Author: Press Room

A humpback whale has died after being found stuck on a sandbank at the mouth of the Waitati River, north of Dunedin on Saturday.Project Jonah, a charitable organisation dedicated to helping marine mammals, said it responded to the stranding on Sunday morning.In a post online, it said medics from the charity went to the beach to monitor the whale, alongside Department of Conservation rangers, Surf Life Saving NZ, and mana whenua Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki.”It was hoped the whale would be able to free itself on the incoming tide and during this time, we consulted with several organisations through…

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger concedes he had been “naive” to promise below-inflation rates rises when he first ran three years ago, as he and his opponent Sara Templeton went head-to-head in a Q+A debate.The mayoral election in the country’s second-largest city has seen progressive councillor Templeton running to replace the first-term incumbent. On rates, the two frontrunners have clashed on whether Government-mandated caps on increases are appropriate.On Q+A, Mauger said he was “naive” to have pledged to keep rates rises below inflation when he ran for mayor in 2022, but was adamant voters could still trust him on the issue.”That…

A new government-funded training programme in Ōamaru is helping Pasifika factory workers future-proof their careers, as economic uncertainty continues to impact the primary industries.The free NZQA-accredited course, known as Project Fetu, was designed to upskill workers in literacy, numeracy, and digital skills — areas many have had limited access to as they headed straight into the workforce.Among the trainees is Salesi Kava, a father of six who left school to support his family after his father suffered a heart attack.Selesi Kava. (Source: 1News)”I didn’t get the opportunity to study like at Polytech or university,” he told 1News. “I had to…

Canterbury Emergency Management is urging those in the region to “prepare now” as a red strong wind warning has been issued for the area. MetService warned of destructive 150km/h gusts as severe weather threatens to batter much of the South Island and lower North from this evening. The forecaster said winds of this strength had the potential to “cause damage to powerlines and roofs with threat to life from flying items and falling trees, dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport and power supply”. The active front preceded by a strong north to northwest flow would then move northeast…

Steel gates, warning signs and the start of demolition works outside a mouldy, abandoned home has brought relief to a Wellington street.Earlier this month RNZ reported a 1980s era large mouldy, abandoned home on Kabul Street in Khandallah had been decaying for years, bringing a strong smell to the area.One neighbour Paul Ash said it was attracting crime and had become almost “an industrial-sized puffball of mould spores”.The owner of the home was contacted by RNZ and acknowledged it had become an eyesore and confirmed demolition would start about September 17.Nearly two weeks on, the owner seemed to have stuck…

Protestors have taken part in marches and rallies throughout the country today in opposition to the Government’s changes to pay equity laws. Earlier this year, the Pay Equity Amendment Bill passed through all stages in Parliament under urgency.The controversial legislation raised the threshold for proving work has been historically undervalued when making a pay equity claim.Opponents said at the time it will make it harder for women in female dominated industries to make a claim.More than 20 events were held across the country under the banner of the “Women’s Day of Action for Pay Equity”. (Source: 1News)Today, more than 20…

Jacinda Ardern has called the war in Gaza a “genocide” before the ongoing UN General Assembly meeting.In an opinion piece for The Guardian, the former prime minister decried the growing casualty count in the region, in particular the impact of war on new mothers and childbirth.”There is a path to stopping the genocide still happening daily before us: more countries must recognise Palestinian statehood; any cooperation that facilitates military action must end,” she wrote.Ardern joins a growing chorus of international experts, world leaders and organisations saying that Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the definition of “genocide” under international law.But Israel…

More than 20 popular snack products sold under the Tasti brand are being urgently recalled across New Zealand due to the possible presence of small wire-like metal pieces. The “significant recall” impacted various Tasti brand bars, peanuts, and snack ball products sold at supermarkets and retailers nationwide.New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said the concern was that the products could cause injury, but that no reports of associated injury had been received.”Affected products have been removed from shelves. If you have any at home, don’t eat them. You can return them to the place of purchase for…

Alzheimers New Zealand warns the country is “dangerously unprepared”, as the number of people living with dementia is projected to more than double by 2050.Chief executive Catherine Hall is calling for the Government to take urgent action.About 83,000 people live with dementia, which is estimated to increase to about 170,000 in the next 25 years.The warning coincided with the release of the World Alzheimer Report 2025, which said investment in community-based “rehabilitative services” was needed to help people living with dementia maintain independence.Hall said those services already existed through 17 community-based dementia and Alzheimer’s support organisations across the country, but…

One person has died following a single-vehicle crash in Whanganui East this morning. The crash at the convergence of State Highway 4 and Anzac Parade was initially reported shortly before 10am. “Sadly, the sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services,” a police spokesperson said. St John said it sent one ambulance and one support vehicle.State Highway 4 had since re-opened and support was being provided to those involved.