Author: Press Room

Analysis: This week’s 1News Verian poll shed light on the year’s political successes and struggles, with one coalition partner teetering close to the danger zone and a few surprises for the opposition.The latest 1News Verian poll served up plenty to digest this week, one year on from the election.Though the main party numbers saw marginal shifts, leaving room for both optimism and concern, it was the supplementary questions about the two major party leaders that raised some eyebrows.The country has been in a holding pattern this year, watching how the Government would clear the field to offer families and struggling…

A defamation suit against Buller mayor Jamie Cleine has cost ratepayers about $20,000 in legal fees.But the rest of his defence costs are being covered by the Buller District Council’s insurers, Cleine says.The mayor was sued by Westport businessman and West Coast Regional Councillor Frank Dooley, for allegedly defaming him after a 2022 confrontation involving then-deputy mayor Sharon Roche.The six-day trial in the Westport District Court before Judge Kevin Kelly ended on Tuesday. Dooley admitted swearing at Roche at a public meeting but denied raising his fist to her.Westport-based West Coast Regional Council representative Frank Dooley. (Source: Supplied)Cleine informed other…

Northlanders are among 600-plus New Zealanders signed up to be part of the country’s first nationwide citizen-science Australasian bittern count.The Great Matuku Muster will help build the first national database for how many Matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern) there are and where the birds live.At present there are thought to be as few as 250 birds, with potentially 1000 across the country.Ngunguru-based Love Bittern Project national co-ordinator Wendy Ambury said the elusive large wetland bird was one step away from extinction.Love Bittern Project national co-ordinator Wendy Ambury with the van she travels the country in as part of the project’s nationwide education…

Fans of popular stuffed toy manufacturer Jellycat are scrutinising purchases after allegations have emerged on social media claiming that counterfeit products are being sold in Auckland.Stuffed animals and other soft toys produced by the UK company are popular with children as well as adult collectors.Angst over the authenticity of Jellycat purchases escalated after a user of social media platform Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) claimed she had purchased counterfeit Jellycat products worth $500 from an Auckland store.A spokesperson from the store, which RNZ has decided not to name, said it was investigating the allegation.Located on the North Shore, the store sells…

After meeting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Istanbul for talks, President Erdogan says Turkey’s doors are ‘open’ to refugees from Lebanon. ADVERTISEMENTTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for talks on Saturday at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.The two leaders discussed the escalating conflict in the Middle East and defence industry cooperation, including a potential deal to supply Turkey with Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.Both countries are members of NATO.Stating that Turkey is making significant efforts regarding migration and refugees, Scholz said: “We will support Turkey regarding the consequences of the war in Syria. We desire progress between…

A man is in critical condition and a teenager has been arrested after an alleged stabbing in central Auckland in the early hours of this morning.Police confirmed in a statement that a “young person” was arrested after a serious assault.Emergency services were called to a Quay St premises about 1am following a report of a person being stabbed.The victim was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he remained this morning, police said.A 17-year-old male was arrested by police at the scene. He was due to appear in Auckland District Court this morning on a charge of wounding with intent…

An investigator is at the scene of a fire considered suspicious on the grounds of the former Queen Mary Hospital in Canterbury.Fire and Emergency said a crew responded to a call at 3.47am this morning to the Hanmer Springs property.”It has been extinguished and is deemed suspicious,” a spokesperson said.The fire was not part of the main building but in “a small 20m x 10m structure”.Police told 1News they were there to accompany a fire investigator.The site was a facility for the treatment of drug and alcohol dependencies until 2003. The property was passed to the Hurunui District Council as…

Hundreds of Smithfield employees have found themselves out of jobs after Alliance Group announced it would be closing the country’s oldest meatworks.The company confirmed the closure of the meat processing plant in Timaru, South Canterbury, yesterday morning, which meant about 600 staff have lost their jobs.Sam Sutherland has worked at Smithfield for 11 years and said the atmosphere before the meeting was ominous.He believed Alliance had been planning to close the meatworks at the end of the season for some time and did not think declining sheep processing numbers were behind the closure as had been cited by the company.”I…

A Gisborne forestry firm plans to install three steel debris nets to reduce the amount of woody debris clogging waterways after severe storms.Aratu chief executive Neil Woods says the region paid a high price for the devastation caused by cyclones Hale and Gabrielle and the firm was working on ways to limit the impact of their operations.The Swiss-designed nets will be the first of their kind for the Tairāwhiti region and will cost more than $500,000 each, says Woods.“We have learnt much from the cyclones and are determined to keep lifting our game.”Since Cyclone Gabrielle, Gisborne ratepayers have spent more…

Thousands of people have feasted their eyes on the visual delight of the Tom Parker Fountain in Napier since it was built in 1936.But four months ago, the lights went out after Napier City Council discovered deterioration in the storerooms beneath the fountain.Council says filling the void is a health and safety matter and is likely to cost $175,000 which includes a structural engineer, Geotech engineer, ground penetrating radar scanning and contractor remedial costs, including site security and fill material.“Other costs yet to be finalised are for the electrical upgrade, new water pump which is long overdue and resurfacing the…