Author: Press Room

The bombing of the Rainbow Warrior was an event that led the news for weeks, with many saying it was a time that saw the country lose its innocence.Former Greenpeace chief executive Bunny McDiarmid was a deckhand aboard the Rainbow Warrior in 1985. The crew, based in the Pacific Ocean, campaigned against nuclear testing and relocated Marshall Islanders from an atoll polluted by radioactive fallout.”It was our home – it was all of our home,” McDiarmid said.Bunny McDiarmid on board the Rainbow Warrior in 1985. (Source: 1News)On the day of the bombing, McDiarmid remembered being awoken by a call from…

Family are desperately seeking information about a 28-year-old New Zealander who travelled to Spain and has been out of contact for five months. Kadin Drury went to Spain for a job earlier this year, last sending an email to a friend in May and has since dropped contact with everyone. Kadin’s sister Kirsty Jellyman has been pleading on social media for any information on her missing brother: “This is very unlike Kadin,” she posted.She said the family were working with international police, Red Cross and Spanish customs but felt as if they are stuck with no more information on his…

Imagine another 29,900 people living in Hastings and how it will impact local neighbourhoods.With the region’s population projected to grow from 91,900 in 2023 to as many as 121,800 by 2053, Hastings District Council is calling on residents to have their say on the new Local Area Plan (LAP) programme.Hastings District Council says one of the options is to build up rather than out.The council’s programme manager for local area plans, Rebecca Sutton, said it was impossible to know if there would be any quarter-acre sections in town in 20 years’ time.Sutton said this was what the consultation was for…

A man has been arrested following an alleged road rage incident which saw several items – including alcohol containers and a hockey stick – thrown at another motorist on Auckland’s North Shore.The man allegedly got into a verbal altercation with another driver in Glenfield just before 3pm on Thursday.He then “followed the victim’s vehicle in his own car, throwing several items out of his window at the vehicle, including alcohol containers and a hockey stick, which damaged the vehicle”, Acting Senior Sergeant Andy Godsalve said.“He continued to follow the victim’s vehicle for several kilometres, causing them much concern.”The man then…

A transformation is underway for Old Papatoetoe with hopes it will revive the Auckland town centre.The plan aims to breathe new life into the area and provide new housing options, while maintaining its unique identity.Manukau Ward Councillor Alf Filipaina, who has also been a councillor for the old Manukau City since 2003, said he is pleased to see the progress in Old Papatoetoe.“With robust infrastructure, essential services, and excellent access to public transportation, I’m looking forward to the transformation over the next few years,” said Filipaina.Councillor Lotu Fuli, also from the Manukau Ward, says it’s encouraging to see the progress…

This edition of our weekly talk show focuses on the growing challenges facing the European economy: declining competitiveness, increasing potential for conflict in trade with China and diminishing scope for the public sector. ADVERTISEMENTThe challenges that have been weighing on the European economy have been building up for years. And Europe is becoming increasingly aware of its lack of competitiveness. This week’s EU summit once again addressed the question of how to boost the economy.David Rinaldi, director of studies and policy at FEPS, Almut Möller, Director for EU and Global Affairs at the European Policy Centre, and Niclas Poitiers, Research…

An Auckland charter vessel operator has been ordered to pay a $140,000 emotional harm reparation after the death of a woman who fell overboard.Danielle Tamarua and her work colleagues were guests on board the luxury charter boat Zefiro for a trip around the Hauraki Gulf on April 1, 2021.The 25-year-old had gone up to the bow of the vessel with another passenger when the weather worsened. Tamarua was heading back inside the boat as it returned to berth at the Viaduct when she slipped and fell overboard. Tamarua was struck by the vessel and died of her injuries.A second person…

Director Denis Villeneuve has started work on a third Dune movie.The 57-year-old helmed the 2021 sci-fi blockbuster and its 2024 sequel Dune: Part Two, and has now revealed he is currently immersed “deep” into novelist Frank Herbert’s space fantasy universe as he continues to work on the third instalment.Villeneuve initially thought he would be stepping back from the series for a time to focus on other projects.”Let’s say that I thought that after Part Two that I will take a break, that I will go back in the woods and stay in the woods for a while to recover,” he…

South Wairarapa and Carterton households could be faced with an average water bill of $7000 by 2035 if Wairarapa councils go solo for transformational water reform.This would be in addition to the rates charged by councils to fulfil other local government functions.In Masterton, the average water bill could reach $3000, and Tararua, $5000, if councils did not partner up.At a joint Carterton and South Wairarapa council workshop on Thursday, elected members were told that if councils joined forces, customers would have lower bills.As a combined “Wai+T” (Wairarapa plus Tararua) entity, the projected average annual water bill would be just over…

Mount Maunganui locals are calling for the “unique, essential” Mount Hot Pools to open earlier because the current time is causing “disharmony” among users.Julie and Jim Carle started a petition asking for the pools, which have sat at the base of Mauao for nearly 60 years, to return to the 6am opening time used before the Covid-19 pandemic, instead of the current 7am.The pair presented their petition with 127 signatures at a Tauranga City Council community, transparency and engagement committee meeting on Tuesday.Julie Carle told the meeting: “The Mount Hot Pools is a unique, essential rehab and health and wellness…