Author: Press Room

Published on 09/12/2025 – 10:05 GMT+1 •Updated 10:57 The European Union gives smaller states strength in an increasingly hostile world, European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told Euronews in an interview after a controversial US government document suggested the EU is crushing freedom. “The EU provides strength for its members, especially for the smaller states, because in the current more conflictual, power-driven world, there is certainly strength in unity,” he told Euronews’ flagship morning show Europe Today. Dombrovskis, who is one of the longest-serving Commissioners currently in his third term, hails from Latvia, one of the Baltic countries under threat from Russia.…

A recall has been issued for two cold-smoked salmon products sold in the South Island due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.The affected products included Ahi Mokopuna Limited Partnership’s Akaroa King Salmon brand Mānuka Cold Smoked Slices (100g) with a use-by date of 29 Dec 25 (Batch No. 46780); and Mānuka Cold Smoked Trim (500g) with a use-by date of 29 Dec 25 (Batch No. 46780).“The concern with these products is that they may contain Listeria, a foodborne bacterium that can make you sick,” New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said.“These products should not be eaten. You…

Insurance company Tower has become the latest financial services company to suffer a multi-million dollar penalty for misleading tens of thousands of customers and financially costing them. The High Court has penalised the company $7 million for more than a decade of overcharging customers because it did not properly apply multi-policy discounts. The civil case was brought by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) as it continued mopping up historic breaches by insurance, finance, and insurance companies of misleading fair trading laws. FMA head of enforcement Margot Gatland said Tower’s systems were deficient, despite an agreement with the Commerce Commission as…

Just over a third of voters believe Christopher Luxon is the best person to lead National, while almost the same number want someone else from the party’s frontbench in the top job, a new 1News Verian poll reveals.The poll, conducted between November 29 and December 3, found 35% of those surveyed backed Luxon as best to lead National, but 31% felt another MP would be better suited for the role, while 35% didn’t know or preferred not to say.In contrast, former prime minister Chris Hipkins received stronger backing, with 45% of voters saying he was best for the job of…

An Auckland man has been fined $9800 and had restrictions placed on how many cows and horses he can own after pleading guilty to three charges under the Animal Welfare Act.Kevin Maurice Dell, aged 70, pleaded guilty to the charges after being prosecuted by the Ministry for Primary Industries.He has been disqualified from being the owner or person in charge of more than two horses and 10 cows for two years.After a complaint to MPI, an animal welfare inspector visited Dell’s two lifestyle properties. The inspector found a dehydrated young heifer recumbent, laying on its side against a fence, unable…

Customs officers at the Port of Tauranga have intercepted an estimated 45kg of cocaine – with an estimated street value of $15.75 million – during routine inspections.The container originated in Houston, US, and travelled via Balboa, Panama before arriving in Tauranga on December 4. It had been risk-assessed prior to arrival as part of Customs’ standard screening procedures for all incoming sea cargo.During X-Ray screening, officers detected anomalies and carried out a physical search of the container. Hidden among legitimate goods, they found two plastic-wrapped bags holding 45 one-kilogram cocaine bricks. The bricks featured various brandings, including Volvo, Porsche, and…

Wellingtonians can expect to tap onto buses and trains with their phone or debit card by April 2026 as regional councillors push forward with a $5.5m ticketing upgrade.Across buses and trains, the contactless system would work much the same as it does in Auckland for adults and wouldn’t include concession fares such as for kids or students.Regional councillors pushed to improve the existing system in a decision last year, with the move a sign of tensions over the delayed $1.4bn national ticketing solution (NTS).Greater Wellington Regional Council chairperson Daran Ponter told 1News, “we have all run out of patience” waiting…

Te Pāti Māori’s support has dropped to 1% in the latest 1News Verian poll following weeks of negative publicity over disputes within the party.Today’s result marks a major fall off for Te Pāti Māori, which recorded 7% in the poll just a year ago following the hīkoi that saw tens of thousands make their way to Parliament.If an election were to be held today, the poll indicates it would be good news for the right bloc of National, ACT and New Zealand First, which forms the current government coalition. They would have 67 seats, easily enough to form the next…

Party leaders have reacted to a declining Te Pāti Māori in the last 1News Verian poll of the year. The poll showed support for Te Pāti Māori had dropped to 1% following weeks of negative publicity over disputes within the party. The party recorded 7% in a poll just a year ago following a hīkoi that saw tens of thousands make their way to Parliament.Both the Labour and National were up 3% and 2% respectively. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, left, ACT Party leader David Seymour, National Party leader Christopher Luxon, Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins, Green Party co-leader…

A second man has been charged with murder after a motorcyclist died on an Auckland street last Friday.In an update this evening, police said further arrests had been made in the case after a first suspect charged with murder appeared in an Auckland court earlier today.Detective Inspector Scott Beard said the investigation headed south into Waikato where the new arrests were made. “Two men were taken into custody near Te Awamutu without incident,” he said.”We have charged a 21-year-old man with murder and we are currently speaking with the second man as part of the investigation.”The 21-year-old man arrested near…