Author: Press Room

TVNZ has posted a large full-year loss as advertising revenue fell and it wrote down the value of assets while signalling more cost cutting. The state owned broadcaster reported a loss of $85 million against a $1.7m profit the year before, driven by a $62m write down in asset values, which were not specified, and a $39m drop in revenue. The pre-tax loss before one-offs was $28.5m at the lower end of its forecasts in the middle of the year. Chief executive Jodi O’Donnell said TVNZ had made progress on its transformation with gains in streaming audiences and digital revenue.…

The Lotto Powerball jackpot has grown to $12 million after no tickets won this evening.The winning numbers are: 37, 31, 1, 4, 35, 20, bonus ball 13, and Powerball 9.Three ticketholders from Waikato, Palmerston North and Christchurch have won $333,333 with Lotto First Division. The winning tickets were sold at New World Broadway in Palmerston North, Pak’nSave Riccarton in Christchurch, and on MyLotto to a player from Waikato.Three players from Auckland, Blenheim and Queenstown collected $66,667 each with Strike Four tickets.The winning Strike tickets were sold at Woolworths Waiata Shores in Auckland, Pak’nSave Blenheim in Blenheim, and New World Queenstown…

Twenty-four pies and sausage rolls from the Goodtime Pie Co North are being recalled due to the possible presence of plastic. The affected products include Goodtime Pie Co’s Mince and Cheese Pie (200g); Steak & Cheese Pie (200g); Butter Chicken Pie (180g); Big Sausage Roll (150g); Classic Party Bites: Mince, Potato Top (24 x 60g); Sunny Days Mince and Cheese (48 x 170g); and Sunny Days Steak and Cheese (48 x 170g). Also included are Hub Gourmet Pies’ Beef & Guinness (220g); Thai Chicken Curry (220g); New York-Cut Pepper Steak (220g); and Lamb, Rosemary & Kumara (220g); Butter Chicken (220g);…

The freshwater fish filled both the bay and nearby rivers after they were displaced from their normal habitats by floodwater last year which was followed by months of severe drought. ADVERTISEMENTMore than 100 tonnes of dead fish has washed into the central Greek port of Volos, after authorities blamed the mass deaths on extreme climate fluctuations.The dead freshwater fish filled both the bay and nearby rivers after they were displaced from their normal habitats by flooding last year which was followed by months of severe drought.Fishing trawlers have been chartered by the regional authorities, along with earthmovers, to scoop the…

MPs have been told staff at national skills institute, Te Pūkenga, are “pissed off” by constant change and some polytechnics are unlikely to be financially viable.Parliament’s Education and Workforce Select Committee conducted its annual review of the institute today.They were told the organisation, which brought together polytechnics and industry training organisations in a single entity at the start of 2023, was financially viable and expected to make a deficit of about $16 million this year, following last year’s $38m loss.The Government is disestablishing the institute and consulting on options for re-establishing polytechnics.Te Pūkenga chief executive Gus Gilmore said near constant…

Seven people have been arrested after police seized drugs and cash in an operation across Southland.Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Baird said the Southern District Organised Crime Group, along with other officers, executed several simultaneous search warrants in the Invercargill and Bluff areas yesterday.”Police located 46 cannabis plants, 150 ounces (4.25kg) of high-quality cannabis head, cannabis oil, about $25,000 cash, and MDMA,” Baird said.Cannabis seized in Southland. (Source: NZ Police)”Those arrested have been charged with offences including offering to supply LSD, offering to supply ecstasy, possession of cannabis for supply, offering to supply cannabis, possession of cannabis oil, cultivation of cannabis,…

Three people had to be rescued as crews responded to a house fire in Auckland’s Henderson this morning.Crews were called to the scene at about 1.40am, a Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) spokesperson said.The house was ablaze when they arrived. Four fire trucks, two support vehicles and a hazmat vehicle were at the scene.Crews were called to the scene in Henderson at about 1.40am, a Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said. (Source: 1News)Three people needed rescuing from the two-storey building, the FENZ spokesperson said.The fire has since been extinguished and a fire investigator is set to attend.

A man accused of murdering Auckland insect expert Stephen Thorpe has appeared in court.The 26-year-old was arrested yesterday afternoon near the Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club, where entomologist Stephen Thorpe was found with stab wounds on Saturday.Thorpe later died at the scene.Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin announced the latest development this morning.”Our investigation progressed rapidly yesterday afternoon, with a person of interest taken into custody near the homicide scene.”We have since charged this man with Stephen’s murder.”A search warrant was executed overnight at a nearby address on Exminster St as part of the investigation.Police were seen outside the Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club…

Port Otago has announced a $30.4million after-tax net profit — up 30% on last year’s result — for the 2023-24 year, on the back of record seasons for both the container and cruise ships. Its Port Chalmers terminal handled a record 269,999 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), which included 104,000 transships units, and total throughput was 44% higher than last year. To manage the additional volume, 16 new cargo handlers were recruited, chairman Tim Gibson said. Cruise vessels contributed an estimated $90m to the region’s economy; 118 vessels, carrying 272,000 passengers and crew, were received, Mr Gibson said. There would be…

Five people are set to appear in court after allegedly making fraudulent ACC claims.They were charged following a significant fraud investigation by police and ACC, Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Neilson said.In November 2023, officers were alerted to a coordinated operation where the alleged offenders were engaged in creating fraudulent ACC claims.An investigation was launched in response to multiple incidents where clients misused an online platform to gain funds through a reimbursement process.Neilson said five people believed to be the key individuals involved have been charged. Three women aged 31, 24, and 36, along with a 41-year-old man, are due to…