Author: Press Room
A police officer who claimed to be “testing” the speed of their patrol car was clocked by another officer at more than 150km/h without lights or sirens. According to the Independent Police Conduct Authority, which investigated the incident, the Eastern District officer had been in a marked patrol car travelling at 154km/h in a 100km/h zone and was detected by another officer’s radar. The IPCA probe found the officer did not have their lights or sirens activated and was not responding to an incident or undertaking any urgent duty. “The officer explained they were testing the speed of the vehicle.…
Twelve further arrests have been made following a boy racer event in Levin on King’s Birthday Weekend that injured police officers, members of the public and damaged police vehicles.It brings the total number of arrests to 22 from the May 30 event, where an estimated crowd of 1000 gathered in the town — performing skids, burnouts, and other driving offences while spectators threw fireworks.Footage filmed by officers on the ground and by the police helicopter, witness statements, information provided by the public, as well as CCTV and social media footage led to some of the arrests.Inspector Ross Grantham said the…
Woolworths has issued a recall of 18% fat beef mince products sold in the North Island due to the possible plastic contamination in certain batches.The recall affected 500g and 1kg packages of Woolworths-branded 18% Fat Beef Mince with a best-before date of July 5, 2025.The packages were sold at Woolworths and Countdown stores across the North Island.”There have been no reports of illness or injury, however, anyone who has consumed any of these products and has any concerns about their health, should seek medical advice,” a spokesperson for the Woolworths Group said. New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle…
Hilary Barry is taking time off for a medical procedure, TVNZ revealed this afternoon.The Seven Sharp presenter is off-air while she recovers, a spokesperson for the broadcaster said.”TVNZ’s position is that we do not comment on presenter leave. Our presenters, like anyone else should be afforded privacy around the leave they take,” the spokesperson said.”With Hilary’s permission however, we’re letting you know that she has taken some time off for a medical procedure.”Barry is recuperating well and is looking forward to being back on the Seven Sharp couch next month.”Hilary is an immensely popular presenter, one of our most recognisable…
Regular rain may have caused issues for parts of New Zealand over the last couple of months, but it has also helped ease concerns for the country’s electricity generation. Power company Meridian Energy said its hydro lakes were “in good shape as New Zealand moves into the second month of winter” thanks to regular rain and actions from the electricity industry to boost security of supply.”Supply being managed carefully and low spot prices – this is the market doing what it was designed to do and working in the interest of all New Zealanders,” said Meridian chief executive Mike Roan.Among…
Bluebridge’s new Cook Strait ferry is set to arrive in Wellington. In a post on its Facebook page, Bluebridge said the Livia was scheduled to sail into the capital about 8am tomorrow. After completing a full dry dock in Denmark the ship had departed Europe and made its way through the Panama Canal and on to New Zealand. The company announced in March this year it was buying the vessel to replace the Strait Feronia, which first launched in 1997. At the time, StraitNZ chief executive Shane McMahon said the company was familiar with the vessel type and knew it was well suited to…
Ecologists are calling for Kiwis to report sightings of one of the world’s most invasive spiders with a “potentially sinister bite” known to cause serious infections.The noble false widow spider — named for its resemblance to the notorious black widow — had its first confirmed sighting in Porirua November last year.Watch spider expert explain the threat on TVNZ+Massey University evolutionary ecologist Steven Trewick told Breakfast more confirmed sightings were needed to understand just how widespread they were in Aotearoa.He said while small, they could be identified by their spherical bulbous bodies and long thin legs — similar to black widow…
A man has been jailed for more than two years after hitting a pregnant woman and killing her unborn baby girl during a street race in Auckland.Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Batey said the events of May 19, 2023 were a “tragedy for everyone concerned”.The 24-year-old man had taken part in illegal street racing that occurred in East Tamaki and struck a pregnant spectator.She was seriously injured, and emergency surgical procedures had be carried out, Batey said.”Her young baby sustained such catastrophic injuries that she barely even stood a chance at life and did not survive the day.”The baby, who was…
By Victor Waters of RNZ A group of oyster farmers in the north of Auckland have reached breaking point over sewage overflow and want the government to intervene. The 10 marine farms have been in a seven-year battle with council-controlled organisation Watercare to stop sewage overflowing into the Mahurangi Harbour, which contaminates their oyster crops. Watercare provides water and wastewater services to the people of Auckland. At least one farmer is having to close their business, while many fear they will not survive the year, despite a pipe upgrade in September that will provide a short-term fix. At this stage,…
Police have released the name of a man who died in a crash with another driver who was known to him in Manurewa last month. He was Iu Toalua, 45, of Auckland.Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Shanan Gray extended condolences to his family and friends “at this difficult time”.On June 27 shortly after 1am, officers observed a Mitsubishi vehicle pulling out of Sharland Rd, closely followed by an Isuzu.They were concerned the Mitsubishi was being chased by the Isuzu and signalled for the Isuzu to stop on Roscommon Rd.Moments after lights and sirens were turned on, the Isuzu made contact…