Author: Press Room
Starting today, Auckland’s railway lines will be empty with no trains operating for the next 32 days.Boxing Day was the last day passenger trains ran this month.It is the first extended period of rail closures in the city – in total, 96 days of empty tracks are planned, through to the end of January 2026.That means no passenger trains, freight trains, Northern Explorer or Te Huia trains.The shutdown is to allow for KiwiRail to complete rail rebuild works that are crucial to the successful opening of City Rail Link in 2026.When will trains be down?KiwiRail and Auckland Transport have tried…
The year has produced some distinctly Kiwi stories — both serious and more humorous — which struck a chord with those overseas. Among the events to capture the world’s attention included Kīngi Tuheitia’s death and the rise of the new Queen and the hīkoi to Parliament that had many googling, “why are New Zealanders marching in the street?” A time limit on hugs at an airport drop-off zone also created a stir. Here’s a selection of Aotearoa’s appearances in international media this year:Tens of thousands of people took part in the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti to Parliament this year. (Source:…
After his dog helped him to get through the Covid-19 pandemic, Alan Tsui decided to use artificial intelligence to figure out how to help his friend live a little bit longer. The co-founder Power of Pets (Pop), a Queenstown pet health and wellness company backed by Callaghan Innovation, said the pandemic was tough for everyone. “But for me it was very tough. “It was getting a dog that really helped me get through it,” he said. The company had developed a sachet of supplements for dogs which it would use to further aggregate data on canine health in the United States, Mr Tsui said. The…
A South Auckland councillor has decided she will not seek re-election at next year’s local body elections.Angela Dalton will retire from local politics after five years and serving two terms as Manurewa-Papakura councillor.Dalton, one of eight female councillors in Tāmaki Makaurau, was first elected in 2019.”It is important to know when to step aside and let new blood come through with new ideas, perspectives, vision for the next generation,” Dalton said.”I have met amazing people throughout my political career.”Dalton, no stranger to local politics, served as a community board member under Manukau City Council in 2007. She was then elected…
The Pope’s opening of the Holy Door was part of major events in the Catholic Church’s once-every-quarter-century celebration that is expected to attract about 32 million pilgrims to Rome. ADVERTISEMENTPope Francis inaugurated his Holy Year at Rome’s main prison on Thursday, with a message of hope to inmates whom he vowed would be an important part of the 2025 jubilee year. The inauguration was part of landmark events in the Catholic Church’s once-every-quarter-century celebration, which is expected to attract about 32 million pilgrims to Rome.Francis stood up from his wheelchair, knocked on the door to the chapel at Rebibbia prison,…
More than 4600 unwanted Christmas presents have been listed for sale on Trade Me by mid-morning on Boxing Day, with the online trading site saying it expects that number to climb.A second-hand Epilady shaver, a ceramic unicorn pen holder and a banana taped to a wall were among those posted early.The sales continue a heart-warming tradition for New Zealanders to hawk off gifts that have missed the mark, with some people (33.4% according to Trade Me) intending to donate the proceeds to charity.Trade Me spokesperson Emma Bacon said New Zealanders had a “relaxed” approach to gift-giving, with just 3.3% of…
One person has died after a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 35 northwest of Gisborne.Police said the crash between Hicks Bay and Cape Runaway was reported at around 11.15am.”One person was unresponsive when located by emergency services and tragically was unable to be revived,” a spokesperson said.St John said it responded to the crash with an ambulance and first response unit.One lane of the road remained closed near the scene which is around 3km west of Lottin Point Rd.”Motorists driving between Hicks Bay and Cape Runaway are asked to drive with caution in this area and follow the directions of…
Rānui House in Christchurch has put together a special Boxing Day spread for the families of loved ones who had to spend Christmas away from home this year.Run by the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust, the ‘home away from home’ has 21 families staying over the holiday period. For the ninth year in a row, housekeeper Julie-Anne Hansen came in on her day off to help prepare the spread for whānau so they could celebrate, despite the stress and heartache. “It’s who I am, it’s what I do, and I don’t think there’s anything special about it. I wish there were…
Two people have been winched to safety after their boat capsized on Christmas Day in southern Fiordland.Coastguard’s operations centre was alerted after a personal locator beacon was activated near the mouth of Big River at 1.51pm. Volunteers from Coastguard Riverton responded immediately.A rescue helicopter from Te Anau located an overturned 4-metre aluminium boat with two people clinging to its upturned hull at around 3.16pm.”The helicopter crew successfully winched the individuals to safety, while Coastguard Riverton watched on and recovered the boat,” a spokesperson said.Coastguard’s operations centre was alerted after a personal locator beacon was activated near the mouth of Big…
A recent sighting of a great white shark in a Waikato harbour has prompted a warning to both swimmers and fishers this summer.Footage provided to 1News showed a shark, confirmed to be a great white, circling a fishing boat in the Kawhia Harbour earlier this week.”He’s pretty f***ing curious, isn’t he?” said one of the fishers.The Department of Conservation (DOC) alerted swimmers to look out for great white sharks after sightings in the Kawhia Harbour in Waikato recently.”If you do see a great white shark while swimming you should quickly and calmly get out of the water.”They often come into…