Author: Press Room

With shoulder-length curly hair and a baggy hoodie, Ben Ackerley is far from the typical example of a “birder”.But as he stood in the Ashley Estuary north of Christchurch, with the wind billowing and black billed gulls circling overhead, there was no denying his passion. “It’s got a longer beak and more elegant flight,” the 15-year-old said, binoculars in hand. “You usually won’t find it as much by the coast, as you would inland.”The Canterbury high school student is part of a group of teenagers hoping to change the image around birding, a hobby more often associated with retirees. Ben,…

A man who died after falling off the top of a car in Napier on Friday is being remembered as a loving father and beloved teammate.Police reported that the man was travelling on a mattress on the roof of a station wagon from the Marewa shops, when he fell onto the road at Nuffield Ave.Family posting on social media have named the man as Reif Cotter, and a Givealittle page has been set up for his three young children and their mother.A post by the children’s mother Holly Te Ngahue said he was “the most loving” Dad, brother, son and…

A turbulent year has seen voters send a shockwave. Who used it best to secure influence in Europe? ADVERTISEMENT2024 saw multiple political shockwaves: that some EU leaders rode, and others were submerged by. Elections from Paris to Bucharest, an ongoing war, an economy that continues to disappoint, and a shock victory by Donald Trump in US elections are all causing an extended political headache.Some politicians managed to use that to their advantage, and wield influence over the Brussels machine – while others were left floundering. Euronews looks at the winners and losers from a turbulent year.1. THE WINNERSDonald TuskThe pushback Poland, long…

Immigration border staff will begin strike action on New Year’s Eve during the busy summer travel period, following the Government’s refusal to offer a pay rise.About 3000 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) union members began striking earlier this month but border staff, who are essential workers, had to give longer notice.The action – beginning 6am tomorrow and ending on January 20 – includes about 100 Public Service Association (PSA) members working at the border not doing any unpaid work, and taking rest and meal breaks together at specific times.PSA acting national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said staff had been…

Police have today formally named a woman who died following an altercation involving a group in Ngāruawāhia, north-west of Hamilton, on Friday.She was 42-year-old Turipapa Tukere of Ngāruawāhia.Police were alerted to “a number of people fighting” on Waipa Esplanade, near the intersection of Newton St, around 1.30pm on Friday, December 27.”Sometime later, a critically injured woman was taken to the ambulance station on Jordan St but despite the best efforts of first responders, the woman died before she could be airlifted to hospital,” Acting Detective Inspector Andy Saunders said. A homicide investigation was launched that same day.Saunders said police inquiries…

Police and whānau are concerned for the welfare of a teenage girl missing in Ngāruawāhia since early this morning. Kim, 13, was last seen at her home on Tupaea Pl, police said on Facebook this afternoon.”Police and Kim’s whānau have concerns for her welfare,” police said. Anyone who has information that may help find her has been asked to contact police on 105.

With nearly all of the votes counted, left-leaning Milanović won 49% while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the ruling conservative HDZ party, trailed far behind with 19%. ADVERTISEMENTCroatia’s incumbent President Zoran Milanović has won the most votes in the first round presidential election on Sunday, but fell short of an outright win so must face a runoff against a ruling party candidate to secure another five-year term.With nearly all of the votes counted, left-leaning Milanović won 49% while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the ruling conservative HDZ party, trailed far behind with 19%.Pre-election polls had…

A woman who says she was unaware her boyfriend was using methamphetamine in her apartment — and was assaulted by him when she found out and confronted him — has been told she must pay more than $50,000 to her former landlord.Yuriko Unno and her landlord, whose identity is suppressed, were first before the Tenancy Tribunal in 2022.At that point, the tribunal awarded compensation and exemplary damages of $7253.40 to the tenant, and $1500 to the landlord.But the landlord appealed the order to the district court, which set aside the tribunal award and instead gave the tenant a rent rebate…

Summer is no time to let sartorial style slip for Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo.The mayor’s trademark vests are still out in full force even over summer’s downtime, as he enjoys tending the vineyard grape vines at his Whangārei home planted on the property by his Italian grandfather Giacomo Cocurullo.He is the third generation of his family to live in his family home, also built by his grandfather.A vest paired with one of his dress shirts, trousers and shoes are his typical gardening attire.”I was up a ladder at the front of the property trimming the olive trees with an electric…

A worker has been injured after being attacked as a group of armed and masked offenders robbed a commercial premises in Auckland overnight.Four people were taken into custody following what police described as a “nasty” aggravated robbery in Mt Roskill.Officers were called to the Hillsborough Rd premises at around 9pm after receiving a report that several masked people had entered the premises with weapons.Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Allan said the group allegedly attacked the sole attendant before making off in a vehicle with alcohol, cigarettes and money.The victim received minor injuries, and support was being provided.Allan said a member of…