Author: Press Room

Ousted United Kingdom High Commissioner Phil Goff was farewelled overnight with a message from King Charles.Goff was sacked by Foreign Minister Winston Peters after making undiplomatic comments about Donald Trump. He posted on Facebook that he had now had a send-off.”Nice to be farewelled today by Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps Alastair Harrison, with a message from King Charles,” he said. “It has been a privilege to represent New Zealand in the United Kingdom.”Goff did not reveal what the King’s message said, but said the two countries had a long, close and enduring friendship, fighting for common values.”On critical global…

A former tax agent has been sentenced to the maximum length of home detention for sustained tax fraud.Chafic Georges has been sentenced to 12 months’ home detention, after appearing in the Manukau District Court on 19 tax fraud charges.Georges was a registered tax agent and sole trader from October 2006 until the business stopped in January 2018. Before that, he worked for Inland Revenue.An investigation began after a risk review indicated he and his family had accumulated wealth unaccounted for in income tax returns.”What was uncovered was sustained fraud, including filing false personal tax returns, and false income tax and…

The Finance Minister says there is already interest in one of the Public Private Partnerships on offer at the Government’s Infrastructure Investment Summit.Representatives of more than 100 companies from 15 countries have gathered in Auckland for the summit, between them controlling $6 trillion in assets and funds.One of the projects the government had already confirmed attendees would be invited to register their interest in was the 26km Warkworth to Te Hana section of the Northern Expressway, which will include an 850 metre twin-bore tunnel.1News business correspondent Katie Bradford reports from the first day of the Infrastructure Investment Summit.  (Source: 1News)Nicola…

It’s going to be tricky getting Russia to agree to ceasefire in Ukraine, post-Soviet political expert Donnacha Ó Beacháin tells Radio Schuman ADVERTISEMENTUkraine has accepted the offer of a 30-day ceasefire, and all eyes are now on Russia, but the latter will want to see the details of the ceasefire and will have plenty of qualifications, post-Soviet political expert Donnacha Ó Beacháin tells Radio Schuman today.The Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University (DCU) cannot see the Russians accepting “anything that doesn’t legitimise their land grab and ethnic cleansing” in Ukraine.Today Radio Schuman also features…

Those who want to withdraw large amounts of money may find they are asked to phone ahead — and can expect to be asked questions about where the money is going.Banking expert Claire Matthews of Massey University said she would expect banks generally to allow people to withdraw from a branch, without notice, a similar amount to what is available from ATMs – $2000 or $3000.”Part of the reason for the notice will relate to where the money is stored in the bank – they likely keep smaller amounts at the front counter because there is limited demand.”Fundamentally, if you’ve…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ NZME’s journalist union members have fired back at billionaire Jim Grenon’s suggestion they should be optimistic about their future Private equity tycoon Grenon, a New Zealand resident since 2012, bought a 9.3% stake in NZME for just over $9 million. NZME is the publisher of a number of newspapers, including the New Zealand Herald, as well as operating radio stations and property platform OneRoof. Within days of taking the stake, Grenon had written to the company’s board proposing that most of its current directors be replaced with new ones, including himself. E Tū, which represents journalists…

Kawerau District Council has come up with a concept to help familiarise residents and visitors with new street names and the meanings behind them.The council created QR code signs attached to two new street signs – Tiwhatiwha Crescent in Central Cove subdivision and Piripiri Crescent in Porritt Glade Lifestyle Village. Using a smartphone, the code can take readers to a page on the council website which provided a translation of the names into English, along with a short history of the areas and the meaning behind the names.Mayor Faylene Tunui and councillors attended an unveiling with residents of Tiwhatiwha and…

When Re: News visited Ashburton and Greymouth as part of our new series The Regions, we asked rangatahi where they hung out in their free time. Why did so many of them say Macca’s?Fast food joints are a favourite hangout spot for young people, especially for those living in the regions. But not all small towns want their own Macca’s. In February, a consent application to build a McDonalds in Wānaka was declined.The commissioners who made the decision said the proposed restaurant would be “at odds with the character typically associated with rural living”.When Re: News visited Ashburton and Greymouth…

Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa is concerned schools have been left without information on how to teach students about relationships and sexuality after the Ministry of Education removed guidelines from its website.“This is age appropriate, evidence-informed, best practice guidance and it’s really disappointing to see that it’s disappeared before there’s any new guidance issued,” Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa director health promotion Fiona McNamara said. The move answered a coalition agreement promise with New Zealand First. Winston Peters had referred to them as “woke out-of-touch guidelines”.In a recent review, 85% of school leaders told the Education Review Office they were useful.“I think that by…

Trump praised the Irish Prime Minister but spoke about the European Union as an opponent of the US that had been treating his country “unfairly” for decades. ADVERTISEMENTUS president Donald Trump added Ireland to the list of countries he says are taking advantage of the United States as he welcomed Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin to the White House. Martin, who was visiting the US as part of annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations, countered by noting Ireland’s contributions to the US. Trump has been sparring with US allies and adversaries alike over trade, slapping tariffs on imports from countries from Canada to…