Author: Press Room

The Reserve Bank is asking people how they use and store cash, saying it needs more up-to-date information as it redesigns the system.The random postal survey asks people how they prefer to pay, how often they use cash, how easy it is to deposit and withdraw coins and notes, and whether they store cash and why.The central bank is asking new questions this year such as whether people are having challenges in using cash.It will now carry out its survey annually instead of every two years.”As the steward of money and cash for New Zealand, we need to ensure that…

ADVERTISEMENT In December 2019 Ursula von der Leyen returned to Brussels, the city where she spent her childhood, with the poise of a self-assured centrist and the promise of a visionary. The Green Deal stood at the centre of her first presidency, offering climate hope and a surprisingly collaborative touch, flanked by the liberal Danish Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager and Frans Timmermans, the socialist Dutchman – co-stars in her ensemble cast. That was Season 1. But as Season 2 gets underway, followers of her first term might be wondering if they’re still watching the same show. Or at least asking if the…

Police are investigating after two-month baby was taken to Middlemore Hospital overnight with serious injuries.Acting Detective Inspector Veronica McPherson said the baby was taken to Middlemore Hospital overnight and remained in hospital for treatment. “Police are continuing to make inquiries into the circumstances of how the baby came to be injured.”The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including the West Auckland builder sentenced over massive meth haul, fire on a commuter train, and how Bluey could teach kids about resilience. (Source: 1News)

Education Minister Erica Stanford is speaking to media following yesterday’s announcement the Government is proposing to axe NCEA in favour of new qualifications.The proposals include:Removing NCEA Level 1, requiring students to take English and Mathematics at Year 11, and sit a foundation award (test) in numeracy and literacy.Replacing NCEA Levels 2 and 3 with two new qualifications (The New Zealand Certificate of Education at Year 12 and the New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education at Year 13).Requiring students to take five subjects and pass at least four to attain each certificate.Marking clearly out of 100 with grades that make sense…

Education Minister Erica Stanford has fronted media from her old high school after the government proposed to replace all levels of NCEA.Under the proposal, NCEA Level 1 would be replaced with foundation literacy and numeracy tests.Levels 2 and 3 would be replaced with a New Zealand Certificate of Education and an Advanced Certificate.Students would be required to take five subjects and pass at least four to get each certificate. Marking would be out of 100 and grades would range from A to ETeachers’ unions are cautiously optimistic the changes will work, provided they are implemented and resourced well.Stanford fielded questions…

The Chase’s Anne Hegerty has revealed she’s taken a surprising new career move.Hegerty, known on the show as The Governess, is set to make a cameo in a new indie horror movie – playing the role of a UFO spotter.In a recent interview with OK!, shortly after filming her appearance, the 67-year-old said she would like to do more acting.She said: “I recently filmed a cameo in a very low-budget horror movie. I mean, it’s so low budget I’ve been offered a share in the profits.”It’s called Deadcast, and it’s about a couple of guys who do a podcast about…

“I’d wake up in the morning, I’d be on my phone, I jump on the bus to uni, I’d be on my phone. I’d be in my class, I’d sneak a look at my phone. And then I’d come back from uni, be on my phone.” Adam de Jong, 22, swapped his smartphone for a ‘dumb phone’ for two-and-a-half-years to fight his phone dependency. It worked but it also made him a “social liability”, he says. Watch the full video on TVNZ+More than half of 18 to 24 year-olds-in New Zealand feel addicted to their smartphones, according to research from…

An intern pharmacist misread the prescribed dosage of medication for a two-month-old baby who later died from an overdose, RNZ can reveal.Afterwards, a trainee technician, who was handling a phosphate product for the first time, did not notice the dosage error. Then a registered pharmacist who carried out the final check did not pick up that the prescription was for an infant and that it was new medication.The intern pharmacist has since been suspended, and the registered pharmacist has resigned.The baby’s parents say they do not blame the intern pharmacist for their daughter’s death, and say he should have had…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ In recent months, Treasury, Inland Revenue and an organisation representing accountants have suggested New Zealand needs a rethink of its tax settings. Inland Revenue said taxes would have to increase to cope with an ageing population and CPA Australia said a capital gains tax should be considered. But do you know how much the average person in New Zealand pays, and how that compares to other countries? Infometrics calculated the average tax bill of a household with two median income earners, earning $72,900 per person before tax, not including any Working for Families credits. Chief executive Brad Olsen calculated…

Auckland’s Fijian Indian community has mourned the loss of “a man with a golden heart” and called for caution on the roads following a fatal crash near Auckland Airport last week.Arvind Kumar, 45, died in a three-vehicle crash on George Bolt Memorial Dr near the intersection with Tom Pearce Dr at around 4am on July 30.Family said the couple were stopped at a red light when the accident happened.His wife Jasoda, who he was dropping to the airport for a flight back to Fiji to attend a relative’s funeral, sustained serious injuries and remained in hospital with fractured ribs and…