Author: Press Room

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ Things are about to get “very scary” for New Zealand’s coffee and café industry, one roaster and café owner is warning. Richard Corney, managing director of Flight Coffee, which also operates Wellington café The Hangar, had already warned that New Zealand retail coffee prices are unsustainably low. He now says the sector is in “uncharted territory” as coffee commodity prices hit levels not seen since the late 1970s. He pointed to the New York City price, which has been lifting year on year over the past five years. He said it now looked to have…

A 19-year-old cyclist was killed in a suspected hit-and-run in the Far North town of Ōkaihau last night.Police were called by residents in Settlers Way around 10.15pm, Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry said.”We believe the collision between a cyclist and vehicle has occurred between 10pm and 10.15pm on that road.“Tragically, it has resulted in a 19-year-old dying from his injuries at the scene.”A criminal investigation is now underway, and detectives are working to piece together who is responsible.“Police will be in the Ōkaihau township as part of our investigation, seeking witnesses and further information.”Verry said police would be looking out…

A man is due to appear in court today after allegedly fleeing police across central Auckland yesterday afternoon — causing damage to three patrol cars in the process.The 31-year-old Northland man will appear in the Auckland District Court on charges of aggravated assault, reckless driving, failing to stop and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, acting Inspector Scott Jones said. Yesterday, a blue Subaru with mismatched plates – which police say has since been confirmed as having been stolen – was spotted travelling city-bound on the Northwestern Motorway. The driver was approached by police when he allegedly fled at speed from…

The Budget Committee greenlit the construction of a new building for €250 million, though leftist MEPs don’t agree ADVERTISEMENTThe Budget Committee of the European Parliament approved on Wednesday a €250 million plan for a new headquarters for Frontex in Warsaw. Polish capital already hosts the agency in three different buildings at two different locations across the city. The decision was taken with 23 votes in favour, five against and 10 abstentions. Representatives from the European People’s Party, the European Conservatives and Reformists and Renew Europe voted in favour, the Socialists and democrats (S&D) abstained, while the Greens/EFA and The Left voted against. The investment…

A Taranaki local authority has revealed “fatbergs” caused around 70% of blockages across its wastewater network last year, prompting a plea to locals. Fatbergs are large solid masses that form in pipes — made up of fats, oils, and grease washed down kitchen sinks. As the material passed through wastewater systems, fatbergs collected other flushed items, including wet wipes and sanitary products, causing larger and messier clogs. The New Plymouth District Council said its team dealt with 124 blockages in 2024, “most of which could have been avoided”.Since the start of 2025, the council had already cleared seven fatbergs, three…

José Marí Olano apologised for his “incorrect” behaviour at Tuesday’s council meeting to debate extra funding for areas ravaged by flooding in Spain last October. ADVERTISEMENTA councillor in Valencia was caught shopping for wine online during a meeting to discuss extra funding for communities devastated by deadly floods that struck Spain in October.During a Valencia city council plenary session on Tuesday, José Marí Olano was captured on a livestream scrolling through bottles of wine on an alcohol website and adding them to his basket. Olano’s wine shopping was reported at the time by the news outlet eldiario.es and it fuelled…

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is reminding people of the rules for interacting with marine mammals, following sightings of a pod of orca in Raglan and Kawhia harbours in the past fortnight.DOC said a family pod of five, part of the resident population off New Zealand’s coast, were likely feeding in the area.DOC Marine Species Manager Malene Felsing said it had received reports of people getting too close to the animals, “potentially putting themselves and the orca at risk”.Felsing said concerns about human behaviour around the animals had also been raised online, including a report of a boat allegedly chasing…

As the EU steers a course towards deregulation in pursuit of global market share, an early draft of a forthcoming communication suggests today’s ‘Competitiveness Compass’ was only the first step in a concerted effort to tear up red tape. ADVERTISEMENTThe European Commission is planning to set up a new Simplification Advisory Group as it embarks on a five-year mission to lighten the administrative burden on businesses, a leaked document seen by Euronews suggests.An early draft of a paper, due for publication on 26 February – alongside an ‘omnibus’ proposal to ease reporting requirements under laws on corporate sustainability and due…

A woman who was arrested after an alleged window-smashing spree on a street in the Auckland suburb of Grey Lynn has been remanded in custody. The 39-year-old Grey Lynn woman was arrested on Monday following reports of properties having their windows smashed on Sackville Street.She has been charged with three counts of intentional damage.Police said today they had successfully opposed her bail in court. “The woman will be remanded in custody until her next appearance on April 15 in the Auckland District Court,” Inspector Alisse Robertson said. Police said the custodial order meant the woman wouldn’t be back in the…

Despite not reaching pre-pandemic levels, the number of flights in the EU increased by nearly 6% last year. But is it the only challenge aviation is facing? ADVERTISEMENTIn 2024, 6.7 million flights transporting passengers, goods and mail were registered in the EU. This reflects a 5.8% increase compared to 2023, according to the latest Eurostat figures. However, the number of flights is still below the levels seen before the pandemic in 2019. The highest number of commercial flights in 2024 was recorded at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands, with 484,000 flights in total. This was followed by Paris’ Charles de Gaulle in…