Author: Press Room

Fire and Emergency believe the cause of the New World Victoria Park fire was accidental.The information was provided in an update Thursday afternoon. The fire service said the investigation into the fire at the supermarket remained ongoing.Foodstuffs North Island confirmed all food and stock inside the store will be removed and disposed of, following expert advice, for health and safety reasons.Chief executive Chris Quin said the intensity of the fire, huge volume of water, along with the spread of smoke, heat and potential chemical exposure inside the store, meant items couldn’t be salvaged.”The fire was extensive, and conditions inside the…

Published on 21/06/2025 – 7:00 GMT+2In the hot seatADVERTISEMENTWe are joined this week by the Lithuanian MEP Virginijus Sinkevičius from the Greens, Spanish Socialist MEP Hana Jalloul Muro and Italian centre right MEP Herbert Dorfmann from South Tyrol. Middle East escalation – the EU on the side lines?The panel reflect on the ongoing Israel-Iran war that has dominated the news this week. An emergency debate was held in Strasbourg in the presence of EU High Representative Kaja Kallas. She warned MEPs that the US should not get involved in the conflict, as it could drag the entire Middle East into…

After extensive public concern over proposed design changes to the Ōtaki to north of Levin highway, the NZTA Board has confirmed it will reinstate several critical features to the project.Last month, 1News reported the Horowhenua community said it had been “blindsided” by the changes to the expressway project to cut costs, which included scaling back the planned interchange to a roundabout.“This is a significant and very welcome moment for Horowhenua,” Mayor Bernie Wanden said today.“We’ve done it,” Ōtaki MP Tim Costley said.Additional funding has been confirmed for Tararua Rd in Levin to be a grade-separated interchange.The southern connection, near Taylors…

In a small room in Picton’s library, dozens of people have gathered to discuss the intricacies of truck routes, intersections, school crossings, and parking spaces.They pored over stands and wall displays, showing the proposed permanent State Highway 1 route along Kent St to the ferry terminal, instead of through central Picton.The proposed changes have already caused controversy, with one resident calling the changes “horrible”, when they were announced on June 11.NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s pop-up sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday hummed with questions, fresh ideas and a bit of debate.But not from Heather Hopkins, a resident of upper Kent…

Tarras residents are holding urgent public meetings around Otago to oppose a proposed open-cast gold mine just north of Cromwell.The Bendigo-Ophir gold mine is being submitted for fast-track approval by Australian company Santana Minerals. But residents say, if it gets the green light, local industries will suffer.Residents estimate it would be one of the largest earthworks projects in the area since the construction of the Clyde Dam but the project site is classified as an “outstanding natural landscape” in the Central Otago District Plan.Opponent Matthew Sole, from the Central Otago Environmental Society, told 1News “we’re going to be left with…

Our experience of the world often involves hearing our environment before seeing it. Whether it’s the sound of something moving through nearby water, or the rustling of vegetation, our fear of the unseen is rooted in our survival instincts as a species. Alison Cole, a composer and lecturer at University of Sydney, breaks down what makes the soundtrack so chilling. Cinematic sound and music taps into these somewhat unsettling instincts – and this is exactly what director Steven Spielberg and composer John Williams achieved in the iconic 1975 thriller Jaws. The sound design and musical score work in tandem to…

The Police Association President has criticised the leaking of information in relation to the ongoing inquiries into the former deputy commissioner of police.Jevon McSkimming resigned as the country’s second most powerful cop last month amid a four-month investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority and police.His resignation came after Police Minister Mark Mitchell said he was recently informed of allegations of a “very serious nature”, separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended.RNZ earlier revealed pornography found on McSkimming’s work computer was being investigated as alleged objectionable material.He declined to comment on the allegations through his lawyer.A High…

The New Zealand passport remains one of the most powerful in the world, but the number of countries now requiring Kiwis to have an electronic visa before travelling is increasing.According to the Henley Passport Index, New Zealand had visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 187 countries in 2025, making it the fifth highest ranking passport globally.However, more countries are adopting an e-visa system, which requires travellers to complete an online form – and usually pay a small fee – before leaving home.That means Kiwis travelling to those areas will need to plan ahead. Below is a list of some countries and…

King Charles has addressed a Matariki message to New Zealand ahead of the public holiday. “E mihi ana ki a Matariki mā Puanga,” the King said.”My wife and I send our warmest greetings to all those in Aotearoa New Zealand celebrating Matariki, the Māori New Year.”This year, I particularly acknowledge those iwi and regions that look to the star Puanga, or Rigel, to signal the New Year.”King Charles said the rising of Matariki and Puanga on the Eastern horizon heralded a time to reflect on the past, to remember absent loved ones and to prepare for a prosperous future.”It also…

The government has announced $28 million will be spent on building more “safe, warm and dry classrooms” for tāmariki in Māori full immersion schools.Twenty new classrooms will be built across four providers, and work will begin on the first stage of a new school north of Auckland.Eight classrooms at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ara Whanui in Lower HuttSix classrooms at Te Wharekura o Arowhenua in InvercargillFour classrooms at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hokianga in KaikoheTwo classrooms at Te Wharekura o Kirikiriroa in HamiltonThe new development, for Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāringaomatariki in Kaiwaka, will eventually have…