Author: Press Room

While he has receded from political life in recent years, the new French premier earned plenty of respect in Brussels as lead Brexit negotiator. ADVERTISEMENTTwo months after the snap elections resulted in a divided legislature, French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed two-time European Commissioner Michel Barnier to the office of prime minister, saying he wanted to create “a unifying government in the service of the country”.As he prepares to take the helm, Barnier’s erstwhile colleagues in Brussels are lining up to congratulate him on his return to the heart of European politics. “I’m very happy about the nomination of Michel Barnier,” former European Commission…

We’re paying higher prices, specials are confusing and loyalty schemes aren’t delivering overly significant rewards.Those aren’t just the musings of a frustrated supermarket shopper — but are some of the findings in the Commerce Commission’s first annual grocery report, issued yesterday.It might have been depressing reading for anyone hoping for major change in the sector.But what does it all mean for consumers?Here are five things households should know.High prices aren’t in your headThe report notes that food is a major expense for New Zealand households — and that what we pay is high by international standards.In the year to June…

The Commerce Commission has given telecommunications companies 12 months to come up with standardised coverage maps for all providers so customers can compare the signal reach each one is offering. It also wants universal definitions of coverage quality, like excellent, good and non-existent, as well as hang up clauses; so if consumers find their calling experience in real world is not what is promised they cancel their contract at no charge. Judy, who lives on a farm near Lake Waikaremoana in the Wairoa District, told Checkpoint she only had about 30 percent phone coverage. “It’s a health and safety issue. We’ve got…

Police say investigators are treating a death at a social housing property in Christchurch yesterday as “unexplained”. Emergency services were called to a property on Barrington St in the suburb of Spreydon shortly after 2.30pm yesterday to reports of an unresponsive person.”Sadly, despite medical attention being given, the person has died,” a police spokesperson said yesterday.This morning, police said it was continuing to make inquiries into the death. “At this time, the death is being treated as unexplained,” a spokesperson said.In a statement, Kāinga Ora regional director for Canterbury Liz Krause said: “Our thoughts are with the friends and whānau…

Southland has been the country’s regional ‘rockstar economy’ with the province leading the way in recent economic growth reports.But questions have been raised about what comes next for the lower south after some big industry projects have either paused or stopped completely.In the last week, plans for one of the world’s largest green hydrogen plants has been put on pause by Meridian Energy and a decade-long push to get an oat milk factory off the ground has now been abandoned.The oat milk factory was originally meant to be located in Southland. However, last year it was revealed the whole project…

A warrant to arrest has been issued for an Auckland man who is “wanted for escaping custody”.Thomas Emery is believed to be somewhere in the Auckland area.Any sightings of him should be reported to 111 “immediately”, police said.Police ask anyone who has information on his whereabouts to contact 105.Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers.

It’s more than just a gym, it’s a vibrant beacon of health in Ōpōtiki, guided by a powerhouse and community-minded woman named Aldean Williams.Williams is a lightning rod for health and well-being in the eastern Bay of Plenty.The non-profit community gym she co-founded, Ihi Kura, has grown from 40 to 280 in the last year. And among the gym’s loyal patrons are many of the town’s seniors.Ihi Kura is a non-profit gym with a focus on community connection in Ōpōtiki. (Source: Seven Sharp)While devoting her time and energy to establishing the gym and promoting health and fitness in Ōpōtiki, Williams…

A landlord has been ordered to pay a group of tenants $5000 after one fell through a hole in the dining room floor.A recently released Tenancy Tribunal decision detailed the state of the dining room area. It found the landlord had failed to maintain the home properly.The four tenants moved into the five-bedroom, three-bath property in Auckland’s Kohimarama in September 2021. They paid $900 per week.The tribunal decision said the house was situated so that when it rained heavily, water pooled in the outside area connected to the ground-floor dining area.In November 2022, the tenants notified the property manager that…

Police are appealing for information after a man was fatally struck by a vehicle near Raglan last night.It is believed he was struck while walking his dog.Emergency services were called to the scene near the intersection of State Highway 23 and Nga Mai Rd, east of Raglan, shortly before 7pm. The man was discovered deceased, and an investigation has since been launched. “Work is now underway to understand what has occurred, as well as to formally identify the victim.””A number of people are currently assisting with our inquiries, however we would like to hear from anyone who might have witnessed this…

Insignia at the Christchurch headquarters of the Comancheros motorcycle gang is no longer being brandished.The removal comes after police confirmed it had arrested every member of the gang’s Christchurch chapter in a major drug bust last week.Capping an eight-month investigation dubbed Operation Avon, 5kg of Class A drugs, 11 firearms, ammunition and about $250,000 in cash were seized after about 70 warrants were executed in Christchurch and Auckland last Wednesday.Eleven vehicles and an Auckland property, worth a combined $1.9 million, were also seized.Although it is unclear when the signage was removed, when RNZ visited the Christchurch headquarters on Thursday, the…