Author: Press Room

At an Institute of Directors-organised informal lunch for women in governance this week, Dunedin’s Rachel McLauchlan spoke about her governance career and offered advice for aspiring directors. Business editor Sally Rae was there. Being asked to join a board is a privilege and aspiring directors need to understand it is a huge responsibility that must be taken seriously, Rachel McLauchlan says. Since returning to Dunedin 14 years ago after a decade working in London, Ms McLauchlan has developed a strong interest in governance across various sectors including property, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), manufacturing, technology and education. Responsibility for board decisions sat with everyone. “It’s…

Almost 400 pieces and boulders of pounamu illegally taken from the Jackson River have been recovered, following a tipoff from a member of the public.In a statement, police said Inspector Tracey Wharehoka was notified by Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio, representing the local hapū Ngāi Māhaki, that a vehicle had been seen heading up the river on May 28.It appeared the occupants were collecting pounamu, police said.A 1kg piece of raw pounamu could fetch $100.Public fossicking for pounamu was only allowed only on beaches. Rivers were able to be fossicked by Ngāi Tahu members, but only with a permit from their…

What started as a small hustle on the side of her wine-making business has grown to be the main focus for Bannockburn’s Debra Cruickshank. Business editor Sally Rae pays her a visit. She is the undisputed Queen of Port. Not only in her adopted home town of Bannockburn but now also nationally as New Zealand’s largest producer of port. Debra Cruickshank is a force of nature; the one-woman show behind Tannacrieff Wines, producing port with a smile in the heart of Central Otago. Behind the smile has also been much pain, with an eventual diagnosis of the chronic inflammatory bowel condition…

Police are planning to respond to “anti-social road user gatherings” expected to take place across the country over the King’s Birthday weekend.It said the plans were in place to “help ensure safety for all”.On King’s Birthday weekend last year, a Levin boy racer event took place where a spectator being struck by the back of a car doing burnouts. The person was flung into the air before landing heavily on the road. Another person was knocked over by a car that mounted a footpath. Video from the event shows onlookers being wiped out by cars driving dangerously. (Source: 1News)A local…

Cancer diagnostics company Pacific Edge has announced a $20 million capital raise in tandem with what it describes as a “resilient” full-year financial result. In a statement yesterday, the listed company said the equity raising was about ensuring it had the cash reserves to capitalise on recent clinical and commercial milestones, grow in non-Medicare channels and regain Medicare coverage of its tests. Total revenue was down 16% to $24.6 million while an after tax net loss of $29.9 million was up 1.4%. Total laboratory throughput of Cxbladder tests fell 11.5% on FY24 to 28,894 while commercial tests fell 9.9%. Medicare…

The country’s prestigious Gold Guitar Awards has reached its own triumphant milestone of the same colour — it’s golden anniversary.Many of the past winners of the highly-acclaimed competition returned to Gore’s golden stage in Southland to celebrate 50 years.The three-day event is part of 10-day Tussock Country Festival in the south that brings country lovers from New Zealand and the world.On Thursday night, the Gold Guitars held a special gala for more than 20 returning winners to perform — many for the first time in years.Peter Cairns took the coveted prize in 1984.”This is, literally, the best of the best…

A 10-year-old disc golf star from Christchurch is getting ready to jet off to the US to defend her world title.It will be Sarah Wadsworth’s third time at the junior world championships.In the build-up to her trip, even cold and moody Christchurch days won’t deter Wadsworth from getting all the practice she can.Disc golf is typically played in public parks, and is growing in popularity.Wadsworth was first invited to give it a go when she was six, thinking she was “going discoing”.Sarah Wadsworth. (Source: 1News)But, after playing it, she soon caught the eye of those in the know.Her dad, Paul…

Former Black Caps captain Kane Williamson is unlikely to tour Zimbabwe for a two-test series starting in July, after opting out of a central contract for a second year running.However, he says he will continue to be available for the national team without being obliged to play, adding that he is still passionate about playing for his country.Williamson has arrived in London for a stint with Middlesex in the County Championship and the T20 Blast, and with London Spirit in The Hundred. He will be play in at least 10 T20 matches and five County Championship matches, through to September.Black…

One person has died after a serious crash in Canterbury this afternoon.Police said emergency services were called to incident occurred on Newtons Rd in Templeton, west of Christchurch, at about 2.45pm.”The crash involved a truck and two cars. Sadly, a person died at the scene.”Our thoughts are with their family at this difficult time.”The death was the first for the King’s Birthday weekend period this year, which began at 4pm on Friday and would end on Tuesday at 6am.”The Serious Crash Unit has conducted a scene examination and the road is due to reopen shortly,” police noted.While the investigation into…

Southland’s emergency management service is facing serious staffing issues with just seven staff in place for a population of more than 100,000.Recent reports have highlighted a raft of issues for Civil Defence in the area, including a lack of dedicated roles impacting “already stretched” staff and missed calls following the March earthquake.Staffing levels have not shifted since 2018, even though the population, workload and frequency of responses increased, a report noted.”As expectations grow at the national level and climate and disaster risks intensify, continuing to operate with insufficient, non-specialist staffing is not sustainable,” it said.There was an “urgent” need for…