Author: Press Room

Two people are assisting the Department of Conservation after a report of seabirds being captured and drowned in fishing nets near Coromandel’s Slipper Island/ Whakahau.A concerned member of the public reported the incident to DOC around noon on January 3.DOC Hauraki Operations Manager Avi Holzapfel said he was dismayed by the report of harm to wildlife.”It’s extremely frustrating and distressing to hear about this kind of wilful mistreatment of wildlife,” he said. “So far, we have images of the vessel alleged to be involved, and have made inquiries with local marinas and databases to identify its owner.” Principal investigation officer…

The Government says more warning notices and shorter complaint wait times show its crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants is working.The state landlord has issued 553 Section 55A notices — up from 41 issued during the same period the previous year.Of those notices, 83% were first notices, 16% second and 2% were third time notices — triggering the end of a tenancy.Housing Minister Chris Bishop said Government action taken in March 2024 — cracking down on unruly behaviour — was working.”Neighbours of Kāinga Ora residents, frequently KO tenants themselves, were tired of having to put up with people who abused the…

Just like Beyonce, bestselling children’s band The Wiggles have gone country.Their latest album Wiggle Up, Giddy Up!, set for release in March, features collaborations with some of country music’s biggest names, including Dolly Parton.The iconic singer recorded two new tracks with the Wiggles, with the album announcement making news in the country music capital of Nashville.There are also songs with US star Dasha, Lainey Wilson, Orville Peck, Jackson Dean, and even the late Slim Dusty, featuring music he recorded with The Wiggles before his death in 2003.”Wiggle up, Boots on the ground, Giddy up down to Wiggle Town,” sings Dasha…

Lotto NZ’s first Powerball millionaires of 2025 say winning the $7 million prize “shocked the heck out of us” as they were driving in Wellington.The couple, who wished to remain anonymous, saw that someone in Wellington had won $7 million from Wednesday night’s Powerball draw -— but never thought it would be them.”I thought the best thing to do was to log into the app and check, so I did and there it was, there were a lot of zeroes!” said the woman.The woman gasped and turned to her husband, who was driving, and said “‘it’s us! We’ve won $7…

The approvals gives Pacific Edge access to about 20 million Americans. Photo: Supplied / Pacific Edge Cancer diagnostics company Pacific Edge’s shares are in a trading halt while it considers the implications of new information from the United States federal health insurer. The Dunedin-based firm had been waiting two years to learn whether Medicare will cover the cost of its bladder cancer tests in the US. In a statement to the NZX, Pacific Edge said Medicare’s administrator Novitas has published a draft local coverage determination covering the reimbursement of its tests. “The determination covers significant new information and Pacific Edge…

As movie theatres worked to entice Americans back into seats after Covid-19 lockdowns and labour strikes, the industry marketed blockbuster films like Wicked and the duelling releases of Barbie and Oppenheimer as no less than cultural events.But when certain movies become “events” unto themselves, sometimes different behaviour accompanies them.During the theatrical run of Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour last fall, fans danced and belted lyrics in the theaters, sharing their glee on social media. Last year, fans at early screenings of Wicked did the same, to the chagrin of other moviegoers. One video of a woman dressed as Glinda the…

The 32-year-old man accused of murdering Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming on New Year’s Day has had his name suppression extended until at least next month.The man faces a raft of charges including murder and attempted murder. Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming. (Source: NZ Police)During his first appearance in the Nelson District Court last Friday name suppression was initially only set to last for a week to provide time for family members to be advised of the charges.However, in a minute yesterday the court extended it until his second appearance on February 14. The accused’s lawyer argued that publication could impact the…

Logan Howard arrived at popular swim spot Maraetotara Falls roughly 15 minutes after longstanding branches and a swing rope were cut down from an overhanging tree.The council had decided the beloved and decades-old launch spot into the waterfall pool below was now too risky.Howard was incensed. And he decided to “prove a point” by taking a video of him launching himself into the deep pool below using one of the tiny stumps.He knew it was risky. That was his point.“The arborists were still there cleaning up. I decided to jump from the tree to prove a point. You can still…

The Polish president has asked the government to not arrest Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu under an ICC warrant if he enters the country. ADVERTISEMENTPoland’s President Andrzej Duda has asked the government to ensure that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can attend the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp without fear of arrest under an international warrant. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November for Netanyahu and his ex-defence minister, as well as a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 15-month war in Gaza. Duda, from the…

The residents of two homes evacuated due to a 20-hectare vegetation fire in Whangārei yesterday have now been allowed to return to their properties.Fire and Emergency said it was notified of a fire on Whangārei Heads Rd between Onerahi and Tamaterau shortly after midday yesterday.At its peak, 10 trucks and five helicopters were on scene to battle the blaze.In a statement this morning, Fire and Emergency Incident Controller Graeme Quensell said the fire remained at 20ha, and ground crews would now focus on “getting a containment line around the fire”.”We have two helicopters working on the fire today, and this…