Author: Press Room

A suspected drug lab in Auckland’s Massey was set on fire today as authorities approached, police say. Police arrived at the address on Colwill Road at about 5.30am to execute two search warrants, at two properties believed to be involved in manufacturing drugs.Police were conducting inquiries on Colwill Rd, Massey when a fire broke out at a “property of interest” shortly before 5.30am. (Source: 1News)It was supported by the armed offenders squad, a clan lab response team, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand.Upon their arrival, police said one of the properties erupted in fire.Four people, aged between 39 and 54,…

A former immigration minister has been stripped of his licence to practise as an immigration consultant, after losing a court battle and being declared bankrupt.Tuariki Delamere, who became a high-profile immigration adviser after leaving politics, told RNZ he “made a dumb decision many years ago”.In 2012, he made a deal with Chinese businessman Yingheng Liu, who sought residency through a business visa.Liu put $500,000 into a venture that referred clients to Delamere, but his visa was rejected.Delamere unsuccessfully appealed a 2021 judgment on the money as far as the Supreme Court. Liu returned to the High Court last month, asking…

The Government has updated some of its purchasing rules in an effort to give Kiwi businesses a boost. The changes to Government procurement rules were announced by Economic Growth Nicola Willis this morning, and would come into effect on December 1. Among the changes was a new economic benefit test for when Government agencies decided who they buy from. The new rule said that at least 10% of the decision must be based on how much a business’s proposal benefits the economy. Government signals a Kiwi-first approach when tendering for contacts (Source: 1News)There would be extra weight given to factors…

By Gyles Beckford of RNZ The government’s finances ended the year in better than expected shape, but still deeply in deficit. Treasury figures showed a deficit of $9.3 billion in year ended June, which was $533 million more than 2024, but $869m less than forecast in the May budget. The deficit was based on the government’s new formula, which excluded the cost of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the books showed the progress achieved in getting the government’s books back in order. “This progress reflects the government’s ongoing work to restore fiscal discipline with cumulative savings…

The parents of fugitive father Tom Phillips, who was fatally shot by police last month, have penned a letter to the community expressing their “sincere apology” for their son’s actions. Phillips had been evading police since December 2021 with his three children, and died following a shootout after police were called to reports of a burglary in the early hours of September 8. The first attending officer was injured after being “confronted by gunfire at close range”. He has since been discharged from hospital. Today, King Country News carried a letter to the editor written by Neville and Julia Phillips,…

The Ministry of Education is considering cancelling Gloriavale School’s registration as a private school over concerns that it was not meeting its obligation to provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for students. Andrea Williams, Acting Hautū (leader) of Te Tai Runga (South), said Acting Secretary of Education Ellen MacGregor-Reid had sent a letter to the school, which is based at the religious group’s West Coast commune. “This is based on the serious concerns raised about whether the school is meeting its obligation to provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for students.”The school’s leadership was given five weeks to…

Many residents in the South Island are in for a wet and windy night as heavy rain and severe gales blow in from the north, says MetService. The strong winds and rain are also predicted to hit lower parts of the North Island.This afternoon the forecaster issued some orange heavy rain warnings for parts of the South Island as an “unsettled northwest flow” was expected from later this evening into Friday. Tararua Range, Buller District, Grey District, Westland District and the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers from Mt Cook to Arthur’s Pass were all expected to receive at…

Police have named the man who died in an incident in Auckland’s New Lynn earlier this week.He was 32-year-old Joseph David Walsh, of Auckland.On Monday, emergency services were called to the scene on Kaponga Cres just before noon to a report of a person injured.Despite efforts of first responders, Walsh died at the scene, and a person was taken into custody.Police at the scene on Kaponga Crescent in the Auckland suburb of New Lynn, (Source: 1News)Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting said a 28-year-old has been remanded in custody and is set to appear in the Auckland High Court on October…

A mistake by council staff led to a $7000 portrait of Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau being painted, rather than it being done using photography.Mayoral portraits are a long-standing council tradition dating back to Wellington’s early civic history. They have been produced in both painted and photographic formats.Last week, Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau unveiled a portrait which was created by artist Clark Roworth using oil on canvas.Painted portraits of previous Wellington mayors Mark Blumsky, Fran Wilde and Kerry Prendergast. (Source: Wellington City Council)In 2023 the Wellington City Council executive leadership team made a recommendation that photography should be used as the…

By Giles Dexter of RNZ New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is demanding answers from Fonterra over the sale of its consumer businesses to French dairy giant Lactalis. Fonterra has agreed to sell major brands like Mainland and Anchor for $3.8 billion. The potential inclusion of Bega licenses held by Fonterra’ Australian businesses could take the headline value of the transaction to $4.2 billion. The sale includes a long-term agreement for Fonterra to sell milk and ingredients to Lactalis The deal is expected to settle in the first half of next year, subject to regulatory and shareholder approval. Voting has opened…