Author: Press Room

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he is “very concerned” about the admission of abuse from Gloriavale’s leader but would not be drawn on potential Government oversight of the West Coast commune.Howard Temple, 85, earlier denied 24 charges, including several of sexual offending against girls and young women at the West Coast commune over 20 years.However on Wednesday, Temple pleaded guilty to an amended set of charges, including five of indecent assault, five of doing an indecent act, and two common assault charges.A further 12 charges were dropped.He was remanded on bail until August 11, when a sentencing date would be…

Senior Labour MP Megan Woods has announced she will not seek re-election in the Christchurch electorate of Wigram, opting instead to stand as a list candidate in the 2026 general election.Woods, who has represented Wigram since 2011, shared the news in a Facebook post, calling it “both humbling and the honour of a lifetime” to serve her community.”While this has been a difficult decision, after deep reflection, I’ve decided not to seek re-election in Wigram in 2026. Instead, I’ll be seeking selection for the Labour List to part of the new Government Chris Hipkins forms in 2026.”Reflecting on her election…

A man who allegedly burgled around $2 million worth of property from more than 50 homes across Auckland in two years has been arrested by police — who say he was on his way to his next job.Detective Sergeant Amanda Reed said police had been collecting evidence and information on the 51-year-old’s movements for several months and had intercepted a burglary attempt on Friday.Police sighted a vehicle belonging to the man travelling on Shore Rd in Remuera just after 6pm, she said.”Based off inquiries made into his movements in recent months, it was believed that he was on his way…

Police have arrested a man in connection with a street fight in Auckland’s Ōtara where a man was killed late on Friday.Emergency services responded to reports of a group fighting on Wymondley Rd shortly before midnight.Two men were found with critical injuries, with one later dying.A pool of blood was still clearly visible on the footpath on Wymondley Rd, about 250m from the police cordon on Bairds Road, on Saturday morning.A local resident, who did not want to be identified, told 1News he was woken by aggressive yelling outside around midnight.A homicide investigation has been launched, while a second man…

Housing Minister Chris Bishop says he’s “open” to changing emergency housing eligibility rules as providers report rising rough sleeping and homelessness.In response to questions in a Q+A interview, Bishop said he would consider changes to the Government’s contributing clause in emergency housing provisions, which requires applicants to prove they haven’t contributed to their housing need.”I don’t really want to do it. I’ll do it if I think it would make a difference, but I don’t want to go back to a situation where the large-scale use of motels for emergency housing is where we get to,” he said.”I’m open to…

You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone today with a bad word to say about the Māori Wardens. Kindness, mana, and community service are what most people associate with them.So it might come as a surprise to learn that in the 1970s, Māori Wardens were likened to Northern Ireland’s “B Special Force”, and their work described as a form of apartheid.As a result, the wardens were nearly wiped out. Dismissed by the government of the day as discriminatory relics of a bygone era.Mātua Peter Walden, many-time president of the New Zealand Māori Wardens Association, was there to see it happen.“The government…

Three people were reportedly hit by a vehicle in the Auckland CBD early this morning, police say, with a driver allegedly fleeing the scene.Emergency services were called to Queen St, between Karangahape and City Rd, at about 6am after police received “reports of a vehicle colliding with three pedestrians”.”One has reportedly been seriously injured, while the others have sustained minor injuries. The driver then fled the scene on foot,” Inspector Nick Poland said. “Two people were located nearby a short time later and taken into custody. “Charges are being considered. “Cordons are in place and the serious crash unit is…

An organic vegetable farm in Canterbury needs seed capital – literally. Untamed Earth Organic Farm lost about $250,000 of crops in the flooding which saturated Canterbury in early May. Co-owner Penny Platt said their farm at Coes Ford was completely underwater and the deluge caused damage to their other sites. The company grew organic crops on 60 hectares of land across several sites in the region, and now needed help to get back on their feet. May’s damage was the worst she had seen in her 15 years in the business, Platt said. “The water squishes all the oxygen out of the…

The NCEA qualification lacks the rigour needed to prepare New Zealand students for competitive universities and workplaces, the chief executive of Crimson Education says.It comes as an announcement from the Government and Education Minister Erica Stanford is expected imminently on the future of the NCEA system. Speaking to Q+A, Crimson Education co-founder Jamie Beaton said NCEA wasn’t setting students up well for future success, and lacks international recognition. “To be honest, it’s rough. NCEA is basically not a rigorous curriculum at all, and students graduating with it are often two years behind in core subjects like maths, science as well,”…

National leader Christopher Luxon has told his party’s annual conference that the country needs to “say yes” more.Addressing about 550 delegates, MPs and supporters at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Christchurch yesterday, Luxon bemoaned “activists” who opposed housing developments, agriculture, cruise ships and mines.”If we’re serious about keeping Kiwis at home, creating jobs and increasing wages for all New Zealanders, we can’t afford to keep saying no to every opportunity that comes our way.”Opposition parties have heavily criticised the Government for its economic policies and laid the blame at its feet for the 30,000 New Zealanders who…