Author: Press Room

Two people have been rescued — including one found unresponsive in the water — after a paraglider overshot a landing and plunged in the sea off the coast of Christchurch. It was fortunate timing for a mishap — with Coastguard volunteers at hand, having just attended an ANZAC Day service.St John was notified at 11.55am to the incident at Taylors Mistake and responded with two ambulances, two managers, one first response unit and a helicopter. Two patients were assessed “one was uninjured and the other was treated and transported to Christchurch Hospital in a serious condition,” St John said. Police…

Police investigating the death of US student Kyle Whorrall in Auckland last weekend are appealing for information about a vehicle.American PhD student Whorrall, 33, was attacked at a St Johns bus stop on Saturday night and later died in hospital.Police said the vehicle — a silver 2004 Mitsubishi Grandis, registration GNG652 — was believed to be connected to people detectives would like to speak to.Police want information about a silver 2004 Mitsubishi Grandis, registration GNG652. (Source: NZ Police)”We believe they have crucial information to share with us about the events surrounding Kyle’s tragic death,” a statement from police said.In the…

ADVERTISEMENTHeads of state and dignitaries are converging on Rome on Friday ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday. The Vatican said that 130 delegations had confirmed attendance, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs. US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are among those arriving on Friday. Trump, travelling with First Lady Melania Trump, is scheduled to arrive after Francis’ coffin has been sealed. Other confirmed attendees include French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Hungarian President Viktor Orbán. Notable absentees include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both leaders have outstanding…

Another $1 million of extra road reseals are on the way for a Canterbury district next summer.Ashburton District councillors have decided how to use $2.2m of ratepayer money, unsubsidised funding that is the result of a shortfall in the NZ Transport Agency funding.In 2024/25 the councillors opted to spend almost the entire unsubsidised $2.46m on 50km of additional reseals, on top of the subsidised 50km, with the around $500,000 that was left over was used for a variety of other roading projects.This time around the council has opted for $1m of additional reseals in 2025/26.There had been $2.5m of unsubsidised…

Greymouth’s boil notice has now been lifted after more than two weeks of restrictions. The notice was issued on April 8 after E. coli was detected in the Kaiata water supply zone. Grey District Council received a revised direction from their water regulator Taumata Arowai earlier this week and checked the facility yesterday.This morning, it was determined the council now complied with the new requirements. Mayor Tania Gibson said it had been stressful for the community and thanked everyone for their patience. “We know it hasn’t been easy. We are very relieved.” An investigation into the contamination was still ongoing.…

ADVERTISEMENTNATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged all 32 member nations to devote more funds, equipment and political energy to the world’s biggest military alliance, as the United States steps back from its leading security role in Europe.”In 2025, we need to significantly increase our efforts to ensure NATO remains a key source of military advantage for all our nations. Our continued freedom and prosperity depend on it,” Rutte wrote in his annual report.NATO has been in disarray since February, when US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that America’s security priorities lie elsewhere and that Europe would have to look after…

Offal that appears to be from two cows has been dumped beside a layby at an Eastern Bay of Plenty beach.A local resident using the cycle path that runs between the beach and State Highway 2, from Ōpōtiki to Waiotahe discovered the two smelly heaps of guts from cattle on Tuesday morning beside the parking area about 800 metres east of Te Ahiaua Reserve (The Pipi Beds).She suspected the cattle were stolen, as a farmer or anyone carrying out a homekill legally would dispose of any unwanted parts in an offal hole on their own land.The remains were still there…

After years of delays, a South Island healthcare provider is ready to build a new after-hours medical facility in Rangiora, Canterbury.South Link Health chief executive Karl Andrews said work could finally begin on the promised medical centre at the Rangiora Hospital and Health Hub site in Ashley Street.Local residents have been frustrated by the wait for after-hours healthcare in North Canterbury, with local MP Matt Doocey demanding action in February on the stalled project.The Waimakariri District Council confirmed it would invest up to $3.5 million in the medical facility at a closed-door session earlier this week.Work was expected to begin…

ADVERTISEMENTUS President Donald Trump says Russia has made a “pretty big concession” to end the war in Ukraine by stopping short of taking the “whole country.”Trump insists he is putting “a lot of pressure on Russia” and that’s why President Vladimir Putting is “talking right now.””I think he wants to make a deal, we’re going to find out very soon, but it takes two to tango,” Trump said.Trump made the comments during an Oval Office meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.Ukraine and much of Europe have fiercely pushed back against this notion, arguing that it’s hardly a concession…

Transport Minister Chris Bishop is welcoming the NZ Transport Agency board’s endorsement and approval of a $91.1 million investment case for Mill Road.The funding will complete the design work and securing consents on stage one. Bishop said Mill Road was a crucial one of the Government’s Road of National Significance, one of 17 for the Government.”South Auckland is the fastest growing area in the Auckland region, with 120,000 more people expected to make it their home over the next 30 years. We need to get on and deliver crucial transport infrastructure that supports that kind of growth, reduces congestion, improves…