Author: Press Room

Key pointsExperts raise concerns about parole conditions that ban Mark Lundy from media interviews, and social mediaTwice convicted of murdering his wife and daughter, he maintains his innocenceParole Board says Lundy agreed to media banPrivate investigator says the restriction takes away a person’s most important tool – their own voice.Mark Lundy hasn’t said or written a word publicly since he was released from prison early last month.That’s because the man twice convicted of murdering his wife Christine and daughter Amber in Palmerston North in August 2000 cannot speak to the media, post on social media or blog about his case.Given…

The ongoing boom in one of New Zealand’s most growing districts has drawn tradies to pack their toolbelts and head to our tourism Mecca.Almost everywhere you look in the Queenstown Lakes District, there is a house going up.With construction in some regions quieter lately, some are taking the opportunity to have their cake and eat it too.Master Builders president Nathan Simon said there had been “a lot of inquiry” coming through.Queenstown Lakes District Council estimates more than 6000 houses have been consented over the past five years, with many of them yet to be built.For experienced builder Benji Andrews, moving…

Published on 12/06/2025 – 8:00 GMT+2ADVERTISEMENTThe EU is wrangling over a provision of Donald Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” for the US budget that could see European companies taxed higher than others in retaliation for certain taxes imposed on US enterprises overseas, the vice-chair of the European Parliament’s tax subcommittee has told Euronews.The German European People’s Party MEP Markus Ferber said the European Commission has raised the proposed legislation—already approved by the House of Representatives—in ongoing tariff negotiations with the Trump administration.“We are concerned because within this ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ there are special taxes aimed at jurisdictions that impose…

Published on 12/06/2025 – 6:30 GMT+2ADVERTISEMENTEU countries pooling tens of billions of their defence spending into a joint EU fund could help finance necessary flagship projects and close capability gaps faster, the incoming head of Europe’s largest defence industry association told Euronews, recognising it would however require political leadership. Micael Johansson, the CEO of Swedish defence and security company Saab, said on Wednesday that steps taken by the European Commission to turbocharge defence spending in the EU go in the right direction but that more needs to be done to facilitate countries and companies developing and acquiring new systems together.The…

KiwiSaver members have just weeks left to claim the full $521 Government contribution before it is halved under changes to the system announced at last month’s Budget. If people contribute at least $1042.86 into their KiwiSaver accounts in the year to June 30, they can receive the maximum contribution of $521.43 from the Government. Those who contribute less still receive 50 cents from the government for every dollar they put in. However, as part of Budget 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced that the value of the government’s $521.43 contribution to KiwiSaver was being halved from July 1. Individuals would…

Published on 12/06/2025 – 5:07 GMT+2•Updated 5:37ADVERTISEMENTGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin on Wednesday. Topping the agenda for the two leaders was Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, immigration bilateral ties and global trade and politics.Commenting on recent Russian attacks on Ukraine, Merz stressed that anyone with a reasonably clear view must recognise that “Russia is a threat to the security” of the entire NATO alliance.As the NATO leaders’ summit in the Hague nears, the German chancellor emphasised that “Russia is a risk to security on both sides of the Atlantic.” Merz noted…

A coroner has found a man who jumped from a crane on the Wellington waterfront died as a result of methamphetamine and cold water immersion.On January 26, 2024, Jarreth Colquhoun, 33, leapt from the crane of the SS Hikitia at the Taranaki St Wharf.The report said he reached the top — nearly 40m up — threw his cap down and waved to the public, before jumping into the water.He surfaced briefly, face-down, and then sunk. His body was found on the sea floor two hours later by the police dive squad.Coroner Rachael Schmidt-McCleave ruled on the balance of probabilities he…

A key “gateway” between Palmerston North and the Tararua District — Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway — has opened to traffic this morning. The 11.5km highway has officially become State Highway 3, replacing the old Manawatū Gorge Rd, which closed in 2017 following slips.New Zealand Transport Agency project manager Grant Kauri said seeing the first vehicles travel the road this morning was a “special moment”.”The closure of the Manawatū Gorge road had such a significant impact on people in Manawatū and Tararua. We know the surrounding communities have struggled with the closure so being able to build them…

Community leaders in the small Far North town of Moerewa are calling for a long-standing culture of doing “burnouts” to end before it ends in tragedy.According to locals, people burning rubber and smoking up homes was a weekly occurrence.Roddy Hapati Pihema said there were burnout marks on almost every street in Moerewa.Pihema, who headed the Taumatamakuku Community Residents Representative Committee, said the problem was so widespread that even the police did not know how to deal with it.”The police have basically given up. Half the community wants the behaviour to stop, but you still have this generation where it has…

People living with disabilities are still feeling ‘”a lack of respect” due to people misusing mobility carparks, despite the fine amount being increased last year. In October last year the government increased the amount individuals had to pay if they parked in a mobility park without a permit from $150 to $750.Whangārei District Council told the Northern Advocate this week that 214 infringements were issued in the eight months since the higher fines came into force.It was up from 158 issued during the previous eight-month period when the lower fine was still in effect.The council told the Advocate that of…