Author: Press Room

Business South — the business advocacy body for Otago and Southland — has posted a $7800 surplus for the financial year, which was well down from the previous year’s $33,000 result. In the annual report, board chairwoman Dominique Dowding said chief executive Mike Collins and his team had progressed much in the past year, despite several economic challenges for its membership and the organisation. Membership, advocacy, training and regional business partners had grown and the events had produced record numbers. In his report, Mr Collins said Business South’s strategic partnerships had grown both internationally and domestically. He also noted especially…

As of today, New Zealand women are effectively working for free until the end of the year because of the 8.2% gender pay gap.Based on that gap, the average Kiwi woman is paid 336 days for the equivalent of 366 days for men, according to the Ministry for Women.To help reduce the inequality, the ministry has launched an online tool for businesses to calculate their difference in gender pay.”The old adage of what gets measured, gets done is quite powerful,” Ministry for Women chief executive Kellie Coombes said.”We really hope that businesses understanding their gap will really give them the…

He has presented at more than 100 events, welcomed more than 12,000 visitors to his all-electric orchard near Cromwell and made close to 100 media appearances — and that is just this year. Mike Casey, chief executive of the non-profit charity Rewiring Aotearoa, recently won the transformational leadership award in the Sustainable Business Awards. The awards, now in their 22nd year, moved from 10 categories to two this year — disruptive innovation and transformational leadership. Speaking for the judges, Barry Coates, founder and chief executive of Mindful Money, said Mr Casey was a powerful advocate for the transition to an…

Tradies owed thousands of dollars following the collapse of the country’s largest rooftop solar company are worried they’ll never get the money they’re owed.SolarZero was placed into surprise liquidation last week, with owner US investment giant BlackRock blaming “unsustainable losses”.Close to 200 workers are owed millions in holiday and redundancy packages.Iain McIsaac, managing director of solar panel installer Green Van Electrical, called it a “huge dent”.”I’ve got wages to pay. I’ve got rent — we’ve just bought a new building, wholesalers to pay,” he said.”It’s a huge dent in the business and mine’s less than others but more than others.”McIsaac…

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has faced criticism and pressure over arrest warrants for Israeli’s Benjamin Netanyahu and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. ADVERTISEMENTThe president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday criticised the US and Russia for interfering with its investigations and threatening its judges. The court — which started its annual meeting on Monday — is facing increased scrutiny and criticism in some quarters over arrest warrants issued to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as its relatively empty docket.ICC President Tomoko Akane told representatives of the court’s 124 member states in The Hague…

From being recognised for being inspirational to inspiring the next generation, Heidi Renata went from the stage to school this week. On Saturday night, Ms Renata won the Entrepreneurial Woman award at the 2024 Inspirational Women Awards and Gala, for Women’s Refuge, in Queenstown. Yesterday, she was at Otago Girls’ High School talking to year 9 and 10 students about the world of opportunities for them. She took about 200 girls through a group activity around seizing opportunities, barriers that could prevent success, and connections. Saying that she did want to retire at some point, Ms Renata was worried about…

A search and rescue mission is underway for three climbers reported missing after attempting to summit Aoraki / Mount Cook this morning.The men were due to complete their climb at 8.30am today but failed to meet their prearranged transport, police said.A missing persons report was made to police at 12.45pm today.Police Search and Rescue and Department of Conservation Search and Rescue are working together to locate the trio.A helicopter and specialist search and rescue personnel have been searching on the mountain this afternoon.The search has been paused due to weather conditions in the area and “will resume when weather conditions…

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier used the controversial Article 49.3 of the French Consitution to force the adoption of next year’s social security budget plan. In retaliation, opposition parties from the left and far right are threatening his government with a no-confidence vote. ADVERTISEMENTFrench Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government is hanging on by a thread. On Monday, Barnier, who lacks a majority in the National Assembly — the lower house of the French parliament — activated the controversial Article 49.3 of the French Constitution to pass his social security plan for next year without a vote. This, in turn, allows…

Campbell Park Estate is officially on the market again. In August, it was confirmed the Waitaki Valley property — with a castle-style mansion as its centrepiece — would be sold to pay off debts of former Mainzeal boss Richard Yan, who was adjudged bankrupt in May. Undoubtedly the most impressive of North Otago’s grand homes, the 35-room limestone baronial mansion was built for landholder Robert Campbell in 1876. Campbell Park became a boys’ school in 1908, which closed in 1987, and the property has since had several owners. The property is registered with Heritage New Zealand and has featured in…

The first dissection of the world’s rarest whale will be carried out in Dunedin this week.The male spade-toothed whale washed ashore at the Taieri River mouth in July.The 5m-long whale has been carefully preserved to allow local Māori and a team of scientists to learn as much as possible about the marine mammal. “It’s quite important for us in that according to our beliefs and our traditions, this whale is a gift from Tangaroa, deity of the ocean,” Ngāi Tahu’s Tūmai Cassidy told 1News. International marine biologist Dr Joy Reidenberg is among a team of scientists — from here and…