Author: Press Room

The subjects of a new TVNZ documentary Trans and Pregnant which airs tonight say they have been “really supported and loved” during their unique journey to parenthood.Frankie and Rāwā Karetai Wood-Bodley are a gay-identifying couple from Canterbury who were filmed over three years for the documentary, directed by Ramon Te Wake. Trans man Frankie, who uses they/them pronouns, spoke to Breakfast about what it was like to be pregnant as a trans person and carry baby boy Hiwa-i-te-Rangi into the world.”We did a lot of preparation, and then a couple of years ago we decided we wanted to ‘push go’…

A fall in production is driving up cooking oil prices for supermarkets, even as overall supplier cost increases hit their lowest level in three years, according to Infometrics. The Foodstuffs-commissioned data analysis suggests supplier costs to its supermarkets have reached their lowest point in years, rising an average of 2% in October compared to the same time last year.The Infometrics-Foodstuffs New Zealand Grocery Supplier Cost Index, commissioned by the supermarket giant, measures the change in the list cost of grocery goods charged by suppliers to the Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South Island co-operatives. Infometrics chief executive and principal economist…

A dawn karakia at Te Rerenga Wairua has launched a national hīkoi opposing the Treaty Principles Bill and Government policy impacting Māori.Hīkoi mō te Tiriti participants have started a nine-day journey to Wellington, with thousands expected to join the convoy as it makes its way across the country.The hīkoi convoy will travel through Northland and is expected to make its first stop in Kaitaia at 10am Monday.A North Island-wide nine-day hīkoi to Parliament in protest of the Treaty Principles Bill sets off. (Source: Breakfast)Participants will continue on to Moerewa, then Kawakawa, before arriving in Whangārei which will mark the first…

Tradespeople are being warned that if they are given gift cards as part of a rebate or discount, they probably need to pay tax on them.Inland Revenue said it was common for trade suppliers to offer rebates to trade customers in the form of discounts.It was aware that it was increasingly common for this to happen in the form of product or gift card rebates, and sometimes they were passed on to employees.It said it was aware that in some instances these were being viewed or promoted as tax-free, but this was incorrect.Inland Revenue gave examples, including that of a…

New data has revealed an alarming increase in the number of Kiwis who have diabetes, with Diabetes New Zealand describing it as an “epidemic”. The Virtual Diabetes Register found that around 95,700 people have been diagnosed with the disease in the past three years, bringing the total number of people with diabetes to around 324,000. Health projections show that the number could surpass 500,000 by 2040.Pasifika were most at risk, with more than 12% of the local community diagnosed with the disease. That compares to 10% for the Indian community and 7% for Māori. The results have seen advocacy groups…

Businesses are worried tourists can’t reach them as a main highway connecting West Coast communities is closed north of Haast, after damage from severe weather, and local authorities have provided advice about what if you have property damage.A local State of Emergency declared in south Westland was lifted late on Sunday, following deluges, slips, evacuations, flooded homes and damage to roads and highways on Saturday.But the main route along the West Coast, State Highway 6, is still closed between Haast in the south and Fox Glacier in the north – with no detour available.It has left some Westland communities isolated,…

Part of State Highway 2 near Napier is closed after a crash between two vehicles left serious injuries. Emergency services were called to the scene of the crash at around 6.20pm near the White Pine Bush Reserve carpark in Tangoio. “There are serious injuries involved,” police said. “Motorists are asked to please avoid travelling this route for now until appropriate diversions can be arranged.” The serious crash unit will attend the scene.

Just days out from the historic apology for abuse in state care, one survivor is calling for the Government to move to overturn his precedent-setting case, saying it means others like him can’t expect to find justice in a New Zealand court.The man who has permanent name suppression and goes by “Earl White” lost his case against the Crown in 2007. It was the first civil case about abuse in social welfare homes to go to trial.White first filed legal action in 1999, hoping to settle the case quickly. But it dragged out to 2007, despite Crown Law in 2002…

A multi-million dollar South Auckland playground is among more than a dozen play areas hit by repeated vandalism and graffiti in recent months.Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia said he was saddened to see recent vandalism deface the board’s efforts to beautify community spaces and showcase artists.There were several incidents of vandalism at the $10.8 million Hayman Park I Manukau Iho Noa playground, which opened in July 2023, he said.Fifteen other playgrounds across the board area have also been damaged, including Waenganui/Allenby Park in Papatoetoe, Otamariki Park in Ōtara, Sikkim Park in Clover Park, and East Tamaki Reserve.“Before, families…

A national hīkoi across the motu begins on Sunday, in the small Far North town of Te Kāo. Supporters are gathering at Pōtahi Marae, before setting out on the first leg of the long journey south, on Monday 11 November.Travellers from Bluff at the far end of the South Island are also travelling toward Wellington to join the North Island group.On 19 November, the hīkoi is planned to arrive on Parliament grounds, having gathered supporters from the very top and through the nine-day journey.Toitū te Tiriti organiser Eru Kapa-Kingi told RNZ the hīkoi was as much about Māori unity as…