Author: Press Room

Police wanted a trucker, who was jailed for three years for manslaughter on Thursday, to lose his operating licence years before his dodgy truck rolled backwards, fatally hitting a roadworker.Twice moves were made to take the Transport Service Licence off Auckland company director Ashik Ali.The New Zealand Transport Agency was going to, but then pulled back, official documents released to RNZ showed.Ali’s submissions in mid-2021, arguing to keep his licence, included pledging his company would no longer operate the truck that later rolled away.Johnathon Walters was run over at night at roadworks in a Remuera street in May 2024, when…

Expelled Te Pāti Māori MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi says an iwi has called for the party’s president, John Tamihere, to step down at a Te Tai Tokerau hui at the weekend.Te Tai Tokerau was calling on Te Pāti Māori to reinstate their MP Kapa-Kingi, and for improved relations between the ousted MP and her former party.That came from a hui called for by Te Rūnanga Nui Ā Ngāpuhi where more than 200 people packed into Kohewhata Marae in Kaikohe to speak with Kapa-Kingi face-to-face and decide on their response to her and Tākuta Ferris’ expulsion from the party this month.Among those…

Published on 24/11/2025 – 12:10 GMT+1 •Updated 12:16 The European Commission is planning to boost the use of biofuels to cut emissions in heavy industry transport as part of its revamp of the upcoming bioeconomy strategy, according to a leaked document seen by Euronews. Aviation and maritime remain the ‘Achilles heel’ of decarbonisation under the EU27’s energy and climate transition goals. The sectors remain highly reliant on fossil fuels and account for around 8.4% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to EU data. Despite ongoing EU investments to develop clean power, sustainable fuels for heavy transport aren’t…

More coloured sand products have returned positive results for asbestos, with around 1300 units sold at discount stores across the country, officials say. Two further brands were added to the recall list this afternoon as government and independent testing remain ongoing into potential play sand contamination.Approximately 800 units of Rainbow Sand Art Toy and 500 units of Craft Sand 380g were “sold at various discount stores nationwide”.One product was identified in tests done as part of the ongoing interagency response to potential contamination, with the other test commissioned independently.”We are working closely with suppliers, and those linked to positive test…

A second person has been arrested in relation to a shooting incident in Wellington’s Brooklyn earlier this month, where the victim of a “targeted attack” jumped from a balcony to escape a balaclava-wearing offender armed with a shotgun.Police were called around 3.35pm to the Pukehinau Flats on November 2 after receiving reports of an altercation in which a shot was fired towards a man.A person wearing a balaclava and armed with a shotgun allegedly entered the apartment and confronted the victim before firing a shot in his direction, prompting him to jump from the balcony to escape.The man was not…

This story discusses suicide.A woman whose adult son was discharged from a mental health unit into an Auckland boarding house says the living conditions were appalling and unfit for such a vulnerable person.Tragically, he died in a suspected suicide after moving in with her.Lisa Hawkeswood said her son Jack lasted three days in the lodge before pleading to live with her because he hated his accommodation.”He was discharged alone,” she said. “Within 72 hours of discharge, he felt like he was having a breakdown and he didn’t feel safe, he didn’t feel safe living there.”Her son had addiction and mental…

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has brushed off talk of cracks forming in the Government coalition after Winston Peters and David Seymour exchanged barbs over a flagship law.Just days after voting for it, Peters last week vowed to repeal the Regulatory Standards Bill championed by Act leader Seymour. Some commentators have seen that as a pre-election move by the New Zealand First leader, and Seymour has accused him of eyeing up a deal with Labour.But Luxon, when asked this morning if he had concerns about Peters given NZ First had voted for the bill and praised it at its third reading,…

Published on 24/11/2025 – 7:32 GMT+1 •Updated 7:39 The controversial 28-point US-Russia plan for Ukraine, the Russian frozen assets to fund the reconstruction of Ukraine, and the future of Europe’s security are hot themes under discussion this week in Brussels. To get up to speed, Euronews’ EU editor Maria Tadeo will give the latest updates on the EU’s counterproposal to give Kyiv more space to negotiate a better peace deal. But the clock is still ticking towards a deadline set by President Trump for this Thursday. Our first Europe Today’s guestis Michal Baranowski, the Polish Trade Minister, commenting on the…

The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including a dramatic late night rescue in a posh Auckland suburb, the White House says Elon Musk’s pet project doesn’t exist, and what Britain’s PM thinks former prince Andrew should do now. Two people have been taken to hospital after being rescued from an Auckland beach. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says all is well in the coalition, despite recent tension. The White House says Elon Musk’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ no longer exists.Talks about ending the war in Ukraine have been described as ‘productive and meaningful’.British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said Andrew…

A Disney cruise ship bound for Auckland will dock a day late after an hours-long search for a passenger who went overboard in the Tasman Sea.A 73-year-old Melbourne man went into the water at around 4.30am on Saturday as the ship sailed towards Auckland, 7News reports.The Disney Wonder ship turned around in the Tasman to try to find the man, but he could not be located.Victoria Police said it was “understood the man died” after going into the sea.Passenger Mitch Talbot said cruise guests were informed about the incident over the ship’s intercom.”The captain came on and updated the boat…