Author: Press Room

A pendant swallowed by a man during an alleged theft at an Auckland jewellery store made headlines around the world and raised the question how exactly it was “recovered”.Police were called at 3.30pm last Friday to the store where a man was accused of picking up a Fabergé James Bond Octopussy Egg pendant and swallowing it.On Saturday, Inspector Grae Anderson told RNZ the man underwent a medical assessment at the time of his arrest and the item was back in their possession.But what internal journey did the pendant take beginning in an opportune robber’s mouth, to being safely recovered?University of…

European lawmakers agreed on Tuesday to delay the application of the bloc’s carbon tax on buildings and road transport until 2028, one year later than the European Commission initially proposed. Households and businesses using fossil fuels for heating and transport will likely see higher bills once the new version of the European Union’s emissions trading system (ETS), or carbon market, comes into full effect. Under the new arrangement, fuel suppliers, rather than end consumers such as households or car users, will be asked to monitor and report their emissions. The Commission argues that the prices set by the carbon market…

The Department of Conservation says it is “disappointed” in the theft of a significant macrocarpa bench, the second such incident in as many weeks. In a post online, the Department of Conservation said the substantial macrocarpa bench had been stolen from the Oparara Valley – a 14km point-to-point trail in the Kahurangi National Park on the West Coast. “The seat was installed a couple of years ago as part of work to improve the visitor infrastructure in the Oparara,” it said. “We are keen to see it returned, or any reports of where it might be.” The stolen macrocarpa bench.…

The European Commission today proposed a new raft of “simplifications” of environmental legislation that will lower standards and monitoring of industrial emissions and water protection – a move that reflects the sheer pressure the Commission has come under on many fronts. The EU’s executive claims that the measures are a response to the concerns of businesses and public administrators, who have complained that excessive red tape is hampering their ability to compete. The upshot is that at least 25% of environmental administrative requirements for private sector companies are expected to be axed by 2029. Under the EU’s so-called “environmental omnibus”,…

The Minister for Disability Issues is seeking advice on the Supreme Court’s decision that two parents who care full-time for their disabled children are employees of the government and should received the same benefits and protections.Louise Upston asked the Disability Support Sevices, a government unit that was responsible for supporting disabled people and their whānau, to consider the ruling “carefully”.The decision was released on Tuesday, in favour of recognising both Christine Fleming and Peter Humphreys, who care full-time for their disabled son and daughter, as ministry employees.For carers not to be recognised as employees meant they weren’t entitled to things…

One-liners from under pressure politicians, some frank conservationists and one of our most successful athletes are in the running for Massey University’s Quote of the Year.After a round of public nominations, the top 10 quotes had been chosen by a panel of communications experts and voting was now underway.The 2025 list was dominated by politicians from across the political spectrum including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s infamous “make a Marmite sandwich and put an apple in a bag”, comment.”If you are unhappy with it, for God’s sake, go make a Marmite sandwich and put an apple in a bag just like…

New Zealand Food Safety has found no food safety risks with the government’s school lunch provider after an investigation into mouldy lunches found at a Christchurch school.Rotten meals were served to some students at Haeata Community Campus last Monday.NZ Food Safety said the most plausible explanation is that lunches meant to be served the week before were accidentally mixed with last Monday’s meals.Investigators found it was unlikely that the School Lunch Collective had delivered old meals.The school has maintained the mouldy lunches were not the result of a mix-up at their end.The food safety watchdog has made a number of…

The US wants to help Europe save its identity. Speaking on Euronews’ flagship morning show Europe Today, US Ambassador to the European Union Andrew Puzder defended a controversial national security document in which the Trump administration called on the EU to change course or face a civilisational demise. In Europe, the document was met with surprise and criticism. Ambassador Puzder defended the US position, stating that the document seeks to restore Europe’s “greatness” and should not be understood as an attack, but rather as a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening Europe. “The section on Europe is titled ‘A Proposal…

Convicted murderer Mark Lundy is expanding his social contacts, but isn’t able to have his own social media accounts.He was otherwise fully compliant with conditions imposed on his release from prison when parole was granted earlier this year, according to a monitoring report released today by the Parole Board.The board had relaxed some of the conditions imposed on Lundy, taking away the night-time curfew he was subjected to as well as the order preventing him speaking to media.The then-66-year-old was released from Tongariro Prison in May, having been granted parole following a hearing the previous month.Lundy has always maintained his…

A new app that allows users to access government information and services from their phones – and will, eventually, hold digital driver licences – has been released today.Digitising Government and Public Service Minister Judith Collins said the govt.nz app was a secure and easy way for people to access what they needed, and was “an important milestone in our work to ensure we have a digital public service that is customer-focused, efficient, and future-ready”.It would allow users to access trusted information and services from across government, customise the user experience for what was most relevant, and receive emergency warnings from…