Author: Press Room

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ If you have bought butter recently you might have noticed something – it is a lot more expensive. Stats NZ said last week that the price of butter was up 60 percent in February compared with the same time last year. It recorded an average of $7.32 per 500g block, up from just under $4.50 at the start of last year and just under $5.20 four years ago. At supermarkets this week, Woolworths’ cheapest butter was $7.19, in New World’s North Island stores it was also $7.19, while in its South Island stores it was…

A change has been made to heath requirements for dependent children of people who hold work, student or military visas. It’s hoped the stronger requirements for children of temporary visa holders will help ease pressure on our education system.At the same time, there are hopes families of children with severe cognitive or developmental disabilities and require significant support will gain a more realistic picture of their future here — before they invest all they have in a move to New Zealand. This week the new policy came into effect that means children with severe cognitive or developmental disorders, who are…

Two men have been arrested and charged following a shooting at a bar in Auckland’s Highland Park earlier this year.Police were called at 9.46pm on January 16 after three men entered a premises on Dunrobin Pl and assaulted a man before a shot was fired.A man was taken to hospital in a critical condition.Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Batey said two people had been charged with wounding to intent to cause grievous bodily harm following “extensive investigations”.”Although we knew that those involved in this incident were known to each other, there is no doubt the incident would have been deeply concerning…

The European Commission’s proposal to impose additional customs duties on Russian fertiliser imports is worrying the EU agricultural sector, as Russia accounts for 25% of imports. ADVERTISEMENTThe EU’s latest challenge in its dispute with Russia is trying to balance targetting Russian fertiliser imports while avoiding serious negative repercussions for European agriculture.At the end of last week, EU member states adopted a European Commission proposal to impose additional customs duties on imports of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus.The Commission argues that as things stand, member states would be in a vulnerable position if Moscow were to introduce coercive measures against…

Work to clean up an historical landfill near Milford Sound — posing a “potential risk” to human health and the environment if it were to breach during more frequent weather events — is due to begin in April, the Department of Conservation says.Upper Cleddau Flats landfill, known colloquially as Little Tahiti, extends inland from the Tutoko and Cleddau rivers, which both feed into Milford Sound.Department of Conservation Te Anau operations manager John Lucas said investigations had uncovered contaminants such as asbestos at levels which posed a “potential risk to human health and the environment”.The 8200 square metre landfill also contains…

Cutting down on red tape to help boost companies’ competitiveness is the aim of a European Commission proposal to simplify corporate reporting obligations. But critics of the so-called Omnibus package claim the proposal is a step back for human rights and the environment. ADVERTISEMENTThe Omnibus package aims to simplify four sets of rules and has been welcomed by the business sector because it reduces obligations to report on their performance on environmental and social issues, as well as due diligence on their supply chains.”Competitiveness is the new motto of this Commission, just as the Green Deal was the motto of the previous…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ  If the government is making changes to KiwiSaver contribution rates, the amount we are putting aside for retirement should be pushed up to 10% of incomes, providers say. At the moment, the default position is for employees to contribute 3% of their gross pay to KiwiSaver. Employers need to offer a contribution of at least 3%, unless there is a “total remuneration” agreement where the employee agrees the contribution is coming out of their total pay package. Employees can choose to contribute more – at rates of 4%, 6%, 8% or 10% of gross income.…

Criminal charges have been filed against former financial adviser David McEwen by the Financial Markets Authority, alleging he acted in violation of a permanent stop order.McEwen and several associated entities were issued with a stop order by the Financial Markets Authority in December 2023. The authority said the order was filed due to offers of financial products being “false or misleading”, containing a material misdescription or material error, and non compliance with the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 with respect to unsubstantiated claims made as to the value of the financial products offered.The permanent stop order prohibited McEwen from:Making offers,…

The EU plans to tighten controls on steel and aluminium imports to prevent market dumping and restrict countries from blocking waste metal imports. ADVERTISEMENTThe European Commission is set to seek stricter controls over imports of steel and aluminium due to fears of diverted global supplies being dumped onto its markets, according to a draft paper seen by Euronews.It also aims to restrict countries from closing themselves off to waste metal imports, according to the paper.The Commission is set to present its final action plan on steel and metals present on Wednesday, providing guidelines on how to make European metal production more…

Police are working to identify a man who was struck by a train in Invercargill yesterday afternoon. An adult male was hit by a train at the pedestrian crossing on the corner of Tyne and Ness St shortly after 5pm.The track and crossing on Elles Rd reopened around midnight following a scene examination.Inspector Stu Harvey said thanked the public for their patience while the area was cordoned off.”Police are continuing efforts to identify the deceased, which is likely to take some time.”Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact police on 105.On Thursday, high school student Sarie Morton was killed…