Author: Press Room

Police Minister Mark Mitchell will be making a Ministerial Statement about the Jevon McSkimming situation ahead of question time at Parliament today.It comes after the release yesterday of a damning report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority, which spoke of “serious misconduct” among senior police relating to the handling of allegations against former deputy commissioner McSkimming.

Published on 12/11/2025 – 7:00 GMT+1 Since Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU and its Member States are taking on the largest rearmament effort since the 1950s. Recent research says almost 8 in 10 Europeans are concerned about the EU’s defence and security in the next five years, but are they willing to pay for it? Tonight on Euronews’ brand new debating show The Ring, we will ask MEPs Martin Schirdewan from The Left and Riho Terras, a former army general from the European People’s Party what this investment in defence will mean for Europeans. Broadcasting from…

Rainbow sand from Educational Colours and coloured sand from Creatistics has been recalled because Tremolite (a naturally occurring asbestos in quartz) has been found in samples during lab testing. The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said today that people need to stop using the products immediately. “We are taking immediate precautionary action, while we establish the extent and risk of the potentially contaminated product,” Ian Caplin, MBIE’s product safety spokesperson said. “We urge anyone who has bought these products, either for personal use or potential use in a school or other setting to act immediately. Stop using the…

For the past four years, economist and philanthropist Gareth Morgan has been working on a giant art project north of Wellington, which he says has cost “tens of millions” of dollars.Now, the well-known businessman and former political figure is ready to unveil his new sculpture trail, which features a 25-tonne feather, a giant seat and a rainbow bridge, among others – to the public.Morgan says public art brings joy to people of all ages. “It’s incredible to see it. I just thought, ‘wouldn’t it be cool to generate something on a far grander scale down in Wellington’?”The massive park bench…

A tiny West Coast community in one of New Zealand’s most pristine environments is challenging the need to chlorinate its drinking water supply.Haast resident Paul Elwell-Sutton says the remote township of about 80 people used to enjoy some of the purest water in the country, until the arrival of the new water regulator, Taumata Arowai.The Westland District Council moved promptly to chlorinate small water supplies up and down the coast to make sure they met new drinking water safety standards.“But our water testing records show we’ve always had pathogen-free water,” Elwell-Sutton said.“It comes from bores 11 metres deep under the…

The Department of Conservation will charge $5 an hour to park at Aoraki Mt Cook as part of a trial starting in December, in an effort to get visitors financially contributing to conservation sites and experiences.The first 20 minutes will be free to allow for pick-ups, drop-offs and short stays, and there will be a daily capped rate of $25.Annual passes for locals would be $10 per vehicle per year, while non-residents could get a similar pass for $60.Commercial tourism operators with a valid concession would be granted an exemption during the trial.Department of Conservation director of heritage and visitors…

Police have shared CCTV images of two people believed to be “directly linked” to the September murder of Bill Maangi in Gisborne. Maangi, 36, was found critically injured on the front lawn of a property between Lytton Rd and Riperata St in the early hours of September 29 after being shot. Despite the efforts to save him, he died at Gisborne Hospital a short time later. Investigators were still piecing together the events that led up to his death, sharing images of two men filmed in the area – hoping the public could help. Acting Detective Inspector James Keene said…

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has waved away New Zealand First’s criticism of National’s economic plan, saying Winston Peters has many entrenched views.In an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report on Tuesday, the NZ First leader said Luxon’s interest in asset sales was based on a “tawdry, silly argument”. Peters said National wanted to “flog those [assets] off” having “failed to run the economy properly”.Responding on his way into a caucus meeting at Parliament, Luxon said he was not bothered by his coalition partner’s comments.”Winston Peters has been around for half a century in this place. He has a lot of entrenched…

A police officer who shot and injured a man attempting to hijack vehicles at gunpoint in west Auckland in 2023 was justified in doing so, according to an Independent Police Conduct Authority investigation.On September 27, 2023, officers were told a stolen vehicle involved in an aggravated robbery was at a Te Atatu petrol station. Police blocked the vehicle in and approached, however the driver rammed other vehicles to escape and drove onto the Northwestern Motorway, exiting at Lincoln Rd.The man, identified in the authority’s report only as Mr X, left the stolen vehicle while carrying a long-barrelled firearm and unsuccessfully…

The Government has today confirmed the four key drugs to be screened as part of police’s new roadside testing regime.Transport Minister Chris Bishop said drug-impaired drivers “are a menace on New Zealand roads”.”Around 30% of all road deaths now involve an impairing drug. If you take drugs and drive, you’re putting innocent lives at risk – and we will not tolerate it.”Rolling out roadside drug testing is a practical step towards safer roads and fewer tragedies.”Under the new system, police – using new oral-fluid testing devices – will be able to stop any motor vehicle to screen the driver for…