Author: Press Room

A woman attempting to smuggle meth-soaked clothing through Auckland Airport is among three alleged drug couriers arrested this week in operations that netted drugs worth more than $10 million, authorities say.The 59-year-old was arrested last night when border officers allegedly discovered clothing items stiff with absorbed methamphetamine in her baggage.The estimated weight of the suspected meth found, including the clothes, was 6.87kg.Over the past two days, Customs officers have seized an estimated 27kgs of meth from two separate smuggling incidents.Auckland Airport customs manager Paul Williams said the unrelated incidents highlighted ongoing attempts to exploit the busy holiday travel period.“Day three…

Opening up about his sobriety journey —which started in 2022 — actor Tom Holland has admitted he kicked alcohol as he would “go too far” when boozing.The Spider-Man actor, 28, began his sobriety journey by participating in Dry January in 2022 — but extended his teetotal spell when he realised how massively drink was impacting his life.Holland, who has since launched an alcohol-free beer range, told the January/February issue of Men’s Health: “My problem was that I would have one drink and be fine, and then I would just go too far.”He added when he was struggling with wanting a…

By Amy Williams of RNZ  Global retailer Ikea is getting about 800 applications for senior management roles ahead of opening its first New Zealand store this year. Ikea is spending $407 million on setting up an Auckland store, due to open in Sylvia Park towards the end of this year – an exact date is yet to be announced. That cost includes recruiting 400 people. Ikea New Zealand market manager Johanna Cederlöf said 20 senior management positions fulfilled so far have each attracted between 700 and 800 applications. “This start has positively surprised, we knew that the figures would be…

Political figures, former colleagues and friends of the late Dame Tariana Turia have paid tribute to the former MP.Dame Tariana, 80, was an MP for 18 years, having co-founded Te Pāti Māori and served as a minister under both Helen Clark’s Labour and John Key’s National governments.She suffered a stroke earlier this week and died in Whanganui overnight, her iwi said.’Never swayed from her values’ — PM Christopher LuxonPrime Minister Christopher Luxon said “Dame Tariana leaves a significant legacy for Māori and for New Zealand” after years of being a “tireless advocate”.”Dame Tariana was a principled leader, never swaying from…

Dame Tariana Turia has died at the age of 80, her iwi says.Turia — a co-founder of the Māori Party and former Labour minister who crossed the floor over the foreshore and seabed debate — suffered a stroke earlier this week.She died at Whangaehu Marae in Whanganui overnight, according to her iwi.A spokesperson for Te Ranga Tupua said the marae would soon be open to mourners.”Whānau will be gathering at Pakaitore where Dame Tariana will lie at 1pm today. “From there, she will travel by waka to Putiki Marae, before returning home to Whangaehu at approximately 4pm,” according to a…

Police have released the names of four people killed in separate crashes in Auckland, Waikato and Balclutha last month.The crash victims died in the weeks leading up to Christmas.Police released the names of the four this morning.Anthony Nelson Botica, aged 28 of Pukekawa, died in a motorcycle crash in the early hours of December 15. The crash happened on Morrison Road, near Pōkeno in Waikato.Karaka woman Susanti Halim, 36, died following a three-vehicle crash south of Auckland, on December 18. Three others were admitted to hospital after the crash on Karaka Rd.The three-vehicle crash closed Karaka Rd on December 18.…

Police are appealing for witnesses after a driver was found dead after a crash in Auckland’s Māngere yesterday evening. Emergency services were called to the single-vehicle crash on Ihumātao Rd at about 5.36pm, but police say “the driver and sole occupant was found deceased.””The serious crash investigations unit has conducted a scene examination and is appealing for witnesses to the crash.”Ihumātao Rd was close to Auckland International Airport and south of Māngere town centre. People with information were urged to call 105, citing file number 250102/7039.

A person has died after a car plunged down a bank in Hawke’s Bay overnight.Police said in a statement they were called about 10pm to Foster Lane in Havelock North after a report of a car going down a bank.Foster Lane was a winding road in hilly terrain in the southwest of Havelock North.”One person has been located, deceased,” a police spokesperson said. “Two other people have been seriously injured.”Police said the Serious Crash Unit had examined the scene and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash were ongoing.

Rain is on the way for much of Aotearoa on Friday, with thunderstorms and hail possible in some areas.MetService said the culprit was a low pressure system moving eastwards onto New Zealand during the morning.Cooling temperatures in the upper atmosphere would bring unsettled weather to central and northern parts of the country.There was a moderate risk of thunderstorms for Waitomo, Taranaki, Horowhenua, Kāpiti Coast, western Tasman and Buller, with 10-15mm of rain per hour expected.MetService said in a tweet that it was possible those thunderstorms would bring hail.Much of the rest of the North Island had a low risk of…

The UK’s Meteorological Office said a snap of cold weather will grip the country, with large areas facing snowfall. ADVERTISEMENTA three-day weather warning was issued in the UK on Thursday as swathes of the country face ice and snow in a cold snap in the first week of the New Year. Yellow weather warnings were put in place for northeast Scotland, northwest England and Northern Ireland with people in those areas told to expect icy conditions and delays in their journeys. Most of England, southern Scotland and all of Wales were told by the Met Office to prepare for snow from Saturday…