Author: Press Room
MetService is forecasting a lovely weekend for most of the country following a week that “had it all” including a tornado, heavy rain and lots of lightning. MetService meteorologist Heather Keats told Breakfast there had been more than 35,000 lightning strikes recorded across the country since Monday. “A very active week, the North Island had more than 17,000 of those strikes.She said Waikato had around 4000 strikes on Wednesday as a ” big low system moved across”, while Bay of Plenty hit 3800 and Auckland recorded 787. “This will surprise you if you were in Auckland, because it felt like…
The highly anticipated opening of Swedish furniture company IKEA in New Zealand comes as a rural community worries about the fire risk from pine plantations.Since 2020 IKEA has converted six Central Hawke’s Bay farms into pine forestry, which they believe makes them the largest forestry owner in the district.This move, combined with the sale of at least four other Hawke’s Bay farms to overseas forestry companies this year, is sparking concerns from locals about the loss of productive farmland and the risks associated with converting large areas into pines.’Dumbest thing NZ has done in agriculture’To better understand the scale of…
A person has been injured after a vehicle hit a house in a central Auckland suburb this morning. Police were alerted to the single-vehicle crash on Seafield View Road in Grafton shortly after 7.30am. “It appears a car has crashed into a house,” a police spokesperson said. Fire and Emergency Services responded with two units and isolated power from the front of the house. Hato Hone St John said it responded with one ambulance and one rapid response unit. One person was transported to hospital in a moderate condition.Police said inquiries into the incident would continue.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to the media at Waikato University this morning as ground was broken for the school’s new medical building. The Government gave the green light for the new school earlier this year, providing $83 million, with $150 million funded by the university. It’s hoped the new school will add 120 doctor training places annually from 2028. A special ceremony was held to mark the occasion this morning.
A 35-year-old Auckland man has been jailed for four years and 10 months for his involvement in a global child sexual abuse network, after a Customs uncovered thousands of graphic files on his phone during an airport search. The man was sentenced Friday in the Manukau District Court and has been placed on the child sex offender register. Customs intercepted the man in August 2024 when he arrived at Auckland International Airport from overseas. A routine phone check revealed images and videos depicting extreme sexual abuse of children, leading to his immediate arrest for importing objectionable publications.A forensic examination later…
Air New Zealand has updated its rules on the use of portable power banks on flights, following bans by multiple international airlines. Power banks use lithium-ion batteries, which are known to be highly flammable and difficult to extinguish if they go on fire. The airline’s chief risk and safety officer, Nathan McGraw, confirmed that from December 9, customers would not be allowed to carry more than two power banks per person, and they could not be used during take-off, landing or while taxiing on the runway. McGraw said the changes had been made to “keep everybody on board safe”. Last…
All Whites and Auckland FC defender Francis de Vries says while he won’t be setting an alarm to watch the early morning live draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026, he is hoping for one country in particular to be drawn in New Zealand’s pool.Saturday is shaping up to be a bumper day for Kiwi football fans and players.The FIFA World Cup 26 draw in the morning will reveal who the All Whites will take on next year, before the country’s two professional teams duke it out in the A-League derby later that evening.De Vries told Breakfast he was “very…
Inland Revenue is planning to crack down on shareholders taking loans from companies, in a move that could hand some, particularly small businesses, an extra tax bill.Inland Revenue (IR) was asking for feedback on proposals to improve the way new loans by companies to shareholders are taxed.David Carrigan Inland Revenue deputy commissioner for policy, said it would bring New Zealand’s treatment of loans in line with other similar countries, while still allowing the normal business use of short-term drawings.”We recognise that most companies manage their loans to shareholders and drawings responsibly. However, the current rules can allow some loans to…
A $33,000 Fabergé egg pendant that was stolen and swallowed by an alleged thief last week has been recovered. Police were called to a store in central Auckland on Friday last week, after a man inside picked up the limited-edition Fabergé James Bond Octopussy Egg worth $33,585 and swallowed it. He was arrested shortly afterwards. Police confirmed to 1News this morning that the pendant had been recovered last night. The recovered Fabergé egg. (Source: Supplied)The 32-year-old was earlier remanded in custody to appear in the Auckland District Court on December 8, charged with theft. The locket – a nod to…
New Zealand sprinter and national 100m record-holder Eddie Osei-Nketia has officially switched his allegiance to Australia.The 24-year-old, who has not run for New Zealand in more than three years, will now compete for Australia.He last represented New Zealand in 2022 at the World Championships.Australian Athletics posted on Instagram to announce the news: “Welcome, Edward Osei-Nketia.””He has been lighting up Australian tracks for years but Edward Osei-Nketia is now officially eligible to represent Australia on the world stage, successfully completing his transfer of allegiance from New Zealand.”The 10.08-second man joins the nation’s rising sprinting stocks. This is going to be fun.”Osei-Nketia…