Author: Press Room

Christchurch agritech company Onside has unravelled a complex problem to come up with a map-based tool highlighting risk areas and increasing worker safety at many agriculture workplaces. The “industry-first” PCBU Enterprise platform has potential hazards laid out on a map so drivers, contractors and other workers entering a farm get an alert identifying them via an app on their mobile devices. Hazards are tailored to large agri-businesses and organisations legally bound to manage workplace risks. The software technology can also plot out other risk areas such as depots, machinery yards and processing facilities. In a partnership with meat processor Anzco…

One person is in hospital following an assault at a public pool in Dunedin.Emergency services were called to Moana Pool on Littlebourne Rd around 3.15pm.Hato Hone St John said two ambulances and a manager responded and confirmed one patient in a moderate condition was taken to Dunedin Hospital.Police said a 39-year-old woman has been charged with breach of bail and assault with a sharp weapon.She was due to appear in Dunedin District Court tomorrow.Pool staff declined to comment but confirmed the pool was still operating as normal.Dunedin City Council said its supporting pool staff and it understood the assault happened…

Treaty Minister Paul Goldsmith says he was uncomfortable with what he called “constitutional adventurism” after negotiations over a Treaty settlement were halted over an “agree-to-disagree” Crown sovereignty clause.Goldsmith, a senior National MP, sat down with Q+A for a wide-ranging interview across his ministerial portfolios this morning.He was asked about the settlement with East Coast iwi Te Whānau-ā-Apanui that was halted at the final hurdle after Goldsmith said he became uncomfortable over a clause to “agree to disagree” over whether sovereignty was ceded between the iwi and the Crown.”All of those settlements up to now have not referred to this issue.…

A section of State Highway 3 in north Taranaki as reopened with reduced speed limits and stop/go traffic management following a slip. The road between Mokau and Piopio in north Taranaki closed again at 7am to allow crews to continue the clean up following heavy rain over the past few days, causing widespread flooding and slips.A single lane has now reopened “under reduced speed limits, with stop/traffic management in place during the day and traffic lights at night”. A New Zealand Transport Agency spokesperson said these restrictions would be in place for the coming week, while the clean up continued.…

Samoa’s Prime Minister says the wreck of the HMNZS Manawauni vessel can stay exactly where it sank after being presented with options regarding the vessel’s future. The Royal New Zealand Navy ship ran aground with 75 people on board whilst conducting a hydrographic survey of a reef last October. All those on board managed to be rescued safely.The ship has remained off the coast near Upolu, Samoa since then. Containers and fuel aboard the ship were recovered, but the vessel was not removed. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa told 1News her cabinet were presented with a list of options regarding…

ADVERTISEMENTThousands of devotees flocked to the Himalayan town of Dharamshala, India, on Sunday to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism who has been living in exile since escaping Chinese authority in Tibet in 1959.Many devotees included hundreds of red-robed monks and nuns who braved incessant rain to see him.“When I look back on my life, I see that I have not wasted it at all,” the Dalai Lama said. “I live my life in the service of other sentient beings,” he added. Dressed in a traditional robe and a flowing yellow wrap, the Dalai Lama…

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has left the door open to introducing more mandatory or minimum sentences for crimes — as he defended the latest suite of policies from the Government’s law and order crackdown.The minister said the four announcements made this week – including new coward punch laws, increased penalties for assaults on first responders, fines for shoplifting, and trespass law changes — sent “a very clear and consistent message.”Goldsmith, a senior National MP, sat down with Q+A for a wide-ranging interview this morning, across his ministerial portfolios. He was pressed about the Government’s capping of sentencing discounts at 40%.…

A man has died after a “hunting incident” on Stewart Island yesterday, police say. Police were told of the incident, near Lords River, at about 12pm Saturday.”A search and rescue team was deployed to the island via helicopter, and located the man deceased,” Detective Sergeant Mark McCloy said. “Investigations are underway, which include speaking to those who were in the area at the time. The coroner has been advised.”The remote Stewart Island/Rakiura is located 30km south of the South Island across the Foveaux Strait, and attracts hunters from across the country.

An Air New Zealand flight with hydraulic issues has landed safely at Auckland Airport.Fire and Emergency were called to be on stand-by just after 12pm today.Crews from the airport, Mount Wellington and Papakura attended.Auckland Airport confirmed it was flight ANZ538 from Christchurch to Auckland.Air New Zealand chief operating officer Alex Marren said the crew reported the issue during the flight.”As a precaution and in line with standard operating procedures, emergency services were on standby at Auckland Airport. The aircraft landed safely and our maintenance team will now inspect the aircraft before it can return to service,” she said.rnz.co.nz

A woman has been charged with arson following a fire at a church in the Christchurch suburb of New Brighton this afternoon.Emergency services were called to the address on Atlantis St around 2.30pm.Fire and Emergency New Zealand told 1News it initially sent three trucks to the “obvious” fire, before calling two more trucks to the scene. Firefighters from Anzac, Christchurch City and Woolston worked to bring the blaze under control.The 35-year-old woman expected to appear in the Christchurch District Court tomorrow. Shorty after 3pm, a FENZ spokesperson said the fire — which had affected one room in the single-storey building…