Author: Press Room

Holmes represented a radical shift in short-form television current affairs in New Zealand. Holmes reporter Cameron Bennett writes about how the show came about. From its explosive opening episode in 1989, Holmes rapidly became appointment viewing nationwide and the go-to show for anyone from the Prime Minister to local heroes. It marked a significant departure from the way TVNZ had approached its flagship information shows up until then. News executives gambled on the mercurial, highly-talented radio broadcaster Paul Holmes to front a new, early-evening magazine format to follow the evening news, modelled on Channel 9’s ‘A Current Affair’: Three segments…

There are new calls to help the working homeless in Christchurch, with social agencies describing the situation as “incredibly sad”. As living costs soar and incomes stagnate, some in employment were making an active decision to skip renting to try to save money, including families with children.A 23-year-old woman has parked up in Christchurch’s red zone, an area that was abandoned after the earthquakes.The once-empty streets were now lined with campervans, cars, and even tents.She said she was disillusioned with the rental market and what’s on offer.“I love living in my car. It gives me freedom, and I feel safe…

Insurance companies say using a golf course on Auckland’s North Shore to prevent flooding may be a necessary sacrifice for golfers.Auckland Council proposes converting half the Takapuna Golf Course into a flood catchment, which golfing bodies and prominent figures in the sport oppose.Insurance Council chief executive Kris Faafoi said their members received 1000 claims from homes and businesses in the areas around the golf course, after the Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023.”What we’re asking, as insurers of those areas, is to make sure we can protect families and keep insurance available to those communities.”We’ve got to make…

Police are investigating a “suspicious” spate of fires in Northland in the last seven months.Most recently, detective sergeant Paul Overton said police and Fire and Emergency services responded to reports of a fire on the morning of May 20 on Pataua North Rd.”At around 7am, about 15 T8 Traffic Control cones were taken from a stretch of road under maintenance, stacked in the middle of the road, covered in diesel and set alight,” he said. “A second set of stacked cones were set alight further up the road.”In the last seven months, Overton said police had received a number of…

Julian McMahon, the Australian actor best known for roles in Marvel’s Fantastic Four movies and television series FBI: Most Wanted and Nip/Tuck, has died aged 56.The son of former prime minister Sir William McMahon passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, according to a statement issued by McMahon’s wife, Kelly, to US website Deadline.McMahon had endured a private battle with cancer.”With an open heart, I wish to share with the world that my beloved husband, Julian McMahon, died peacefully this week after a valiant effort to overcome cancer,” Kelly McMahon said.”Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved…

The famous 162-year-old Cardrona pub is set to go up for sale.Since 2013, the historic establishment has been owned by Cade Thornton and his silent partner, James Jenneson.Built in 1863, the pub has been immortalised in art, printed on merch, and the centre of advertising campaigns.Thornton and Jenneson were fresh-faced lads from the city when they decided to take a punt on the establishment. Thornton was 29 when they made the move. By the time the ink dried, he’d hit 30.Cardrona pub co-owner Cade Thornton. (Source: Seven Sharp)He recalled his mum seeing it listed on Trade Me, and they thought…

Work has restarted on Dunedin’s new $1.88 billion hospital, after a series of delays and public backlash.The downsized design will house 351 beds and is due to be completed in 2031.The hospital treats patients from across the lower South Island, which is a six-hour round trip from Cromwell for Roger Driver.“The old hospital is where I’m visiting today and it is in a very bad state of repair,” he said.“My wife has treatment monthly and we’ve been coming for five years every month.”Delays on the project have caused outrage among locals, who have been dealing with the “really, really hectic…

A former IRD prosecutor is calling for changes to the student loan system so that Kiwis living overseas aren’t put off coming home because they’re worried about being arrested at the border.In April, interest rates for overseas borrowers were lifted from 3.9% to 4.9% and the late payment interest rate for all borrowers to 8.9%.Tax barrister Dave Ananth said this is putting people off returning to New Zealand at a time we should be encouraging skilled people to come home.A pilot who’s been living in Australia for over 10 years has racked up a whopping $170,000 in student loan debt,…

A pensioner living in a leaky caravan with no power for six years now has a new home to call his own.Steven Connelly, 67, moved into his home at the new elder housing village in Katikati two weeks ago after four years on the waitlist.Connelly previously lived in a caravan on a relative’s property. There was no power, a long-drop toilet and Connelly slept with a bucket on the bed to catch the leaks when it rained.Asked if it was good to have somewhere warm and dry to live, he said: “Oh hell, yeah.”The village was named Te Āhuru Mōwai…

Oasis finally took to the stage in Wales on Friday (local time) for the start of a highly anticipated reunion tour.In front of an ecstatic capacity crowd, the band chose to resume live performances after 16 years with the apt Hello and its refrain of “it’s good to be back”. After a montage of headlines about the feuding brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher was capped with the words “the guns have fallen silent,” Oasis appeared on stage to a deafening roar.The brothers largely kept their distance onstage. Noel hammered away at his guitar while a parka-clad Liam snarled into the…