Author: Press Room

Two men were arrested in Auckland this morning after driving an allegedly stolen vehicle all the way from Matamata after it initially failed to stop for police in Mount Maunganui. The reportedly stolen vehicle was spotted in the Mount Maunganui area earlier and failed to stop for a police unit. Offices chose not to pursue the vehicle at the time, but it was soon seen again on State Highway 27 near Matamata at 3.44am. “The vehicle was signalled to stop but fled and was not pursued,” police said. Police could not confirm if it was the same diver behind the…

Italy braces itself for extreme weather as Storm Boris sweeping over Central Europe heads south. ADVERTISEMENTAt least 21 people have died as a result of heavy flooding caused by the storm in Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Romania. Slovakia, Hungary and Croatia are on high alert for a risk of flooding as water levels are rising. Local media reports that Italy is now also on high alert, especially in the Emilia-Romagna, Marche, and Lazio regions. Regions along the Czech-Polish border were heavily impacted, and many residents were evacuated as the storm left a trail of destruction. Czech Prime Minister…

A 19-year-old man has been charged with theft after police recovered $25,000 worth of jewellery that was allegedly stolen from an Auckland store on Tuesday. Staff at the St Lukes Shopping Centre jewellery store reported the theft just before 3.30pm.“A man had left the store allegedly taking a pendant and neckless without paying,” Inspector Alisse Robertson said. “There were no threats of violence made towards the staff working, but ultimately, it’s not something the staff should have had to experience.”The man was found at a property in nearby Morningside, along with the items. “It’s a good result we’ve been able…

Rainbow’s End has announced a new and improved version of a beloved ride — the Pirate Ship — will swing once more with its return to New Zealand’s largest theme park in 2025.The original swinging sensation was described as a “guest favourite for nearly 40 years” at the Auckland amusement park before it was scrapped in 2017 due to the limited availability of replacement parts.A new 50-seat, 13-metre-long replacement ship will become the largest capacity ride – seating up to 50 thrill seekers per ride – at the park, propelling guests 75° to each side and about 15 metres in…

A Rotorua man says his daily wake-up call is the “horrendous noise” of howling from more than 30 hounds.After more than two years of complaining to Rotorua Lakes Council, Tom Stephenson believes his concerns about the noise from a neighbouring hunting club property have gone nowhere, and now he is “100% sick of it”.The council said it is investigating and cannot comment on its next steps, while the Rotorua and Bay of Plenty Hunt said it is committed to being a “good neighbour” and open to making changes.Stephenson moved to the rural outskirts of Ngongotahā in 2009.One of his closest…

The Commerce Commission says it will file charges against Jetstar under the Fair Trading Act for allegedly misleading customers about their rights to compensation for delayed or cancelled flights for reasons within the airline’s control.The Commission said it believed the airline’s communications likely discouraged consumers from seeking compensation they are entitled to under aviation law.It also accused Jetstar of likely denying legitimate claims.“Airlines have a responsibility to not mislead consumers about their rights in the event of cancellations or delays,” Commerce Commission general manager for competition, fair trading and credit Vanessa Horne said.“The Civil Aviation Act is clear that airlines…

The Commerce Commission is filing charges against Jetstar for misleading consumers about compensation for flight delays and cancellations. The commission said under aviation law customers must be reimbursed when flights were disrupted for reasons within an airline’s control, such as staffing and mechanical issues. Costs that may be reimbursed included meals, accommodation or replacement travel. The commission claims Jetstar discouraged consumers from seeking compensation and likely denied legitimate claims in 2022 and 2023. In a statement, general manager Vanessa Horne said airlines should not mislead their customers. “The Commerce Commission expects large businesses to take their responsibilities under the law…

Defence lawyer Ron Mansfield continued his closing statement this morning as the Philip Polkinghorne murder trial drew nearer to an end.The Crown yesterday closed their case, arguing Polkinghorne was a “master manipulator” who led two lives that were on a “collision course” before he killed his wife Pauline Hanna in April 2021, possibly under the influence of meth or while coming down from a high.Mansfield said this morning that the pathology evidence showed “nothing incompatible” with suicide, emphasising the “absence of defensive injuries” that might’ve been present if there had been a struggle.He said that, whenever evidence was “inconvenient” for…

A unique Auckland geographical feature is now listed among the world’s most significant geological sites by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). The megapillow lava flows at Muriwai are millions of years old, and are one of only 200 features around the world recognised as Geological Heritage Sites by IUGS.The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is one of those sites the Muriwai megapillows now find themselves in league with.Auckland Council today said the feature was added to the list in August this year.West Auckland’s megapillows, located in Muriwai Regional Park, were added to the prestigious list in August 2024…

A multi-purpose raceway facility is on track to becoming the premier destination for motorsport in New Zealand after receiving a $2.5 million funding boost.The Colin Dale Park KartSport development was one of 18 recipients that received a chunk of Auckland Council’s $13.6m boost from its Sports and Recreation Facilities Grant.South Auckland recipients received $3.2m of the funding for tennis and netball courts in Karaka, the refurbishment of the Papakura Tennis and Squash Club, the Te Pou Herenga Waka Ama Club in Manurewa and Colin Dale Park raceway.With stage one of construction underway since April, the $6m Colin Dale Park International…