Author: Press Room

By Eloise Gibson of RNZ No bidders turned up to the government’s third auction of carbon credits of the year, raising the chances that millions of unsold tonnes of permits to create carbon dioxide will go on the scrap heap. By law, big carbon dioxide emitters such as petrol companies and coal importers have to buy enough carbon credits to cover their planet-heating emissions each year, under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The system is meant to give companies an incentive to cut their emissions, and move the country towards meeting its climate targets. But demand has been languishing, and…

Police have named the man who was fatally shot in Auckland’s Onehunga on Saturday night.He was 50-year-old Anthony Edward Rangi.Emergency services were alerted to the incident on Selwyn Rd at around 9.45pm.”A man sustained a fatal gunshot wound,” police said. First aid was given, but Rangi died at the scene.Footage taken by 1News showed a large emergency services presence near mechanic Midas Onehunga after the incident.Police in white coveralls could be seen taking photos and they later put up a blue tent.A number of armed officers could also be seen.A 32-year-old man was charged with murder over the alleged killing.

If all goes well, the ban will be expanded to include all schools across the country. ADVERTISEMENTNearly 200 middle schools in France began testing a “digital break” this week —a complete ban on cell phones in the classroom. The aim is to reduce screen time and combat cyberbullying, a move welcomed by both school staff and students. If the trial proves successful, the ban will be implemented in all schools starting January 2025.At Claudine Hermann Middle School in the southern suburbs of Paris, students start their morning by handing in their mobile phones.“It gets students used to being without their…

A Kiwi tourist has died after reportedly falling from a seventh floor hotel balcony in Thailand last week.Thai media said the Akuhata Edward Robert Hammond, 36, fell to his death from a hotel in Pattaya on Friday (local time).The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) confirmed the death and said it was providing consular assistance but would not provide further information due to privacy reasons.A Givealittle page set up to bring his body home to New Zealand has raised more than $10,000 so far.”We are heartbroken by this sudden loss and wish to bring him back to New Zealand…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ An Otago woman once celebrated for turning $50 into a multimillion-dollar business empire is now facing angry investors upset at how recent financial problems have been handled. Anna Ross founded cosmetic brand Kester Black, which says it makes “natural nail care” and takes a “holistic approach to beauty”. In 2021, it was reported that the business had made more than $1.16 million in revenue in the past 12 months. That same year, the Australian-registered arm of the business, Kester Black Pty Ltd, raised more than $A2 million ($NZ2.17m) from investors via equity crowdfunding platform Birchal.…

Police have arrested a second man in connection with a shooting that left one person critically injured outside a Palmerston North bar last month.Officers were called to Rangitikei St at about 11.30pm on August 13.One person was found “with an injury consistent with a gunshot wound”.Senior Sergeant Dave Thompson said a man “presented himself” to the Palmerston North police station this morning.”A number of addresses have been searched in an attempt to locate this man.”We are glad he has made the decision to come forward and avoid further disruption to his family and friends.”Police charged the 31-year-old with wounding with…

By Craig McCulloch of RNZ The Maritime Union says it is “disgusted and angry” the Prime Minister has no plans to raise the aging Interislander “ferry fiasco” during his trip to South Korea this week. A spokesperson for Christopher Luxon said he would not be meeting with South Korean company Hyundai Mipo Dockyard while abroad and did not consider the cancellation of its shipbuilding contract would feature during his two-day visit to Seoul. As revealed by RNZ on this morning, New Zealand officials notified their South Korean counterparts of the termination via text message less than an hour before it was…

Ensconced in the captain’s chair on the bridge of HMNZS Canterbury, navy veteran Keith Williamson peppered the ship’s commander with questions, rapid-fire.Did the vessel have guns? Yes.Did a local pilot steer the ship into port? Yes, but only as a courtesy.What was the purpose of the design of this ship? HMNZS Canterbury is a multi-role vessel that supports logistics over the shore, either by chopper, landing craft, or rigid inflatable boat.The vessel’s boxy design is a sore point for Williamson. It is vastly different in appearance from the sleek, sloop-like navy warship HMS Stork, which he served on during World…

Australia’s economy grew by just 0.2 per cent in the three months to June, landing broadly in line with expectations and taking the annual rate to 1.5 per cent.Economic growth slowed over the course for the last financial year, Australian Bureau of Statistics head of national accounts Katherine Keenan said.”Excluding the COVID-19 pandemic period, annual financial year economic growth was the lowest since 1991/92 – the year that included the gradual recovery from the 1991 recession,” Ms Keenan said.In the first three months of the year, the Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded a 0.2 per cent rise .Battling inflation comes…

The Prodigy and Chase and Status are set to headline Christchurch’s Electric Avenue in 2025, as the music festival marks its 10-year anniversary. Next year’s edition of the festival has been extended to two days and will be held at Hagley Park on Friday, 21 February, and Saturday, 22 February. It will feature more than 50 artists performing across four stages. Friday will be headlined by UK electronic dance music duo Chase and Status, who have enjoyed recent success with their No. 1 hit single Backbone, featuring Stormzy. Saturday will be headlined by electronic dance music pioneers The Prodigy, who…