Author: Press Room

Home goods chain Bed, Bath & Beyond has been fined $230,000 for selling non-compliant children’s pyjamas and hot water bottles. A statement released today by the Commerce Commision said Bed, Bath & Beyond sold 27,374 products from March to October 2023 that did not include the safety information in the locations required by law. The sales included at least 3753 children’s flannelette pyjama sets that did not have the fire hazard information in the required visible spot or in the online descriptions, and 23,801 hot water bottles that did not provide instructions about safe usage and storage, the commission said.The…

Te Tii Marae in Waitangi has reopened its whare tupuna, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, after undergoing repairs and restoration work.In the early hours of the morning, thousands gathered in the neighbouring Te Tou Rangatira – a site of significance where the 1835 He Whakaputanga, the Declaration of Independence was signed – before congregating next door to the marae.Visiting iwi from Taranaki led the formal proceedings with karakia, walking through the whare before whaikōrero took place out on the newly landscaped marae ātea.Visiting group sit under new shelters (Source: 1News)Marae chairman Ngati Kawa Taituha told those assembled he was proud of…

A section of State Highway 1 on the border between the Northland and Auckland regions will be closed “for some time” after a truck rolled this morning, the New Zealand Transport Agency said in a statement.Emergency services received reports that a truck had rolled, blocking lanes in both directions near the intersections with Schiska and Otioro Rd, at around 10.15am.The transport agency said specialist machinery was required for the clean-up and recovery, with the road likely to remain closed for sometime.”Motorists are encouraged to delay their journeys, where possible, or to allow extra time for the detour route,” a spokesperson…

On Monday, 3 February, an informal retreat will bring together the 27 leaders of the EU with the leaders of the UK and NATO, to discuss Europe’s much vaunted boost on defence. ADVERTISEMENTToday EU leaders will meet in Brussels for an informal retreat to discuss how to strengthen EU’s defence capabilities. Radio Schuman gives you a preview of the event, with an analysis with Euronews reporter Alice Tidey.The urgency was sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and intensified by Donald Trump’s call for NATO members to spend 5% of GDP on defence—double the current target. This demand raises concerns among…

Ratepayer-funded social media influencers are paying off in Mid Canterbury, local tourism operators say.Ashburton District Council is paying influencers to show off the region as part of its district promotion strategy.It’s costing ratepayers around $7000 but district promotions lead Shelley Donnelly said the paid-for content is creating profit for local businesses.Donnelly has been engaging specific influencers based on their audience.Influencer Lilia Alexander recently shared posts of her jetboating the Rakaia Gorge, in a hot tub while glamping and visiting the Ashburton Aviation Museum.The social media posts could capture “lots of likes, shares, and saves which can be vanity metrics”, but…

Beyoncé has won album of the year for Cowboy Carter at the 2025 Grammys, delivering her — at last — the show’s elusive top award.The superstar, who is both the most awarded and nominated artist in Grammys history, has been nominated in the category four times before and many feel she has been snubbed by its top honours.Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department presented Beyoncé with the trophy.”It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé said in her speech. “I want to dedicate this to Ms Martell,” she said, referencing Linda Martell, the performer who became the first Black woman to…

A proposal to rezone the Hastings Golf Club and then develop it into a tourist destination with 170 residential dwellings alongside its fairways is out for public consultation.Golf Sport Development Limited Partnership has requested a change to the Hastings District Plan to rezone land in Bridge Pā (Hastings Golf Course) from Plains Zone to ‘Sport and Recreation Zone’ with a ‘Heretaunga Golf and Leisure Precinct’, which includes housing and accessory development.The proposed plan change for future development would incorporate new recreational facilities along with associated commercial development, about 170 residential dwellings, and short-stay visitor accommodation.GSDLP comprises golf tourism sector experts…

Bed Bath and Beyond has been fined $230,000 after selling non-compliant children’s pyjamas and hot water bottles. The Commerce Commission said it had secured the fine over the breaches of the Fair Trading Act. Hot water bottles need to include detailed instructions for their safe use, and children’s pyjamas need to have permanent warning labels in specific locations, at the top of the garment and in online descriptions, to outline the level of potential fire risk. “Businesses must ensure the products they supply comply with legal requirements and are safe for the intended user – especially requirements about fire safety…

The Government will add two new non-financial sanctions to its beneficiary traffic light scheme after feedback at the select committee stage.The sanctions were added after select committee hearings on the bill.Report Job Search – where job seekers will be required to perform a minimum of three job-search activities every week for four weeks and report back to MSD on this. This sanction will support increased accountability for beneficiaries who are meant to be looking for work.Upskilling – where job seekers will be required to attend and participate, to MSD’s satisfaction, in one or more employment-related training courses or programmes for…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ Households are being warned to expect higher power prices this year, as pressure goes on bills in three key ways. Wholesale prices Wholesale prices were a pressure point for the sector in 2024, and there is evidence more trouble may be ahead. The electricity futures market was showing an average wholesale electricity price at Ōtāhuhu this year of 25c per kWh, a 25 percent increase from last year’s 20c, Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan said. “Prior to 2019, the record high average price [from 1997 onwards] was 11.4c per kWh in 2008 – over the…