Author: Press Room

ADVERTISEMENT A growing number of NATO allies are calling for harmonising national caveats that hinder the alliance’s ability to respond quickly to threats such as airspace violations — but the task is likely to be arduous. As defence ministers from the 32 member states gathered in Brussels for a meeting on Wednesday, most allies called for a reduction in the use of national caveats in northern or eastern Europe, where an increasing number of airspace violations has been recorded in recent weeks. Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson said “there’s room for improvement within the alliance” and that his country’s model…

A home loan borrower who complained that his mortgage adviser should not have charged him $2500 when he changed banks has been told the broker acted appropriately.The man applied to Financial Services Complaints Ltd (FSCL), an external disputes resolution service for the financial sector.He had taken out a loan through a mortgage adviser in January 2023. The bank that gave him the mortgage paid the adviser a commission of $2500.FSCL does not identify the people who complain or the subject of the complaints.In August the next year, the man contacted the adviser to top up the loan. The adviser was…

Prominent activist Eru Kapa-Kingi has declared he does not “regret a single thing” about his dramatic cutting-of-ties with Te Pāti Māori, saying he knew he would be “dragged through the mud” for going public.Te Pāti Māori hit back at Kapa-Kingi’s claims of “dictatorship” within the party’s leadership on Monday evening, instead accusing their former staffer himself of “bullying” behaviour.The party emailed documents to its members late on Monday, including allegations that Kapa-Kingi had unleashed a “tirade of abuse” at Parliamentary staff last year, attacking one security guard as a “f***ing white baldhead c***” and threatening: “I will f***ing knock you…

The famous Cardrona Hotel will remain in Kiwi hands after being sold to a group of New Zealand investors with ties to Central Otago.The 162-year-old heritage-listed hotel, pub, and restaurant, located between Wānaka and Queenstown, has been sold for an undisclosed sum, with the new owners taking possession on November 3.The business would be run by Warren Barclay, a Wānaka local with a background in corporate hospitality. Barclay owned Experience Group, which managed hospitality for major sporting events, but would step back from day-to-day operations there to take on the role of Cardrona Hotel publican.The pub has been immortalised in…

Roads have reopened after a truck carrying a dump truck collided with a freight train in Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast this morning. Police were notified that a truck and freight train had collided at 6.20am. “Fortunately both the truck and train drivers are uninjured,” a police spokesperson said. Police were notified that a truck and freight train had collided at 6.20am. (Source: Martin Burton)In an update this afternoon, police said the roads had since reopened and thanked all impacted residents and motorists for their patience. KiwiRail said the Elizabeth St level crossing was fully protected with barrier arms, lights…

Lotto NZ says its newly launched technology platform is performing well, as the system faces high demand with a $20 million Powerball jackpot tonight driving a surge in ticket sales.The platform, rolled out two weeks ago, had now been used by retailers for a fortnight, with the changes including new in-store features and “simplified” spend limits.Lotto NZ head of corporate communications Will Hine said store operators were becoming familiar with the system as customer traffic increases.”We’re really pleased with how our new technology platform is operating after two weeks,” he said. “We’re confident we’re well placed as ticket sales continue…

ADVERTISEMENT NATO defence ministers are meeting on Wednesday for the first time since a significant series of drones and Russian jets violated European airspace in recent weeks. High on the agenda is the lack of cohesion amongst allies about a plan on how to best respond to the incursions, parts of which NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said were being developed in cooperation with the European Union. Rutte told the press on Wednesday morning before the meeting kicked off that the two were joining forces in an effort to create a “drone wall” – an idea promoted by European Commission…

Police have released the details of a father and son killed in a “deliberately lit” house fire in Auckland’s Bucklands Beach earlier this month as a double homicide investigation continues.Detective Inspector Tofilau Va’aelua confirmed the victims were 36-year-old Jung Sup Lee and his 11-year-old son Ha-il Lee.”Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family at this difficult time,” he said.The fire broke out at a Murvale Drive property around 2.30am on October 2, prompting a major emergency response. Five people were inside the two-storey home at the time. Three survived, including the mother and another child, who were hospitalised but…

A Central Otago councillor-elect accused of financial misconduct has quit saying “destructive misinformation and hatred” have become too much for his family.Mayor Tamah Alley said she received an email from Dave McKenzie on Wednesday afternoon advising of his decision to withdraw from the election process.McKenzie, who held a lead of fewer than 40 votes in the Vincent ward seat, was investigated by the council when he was a contractor.Council documents show he admitted to at least one instance of charging the council an extra $1000 on an invoice.In a statement, McKenzie said he was disappointed but destructive misinformation and hatred…

Conflict between two Auckland teenagers spanning eight months last year resulted in a fatal shooting and a young man now facing prison time.Eighteen-year-old Maxwel-Dee Repia was killed on Tuarangi Rd in Grey Lynn on September 5, 2024, and three of his associates David Lucas, Sione Salt and Daniel Kalekale also suffered gun wounds.Kayden Stanaway, who was 19 at the time of shooting, pleaded guilty to murder and three counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, at the High Court at Auckland earlier today.He’s due to be sentenced in February.An agreed summary of facts outlined months of tensions…