Author: Press Room

Four of eight youths who climbed onto the roof of an Auckland youth justice facility have come down overnight, Oranga Tamariki said in a statement this morning.Police were notified at 5.50pm last night that eight youths had gained access to the roof of Korowai Manaaki in Wiri.”Overnight and this morning four young people have come down, with four remaining on the roof,” said Oranga Tamariki acting deputy chief executive youth justice services and residential care Iain Chapman.”Police continue to monitor the situation, and we can confirm there are no concerns for public safety and the young people are still within…

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A Dunedin couple say they are still “in fairyland” after winning $4.3 million in Saturday’s Lotto draw.The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, watched the live draw with her husband after being gifted a ticket by a family member.The couple wrote the winning numbers at the top of the ticket and checked to see how they fared.”She said, ‘I think we’ve got three numbers, have a look’,” said the man. “I said to her, ‘we haven’t got three numbers, we’ve got six — we’ve won Lotto, and we’ve got Powerball too’.”The win was made up of $4m from Powerball First…

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Ferry services have been cancelled this morning due to large swells forecast for Cook Strait from early today. Ferry operator Interislander announced the cancellations due to “strong southerly swells”.”As a result, we have cancelled two morning sailings of Aratere, the 6.15am from Wellington and the 11am return from Picton,” the ferries operator said.”All passengers have been shifted to other sailings.”In all, Bluebridge announced six services between Picton and Wellington were cancelled due to “storm force” winds: Tthe 2am, 8.15am and 1.30pm sailings from Wellington and the 2.30am, 7.45am, and 7.15pm sailings from Picton.MetService has a strong wind watch in place…

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After the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg in Germany, authorities in Austria are boosting security at Vienna’s New Year’s Eve Trail. ADVERTISEMENT”The police will do everything humanly possible to ensure the safety of everyone in this city, especially on this evening. There will be zero tolerance for rioters, firework throwers and the like”, Gerhard Karner, Interior Minister Austria, warned. Extensive preparations have already been made in recent weeks, he added. Austria is currently on terror alert level four out of five. According to the State Security and Intelligence Service there are currently no concrete indications that New Year’s Eve events…

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Former All Blacks coach Ian Foster says being recognised in the 2025 New Year Honours has “brought back a whole lot of gratitude” for those who helped him get to where he is today.Foster is among the several sporting identities recognised in the New Year Honours today after he was made a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit.The honour acknowledges a lifetime’s dedication to the game, through the various levels he has played and coached, culminating in New Zealand’s heartbreaking one-point defeat to South Africa in the World Cup final at Paris.”This award brought back a whole lot of…

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It’s been a year to remember for Lydia Ko — winning three LPGA tournaments, becoming the AIG champion and an Olympic gold medallist, and now being honoured with a Damehood.”I was honoured to be a Member of the Order of Merit a few years ago and just to kind of have that recognition from your country.It’s obviously special, not just for herself, “but for everyone involved because I wouldn’t be here without them”, Ko said from her New York base, prior to the news being made public.The 27-year-old Dame — New Zealand’s youngest in history — admits she did have…

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EU citizens work an average of 36 hours a week, but the rate is much higher in some countries. ADVERTISEMENTFor millions of people across the EU, working long hours is the norm.Eurostat defines “long hours” as 49 or more per week, which applies to 7.1% of the bloc’s workforce of the bloc.In the EU, the highest rates are in Greece (11.6%), Cyprus (10.4%) and France (10.1%).In general, the percentage is much higher among self-employed people (29.3%) compared to employees (3.6%).Turkey has the highest rate of all countries analysed, 27.2%, followed by Iceland with 13.8%.Which countries have longest working week?Turkey also…

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Contributions to culture have been recognised with a number of entertainers, filmmakers, designers, and foodies receiving New Year Honours. Kate Sylvester Designer Kate Sylvester is now an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit, but it comes with poignant timing as she prepares to close her business. “It’s very much recognition of what we’ve achieved in the 30 years that we’ve been in business, and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve contributed to the culture and the economy of New Zealand,” Sylvester said.”Fashion is equally as important as art, as sport, as music. It creates the New Zealand culture that…

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The full list of New Year Honours recipients, released on December 31, 2024.The New Zealand Order of MeritDNZMTo be Dames Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:Mrs Julie Clare Chapman – For services to children and the communityMrs Nea Ingrid Collins, MNZM – For services to Māori, business and health governanceMs Bogyung Ko (Lydia Ko), MNZM – For services to golfKNZMTo be Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:Mr John Allan Gallagher, CNZM, KStJ – For services to business, education, philanthropy and the communityMr Edward Colin Manson, CNZM – For services to philanthropy, the community and businessHonorary…

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This article was originally published in French Gisèle Pelicot’s ex-husband invited dozens of other men to rape her while she was unconscious and kept recordings of his and their actions. ADVERTISEMENTThe ex-husband of Gisèle Pelicot has declined to appeal his 20-year prison sentence for drugging and raping his wife and allowing dozens of other men to rape her as she lay unconscious in a case that appalled France. Dominique Pelicot’s lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, told broadcaster France Info on Monday that he wanted to spare his ex-wife the ordeal of another trial, though she also admitted a new trial could also deliver…

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