Author: Press Room

Thousands have marched through the capital five decades on from the first Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, a milestone some say has been spoiled by policies they feel are taking the language backwards.Mokena Hokianga Tumaurirere said he was marching to “tautoko our tamariki” and “our rangatahi”, and te reo Māori.“We shouldn’t have to be fighting for it all the time, it should just be something that [tamariki] feel comfortable to do, and I’m really proud of this generation because it’s something that they just do naturally now,” he said.“As Māori, it’s something we’ve been fighting for for mai rā…

Wellington public transport officials are exploring ways to introduce contactless payments “as soon as possible” as delays to the beleaguered $1.4 billion Motu Move national ticketing system stretch into 2027.The capital’s desire to integrate contactless payments — such as Paywave-type cards and smartphone wallets — into its existing system comes amid the announcement of an extra year of delays in completing Motu Move, the $1.4 billion national ticketing system.A revised regional roll-out plan for NZTA’s nationwide payments system remains under development, but was expected to be released later this month. Greater Wellington Regional Council transport committee chairperson Thomas Nash said…

Tool has announced one show in Auckland for later this year.They will play at Auckland’s Spark Arena on Saturday November 22, before they head to Australia in early December for the Good Things Festival. The metal pioneers last played in Auckland in early 2020. Earlier this year they played at Black Sabbath’s final show in Birmingham. Their last album, Fear Inoculum, was released in 2019. Ticket information is available via Frontier Touring.

Learner drivers in Auckland’s remote north-west will be able to continue with their free lessons after a local charity was gifted a replacement for their ageing car.Helensville’s Outwest Youth runs several youth programmes in the region, including free driving lessons for those who need them. But they recently hit a speedbump, making the call to retire their 14-year-old Mazda Demio because it was on its “last legs”. Limited by funding for a replacement, the organisation set up a Givealittle, hoping the community could pitch in and help. Learner drivers in Auckland’s remote northwest will be able to continue with their…

Multiple Hawke’s Bay peach growers have received termination letters from Wattie’s as the company downscales its canned peach production.Some growers have partly blamed the move on foreign competitors, who entered the market following Cyclone Gabrielle, and there are warnings from some that the cans of fruit found in many Kiwi pantries could soon all come from overseas.1News understands the cuts are due to it losing a contract deal with Pams, and competitors entering the canned peach market when local supply was hit during the cyclone.Cedar Wood Orchard owner Dave Mackie said he was going to take “a bit of a…

Efforts to keep a South Dunedin pub trading have been dealt a further blow with the latest attempt to renew its liquor licences being shut down. The St Kilda Tavern has been able to keep operating under a revolving door of new ownership since it was sold in July 2023, through the repeated issuing of temporary liquor licences to new owners. But this practice was halted by Dunedin’s district licensing committee, which declined an application by St Kilda Tavern (2002) Ltd to renew the pub’s base licences. The company’s sole director, Ian Tolerton, had not run the business himself since…

Three men have been charged over a serious assault at Auckland Prison which left another man with critical injuries.Acting Detective Inspector Simon Harrison said Waitematā CIB had been investigating the assault at the prison, which occurred shortly before 10am on August 19. At the time, Auckland Prison general manager Stephen Parr said three prisoners had been placed on directed segregation after the incident at Paremoremo. In an update today, Harrison said three inmates have now been charged following police inquiries.”All three, aged 27, 29 and 42, have been jointly charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm,” he…

Police are seeking help from the public after a fatal early morning crash near Palmerston North on Sunday.Emergency services were called to the crash at about 9am, Detective Sergeant Shelley Ross said.A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said a car was found upside down in a ditch on Hansens Line in Newbury – between Feilding and Palmerston North. “Sadly, a deceased person was found near the vehicle,” Ross said.The crash was believed to have occurred at around 3:20am.Police were seeking any witnesses to at least two vehicles travelling together in the Palmerston North or Newbury areas around the time of…

This year’s Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori marks the 50th anniversary of its fight to put the language at the centre of Aotearoa’s present and future.In response to the half-century milestone, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori–Māori Language Commission is inviting the country to take on 50 reo challenges to celebrate.Tumu whakahaere (chief executive) Ngahiwi Apanui-Barr said the challenges build on their previous campaign ‘Reo Māori Moment’ where a million people pledged and took part in a single moment in time to speak, sing, read or sign in Māori.It’s been 50 years since the week-long celebration began, but…

A man alleged to be behind $90,000 worth of retail crime has been arrested following a police operation in Auckland. Police said the arrest was made at West Auckland’s Lynnmall just after 7.30pm last Thursday. The 25-year-old man faces 26 shoplifting charges and two burglary charges relating to incidents in Mt Albert, Henderson, Auckland and New Lynn between April and September this year.Waitematā west area prevention manager Inspector Kelly Farrant said the man had been a person of interest in the prevention operation.He is due to appear in Waitākere District Court later this month. “Our area prevention team will continue…