Author: Press Room
A burst drinking water pipe has flooded a street in central Wellington this afternoon, cutting off water to several businesses and residences.Footage captured by 1News shows workers and residents moving their motorbikes and cars out of the discoloured water.Wellington Water said its team would have to turn water off to all of Johnston St to carry out the repairs.”We are working as quickly as possible to resolve this and expect water service to be restored this evening, in about six hours.”In a post at 3pm, the organisation said a water tanker had been arranged to supply residents with temporary drinking…
A Wairoa wahine forced out of her home by Cyclone Gabrielle’s toxic aftermath has finally found somewhere she can call home.Lucky Hawkins moved 14 times in two years between short-term rentals, Airbnbs, whānau homes and even beaches after floodwater mixed with chemicals from the business next door swept through her property and made it unliveable in 2023.Last year, desperate for stability, she and her partner bought a house bus.Even that was battered by storms and setbacks.The past week has brought tears of joy and disbelief for Hawkins after moving into a permanent home in Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa’s Te…
The Defence Force has been warned it’s risking public confidence after staff accepted nearly half a million in gifts and hospitality from suppliers, including concert tickets and being hosted on America’s Cup yachts. An inquiry by Auditor-General John Ryan found the NZDF accepted over 2500 offers of gifts and hospitality between 2016 and 2025, valued at more than $418,000.He warned the practice risked “the public and Parliament losing confidence in the decisions made to contract with those suppliers” in a letter to the Defence Force chief.”In my view, NZDF has not paid sufficient attention to the risks that gifts and…
The Prime Minister says a plan to toughen up punishments for people who attack first responders is “entirely appropriate” to ensure the safety of those workers. Yesterday, the Government announced that people who assaulted on-duty police officers, firefighters, paramedics, or prison officers would face longer prison sentences under new criminal offences. Those who assaulted with intent to injure would face up to five years in jail, while those who injured with intent could receive up to seven years — an offence that would also trigger the Three Strikes regime, requiring mandatory minimum sentences.Under the proposed legislation, an existing provision for…
Flooded communities in Nelson Tasman have begun a massive clean up effort, as MetService warns of more rain to come later in the week. The severe weather prompted States of Emergency to be declared for the Nelson/Tasman region, and part of Marlborough, but the rain had eased today and roads were beginning to reopen.Some farmland in Tapawera remained submerged, and residents had been told to treat all water as contaminated. MetService said most of the country woke to clear skies this morning following the heavy rain at the end of last week and into the weekend. However, the forecaster said…
The Kinleith pulp and paper mill in South Waikato was opened by Prime Minister Sidney Holland in 1954. Today, 71 years later, the last functional paper-making machine falls silent, with the loss of about 150 jobs.A RNZ documentary about the mill shortly after it opened, captured the mood of a booming town, a valuable export industry and cutting-edge technology.Seven decades later and, after many cuts and retrenchments, South Waikato Mayor Gary Petley described the mood in town. “A fair amount of uncertainty, a little bit of angst, because of what has happened, and I think more of a realisation there’s…
A homicide investigation has been launched after the death of a man after an incident in Auckland’s Ōtāhuhu last night.Emergency services were called to a property on Beatty St at about 8.30pm on Sunday following a report of a person being seriously injured.Detective Inspector Karen Bright said police found a man in a critical condition on arrival.Hato Hone St John said it responded with one ambulance, one raid response vehicle, and one manager.”One patient was assessed at the scene and transported to Middlemore Hospital in a critical condition.”Police confirmed the man died of his injuries overnight.”Police are continuing to gather…
Cases of respiratory illness such as Covid-19 and influenza are on the rise as the days get colder, with hospital admissions for severe respiratory illness and calls to Healthline about influenza-like illness trending up.A seventh wave of Covid was also rising, caused by a new variant that the Institute of Environmental Science and Research said was the fastest growing since the summer of 2023/24.ESR public health physician Sarah Jefferies said there had been increasing community transmission of Covid-19 in New Zealand as well, with genomic surveillance showing it was caused by the spread of a globally recognised, more transmissible variant…
A new 110km/h speed limit will come into force for a section of motorway north of Auckland from tomorrow morning.Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced today that the 15km section between Pūhoi and Warkworth would have an increased speed limit.”Transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and productivity, and with over 20,000 vehicles travelling this motorway every day, the new higher speed will help ensure people and freight can get to where they need to go, quickly and safely.”NZTA publicly consulted on increasing the speed limit late last year.”More than 7900 submissions were received across Northland and Auckland,” Bishop said.”Responses…
By Euronews Hungary Published on 29/06/2025 – 21:47 GMT+2ADVERTISEMENTThe international press estimates the number of participants in Saturday’s event, the Budapest Pride march – which was, in fact, the outlawed Budapest Pride – at between 100- and 200,000. One thing is for sure: the organisers broke the previous record of 35,000 by a considerable margin.On Sunday, it was finally became clear how Viktor Orbán assessed the Saturday parade, as the Prime Minister. He had told the Pride organisers in February that they “should not bother” with their organisational efforts, as the government would not allow the event to take place.Orders from…