Author: Press Room

All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke has admitted to driving dangerously and says he is “extremely apologetic and embarrassed”.He said he made an error of judgement while riding his motorbike in Auckland in 2024.”Last year, I made an error of judgement while riding my motorbike in Auckland. I’ve taken full responsibility for my actions and have entered a guilty plea today. I’m extremely apologetic and embarrassed. The court and employment processes are ongoing and I am now going to focus fully on my rugby,” Clarke said.Through his lawyer Rowan Butler, Clarke pleaded guilty in the Auckland District Court today to failing…

Te Matatini 2025 will be held at Pukekura/Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth from Tuesday, February 25 to Saturday, March 1.An unprecedented 55 haka groups will perform from Tuesday. Check out the schedule here.Watch live on TVNZ2 and TVNZ+ and follow the latest updates below.

By Nona Pelletier of RNZ The number of New Zealanders expecting house prices to rise has returned to 2020 confidence levels. ASB’s latest Housing Confidence Survey for the three months that ended in December found a net 33% of respondents thought house prices would rise and a net 23% thought it was a good time to buy a house. However, there was a slight drop in the proportion of people expecting interest rates to fall to a net 51% from a net 57%, though the survey pre-dated the Reserve Bank’s (RBNZ) most recent cut to the official cash rate to…

The final week of meteorological summer would tick all the boxes, according to MetService, with a “persistent” area of high pressure bringing clear skies, warm days, light winds, and little rainfall to much of the country.The sole disturbance comes in the form of a rain band which moves onto southern Fiordland and the ranges of Westland this evening. A heavy rain watch has been issued from the regions from 7am until 8pm on Tuesday.MetService said it had been an “abnormally dry start to the year” for the west of the South Island.”Milford Sound has recorded only ~20% of its usual…

In the first three months of the gang patch law, police have seized 76 patches, 67 firearms and laid 337 charges for alleged insignia breaches.And police said between November 21 and February 19 a further 3037 charges had been laid against gang members for other offending including serious violence, drugs and firearms.Police Minister Mark Mitchell said since the laws came into effect, there has been a 52% increase in firearms seizures when compared to the same period last year.”We all know how gang members earn their patch. Before the changes, gang members felt empowered and used their patches to intimidate…

The outpouring of community support following a spate of arson attacks on churches at the weekend has been staggering, Masterton’s mayor says.Police are investigating after four churches across the Wairarapa town were set alight between 4am and 5am on Saturday.There were also arson attempts at two other churches, and a funeral home chapel.A police presence would remain in the town on Monday, with officers continuing to conduct reassurance patrols in Masterton and nearby towns.Masterton mayor Gary Caffell said the attacks were shocking and locals had really rallied together.One of the Masterton churches sustained ‘significant’ damage. (Source: Wellington FENZ)”It’s been an…

The fast-growing region of Western Bay of Plenty hopes to secure one of the Government’s sought-after regional deals to help deliver 46,000 more homes and 35,000 new jobs.Regional and city deals are a new initiative that allows the Government and local authorities to create long-term agreements.The programme unlocks funding and resource opportunities to support councils making improvements in their region, such as to roading, infrastructure and the supply of quality housing.However, a Labour MP said without funding the deals were “pretty shitty” and just regulatory and rule changes for certain councils.The Western Bay of Plenty sub-region plans to submit its…

Gisborne’s Kiwa Pools has set up structural measures and hygiene rules to try to reduce ongoing and expensive “code brown” issues.Every time the pool closes for a “code brown” event, it can cost between $1000-$3000.The total cost over late autumn and into summer could be anywhere between $11,000-$33,000, according to the pool’s manager.A Gisborne resident took to social media to complain about the issue, which attracted over 150 likes, after the pool was closed 11 times from November to February, including Waitangi Day.Resident Heidi Rice posted: “What’s a great way to spend Waitangi day….doing lengths at Kiwa pools NOT.”Speaking with…

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced additional sanctions on Russian entities, alongside further support for Ukraine’s recovery and rebuild.It comes as the world marks three years on Monday since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.The new sanctions target entities involved in Russia’s military-industrial complex, its energy sector, North Korean support of Russia, and the forced relocation and re-education of Ukrainian children.”Russia’s illegal invasion has brought three years of devastation to Ukraine’s people, environment, and infrastructure,” Peters said.The government will also make a $3 million contribution to the World Bank-administered Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund.”The Fund supports the Government…

The leader of the Catholic Church, who has chronic lung disease and is prone to respiratory illness in winter, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on 14 February after a weeklong bout of bronchitis worsened. ADVERTISEMENTPope Francis is conscious and still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen following a respiratory crisis and blood transfusions as he remains in critical condition with a complex lung infection, the Vatican has said.”The night passed quietly, the pope rested,” the Holy See spokesperson Matteo Bruni said in a statement.Further clinical tests were being performed on the 88-year-old pontiff who had part of one lung removed…