Author: Press Room

An alligator at Auckland Zoo recently had to undergo a veterinary examination after being seen swallowing a jandal in her habitat.Dixie, an American alligator, continued eating normally afterwards, but the zoo’s veterinary team took action to ensure no lingering health concerns.An endoscopy was performed under general anaesthesia by the zoo’s veterinary team, assisted by external specialist Dr Tomm Fluen.Using a flexible camera scope, the team thoroughly examined Dixie’s stomach but found no trace of the jandal, just half digested meat and vegetation.Auckland Zoo staff examine the contents of Dixie’s stomach. (Source: Auckland Zoo)Head of veterinary services James Chatterton said this…

Parents of New Zealand citizens and residents will be granted multi-entry access for up to five years if they met health, income, and insurance criteria when the Government introduces a new longer-term visitor visa in September.Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced the Parent Boost visa this afternoon, saying the Government was delivering on its commitment to support parents who live overseas to visit and stay with their families for longer.The visa may be renewed once, allowing a total stay of up to 10 years, provided the holder spends at least three months outside New Zealand before…

Senior Labour MP Willie Jackson says his party remains “absolutely” willing to work with Te Pāti Māori, but suggests both need to prioritise “jobs, health, homes” to help win against the National-led Government.The two parties’ relationship is shaping up as a defining issue at the next election. Labour’s Māori development spokesperson and campaign chairperson for the Māori seats told Q+A that the 21-day parliamentary ban imposed on Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi was excessive and unjustified.”We thought there should be a sanction… We were just talking a day,” Jackson said, adding that Labour had supported a…

The same three dangerous driving behaviours are frequently reported by AA members on New Zealand roads – and they’re still happening all too often, the group says. The three most common infringements drivers have concerns about from their fellow motorists are red light running, mobile phone use, and tailgating.AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen said the organisation often heard from its members about road safety and that these issues were consistently brought up.He said other stubbornly common issues include incorrect indicating on roundabouts and failing to check blind spots.(Source: istock.com)Phone use still rampant on our roadsMobile phone use while behind…

Many New Zealanders have stood before the fridge pondering how long a container of leftover food has been in there before giving the contents a hearty sniff.It’s a common question posed by people who hate food waste — but some may not be aware of the official advice when it comes to keeping, reheating and eating leftovers. Newly-released advice from New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) to coincide with World Food Safety Day has outlined the top tips to help Kiwis avoid things that may make them ill. “Many of these foodborne illnesses are due to poor food preparation, cooking, or…

Reports that New Zealand’s natural gas reserves might be dwindling faster than expected may be unwelcome news to households using it to cook and heat.The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said previous forecasts showed annual gas production falling below 100 petajoules (PJ) by 2029, but revised forecasts indicated that level would be reached by next year.Paul Fuge, general manager at Consumer NZ’s Powerswitch, said residential gas use was only about 4% of the country’s total gas consumption, so gas supplies for households probably would not run out, but he said they would likely become more expensive over time.”This is…

In a move reminiscent of stations on Washington DC’s metro system, a towering digital billboard opposite Parliament has become the latest battleground for lobbyists seeking to influence policymakers.However, what’s being flogged in Wellington is more political messaging than military hardware from defence contractors.An increasing number of campaigning organisations are buying time on the Whitmore St site, including Federated Farmers, the Motor Trade Association, Rewiring Aotearoa, and even a retired doctor calling out both major parties on the rebuild of Dunedin Hospital.Several of those organisations also highlighted to media their deliberate purchase of space on the billboard. In a release, the…

The Government’s workplace safety regulator needs reform to move away from a culture of “fear”, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says.Speaking to Q+A this morning, Van Velden defended her plans to shake up the health and safety regulator’s approach, saying businesses were “so fearful of WorkSafe” they were spending too much time on paperwork rather than identifying critical risks.”I went around the country and did consultation very differently to previous governments. I went to try and talk to as many different business owners and workers from across New Zealand as possible,” she said.”The feedback on WorkSafe was…

As a teenager Olivia Lucas was told she had the perfect build to be a model. This felt like a compliment but on the inside she was unwell and was eventually diagnosed with Grave’s disease, a thyroid disorder which causes weight loss and other symptoms. “I didn’t know I had symptoms because it is all I ever knew. You don’t know what you are feeling, especially when you are 13. You don’t know what’s good or not. “I just remember everyone saying how skinny and tall I was and should be a model. My eyes were protruding. Looking back now…

Fifty firefighters battled a massive blaze that engulfed a building in Auckland’s Penrose early this morning.Crews were called to the fire at the Maurice Rd property just before 1am, according to Fire and Emergency (FENZ). “We received a call from the security company saying there’s a fire in the building,” Auckland City assistant commander Roger Callister told 1News.The building was being used as a car sales and storage lot, according to FENZ.Crews were called to the fire at the Maurice Rd property just before 1am, according to Fire and Emergency (FENZ). (Source: 1News)At the peak of the blaze, a spokesperson…