Author: Press Room
Dunedin’s hospitality industry may have to rely on the kindness of outsiders to get it through a tricky period, operators say. Treasury’s half-year economic and fiscal update painted a bleak picture late last week, forecasting the country was likely to stay in the red until 2029. There have also been reports from economists that the recession could be prolonged. However, hospitality operators who spoke to the Otago Daily Times said they were remaining optimistic for a good summer ahead. Hospitality NZ Otago branch president Mark Scully said Dunedin’s only real hope over the summer was the arrival of tourists. “If we see…
Victims advocates warn some women fearing for their safety this Christmas will not call the police, thinking they will be turned away.It is the first festive period since the police stepped back from responding to low risk calls, which are usually related to family harm or mental health.Police say they still respond to crimes but calls are now being triaged, or prioritised, based on the 111 call.The police’s national manager for family harm prevention Inspector Natasha Allan said the summer holidays saw a lot of stress placed on families and it was one of the busiest times of year for…
Karo Data Management is a Māori-owned software company that designs tools for health providers — but it is also so much more. Ben Andrews has a coffee and chats with the product manager and chief executive about the business. Kyle Forde can not pinpoint a singular achievement for Karo Data Management. But seeing people use their digital health solutions and get excited about them is what gets him out of bed each morning. As the now shareholder and product manager of the software company, Mr Forde (Kāi Tahu), who is based in Dunedin, has big goals for the future, which…
A man has been charged with abduction after a baby was allegedly held hostage in a Blenheim home amid a stand-off with police yesterday. Negotiation teams took a man into custody at about 4.30pm yesterday after being called to the “family harm-related incident” around 24 hours prior. Neighbours of the Park Terrace property, where the incident occurred were asked to stay in temporary accommodation on Friday night.Police said in an update a man, 44, had since been charged over the incident.Marlborough area commander inspector Simon Feltham said: “The man has been charged with threatening to kill, discharging a firearm to…
The hospitality sector says a good summer will set it up for the year ahead, even in the face of recession.Economists said this week that the country was in a deeper-than-expected recession – the worst six-month period since 1991, excluding Covid-19.Treasury’s Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update also painted a bleak picture, forecasting the country was likely to stay in the red until 2029.Hospitality NZ’s Sam MacKinnon said customer sentiment strongly affected the sector, and consumers had been buoyed by recent official cash rate (OCR) cuts.”Customer sentiment is a key driver in terms of spend in the economy and discretionary…
Foreign-trained doctors will now have a greater chance at joining the New Zealand workforce, with a rise in the number of exam spots for those looking to get accredited.Earlier this month, the Medical Council announced it would triple the number of spots from 60 to 180 spots for those who are required to sit the NZREX next year.”This will allow those who have not had an opportunity to sit the exam, to do so,” said council chairperson Dr Rachelle Love. The NZREX is an exam that assesses the clinical safety of overseas-trained doctors who aren’t eligible to be registered through…
Police have named the man who died in a crash involving a tour bus and two cars, near Kingston, earlier this week.Emergency services were called to the crash, which injured 20 others, near the intersection of Glen Nevis Rd at around 4.05pm on December 19.Police said a person from one of the cars was confirmed dead at the scene.”He was Timothy Peter Herrick, aged 36 of Invercargill.”Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time.”Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.”St John said 11 response vehicles attended the incident — nine ambulances, two operations…
German media have reported that a man was charged with murder and attempted murder on Sunday over the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg. ADVERTISEMENTThe man’s identity is not yet known.Police in the city said on Sunday that those who died were four women aged 45, 52, 67 and 75, as well as a 9-year-old boy they had spoken of a day earlier.Authorities said 200 people were injured, including 41 in serious condition. They were being treated in multiple hospitals in Magdeburg, which is about 130 kilometers (80 miles) west of Berlin, and beyond.Are journalist are working on this story and…
Police are making inquiries after a 19-year-old woman was reported missing by her family in Upper Hutt.Maia Johnston left a family address in Totara Park, Upper Hutt, at around 8.30pm on Saturday night to go for a walk and has not been seen since, authorities say. “Maia’s family are concerned about her well-being and are anxious to locate her. The photo of Maia attached to this release was taken yesterday and shows the clothing she was last seen wearing,” police said.Police were asking for anyone in the vicinity of Harcourt Park and Brown Owl, as well as those in Totara…
A far-right protest was held late on Saturday in Magdeburg the night after the attack on the Christmas market. ADVERTISEMENTFar-right protesters have held a rally in Magdeburg, following Friday evening’s attack on a Christmas market which left five people dead and hundreds injured.Police estimate around 1,000 protesters gathered in the city’s central square, calling for stronger controls on migration after German authorities identified the attacker as a doctor from Saudi Arabia.Protesters carried so-called ‘homeland’ flags and banners saying ‘remigration’, while chants such as “those who do not love Germany should leave Germany” and “we do not want asylum seekers’ homes,”…