Author: Press Room
A third and final recount request in Northland’s tightest local election has been rejected, meaning the new Kaipara District Council can finally be sworn in.In the final count, Mark Vincent lost his seat in the Otamatea Ward by just two votes to council newcomer Denise Rogers.Three votes separated three candidates vying for one seat, with Rogers gaining 742 votes, Vincent 740 and Fiona Kemp 739.Vincent applied for a judicial recount, citing the narrow margin, a high number of disallowed special votes, and public sentiment around the election that was “particularly negative and distrustful”.A recount would “go a long way to…
Some of Ponsonby’s narrow residential side streets could soon have paid parking during evening hours under proposals designed to tackle what Auckland Transport calls a parking “free-for-all”.Auckland Transport wants to extend paid parking from 6pm to 9pm on Thursdays to Saturdays in some streets within Ponsonby as the area struggles to meet demand for on-street parking.The agency’s group manager of transport network, planning and policy Andrew McGill said side streets off Ponsonby Rd were clogged with people looking for free parking.”Currently, parking in Ponsonby during the evening is a bit of a free-for-all,” he said.”Some residential side streets off Ponsonby…
“Real impact doesn’t always come with grand gestures … it’s often about steady progress behind the scenes.” That is the belief of Central Otago farmer and community leader Kelly Heckler, who is one of four recipients of 2026 Nuffield Scholarships. The scholarships, presented at Parliament, enable the cohort to undertake a Rural Leaders-delivered programme that offered opportunity for travel, study of the latest agriculture innovations and an introduction to decision-makers around the world. Mrs Heckler, who farms with her family at Lauder Creek, a sheep and beef property near Omakau, would explore research in freshwater management with a specific focus…
Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming has pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual exploitation and bestiality material.He appeared in the Wellington District Court on Thursday to enter the pleas.McSkimming pleaded guilty to three representative charges of possessing objectionable publications, namely child sexual exploitation and bestiality material knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the publication is objectionable.Disgraced former top cop admits to child sexual, bestiality material charges – Watch on TVNZ+Jevon McSkimming in Wellington District Court on Monday, August 4, 2025. (Source: 1News)He was initially charged with eight counts of possessing objectionable material, namely bestiality and child exploitation.The 52-year-old…
An Auckland executive has admitted receiving “commercial sexual services” from a person aged under 18.The man, whose name is suppressed, appeared in the Auckland District Court on Thursday afternoon.Judge Belinda Sellars, KC, granted defence lawyer Graeme Newell’s application to suppress the executive’s name temporarily and the name of his employer.”His employer has just been advised about this.”The employer would like to be heard about suppression at sentencing.”If he is named then they are named if one does a quick Google search.”The executive hadn’t yet told his family about the prosecution.Newell said the executive was arrested on Friday and was facing…
Strong global interest is anticipated in the sale of a historic high-country station in Canterbury’s Southern Alps.Mt Algidus Station has been listed on the market and likely to be one of the largest sales in the South Island this year, according to New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty.The property is being marketed internationally and domestically, including a campaign in the New York Times.The 22,120 hectare station dates back to 1861.(Source: Supplied)New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty agent Matt Finnigan said the station is often referred to as an island in the alps, due to its isolated location at the confluence of the…
Unease is building over law changes that could sideline Conservation Boards.However, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says Conservation Boards and the New Zealand Conservation Authority will continue to play an important role in the way conservation land is managed.The 15 boards across New Zealand are made up of local people nominated by their communities or iwi, and appointed by the Minister to monitor DOC’s work in their regions and advise the NZ Conservation Authority ( Te Pou Atawhai o te Taiao).The authority in turn provides DOC and the minister with independent policy advice.The boards have a statutory role in reviewing DOC’s…
A recall has been issued for collectable illuminated cups featuring Marvel superheroes the Fantastic Four sold at Hoyts Cinemas nationwide. The cups containing a battery-powered light – featuring the Invisible Woman (blue) and the Human Torch (red) – were sold from July 1 to 31 during the release of Fantastic Four: First Steps in New Zealand theatres. “The cups do not comply with the Product Safety Policy Statement on button batteries because the screw in the battery covering can be removed, and the products are missing warning information about the dangers of button/coin batteries to children and what to do…
Air New Zealand’s first electric aircraft has taken to the skies in a bid to test the “next generation” of lower-emissions fleet. The BETA ALIA CX300 – the first of its kind to carry the Air NZ logo – will undertake a series of flights across the country over the next four months as part of the airline’s Next Generation Aircraft technical demonstrator programme in partnership with US aerospace company BETA Technologies.The battery-electric aircraft, manufactured by BETA, seats two crew and up to 5.6 cubic metres of cargo on missions for up to approximately 398km. The ALIA CX300 first took…
By Méabh Mc Mahon & Alice Carnevali Published on 06/11/2025 – 11:12 GMT+1 •Updated 11:18 Sometimes European Union (EU) politics can seem incomprehensible, messy and even boring. But don’t worry:Brussels, My Love? is back as a weekly podcast to help you make sense of it all. In each episode, the podcast’s host and Euronews’ chief anchor Méabh Mc Mahon sits down with some of Europe’s brightest minds to unpack the latest developments in the EU. From plans to transform the EU from an economic trading bloc into a military powerhouse, to debates over bans on tofu sausages, you’ll discover how EU laws are…