Author: Press Room
The Christmas traditions of our biggest city have come a long way since a giant model of Santa made people uncomfortable as it beckoned them from its inner-city perch.Today, Auckland’s festive celebrations include old favourites such as twinkling Christmas lights in expensive inner suburbs — as well as some new additions that reflect the city’s diversity.Let’s take a festive walk down memory lane and remember those traditions that delighted people in days past, those whose days are sadly numbered, and something new to enjoy, too.’Creepy’ SantaA giant statue of Santa Claus used to feature on the Farmers building on Queen…
The strikes came a day after heavy bombardment of Beirut’s southern suburbs and as heavy ground fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants continues in southern Lebanon, with Israeli troops pushing further into the country. ADVERTISEMENTAt least 11 people were killed and dozens more injured after Israeli airstrikes devastated parts of central Beirut on Saturday – with diplomats scrambling to broker a ceasefire in the country. The strike destroyed an eight-story building, leaving a crater in the ground, and was the fourth on the Lebanese capital in less than a week. Lebanon’s civil defence said the death toll was provisional as emergency…
Premature with heart problems, baby Aimee Vienings was born facing challenges, but a surgical complication introduced a new problem that shattered her parents – damaged vocal chords affecting her ability to eat and talk. Then, when she was four, Dr Colin Barber of Starship Hospital opened a tiny window of hope. By Jessica Roden. Watch this story on our home for news, indepth and consumer stories, TVNZ+. For most new parents watching their baby grow up and learn to talk, sing and shout is a joy but also something taken for granted. So when Emma and Pierre Vienings were told…
NATO and Ukraine are set to hold emergency talks after Russia attacked a military facility in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro using an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile. ADVERTISEMENTNATO and Ukraine are to hold emergency talks on Tuesday next week, after an attack with intermediate-range Oreshnik missile hit a military facility in central Ukraine. The event was an escalation of the war, which Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said is “entering a decisive phase” and “taking on very dramatic dimensions” as it nears 33 months in duration.Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address on Friday that the…
The sale of Tauranga’s marine precinct has been halted at the eleventh hour after current users filed an injunction.The $13.98 million sale of the Tauranga City Council-owned precinct to Christchurch developer Sam Rofe was due to settle on Friday.At 8.20pm on Thursday, the High Court granted an interim injunction, which prevented the sale from being completed, Mayor Mahé Drysdale said in a statement.The council was also served with judicial review proceedings that raised concerns about the council’s processes relating to the transaction.Drysdale said the council was assessing the documents to understand the nature of the claim.The council had requested information…
A diver was taken to hospital this morning after they were found unresponsive off the coast of Wellington’s Mākara Beach.Police were called after a boat found the diver unresponsive at about 9.30am.They were taken to Christchurch Hospital in a critical condition, a police spokesperson said.”Enquiries are ongoing to determine if a buoy located off the coast of Tītahi Bay this morning is related.”
On the day public health officials announced a whooping cough epidemic, staff at the National Public Health Service were told their jobs were on the line.Management confirmed yesterday that the “reset” – to cut millions of dollars off its budget – would go ahead before Christmas.Three weeks of consultation would begin next week.Te Whatu Ora national clinical director for protection Dr Susan Jack said the restructuring would not affect work to bring the pertussis epidemic under control.”This is an absolute priority for us, and we have set up national co-ordination so we can make sure we are doing everything.”Our regions…
Santa and his entourage have been told they must wear seatbelts if they come to Christchurch, raising accusations of “woke nonsense”.Some city councillors said they were outraged at the new safety instructions laid down for Santa and his little helpers, who are taking part in the Christchurch’s Christmas Show Parade on Sunday.The annual parade, at Canterbury Agricultural Park, is due to kick off at 2pm, and for the first time organisers have said those on floats are required to wear seatbelts.A health and safety audit of the parade recommended them after identifying fall risks, and more than 20 seatbelts and…
In the latest edition of our talk show from Brussels, participants discussed the climate summit in Baku, the possible comeback of fossil fuels and the crisis of the electric car market. ADVERTISEMENTAt the COP29 climate conference in Baku, frustration was all over. Observers and delegates have been disappointed at the slow pace of progress. No clarity on climate financing or how vulnerable countries can access the funding, to name just one issue. And then there are the fossil fuel giants casting a shadow over the summit. Has the COP process run its course?Questions for the panel in our latest edition…
One person has been taken to hospital in a critical condition after an “altercation” in Hamilton East this morning.Police responded to “reports of a group fighting” at a residential address on Firth Street at about 11.30am. “One person was located in a critical condition and has been transported to Waikato Hospital,” a police spokesperson said. One ambulance and one rapid response unit attended the scene, a St John spokesperson said.”Our crews assessed and treated one patient who was transported to Waikato hospital in a critical condition.”The police spokesperson added: “Police are speaking with several people believed to be involved and…