Author: Press Room

The new chair of a troubled Southland board made statements about council finances, Māori land policy and “premature climate change modelling” prior to her appointment.On August 19, Katie Allan gained the top role on the Oreti Community Board following the controversial overthrowing of the previous chair — a move largely disapproved by the public.But a month before that took place, she made a fiery submission to Southland District Council’s long-term plan in her capacity as a ratepayer, while also a member on the board.Allan began her five-page supporting document by saying the council was passing blame, congratulating itself, and unrealistically…

Demand for labour will need to taper off further to tame inflation, with Australia’s central bank expecting firms to trim staff hours and keep the handbrake on new hiring.Reserve Bank assistant governor Sarah Hunter said Australia’s labour market was still tight relative to what’s known as “full employment”.The RBA says this is the maximum level of employment consistent with low and stable inflation.”Conditions in the labour market have eased since late 2022, but our assessment is that the labour market is still tight relative to full employment,” Dr Smith said at the Barrenjoey Economic Forum in Sydney.”We expect the demand…

Steven Cranston’s behaviour leading up to his death was completely out-of-character, according to a friend who says he was health conscious, future-focused and protective of his dog.Cranston, 43, died on Wednesday night when he was hit by a car while walking his Rhodesian Ridgeback Hans on Nau Mai Rd near Raglan.A resident told RNZ that Cranston had been walking his dog in the middle of State Highway 23 and other roads around the costal Waikato town, and that she made multiple 111 calls asking for help.Now the friend — who did not want to be named — said she could…

One person has died after a milk tanker collided with a car on State Highway 1 before going on to crash into a house last night.Emergency services were called to the section of road in Edendale, near Invercargill, at around 10.20pm. Police said the truck collided with a house after going off the road.Debris on the road and a milk tanker that crashed into a house in Edendale, Southland (Source: 1News)”One person was located deceased at the scene, the truck driver received minor injuries and there were no injuries sustained by the occupants of the house.”Fire and Emergency NZ said…

Key points:A draft of the Treaty Principles Bill was tabled at Cabinet yesterday, with its basic outline signed offAct leader David Seymour said he continues to hope his coalition partners will support the bill after its first readingHowever, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reiterated that it wouldn’t have National’s support beyond select committeeSeymour also revealed the legislation would now acknowledge that iwi and hapū had specific rights in 1840. ACT leader David Seymour continues to hope that the National Party will support the controversial Treaty Principles Bill despite Prime Minister Christopher Luxon repeatedly stating it won’t be supported to a second…

The theft of a plaque memorialising the drowning of three young boys which led to the establishment of a coastguard service in east Auckland has been called “very disappointing” and “disgusting” by the community.Police said it was in the “early stages” of investigating a report of two memorial plaques stolen from Howick Beach between September 3 and 7.”Police are working to identify those responsible and return the plaques back to their rightful place,” a spokesperson said.Rex Goddard, 13, Richard Goddard, 11, and Richard Williams, 16, were fishing off Howick Beach when their dinghy capsized in rough seas in July 1956.A…

An Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Wellington was diverted to Christchurch this morning after reporting brake issues.A 1News reporter onboard flight NZ405 said passengers were told by flight crew that two of the brakes on the aircraft were not working.”My understanding is they tried to land in Wellington twice, we did a very steep climb over Wellington.”Flightradar24 data showed the Airbus A320 circled twice over the Cook Strait before going on to Christchurch.Air New Zealand chief operational integrity and safety officer Captain David Morgan said the flight was diverted due to a hydraulic system issue.”This meant the aircraft…

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl says he recently fathered a baby girl that was “born outside my marriage”.Grohl made the announcement of social media today. “I’ve recently become the father of a new baby daughter, born outside of my marriage,” the Grammy-winner said. “I plan to be a loving and supportive parent to her.””I love my wife and my children, and I am doing everything I can to regain their trust and earn their forgiveness. We’re grateful for your consideration toward all the children involved, as we move forward together.”Grohl and wife Jordyn Blum have been married for more than…

An investigation into the discharge of orange sediment into the Ōhinemuri River in Waikato has found “no clear evidence” of culpability – other than it being the result of historic mining activity.The river turned orange on the afternoon of August 23 when the sediment flowed into the river.At the time, council officials feared the discoloured water was due to an old mine shaft collapse, which could send heavy metals and contaminants into the river.After an investigation into how the sediment entered the river, the Waikato Regional Council said there was “no clear evidence of culpability other than it being the result from…

By Ben Strang of RNZ The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has revealed a nearly $1 billion hole in revenue will need to be covered when levies are raised next year. ACC says it will need to collect $4.7 billion in levies in the 2025/26 financial year, to fund support for about 930,000 claims on three levy schemes – the motor vehicle fund, the work fund, and the earners’ account. In the 2022/23 financial year, ACC brought in just under $3.8 billion in levies from those accounts, and it didn’t cover the claims being made. It has signalled levies will need…