Author: Press Room

Most visitors to New Zealand will soon have to pay an increased levy to enter the country.Today, the Government announced it would raise the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) from $35 to $100, starting October 1.The levy, introduced in 2019, is a fee that most visitors entering New Zealand must pay. It ensures tourists contribute to the cost of maintaining the conservation estate. “The Government is serious about enabling the tourism sector to grow as part of our overall goal of doubling exports in 10 years. International tourism plays a hugely important role in the New Zealand economy,…

Maria da Graça Carvalho was in Brussels to follow up on a letter sent to the EU executive during the summer asking for concrete action to increase water security across the EU. ADVERTISEMENTPortuguese environment minister Maria da Graça Carvalho today (September 3) asked the EU executive to consider water a financing, political and EU strategic priority and to corral the assistance of the European Investment Bank (EIB) on the issue during a meeting with the European Commission’s chief of the environment department.Carvalho and Florika Fink-Hooijer discussed a letter sent by Portugal and 21 co-signatury EU member states in July to Executive Vice-President…

Consultation has opened on a proposed 110 km/h speed limit for Auckland’s Northern Gateway Toll Road and Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth Motorway.The 25km stretch of motorway, connected by the Johnstones Hill Tunnels, currently has a speed limit of 100km/h.NZTA regional relationships director Steve Mutton said these sections of motorway are designed and constructed to a high safety standard which means it can consider increasing the speed limit to 110km/h.”Safety features include two lanes in each direction to provide safe passing opportunities, physical separation between opposing lanes to prevent head-on crashes, and a mostly straight, wide alignment.”The on and…

Romania changed its choice for Commissioner in response to calls by von der Leyen for gender parity in the next cabinet. Bucharest is vying for an economic portfolio and has nominated a former minister for EU funds and secretary of state for public procurement, newly-elected MEP Roxana Mînzatu. ADVERTISEMENTThe growth towards far-right nationalism is leading to a reversal in gender equality and the fight against gender-based violence, Romania’s pick for EU Commissioner has told Euronews. The Romanian government this week changed its candidate for Commissioner, designating newly-elected MEP Roxana Mînzatu, in line with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s plan for gender…

Brian May suffered a “minor stroke” a week ago that left him unable to “control” an arm.The Queen guitarist, 77, has reassured fans he is doing OK after what he called a “little health hiccup” and needing to go to hospital.The legendary musician found the ordeal “a little scary” and is relieved to still be able to play his beloved instrument.He told fans in an Instagram video update: “I hope you’re all well out there. I’m here to bring you first of all some good news. I think good news is that I can play guitar after the events of…

Dozens of unwell or injured people desperate to see a doctor are queuing for hours outside a South Auckland clinic every morning.Local Doctors Otara is part of the Very Low Cost Access scheme, which subsidised GP appointments in communities with the greatest healthcare issues, and the greatest need.It charged a co-payment of $19.50 – which is significantly cheaper than many general practices or urgent care centres in Auckland, where appointments typically cost more than $60 per visit.Staff at the clinic had reported people queuing for hours before it opened, even through the winter.Local Doctors Otara is owned by Tāmaki Health,…

The attack on the western Ukrainian city comes a day after the deadliest Russian attack this year, which killed more than 50 people in Poltava. ADVERTISEMENTAt least seven people were killed and 35 injured in a Russian missile and drone strike on the western Ukrainian city of Lviv early Wednesday morning, according to local authorities.A child and a medical worker were among the dead, and others were in critical condition, while more than 50 houses, two medical institutions and two schools were damaged, Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi said in a video address. An overnight strike also wounded five people in…

Star Australian actor Simon Baker has pleaded guilty to drink driving.Lawyers representing The Mentalist star appeared in Mullumbimby Local Court on Wednesday morning and formally entered the plea to one count of driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.A second charge of attempting to drive while under the influence of alcohol was withdrawn.Baker, 55, did not attend court for the matter, which was held in front of Magistrate Kathy Crittenden on the NSW north coast.He is due to be sentenced for the drink-driving charge on September 11.Baker’s most prominent role was a seven-season run on hit show The Mentalist,…

Police have arrested a woman after an alleged Christchurch retail crime spree, including an incident where she is accused of stealing around $400 worth of chocolate.Canterbury Metro Commander Superintendent Lane Todd said the 46-year-old had three warrants for her arrest on 18 active charges.”A further 64 charges have been laid against her, of which 40 are burglaries.”A number of trespass notices were issued over the time of her alleged offending, beginning in April this year.Todd said police acknowledge the strain this type of offending puts on businesses.”This behaviour will not be tolerated by police, and we encourage retailers to continue…

The government’s scoping inquiry found almost 2,400 allegations of historical sexual abuse by hundreds of schools run by religious orders across Ireland. ADVERTISEMENTA commission is set to investigate sexual abuse at Irish schools run by Catholic religious orders after a preliminary probe found almost 2,400 allegations of historical abuse, the government said.Education Minister Norma Foley described the preliminary investigation’s report on Tuesday as a “harrowing document, containing some of the most appalling accounts of sexual abuse”. The inquiry found there were 884 alleged abusers in 308 schools across all parts of the country between the years 1927 to 2013. More…