Author: Press Room

Health New Zealand has accepted the findings of a rapid review into an incident where an 11-year-old girl was misidentified as a woman in her 20s, taken to the hospital by police, and given anti-psychotic drugs. Health NZ released the findings of that review today, which confirmed that “several failings” had contributed to the “distress and trauma” experienced by the girl. “Once again, and on behalf of Health NZ, I offer our deepest apologies,” Health New Zealand Chief Clinical Officer Dr Richard Sullivan said. “Our staff endeavour to provide high standards of care and we want to ensure what happened…

The Body Shop New Zealand has been placed into liquidation, with all stores closed and the loss of about 70 jobs. A notice in the New Zealand Gazette confirmed liquidation of the company began on Thursday last week. Neale Jackson and Daniel Stoneman of Calibre Partners were appointed as liquidators. A message on the beauty retailer’s website confirmed all retail locations were now permanently shut, and the online store was no longer processing orders. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our valued customers for your unwavering support throughout the years,” a statement said. “Your passion for our products and ethical values has…

A daylight brawl between two kiwi spilt into a Bay of Islands garden last week. Karin Matthews, who lives just west of Kerikeri, was sitting at her kitchen bench at around 7.30am on Friday when she heard some “strange noises” coming from outside. She’d heard the noises before and knew it was kiwi, as the birds were a familiar sight in the area, “but usually it’s at night time”. “I went out onto our deck, and my first thought was, ‘Oh, what are these kiwis doing?’ They’re in my garden, squashing my flowers.”Then I thought, hang on a minute. This…

The first of Jetstar’s new daily direct flights from Christchurch to Cairns took off on Wednesday. Christchurch Airport chief executive Justin Watson called the new service – which will run daily from today – “a win for travellers and the economy”. “Jetstar’s decision to add Cairns to its Christchurch schedule is great news for the South Island,” Watson said. “It gives Kiwis a quick and easy way to experience tropical North Queensland while welcoming more Aussie visitors to our backyard. “Greater connectivity means more business for local tourism, hospitality, and retail – it’s a boost for both economies.” Jetstar spokesperson…

Minister for Veterans Affairs Chris Penk left Whakatāne Returned Services Association on Friday with a precious taonga burning a hole in his pocket.New Zealand’s most decorated living war hero Warrant Officer Willie Apiata had just gifted him his New Zealand Victoria Cross medal to carry to Parliament in hope of changing the definition of a veteran in legislation.Apiata received the medal for carrying a wounded fellow soldier to safety under heavy fire in Afghanistan in 2004. He has campaigned for more than five years for changes to the Veterans Support Act 2014.The Act sets out which people who have served…

The drill is conducted ​on the Danube river and on Romania’s Black sea coast, aiming to strengthen collaboration between NATO allies, naval, air and land forces. ADVERTISEMENTMilitary personnel from 12 NATO countries begun an annual naval exercise led by Romania in the Black Sea and Danube river delta this week.Over 2,300 troops are taking part in the so-called “Sea Shield” drill, aimed at strengthening collaboration among allied naval, air and land forces.1,600 Romanian troops are participating alongside 11 partner states — Albania, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States and Turkey.The exercise was…

US President Donald Trump is to impose new tariffs, the White House has confirmed, though it provided no details about the size and scope of trade barriers that have businesses, consumers and investors fretting about an intensifying global trade war. Trump has for weeks trumpeted April 2 as a “Liberation Day” that will see dramatic new duties that could upend the global trade system, with an announcement in at the White House in Washington DC scheduled for 4pm (local time). White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose duties on ISUS goods would take effect immediately after Trump announces them, while a 25% tariff…

An investigation into reports of live flies being found in meals provided to schools is “unable to proceed” due to a lack of substantive information, NZ Food Safety says. An investigation into the claims was launched in mid-March after NZ Food Safety “received a complaint about flies in school lunches”.In an update to 1News today, deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said the agency had been “unable to progress” its investigation. “We made enquiries, but information was not available to substantiate the complaint,” he said. The new programme, introduced this year by the coalition government to reduce the cost of the one…

A Danish hunter who died on the West Coast likely drowned after being swept away in a river crossing mishap after heavy rain in unfamiliar terrain, a coroner has found.In findings released on Tuesday, Coroner Amelia Steel ruled that 21-year-old Jonas Legaard Sorensen died at Karangarua River near McTaggart Creek in Westland’s Tai Poutini National Park between June 7 and 11 in 2019.Sorensen had walked to Cassels Hut, where he stayed for three nights with two other hunters who described him as being well-equipped. The coroner noted he was regarded as a very experienced hunter for his age.They decided to…

Most Kiwis are paying too much for power and they could offset the latest price rises if they switched providers or plans, an expert says. Consumers are likely to see a big bump in their energy bills this month, up to a 10 percent rise for some. The prices rises come after the Commerce Commission approved lines and transmission price increases which came into effect on Tuesday. Consumer NZ’s head of Powerswitch Paul Fuge said there were three components to the increases: lines charges, a phase-out of the low user component and the actual energy costs. Lines charges, which are…