Author: Press Room

Noel Edmonds, UK TV and radio personality, takes on a Kiwi hospitality challenge in a new show coming to our screens next week.It was 2018 when Edmonds and his partner, “earth-angel” Liz, first travelled 11 thousand miles to New Zealand. Looking to pursue a new life in the hospitality sector, the couple opened a boutique vineyard-style establishment called River Haven in Ngātīmoti, Motueka. The show Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure, launching on Monday night, is the result of their experience.Edmonds, not one to shy from a challenge, leads the establishment hosting a vineyard, coffee-cart, general store, restaurant and pub, forcing him…

A 70-year-old cyclist who died in a collision with another rider in the Wairarapa over the weekend was taking part in a charity ride.Police today named the cyclist as Raymond Allan Putt of Masterton.Putt had been taking part in the Wairarapa Charity Fun Ride on Saturday when he crashed with another cyclist on Kokotau Rd in Parkvale about 11.30am on Saturday.The event, which included two courses – one spanning 67km and the other 115km – had riders looping through Gladstone Rd before turning off Longbush Rd at Gladstone Rd. “Police extend their sympathies to his loved ones.”On Sunday, cycling group…

An inspection of 910 heavy vehicles and trailers in the central North Island this month led to more than 141 infringements issued. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Team and the NZTA set up check points in three locations from November 3 to November 6. Drivers of heavy vehicles passing through State Highway 5 at Iwitahi on the Napier-Taupo Rd, State Highway 1 at Turangi, and State Highway 3 at Te Kuiti were targeted by what was called Operation Triangle. Police inspected 910 heavy vehicles. (Source: NZ Police)In all, 165 vehicle defects were identified in the 910 vehicles inspected, meaning more than…

A short-lived Lower Hutt night market has Hutt South MP Chris Bishop crying bureaucracy gone mad.But the council said it must ensure the market meets safety and compliance measures and that people are not put at risk.After launching at the end of September, the hugely popular Queensgate Night Market has been canned after just four weeks.’Busy, but not in a good way’Content creator Katy Pakinga made sure to arrive early for Queensgate Night Market’s debut on Saturday night, and said it was immediately clear things were not running smoothly.”There were still food trucks coming in 45 minutes before the night…

The second book from JK Rowling’s popular Harry Potter series has been translated into te reo Māori for a new generation of readers. Hare Pota me te Pakohu Kura Huna (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) was launched today at the Toitū te Reo Māori Festival in Hastings, five years after its predecessor Hare Pota me te Whatu Manapou (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone).The book is part of the Kotahi Rau Pukapuka project that aims to publish 100 books in te reo Māori. Pania Papa, chief executive of the Kotahi Rau Pukapuka Trust, said there’s value in reading…

A multi-agency clean-up to clear Lake Rotorua and the waterfront boardwalk of lake weed is expected to last beyond next week.Wind gusts reached about 80km/h on Wednesday, driving a large amount of weed onto the foreshore and Rotorua Lakefront boardwalk area.The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is leading the removal work on the water.The Rotorua Lakes Council is responsible for disposing of the material once it hits land.Both councils say the rapid build-up was weather-driven and not unusual for this time of year.The regional council is using its weed harvester to do the clean-up.A clean up has begun but a…

A steam and gas plume from Whakaari/White Island has been visible from the mainland, but the volcano remains at Volcanic Alert Level Three.The aviation colour warning for the island remains at “orange” to tell aircraft that a volcanic eruption is underway, but little or no ash is being produced.GeoNet duty volcanologist Paul Jarvis said a steam and gas plume rose about 3km above sea level, and was visible from the Bay of Plenty coast at about 11.30am Friday.”Webcam and satellite observations show that the volcanic ash content was minor, and the likelihood of volcanic ash reaching the mainland is very…

New Zealand’s Retirement Commissioner is calling for big changes to KiwiSaver to ensure the scheme does not leave anyone behind.The commission has released its latest three-yearly report into the country’s retirement income systems.It makes 12 recommendations to the Government, eight of which it says could be introduced quickly and at little cost.More support for low-income earnersThe report recommends targeting government contributions more squarely at lower-income earners.What proposed changes to retirement fund could mean for you – watch on TVNZ+They are the group most affected by the Government’s recent decision to halve its annual contribution to KiwiSaver accounts.Previously, people received 50c…

Food manufacturers are expected to fall well short of voluntary targets for health star rating labels – originally hoped to hit 70% by today. The rating is determined by an algorithm, on a scale of zero-point-five to five stars, based on a product’s nutritional content, comparing foods within one category. Following a review in 2019, uptake targets were set, with a goal to hit 50% of intended products in 2023, 60% the next year and 70% in November 2025. The Ministry of Primary Industries said the most recent data, from November 2024, had the uptake at around 33% of intended…

New Zealand’s ports are under growing pressure as organised criminal networks carry out increasingly brazen break-ins to retrieve smuggled drugs, prompting urgent calls for tighter security and tougher vetting of port workers.Customs data released to 1News shows security breaches at several of the country’s ports, including broken perimeter fences, unauthorised entry into container and cruise ship terminals, and even small boats infiltrating ports by sea. Paul Campbell, Customs Group Manager Maritime, said the operations are calculated and well organised.“They’re cunning, they often plan. They are generally accessing late into the night and in the early hours of the morning,” Campbell…