Author: Press Room

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…

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 the Otago economy by $16.8 billion, 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…

In this Re: series, My First Whare, made in partnership with Westpac, we hear how financial education changed the lives of five whānau, and helped them buy their first home. Watch the full series here on TVNZ+Russell and Crystal Hockley were being crushed by the debt which had taken over their lives for nearly two decades and they started to wonder if they should declare themselves bankrupt.The Taranaki couple owed well over $100,000 and were being swamped by interest payments.But, just two years later, thanks to education on turning their financial situation around, they find themselves the proud owners of…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ Escalation of the conflict in the Middle East poses a major threat to New Zealand’s economy, commentators say – as well as households’ KiwiSaver balances and petrol prices. There were earlier warnings that the conflict was having a noticeable but contained effect on oil prices – but that there could be a much more significant economic impact if the conflict broadened. Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen said the US attacks at the weekend were that scenario. “It does obviously ratchet up tensions enormously. But the question now is how the Iranian side respond and if they…

Escalation of the conflict in the Middle East poses a major threat to New Zealand’s economy, commentators say — as well as households’ KiwiSaver balances and petrol prices.There were earlier warnings that the conflict was having a noticeable but contained effect on oil prices, but that there could be a much more significant economic impact if the conflict broadened.Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen said the US attacks at the weekend were that scenario.”It does obviously ratchet up tensions enormously. But the question now is how the Iranian side respond and if they respond as some of their advisers have been…

The New Zealand Government has announced $16 million in additional support for Ukraine, revealed just before Prime Minister Christopher Luxon takes part in a NATO Summit in the Netherlands.The Prime Minister said the country “stands in solidarity with Ukraine”.”Its war of self-defence is well into its fourth year and our condemnation of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion remains undiminished,” Luxon said.The funding will be spent on two $4 million contributions to funds for lethal and non-lethal military support, including the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine fund, and the UK and Latvia-led Drone Coalition for Ukraine. New Zealand will also…

In March, Pioneer Energy Group announced its long-serving chief executive Fraser Jonker would step down but stay on in a business advisory capacity until his retirement at the end of this month. He talks to business editor Sally Rae about his career in the energy sector and his love of the land. “Sometimes it’s good to fly under the radar. People underestimate you and then you can do stuff,” Fraser Jonker says with a wry smile. And do stuff he most certainly did during his 15-year tenure with the Alexandra-based energy company, which is wholly owned by the Central Lakes Trust.…

A man is due to appear in court tomorrow in relation to a stabbing at an Auckland night market which critically injured two people. Emergency services were called to the incident in an underground carpark at Pakūranga Plaza on Aylesbury St around 6.45pm yesterday following a report of a stabbing.St John responded with two rapid response vehicles, three ambulances and an operations manager.”Our crews assessed and treated two patients who were taken to Middlemore Hospital in a critical condition.”This evening, a 23-year-old man presented himself to police at the Manukau Police Station, police said. He is due to appear in…

ADVERTISEMENTOnly regime change will completely neutralise the threat that Iran will develop nuclear weapons, however successful ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’ may have been, though it will cement support for Trump domestically, an expert on foreign policy has told Euronews.Euronews interviewed Jacob Kirkegaard, senior fellow at the Bruegel Institute, on the American air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Kirkegaard said the attacks might eventually bring the world closer to closer to the end, as Iran has very limited tools to escalate the situation.According to the expert, Iran could choose to retaliate against either US bases by killing a number of US troops,…

The family of missing Christchurch woman Elisabeth Nicholls said they were “very saddened and relieved” after the discovery of a body in the search.The 79-year-old was reported missing from the Margaret Stoddart Retirement Village on Barlett St in Riccarton after 6pm.She had been admitted to respite care that day. She was last seen on CCTV footage at the Chateau on the Park in Riccarton shortly before 8pm.Police held a media conference a week on from her disappearance, with Detective Sergeant Lucy Aldridge saying there were “grave concerns” for Nicholls’ wellbeing.”We need your help to bring her home.”Her husband of nearly…