Author: Press Room

Pens, glue sticks and exercise books may seem like absolute basics for a child in a classroom, but many are relying on donated stationery to start the school year.A community-run group in Lower Hutt has pulled together school stationery packages to donate to whānau – and said demand was higher than ever.The group’s organiser said it received 170 requests for donated packs since the start of the year – and one school said it can be the difference between a child going to school or staying home.Nicky Smith knows from her own experience – having to fork out hundreds of…

A 21-year-old New Zealander is facing life in prison after he allegedly imported 20kg of cocaine into Australia concealed in his luggage.Australian Border Force officials detected the drugs on February 1 after the 21-year-old was selected for a baggage examination as he arrived at Sydney Airport from the United States.They allegedly found 22 vacuum sealed packages of a white substance hidden in the man’s suitcase.Initial testing returned a positive result for cocaine, and the Australian Border Force alerted police.This amount of cocaine could have been sold as almost 100,000 street deals with an estimated value of NZD$7.17 million. The weight…

Pharmac is seeking public feedback on a proposal to fund a progestogen-only oral contraceptive pill — called desogestrel.A range of oral contraceptive pills were currently available in New Zealand, and funding the desogestrel pill — branded as Cerazette — would provide another option for people to help prevent pregnancy.Pharmac’s medicines management lead Melissa Copland said about 43,000 people were expected to benefit from desogestrel in the first full year of funding.”We understand having desogestrel available might better suit the needs of people who don’t want to or can’t take a contraceptive pill containing oestrogen. It can also be used by…

After US President Donald Trump’s Greenland acquisition comments, Greenlanders see an opportunity to advocate for more self governance, while 85% oppose joining US. ADVERTISEMENTGreenland’s push for full independence has gained renewed attention following US President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks on acquiring the semi-autonomous Danish territory. While the independence movement in Greenland sees this as a chance to advance their cause, recent polling reveals that 85% of Greenlanders oppose joining the US.Qupanuk Olsen, Greenland’s most prominent online influencer with 1.6 million followers, has spoken out against Trump’s aggressive rhetoric. As a member of the Inuit community, which has endured over a…

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…