Author: Press Room

The person accused of killing an elderly Wellington woman can now be named as her daughter, Julia DeLuney.Helen Gregory, 79, was found dead in her Khandallah home in January after suffering what police described as a “violent act”.DeLuney, 53, had interim name suppression — but Justice Karen Grau denied giving her permanent name suppression last month.Her name, and her husband’s Antonio DeLuney — who does not face charges, but had also sought name suppression — were kept secret until now to allow the family to prepare for it being made public.Justice Grau’s judgement has also revealed details about what the…

Two executive leadership roles have been axed at Health New Zealand as the government agency faces a looming multibillion-dollar deficit.The roles of Chief People Officer and Chief of Data and Digital have been disestablished, Health NZ chief executive Margie Apa confirmed today in a statement.The move to slim down the executive team follows Te Whatu Ora’s push towards “empowering the regions and delivering on health targets”.The first phase, she said, involved the establishment of regional deputy CEOs in August “to enable the devolution of responsibilities for integrated care delivery to communities with regional leadership”.”I am now moving to the next…

The safety watchdog has given another warning to Orana Wildlife Park, ordering it to improve, among other things, protection for its zookeepers working with dangerous animals. It comes after a 1News investigation into the Christchurch zoo in July, where 20 current and former zoo workers came forward, revealing animal deaths and welfare concerns, and describing feeling exhausted, ignored and unsafe.WorkSafe said it has now found the park had “ineffective risk management” for some of its tasks, including “worker safety while feeding lions”.Watch an extended interview with Orana Wildlife Park’s board co-chairperson on TVNZ+The notice was initially issued in August with…

Civilians in Ukraine’s Sumy region have also been evacuated due to increased Russian attacks. Meanwhile, Moscow says a fire at an oil depot in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian east was caused by an attack from Ukraine’s military. ADVERTISEMENTThree civilians were injured in a Russian airstrike in the Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia, local authorities said on Saturday.According to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry, the attack was carried out using a guided aerial missile, targeting a residential area and local infrastructure.The State Emergency Service of Ukraine shared a video showing police and rescue teams working on the site.Ukrainian authorities continued to evacuate residents from frontline…

Fuel leaks and the stench of rotting meat are causing headaches for tourism operators after the HMNZS Manawanui sank off the coast of Samoa nearly a week ago. The New Zealand Navy survey ship capsized after hitting a reef and catching fire off Upolu on Saturday night.While there is gratitude no one died in the incident, locals are angered after finding debris up the coast, including life rafts.Meanwhile, diesel is continuing to leak from the ship and into the environment.The Samoan Government’s Marine Pollution Advisory Committee confirmed the leakages, which it said was coming from the engine room service tanks…

Clouds of black smoke billowed into the sky in Manawatū’s Sanson this afternoon after a truck and trailer caught fire.In footage sent to 1News near what appeared to be a gas station, the sound of the blaze and small explosions were audible. Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said it was called to the fire at around 5.15pm.Firefighters were called to Manawatū’s Sanson this afternoon. (Source: Other)A spokesperson said there was no risk to surrounding properties.The road was blocked for some time while firefighters tackled the blaze, which is now out.Police and Hato Hone St John also attended but there…

Future spending on Wellington’s ageing pipes and plans to fund disaster recovery could be at risk after city councillors overturned a previous decision to sell its airport shares.Councillors yesterday voted nine to seven in favour of stopping the move to sell the council’s 34% stake in Wellington International Airport, valued at $492 million.A Notice of Motion was brought by a councillor to amend its 10-year Long-term Plan with the aim being for it not to proceed with the sale.Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau admitted to 1News the process “could have been handled better and individuals could have handled this better —…

A Bluebridge Ferry that lost power in Wellington Harbour has now berthed.The Connemara lost power just after 5pm in one of its engines and had to anchor off the Miramar Peninsula.Power was eventually restored to the engine, while a tug boat remained on standby in case the ferry needed assistance to berth.Deputy Harbour Master Patrick Atwood said the ferry had been anchored in Wellington Harbour near the northern tip of Miramar Peninsula.He said he was not concerned because of the good conditions and location of the ferry.”Conditions were quite good, the northerly came up a bit, should have been a…

India’s leader wants more trade with this country and ultimately both nations will aim for a free trade deal, the prime minister says.The Government wants to secure a Free Trade Agreement with India this term, and Christopher Luxon says his first meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was an important step before he visits India next year.He is in Vientiane, Laos for the East Asia Summit and has met several leaders ahead of the start of the forum.On the meeting with Modi on Thursday night, Luxon said: “We got on really well. He was very warm and I have a…

First, it was ANZ’s ‘secret’ rate of 5.65%.Then TSB said it was offering an advertised rate of 5.99% for a year.On Reserve Bank data, the special rates offered by the banks have dropped sharply from a peak of more than 7% for two years last November to 5.8% in September – and further since.Broker Glen McLeod of Edge Mortgages said he felt a “war” was likely as banks competed for the leading home loan rates.”Fingers crossed, it’s a really exciting war, and people are going to benefit from it.”David Cunningham, chief executive at Squirrel, said he expected three-year rates could…