Author: Press Room

Health Minister Simeon Brown has confirmed the new inpatient building for Dunedin Hospital will be built on the site of the former Cadbury factory.Brown, who was allocated the portfolio earlier this month, said there would be 351 beds, with the capacity to expand to 404 over time. “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin Hospital that will futureproof the provision of timely, quality healthcare for the people of Dunedin and the surrounding Otago and Southland regions,” Brown said. He added that action had been taken to get cost overruns under control.Simeon…

The new school lunches programme experienced more issues today as a problem with ovens saw delivery delays in Auckland. It comes after several principals were left frustrated yesterday, with some schools paying for food themselves when deliveries were late. An email sent to schools today from the School Lunch Collective – which provides the meals – said there was a “technical problem” with ovens. “We apologise to you and to the students for the number of times this week the lunches have arrived late.”In a statement to Stuff, the School Lunch Collective said the issue had been resolved, but “unfortunately,…

Small businesses often face the challenge of standing out in competitive marketplaces, especially at outdoor events, trade shows, and local markets. A branded gazebo 3×3 is one of the most effective and cost-efficient tools for increasing brand awareness, attracting customers, and providing a professional appearance. With the ability to customise, transport, and reuse, a 3×3 printed marquee serves as an invaluable asset for small businesses looking to make an impact. This blog explores why investing in a branded gazebo 3×3 is a game-changer for your business, covering everything from visibility and durability to ease of setup and cost-effectiveness. 1. Instant…

While Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland provoked reactions from EU leaders, residents seem less worried, according to interviews conducted on the ground by Euronews. ADVERTISEMENTMany Greenlanders feel that the world around them is more worried about Greenland than they are, Euronews’ Shona Murray tells Radio Schuman today from Greenland’s capital Nuuk.Shona has been on the ground in Greenland gauging reaction to US President Donald Trump’s bid to acquire the territory for the US.Trump’s interest in Greenland has unsettled European leaders, despite their efforts to remain silent. Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, sought support from three European capitals and announced a…

The top-of-New Zealand’s biggest maize contractor says news of a potential increase in fall army worm populations is “bloody horrific”.Whangārei-based Greg Sowry’s comments come as the Federation of Arable Research warns of the country’s first likely occurrence of four generations of the pest in a season.Sowry said this was not good news as fall army worm infestations could result in maize crop production loss of as much as 50%.“It is a definite threat and concern,” Sowry said.The maize crop pest came from Australia and was first officially confirmed in New Zealand the Bay of Plenty in 2022.The Christchurch-based Federation of…

An intercepted shipment of MDMA pressed into plate shape in Auckland has led police to seize more than 30 kilograms of cannabis, as well as MDMA and ketamine from an Invercargill property.Two Invercargill men have been arrested and charged with possession and supply.Southern District crime manager Detective Inspector Shona Low said the operation began at the Auckland International Mail Centre on January 6 when a package declared to contain dinner plates caught the attention of Customs officers.An X-ray raised suspicions and testing revealed more than 2kg of MDMA had been pressed into plate shape and coated with paint.”The package was…

Power is back on in Rotorua after the city experienced a power outage impacting more than 35 suburbs this afternoon.Lines company Unison said power had been fully restored as of 3.15pm and thanked customers for their patience and understanding.Transpower told 1News the outage was caused by a switching error at the Rotorua substation on Titoki Pl, and they would investigate what happened. More than 22,000 customers are without power this afternooon. (Source: Unison)Unison said 22,000 customers were affected by the outage.Mayor Tania Tapsell thanked the community for looking out for each other.”An estimated 22,000 people affected by this today and…

Five people were reported injured and a number of homes lost power after a bus hit a power pole in Wainuiomata near Lower Hutt this morning.Police were called to the intersection of Hine Road and Coast Road at around 11.45am. “Five people are reported to have sustained moderate injuries,” police said. Power was knocked out for a number of homes following the crash. (Source: 1News)Wellington Free Ambulance told RNZ it took one person with moderate injuries to Hutt Hospital. According to Wellington Electricity, at 2pm, 53 homes in the area remain without power. It said the outage was expected to…

Civil society groups and unions are nervous about the political turn taken by the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen’s second presidency, and warn its new Competitiveness Compass could steer it away from green deal aspirations and workers’ rights. ADVERTISEMENTThe Commission wants to liberate businesses from the burden of regulation by ‘simplifying’ the gamut of European law, but some fear the EU executive’s new watchword is a euphemism for deregulation.The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) declined an invitation for ‘social partners’ to endorse the Competitiveness Compass presented on Wednesday (29 January), saying it had not been consulted on the EU…

A woman has been fined more than $25,000 and an associate ordered to undertake 300 hours of community service after an unregistered homekill business illegally slaughtered and sold pigs.Auckland woman Suli Rachael Rejoice Adimim, 43, was fined $25,245 and Auckland man Bruce Baru Luke Vunipola, 38, has been ordered to do 300 hours of community work for the illegal slaughter and sales of the pigs.The pair were both sentenced in the Papakura District Court on January 29 on seven charges under the Animal Products Act, and one charge under the Animal Welfare Act following a New Zealand Food Safety investigation.…