Author: Press Room

The Government wants to know if Kiwis support changes to the Warrant of Fitness system, which would see less frequent inspections for some vehicles. The Government today opened public consultation on a range of proposed changes to land transport rules. It included consultation on less frequent inspections for some light vehicles, simplified safety requirements for heavy vehicles, and new safety features for imported cars. Transport Minister Chris Bishop said it was an effort to “modernise” the rules, which he described as “riddled with outdated or nonsensical requirements” that created unnecessary burdens. “These changes are about increasing our transport system’s productivity…

Canterbury is the fastest-growing region in New Zealand, amid a nationwide slowdown in population growth, according to new provisional figures from Stats NZ.The region’s population grew by 1.1% or 7600 people in the year to June 2025.Canterbury’s growth was driven largely by increases in Christchurch (which accounted for 52% of the region’s growth), Selwyn District (27%), Waimakariri District (10%), and Ashburton District (5%). Selwyn had the highest growth rate at 2.4%.The population growth consisted of a provisional net migration gain of 5300, made up of 3700 people moving from other parts of New Zealand and 1600 overseas arrivals, as well…

A Rotorua couple got the surprise of a lifetime when their Lord of the Rings-themed wedding at Hobbiton was crashed by an unexpected guest – none other than Elijah Wood.The actor, best known for playing Frodo Baggins, was visiting the Waikato movie set while in New Zealand for the Armageddon Expo and happened to be touring the grounds as Sharik and Jessica Burgess-Stride were tying the knot.“I kind of looked up and did a double take,” Sharik told 1News. “You see someone like that, a famous movie star in Hobbiton and think, ‘that’s not really them,’ and then you realise,…

Pharmac has confirmed it will fund another brand of ADHD medication from December 1 following positive public consultation. In September, Pharmac proposed funding a new modified-release brand of methylphenidate – called Methylphenidate Sandoz XR – to improve access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment and offset global supply challenges. From December 1, the drug buying agency said the additional medication would be available in the same strengths as Concerta – 18mg, 27mg, 36mg, and 54mg.It would be funded alongside existing brands, under current eligibility criteria and was expected to benefit around 3800 people in the first year. Pharmac’s chief…

Friends and family have paid tribute to a US couple killed in a Waikato crash earlier this month, describing them as “incredible people” whose “legacy will last a lifetime”.Josh Greenway, 35, and Amber Stephens, 34, from Phoenix Valley in Arizona, died in a two-vehicle crash in Piarere near the intersection of State Highway 1 and Horahora Rd on the evening of October 15. A Gofundme appeal – In Memory of Josh and Amber: Support Their Families – was set up to help meet funeral expenses and other costs. A friend paid tribute to the couple via the page, describing them…

Nelson City Council’s transition away from clear-fell pine forestry is well underway with around 74,000 trees planted in the Maitai and Marsden Valleys this winter.”We’re systematically moving through the whole of the commercial forestry estate at the moment and prioritising our work,” said the council’s new forest systems manager Dr James Griffiths.Griffiths, a scientist with 20 years of experience in pest management for the Department of Conservation, has been in his role for two months after the council initially struggled to fill the position.The council decided to transition away from clear-fell commercial forestry to create a well-managed continuous canopy amenity…

Police have seized a motorbike, brand new power tools and more than $9000 in cash during a search warrant executed in Christchurch.The operation was a joint effort between Canterbury Rural and Christchurch Tactical Crime Units, following investigations into a series of commercial burglaries.Senior Sergeant Rachel Walker said officers were pleased to recover stolen tools linked to the burglaries.“We also found other items of interest including drug utensils, rifle ammunition, firearm parts and multiple new retail items,” she said.The occupant of the house was found to have unpaid fines, despite the large amount of cash discovered in the garage. Rifle ammunition…

Unions and Māori have united in solidarity against government policy, coming together for Rā Whakamana – a nationwide day of action calling to reaffirm the tino rangatiratanga of tangata whenua and protect the rights and wellbeing of all workers.The mobilisation coincided with the 190th anniversary of He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni (the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand) and the first Labour Day demonstrations in 1890.Despite the harsh weather which cancelled events in South Auckland and Tauranga, hundreds gathered in central Tāmaki Makaurau, braving the rain and heavy winds.Crowds, including representatives from iwi,…

What would a Labour-style capital gains tax mean for the average person? And what would happen if prices went backwards?Here are seven questions you might be asking about Labour’s tax policy.What’s proposed?Labour’s proposal for a capital gains tax (CGT) focused simply on residential investment property is largely in line with a minority view of the 2018 Tax Working Group – which said it would be a pragmatic approach to raise revenue without adding additional costs.It was revealed on Tuesday that Labour is planning to take the CGT policy into the next election, not its earlier wealth tax plans.The revenue raised…

Defending the Eastern flank is now an existential question for Europe, Lithuania’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kęstutis Budrys has told Euronews in an interview after a series of air incursions put member states from the Baltics to Poland on high alert. Disruptions in the European airspace by drones and flying objects like air balloons have been denounced by several countries as a deliberate effort to provoke and destabilise the region. Over the weekend, Lithuania intercepted large air balloons flying into its airspace, which forced it to shut down the Vilnius airport. Poland, Denmark, Romania and Estonia have also recorded drone incursions…