Author: Press Room

The owners of a popular Wellington café are “devastated” after their landlords, Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh, ended their lease on Tuesday. The Chocolate Fish Café has operated for 15 years at Shelly Bay under owners John and Penny Pennington. Sir Peter Jackson and his partner Dame Fran Walsh bought the waterfront property in 2023 after a $500 million housing development was scrapped. This week, the Penningtons were informed by a representative for Jackson and Walsh that their lease would end on January 31. “This week, we were given the devastating blow, without warning… that they have decided…

A young child has died after a vehicle incident this afternoon in Auckland’s Papatoetoe.The incident was reported to emergency services at about 4pm on MacDonald Road. Police said it arrived shortly aftewards.The circumstances of the incident remain under investigation. Police said it is providing support to the family.The criminal investigation branch staff and the serious crash unit are in attendance and making inquiries, police added

About 1000 people have marched from Wellington’s Pukeahu War Memorial Park in the pouring rain, calling for the government to sanction Israel and recognise Palestinian statehood.Last Saturday, Foreign Minister Winston Peters told the United Nations that New Zealand would not yet do so.”We are coming together as a community to re-affirm our commitment to the kaupapa, to re-affirm our steadfastness that we will see this through, until Palestine is free, until justice is served,” Justice for Palestine co-convenor Samira Zaiton told RNZ.The rain did not deter the protestors and a sea of umbrellas could be seen walking the 1km route…

New Zealand and Australia trade ministers have agreed to double down on their countries’ open trade relationship.Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay met with Australian counterpart Don Farrell in Monarto this weekend to discuss changes in the world economy.New Zealand and Australia agreed to a Single Economic Market in 2009 to increase the flow of open trade between both countries. This included co-operation between customs agencies and a co-ordinated approach to regulation.A spokesperson for McClay said the ministers had agreed to a new heads of agreement between Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand to align both countries’ standards.The ministers…

Dame Noeline Taurua has released a statement as her future as Silver Ferns coach remains uncertain.”I care deeply about the Silver Ferns and want to be back coaching the team,” she told 1News this evening.”I have seen the media statement issued by Netball NZ setting out their views. My views are different.”Taurua said she would not be commenting further at this time.Earlier today, Netball New Zealand (NNZ) confirmed a resolution had not yet been reached in time for the Constellation Cup series against Australia later this month.This followed ongoing discussions between NNZ, Taurua and Silver Ferns management over proposed changes…

From Mexico City to Manila, the United Kingdom to the United States, Taylor Swift fans hooted, sobbed happy tears and danced their way through the pop star’s latest album release, The Life of a Showgirl. Swift’s 12th studio offering dropped Friday, and her Swifties were more than ready for it. Many were dripping in the color orange to usher in her latest era at gatherings around the world. Some closed their eyes to take in the fresh dozen tracks amid the chaotic crowds around them.José María Bastida, a writer, rocked an orange sequin tuxedo jacket at a watch party in…

As an overhaul of earthquake-prone building legislation starts, there’s division in Dunedin and Coastal Otago, the only part of the country, being escalated from a low to medium risk zone.A heritage trust is concerned historic buildings will be demolished, but scientists stress the earthquake risk to Dunedin in particular is much more than previously thought.That’s because part of the Akatore fault is just fifteen kilometres south of the city, although it has been ‘quiet’ in our lifetimes.University of Otago’s Professor Mark Stirling said the latest geological findings suggest: “The main shock would be a lot like the main shock of…

Trade Minister Todd McClay. Photo: RNZ New Zealand and Australia trade ministers have agreed to double down on their countries’ open trade relationship. Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay met with Australian counterpart Don Farrell in Monarto this weekend to discuss changes in the world economy. New Zealand and Australia agreed to a Single Economic Market in 2009 to increase the flow of open trade between both countries. This included co-operation between customs agencies and a co-ordinated approach to regulation. A spokesperson for McClay said the ministers had agreed to a new heads of agreement between Standards Australia and…

Three new measles cases have been confirmed in Northland, Health NZ said, bringing the total number of cases in the region to nine.It followed a confirmed but unrelated case of measles in Queenstown earlier this week.The National Public Health Services (NPHS) was actively managing the outbreak through contact tracing and public health follow-up.One of the new Northland cases was only identified as a close contact after they became infectious, meaning they may have unknowingly exposed others.Public health teams were currently tracing locations where this may have occurred.Symptoms included an illness that begins with high fever (over 38C); cough; runny nose;…

A boarding house operator must pay more than $27,000 after authorities found its Auckland property dirty, unsafe, and non-compliant with Healthy Homes Standards.The Tenancy Tribunal found Burnley Lodge Limited breached its responsibility under the Residential Tenancies Act.It failed to provide required information on tenancy agreements, mishandled tenant bond payments, and failed to maintain the premises of its Mount Eden boarding house or to comply with Healthy Homes Standards, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said.MBIE’s Tenancy Compliance and Investigations Team (TCIT) were alerted to the situation after a referral from Auckland Council.It visited the property and found multiple…