Author: Press Room

Relatives of distressed patients at Christchurch Hospital have been asked to come in to help because of a shortage of healthcare assistants.Information provided by a Christchurch Hospital staff member, who asked not to be named, shows the hospital had so few healthcare assistants on June 22 that managers were asked to see if patients’ family members could come in to sit with them.New Zealand Nurses Organisation delegate Al Dietschin said the request related to patient watches, which were usually done by the assistants to monitor people for confusion, delirium, or dementia symptoms.”Essentially, being with the patient to keep them safe,…

Stephen Colbert received messages of support and affection from his fellow late-night hosts after announcing that CBS was cancelling his show, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, next May. Jimmy Fallon said he was “just as shocked as everyone,” and Seth Meyers called him a great host and comedian but an even better person. John Oliver said he was excited to see what Colbert and his team would do during the final 10 months of the program. Jimmy Kimmel directed an expletive at CBS, and Andy Cohen said it was a sad day for the network. As for US President…

Police are searching for a 24-year-old man from the Hamilton area who has an arrest warrant. Troy Mudford should “not be approached,” police said.  “If you see Mudford, or know where he is, please contact police.”Anyone with information should contact the police via 111.

The Government says the flood-hit Nelson-Tasman region should have its own weather radar by the start of 2027.The region, which has endured repeated floods caused by heavy rain in recent weeks, as well as five states of emergency in the past 14 years, does not have its own rain radar.Associate Transport Minister James Meager said the existing contract with MetService was being amended to immediately begin the procurement of a new radar for the region.MetService was aiming to purchase it by next autumn and get it operational that summer, in late 2026 or early 2027.A new radar will cost up…

If you’re spending your evenings in front of a heater, you might be keeping a wary eye on your power bill.The cost of heating your home makes up about a third of what you pay for power each month.But what’s the cheapest way to do it?Here’s an overview of how the various options compare.Heat pumpsThey can have a high upfront cost, but Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority lead adviser on energy efficient appliances Gareth Gretton said heat pumps were “by far and away” the most efficient form of heating.Depending on how much you’re charged for electricity, it might cost you…

A person has died following a single-vehicle crash in Matakana this evening.Emergency services are at the scene on Leigh Rd, between Quintal and Takatu roads. Police were alerted to the crash shortly after 6pm.The road is closed while emergency services work at the scene.Motorists have been advised to avoid the area if possible.

Paw-friendly panels have been added to a new water pipe bridge in Wellington, making it more comfortable for dogs to walk across.Greater Wellington Regional Council completed a new water pipe bridge in the Kaitoke Regional Park late last year.Nick Leggett, chair of Wellington Water — which manages water pipe bridges for the council — said the bridge formed part of a popular walkway loop, and the park was visited by 350,000 people last year.He said the bridge combined “a critical piece of infrastructure with something that people can use and enjoy”.But feedback from the community found the bridge walkway’s grate…

Auckland Council is pushing for stronger powers under the Dog Control Act 1996 to address the growing number of roaming and uncontrolled dogs.Despite this, frontline rescuers and local leaders say the crisis requires immediate on-the-ground action.Jo Coulam, a volunteer at the Saving Hope Foundation, said rescue groups are overwhelmed and feel abandoned.Coulam criticised the council’s desexing pilot for not targeting the right communities and highlights that rescue groups are carrying too much of the burden.Saving Hope has rehomed 637 dogs and puppies in the past month, with 46 requests received in a single day.“We spoke in May about the Kāinga…

Journalist Aaron Smale has been covering the issue of abuse in care in New Zealand for over a decade and has now been involved with the making of a powerful documentary featuring adult survivors of our children’s homes and other institutions. He reflects on the process of sharing part of a story, the whole of which is too big and too ugly to ever truly be told.Watch The Stolen Children of Aotearoa on TVNZ+. How do you tell the story on film of how more than 200,000 children were abused when they were in the custody of the state and…

A New Zealand-first genomic study in Canterbury could transform the wine industry with a single cell and save growers millions.Lincoln University scientists say the study would help the billion-dollar export industry grow more disease resistant vines and slash chemical spray use by up to 80%. Associate professor at Lincoln University Chris Winefield said samples taken from vineyards go into a $500,000 machine for genome sequencing.Professor Winefield said genome sequencing could save the wine industry tens of thousands of dollars. (Source: 1News)The data collected can then be used to identify genetically improved grapevines for breeding programmes and as a tool to…