Author: Press Room

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…

Multiple crews spent yesterday evening working to extinguish a house fire in Auckland. Emergency services were called to the two-storey block of flats in Point England at around 11.05pm. Four trucks, one ladder truck, one specialist hazmat unit, and one support vehicle were called to the scene. When they arrived, the fire was “well involved”, but nobody was injured.The crews spent the night working to extinguish the flames, and a fire investigator attended the scene today.

An investigation has been launched into the death of a man who fell and struck his head following an interaction with police in Auckland earlier this week.The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at around 1.48pm, when police were called to a commercial property on Boston Road in Grafton.Police had received reports that a man was becoming “agitated” toward staff and paramedics at the address.When officers arrived, he was instructed to leave. Following this, he fell and suffered a serious injury.“Police are still working to establish exactly what has taken place,” Auckland City District Commander, Acting Superintendent Sunny Patel said.The man…

Sabrina Carpenter fulfilled a lifelong dream when she received her Grammy nominations.The 25-year-old pop star has been nominated for six gongs at the upcoming awards show, and Sabrina has taken to social media to share her delight with her fans.Alongside a video clip of her reaction to her nominations, Sabrina wrote on Instagram: “Us on the tour bus this morning, take a shot every time we scream like fr headphone warning.”This is the first year I’ve watched the live stream where i heard my name! I’d be lying if i said i hadn’t dreamt about this day my whole life…

Stalking is set to become illegal and punishable by up to five years in prison, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced.The Government revealed details of its proposed anti-stalking legislation today, saying the law would be introduced in Parliament before the end of the year.”We’re going to criminalise stalking behaviours, which are of great concern to so many, particularly women in our community,” Goldsmith told 1News. The stalking offence will have a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, and will capture patterns of behaviour – specifically, three acts taking place within a 12-month period, he said. The legislation will also provide…

Five people were arrested and firearms seized in Canterbury overnight as police continue to crack down on gang activity across the region. The arrests made overnight bring the total number made this week to 30 and include patched members and associates of the Mongols, as well as people not associated with the gang, who were previously sought by police. A cannabis cultivation operation was found in an Aranui search this weekend, and enquiries into a second Islington search where a sawn-off shotgun and three air rifles were found are ongoing. Two women, aged 37 and 30, were arrested in the…