Author: Press Room

FENZ is warning of “high fire danger”, with the slightest spark in windy weather capable of causing a fire that would spread very quickly.FENZ assistant national commander Ken Cooper said warm weather, low humidity and moderate-to-strong winds – forecasted for the weekend – would add up to “continued high fire danger”.While severe winds – which fanned the flames of fires in Canterbury and the Bay of Plenty this week – had subsided, he said a ban on all open-air fires and fireworks would remain in place in Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Wairarapa, Marlborough and Canterbury until 9am Monday.”That means no fires…

Parents want what’s best for their kids – including a financially comfortable future – but how do you set them off on the right path?That can be a daunting prospect, particularly if you’re not especially confident with money yourself.Here are some expert tips.To KiwiSaver or not to KiwiSaver?Although there’s no longer a $1000 incentive to sign up, experts say KiwiSaver can still be a good tool for young people.”Opening a KiwiSaver account and regularly contributing can help kids develop a lifelong savings habit,” said ANZ head of investments Fiona Mackenzie. “KiwiSaver can help them save for a first home and…

The European Union is working on a strategy to reduce its dependency on Chinese critical raw materials, European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday. The renewed strategy comes in a response to China’s decision in October to implement tighter restrictions on rare earths exports. The Asian giant had likely done so in response to trade tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, but von der Leyen pointed out the impact it would have on Europe. “If you consider that over 90% of our consumption of rare earth magnets come from imports from China, you see the risks here…

Southland and the Clutha district remain under states of local emergency, after extreme winds on Thursday toppled trees and powerlines, and knocked out power, water and communications.Amid widespread damage, many farming communities are isolated.Those without power are encouraged to stay with friends or family out of town, or in unaffected areas.Some lower North Island households are also without power.Here’s what you need to know:Tens of thousands without powerMore than 25,000 Southland and Otago properties are without power, with warnings some more remote areas may not be restored for another week.Southland District Mayor Rob Scott said that would be a “mammoth…

A Wairarapa leader’s property was saved from destructive winds by the local fire brigade.Adrienne Staples, recently re-elected as Wairarapa representative on the Greater Wellington Regional Council [GWRC], had high praise for the Featherston volunteer fire brigade, who arrived within five minutes of her call on Thursday.“I just can’t fault them,” she said.“I think they are fantastic and we are lucky to have them.”Staples’ rural property near Featherston was hit hard by Thursday’s gale-force winds, with a gust of 163km per hour recorded there at 2pm. The wind speed averaged more than 100km/h for most of the day.“We are used to…

The World Health Organisation warned New Zealand last year about the “alarming” gap in its measles immunisation, saying urgent work was needed to close it.Two WHO medical officers reviewed the Ministry of Health’s measles epidemic preparedness report and noted “with concern” that measles immunisation was at its lowest since 2012.”There are alarming gaps among Māori and Pacific peoples,” their review said.If the gaps were not closed, the country was at risk of a large outbreak, it said.New Zealand officially eliminated measles in 2017 and kept that status, despite the 2019 outbreak, which affected more than 2000 people, because it was…

People on the Taranaki coast are being urged not to collect or eat any shellfish due to the presence of paralytic toxins.New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said routine tests of shellfish in the region showed levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin “over the safe limit”. The warning extended from Cape Egmont north to Albatross Point, near Kawhia.Affected shellfish included mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles and scallops, as well as pūpū (cat’s eyes), and Cook’s turban.“Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick,” Arbuckle said. “Cooking the shellfish…

Holidaymakers are warned to brace for heavy rain, strong winds and even snow, as a “significant storm” is forecast to sweep across much of the country on Labour Day.MetService predicts a “burst of severe weather” could disrupt plans for the three-day weekend, with watches already in place for severe northwest gales and heavy rain across several regions.”Very active fronts will bring another significant burst of severe weather to the country on Monday,” MetService said, urging people to stay up to date, as further warnings are likely to be issued.Heavy rain for West Coast and Canterbury headwatersA Heavy Rain Watch is…

Former Wellington mayor and Green Party associate conservation spokesperson Celia Wade-Brown has joined calls not to keep possums as pets.Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) this week raised concerns about people keeping possums as pets due to the risk to native birds and plants.Carterton resident Wade-Brown has successfully promoted pest control in the area around her home in Mangatārere Valley and in the broader Wairarapa region.”Since significant possums control in our valley, I have seen real native regeneration including flowering rata, clematis, and scarlet mistletoe,” she said.”Precious places such as Pūkaha deserve protection.”Possums were a serious threat to biodiversity, orchards and…

A cyclist is in critical condition following a collision with a car in Western Bay of Plenty. Police were called to the crash at the intersection of State Highway 29 and Poripori Road at 11am.Hato Hone St John told 1News it responded with one ambulance and one helicopter. Crews assessed and treated one patient who was airlifted to Waikato hospital in a critical condition. The crash has blocked the road, and motorists are advised to take alternative routes where possible.