive after it was stuck on a rail bridge over Hutt Rd.KiwiRail and Metlink said 152 passengers…

The number of pet turtles found in waterways across the South Island is increasing, with concerns about the impact they are having on native plants and animals.The South Island’s only dedicated turtle rescue service said it’s already at capacity, having taken in more than 100 strays in the last eight years.Donna Moot has run Turtle Rescue in Christchurch for almost 20 years and she’s currently caring for almost 80 turtles at her three-bedroom home in Somerfield, with up to 30 more waiting for adoption being cared for in a large purpose-built pond on another property.She’s worried about what the next…

A police staffer was involved in fraud offending against a “large retail chain” before and after they started working for the police, an investigation found.The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) released a summary of an investigation into the allegations this week.The IPCA oversaw a police investigation into an allegation that an employee was involved in “mass fraud offending” while working in his previous job. The offending related to a “large retail chain”.”Police conducted a criminal investigation and found the police employee was heavily involved in the fraud scheme before he was employed by New Zealand Police.”Police found evidence that the…

If you’ve been in the market for a new home lately, you’ve probably noticed it is relatively unusual to see a house listed with a price.Nationally, 29.9% of properties listed for sale in August had a display price, Realestate.co.nz said.Just under 23% were going to auction, 22.2% were for sale by negotiation and 21.9% had another sales method.In Auckland, only 12.07% of houses had a price listed, 31.54% were going to auction, 36.86% were selling by negotiation and 17.51% had another method of sale.In Canterbury, 31.21% had a display price and just 5.79% were by negotiation.In Wellington, 26.1% had a…

Kiwis in the South Island should make the most of today’s “nice clear skies” before a swathe of weather watches and warnings sweep in this weekend. On Friday afternoon, MetService issued some orange heavy rain watches and strong wind warnings for most of the South Island, and Wellington from late Saturday into Sunday. MetService meteorologist John Law said there would be more strong winds and heavy rain in store for the weekend.Law said it would be a “cold frosty night” on Friday into Saturday, with temperatures dropping to below freezing in parts of the North and South Island. He said…

Years after it was first announced, Air New Zealand has unveiled its huge new maintenance base at Auckland Airport and says it marks a bold step in its operations. Hangar 4 is touted as a state-of-the-art facility and one of the national carrier’s most significant investments in its infrastructure. It is the largest single-span arch aircraft hangar made from timber in the Southern Hemisphere. The hangar is 10,000 square metres, 35 metres high and almost 100 metres wide. Air New Zealand said that space meant it could house a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and two Airbus A320 or A321s at the…

Tesla’s self-driving technology has arrived in New Zealand and Australia today – marking the first time a right-hand version has launched anywhere across the globe.Overseas, self-driving cars have been on roads for some time now. While some found in other countries are fully autonomous – meaning they have no actual driver behind the wheel – Tesla has stated this is not the kind of system it has launched in New Zealand.Behind the wheel for a first drive of the almost-autonomous Tesla hitting NZ roads – Watch on TVNZ+Instead, Tesla has labelled this technology “full self-driving (supervised)” and clearly stated it…

A Canterbury teenager likely died because the government has failed to protect against the unsafe furniture now common in New Zealand homes, a coroner has found.Lizzy Marvin, 16, died after inhaling the toxic fumes which spewed through her Burnham home after embers from a fireplace landed on a foam-filled sofa bed on May 8 last year.Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale has chastised the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), describing its hands-off approach to regulating foam-filled furniture as deplorable.She also took aim at the government, saying its decision to continue with a non-binding policy statement over mandatory regulation is the “triumph…

By Stephanie Ockhuysen of RNZ Alliance Group is urging shareholders to vote to accept a $250 million investment, saying if they do not, the company risks insolvency due to the level of debt. The red meat cooperative released more details on Thursday about the proposed investment by Irish-based Dawn Meat Groups ahead of a vote by farmers next month. Dawn Meats Group proposes to buy a 65 percent stake for $250m. It is one of Europe’s largest meat processors with annual revenue of $5.8 billion. Group chairman Mark Wynne encouraged farmers to read the new booklet that features financial, operational and governance information…

The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including an injury blow for the Black Ferns, the main suspect in Madeleine McCann’s disappearance is out of jail, and self driving cars are here. Jorja Miller has been ruled out of this weekend’s World Cup semi final against Canada. Police are appealing for help to identify two men after a central city assault in Whangārei.The main suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has been released from jail. Thousands have protested Donald Trump’s visit to the UK, as he’s hosted by the royal family. Self driving cars are on New Zealand roads for…