Author: Press Room

Unemployment is expected to nudge up to a near nine-year high with jobs few and far between in the weak economy, further dampening wage growth, but allowing another interest rate cut in three weeks.Stats NZ’s quarterly labour market numbers are due on November 5, with the headline unemployment rate expected to increase to 5.3% from 5.2% in the three months ended September, the highest since the December quarter 2016.Economists said the data would reflect some steadying of the labour market after the recession, which usually lags other sectors.”While there are some early indications that the job market is stabilising, we…

Two men have been arrested and multiple vehicles seized after up to seven vehicles performed burnouts during a funeral at Auckland’s Waikumete Cemetery on Monday afternoon.Police were called to the cemetery around 2pm following multiple reports of dangerous driving.Waitematā West area commander Inspector Simon Walker said one attendee began doing burnouts directly in front of the crematorium.”The first police unit on scene was surrounded by some attendees, including individuals who jumped on the patrol vehicle,” Walker said. No officers or bystanders were injured.Auckland Council said at one stage, up to seven vehicles were doing burnouts in front of a large…

The remaining seven elderly big cats at Whangārei’s Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary will be euthanised this week, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has confirmed.The sanctuary officially closed over the weekend, marking its final days of public operation. Facility operator Janette Vallance said the decision was heartbreaking.”There were no real options left. The staff and I are devastated,” she said in a statement. “The property is for sale and could potentially continue as a lion park, but this would require both purchase and significant capital investment.”She thanked supporters and said the legacy of the animals would endure. “The memories and legacy…

By Gyles Beckford of RNZ  Unemployment has edged up to a near nine-year high as businesses halt hiring, but slack in the jobs market increased and wage growth slowed further. Stats NZ numbers today show the unemployment rate rising to 5.3% in the three months ended September, from 5.2% in the previous quarter. The data was largely in line with expectations. Unemployment has been steadily rising as business either sacked staff or stopped hiring because of the weak economy, while the workforce has increased despite a slowdown in migration. The actual number of unemployed was 160,000 – the highest since early…

An Auckland man has been jailed after trying to fraudulently claim more than $2 million through various Covid-19 support schemes, forging documents and signatures for fake companies. Hun Min Im was sentenced to four years and 4.5 months in prison for his role in orchestrating the scheme. Financial authorities described Im’s offending as a “large-scale” targeting of the Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Small Business Cashflow Scheme, Covid-19 Support Payments, and Resurgence Support Payments. He was convicted after an investigation led by the Serious Fraud Office, with support from Inland Revenue, police, and the Companies Office. Over the course of his offending, Im submitted 42 Wage Subsidy Scheme…

An Auckland man has been charged following an early morning break-in at MP Judith Collins’ Papakura electorate office.Ambulance staff located an injured man walking on Great South Rd at about 1.30am and alerted officers, according to a police spokesperson. “While speaking with the man at hospital, police had established he had allegedly sustained the injuries while carrying out a burglary at the Great South Rd office.”Police have since confirmed entry was gained to the office, and a forensic examination will be carried out today.”A 27-year-old Papakura man was due to appear in the Manukau District Court today charged with burglary.In…

Geopolitics took centre stage at Euronews’ Enlargement Summit in Brussels on Tuesday, with leaders from candidate countries framing their ambition to join the European Union as a strategic decision to embrace prosperity and stability in a volatile world. The tone was set from the outset by António Costa, the president of the European Council, who made an impassioned plea for a larger, safer and stronger bloc and described accession as the “best investment” in a common future. “The European Union must also decide whether it can afford to lose more time, and if it is ready to evolve and adapt…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ  Short-hop domestic flights are costing New Zealanders as much as $3 a kilometre if they are booked shortly before travel – and that has prompted calls for change. RNZ and economist Benje Patterson looked at the price of a range of domestic flights, both booked a week out and booked at the end of February. We found that someone planning to travel in the last week of February next year could pay anything from 12 cents per kilometre for a flight from Auckland to Christchurch on Air New Zealand – or 8c on Jetstar -…

The owner of a boat that ran aground in the Marlborough Sounds during high winds last month has refused to remove it, saying he intends to put it on TradeMe for $1.The 100-tonne Golden Lea broke its anchor line in severe gales on October 16 in Mahakipawa Arm, and it was blown ashore that night.Marlborough harbourmaster Captain Jake Oliver declared the Golden Lea a wreck, and ordered the owner, Patrick Hibell, to remove it by Monday, November 3.But this did not happen, and Oliver said on Tuesday his office would have the wreck removed as soon as possible, depending on…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated his country’s commitment to joining the European Union, telling Euronews’ The Europe Conversation that Kyiv’s future lies within the bloc. Asked about the possibility of Ukraine joining the EU by 2030, Zelenskyy said during Euronews’ Enlargement Summit that although it may sound like “science fiction,” he would “like to believe that Ukraine will be in the EU before that date.” The Ukrainian leader went on to caveat expectations, emphasising his desire for the process to be conducted “in a fair way,” and only once Russia’s full-scale invasion has ended. “I would like that to…