Author: Press Room
A travel agent says new rules for New Zealanders wanting to visit the United Kingdom could prove costly if people are not aware of them.From January, people wanting to travel to the UK will need to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) as the country digitises its border and immigration system.”Everyone wishing to travel to the UK — except British and Irish citizens — will need permission to travel in advance of coming here. This can be either through an ETA or an eVisa,” the UK Home Office said.Eligible citizens outside of Europe could apply for an ETA from…
The housing crisis has its roots in a chronic shortage of affordable and social housing, a situation worsened by wealthy foreigners moving to Portugal on the promise of tax breaks. ADVERTISEMENTThousands of people have protested in cities across Portugal against unaffordable house prices and rising rental costs, with many saying they have been priced out of the housing market.Demonstrators marched with banners bearing slogans like, “Our neighbourhoods are not your business” and “I have to choose between paying for a house or eating”.The housing crisis has its roots in a chronic shortage of affordable and social housing, a situation worsened…
Dick Blanchett is a loyal customer. For 82 years, he’s frequented the same barbershop in Timaru, ever since his first haircut at the age of four.Known as Murray’s Barbershop & Beauty Salon today, the 96-year-old business has been in the Gibson family since Ernie Gibson, a Gallipoli veteran, founded it in 1929.Blanchett can still recall his first mop chop as a preschooler.”In those days, they didn’t have electric shavers; they were manual clippers, the old hand clippers,” he recalled.”They cut some hair and pulled a lot out. It wasn’t a happy day.”Murray’s Barbershop & Beauty Salon has been in the…
A person who went missing while snorkelling in Kaikōura on Saturday has been found dead by rescue crews, police say.Police were alerted at around 4.50pm yesterday afternoon when the man was about 30 minutes overdue.A body was found in the water at about 6pm.”Support is being provided to the man’s whānau at this difficult time,” a police spokesperson said.”Police would like to thank those involved in the search for the person, including Coastguard Kaikōura volunteers.”The man’s death will be referred to the coroner.
As David Seymour eyes the return of charter schools, he suggests New Zealand could be like England, where independently-run schools dominate the secondary education system. The Associate Education Minister told Q+A there is enough funding for “up to 15” charter schools to be operational by Term 1 next year. Seymour said these were all likely to be new — rather than state schools that have converted into charter schools — and their exact starting date would vary depending on what’s practical and getting sign-off from an Authorisation Board.When asked how many charter schools there may eventually be, Seymour pointed to…
In a surprise move, a huge Queenstown restaurant/bar has closed after only about three months’ trading and is being converted into much-needed workers’ accommodation for 50-plus local employees. Following an extensive refit, The Assembly Gastro Pub, in the Upper Village hospitality precinct, just below the Skyline gondola, suddenly shut its doors about two weekends ago. It is understood staff were all paid out. The manager refused to comment. Boasting seating for up to 300 people, the gastro pub was originally The Bavarian restaurant when Upper Village opened in late 2021. However, last year the landlord took over the business, and…
Investors in failed property empire Du Val Group are owed around $41 million, and it’s been revealed they are unlikely to get much of that money back.The group was placed into statutory management last month, as authorities became increasingly concerned about its “significant liabilities”, not long after it was placed into interim receivership by the High Court.The Du Val empire comprised of a network of four core Du Val corporations, 20 associated limited partnerships, and 46 subsidiaries.The group was founded and controlled by socialite couple Kenyon and Charlotte Clarke.A lengthy report released yesterday by PwC, the statutory managers who now…
A class of Auckland schoolkids has learned persistence pays off, after well-known children’s author David Walliams paid a special visit to their class. The comedian, who’s currently on tour in New Zealand, dropped by Sylvia Park School after receiving dozens of letters from students in Room 6.Teacher Sarah Gatland told 1News her class was learning about persuasive writing when the idea to write to the celebrity came about. “We thought, oh, we’ll persuade David Walliams to come to school… Didn’t even think we’d get a response,” she said. Gatland said she was “ecstatic” when she heard back from Walliams. “I…
As part of his trip to Belgium, Pope Francis made a surprise visit to Saint Gilles where he met with homeless and undocumented people. ADVERTISEMENTIn a surprise change to his schedule, Pope Francis met with homeless and undocumented people in Brussels’ church of Saint-Gilles on Saturday morning. He learned about their lives over croissants and coffee.10 people gathered around a table at the church of Saint Gilles in the centre of the city where they usually receive their breakfast outside. The table was moved into the church to escape the rain. The group chatted with Pope Francis about their experiences…
Key points: The PM has defended reprioritising $30m in funding, which originally went towards a Māori language programme for teachers. The Government says a review found the programme was not affecting student achievement. Critics say the programme was transformative, helping to integrate the language into the classroom. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has defended the scrapping of $30 million from a Māori language programme for teachers just days are Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, calling it ineffective. “Just because we’ve cancelled a programme, doesn’t mean that we’re not committed to te reo,” Luxon said. “But what it does mean is…