Author: Press Room

An Auckland family says they were shocked to receive a quote of nearly $37,000 to connect their Bucklands Beach property to Vector’s gas network, despite doing part of the installation work themselves to lower the cost.The homeowner, who asked to be identified as Chloe, had planned to install the gas connection for cooking and hot water to support an elderly parent and her young children.Based on previous experience connecting gas at four different properties, she expected the cost to be in the range of $7000.So when the initial quote from Vector arrived in June at $24,877.64, Chloe said she was…

Some “incredibly reckless, dangerous” behaviour on the roads is inevitable says AA spokesperson, and requires consequences with the goal of encouraging “better choices”.The AA says a car clocked speeding at 204km/h highlights the need for speed cameras to stop “dangerous behaviour”. Last week, 1News revealed some of the fastest speeds captured by speed cameras in the first two months since the NZ Transport Agency took over their operation. The fastest speeds recorded across July and August were 204km/h, 193km/h, 175km/h, 171km/h, and 167km/h. NZTA elected to file charges in court for each speed under the Criminal Procedure Act.AA road safety…

You know about saving. But have you heard about “revenge saving”?As the world continues to recover from the altered spending habits of the post-pandemic period, “revenge saving” is the latest trend that commentators say is taking hold.Instead of revenge spending – where people spend on things they don’t really need after a period of restriction, revenge saving is where people try to make up for their poor financial habits by being extremely frugal.This could be anything from a light-hearted “no spend challenge” to a permanent move to cut right back. It could be driven by wider concerns about the economy…

The Government has announced that it will invest more funding in natural pharmaceuticals and bio-based products, aiming to boost exports for what it describes as a “fast-growing” sector. Science, Innovation, and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti announced that the Government would be investing over $42.8 million over seven years to establish a “Biodiscovery Platform”. The platform would be designed to “accelerate the development of high-growth industries producing natural pharmaceuticals and other bio-based products”.The newly formed Bioeconomy Science Institute would lead it.“This is an economic growth initiative,” Reti said. “By harnessing New Zealand’s rich biodiversity, we can develop world-class, export-ready products…

An episode of The Chase featuring a Manchester teacher who died shortly after his triumphant appearance, will air on TVNZ1 and TVNZ+ tonight.64-year-old Tim McCarthy fulfilled a lifelong ambition of competing on the quiz show just weeks before passing away after battling a long illness. The nail-biting £50,000 (NZ$115,000) win was kept a secret by Tim’s widow, Rachel, and their three children until it was broadcast. He beat The Chaser by just one second alongside a fellow contestant.During the episode, Tim told The Chase host Bradley Walsh that he had been “blessed in his career” as a teacher. “I’m just…

A teenager has been arrested and charged with the murder of 67-year-old Donald Baikie, who was found dead by police on Tuesday. Police were called to a property on Chapel St in Greymouth at around 12.15pm on Tuesday, where they found Baikie dead on arrival. Inspector Jacqui Corner said a 16-year-old boy was arrested last night and would appear in Greymouth Youth Court this morning.”Police have completed a scene examination at the address where Mr Baikie was located deceased, however, there will be a continued police presence in the area as we continue with our investigation,” Corner said. “We would…

A homicide investigation is underway after a man was found dead at a Dunedin property yesterday afternoon. Police were called to Great King Street at about 2pm after reports of a “sudden death”. A 36-year-old man was found dead at the scene. “The circumstances of the man’s death remain under investigation, but initial indications suggest he died from non-accidental injuries,” Detective Inspector Shona Low.A scene guard remained in place today as a forensic examination was carried out. “There will be an increased Police presence in North Dunedin as we work to establish how the man died, and when,” Low said.…

The Department of Conservation expects to make $1 million from a paid car parking trial at two South Island tourist hotspots this summer, in a bid to get visitors to pay towards conservation.The trial begins in December at Dolomite Point in Punakaiki and Franz Josef/Waiau.The first 20 minutes will be free with a rate of $5 per hour after, up to $20 a day.DOC also plans to introduce paid parking at White Horse Hill, Aoraki Mt Cook in December, with submissions on that proposal open until October 22.Department of Conservation director of heritage and visitors Catherine Wilson said the locations…

The age for free bowel screening will drop for people in Auckland, Northland, and the South Island from Monday.The Government announced the age would drop from 60 to 58 earlier this year.It also ended a pilot programme that allowed Māori and Pacific people to access bowel cancer screening starting at age 50.Patients urge Govt to hurry up on pledge to further widen eligibility. Watch on TVNZ+.Health Minister Simeon Brown said the age for free screening will drop for the rest of the North Island in March next year.He said this was the first step in the goal of lowering the…

A prominent Māori activist believes that tangata whenua have no viable option for the upcoming general election but has ruled out forming a political party himself.Toitū Te Tiriti has cut ties with Te Pāti Māori after kaikōrero Eru Kapa-Kingi accused the party leadership of being “dictatorial”, and criticised the party for failing to hold its annual general meeting and national council hui, despite constitutional requirements.Te Pāti Māori has disputed the claims, saying no formal complaints have been lodged and it promised a “reset” next week.Kapa-Kingi told RNZ’s Saturday Morning issues within Te Pāti Māori in recent weeks had shown “the…