Author: Press Room
Three property owners have been convicted and fined for knowingly allowing unconsented minor dwellings to remain on their Auckland properties for years. Yuanhua Li, Chao Ma, and Yan Ma were sentenced in Auckland District Court for serious and prolonged breaches of the Resource Management Act and the Building Act, involving unconsented dwellings at properties in Mission Bay and Northcote.They failed to comply with abatement and enforcement notices, after knowingly allowing unconsented minor dwellings to remain on properties at 2 Prebble Place, Mission Bay and 12 Exmouth Rd, Northcote for over four years.The properties in question were in residential zones governed…
By Emma De Ruiter with AP Published on 15/06/2025 – 23:39 GMT+2ADVERTISEMENTFrench President Emmanuel Macron warned that Greenland is “not to be sold” nor “to be taken” in a key visit Sunday to the strategic Arctic territory coveted by US President Donald Trump, saying he’s conveying a message of French and European solidarity.Macron expressed strong criticism of Trump’s intention to take control of the territory.”The situation in Greenland is clearly a wakeup call for all Europeans. Let me tell you very directly that you’re not alone,” Macron said during a press conference.”And when a strategic message is sent to you, I want just…
The Environmental Law Initiative is challenging the Environmental Protection Authority’s refusal to reassess glyphosate and glyphosate-based substances.A judicial review hearing — which is expected to last two days from Monday — will see ELI challenge the EPA’s 2024 refusal to reassess glyphosate and glyphosate-based substances.There had been significant scientific research on the herbicide since it was first introduced to New Zealand about 50 years ago, Environmental Law Initiative senior legal advisor Tess Upperton said.That was the grounds ELI used in their formal request for a risk reassessment, but the EPA refused last year, prompting the judicial review set to be…
A steady rise in wholesale grocery prices is driving up the cost of a wide range of products. Infometrics-Foodstuffs’ New Zealand Grocery Supplier Cost Index (GSCI) indicates supermarkets paid two percent more for groceries last month over the year earlier. “A number of fruits and vegetable costs rose over the month, alongside higher beef costs as international protein prices remain elevated,” Infometrics chief executive and principal economist Brad Olsen said. “Butter, cheese, and yoghurt costs rose further, with lower dairy supply globally amid strong demand which has pushed up international and domestic costs. Chocolate and coffee costs rose further in…
A last-minute change of mind has ensured the name of a Taranaki military settler won’t be added to the reo Māori name of a new park in a New Plymouth village.Manutahi Park is a green space planned for the middle of Lepperton, a 20-minute drive from the city.New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) asked mana whenua for a name for the park.Puketapu hapū suggested Manutahi and staff say kaumatua and neighbouring Pukerangiora hapū endorsed the name.Public consultation unearthed a handful of locals who feared people might confuse the park’s location with a smaller hamlet, also called Manutahi, an hour’s drive away…
Twelve of the southern region’s top apprentice tradies put it all on the line in Queenstown on Saturday. Apprentices from Otago, Southland, Central Lakes and Gore tested their skills in a practical challenge at Carters in front of more than 80 friends and family. They were among nearly 100 apprentices taking part in the challenge at the same time in centres throughout the country. Southern Master Builders regional branch and events manager Jennifer Marriott said three of the entrants had come back for a second shot at the challenge, which this year required them to build a planter box in…
One person has received “moderate” injuries in a house fire in Whangārei this afternoon.Emergency services received multiple calls about the blaze on Paramount Pde in the suburb of Tikipunga shortly before 2pm on Sunday.Fire and Emergency NZ responded with five crews from Whangārei, Te Kamo, and Onerahi at the peak of the fire.”The building was a single-level dwelling and the fire was well involved,” a FENZ spokesperson said.”We are working to extinguish the fire now.”St John said it sent one ambulance to the scene.”Our crew assessed and treated one patient who was transported to Northland Base Hospital in a moderate…
ADVERTISEMENTThousands of people took to the streets of several cities across southern Europe on Sunday in the latest protest against overtourism.In the Spanish city of Barcelona, where the main demonstrations took place, some fired water pistols at shops windows and set off smoke.Organised by the alliance “Southern Europe against Overtourism” – demonstrators joined forces with groups in Portugal and Italy.They argue that uncontrolled tourism is sending housing prices soaring and forcing people out of their neighbourhoods.The Guardia Urbana says only 600 people attended the demonstration in Barcelona.The Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS) says that housing is the number one national…
Children and young teens across the country will need to wear life jackets while they’re on small boats, if a National MP’s member’s bill is passed.Upper Harbour MP Cameron Brewer’s Life Jackets for Children and Young Persons Bill would make life jacket-wearing mandatory for those under the age of 15 on recreational craft less than six metres long. “We know that when you put a life jacket on a child, it increases their chances of survival tenfold,” he told Q+A. “So this is about protecting our kids in the water and doing the right thing.”Water Safety New Zealand’s 2024 report…
Medsalv Founder Oliver Hunt remains baffled it has taken so long for its remanufactured medical products to be added to Pharmac’s hospital medical devices list. The Christchurch company has just learned it will be added to the list by the government agency. Pharmac said an expanded list was expected to be released this week, which would include contracted and non-contracted items, after a supplier review. Medsalv sells hundreds of thousands of recycled single-use medical devices — otherwise destined for the dump — to about 120 hospitals and facilities in New Zealand and Australia. Mr Hunt, 31, founded the business in…