Author: Press Room

The Restaurant Association warns diners to “read the fine print” when making reservations after reports have emerged that some customers in the country’s largest city are being charged a fee for cancelling bookings.Auckland resident Jessie Chen made a reservation through Google at SkyCity’s Huami for five people to have lunch on July 4.On the afternoon of July 3, she fell sick and cancelled the booking in a phone call to the restaurant.A day later, Chen was surprised to find that Huami had deducted $250 from her credit card, which had been saved on Google.”I was like, ‘I didn’t end up…

Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern will provide evidence to the Royal Commission investigating New Zealand’s Covid-19 pandemic response.The inquiry is looking into the government’s response to the pandemic and its effects.This week’s hearings have concentrated on the impact of the extended lockdown in Auckland and Northland in 2021 and on vaccine mandates and safety.RNZ previously reported that the commission had requested Ardern to give evidence at a public hearing in August.But the commission said no decisions had been made about who would appear.”The witness list is still under consideration, and it is not appropriate to make further comment about…

Lorde has confirmed she will play two shows in New Zealand next year as part of her Ultrasound world tour.Having just released her fourth studio album Virgin, the superstar has now confirmed she will play in Auckland and Christchurch in February next year, followed by four Australian dates.She will perform at Auckland’s Spark Arena on February 11, followed by Christchurch’s Wolfbrook Arena on February 13.Tickets go on sale next week via Frontier Touring. Virgin has reached number one in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and reached number two in the charts in the US.Lorde has confirmed she will bring…

The Department of Conservation has reversed course on its decision to reject a “business critical permit” made by the country’s largest gold mine owner.Macraes gold mine in the central Otago region, owned by Canadian corporation OceanaGold, recently applied for a permit under the Wildlife Act to clear grass and vegetation to expand operations on its current site.It was declined last month by DOC, which cited insufficient information about how the company would manage the relocation of lizards. Yesterday, 1News reported hundreds of workers were at risk of being laid off as a result.Today, however, Ruth Isaac, deputy director-general policy and…

The family of the New Zealander killed by an elephant in Zambia have told RNZ they are thankful for the support they are receiving as they work to bring their loved one home.Alison Jean Taylor, 67, from Porirua, was attacked by a female elephant on July 3 while walking on a safari in South Luangwa National Park, along with another woman from the UK.Her brother Bill Taylor said the other woman who died was his sister’s longtime friend and second cousin Janice Taylor Easton, also known as Janet.Bill Taylor said the family’s focus was currently on repatriating his sister and…

A British ship which ran aground in Canterbury 160 years ago has been unearthed at the mouth of the Ashley River on the outskirts of Christchurch.The trading ship, called the Thames, was built in 1826 and met its end while delivering telegraph poles to north Canterbury in 1865.The discovery of the ship began in 2023 when the remains were flagged by a Canterbury Regional Council park ranger and then as a coastal hazard by a Harbourmaster team.Canterbury Heritage Consultants was brought in to identify the ship, with principal archaeologist Nick Cable saying the style of timber and chopping sheathing were…

Rotorua police are planning a crackdown on illegal dirt bike riders, with a senior officer warning it could be only a matter of time before someone is killed in the city.Acting Rotorua area commander Inspector Phil Gillbanks said police had received “numerous reports” in recent weeks about dirt bikers doing significant damage to parks and recreational facilities.He highlighted two recent incidents. On Tuesday night, an elderly person was assaulted after confronting riders on Harris St, and earlier this month a rider hit a lamppost.”If this activity continues, more people are likely to be injured or, worse, killed.”He said the police…

ADVERTISEMENTEuropean Union leaders have agreed to send a new diplomatic delegation to Libya after the military leader Khalifa Haftar asked the previous representatives to leave the country.Speaking on the sidelines of On the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abella said it was important to re-engage with Libya.The four leaders agreed on the need to reactivate the Team Europe initiative, with a delegation from the European Commission, as well as ministers from…

The owner of a decades-old Dunedin tavern pulled up for a lack of food says he got slack and it has come back to “kick [him] in the butt”. An on-licence and off-licence renewal application for Mackies Hotel, in Port Chalmers, was heard by Dunedin’s district licensing committee yesterday. It was opposed by Dunedin City Council chief licensing inspector Tanya Morrison and medical officer of health delegate Aaron Whipp. During a site inspection in mid-April, the pair observed a lack of food and the absence of a duty manager during trading hours — breaches of liquor laws Mr Whipp previously…

A pre-emptive state of emergency has been declared in Nelson-Tasman after orange heavy rain warnings were issued for the upper North Island and upper South Island as a strong, moist front barrels towards New Zealand.Nelson-Tasman Emergency Management said it is a “pre-emptive step, due to existing conditions in the region”, following the recent severe weather.”Nelson Tasman Emergency Management has been activated and will be monitoring the incoming weather,” it said.”The weather front is expected to reach the Nelson Tasman region tomorrow from 9am, with the worst of the weather expected around midday. This includes heavy rainfall and potentially strong winds.”MetService…