Author: Press Room

The remaining five lions at Whangārei’s Kamo Widlife Sanctuary may have a “glimmer of hope” with individuals expressing interest in purchasing the facility and offering continuing care.It had been announced on Tuesday that the lion park would be euthanising its seven elderly big cats.The sanctuary confirmed this morning that two of the elderly lions, Imvula and Sibili, were euthanised yesterday because of ill health. The Ministry of Primary Industries confirmed to 1News the process had followed the Animal Welfare Act.Facility operator Janette Vallance said the pair had “serious health conditions that were not treatable and were deteriorating”.”These decisions were made…

Labour will make cervical screening free if it wins the 2026 general election, the party announced today.Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said it would be added to the party’s Medicard scheme.Announced last month, the Medicard scheme would offer three free doctor’s visits a year to all New Zealanders, and would be funded by a narrow capital gains tax.Today, Verrall said taking a Medicard to a doctor or community screening event would also allow for free cervical screening for those aged 25 to 69 from October 2027. Verrall said this would prevent cancers and avoid costly hospital treatments.“Each year 175 New…

Some heavy-hitters are lining up to oppose the extension of hours of a prominent bottle store in Dunedin’s student quarter. Bottle-O Cumberland is seeking to increase its licence hours to 9am-10pm daily. Its current hours are Monday and Tuesday 10am-8pm, Wednesday to Saturday 10am-10pm and Sunday 10am-6pm. The University of Otago, police, the chief licensing inspector, the Medical Officer of Health and Fire and Emergency New Zealand have all opposed the application. Police raised concerns about the suitability of the applicant. “The now shareholders of Kitt Enterprises Limited were found unsuitable at two other premises, albeit in different company names.”…

A third and final recount request in Northland’s tightest local election has been rejected, meaning the new Kaipara District Council can finally be sworn in.In the final count, Mark Vincent lost his seat in the Otamatea Ward by just two votes to council newcomer Denise Rogers.Three votes separated three candidates vying for one seat, with Rogers gaining 742 votes, Vincent 740 and Fiona Kemp 739.Vincent applied for a judicial recount, citing the narrow margin, a high number of disallowed special votes, and public sentiment around the election that was “particularly negative and distrustful”.A recount would “go a long way to…

Some of Ponsonby’s narrow residential side streets could soon have paid parking during evening hours under proposals designed to tackle what Auckland Transport calls a parking “free-for-all”.Auckland Transport wants to extend paid parking from 6pm to 9pm on Thursdays to Saturdays in some streets within Ponsonby as the area struggles to meet demand for on-street parking.The agency’s group manager of transport network, planning and policy Andrew McGill said side streets off Ponsonby Rd were clogged with people looking for free parking.”Currently, parking in Ponsonby during the evening is a bit of a free-for-all,” he said.”Some residential side streets off Ponsonby…

“Real impact doesn’t always come with grand gestures … it’s often about steady progress behind the scenes.” That is the belief of Central Otago farmer and community leader Kelly Heckler, who is one of four recipients of 2026 Nuffield Scholarships. The scholarships, presented at Parliament, enable the cohort to undertake a Rural Leaders-delivered programme that offered opportunity for travel, study of the latest agriculture innovations and an introduction to decision-makers around the world. Mrs Heckler, who farms with her family at Lauder Creek, a sheep and beef property near Omakau, would explore research in freshwater management with a specific focus…

Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming has pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual exploitation and bestiality material.He appeared in the Wellington District Court on Thursday to enter the pleas.McSkimming pleaded guilty to three representative charges of possessing objectionable publications, namely child sexual exploitation and bestiality material knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the publication is objectionable.Disgraced former top cop admits to child sexual, bestiality material charges – Watch on TVNZ+Jevon McSkimming in Wellington District Court on Monday, August 4, 2025. (Source: 1News)He was initially charged with eight counts of possessing objectionable material, namely bestiality and child exploitation.The 52-year-old…

An Auckland executive has admitted receiving “commercial sexual services” from a person aged under 18.The man, whose name is suppressed, appeared in the Auckland District Court on Thursday afternoon.Judge Belinda Sellars, KC, granted defence lawyer Graeme Newell’s application to suppress the executive’s name temporarily and the name of his employer.”His employer has just been advised about this.”The employer would like to be heard about suppression at sentencing.”If he is named then they are named if one does a quick Google search.”The executive hadn’t yet told his family about the prosecution.Newell said the executive was arrested on Friday and was facing…

Strong global interest is anticipated in the sale of a historic high-country station in Canterbury’s Southern Alps.Mt Algidus Station has been listed on the market and likely to be one of the largest sales in the South Island this year, according to New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty.The property is being marketed internationally and domestically, including a campaign in the New York Times.The 22,120 hectare station dates back to 1861.(Source: Supplied)New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty agent Matt Finnigan said the station is often referred to as an island in the alps, due to its isolated location at the confluence of the…

Unease is building over law changes that could sideline Conservation Boards.However, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says Conservation Boards and the New Zealand Conservation Authority will continue to play an important role in the way conservation land is managed.The 15 boards across New Zealand are made up of local people nominated by their communities or iwi, and appointed by the Minister to monitor DOC’s work in their regions and advise the NZ Conservation Authority ( Te Pou Atawhai o te Taiao).The authority in turn provides DOC and the minister with independent policy advice.The boards have a statutory role in reviewing DOC’s…