Author: Press Room

Alpine Energy will refund customers $16.9 million after it was found to have overcharged them. The amount of the credit depends on the type and size of the customer, with householders receiving $261.69, or about an average month’s power bill, the South Canterbury-based lines company said in a statement.The Commerce Commission said a warning had been issued and enforceable undertakings negotiated from the company after an accounting error resulted in the overcharging. Commissioner Vhari McWha said the focus of the commission was on ensuring Alpine Energy returned the money that customers had been overcharged, with additional funds to make up…

US President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of countries have taken effect, including a massive 104% duties on Chinese goods, deepening his global trade war even as he prepared for negotiations with some nations. Trump’s punishing tariffs have shaken a global trading order that has persisted for decades, raised fears of recession and driven worldwide stocks sharply downward. The S&P closed below 5000 for the first time in nearly a year on Tuesday and is nearing a bear market, defined as 20% below its most recent high. S&P 500 companies have lost $US5.8 trillion ($NZ10.5 trillion) in stock market value since…

A man has been charged with the murder of 65-year-old Simon Bird, who was found dead at his property in Wellington’s Northland last week, police say.Bird was found dead at his Albemarle Rd property on April 1.He had not been heard from in several days when a concerned friend made a welfare check and discovered his body.Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard said police charged the suspect this morning.”This is a positive development for his family and friends, but there are still many unanswered questions that we are working hard to answer.”A scene examination is ongoing at Bird’s home and police still…

The Reserve Bank has cut the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.5%, as widely expected, while warning of rising economic risks. The central bank played safe with a smaller rate cut, which it had signalled in February after three consecutive larger cuts. “Economic activity in New Zealand has evolved largely as expected… Higher-than-expected export prices and a lower exchange rate have supported primary sector incomes and overall economic growth,” the Monetary policy Committee (MPC) said in a statement. Economists had overwhelmingly forecast the more modest cut, as the economy remained fragile with various headwinds keeping households and…

Tensions between rival gangs spilled over at a High Court hearing in Auckland on Wednesday morning for a Head Hunters member accused of murder.Justice Matthew Downs took the “extraordinary step” of clearing the public gallery to avoid violence, before Sione Tupou pleaded guilty to murdering Texas Jack Doctor last year.He also pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a pistol.About a dozen supporters of Tupou had packed into the courtroom to watch the arraignment, as had others wearing t-shirts commemorating Doctor.As Tupou was brought into the dock, a woman from the latter group called out, “look at you”, and the groups began…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ Kiwibank, ASB and Westpac have announced reductions to their variable home loan rates in response to a drop in the official cash rate. As widely expected and signalled, the rate was cut by 25 basis points, to 3.5%. Commentators have suggested that the widespread economic turmoil sparked by US President Donald Trump’s tariffs could lead to lower interest rates than might otherwise be the case. Kiwibank said its variable term loan had dropped to 6.5%. ASB’s was 6.64% and Westpac’s choices floating was dropping to 6.74%. Westpac general manager of product Sarah Heran said the bank…

Security staff were threatened with a firearm during a robbery of a cash-in-transit van at one of Auckland’s busiest shopping centres this morning.Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend said two people, one brandishing a firearm, approached security staff in a carpark building at Sylvia Park around 7.10am.”They have taken an unconfirmed amount of cash from the security staff and fled the scene in a vehicle.”No injuries were reported.Friend said the police Eagle helicopter and other police staff were deployed in Mount Wellington shortly after the report was made to police.”Eagle has located the vehicle used to flee the scene, on fire,…

Police are investigating allegations of assault by a teacher at Auckland’s Kingsway School – a state-integrated Christian school on the North Shore.The school’s principal Graeme Budler confirmed that the allegations relate to outdated disciplinary practices that do not align with the school’s values, teaching standards, or the law.He said the teacher has been placed on paid leave, and the school has offered counselling support to everyone affected.The school has a primary school campus in Silverdale and a secondary school campus in Red Beach.Police said the investigation remained in the early stages, and they were speaking to victims and witnesses involved.rnz.co.nz

The United States says 104% duties on imports from China will take effect, even as the Trump administration moves to quickly start talks with other trading partners targeted by President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff plan. US stocks dropped on Tuesday for a fourth straight trading day since Trump’s tariffs announcement last week, with the S&P 500 closing below 5000 for the first time in almost a year. The index is now 18.9% below its most recent high on February 19, close to the 20% decline that defines a bear market. S&P 500 companies have lost $US5.8 trillion ($NZ10.5 trillion) in stock market value since Trump’s tariff…

Takapuna Grammar on Auckland’s North Shore will be closed to both students and teachers today due to water supply issues, the school has said.In an email sent to families yesterday , it said two-thirds of the school was without a functioning water supply, leaving only two or three useable toilet blocks and one working water fountain.It said this supply is not sufficient to safely accommodate the 2200 students which attend the school.Schoolwork was to be posted via Google Classroom for students, and teachers would be available by email.In a further email this morning, acting principal Will Scovell said a water…