Author: Press Room
Police have issued a warning after stakes were found embedded in the ground in the Manawatū settlement of Himatangi.The stakes were discovered by members of the public “near the forest entrances at the beach, alongside other areas near the Tangimoana Forestry Block”, Manawatū Police posted today on its Facebook page.”These stakes pose a great danger and could cause serious injury to any person entering and using the forest, either recreationally or for work purposes.”Anyone found to be responsible for laying the stakes would face charges, police said.”Due to the severity of damage these stakes can cause to the public and…
This article was originally published in Italian The latest medical bulletins from the Vatican on the 88-year-old’s condition have said he is improving and is no longer in immediate danger of death. ADVERTISEMENTPope Francis marked his 12th anniversary as pontiff on Thursday with positive medical updates nearly a month after he was hospitalised with double pneumonia. In the Vatican’s latest medical bulletin on Tuesday, it said a chest X-ray had confirmed improvements just two days after doctors declared that the pope was no longer at imminent risk of death. However, the “general picture remains complex”, the bulletin read.The Holy See has…
A person was admitted to hospital overnight in Wairarapa after ingesting an unknown substance.It comes after three others were taken to hospital in the region after ingesting an unknown white powder over the weekend. Today police said they were called to a Masterton home in Wairarapa about 8.50pm Wednesday where the person was in critical condition. Three others fell ill over the weekend after taking what they thought was cocaine but was likely an opioid. Wairarapa Relieving Area Commander Inspector Nick Thom said today that the substances in the two incidents were not believed to be the same, but “police…
EU senior officials including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are set to go on a scoping trip to intensify trade bonds with Vietnam five years after signing a free trade agreement with the south-east Asian country. ADVERTISEMENTUrsula von der Leyen will travel to Vietnam in the coming months, the Commission President’s spokesperson has confirmed, as the executive seeks to pin down trade ties with third countries against a fraught geopolitical backdrop.“There are plans to visit Vietnam notably to strengthen economic ties,” EU chief spokesperson Paula Pinho said, adding that no date had been set for the trip yet. Trade Commissioner Maroš…
An iconic Kaiapoi bridge is set for a facelift after a local community advocate left a large donation in his will.The Harper family gave the Waimakariri District Council a bequest from the late Harry Harper, which will be used to restore and upgrade the Williams St bridge, over the Kaiapoi River.Brother Ray Harper said using the funds to support the bridge upgrade was a fitting tribute.”Harry dedicated his life to Kaiapoi, so this project would make him very happy because most days his walk would take him over this bridge.”Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said Harry Harper dedicated much of his…
Eels hauled up from a stream during digger work wound up dumped on the ground at a compost facility, infuriating a man who followed a council contractor’s truck to see what would happen.BioRich, which received the eels, says any live ones that “hitchhiked” to its facility were collected and returned to the stream.Napier City Council says the way the incident was dealt with follows the Code of Practice for eel rescues, as set by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council after previous controversies in the region.But that’s not enough for Merv McNatty, who says the eels should never have been taken to…
Rotorua’s area commander has commended opposition to Operation Trolley, saying the controversy raised awareness of the homeless community.January’s Operation Trolley lasted three days and resulted in 13 people being arrested, 45 trolleys returned to stores and 19 trespass orders issued.Seven of the arrests were for possessing shopping trolleys and those people were given verbal warnings. The other six arrests were for alleged historical offending, including theft, assault, bail breaches and trespassing.Praised by some in the community for tackling an enduring problem, others claimed it unfairly targeted vulnerable people.Police at the time said that while being homeless was not a crime,…
Ousted United Kingdom High Commissioner Phil Goff was farewelled overnight with a message from King Charles.Goff was sacked by Foreign Minister Winston Peters after making undiplomatic comments about Donald Trump. He posted on Facebook that he had now had a send-off.”Nice to be farewelled today by Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps Alastair Harrison, with a message from King Charles,” he said. “It has been a privilege to represent New Zealand in the United Kingdom.”Goff did not reveal what the King’s message said, but said the two countries had a long, close and enduring friendship, fighting for common values.”On critical global…
A former tax agent has been sentenced to the maximum length of home detention for sustained tax fraud.Chafic Georges has been sentenced to 12 months’ home detention, after appearing in the Manukau District Court on 19 tax fraud charges.Georges was a registered tax agent and sole trader from October 2006 until the business stopped in January 2018. Before that, he worked for Inland Revenue.An investigation began after a risk review indicated he and his family had accumulated wealth unaccounted for in income tax returns.”What was uncovered was sustained fraud, including filing false personal tax returns, and false income tax and…
The Finance Minister says there is already interest in one of the Public Private Partnerships on offer at the Government’s Infrastructure Investment Summit.Representatives of more than 100 companies from 15 countries have gathered in Auckland for the summit, between them controlling $6 trillion in assets and funds.One of the projects the government had already confirmed attendees would be invited to register their interest in was the 26km Warkworth to Te Hana section of the Northern Expressway, which will include an 850 metre twin-bore tunnel.1News business correspondent Katie Bradford reports from the first day of the Infrastructure Investment Summit. (Source: 1News)Nicola…