Author: Press Room

ADVERTISEMENT European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk arrived at the Polish-Belarusian border on Sunday, where they discussed defence and security, among other issues. The EC chief assured Tusk and the Polish people of “Europe’s full solidarity with Poland as a frontline state,” and stressed the importance of putting continued pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Putin has not changed and will not change. He is a predator,” the European Commission president said, adding that “he can only be kept in check through strong deterrence.” Von der Leyen’s trip to Poland comes as part…

Family fishing licences are set for an overhaul to fix outdated rules that have seen many women unable to fish alone.Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager has just announced the changes ahead of Fish and Game national fishing licences going on sale tomorrow.An historic anomaly in the licensing system means the second adult on the licence, often a woman, currently cannot fish without being with the primary holder, often her husband, nor stand or vote in elections.But from tomorrow the glitches, described by Meager as an oversight, will be fixed to ensure both adults have equal fishing rights.Fish & Game’s…

Auckland Council’s plan to trial fortnightly rubbish collection in some suburbs has drawn criticism from residents who fear it will worsen illegal dumping in their neighbourhoods. Parts of Te Atatū Peninsula, Panmure/Tāmaki and Clendon Park/Weymouth have been selected for the proposed six-month trial, impacting around 10,000 households.  The council’s goal was to reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfills. The city currently sent 1.5 million tonnes of rubbish to landfill each year — enough to fill Eden Park every week. Officials said moving from a weekly to fortnightly rubbish collection could help cut waste by thousands of tonnes per year,…

A fishing crew targeting ling off the West Coast made an unusual catch last week – hauling up a smartphone from 400m deep, complete with a student ID, bank card and driver’s licence still tucked into a pocket on the back.The phone belonged to Charlie Butterfield, a keen outdoorsman who lost his phone during a late-night tuna-chasing trip off the Greymouth bar with his father earlier this month.”We were leaning over to grab dead hoki floating on the surface, probably dropped by a trawler, and his phone just slipped out of his top pocket,” said Charlie’s father Matt Butterfield.”It was…

A popular range of coleslaw and ready-to-eat salad products has been urgently recalled from supermarkets across New Zealand due to the possible presence of metal filings.The affected Speirs Foods brand salads and Woolworths brand coleslaw were sold at Fresh Choice, New World, PAK’nSAVE and Woolworths supermarkets through NZ.The recall includes Woolworths brand Classic Coleslaw, sold in 250g and 450g plastic containers with use-by dates of September 5 and September 6, 2025, as well as a range of ready-to-eat salads sold in various weights from deli counters between August 27 and August 29.New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle…

Experts have warned of the long-term psychological effects on the children of fugitive Tom Phillips, who police say has involved at least one of them in recent criminal activity — including a burglary earlier this week.Police released CCTV footage yesterday of two masked individuals, who police believed to be Marokopa father Tom Phillips and one of his children, robbing a store in Piopio on Wednesday.The pair, who travelled in and out on a quad bike, were in the area for 13 minutes.Phillips has been on the run for more than three-and-a-half years and there is a warrant for his arrest…

A years-long battle between Pākiri locals and a sand mining company has ended after McCallum Bros withdrew its High Court bid to continue dredging operations in Auckland’s north.McCallum Bros Limited (MBL) and the Manuhuri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust (Ngāti Manuhuri) reached a settlement agreement that would see the company surrender its temporary consent for sand extraction at Pākiri, abandon its legal challenge against Environment Court decisions made in 2024, and settle the costs awarded to Ngāti Manuhuri.Effective immediately, MBL would no longer extract sand under the consent.The company said a key factor in its decision was the significant time, cost and…

Long-time advocates for anti-stalking laws say new Government legislation doesn’t go far enough, and could fail to capture some offenders.Currently before Parliament, the new law could send stalkers to prison for up to five years when they commit two specified acts – such as following a person, recording or doxing them – within a two-year period. One survivor, who spoke to 1News anonymously for her own safety, said she was stalked for months several years ago by a man she briefly dated – and wished more could have been done. “It took me a very long time to feel safe…

Two men have died following separate incidents involving a farm and a quad bike this afternoon.Emergency services were called to property in Okaiawa, South Taranaki shortly after midday following an incident involving a farm bike. “On arrival, a male was pronounced deceased at the scene,” a police spokesperson said. St John said it sent one ambulance.”Our crew was not required for transportation,” a spokesperson said. Police also confirmed emergency services were called to an incident involving a quad bike at a property in Saint James Range, near Hanmer Springs just before midday. “On arrival, a male was pronounced deceased at…

More than 8000 high school students have sung their hearts out at this year’s Big Sing competition in Dunedin.The Big Sing Finale 2025 showcased the top 24 secondary school choirs selected from more than 250 choirs who competed at regional festivals earlier in the year. From Auckland to Invercargill, students have travelled hundreds of kilometres to take part in the national finale.The competition has taken on new prominence this year, thanks in part to the box office success of Tinā, the fifth highest-grossing New Zealand film of all time. The film, which was partly inspired by a viral choral performance from the Big Sing, has drawn fresh attention…