Author: Press Room

She has worked with military personnel, athletes, lifeguards, bodybuilders and private clients from all walks of life. Now Central Otago’s Shannon MacLachlan has used her extensive skills as a strength and conditioning coach to help prevent injuries among the growing numbers of women in the construction industry. BCITO — the largest provider of construction trade apprenticeships in New Zealand — recently launched the Actions Speak Louder programme, a range of initiatives to ensure women who enter the trades feel comfortable and supported to stay. It partners with a variety of organisations to offer free period products, discounted Portaloos and free…

Patients admitted to Dargaville Hospital overnight are being asked to sign a consent form to confirm they understand there is no doctor on site due to staff shortages.Health NZ said the hospital remains safe for low-risk patients — but the former clinical director for Northland’s rural hospitals accuses management of “playing with people’s lives”.A copy of the disclaimer, obtained by RNZ, explained only patients who were “unlikely to urgently need a Doctor on site” would be admitted.”If you are agreeable to staying at Dargaville Hospital, knowing that the doctor may not be able to see you urgently, we ask that…

They’re kith and kin distilling alcohol in the aptly-named Gin Tin. Meet the team behind Prophecy Distilling who have been operating for just four months from two converted shipping containers at Earnscleugh in Central Otago, yet have already won a trophy and two medals. Anna Ballantine, her brother Matt Cowie and sister Georgia Cowie, and their respective partners Tom Ballantine, Jamie Cowie and Tom Craven, have been joined by friends Lexi and Barry White. Mr Cowie had once talked about making gin with mates but had not got much further than drinking the spirit. When Mrs Ballantine and her good…

Casino operator SkyCity has reported a small net profit, with revenue down 11% and underlying profit down 42%.The company remained in a trading halt for a second day, to undertake a $240 million fully underwritten capital raising to address current trading conditions, as well as ongoing investment requirements.Chief executive Jason Walbridge said SkyCity was also looking to sell some $200m assets over 12 to 18 months, including the sale of the Auckland carpark concession and the 99 Albert Street office building.Key numbers for the 12 months ended June compared with a year ago:Net profit $29.2m vs loss $143.3mRevenue $852.2m vs…

$120,000 more than expected has been raked in by Ashburton District Council for parking fines, this despite a lower number of infringements.Council figures reveal that the value of parking infringements exceeded the annual budget by $124,567 in 2024/25 following government-enforced price increases in October.The total amount taken in was $574,217, up from the $502,513 in 2023/24.But the number of infringements issued was 6100, 35 fewer than the previous year.Compliance and development group manager Ian Hyde said the reason for the big hike was the Government increasing parking infringements and towage fees in October, and that the council’s budget was set…

Invercargill mayoral hopeful Andrew Clark says a “frosty” relationship with brother Nobby didn’t stop the current mayor from sharing private thoughts on the current council.Clark is visiting Invercargill this week from his hometown, Nelson, where he is also contesting the Tasman mayoralty under the first name Maxwell.His late nomination for Invercargill’s top job drew a cold public response from Nobby Clark, who questioned why he was standing in two places under different names.But Andrew Clark claims the pair had a long phone conversation when he made his nomination, and Nobby even shared thoughts about the council and councillors, which ran…

Two police officers used “unjustified” force on a detainee in Auckland which caused him to fall headfirst onto a concrete bed in an incident the police watchdog said failed to meet basic standards of care.On January 18, 2023, an 18-year-old man, referred to as Mr X in the report, was arrested by police for breaching a bail condition. While the arrest itself was lawful, the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) found serious failings in how officers treated him once in custody.The man was taken to the Auckland Custody Unit, which was overseen by a police sergeant that afternoon, and was…

A former executive of a major New Zealand dairy company has been charged after allegedly receiving more than $270,000 in financial kickbacks.Simon Stewart, the former group market manager of Open Country Dairy Limited, appeared in the Manukau District Court on one representative charge. The charge, brought by the Serious Fraud Office, comes after the results of an internal investigation by the company — owned by the Talley’s Food Group — were handed to authorities. “The SFO would like to thank OCD for their cooperation and assistance.” Stewart is accused of providing information, including “sensitive” price information, and assistance to an…

An expansion at the Ports of Auckland is the first project to be granted consent under the new fast-track regime. The Fast-track Approvals Act, which was part of the coalition agreement between National and NZ First, was aimed at accelerating approvals for projects deemed to have regional or national significance. The approved works at the Port of Auckland included a new reinforced concrete-pillared wharf at the Bledisloe Terminal, an extension to the Fergusson North Berth, a cruise passenger terminal, and other upgrades.It would allow larger cruise ships to berth in Auckland and increase New Zealand’s import and export capacity, Minister…

As a beloved South Auckland landmark, the Ōtara Flea Market is known for being rich in Pacific culture and vibrancy, offering food, music, crafts, and art.That tradition would be allowed to continue after the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board approved a new five-year commercial licence during its monthly business meeting on Tuesday.The licence allowed Ōtara Markets Limited Partnership to run the Saturday market at 1R Newbury Street, Ōtara, from 5am until 2pm, two hours longer than before. The area would also expand by another row of car parks, allowing for more stallholders.Key conditions of the licence included strict monitoring and reporting on…