Author: Press Room

Breaking into the TV and film industry is the stuff dreams are made of for 15-year-old Korban Knock.He plays the lead role of Jake in the eight-part TV series, Secrets at Red Rocks.Adapted from the award-winning novel of the same name by Kiwi author Rachael King, the series follows Jake who’s been sent to his dad’s for the holidays. He stumbles across a sealskin while out exploring along the coast and feels compelled to take it home, triggering a chain of events that takes him on an adventure of the mystical and mythical kind.For Korban (Te Atiawa, Taranaki), the reality…

When Holly Earl read her autism diagnosis she says it was like reading a book about herself.The 18-year-old Christchurch student was diagnosed with autism and dyslexia when she was 14 which she says is early for a girl, but late overall.“I was always a shy kid but there were clear signs when the lockdown hit and my routine went away. It uncovered a lot of things I had been masking.”Holly says she tended to mimic the social behaviour of others around her, and so when she became isolated at home during lockdown she no longer had that to help her…

Shane Jones cites the dangers that come with “the court of TikTok” as the reason he wants to keep footage collected on fishing boats out of the public’s hands.The Fisheries Minister is proposing a range of changes to the Fisheries Act to “remove unnecessary regulations that impede productivity and the potential of the sector”. One of the proposals aims to prevent the release of what’s filmed on commercial fishing vessels through the Official Information Act. Jones told Q+A he didn’t agree with having on-board cameras in the first place, but that he had lost that argument. “I do not accept…

A man taken into custody following a stabbing in Kaikohe yesterday has been charged with murder. Police were called to an address on Mangakahia Road, about 5km south of Kaikohe, at 9.10am yesterday.Upon arrival, officers found a man with stab wounds, who died at the scene. A person of interest was taken into custody and has now been charged with murder. The 44-year-old will appear in the Kaikohe District Court tomorrow. A separate homicide investigation was launched in Northland yesterday after a man died in Whangārei. A man was arrested over the incident, but charges have not yet been laid.…

If you are paying interest on your student loan, your bill is about to get bigger.While student loans are interest-free for people who remain in New Zealand, interest is charged when people move overseas.From 1 April, an additional 1% will be applied to student loan interest rates, on top of the yearly re-calculation in rates that occurs.That will take the base rate to 4.9%, the late payment rate to 8.9%, which is charged on overdue amounts from student loan borrowers in New Zealand and overseas, and the reduced late payment rate to 6.9%.The forecast for the 2026 rate is 4.9%,…

A man has been arrested, and a homicide investigation is underway following the death of a man in Whangārei yesterday. Police were called to Norfolk Street shortly before 5pm, following a report of a man being injured. “He was found unresponsive, and sadly died at the scene,” Detective Senior Sergeant Michelle Harris said. A 53-year-old man known to the victim was arrested and was assisting investigators with their inquiries. “No charges have been filed at this stage.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon last night attended a virtual summit along with other world leaders to discuss the potential deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine.The “Coalition of the Willing” phone call was arranged by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and was attended by, among others, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.”New Zealand stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine,” Luxon wrote on X after the call.”Our discussion included how to support Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace.”A New Zealand defence attaché had already been participating in talks in Paris, along with officials…

A man has been arrested and charged with murder in relation to the death of a man and the critical injury of a second victim in Hamilton yesterday.A homicide investigation was launched after police were called to an address on Beatty St in Melville around 4.30am on Saturday.”A 26-year-old man was located deceased at the scene,” Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Neilson said.A second man was taken to Waikato Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.Police earlier appealed for sightings of a black Ford Territory last seen being driven by a man who police were looking to speak to.A 41-year-old man…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ  If you are paying interest on your student loan, your bill is about to get bigger. While student loans are interest free for people who remain in New Zealand, interest is charged when people move overseas. From April 1, an additional 1% will be applied to student loan interest rates, on top of the yearly re-calculation in rates that occurs. That will take the base rate to 4.9%, the late payment rate to 8.9%, which is charged on overdue amounts from student loan borrowers in New Zealand and overseas, and the reduced late payment rate…

A vehicle is being sought by police after a man was found dead following an “incident” in Hamilton during the early hours of this morning. A homicide investigation was launched after police were called to an address on Beatty St in Melville around 4.30am.”A 26-year-old man was located deceased at the scene,” Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Neilson said. A second man was taken to Waikato Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. “Police are currently making enquiries to establish what has occurred and the events leading up to this incident,” Neilson said. Police were also working to identify and locate…