Author: Press Room

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello says the number of full-time equivalent officers focusing on enforcing vaping rules has increased. A raft of changes to vaping laws took effect today — including the banning of distribution, manufacture, sale and supply of disposable vapes. From today, penalties for breaching the ban were increased to up to $400,000 for a manufacturer, importer or large retailer, and $50,000 for any other person. The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) was passed in December, imposing tougher penalties for selling vapes to minors, further restrictions on where specialist vape stores can open, and…

Two teenagers have been arrested after they allegedly assaulted and pulled a man from his vehicle during a carjacking in the early hours of this morning. Police were called to Waratah Street in Birkenhead at around 1.22am. Detective Senior Sergeant Megan Goldie said a man was parked outside a property when a “stolen vehicle carrying a group of offenders arrived”. “The victim was assaulted and pulled from his vehicle, before it was stolen by these offenders.”The victim did not suffer serious injuries. His now-stolen vehicle was picked up by cameras on the north-western motorway heading west, and was monitored by…

This year’s Matariki celebrations have expanded to include an extra star: Puanga.Puanga (Rigel), or Puaka as Māori in Te Waipounamu-South Island call it, is one of the brightest stars in our sky and is associated with the weather, season and kai.Puanga is located “above” the constellation known as Tautoru, or Orion’s Belt – the three stars that make up the bottom of ‘the Pot’.It marks the new year for many Māori from the west coast of Northland, Taranaki, Whanganui and Rangitīkei, parts of Wellington, and the South Island.According to matatriki.com, Matariki mā Puanga – the theme for 2025’s new year…

The directors of a Frankton international grocery business have blamed staffing issues, online competition and high transport costs for the company’s insolvency. Spice King, which was incorporated in August 2017, was placed in liquidation last month by resolution of its Christchurch-based shareholders, Neeta and Krishna Shetty, who were also the company’s directors. In their first report, liquidators Lynda Smart and Derek Ah Sam, of Rodgers Reidy, said the directors advised the business ceased trading immediately prior to liquidation. Initial review of the company’s financial records indicated trading might have been transferred to an alternative entity some time before liquidation. The…

The revived Three Strikes law has come into force, targeting repeat offenders of serious violent and sexual crimes with progressively harsher penalties.Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee said those who committed serious violent or sexual offences should expect to face “increasingly severe consequences”.The Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Act 2024 reinstated the regime repealed by the Labour government, with changes to make the legislation “more workable”.McKee described it as a “central pillar” in the Coalition Government’s law and order programme.”New Zealanders have had enough – they want safer streets, safer homes, and a justice system that puts victims first.”The law’s restoration…

Pacific Edge chairman Chris Gallaher has delayed his retirement for the second time to ensure stability and continuity on the cancer diagnostics company’s board. In March last year, the company announced Mr Gallaher’s intention to retire following the appointment of a successor and a structured handover at the end of the year. But in September, the board asked him to remain as chairman into 2025 to provide stability and confidence amid the continued uncertainty over the Medicare coverage status for the company’s Cxbladder tests and the ongoing process to recruit his successor. Yesterday, Pacific Edge advised Mr Gallaher had accepted…

Half a million books could be bound for Dunedin if the closure of a prominent second-hand bookshop goes ahead, its owner says. While the possible closure of Auckland-based Hard To Find Books had plunged its future into “total chaos”, owner Warwick Jordan said he expected its Dunedin store would continue “business as usual”. “If anything, it could boost it in the longer run if we end up coming down there.” The Auckland bookshop’s lease is scheduled to lapse at the end of February next year. Housed in a former convent, the building is owned by the Catholic Church, which decided…

Foodies in Tāmaki Makaurau have had their say on the best dishes the city has to offer, with Auckland’s top 100 dishes being revealed as part of the annual Iconic Eats awards. This year’s list of the most delicious dishes have been compiled from a record-breaking 3109 nominations from the public – a 67% increase from 2024’s list.Now in its fifth year, Iconic Auckland Eats – launched by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited – features everything from Cornish pasties and pepperoni pizzas to ‘raw ramen’ and pāua tortellini.Any kind of dish is able to be nominated by locals or visitors to Tāmaki…

Customs officers have seized around 25 kilograms of methamphetamine found in an unaccompanied bag at Auckland International Airport.The bag, which arrived on a flight from San Francisco on Saturday, was referred to Customs by border partners who observed inconsistencies in X-ray imaging.Further investigation turned out a vacuum-sealed package which tested positive for methamphetamine.Customs said the amount of methamphetamine had an approximate street value of NZ$7.5 million.Chief Customs Officer Tracy Henderson said it had been a busy year for the airport team and that many of the successes resulted from trust and respect amongst partner and border agencies.”Customs continues to work…

Matariki celebrates the Māori New Year and is a time for people to gather, honour the dead, celebrate the present and make plans for the future.This year, the public holiday falls on Friday, June 20.It became an official public holiday only in 2022, but it’s already become one of our most meaningful days and the first holiday to recognise Te Ao Māori. It was the first new public holiday since Waitangi Day became a public holiday in 1974.The date of Matariki changes from year to year, but it will always fall in June or July.There will be plenty of Matariki…