Author: Press Room

ADVERTISEMENTSupport for increasing national defence spending appears widespread in Europe although most seem to think that becoming independent from the US when it comes to security and defence before the end of the decade is impossible, a major new survey has found.Most of the more than 16,400 respondents polled across 12 European countries by the European Council of Foreign Relations (ECFR) stated that they are in favour of their countries upping their national defence spending with clear majorities in Poland, Denmark, the UK, Estonia, and Portugal.Pluralities in Romania (50%), Spain (46%), France (45%), Hungary (45%), Germany (47%), and Switzerland (40%)…

The people have spoken — and the NZ Transport Agency has listened— with the speed limit through Rakaia to remain at 50km/h along State Highway 1.Rakaia Community Association chairperson Neil Pluck said it’s a win for the community.“And a victory for common sense around New Zealand as we weren’t the only victor on the day.”Rakaia was one of 16 sites nationwide where the speed limits were reviewed after a community outcry.The Government had planned to automatically reverse the road to its previous higher speed limit of 70km/h.Rakaia’s speed dropped to 50km/h in 2024 after a two-decade campaign by the community.After…

Nearly 200 applications have been received for the so-called ‘golden visa’ since changes were made to liberalise access. The government made changes in April to make it easier for wealthy foreigners to gain New Zealand residency through investment. Since then, Immigration New Zealand has received 189 applications for the visa. Economic growth minister Nicola Willis said that was significantly more than the 116 appliciations received over more than two and a half years under the previous settings. “Investor migrants are clearly attracted to New Zealand’s growing reputation as a safe, pro-business, high-potential economy. In a world where countries compete for dollars and…

There’s growing concern about the prevalence of artificial intelligence being used to doctor photos of children for sinister means.Holly Brooker, co-founder of Makes Sense, said pictures of children being turned into abusive material is something the New Zealand Police have increasingly been alerting the public about.“It’s an emerging trend that’s growing rapidly,” she told Breakfast.“The Internet Watch Foundation reported recently that there’s been a 380% increase in AI-generated child abuse material in the last year.”Brooker said schools could be more front-footed in tackling the increasing risk.(Source: 1News)“I don’t think that it’s something that all schools have thought about and considered…

Auckland’s ageing rain radar needs to survive another year before it can be replaced with a new model.The radar on Mount Tamahunga was commissioned in 1989 and regular upgrades have kept it running well beyond its typical 20-year lifespan.MetService’s general manager of observing systems Kevin Alder told Nine to Noon the radar was a critical piece of infrastructure.”Its job is to provide information on current weather conditions, so where precipitation is actually falling, and it does this by scanning every seven and a half minutes,” he explained.”It has a range of 300 kilometres so it can see weather coming in…

A former fishing company boss who knew fish – including nearly 15 tonnes of snapper – was being illegally caught and landed has been jailed for 16 months.Glen Owen Wright was sentenced in the Auckland District Court last Thursday for his role as a former director of All Weather Fishing Company Limited.Prosecutors said Wright’s company illegally caught and landed nearly 15 tonnes of snapper, and more than 140kg of kahawai and 40kg of grey mullet.The 37-year-old faced a representative charge under the Fisheries Act for failing to prevent the offending, along with obstructing a fishery officer, according to Fisheries NZ.Wright…

Police are investigating an assault which took place at a sports complex in Takanini yesterday afternoon. It said two people were treated for minor injuries after the incident,at about 5pm.Initially, police said the assault took place at Takanini Gurdwara Sri Kalgidhar Sahib on Takanini School Rd but this was updated with a clarification a few hours later.”While the incident took place on the grounds itself, it occurred at a sports complex located next to the Takanini Sikh Temple, not in the temple itself,” a police update said.Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Taylor of Counties Manukau CIB earlier said an offender had…

Two Lotto Powerball winners who won $15 million each on the weekend have yet to come forward to claim their prizes.The winning tickets were sold at Plaza SuperValue in Invercargill and on the MyLotto website to a Wellington player.Lotto NZ confirmed to 1News on Monday it was still waiting for the lucky winners to come forward.”We like to give winners time to find out about their win themselves, and most Powerball winners claim within a few days – but sometimes there can be a delay if they’re away, busy or have even temporarily forgotten they bought it in the first…

By Toni McDonald Australasia’s largest industrial development with a new inland port is set to create a multibillion-dollar logistics and manufacturing network in the South Island and boost Otago’s $16.8 billion economy, says developers Calder Stewart.  John D’Arcy, lower South Island business development manager at Calder Stewart, said the combined Awarua and Milburn Quadrant inland port developments, spanning over 700 hectares between them, were strategically designed to operate as a unified export and logistics ecosystem. Awarua would function as a high-output industrial hub, while Milburn would act as the logistics interface.  Combining both ends of the supply chain would provide…

One of Auckland’s largest developed parks will soon open in south Auckland and a new play plan has been adopted to better connect the community with green and public spaces, especially for Pacific people.Ōpaheke Park in Papakura will officially open to the public on July 17.The 19 hectare-park features wide green fields, 2km of walking paths, 50,000 new plants and trees, wetlands, and a pump track for the kids.In a statement, Papakura Local Board chair Brent Catchpole said the park was a great example of smart planning.“It’s a space where families can exercise, play and relax, but also somewhere that…