Author: Press Room

Ella Yelich O’Connor, aka Lorde, has gone on a ride in and out of “various existential crises” in the lead up to the release of her new album.But this week, the Auckland born musician told RNZ she was finally at peace. Nervous, but at peace. She shared her fourth album, Virgin, in full with audiences in New York on Monday night. On Wednesday evening, Kiwi fans got their first listen at parties around the country and on midnight Friday, it dropped around the world.”I had the sense last night that I’ve kind of left it all on the field, as…

Details of how the police investigation into the death of Wellington woman Helen Gregory began to shift from accidental death to murder have been revealed to a jury.Julia DeLuney is accused of murdering her 79-year-old mother, Helen Gregory, at her Khandallah home in January 2024. She has pleaded not guilty to the charge.One detective told the High Court at Wellington on Wednesday that he locked down the scene when he saw the amount of blood around the house.Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Quentin Duff, Detective Luke Hensley said that when he was called in, the death was not being treated…

Parliament has unanimously passed legislation that will ensure the courts cannot issue a permanent name suppression order for an adult convicted of a sexual offence, unless the victim agrees to it.The Victims of Sexual Violence Bill had its third reading late on Wednesday night.It also amends the law so that children under the age of 12 will not be able to be questioned about whether they consented to sex.The Justice Minister, Paul Goldsmith, said this made it crystal clear children could not consent to abuse.The law further closes what Goldsmith said was a legislative gap, by ensuring the victims of…

Anna Wintour is stepping down as Vogue editor-in-chief but will retain editorial control over the storied magazine.The longtime Vogue powerhouse told staff on Thursday (local time) she’s seeking a head of editorial content to handle more of the day-to-day operations. But she’s holding on to plenty of power to keep her a force at the magazine that built her reputation in fashion.”And it goes without saying,” she joked, “that I plan to remain Vogue’s tennis and theatre editor in perpetuity.”Wintour will remain chief content officer for Condé Nast and global editorial director of Vogue. The news shook the fashion world…

Eighteen people have been arrested — with 64kg of methamphetamine and 3.4kg of cocaine seized — following a police and Customs joint investigation into drug smuggling at Auckland Airport.Ten of those arrested worked at Auckland Airport, including nine baggage handlers.The investigation, dubbed Operation Matata, was launched after a man was arrested outside an East Tamaki address with 25kg of methamphetamine allegedly discovered in his vehicle.Detectives from the National Organised Crime Group and counterparts at Customs then uncovered a wider group, organising and carrying out the smuggling of Class A drugs at Auckland Airport.Police and Customs conducted nearly two dozen search…

In a decision marking the end of an era for Palmerston, longtime business owner Bernie Sugrue is selling off nearly every commercial property he owns along the town’s main street — a total of six shops, including the renowned McGregors Bakery & Tearooms. Speaking to the Otago Daily Times, Mr Sugrue described the decision to “sell everything” as deeply emotional. “I’ve been involved since 1988, so it’s a long time. “I’m not sure I’m even happy saying I’m doing what I’m doing.” The move follows growing public frustration from locals and the Waihemo Community Board over the deteriorating state of Ronaldsay…

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said the news of MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp’s death this morning was “devastating” — especially as she was active in Parliament only yesterday.Kemp, who represented the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate, died in Auckland in the early hours of Thursday morning.She was elected to Parliament at the 2023 election and took leave from Parliament for six weeks last year to focus on healing from kidney disease.Speaking to 1News this afternoon, Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said the news was “devastating”, especially because Kemp was in Parliament yesterday.”She carried a very strong sense of justice, a…

In a “uniquely Hurunui” move, a North Canterbury council is land banking to prepare for future natural disasters and the threat of climate change.The growing risk of sea level rise to its beach communities has led to the Hurunui District Council buying a $3.8m block of land south of Amberley.Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said buying the land gave people options and allowed them to prepare for future events.”This land purchase is about putting people first, providing security in mitigating against the effects of coastal hazards, while leading the way in proactive coastal relocation.”The Ashworths Rd property was on a terrace…

ADVERTISEMENTA new report reveals that Grok — the free-to-use AI chatbot integrated into Elon Musk’s X — showed “significant flaws and limitations” when verifying information about the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran (June 13-24), which now seems to have subsided.Researchers at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) analysed 130,000 posts published by the chatbot on X in relation to the 12-day conflict, and found they provided inaccurate and inconsistent information.They estimate that around a third of those posts responded to requests to verify misinformation circulating about the conflict, including unverified social media claims and footage purporting to…

A second person has been arrested and charged in relation to a fatal alleged hit-and-run in Rotorua last week.A motorcyclist allegedly overtook a stationary vehicle and struck Paige Johnson as he was crossing Edmund Rd in Mangakakahi at around 2.15pm on June 15.Johnson, who was sight- and hearing-impaired, died in hospital on June 19.Following a 10-day search and several public appeals for information, police yesterday arrested a 31-year-old man in Hamilton.He was expected to appear in the Hamilton District Court today charged with manslaughter, failing to stop to ascertain injury or death, and driving while disqualified.Police said today a 55-year-old…