Author: Press Room

Jetstar NZ has been fined $2.25 million in a “landmark case” for misleading customers over their compensation rights when flights are delayed or cancelled.The reserved decision was delivered in the Auckland District Court this morning by Judge Brooke Gibson in what’s been described as “one of the biggest penalties ever imposed” under the Fair Trading Act.Around 2700 passengers have already been compensated, more than $1 million all up, for the offending over 2022 and 2023, relating to flight delays and cancellations. The airline faced 20 charges involving misleading statements about compensation for delayed or cancelled flights, (Source: 1News)Jetstar NZ has…

A 37-year-old man has been charged with arson and will appear in Auckland District Court today following an overnight fire at an Auckland internet cafe. Police were called shortly after 2am today following reports of a fire at E-Force Internet Cafe in Auckland’s Grafton. Hato Hone St John told 1News it responded with one ambulance and one rapid response vehicle. One person was arrested at the scene, and three people were treated for smoke inhalation. Police have said inquiries are still ongoing. The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including a cash boost for regional airlines, sellers re-enter the housing market,…

With house prices still weak, a relatively large number of listings to choose from and interest rates falling, commentators say it probably is a good time to buy a house.ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley said his latest survey of housing confidence showed buyer sentiment was strong.The percentage of people who think it is a good time to buy is the highest since 2011 at a net 26%, just slightly down from the 28% in the previous quarter.So what are the factors that make it a good time to buy, and how do they stack up?Soft pricesPrices were still well down…

A property owner’s plea to clear a “rabbit plague” from his Okere Falls property has raised questions over who is ultimately responsible for pest control in the region.Other than an informal conversation with a local, attempts to contact the owner of neighbouring land proved fruitless. Ross Nicholson then contacted three publicly funded organisations before a solution arrived, which he believed only happened after media involvement. Unused agricultural land adjacent to Nicholson’s property near Otaramarae on the shore of Lake Rotoiti is strewn with warrens and burrows, and rabbits have ventured within metres of his house. He has seen as many…

Jetstar has been fined $2.25 million over misleading customers about what compensation they were entitled to after cancelled or delayed flights. The low cost airline, owned by Qantas, was sentenced over 20 charges at the Auckland District Court today. The charges were filed by the commerce commission in January this year, after the company failed to comply following warnings in 2015 and 2021. Jetstar received a 35% discount on the fine for an early guilty plea and not having a previous conviction in New Zealand. However, the discount was reduced to 10% after the commerce commission successfully sought an uplift…

Police are preparing to expand their beat team presence across the country as the Government says it continues to push ahead with its violent crime reduction target.The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS) data showed that in the 12 months to May, there were 156,000 victims of violent crime. Violent crime included incidents of sexual assault, non-sexual physical assault and robbery.Police Minister Mark Mitchell said Henderson in West Auckland would be the next area to get a dedicated team with seven officers set to hit the streets in the coming weeks.“Since receiving funding through Budget 2024, Police have…

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is taking questions from media following the announcement of a new police beat team and the Government continuing to track ahead of its violent crime reduction target.He was expected to speak around 11.45am.Police Minister Mark Mitchell said Henderson in West Auckland would be the next area to get a dedicated team with seven officers set to hit the streets in the coming weeks.Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said the tougher approach was helping to drive crime numbers down.“The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey shows there were 156,000 victims of serious violent crime in the 12…

Police disrupted anti-social road activity across Manawatū overnight, issuing dozens of infringements and making three arrests during a large-scale operation targeting dangerous driving behaviour.Operation Purple, which involved officers from Whanganui, Taranaki, Wellington, and Hawke’s Bay, focused on central Palmerston North and surrounding areas including Feilding.The operation aimed to prevent gatherings of disruptive road users and reduce harm.Police conducted 250 breath tests, with four drivers over the limit, issued 58 infringements, impounded four vehicles and suspended two licences. Nine vehicles were stickered for safety or compliance issues.Three people were arrested: a 28-year-old man for allegedly throwing a bottle at a police…

The first New Zealand woman to compete at the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world died this week, aged 101.Evelyn Webster competed at Wimbledon under her maiden name Attwood in the middle of last century.Evelyn’s ability on the tennis court started to turn heads when she was as young as 11.In February 1940, the Sydney Morning Herald ran an article about Australian tennis players competing in the New Zealand championships in Wellington. The report noted some standout players who competed in the under-18 junior tournament.”Outstanding competitors this year were… Rosemary Hodges, of Auckland, who won a narrow victory in…

Bay of Plenty police disrupted a series of planned anti-social road user gatherings in Tauranga overnight, making arrests and issuing multiple infringements.More than 100 officers were deployed across the region, including checkpoints in key areas and support from the Police Eagle helicopter. The operation targeted groups travelling from Hamilton, Rotorua, and other areas to congregate in Tauranga.Police disrupt antisocial road user behaviour in Tauranga. (Source: NZ Police)Western Bay of Plenty Area Prevention Manager Inspector Zane Smith said the strong police presence at known meet-up spots prevented dangerous driving behaviour, including road blockages and illegal stunts.”There were multiple instances where the…