Author: Press Room

The Government has announced plans to end greyhound racing in New Zealand. In a statement this afternoon, Racing Minister Winston Peters said the Government intended to wind down racing over 20 months to enable the rehoming of racing dogs and provide a transition period for those involved in the industry. The Greyhound industry called it a “devastating blow” that would have “far-reaching implications” for those who work in racing.Peters said it was “not a decision that is taken lightly” but is “ultimately driven by protecting the welfare of racing dogs”. He said the industry had been on notice for several…

The fall of Bashar al-Assad has prompted complex questions about the future of the one million Syrians who fled the war and sought refuge in Europe. ADVERTISEMENTThe collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s brutal dictatorship has left the European Union with an enormous list of burning questions to answer: Who is the main interlocutor in the country? How can Brussels contribute to the transition of power? What happens with the punishing sanctions? Should EU funds flow again to support reconstruction?And yet, no other question is more consequential for governments than the future of the over one million Syrians who have sought refuge…

The Reserve Bank says the country is lagging behind most developed economies in offering a digital cash option that can be used much in the way physical cash is used. The central bank says a lack of competition in the banking sector means consumers are missing out on the type of innovation seen elsewhere in the development of digital cash, which is secure and accessible offline. RBNZ director of money and cash Ian Woolford said this was a wake-up call to the big banks, as it was now technically possible to offer the public a digital cash system that left…

Christchurch Casino is facing civil action by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) for allegedly failing to meet its legal compliance obligations.The department alleged the casino’s owners, Christchurch Casinos Limited, failed to meet its compliance obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act between December 2018 and December 2023. “These include the obligations to establish, implement and maintain a robust AML/CFT compliance programme; to conduct enhanced customer due diligence and terminate business relationships when required; to monitor accounts; and to keep records as required by the Act.”The casino was not alleged to be directly involved in…

Air travel has bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly one billion passengers in the EU within 2023 alone. Which airport, however, welcomed the most? ADVERTISEMENTEuropeans are taking more flights outside the EU than they do within the continent or nationally.The latest Eurostat report on air travel shows that in 2023, 49% of passengers travelled to countries outside the EU, compared to 36% within the bloc and only 15% nationally.The data show that Paris Charles de Gaulle is the EU’s busiest airport – servicing 67 million passengers last year – followed by Amsterdam’s Schiphol with 62 million, and Madrid’s…

A preschool in the Auckland suburb of Ōtara has been trashed and had items stolen after an alleged break-in over the weekend.Police said the Ōtara Community Preschool was broken into sometime between 9am on December 7 and 6pm on December 8.Photos provided by police show destroyed and scattered stationary and footprints smeared on the floor of the premises.Nine internal windows were smashed, and a microwave, oven and computers were damaged, police said.Red footprints in the bathroom of the preschool. (Source: NZ Police)Counties Manukau East Area Prevention Manager Inspector Rakana Cook described the behaviour as “frankly disgusting”.”This is an awful situation,…

Four MPs have been referred to Parliament’s Privileges Committee following last month’s haka which interrupted voting on the Treaty Principles Bill in the House. They are Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi, and MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke. Labour MP Peeni Henare has also been referred. Speaker Gerry Brownlee said he received letters from three MPs about the incident, which happened during the vote on the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill. The Speaker had previously named and suspended Maipi-Clarke from the debating chamber for 24 hours, after she led the haka on November 14. He said, “taking an…

A Canadian woman has been arrested after allegedly attempting to smuggle around 10kg of methamphetamine wrapped as a Christmas gift in her carry-on late last week.The 29-year-old was questioned by Customs officers after arriving at Auckland International Airport from Vancouver on Sunday.A baggage search revealed an estimated 10.2kg of methamphetamine wrapped up as a Christmas present, the New Zealand Customs Service said today in a media release.It would have been worth up to NZ$3.8 million and may have caused around NZ$10.7 million in social harm.Customs Auckland Airport manager Paul Williams described it as a “classic attempt” by criminal organisations to…

A $6 million lifeline is expected to be thrown to local broadcasters through new legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions on Sundays and public holidays. The previously signalled legislation was introduced to Parliament earlier today by Media Minister Paul Goldsmith amid ongoing media industry turmoil. The Broadcasting Act currently prohibits TV ads on Sunday and Anzac Day mornings – between 6am and noon. Meanwhile, both TV and radio broadcast advertising are prohibited entirely on Christmas Day, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.Goldsmith said: “Traditional media outlets are operating in an extremely difficult environment and as the Government, we must ensure…

Tauranga will finally get the museum it has “deserved for so long” after two decades of talking about it.The civic whare, exhibition gallery and museum project – part of the $306 million civic precinct – was approved by Tauranga City Council on Monday.The city centre precinct, named in the city centre Te Manawataki o Te Papa, also includes a library and community hub which is under construction and due to be finished in 2026.Te Manawataki o Te Papa was approved by the council’s government-appointed commission in 2022.The newly elected council was asked whether to continue with the project and given…