Author: Press Room

A Woodville farmer has been banned from owning farm animals for two years and placed on six months’ community detention after his ‘unacceptable’ neglect of sheep led to 55 being euthanised. The farmer, 64-year-old Noel Thomas Cunningham, was sentenced at the Palmerston North District Court yesterday after admitting to three charges under the Animal Welfare Act.His sentence resulted from an investigation by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). Animal Welfare Inspectors grew concerned about the welfare of Cunningham’s animals after finding farm infrastructure like fencing and water distribution, “particularly on the 40-hectare sheep block,” had been “lacking for some time”.…

Breakfast presenter Jenny-May Clarkson has issued a warning after her likeness was used in an AI-generated video promoting what appeared to be a scam gambling website.The video used AI-generated audio and video to make it seem like Clarkson was promoting an app called “Māori Game”. Also appearing in the video was an AI-generated version of Kiwi director Taika Waititi. “I want to make it very clear that that wasn’t me speaking,” Clarkson said on Breakfast this morning. She said the video’s use of her and Waititi’s likeness shone a light on how Māori were being “targeted more and more” by…

Labour list MP and former Minister David Parker has announced he will leave Parliament.Parker was first elected to Parliament as the MP for Otago in 2002. He previously served as Attorney General and Minister of Trade, Revenue, Economic Development, Associate Finance, Climate Change, Energy, Environment, State Services, Transport and Land Information.He will deliver his valedictory speech in early May.”I leave enthusiastic for New Zealand and for the New Zealand Labour Party. I want to thank my Parliamentary colleagues and wish them well for the hard work ahead,” he said.”I was a serial entrepreneur before coming to Parliament and have been…

The owners of the troubled Du Val property group have been ordered to meet with receivers and answer questions under oath about their personal assets and more.The High Court issued the ruling after Kenyon and Charlotte Clarke refused to meet with receivers PwC.Du Val’s 70 entities are in statutory management, owing more than $300 million, and the Clarkes are in personal receivership, with their assets frozen.The receivers have been trying to interview the couple in part to understand which of the assets in their possession are theirs personally, and which belong to Du Val entities.In her decision, Justice Jane Anderson…

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has made his strongest condemnation yet of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, denouncing a shift away from agreed rules and the risk of a global trade war.Luxon delivered the prepared remarks to reporters, before heading into a caucus meeting at Parliament on Tuesday morning, warning of the potential fallout from a “profound shift in the global economic landscape”.”We’ve all seen the immediate impact on KiwiSaver balances, but wider than that, it is hurting growth prospects at a time when the global economy needs certainty and confidence, not uncertainty.”Trump’s tariff plan this week sent markets tumbling, with…

By Craig McCulloch of RNZ  New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has made his strongest condemnation yet of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, denouncing a shift away from agreed rules and the risk of a global trade war. Trump’s wide-ranging “Liberation Day” tariffs, announced last week, have shocked world markets. They posted a third day of losses on Monday, as investors worried that steep trade barriers around the world’s largest consumer market could lead to a recession. Trump administration officials say the President is following through on a promise to reverse decades of trade liberalisation he believes has undercut the US economy, Reuters…

Key diary datesMonday 7 April – EU trade ministers meet in Luxembourg to discuss US tariffs and China.Wednesday 9 April – European Commission to present AI Continent action plan.Friday 11 April – Defence ministers from the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ convene at NATO headquarters in Brussels.In spotlightADVERTISEMENTDefence ministers from the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” are meeting on Thursday at NATO headquarters.The meeting, hosted by the United Kingdom and France, will see NATO participating only in an “advisory capacity”, and “not necessarily offering anything to the coalition of the willing,” according to a NATO official.Allied countries remain deeply divided over…

Strong winds are battering parts of New Zealand, with heavy swells set for parts of the lower North Island and damage reported from a tornado which swept through Levin this morning. A heavy swell warning is in place along the Kapiti/ Porirua coast from Ōtaki to Pipinui Point until 6pm today.The forecaster said the highest risk period was typically at or within 1-2 hours of high tide, with northwest combined waves rising to 4m – 4.5m mid-morning, then easing by Tuesday evening. Estimated peak swell was 3m – 3.5m. High tide at the Ōtaki River entrance was 6.59am.Tornado causes damage…

ADVERTISEMENTFrench President Emmanuel Macron has called for another ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages detained by Hamas during a meeting in Cairo with his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.Macron called renewed Israeli attacks on the enclave after the collapse of the ceasefire in mid-March a “dramatic setback for the civilian population.””Negotiations must resume without any delay and in a constructive manner and I want to welcome the tireless efforts from Egypt for the ceasefire and release of the hostages,” Macron said.Egypt, along with the United States and Qatar, were the major negotiators of the previous ceasefire between Israel…

Lake Hayes’ Amisfield has been named the third best international restaurant in the world in Food & Wine magazine’s Global Tastemakers Awards. The magazine polls more than 400 chefs, travel experts, food and travel writers, and wine professionals from across the world for their top culinary travel experiences to come up with its 15 best international restaurants in its annual awards. It said Amisfield winery and restaurant was “as famous for its bold dishes as for its Pinot Noir”. “The restaurant has become a beacon for wine enthusiasts worldwide who seek an unparalleled dining experience. “What sets Amisfield apart is…