Author: Press Room

New Zealand has suspended two years of aid payments – around $30 million – to the Cook Islands, signalling the political relationship between the two countries has rapidly deteriorated.In June this year Foreign Minister Winston Peters stopped $18.2m in funding being paid after the Cook Islands signed several controversial deals with China without consulting New Zealand which it’s required to do as a realm country. Obtained under the Official Information Act, 1News has received a letter dated October 13 from Peters to Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown confirming the $18.2m will continue to be paused, along with a further…

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has initiated steps to strip disgraced former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming of his medals days after he pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual exploitation and bestiality material.In an internal memo sent to staff early on Sunday, Chambers said he had initiated steps to rescind McSkimming’s Long Service and Good Conduct medal, along with any associated clasps. He has also requested the return of any police uniform items still in McSkimming’s possession.”I have signed out on a paper to recommend to the Minister of Police that he rescind the Long Service and Conduct medal and clasps…

A police patrol car rushing to the scene of a crash on an Upper Hutt motorway has led to a second collision this evening. Emergency services were called to the scene on State Highway 2 River Rd, between Fergusson Dr and Totara Park Rd in Clouston Park, around 5.50pm after a two-vehicle crash.”Fortunately, there have been only moderate injuries reported,” police said. “While travelling under urgent duty driving to the crash, a police unit was also involved in a three-vehicle crash on River Rd near Gibbons St.”There have been no serious injuries, however a scene examination will be carried out,…

Lotto’s gigantic Powerball jackpot has skyrocketed again to a near-record level of $45 million after no one struck the winning combination last night.Saturday’s numbers were 13, 24, 28, 4, 22 and 2. The bonus ball was 35 and the Powerball was 8.”It’s now the highest it’s been since August last year when an Auckland family scored themselves $44.67 million – the biggest ever Powerball prize won on a single ticket,” said Lotto NZ head of corporate communications Will Hine.The largest prize ever on offer was an eye-watering $50 million Powerball jackpot in 2020, which two players won and split.”High jackpots…

Whakapapa Village is being evacuated as a massive blaze continues to rage through Tongariro National Park this evening.Thirty-six people living in the village, which serves as the main entrance to the park, were warned earlier today that they may need to evacuate, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said in an update this evening. “Those evacuating will make their way to the Central Plateau Emergency Management Centre in National Park and register so that everyone is accounted for. Those who then need assistance with finding accommodation will be supported by Civil Defence.”Fire and Emergency Assistant Commander Craig Gold said the decision…

Ria Hall is a chart-topping singer and former TV presenter who was a victim of domestic violence earlier this year. She spoke to Yvonne Tahana for Marae about the horror of the attack and her subsequent shock at then seeing her former partner taking a prominent speaking role at the Koroneihana.The assault happened early on a Tuesday morning when children needed to be sorted for their day.Ria Hall and her former partner Eruera Keepa were at her Bay of Plenty home when a short verbal dispute erupted, ending up with him holding her up off the ground by her neck.Convicted…

Speaker Gerry Brownlee says he’s learned a lot from being Parliament’s neutral man after 27 years as a partisan politician, as he oversaw some of the most intense moments in the house’s recent history.Brownlee, who holds the third-highest office in the country behind the Governor-General and Prime Minister, has overseen two years marked by tensions between parties and the Speaker, unprecedented suspensions, and the deaths of two MPs.The Speaker was in Canberra earlier this week, where he was welcomed to the Australian Parliament floor — the first visiting Speaker in 21 years.”To associate with countries with similar democracies is extremely…

Air New Zealand’s new chief executive says the airline’s fortunes are inextricably linked to the nation’s economic recovery as he takes the helm during a period of significant pressure.Nikhil Ravishankar, who officially started as CEO in October, told Q+A the carrier had a central role in kickstarting the recovery while navigating a volatile global market.The airline signalled a financial loss of up to $55 million for the six months ending December, with as many as 11 jets grounded due to engine problems — about a fifth of its fleet.”Air New Zealand does well when New Zealand does well,” Ravishankar said.…

Maritime operations to disrupt Pacific drug networks, further funding for addictions services, and tougher police powers are among the key measures in the Government’s action plan to tackle increasing methamphetamine harm.Earlier this year, the Prime Minister tasked ministers with finding ways to address the growing issue after meth consumption doubled from 732kg in 2023 to 1434kg in 2024, according to police wastewater testing.Speaking at a media conference to unveil the action plan on Sunday, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said methamphetamine was a “scourge on our society” that fuelled organised crime and “destroys lives”.”This Government’s primary justice target is to reduce…

The discovery of yellow-legged hornet nests in Auckland is frightening. Victoria University ecology professor Phil Lester explains how we can all help stop its spread.There have been five confirmed detections to date. Two of these were small nests, more than a kilometre apart, which suggests there are likely more in the region.Why should we worry? This hornet is a serious concern for all New Zealanders. Yellow-legged hornets are aggressive predators and can become highly abundant. They threaten people’s health, biodiversity and especially honey bees.The yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) was accidentally introduced into France in 2004. It then spread rapidly, at…