Author: Press Room

The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including firefighters back at the Tongariro blaze, BBC execs quit over Trump speech, and the link between grey hair and cancer. Misty conditions have helped limit the spread of the Tongariro National Park fire. Two top BBC executives have quit amid criticism of the editing of a speech by Donald Trump. Aerial footage shows the scale of damage from a tornado in Brazil. Science says grey hair could be part of our body’s natural defence against cancer. Cyndi Lauper has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Te Pāti Māori national council has moved to expel MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris from the party.A letter seen by 1News which was sent to Te Tai Tokerau MP Kapa-Kingi this morning said the council met last night and made the decision to expel her. A similar letter was also sent to Te Tai Tonga MP Ferris. There was the option of warning or suspending them. At a media conference held this morning, co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer explained the decision, which was driven by what the party said was breaches of its constitution. Ngarewa-Packer said it…

ANZ New Zealand has reported a statutory net profit after tax of $2.53 billion, up 21% on last year.It said the increase was largely driven by gains of $163 million from economic hedges, compared to losses of $195 million in the 12 months to September 30, 2024.Revenue was up 2%, which the bank said reflected lending and deposit growth. Expenses were up 3%, which the bank said was driven by inflationary impacts.ANZ New Zealand reported a credit impairment release of $25 million, compared to a charge for $44 million for the 2024 financial year.Customer deposits were up 5%, while gross…

The Department of Internal Affairs has given notice to gambling website 20Bet to stop advertising in New Zealand.The offshore gambling website is registered in Cyprus but has been targeting New Zealanders with paid ads on YouTube promoting online pokies and sports betting.Promoting overseas gambling is prohibited under the Gambling Act, and sports and racing betting is banned outright unless controlled by TAB.”The Department is aware of recent advertising by 20Bet on YouTube,” DIA director of gambling Vicki Scott told RNZ.”We have instructed 20Bet to cease these activities. We will continue to monitor the situation and take further action if necessary.”Copy…

The mayors of Whanganui, Ruapehu and Rangitīkei will receive pay increases of between 3 and 6.5%, while councillor salaries will rise by as much as 30.5%.The independent Remuneration Authority has set pay for elected members across Whanganui, Ruapehu, Rangitīkei and Horizons Regional councils.The new rates reflect updated size indices for each council and revised governance remuneration pools that account for workload increases in some areas.Whanganui District CouncilWhanganui mayor Andrew Tripe will be paid $166,304, up about 3.25% from $161,075.His councillors are in line for a 25.5% pay rise, with the minimum councillor salary rising from $39,541 to $49,644.The council’s governance…

By Nona Pelletier of RNZ Top shelf employees are expected to cost employers much more to retain and recruit as the economy recovers. Recruitment consultancy firm Robert Walters said the brain drain to Australia was already sending ripples of concern, particularly in Wellington, which saw its workforce gutted after the last change of government. Wellington-based Robert Walters associate director Tim Wright said there was a looming talent shortage, as many senior level executives had already relocated to Australia for better pay and conditions. He said winning them back would not be cheap. The strong labour market conditions seen in 2022…

Which bank consistently offers the lowest advertised home loan rates? And does it actually matter?Data compiled by economist Ed McKnight from Opes Partners shows that since August 2023, across all home loan rate terms, Westpac most often advertised the cheapest home loan rates.It had the joint lowest rates advertised 54.5% of the time, and it had the strictly lowest rates 19.3% of the time.BNZ was jointly lowest 42.9% of the time but only strictly lowest 3.5%. ASB was joint lowest 38.5% of the time and strictly lowest 2.5%.Kiwibank was joint lowest 37.7% of the time and lowest 18.1%, and ANZ…

Cyndi Lauper turned True Colours into a defiant call for courage, and the music of Outkast, Soundgarden and the White Stripes brought waves of emotion at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.Partway through the song, Lauper shouted the line “don’t be afraid!”, thrust her fist in the air and kept it there as the music stopped for a long and dramatic stretch.She was then joined by Raye to sing Time After Time and Avril Lavigne for Girls Just Want to Have Fun, backed by an all-female band that included Gina Schock of the Go-Go’s. As Lauper called…

Fire and Emergency New Zealand say “favourable conditions” including light rain have helped efforts as they tackle a massive blaze in Tongariro National Park which has burned through more than 2500ha. The large fire on the Central Plateau broke out on Saturday, triggering evacuations of trampers and residents, including Whakapapa Village.As of Sunday night, the fire was estimated to have burnt about 2500 hectares and was 20% contained, FENZ said. Fire and Emergency District Commander Nigel Dravitzki said the fire size was likely to have increased a little, with a more detailed reconnaissance to be carried out when the weather…

All skills are valued at AbacusBio. That is the message from the Dunedin-based agribusiness consulting company’s new group managing director Nadia McLean who takes over the role from Dr Peter Amer. Ms McLean, who studied veterinary nursing, always stressed to new staff that a doctorate was not required to succeed. “Those without science qualifications are just as valuable, we need everybody,” she said. Born and raised in Dunedin, Ms McLean was a self-described “horsey girl” who had family farming in the Cardrona Valley and always felt that rural connection and knew she wanted to do something in the rural sector.…